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though the consular legates took no part in the movement。 Titus Ampius
Flavianus was the governor of Pannonia； Poppaeus Silvanus of Dalmatia。
They were both rich and advanced in years。 The Imperial procurator；
however； was Cornelius Fuscus； a man in the prime of life and of
illustrious birth。 Though in early youth the desire of repose had
led him to resign his senatorial rank； he afterwards put himself at
the head of his colony in fighting for Galba； and by this service he
obtained his procuratorship。 Subsequently embracing the cause of
Vespasian； he lent the movement the stimulus of a fiery zeal。
Finding his pleasure not so much in the rewards of peril as in peril
itself； to assured and long acquired possession he preferred
novelty； uncertainty； and risk。 Accordingly； both he and Antonius
strove to agitate and disturb wherever there was any weak point。
Despatches were sent to the 14th legion in Britain and to the 1st in
Spain； for both these legions had been on the side of Otho against
Vitellius。 Letters too were scattered through every part of Gaul；
and in a moment a mighty war burst into flame； for the armies of
Illyricum were already in open revolt； and the rest were waiting
only the signal of success。
While Vespasian and the generals of his party were thus occupied
in the provinces； Vitellius was daily becoming more contemptible and
indolent； halting to enjoy the pleasures of every town and villa in
his way； as with his cumbrous host he advanced towards the capital。 He
was followed by 60；000 armed soldiers demoralized by licence。 Still
larger was the number of camp…followers； and of all slaves； the slaves
of soldiers are the most unruly。 So numerous a retinue of officers and
personal friends would have been difficult to keep under restraint；
even if controlled by the strictest discipline。 The crowd was made
more unwieldy by Senators and Knights who came to meet him from the
capital； some moved by fear； many by a spirit of adulation； others；
and by degrees all； that they might not be left behind while the
rest were going。 From the dregs of the people there thronged buffoons；
players； and charioteers； known to Vitellius from their infamous
compliance with his vices； for in such disgraceful friendships he felt
a strange pleasure。 And now not only were the colonies and towns
exhausted by having to furnish supplies； but the very cultivator of
the soil and his lands； on which the harvests were now ripe； were
plundered like an enemy's territory。
There were many sanguinary encounters between the soldiers； for ever
since the mutiny which broke out at Ticinum there had lingered a
spirit of dissension between the legions and the auxiliary troops；
though they could unite whenever they had to fight with the rustic
population。 The most terrible massacre took place at the 7th milestone
from Rome。 Vitellius was distributing to each soldier provisions ready
dressed on the same abundant scale as the gladiators' rations； and the
populace had poured forth； and spread themselves throughout the entire
camp。 Some with the frolicsome humour of slaves robbed the careless
soldiers by slily cutting their belts； and then asked them whether
they were armed。 Unused to insult； the spirit of the soldiers resented
the jest。 Sword in hand they fell upon the unarmed people。 Among the
slain was the father of a soldier； who was with his son。 He was
afterwards recognised； and his murder becoming generally known； they
spared the innocent crowd。 Yet there was a panic at Rome； as the
soldiers pressed on in all directions。 It was to the forum that they
chiefly directed their steps； anxious to behold the spot where Galba
had fallen。 Nor were the men themselves a less frightful spectacle；
bristling as they were with the skins of wild beasts； and armed with
huge lances； while in their strangeness to the place they were
embarrassed by the crowds of people； or tumbling down in the
slippery streets or from the shock of some casual encounter； they fell
to quarrelling； and then had recourse to blows and the use of their
swords。 Besides； the tribunes and prefects were hurrying to and fro
with formidable bodies of armed men。
Vitellius himself； mounted on a splendid charger； with military
cloak and sword； advanced from the Mulvian bridge； driving the
Senate and people before him； but deterred by the advice of his
friends from marching into Rome as if it were a captured city； he
assumed a civil garb； and proceeded with his army in orderly array。
The eagles of four legions were borne in front； and an equal number of
colours from other legions on either side； then came the standards
of twelve auxiliary squadrons； and the cavalry behind the ranks of the
infantry。 Next came thirty…four auxiliary cohorts； distinguished
according to the names or various equipments of the nations。 Before
each eagle were the prefects of the camp； the tribunes； and the
centurions of highest rank； in white robes； and the other officers
by the side of their respective companies； glittering with arms and
decorations。 The ornaments and chains of the soldiers presented a
brilliant appearance。 It was a glorious sight； and the army was worthy
of a better Emperor than Vitellius。 Thus he entered the capital； and
he there embraced his mother and honoured her with the title of
Augusta。
The next day； as if he were addressing the Senate and people of
another State； he pronounced a high panegyric on himself； extolling
his own energy and moderation； though his enormities were known to the
very persons who were present and to the whole of Italy； his
progress through which had been disgraced by sloth and profligacy。 Yet
the mob； who had no patriotic anxieties； and who； without
distinguishing between truth and falsehood； had learnt the lesson of
habitual flattery； applauded him with shouts and acclamations； and；
reluctant as he was to assume the name of Augustus； extorted from
him a compliance as idle as his previous refusal。
The country； ready to find a meaning in every circumstance； regarded
it as an omen of gloomy import that Vitellius； on obtaining the office
of supreme Pontiff； should have issued a proclamation concerning the
public religious ceremonial on the 18th of July； a day which from
old times the disasters of Cremera and Allia had marked as unlucky。
Thus utterly regardless of all law human and divine； with freedmen and
friends as reckless as himself； he lived as if he were among a set
of drunkards。 Still at the consular elections he was present in
company with the candidates like an ordinary citizen； and by shewing
himself as a spectator in the theatre； as a partisan in the circus； he
courted every breath of applause from the lowest rabble。 Agreeable and
popular as this conduct would have been； h