Battle of Forum Julii

After assuming the imperial throne during the civil war, Otho campaigned to secure the passes in the Alps bordering Gaul, as well as those territories whose loyalties toward him were in doubt. As a part of these campaigns, he sent his fleet to secure Gallia Narbonensis, which had sworn allegiance to Vitellius, Otho's primary opposition, and potential (and later successful) usurper of the throne. According to Tacitus (Histories 2.14), Fabius Valens, after hearing of the threat to Gallia Narbonensis, responded as follows: == Battle ==

The battle was fought on a small plain near the coast, probably near modern-day Menton. The Othonians faced to the west, their right flank anchored by a detachment of marines and local infantry in hills and their left supported by their navy, which probably also held a reserve of Cohortes urbanae; their centre was formed of Praetorian Guard. The Vitellans faced them, with the Ligurian infantry in the hills on their left and the remainder of their infantry (Tungrians) in the centre in close order, behind their large cavalry forces of which the Treveri, considered elite, made up the front rank. The battle began as soon as the armies met. A rash attack on behalf of the Vitellian auxiliaries led to them being surrounded: Despite the loss, the Vitellianist forces, specifically the fierce Tungrian auxiliaries, retaliated against their enemy, who had relaxed in the joy of victory (Histories 2.15): == Aftermath ==

The Vitellianists retreated to Antipolis, a town of Gallia Narbonensis, the Othonianists to Albigaunum, in Upper Liguria, who subsequently blockaded the province from unfriendly forces. When Fabius Valens heard of the loss, he sent a detachment of Batavian auxiliaries to the relief of the province. Tacitus makes a note of this action (Histories 2.28) with an anecdote on the well-known strength of the Batavians, and the subsequent risings of a mutiny on behalf of the Vitellianist legions. Due to the feeling of fear/loss that the legions had when these brave compatriots of theirs were sent away for the aforementioned mission, Valens was forced to deal with said brief mutiny of his troops. == References ==