The Roman legions in different provinces of the em pire, being bound by no tie to the interests of Galba, exhibited various symptoms of disaffection. The army commanded by Vitellius, an ambitious leader, openly refused to obey any other orders than those of the senate, and even sent a request to that body that they would choose another emperor.
When the news of this commotion reached Galba, he resolved to adopt an heir to the throne, who should have no other claim than his virtues and his talents. Otho urged to Galba his claims to this situation; but the emperor wished to attend only to merit, and fixed upon Piso Lucinianus as his successor. This young man deserved the choice which thus fell upon him; but the senate and the army had not been accustomed to admire the moral and intellectual qualities which formed the ground of Piso's appointment. An open ing was therefore left for the ambition of Otho, who resolved to obtain by force that appointment which Galba had refused as a reward for his services. By bribing and haranguing the soldiers, and exaggerating the cruelties and avarice of Galba, he succeeded in a few days in gaining the affection of the soldiers, who proclaimed him emperor, and carried him with their drawn swords into the camp. Galba was confounded with this intelligence, and being deceived by a ru mour of Otho's death, he rode into the forum, accom panied by several of his followers, when a body of Otho's cavalry attacked the imperial party. Though at first irresolute from the flight of his adherents, Galba recovering his energy bent forwards his head on the approach of the assassins, and commanded them to strike it off if it would be of advantage to the people. This command was speedily obeyed, and his head,fixed on the point of a lance, was carried in triumph round the camp of Otho. The new emperor, like all his pre decessors, began his reign with acts of clemency and justice. Though March's Celsus had been the fa vourite of Galba, and had adhered to the cause of his master, yet Otho raised him to the highest honours as a reward of his fidelity. He next gratified the just desire of the people by putting Tigellinus to death, and by restoring the estates of all those whom that monster had banished or plundered.
The legions of Vitellius, whom that general had at tached to his interests by great promises as well as by actual presents, proclaimed him emperor, and spread terror throughout the capital. Otho was desirous of making some compromise with his rival; but this offer being rejected, he marched from Rome at the head of a large but undisciplined army. The army of Vitel lius, consisting of 70,000 men, was commanded by Valens and Cfecina. Vitellius remained in Gaul to bring up the rest of his forces; but so great was the desire of both parties to engage, that in the course of three days one battle was fought at Placentia, another near Cremona, and a third at Castor, in all which Otho was successful. Valens and Ccina having
united their forces, and received fresh supplies, at tacked Otho's army near Bedriacum, and, after a well contested battle, they succeeded in putting it to flight, and pursued the fugitives with great slaughter to Be driacum. Otho, whom his minions would not permit to be present at the battle, waited with great uneasi ness for its issue. A soldier, who had escaped from the engagement, brought the first news of it to the emperor; but when every person persisted in discre diting his story, this brave man threw himself upon his sword, and expired at the emperor's feet. Otho instantly declared that he would sacrifice no-more of such heroes in such a contest, and exhorting his fol lowers to yield peaceably to Vitellius, he put an end to his own life.
After the battle Vitellius was declared emperor by the senate, and having pardoned the adherents of Otho, he travelled to Rome in all the splendour and magnificence which he could command. 'While he was sitting in painted galley's bedecked with gar lands and flowers, and feasting on every delicacy which could be commanded, his soldiers were plun dering in all directions, and without any restraint. He entered Rome as if it were a conquered city, and the senate and people marched before him as if they had been the prisoners taken in his last battle. After haranguing the senate and the people, and receiving the homage which his liberal promises had drawn forth, he quietly settled himself in his palace, to enjoy the pleasures which his gluttony and luxurious habits had rendered the chief happiness of his life. While the vessel of the state was entrusted to the lowest and vilest management, and the soldiers forgetting the art of war amid their unrestrained debaucheries, Vi tellius was regaling himself with costly viands ; and had learned the art of renewing the pleasure of his meals, by disgorging the food which had already ad ministered to his appetite. Self-invited he breakfast ed with one of his subjects, dined with another, and supped with a third; and the influence of his courtiers depended on the frequency of their entertainments, and the skill with which they were managed. A din ner which was given to him by his brother Lucius on his arrival in the capital, consisted of 2000 dishes of fish, and 7000 of fowl. One of the dishes, called the shield of Minerva, was an olio compounded of the sounds of the 'fish named scarri, the brains of wood cocks and pheasants, the tongues of rare birds, and the spawn of lampreys from the Caspian.