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could not be trusted；； and his master recognised him as a runaway
slave； by name Geta； he was executed as slaves usually are。
It would almost pass belief； were I to tell to what a degree the
insolence and sloth of Vitellius grew upon him when messengers from
Syria and Judaea brought the news that the provinces of the East had
sworn allegiance to him。 Though as yet all information was but vague
and uncertain； Vespasian was the subject of much talk and rumour；
and at the mention of his name Vitellius often roused himself。 But
now； both the Emperor and the army； as if they had no rival to fear；
indulging in cruelty； lust； and rapine； plunged into all the licence
of foreign manners。
Vespasian； on the other hand； was taking a general survey of the
chances of a campaign and of his resources both immediate and
remote。 The soldiers were so entirely devoted to him； that as he
dictated the oath of allegiance and prayed for all prosperity to
Vitellius； they listened to him in silence。 Mucianus had no dislike to
Vespasian； and was strongly inclined towards Titus。 Already had
Alexander； the governor of Egypt； declared his adhesion。 The third
legion； as it had passed over from Syria to Moesia； Vespasian
counted upon as devoted to himself； and it was hoped that the other
legions of Illyricum would follow its example。 In fact the whole
army had been kindled into indignation by the insolence of the
soldiers who came among them from Vitellius。 Savage in appearance； and
speaking a rude dialect； they ridiculed everybody else as their
inferiors。 But in such gigantic preparations for war there is
usually delay。 Vespasian was at one moment high in hope； and at
another disposed to reflect on the chances of failure。 What a day
would that be when he should expose himself with his sixty years
upon him； and the two young men； his sons； to the perils of war！ In
private enterprises men may advance or recede； and presume more or
less upon fortune as they may choose； whereas they who aim at empire
have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall。
The strength of the army of Germany； with which as a military man he
was well acquainted； was continually before his eyes。 He reflected
that his own legions were wholly without experience of a civil war；
that those of Vitellius had been victorious； and that among the
conquered there was more dissatisfaction than real strength。 Civil
strife had shaken the fidelity of the Roman soldiery； and danger was
to be apprehended from individuals。 What would be the use of
infantry and cavalry； should one or two men seek the prize with
which the enemy would be ready to reward a prompt act of treason？ It
was thus that Scribonianus had fallen in the days of Claudius； and his
murderer； Volaginius； had been raised from the ranks to the highest
military command。 It was easier to move the hearts of the multitude
than to avoid the single assassin。
Though staggered by these apprehensions； he was confirmed in his
purpose by others among the legates and among his own friends； and
particularly by Mucianus； who； after many conversations with him in
private； now publicly addressed him in the following terms： 〃All who
enter upon schemes involving great interests； should consider
whether what they are attempting be for the advantage of the State；
for their own credit； easy of accomplishment； or at any rate free from
serious difficulty。 They must also weigh the circumstances of their
adviser； must see whether he will follow up his advice by
imperilling himself； and must know who； should fortune prosper the
undertaking； is to have the highest honours。 I invite you；
Vespasian； to a dignity which will be as beneficial to the State； as
it will be honourable to yourself。 Under heaven this dignity lies
within your reach。 And do not dread what may present the semblance
of flattery。 To be chosen successor to Vitellius would be more of an
insult than a compliment。 It is not against the vigorous intellect
of the Divine Augustus； it is not against the profound subtlety of the
aged Tiberius； it is not even against the house of Caius； Claudius； or
Nero； established by a long possession of the Empire； that we are
rising in revolt。 You have already yielded to the prestige even of
Galba's family。 To persist in inaction； and to leave the State to
degradation and ruin； would look like indolence and cowardice； even
supposing that servitude were as safe for you as it would be infamous。
The time has gone by and passed away when you might have endured the
suspicion of having coveted Imperial power。 That power is now your
only refuge。 Have you forgotten how Corbulo was murdered？ His
origin； I grant； was more illustrious than ours； yet in nobility of
birth Nero surpassed Vitellius。 The man who is afraid sees distinction
enough in any one whom he fears。 That an Emperor can be created by the
army； Vitellius is himself a proof； who； though he had seen no service
and had no military reputation； was raised to the throne by the
unpopularity of Galba。 Otho； who was overcome； not indeed by skilful
generalship； or by a powerful enemy； but by his own premature despair；
this man has made into a great and deservedly regretted Emperor； and
all the while he is disbanding his legions； disarming his auxiliaries；
and sowing every day fresh seeds of civil war。 All the energy and high
spirit which once belonged to his army is wasted in the revelry of
taverns and in aping the debaucheries of their chief。 You have from
Judaea； Syria； and Egypt； nine fresh legions； unexhausted by battle；
uncorrupted by dissension； you have a soldiery hardened by habits of
warfare and victorious over foreign foes； you have strong fleets；
auxiliaries both horse and foot； kings most faithful to your cause；
and an experience in which you excel all other men。
〃For myself I will claim nothing more than not to be reckoned
inferior to Valens and Caecina。 But do not spurn Mucianus as an
associate； because you do not find in him a rival。 I count myself
better than Vitellius； I count you better than myself。 Your house is
ennobled by the glories of a triumph； it has two youthful scions；
one of whom is already equal to the cares of Empire； and in the
earliest years of his military career won renown with these very
armies of Germany。 It would be ridiculous in me not to waive my claims
to Empire in favour of the man whose son I should adopt； were I myself
Emperor。 Between us； however； there will not be an equal
distribution of the fruits of success or failure。 If we are
victorious。 I shall have whatever honour you think fit to bestow on
me； the danger and the peril we shall share alike； nay； I would rather
have you； as is the better policy； direct your armies； and leave to me
the conduct of the