had issued promotions and reductions.  The soldiers did not judge Vitellius’ actions as those of a mere ex-consul:  they took him for something more, and, while serious critics found him undignified,[95] his supporters spoke of his affability and beneficence, because he showed neither moderation nor judgement in making presents out of his own money and squandering other people’s.  Besides, they were so greedy for power that they took even his vices for virtues.  In both armies there were plenty of quiet, law-abiding men as well as many who were unprincipled and disorderly.  But for sheer reckless cupidity none could match two of the legionary legates, Alienus Caecina and Fabius Valens.[96] Valens was hostile to Galba, because, after unmasking Verginius’s hesitation[97] and thwarting Capito’s designs, he considered that he had been treated with ingratitude:  so he incited Vitellius by pointing out to him the enthusiasm of the troops.  ‘You,’ he would say to him, ’are famous everywhere, and you need find no obstacle in Hordeonius Flaccus.[98] Britain will join and the German auxiliaries will flock to your standard.  Galba cannot trust the provinces; the poor old man holds the empire on sufferance; the transfer can be soon effected, if only you will clap on full sail and meet your good fortune half-way.  Verginius was quite right to hesitate.  He came of a family of knights, and his father was a nobody.  He would have failed, had he accepted the empire:  his refusal saved him.  Your father was thrice consul, and he was censor with an emperor for his colleague.[99] That gives you imperial dignity to start with, and makes it unsafe for you to remain a private citizen.’

These promptings stirred Vitellius’ sluggish nature to form desires, but hardly hopes.

Caecina, on the other hand, in Upper Germany, was a handsome 53 youth, whose big build, imperious spirit, clever tongue, and upright carriage had completely won the hearts of the soldiers.  While quaestor in Baetica[100] he had promptly joined Galba’s party, and in spite of his youth had been given command of a legion.  Later he was convicted of misappropriating public funds, and, on Galba’s orders, prosecuted for peculation.  Highly indignant, Caecina determined to embroil the world and bury his own disgrace in the ruins of his country.  Nor were the seeds of dissension lacking in the army.  The entire force had taken part in the war against Vindex, nor was it until after Nero’s death that they joined Galba’s side, and even then they had been forestalled in swearing allegiance by the detachments of Lower Germany.  Then again the Treviri and Lingones[101] and the other communities which Galba had punished by issuing harsh edicts and confiscating part of their territory, were in close communication with the winter quarters of the legions.  They began to talk treason:  the soldiers degenerated in civilian society:  it only wanted some one to avail himself of the offer they had made to Verginius.