1But the common people and the populace, who because of their vast numbers had no share in public concerns, began gradually to feel the evils of war, as all money was turned to the soldiers' use and the price of food was driven up, which during the rising of Vindex had not worn down the plebs in the same way, since the city was safe then and the war a provincial one, which, being fought between the legions and the Gauls, was almost foreign. 1For ever since the deified Augustus settled the power of the Caesars, the Roman people had fought far away and for the anxiety or the glory of one man; 1under Tiberius and Gaius it was only the misfortunes of peace that touched the state; 1Scribonianus' attempt against Claudius was heard of and crushed at the same time; 1Nero was driven out by messages and rumours rather than by arms: now legions and fleets and, as had rarely happened before, the praetorian and city troops were led out to battle, with the East and the West and all the forces on either side at their backs, material for a long war if it had been waged under other generals.
1There were some who urged on Otho, as he set out, delays and the religious scruple that the sacred shields had not yet been put away: he spurned all hesitation as having been fatal to Nero too; 1and Caecina, already across the Alps, was goading him on.