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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
Agrippinensis； the Treveri； and the Lingones； shewed as much zeal as
the army； making offers of personal service； of horses； of arms and of
money； according as each felt himself able to assist the cause by
his own exertions； by his wealth； or by his talents。 Nor was this done
only by the leading men in the colonies or the camps； who had abundant
means at hand； and might indulge great expectations in the event of
victory； but whole companies down to the very ranks offered instead of
money their rations； their belts； and the bosses； which； richly
decorated with silver； adorned their arms； so strong were the
promptings from without； their own enthusiasm； and even the
suggestions of avarice。
Vitellius； after bestowing high commendation on the zeal of the
soldiers； proceeded to distribute among Roman Knights the offices of
the Imperial court usually held by freedmen。 He paid the furlough fees
to the centurions out of the Imperial treasury。 While in most
instances he acquiesced in the fury of the soldiers； who clamoured for
numerous executions； in some few he eluded it under the pretence of
imprisoning the accused。 Pompeius Propinquus； procurator of Belgica；
was immediately put to death。 Julius Burdo； prefect of the German
fleet； he contrived to withdraw from the scene of danger。 The
resentment of the army had been inflamed against this officer by the
belief； that it was he who had invented the charges and planned the
treachery which had destroyed Capito。 The memory of Capito was held in
high favour； and with that enraged soldiery it was possible to
slaughter in open day； but to pardon only by stealth。 He was kept in
prison； and only set at liberty after the victory of Vitellius； when
the resentment of the soldiery had subsided。 Meanwhile； by way of a
victim； the centurion Crispinus was given up to them； this man had
actually imbued his hands in the blood of Capito。 Consequently he
was to those who cried for vengeance a more notorious criminal； and to
him who punished a cheaper sacrifice。
Julius Civilis； a man of commanding influence among the Batavi；
was next rescued from like circumstances of peril； lest that
high…spirited nation should be alienated by his execution。 There
were indeed in the territory of the Lingones eight Batavian cohorts；
which formed the auxiliary force of the 14th legion； but which had；
among the many dissensions of the time； withdrawn from it； a body of
troops which； to whatever side they might incline； would； whether as
allies or enemies； throw a vast weight into the scale。 Vitellius
ordered the centurions Nonnius； Donatius； Romilius； and Calpurnius； of
whom I have before spoken； to be executed。 They had been convicted
of the crime of fidelity； among rebels the worst of crimes。 New
adherents soon declared themselves in Valerius Asiaticus； legate of
the Province of Belgica； whom Vitellius soon after made his
son…in…law； and Junius Blaesus； governor of Gallia Lugdunensis； who
brought with him the Italian Legion and the Taurine Horse； which was
stationed at Lugdunum。 The armies of Rhaetia made no delay in at
once joining Vitellius； and even in Britain there was no hesitation。
Of that province Trebellius Maximus was governor； a man whose sordid
avarice made him an object of contempt and hatred to the army。 His
unpopularity was heightened by the efforts of Roscius Caelius； the
legate of the 20th legion； who had long been on bad terms with him；
and who now seized the opportunity of a civil war to break out into
greater violence。 Trebellius charged him with mutinous designs； and
with disturbing the regularity of military discipline； Caelius
retorted on Trebellius the accusation of having plundered and
impoverished the legions。 Meanwhile all obedience in the army was
destroyed by these disgraceful quarrels between its commanders； and
the feud rose to such a height that Trebellius was insulted even by
the auxiliaries； and finding himself altogether isolated； as the
infantry and cavalry sided with Caelius； he fled for safety to
Vitellius。 Yet the province still enjoyed tranquility； though its
consular governor had been driven from it。 It was now ruled by the
legates of the legions； who were equal as to lawful authority；
though the audacity of Caelius made him the more powerful。
After the army of Britain had joined him； Vitellius； who had now a
prodigious force and vast resources； determined that there should be
two generals and two lines of march for the contemplated war。 Fabius
Valens was ordered to win over； if possible； or； if they refused his
overtures； to ravage the provinces of Gaul and to invade Italy by
way of the Cottian Alps； Caecina to take the nearer route； and to
march down from the Penine range。 To Valens were entrusted the
picked troops of the army of Lower Germany with the eagle of the 5th
legion and the auxiliary infantry and cavalry； to the number of 40；000
armed men； Caecina commanded 30；000 from Upper Germany； the strength
of his force being one legion； the 21st。 Both had also some German
auxiliaries； and from this source Vitellius； who was to follow with
his whole military strength； completed his own forces。
Wonderful was the contrast between the army and the Emperor。 The
army was all eagerness； they cried out war； while Gaul yet wavered；
and Spain hesitated。 〃The winter；〃 they said； 〃the delays of a
cowardly inaction must not stop us。 We must invade Italy； we must
seize the capital； in civil strife； where action is more needed than
deliberation； nothing is safer than haste。〃 Vitellius； on the
contrary； was sunk in sloth； and anticipated the enjoyment of
supreme power in indolent luxury and prodigal festivities。 By midday
he was half…intoxicated； and heavy with food； yet the ardour and
vigour of the so