1As they were fortifying their camp near Ticinum, news came of Caecina's defeat, and the mutiny was almost renewed, as if through Valens' treachery and delays they had missed the battle: they refused rest, would not wait for the general, went ahead of the standards, hurried on the standard-bearers; 1by a rapid march they join Caecina. 1Valens had a poor reputation with Caecina's army: they complained that they, so much fewer, had been exposed to the enemy's undiminished strength, at the same time extolling the strength of the newcomers, both in excuse of themselves and by way of flattery, so as not to be despised as beaten and cowardly. 1And although Valens had more strength, with nearly double the number of legions and auxiliaries, yet the soldiers' favour inclined towards Caecina, owing, besides the generosity of spirit in which he was thought readier, to the vigour of his youth, his tall stature and a certain empty charm.
1Hence rivalry between the generals: Caecina's side mocked Valens as foul and disgraced, Valens' side mocked Caecina as puffed up and vain. 1But hiding their hatred they promoted the same interest, hurling abuse at Otho in frequent letters with no thought of future pardon, while the generals of Otho's party, though they had the richest material for insults against Vitellius, refrained from them.