On reaching the Arar,[347] Vitellius ordered his army to march overland while he sailed down the river.  Travelling with no imperial state, he had nothing but his original poverty[348] to make him conspicuous, until Junius Blaesus, Governor of the Lyons division of Gaul, a member of an eminent family, whose liberality matched his wealth, provided the emperor with a staff and escorted him in person with great courtesy, an attention which proved most unwelcome to Vitellius, although he concealed his annoyance under the grossest flattery.  At Lugdunum he found the generals of both parties awaiting him.  Valens and Caecina were openly commended at a public meeting, and given places on either side of the emperor’s throne.  He then sent the whole army to fetch his infant son,[349] and when they brought him wearing a general’s uniform, Vitellius took him up in his arms and named him Germanicus,[350] at the same time decorating him with all the insignia of his imperial position.  The exaggerated honours of these days proved the child’s only consolation for the evil times which followed.[351]

The most energetic of Otho’s centurions were now executed, which 60 did more than anything else to alienate the armies of Illyricum.  The other legions also caught the infection, and their dislike of the German troops made them harbour thoughts of war.  Suetonius Paulinus and Licinius Proculus were kept in mourning[352] and suspense, disheartened by delay.  When at last their case was heard, their pleas savoured more of necessity than honour.  They positively claimed credit for treachery, alleging that the long march before the battle, the fatigue of their troops, and the confusion created by the wagons in their lines were all due not to chance, but to their own treachery.  Vitellius believed their protestations of treason, and acquitted them of all suspicion of loyalty.

Otho’s brother, Salvius Titianus, was in no danger.  His affection for his brother and his personal inefficiency excused him.  Marius Celsus was allowed to hold his consulship.[353] But rumour gave rise to a belief which led to an attack being made in the senate against Caecilius Simplex, who was charged with trying to purchase the consulship and to secure Celsus’ destruction.  Vitellius, however, refused this, and afterwards allowed Simplex to hold the consulship without detriment to his conscience or his purse.  Trachalus was protected against his accusers by Galeria, Vitellius’ wife.[354]

With so many of the great in danger of their lives, an obscure 61 creature called Mariccus, of the tribe of the Boii[355]—­it is a sordid incident[356]—­endeavoured to thrust himself into greatness and to challenge the armies of Rome, pretending to be a minister of Heaven.  This divine champion of the Gauls, as he had entitled himself, had already gathered a force of eight thousand men, and began making overtures[357] to the neighbouring Aeduan villages.  But the chief community of the Aedui wisely sent out a picked force, with some Vitellian troops in support, and scattered the mob of fanatics.  Mariccus was captured in the engagement, and later thrown to wild beasts.[358] As they refused to devour him, the common people stupidly believed him invulnerable, until he was executed in the presence of Vitellius.