1There were many savage killings among the soldiers themselves, as the discord between the legions and the auxiliaries that began with the mutiny at Ticinum persisted; 1whenever they had to fight against civilians, there was agreement. 1But the greatest slaughter was at the seventh milestone from Rome. 1There Vitellius was distributing ready-cooked food to each soldier, like the fattening rations of gladiators; 1and the common people had poured out and mingled throughout the whole camp. 1Some of them robbed the soldiers while they were off guard (they were using the wit of the Roman streets), secretly cutting through their belts and asking them repeatedly whether they had their swords on.
1Their temper, unused to insults, did not endure the mockery: they attacked the unarmed people with swords. 1Among others, a soldier's father was killed while accompanying his son; 1then he was recognised, and once the killing became known, the innocent were spared. 1In Rome, however, there was alarm, as soldiers ran on ahead in all directions; 1they made chiefly for the Forum, from a desire to see the place where Galba had lain. 1No less savage a spectacle were they themselves, bristling with the hides of wild beasts and with huge spears, since in their ignorance they took too little care to avoid the crowds of people, or, whenever they had fallen on the slippery road or by colliding with someone, they turned to quarrelling and soon to blows and the sword.
1Indeed, even tribunes and prefects were rushing about, spreading terror, with bands of armed men.