Caecina was born in Vicetia (modern Vicenza) around 40 A.D.[1] He was quaestor of Hispania Baetica (southern Iberia) in 68 A.D. On the death of Nero, he attached himself to Galba, who appointed him to the command of Legio IV Macedonica at Mogontiacum in Germania Superior (Upper Germany).
Caecina crossed the Alps through the Great St. Bernard Pass,[1] but was defeated near Cremona by Suetonius Paulinus, the chief general of Otho.
Caecina, who had been entrusted with the repression of the revolt, turned traitor, and tried to persuade his army to go over to Vespasian, but was thrown into chains by the soldiers.
Titus had discovered a speech written in Caecina’s own hand that he intended to read to the soldiers to execute his plan.
[6] Tacitus described Caecina as a man of handsome presence and boundless ambition, a gifted orator and a great favourite with the soldiers.