nue in the Roman government for a very long time,
and that his dominion might be preserved from all opposition. And this
was the manner in which Rome so joyfully received Vespasian, and thence
grew immediately into a state of great prosperity.

2. But before this time, and while Vespasian was about Alexandria, and
Titus was lying at the siege of Jerusalem, a great multitude of the
Germans were in commotion, and tended to rebellion; and as the Gauls in
their neighborhood joined with them, they conspired together, and had
thereby great hopes of success, and that they should free themselves
from the dominion of the Romans. The motives that induced the Germans to
this attempt for a revolt, and for beginning the war, were these: In
the first place, the nature [of the people], which was destitute of just
reasonings, and ready to throw themselves rashly into danger, upon small
hopes; in the next place, the hatred they bore to those that were their
governors, while their nation had never been conscious of subjection
to any but to the Romans, and that by compulsion only. Besides these
motives, it was the opportunity that now offered itself, which above
all the rest prevailed with them so to do; for when they saw the Roman
government in a great internal disorder, by the continual changes of its
rulers, and understood that every part of the habitable earth under them
was in an unsettled and tottering condition, they thought this was the
best opportunity that could afford itself for themselves to make a
sedition, when the state of the Romans was so ill. Classicus [6] also,
and Vitellius, two of their commanders, puffed them up with such hopes.
These had for a long time been openly desirous of such an innovation,
and were induced by the present opportunity to venture upon the
declaration of their sentiments; the multitude was also ready; and when
these men told them of what they intended to attempt, that news was
gladly received by them. So when a great part of the Germans had agreed
to rebel, and the rest were no better disposed, Vespasian, as guided by
Divine Providence, sent letters to Petilius Cerealis, who had formerly
had the command of Germany, whereby he declared him to have the dignity
of consul, and commanded him to take upon him the government of Britain;
so he went whither he was ordered to go, and when he was informed of
the revolt of the Germans, he fell upon them as soon as they were gotten
together, and put his army i