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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 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 sta