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thrice consul； was censor and colleague of Caesar； Vitellius has
long since derived an imperial rank； while he has lost the security
that belongs to a subject。〃
These arguments roused the indolent temper of the man； yet roused
him rather to wish than to hope for the throne。 Meanwhile however in
Upper Germany Caecina； young and handsome； of commanding stature；
and of boundless ambition； had attracted the favour of the soldiery by
his skilful oratory and his dignified mien。 This man had； when
quaestor in Baetica； attached himself with zeal to the party of Galba；
who had appointed him； young as he was； to the command of a legion；
but； it being afterwards discovered that he had embezzled the public
money； Galba directed that he should be prosecuted for peculation。
Caecina； grievously offended； determined to throw everything into
confusion； and under the disasters of his country to conceal his
private dishonour。 There were not wanting in the army itself the
elements of civil strife。 The whole of it had taken part in the war
against Vindex； it had not passed over to Galba till Nero fell； even
then in this transference of its allegiance it had been anticipated by
the armies of Lower Germany。 Besides this； the Treveri； the
Lingones； and the other states which Galba had most seriously
injured by his severe edicts and by the confiscation of their
territory； were particularly close to the winter…quarters of the
legions。 Thence arose seditious conferences； a soldiery demoralized by
intercourse with the inhabitants of the country； and tendencies in
favour of Verginius； which could easily be to the profit of any
other person。
The Lingones； following an old custom； had sent presents to the
legions； right hands clasped together； an emblem of friendship。
Their envoys； who had assumed a studied appearance of misery and
distress； passed through the headquarters and the men's tents； and
complaining； now of their own wrongs； now of the rewards bestowed on
the neighbouring states； and； when they found the soldiers' ears
open to their words； of the perils and insults to which the army
itself was exposed； inflamed the passions of the troops。 The legions
were on the verge of mutiny； when Hordeonius Flaccus ordered the
envoys to depart； and to make their departure more secret； directed
them to leave the camp by night。 Hence arose a frightful rumour；
many asserting that the envoys had been killed； and that； unless the
soldiers provided their own safety； the next thing would be； that
the most energetic of their number； and those who had complained of
their present condition； would be slaughtered under cover of night；
when the rest of the army would know nothing of their fate。 The
legions then bound themselves by a secret agreement。 Into this the
auxiliary troops were admitted。 At first objects of suspicion； from
the idea that their infantry and cavalry were being concentrated in
preparation for an attack on the legions； these troops soon became
especially zealous in the scheme。 The bad find it easier to agree
for purposes of war than to live in harmony during peace。
Yet it was to Galba that the legions of Lower Germany took the
oath of fidelity annually administered on the first of January。 It was
done； however； after long delay； and then only by a few voices from
the foremost ranks； while the rest preserved an absolute silence；
every one waiting for some bold demonstration from his neighbour； in
obedience to that innate tendency of men； which makes them quick to
follow where they are slow to lead。 And even in the various legions
there was a difference of feeling。 The soldiers of the 1st and of
the 5th were so mutinous； that some of them threw stones at the images
of Galba。 The 15th and 16th legions ventured on nothing beyond
uproar and threatening expressions。 They were on the watch for
something that might lead to an outbreak。 In the Upper army；
however； the 4th and 13th legions； which were stationed in the same
winter…quarters； proceeded on this same first of January to break in
pieces the images of Galba； the 4th legion being foremost； the 18th
shewing some reluctance； but soon joining with the rest。 Not however
to seem to throw off all their reverence for the Empire； they sought
to dignify their oath with the now obsolete names of the Senate and
people of Rome。 Not a single legate or tribune exerted himself for
Galba； some； as is usual in a tumult； were even conspicuously active
in mutiny； though no one delivered anything like a formal harangue
or spoke from a tribunal。 Indeed there was as yet no one to be obliged
by such services。
Hordeonius Flaccus； the consular legate； was present and witnessed
this outrage； but he dared neither check the furious mutineers； nor
keep the wavering to their duty； nor encourage the well affected。
Indolent and timid； he was reserved from guilt only by his sloth。 Four
Centurions of the 18th legion； Nonius Receptus； Donatius Valens；
Romilius Marcellus； Calpurnius Repentinus； striving to protect the
images of Galba； were swept away by a rush of the soldiers and put
in irons。 After this no one retained any sense of duty； any
recollection of his late allegiance； but； as usually happens in
mutinies； the side of the majority became the side of all。 In the
course of the night of the 1st of January； the standard…bearer of
the 4th legion； coming to the Colonia Agrippinensis； announced to
Vitellius； who was then at dinner； the news that the 4th and 18th
legions had thrown down the images of Galba； and had sworn
allegiance to the Senate and people of Rome。 Such a form of oath
appeared meaningless。 It was determined to seize the doubtful
fortune of the hour； and to offer an Emperor to their choice。
Vitellius sent envoys to the legions and their legates； who were to
say that the army of Upper Germany had revolted from Galba； that it
was consequently necessary for them； either to make war on the
revolters； or； if they preferred peace and harmony； to create an
Emperor； and who were to suggest； that it would be less perilous to
accept than to look for a chief。
The nearest winter…quarters were those of the first legion； and
Fabius Valens was the most energetic of the legates。 This officer in
the course of the following day entered the Colonia Agrippinensis with
the cavalry of the legion and of the auxiliaries； and together with
them saluted Vitellius as Emperor。 All the legions belonging to the
same province followed his example with prodigious zeal； and the
army of Upper Germany abandoned the specious names the Senate and
people of Rome； and on the 3rd of January declared for Vitellius。
One could be sure that during those previous two days it had not
really been the army of the State。 The inhabitants of Colonia
Agri