“ On his return to Syria he suddenly fell ill and died. Agrippina brought his ashes to Italy amid universal mourning; honors almost unexampled in Roman history were paid to his memory; and Piso, accused by the senate of having poisoned him, anticipated his condemnation by a voluntary death. Germanicus is the hero of the “Annals” of Tacitus, and is one of the noblest characters in the history of the Roman empire. ”

“ He was a favorite with the soldiers, and they had already determined to raise him to the head of the empire, when he suddenly returned to the camp, and at the peril of his life succeeded in repressing two successive revolts, and in establishing Tiberius upon the throne. He immediately marched the pacified legions against the enemy across the Rhine, and routed the Marsi, whom he fell upon by night as they were celebrating a festival. Being soon after appointed commander-in-chief of all the legions of Germany, he began that series of exploits which gained him his title of Germanicus. ”

“ Fearing that his losses might embolden the Germans, he sent Silius against the Catti, while he himself attacked the Marsi. He purposed to pursue his advantages in the following year, when Tiberius, jealous of his fame, recalled him, and in the triumph which was granted him Thusnelda figured among the captives. To rid himself of Germanicus, the emperor sent him to the East to fight the Parthians and to pacify Armenia. He at the same time gave the government of Syria to Cneius Piso, with secret instructions to thwart and annoy Germanicus. ”