the resolution of the senate, he asked what was meant by being punished according to the rigour of the ancient laws? To this it was answered, that the criminal was to be stripped naked, his head was to be fixed in a pillory, and in that posture he was to be scourged to death. 11. Nero was so terrified at this, that he seized two poniards, which he had brought with him: after examining their points, he returned them, however, to their sheaths, pretending that the fatal moment was not yet arrived. 12. He then desired Sporus to begin the lamentations which were used at funerals; he next entreated that one of his attendants would die, to give him courage by his example : and afterwards began to reproach his own cowardice, crying out, "Does this become Nero? Is this trifling welltimed? No!-let me be courageous!" In fact, he had no time to spare for the soldiers, who had been sent in pursuit of him, were just then approaching the house. 13. Upon hearing, therefore, the sound of the horses' feet, he set a dagger to his throat, with which, by the assistance of Epaphrod'itus, his freedman and secretary, he gave himself a mortal wound'. However, he was not yet dead, when one of the centurions entering the room, and pretending that he came to his relief, attempted to stop the blood with his cloak. But Nero regarding him with a stern countenance, said, "It is now too late! Is this your fidelity?" Upon which, with his eyes fixed and frightfully staring, he expired; exhibiting, even after death, a ghastly spectacle of innoxious tyranny. 15. He reigned thirteen years, seven months, and twenty-eight days, and died in the thirty-second year of his age. 14. U. C. 16. Galba was seventy-two years old when he was declared emperor, and was then in Spain with his 820. legions. He soon found that his being raised to A. D. the throne was but an inlet to new disquietudes. 69. 1 For this assistance Epaphrod'itus afterwards paid dear, being put to death by Domit'ian, for imbruing his hands in the blood of the Caesars. 17. He seemed to have three objects in view: to curb the insolence of the soldiers; to punish those vices which had risen to an enormous height in the last reign; and to replenish the exchequer, which had been drained by the prodigality of his predecessors. 18. However, permitting himself to be governed by favourites, he at one time showed himself severe and frugal; at another, remiss and prodigal; condemning some illustrious persons without any hearing; and pardoning others, though guilty. In consequence of this, seditions were kindled, and factions promoted. 19. Galba was sensible that, besides his age, his want of an heir rendered him less respected: he resolved, therefore, to adopt a person, whose virtues might deserve such advancement, and protect his declining age from danger; but his favourites wished to give him an heir of their own choosing; so that there arose a great contention among them upon this occasion. 20. Otho made earnest application for himself, alleging the great services he had done the emperor, as being the first man of note who came to his assistance, when he had declared against Nero. However Galba, being fully resolved to consult the public good alone, rejected his suit; and, on a day appointed, ordered Piso Lucia'nus to attend him. The character given by historians of Piso is, that he was every way worthy of the honour designed him. 22. Taking this youth by the hand, Galba adopted him to succeed in the empire, giving him the most wholesome lessons for guiding his future conduct. 21. Piso showed that he was highly deserv 1 Otho born at Rome, A.D. 32, was descended from the ancient kings of Tuscany. Nero, whose companion he was in all his debaucheries, had elevated him to the highest offices of the state. After Nero's death, he endeavoured to attach himself to Galba, but that emperor having made up his mind to appoint Piso his heir, Otho excited an insurrection, murdered Galba and Piso, and ascended the throne, A.D. 69, but was opposed by Vitellius, who was supported by the army, which he then commanded in Germany. (Crevier.) ing this distinction; in all his deportment there appeared such modesty, firmness, and equality of mind, as bespoke him rather capable of discharging, than ambitious of obtaining his present dignity. 23. But the army and the senate did not seem equally disinterested upon this occasion; they had been so long used to bribery and corruption, that they could now bear no emperor who was not in a capacity of satisfying their avarice. The adoption, therefore, of Piso, was coldly received: for his virtues were no recommendation in a time of universal depravity. 24. Otho, who had long been a favourite of Galba, and hoped to be adopted a successor in the empire, finding himself disappointed, and stimulated by the immense load of debt, which he had contracted by his riotous way of living, resolved upon obtaining the empire by force, since he could not do it by peaceable succession. Having corrupted the fidelity of the army, he stole secretly from the emperor while he was sacrificing; and assembling the soldiers, he, in a short speech, urged the cruelties and the avarice of Galba. 25. Finding his invectives received with universal shouts by the army, he entirely threw off the mask, and avowed his intention of dethroning him. The soldiers, being ripe for sedition, immediately seconded his views, and taking Otho upon their shoulders, declared him emperor; and to strike the citizens with terror, carried him, with their swords drawn, into the camp. 26. Soon after, finding Galba in some measure deserted by his adherents, the soldiers rushed in upon him, trampling the crowds of people that then filled the forum under foot. 27. Galba seeing them approach, seemed to recollect all his former fortitude; and bending his head forward, bid the assassins strike it off, if it were for the good of the people. 28. The command was quickly obeyed. The soldier who struck it off stuck it upon the point of a lance, and contemptuously carried it round the camp; his body remaining unburied in the streets till it was interred by one of his slaves. His short reign of seven months was as illustrious by his own virtues, as it was contaminated by the vices of his favourites, who shared in his downfall. 29. Otho, who was now elected emperor, began his reign by a signal instance of clemency, in pardoning Ma'rius Celsus, who had been highly favoured by Galba; and not content with barely forgiving, he advanced him to the highest honours, asserting, that, "fidelity deserved every reward." 30. In the mean time, the legions in Lower Germany having been purchased by the large gifts and specious promises of Vitellius' their general, were at length induced to proclaim him emperor; and regardless of the senate, they declared that they had an equal right to appoint to that high station, with the cohorts at Rome. 31. Otho departed from Rome with all haste to give Vitellius battle. The army of Vitel'lius, which consisted of seventy thousand men, was commanded by his generals Valens and Cecin'na, he himself remaining in Gaul, in order to bring up the rest of his forces. Both sides hastened to meet each other with so much animosity and precipitation, that three considerable battles were fought in the space of three days; in all of which Otho and the Romans had the advantage. 32. These successes, however, were but of short continuance, for Va'lens and Cecin'na, who had hitherto acted separately, joining their forces, and strengthening their armies with fresh supplies, resolved to come to a general engagement. Otho's forces were partially overthrown at Bedria'cum, a village near Cremo'na, in Lombardy, in Italy; and though he had still numerous armies at his devotion, he killed himself shortly after, having 1 Aulus Vitellius was descended from one of the most illustrious amilies of Rome, and brought up in the vicious court of Tiberius at Capræa. reigned three months and five days', and was succeeded by Vitellius. Questions for Examination. 1. What was the character of Servius Galba? 2. Did he at length emerge from his obscurity? 3. Was he formidable to Nero? 4. What was the conduct of Nero on this emergency? 5. Did he actually do so? 6. Was his request complied with? 7. What befel him by the way? 8. What farther happened? 9. What occurred in the interval? 10. How did Nero receive this intelligence? 11. Did he resolve to await this terrible punishment? 16. What was the age of Galba on his accession? 17. What were his principal views ? 18. Was his conduct regular and consistent ? 19. What important measure did he adopt? 20. Who was the chief candidate on the occasion? 21. Was he chosen? 22. Was Piso the chosen successor, and what was his character? 23. Was this adoption generally approved? 24. Did not Otho attempt to set him aside ? 25. Was he favourably received? 26. Did Galba suppress this rebellion ? 27. What was his behaviour on the occasion? 28. Was this command obeyed, and what treatment did Galba expe. rience ? 29. How did Otho commence his reign? 30. Did he reign without a rival ? 31. What was the consequence of this rivalship? 32. Was Otho finally successful? 1 Although Otho appears to have been in the early part of his life a dissipated character, his death was truly heroic; as far as the mistaken principles of those times can render suicide excusable. His soldiers were entirely devoted to him. He had numerous garrisons in Bedria'cum and Placen'tia; the legions from Dalma'tia, Moe'sia, and Pannonia, and the Asiatic, Syrian, and Egyptian forces were readily advancing to his assistance; yet he nobly resolved to die, to save his country from the horrors of a civil war. |