The friendship that the legions held for Agrippina and Germanicus only served the interests of their enemies, the leaders of Rome. For even if Germanicus knew as well as I that there were illicit sentiments towards him, he used this friendship of the legions to enlist them in his campaigns which had for aim only the glory of those who did not love him. It is true that he was insistent in the war in Germania, but it was only because he believed it was necessary for the good of Rome, as subsequent events demonstrated. After the last efforts of Arminius and Inguiomer to raise an army capable of defeating that of Germanicus, after having used all the cunning that the wise captains use, and after having taken advantage of all the advantages that the knowledge of places offered him, Germanicus won as many victories as he delivered battles. 

One has never seen enemies defend themselves with such persistence. Sometimes, they seemed to flee only to return to fight with more determination. The defeat of their troops only increased their courage. The closer they seemed to defeat, the more they endeavored to position themselves for battle. It is said that the value of these Germanic soldiers killed was passed on to the soul of their companions to avenge their death. Thus, Germanicus deserves great renown for having defeated such enemies. Among the objects found in the spoils after one of the won battles, many chains were discovered that the enemy had prepared to chain the Roman soldiers as prisoners, for they were confident of winning. However, after Germanicus had avenged the death of Varus and the loss of his legions, retrieved the lost standards and sowed terror among all the barbarians through his valor and command, what did he do for his personal interest? What did he do for his glory? Should I say it, Romans? Yes, let us say it for his honor and for the shame of his enemies. He erected a magnificent trophy with a simple inscription indicating that the army of Tiberius had dedicated these monuments to Mars, Jupiter and Octavian for the victory it had won against the nations that lived between the Rhine and the Elbe.

And all this, Romans, without talking about himself, without asking for more merit than the most modest soldier of the army he commanded. I will not tell you in detail all the things that Germanicus accomplished, for Roman history has already taught you, and the hatred that some have nourished towards him should sufficiently show you that he is worthy of your friendship. Then, when Tiberius deemed it fit for Germanicus to return to Rome to receive the honor for this conquest, this noble and unfortunate man understood very well that Tiberius began to feel threatened by his glory and that he wanted to move him away from the battle so that he would not become more prestigious than he already was. Yet, he obeyed. Abandoning this unfinished war that he wished so useful to finish for you and forgetting all his prudence, he simply listened to his kindness.

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