The Helvetii were a confederation of about five related Gallic tribes that lived on the Swiss plateau, hemmed in by the mountains and the Rhine and Rhone rivers. They had come under increased pressure from German tribes to the north and the east and began planning for a migration around 61 BC. They intended to travel across Gaul to the west coast, a route that would have taken them through lands of the Aedui (a Roman ally) and the Roman province of Transalpine Gaul. A plot by an aristocrat, Orgetorix, to seize power among the tribes during the migration was discovered, and he committed suicide; this did not delay the migration. As word of the migration spread, neighboring tribes grew concerned, and Rome sent ambassadors to several tribes to convince them not to join the Helvetii. Concern grew in Rome that the Germanic tribes would fill in the lands vacated by the Helvetii. The Romans much preferred the Gauls to the Germans as neighbors. The consuls of 60 and 59 BC both wanted to lead a campaign against the Gauls, though neither did.