putrefied
matter which sank down into it, that it produced a most unusual crop
in the next season, and so confirmed the opinion of Archilochus[89]
that the land is fattened by human bodies. They say that extraordinary
rains generally follow great battles, whether it is that some divine
power purifies the ground, and drenches it with waters from heaven, or
that the blood and putrefaction send up a moist and heavy vapour which
condenses the atmosphere, which is lightly moved and readily changed
to the greatest degree from the smallest cause.

XXII. After the battle, Marius caused to be collected the arms and
spoils of the barbarians which were conspicuous for ornament, and
unbroken, and suited to make a show in his triumphal procession: all
the rest he piled up in a great heap, for the celebration of a
splendid religious festival. The soldiers were already standing by in
their armour, with chaplets on their heads, and Marius having put on
the robe with the purple border, and fastened it up about him in the
Roman fashion, had taken a burning torch, and holding it up to heaven
with both his hands, was going to set fire[90] to the heap, when some
friends were seen riding quickly towards him, which caused a deep
silence and general expectation. When the horsemen were near, they
leaped down and greeted Marius with the news that he was elected
consul for the fifth time, and they delivered him letters to this
effect. This cause of great rejoicing being added to the celebration
of the victory, the army transported with delight sent forth one
universal shout, accompanied with the noise and clatter of their arms,
and the officers crowned Marius afresh with a wreath of bay, on which
he set fire to the heap, and completed the ceremony.

XXIII. But that power which permits no great good fortune to give a
pleasure untempered and pure, and diversifies human life with a
mixture of evil and of good--be it Fortune[91] or Nemesis, or the
necessary nature of things--in a few days brought to Marius
intelligence about his companion in command, Catulus, involving Rome
again in alarm and tempest, like a cloud which overcasts a clear and
serene sky. For Catulus, whose commission was to oppose the Cimbri,
determined to give up the defence of the passes of the Alps, for fear
that he might weaken his force if he were obliged to divide it too
much. Accordingly he forthwith descended into the plains of Italy, and
placing the river Atiso[92] (Adige)