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these recent crimes； and to think of the old character of Otho； was
heightened into terror by the fresh news about Vitellius； news which
had been suppressed before the murder of Galba； in order to make it
appear that only the army of Upper Germany had revolted。 That two men；
who for shamelessness； indolence； and profligacy； were the most
worthless of mortals； had been selected； it would seem； by some
fatality to ruin the Empire； became the open complaint； not only of
the Senate and the Knights； who had some stake and interest in the
country； but even of the common people。 It was no longer to the late
horrors of a dreadful peace； but to the recollections of the civil
wars； that men recurred； speaking of how the capital had been taken by
Roman armies； how Italy had been wasted and the provinces spoiled；
of Pharsalia； Philippi； Perusia； and Mutina； and all the familiar
names of great public disasters。 〃The world；〃 they said； 〃was
well…nigh turned upside down when the struggle for empire was
between worthy competitors； yet the Empire continued to exist after
the victories of Caius Julius and Caesar Augustus； the Republic
would have continued to exist under Pompey and Brutus。 And is it for
Otho or for Vitellius that we are now to repair to the temples？
Prayers for either would be impious； vows for either a blasphemy； when
from their conflict you can only learn that the conqueror must be
the worse of the two。〃 Some were speculating on Vespasian and the
armies of the East。 Vespasian was indeed preferable to either； yet
they shuddered at the idea of another war； of other massacres。 Even
about Vespasian there were doubtful rumours； and he； unlike any of his
predecessors； was changed for the better by power。
I will now describe the origin and occasion of the revolt of
Vitellius。 After the destruction of Julius Vindex and his whole force；
the army； flushed with the delights of plunder and glory； as men might
well be who had been fortunate enough to triumph without toil or
danger in a most lucrative war； began to hanker after compaigns and
battles； and to prefer prize money to pay。 They had long endured a
service which the character of the country and of the climate and
the rigours of military discipline rendered at once unprofitable and
severe。 But that discipline； inexorable as it is in times of peace； is
relaxed by civil strife； when on both sides are found the agents of
corruption； and treachery goes unpunished。 They had men； arms and
horses； more than enough for all purposes of utility and show； but
before the war they had been acquainted only with the companies and
squadrons of their own force； as the various armies were separated
from each other by the limits of their respective provinces。 But the
legions； having been concentrated to act against Vindex； and having
thus learnt to measure their own strength against the strength of
Gaul； were now on the lookout for another war and for new conflicts。
They called their neighbours； not 〃allies〃 as of old； but 〃the
enemy〃 and 〃the vanquished。〃 Nor did that part of Gaul which borders
on the Rhine fail to espouse the same cause； and to the bitterest
hostility in inflaming the army against the Galbianists； that being
the name； which in their contempt for Vindex they had given to the
party。 The rage first excited against the Sequani and Aedui extended
to other states in proportion to their wealth； and they revelled in
imagination on the storm of cities； the plunder of estates； the sack
of dwelling…houses。 But； besides the rapacity and arrogance which
are the special faults of superior strength； they were exasperated
by the bravadoes of the Gallic people； who in a spirit of insult to
the army boasted of how they had been relieved by Galba from a
fourth part of their tribute； and had received grants from the
State。 There was also a report； ingeniously spread and recklessly
believed； to the effect that the legions were being decimated； and all
the most energetic centurions dismissed。 From all quarters arrived the
most alarming tidings。 The reports from the capital were unfavourable；
while the disaffection of the colony of Lugdunum； which obstinately
adhered to Nero； gave rise to a multitude of rumours。 But it was in
the army itself； in its hatreds； its fears； and even in the security
with which a review of its own strength inspired it； that there was
the most abundant material for the exercise of imagination and
credulity。
Just before December 1 in the preceding year； Aulus Vitellius had
visited Lower Germany； and had carefully inspected the winter quarters
of the legions。 Many had their rank restored to them； sentences of
degradation were cancelled； and marks of disgrace partially removed。
In most cases he did but court popularity； in some he exercised a
sound discretion； making a salutary change from the meanness and
rapacity which Fonteius Capito had shown in bestowing and
withdrawing promotion。 But he seemed a greater personage than a simple
consular legate； and all his acts were invested with an unusual
importance。 Though sterner judges pronounced Vitellius to be a man
of low tastes； those who were partial to him attributed to geniality
and good nature the immoderate and indiscriminate prodigality； with
which he gave away what was his own； and squandered what did not
belong to him。 Besides this； men themselves eager for power were ready
to represent his very vices as virtues。 As there were in both armies
many of obedient and quiet habits； so there were many who were as
unprincipled as they were energetic； but distinguished above all for
boundless ambition and singular daring were the legates of the
legions； Fabius Valens and Alienus Caecina。 One of these men；
Valens； had taken offence against Galba； under the notion that he
had not shewn proper gratitude for his services in discovering to
him the hesitation of Verginius and crushing the plans of Capito。 He
now began to urge Vitellius to action。 He enlarged on the zeal of
the soldiery。 〃You have；〃 he said； 〃everywhere a great reputation； you
will find nothing to stop you in Hordeonius Flaccus； Britain will be
with you； the German auxiliaries will follow your standard。 All the
provinces waver in their allegiance。 The Empire is held on the
precarious tenure of an aged life； and must shortly pass into other
hands。 You have only to open your arms； and to meet the advances of
fortune。 It was well for Verginius to hesitate； the scion of a mere
Equestrian family； and son of a father unknown to fame： he would
have been unequal to empire； had he accepted it； and yet been safe
though he refused it。 But from the honours of a father who was
thrice consul； was censor and colleague of Caesar； Vitellius has
long since derived an imperial rank； while he has l