The rebellion in Germania was now a real threat to the Empire. Two legions had been lost, two others (I "Germanica" and XVI "Gallica") were controlled by the rebels. This could not be allowed for much longer. As soon as Vespasian had the Empire in his hands and the situation in Italy under control, he decided to act. He nominated Quintus Petillius Cerialis, a close relative and experienced general, as commander of the avenging force. Not wanting to risk a defeat, an enormous army was summoned. The legions VIII "Augusta", XI "Claudia", XIII "Gemina", XXI "Rapax", and the recently levied II "Adiutrix" were immediately sent to Germania. Additionally, the legions I "Adiutrix" and VI "Victrix" were summoned from Hispania and XIV "Gemina" from Britannia. Most parts of these legions were deployed to pacify other parts of Gaul and Germania Superior and secure the Rhine frontier. Still, Cerialis' army was a massive one and posed a serious threat to the rebels.