or has he made you
ashamed of your emperor by appearing as a fiddler or
an actor on a stage?
ashamed of your emperor by appearing as a fiddler or
an actor on a stage?
Plutarch - Lives - v7
The Romans, in-
deed, had one consolation amidst their misfortunes,
that they needed no other revenge on the authors of
them, than to see them destroy each other; and with
the greatest justice of all fell the first, who corrupted
the army, and taught them to expect so much on the
change of an emperor; thus dishonoring a glorious ac-
tion by mercenary considerations, and turning the revolt
from Nero into treason: for Nymphidius Sabinus,
who, as we observed before,1 was joined in commission
with Tigellinus, as captain of the pretorian cohorts,
after Nero's affairs were in a desperate state, and it
was plain that he intended to retire into Egypt, per-
suaded the army, as if Nero had already abdicated, to
declare Galba emperor, promising every soldier of the
pretorian cohorts seven thousand five hundred drach-
mas, and the troops that were quartered in the pro-
vinces twelve hundred and fifty drachmas a man: a
sum which it was impossible to collect without doing
infinitely more mischief to the empire than Nero had
done in his whole reign. . '
This proved the immediate ruin of Nero, and soon
after destroyed Galba himself. They deserted Nerd
1 In the life of Nero, which is lost.
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? GALEA.
in hopes of receiving the money, and despatched Galba
because they did not receive it. Afterwards they
sought for another who might pay them that sum; but
they ruined themselves by their rebellions and trea-
sons, without gaining what they had been made to ex-
pect. To give a complete and exact account of the
affairs of those times belongs to the professed histo-
rian. It is however in my province to lay before the
reader the most remarkable circumstances in the lives
of the Caesars.
It is an acknowleged truth that Sulpitius Galba was
the richest private man that ever rose to the imperial
dignity: but though his extraction was of the noblest,
from the family of the Servii, yet he thought it a
greater honor to be related to Quintus Catulus Capito-
linus, who was the first man in his time for virtue and
reputation, though he voluntarily left to others the
pre-eminence in power. He was also related to Livia
the wife of Augustus, and it was by her interest that
he was raised from the office he had in the palace to the
dignity of consul. It is said that he acquitted himself
of his commission in Germany with honor; and that
he gained more reputation than most commanders,
during his proconsulate in Africa: but his simple par-
simonious way of living passed for avarice in an empe-
ror; and the pride he took in economy and strict tem-
perance was out of character.
He was sent governor into Spain by Nero, before
that emperor had learned to fear such of the citizens
as had great authority in Rome. Besides, the mildness
of his temper and his advanced time of life, promised
a cautious and prudent conduct. The emperor's re-
ceivers, a most abandoned set of men, harassed the
provinces in the most cruel manner. Galba could not
assist them against their persecutors, but his concern
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PLUTARCH.
for their misfortunes, which appeared not less than if
he had heen a sufferer himself, afforded them some
consolation, even while they were condemned and sold
for slaves. Many songs were made on Nero, and sung
every where; and as Galba did not endeavor to sup-
press them, or join the receivers of the revenues in their
resentment, that was a circumstance which endeared
him still more to the natives: for by this time he had
contracted a friendship with them, having long been
their governor. He had borne that commission eight
years, when Junius Vindex, who commanded in Gaul,
revolted against Nero. It is said that before this re-
bellion broke out Galba had intimations of it in let-
ters from Vindex; but he neither countenanced nor
discovered it, as the governors of other provinces did,
who sent the letters they had received to Nero, and by
that means ruined the project, as far as was in their
power. Yet those same governors afterwards joining
in the conspiracy against their prince, showed that they
could betray not only Vindex, but themselves.
But after Vindex had openly commenced hostilities,
he wrote to Galba, desiring him 'to accept the impe-
rial dignity, and give a head to the strong Gallic body,
which so much wanted one; which had no less than a
hundred thousand men in arms, and was able to raise a
much greater number. '
Galba then called a council of his friends. Some of
them advised him to wait and see what motions there
might be in Rome, or inclinations for a change: but Ti-
tus Viuius, captain of one of the pretorian cohorts,
said, 'What room is there, Galba, for deliberation?
To inquire whether we shall continue faithful to Nero,
is to have revolted already. There is no medium.
We must either accept the friendship of Vindex, as if
Nero were our declared enemy, or accuse and fight Vin-
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? GALBA.
293
dex, because he desires that the Romans should have
Galba for their emperor, rather than Nero for their
tyrant. ' On this, Galba, by an edict, fixed a day for
enfranchising all who should present themselves. The
report of this soon drew together a multitude of people
who were desirous of a change, and he had no sooner
mounted the tribunal, than with one voice they de-
clared him emperor. He did not immediately accept
the title, but accused Nero of great crimes, and la-
mented the fate of many Romans of great distinction,
whom he had barbarously slain: after which he de-
clared ' that he would serve his country with his best
abilities, not as Caesar or emperor, but as lieutenant to
the senate and people of Rome. '
That it was a just and rational scheme which Vindex
adopted in calling Galba to the empire, there needs no
better proof than Nero himself: for though he pre-
tended to look on the commotions in Gaul as nothing,
yet when he received the news of Galba's revolt,
which he happened to do just after he had bathed, and
had sat down to supper, in his madness he overturned
the table. However, when the senate had declared
Galba to be an enemy to his country, he affected to
despise the danger, and, attempting to be merry on it,
said to his friends, ' I have long wanted a pretence to
raise money, and this will furnish me with an excel-
lent one. The Gauls, when I have conquered them,
will be a fine booty, and, in the mean time, I will seize
the estate of Galba, since he is a declared enemy, and
dispose of it as I think fit. ' Accordingly he gave di-
rections that Galba's estate should be sold; which
Galba no sooner heard of, than he exposed to sale all
that belonged to Nero in Spain, and more readily
found purchasers.
The revolt from Nero soon became general; and the
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? PLUTARCH.
governors of provinces declared for Galba: only Clo-
dius Macer in Africa, and Virginius Rufus in Ger-
many, stood out and acted for themselves, but on dif-
ferent motives. Clodius being conscious to himself of
much rapine, and many murders, to which his avarice
and cruelty had prompted him, was in a fluctuating
state, and could not take his resolution either to as-
sume or reject the imperial title. And Virginius, who
commanded some of the best legions in the empire, and
had been often pressed by them to take the title of em-
peror, declared, ' that he would neither take it him-
self, nor suffer it to be given to any other, but the per-
son whom the senate should name. '
Galba was not a little alarmed at this at first: but
after the forces of Virginius and Vindex had over-
powered them, like charioteers no longer able to guide
the reins, and forced them to fight, Vindex lost twenty
thousand Gauls in the battle, and then despatched
himself. A report was then current that the victori-
ous army, in consequence of so great an advantage,
would insist that Virginius should accept the imperial
dignity, and that if he refused it, they would turn
again to Nero. This put Galba in p. great consterna-
tion, and he wrote letters to Virginius exhorting him
to act in concert with him, for preserving the empire
and liberty of the Romans. After which he retired
with his friends to Colonia, a city in Spain, and there
spent some time, rr. ther in repenting of what he had
done, and wishing for the life of ease and leisure, to
which he had so long been accustomed, than taking
any of the necessary steps for his promotion.
It was now the beginning of summer, when one even-
ing, a little before night, one of Galba's freedmen, a
native of Sicily, arrived in seven days from Rome,
BeiDg told that Galba had retired to rest, he ran up to
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? GALBA.
295
his chamber, and having opened it, in spite of the re-
sistance of the chamberlains, informed him, 'That as
JJero did not appear, though he was living at that time,
the army first, and then the people and senate of Rome,
had declared Galba emperor; and, not long after, news
was brought that Nero was dead. ' He added, that he
was not satisfied with the report, but went and saw the
dead body of the tyrant, before he would set out.
Galba was greatly elevated by this intelligence; and
he encouraged the multitudes that soon attended at the
door by communicating it to them, though the expedi-
tion with which it was brought appeared incredible.
But, two days after, Titus Vinius, with many others,
arrived from the camp, and brought an account of all
the proceedings of the senate. Vinius was promoted
to an honorable employment; while the freedman had
his name changed from Icelus to Marcianus, was ho-
nored with the privilege of wearing the gold ring, and
had more attention paid him than any of the other
freedmen.
Meantime, at Rome, Nymphidius Sabinus got the
administration into his hands, not by slow and insensi-
ble steps, but with the greatest celerity. He knew
that Galba, on account of his great age, being now se-
venty-three, was scarce able to make the journey to
Rome, though carried in a litter. Besides, the forces
there had long been inclined to serve him, and now
they depended on him only, considering him as their
benefactor on account of the large gratuity he had pro-
mised, and Galba as their debtor. He therefore im-
mediately commanded his colleague Tigellinus to give
up his sword. He made great entertainments, at which
he received persons of consular dignity, and such as
had commanded armies and provinces; yet he gave,
the invitation in the name of Galba. He likewise in-
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PLUTARCH.
structed many of the soldiers to suggest it to the pre-
torian cohorts, that they should send a message to
Galba, demanding that Nymphidius should be always
their captain, and without a colleague. The readiness
the senate expressed to add to his honor and authority,
in calling him their benefactor, in going daily to pay
their respects at his gate, and desiring that he would
take on him to propose and confirm every decree,
brought him to a much higher pitch of insolence; in-
somuch, that, in a little time, he became not only ob-
noxious, but formidable to the very persons that paid
their court to him. When the consuls had charged
the public messengers with the decrees to be carried
to the emperor, and had sealed the instruments with
their seal, in order that the magistrates of the towns
through which they were to pass, seeing their autho-
rity, might furnish them with carriages at every dif-
ferent stage for the great expedition, he resented it,
that they had not made use of his seal, and employed
his men to carry the dispatches. It is said that he
even had it under consideration whether he should not
punish the consuls; but on their apologising and beg-
ging pardon for the affront, he was appeased. To in-
gratiate himself with the people, he did not hinder
them from despatching by torture such of Nero's
creatures as fell into their hands. A gladiator, named
Spicillus, was put under the statues of Nero, and
dragged about with them in the forum till he died:
Aponius, one of the informers, was extended on the
ground, and waggons, loaded with stones, driven over
him: they tore many others in pieces, and some who
were intirely innocent. So that Mauriscus, who had
not only the character of one of the best men in Rome,
but really deserved it, said one day to the senate, 'he
was afraid they should soon regret the loss of Nero. '
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? GALBA.
Nymphidius, thus advancing in his hopes, was not at
all displeased at being called the son of Caius Caesar,
who reigned after Tiberius. It seems that prince, in
his youth, was acquainted with his mother, who was
daughter of Callistus, one of Caesar's freedmen, by
a sempstress, and who was not wanting in personal
charms. But it is evident that the acquaintance Caius
had with her was after the birth of Nymphidius; and
it was believed that he was the. son of Martianus the
gladiator, whom Nymphidia fell in love with on ac-
count of his reputation in his way; besides, his re-
semblance to the gladiator gave a sanction to that
opinion. Be that as it may, he acknowleged himself
the son of Nymphidia, and yet insisted that he-was
the only person who deposed Nero. Not content with
the honors and emoluments he enjoyed on that ac-
count, *****
***** *
he aspired to the imperial seat, and had his engines
privately at work in Rome, in which he employed his
friends, with some intriguing women, and some men of
consular rank. He sent also Gellianus, one of his friends,
into Spain, to act as a spy on Galba.
After the death of Nero, all things went for Galba
according to his wish; only the uncertainty what part
Virginius Rufus would act, gave him some uneasiness.
Virginius commanded a powerful army, which had
already conquered Vindex; and he held in subjection
a very considerable part of the Roman empire; for he
was master not only of Germany, but Gaul, which was
in great agitation, and ripe for a revolt. Galba,
therefore, was apprehensive that he would listen to
those who offered him the imperial purple. Indeed,
there was not an officer of greater name or reputation
than Virginius, nor one who had more weight in the
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PLUTARCH.
affairs of those times; for he had delivered the empire
both from tyranny and from a Gallic war. He abode
however by his first resolution, and reserved the ap-
pointment of emperor for the senate. After Nero's
death was certainly known, the troops again pressed
hard on Virginius, and one of the tribunes drew his
sword in the pavilion, and bade him receive either
sovereign power or the steel; but the menace had no
effect. At last, after Fabius Valens, who commanded
one legion, had taken the oath of fidelity to Galba, and
letters arrived from Rome with an account of the se-
nate's decree, he persuaded his army, though with
great difficulty, to acknowlege Galba. The new em-
peror having sent Flaccus Hordeouius as his suc-
cessor, he received him in that quality, and delivered
up his forces to him. He then went to meet Galba,
who was on his journey to Rome, and attended him
thither, without finding any marks either of his favor
or resentment. The reason of this was, that Galba,
on the one hand, considered him in too respectable a
light to offer him any injury; and, on the other hand,
the emperor's friends, particularly Titus Vinius, were
jealous of the progress he might make in his favor.
But that officer was not aware, that while he was pre-
venting his promotion, he was co-operating with his
good genius, in withdrawing him from the wars and
calamities in which other generals were engaged, and
bringing him to a life of tranquillity full of days and
peace.
The ambassadors which the senate sent to Galba
met him at Narbon, a city of Gaul. There they made
their compliments, and advised him to show himself as
soon as possible to the people of Rome, who were very
desirous to see him. He gave them a kind reception,
and entertained them in an agreeable manner. But
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? GALBA.
though Nymphidius had sent him rich vessels, and
other furniture suitable to a great prince, which he
had taken out of Nero's palace, he made use of none
of it; every thing was served up in dishes of his
own. This was a circumstance that did him honor, for
it showed him a man of superior sentiments, and in-
tirely above vanity. Titus Vinius, however, soon
endeavored to convince him that these superior senti-
ments, this modesty and simplicity of manners, be-
trayed an ambition for popular applause, which real
greatness of mind disdains; by which argument he
prevailed with him to use Nero's riches, and show all
the imperial magnificence at his entertainments. Thus
the old man made it appear that in time he would be
intirely governed by Vinius.
No man had a greater passion for money than Vi-
nius; nor was any man more an admirer of women.
While he was yet very young, and making his first
campaign under Calvisius Sabinus, he brought the
wife of his general one night into the camp in a sol-
dier's habit, and remained with her in that part of it
which the Romans call the Principia: for this, Cains
Caesar put him in prison; but. he was released on the
death of that prince. Afterwards, happening to sup
with Claudius Caesar, he stole a silver cup. The em-
peror being informed of it, invited him the following
evening, but ordered the attendants to serve him with
nothing but earthen vessels. This moderation of the
emperor seemed to show that the theft was deserving
only of ridicule, and not serious resentment: but what
he did afterwards, when he had Galba and his revenues
at command, served partly as the cause, and partly
as the pretence, for many events of the most tragical
kind.
Nymphidius, on the return of Gelliauus, whom he
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PLUTARCH.
had sent as a spy on Galba, was informed that Corne-
lius Laco was appointed to the command of the guards
and of the palace, and that all the power would be in
the hands of Vinius. This distressed him exceedingly,
as he had no opportunity to attend the emperor, or
speak to him in private; for his intentions were sus-
pected, and all were on their guard. In this perplexity,
he assembled the officers of the pretorian cohorts, and
told them, that ' Galba was indeed an old man of mild
and moderate sentiments; but that, instead of using
his own judgment, he was intirely directed by Vinius
and Laco, who made a bad use of their power. It is
our business therefore,' continued he, ' before they
insensibly establish themselves, and become sole mas-
ters, as Tigellinus was, to send ambassadors to the
emperor in the name of all the troops, and represent
to him, that if he removes those two counsellors from
his person, he will find a much more agreeable recep-
tion amongst the Romans. ' Nymphidius perceiving
that his officers did not approve the proposal, but
thought it absurd and preposterous to dictate the choice
of friends to an emperor of his age, as they might have
done to a boy who now first tasted power, he adopted
another scheme. In hopes of intimidating Galba, he
pretended sometimes in his letters that there were
discontents, and dangers of an insurrection in Rome;
sometimes, that Clodius Macer had laid an embargo in
Africa on the corn-ships. One while he said the Ger-
man legions were in motion, and another while that
there was the same rebellious disposition amongst those
in Syria and Judea. But as Galba did not give much
attention or credit to his advices, he resolved to usurp
the imperial title himself before he arrived; though
Clodius Celsus, the Antiochian, a sensible man, and
one of his best friends, did all in his power to dis-
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? GALBA.
301
suade him; and told him plainly, he did not believe
there was one family in Rome that would give him the
title of Caesar. Many others however made a jest of
Galba; and Mithridates of Pontus, in particular, mak-
ing merry with his bald head and wrinkled face, said,
'The Romans think him something extraordinary
while he is at a distance, but as soon as he arrives, they
will consider it a disgrace to the times to have ever
called him Caesar. '
It was resolved therefore that Nymphidius should be
conducted to the camp at midnight, and proclaimed
emperor. But Antonius Honoratus, the first tribune,
assembled in the evening the troops under his com-
mand, and blamed both himself and'them for changing
so often in so short a time, not in pursuance of the dic-
tates of reason, or for making a better choice, but be-
cause some demon pushed them on from one treason to
another. 'The crimes of Nero, indeed,' said he, 'may
justify our first measures: but has Galba murdered
his own mother, or his wife?
or has he made you
ashamed of your emperor by appearing as a fiddler or
an actor on a stage? Yet not even these things brought
us to abandon Nero; but Nymphidius first persuaded
us that he had abandoned us, and had fled into Egypt.
Shall we then sacrifice Galba after Nero; and when
we have destroyed the relation of Livia, as well as the
son of Agrippina, set the son of Nymphidia on the
imperial throne? Or rather, after having taken ven-
geance on a detestable tyrant in Nero, shall we not
show ourselves good and faithful guards to Galba? '
On this speech of the tribune, all his men acceded
to the proposal. They applied also to their fellow-
soldiers, and prevailed on most of them to return to
their allegiance. At the same time a loud shout was
heard in the camp; and Nymphidius either believing
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PLUTARCH.
(which is the account that some give us) that the troops
were calling him in order to proclaim him emperor, or
else hastening to appease the insurrection, and fix such
as he found wavering, went with lights to the camp;
having in his hand a speech composed for him by Cin-
gonins Varro, which he had committed to memory, in
order to pronounce it to the army. But seeing the
gates shut, and a number of men in arms on the wall,
his confidence abated. However, advancing nearer, he
asked them, ' What they intended to do, and by whose
command they were under arms V They answered,
one and all, 'that they acknowleged no other em-
peror but Galba. ' Then pretending to enter into their
opinion, he applauded their fidelity, and ordered those
that accompanied him to follow his example. The
guard opening the gate, and suffering him to enter with
a few of his people, a javelin was thrown at him, which
Septimius, who went before, received on his shield.
But others, drawing their swords, he fled, and was
pursued into a soldier's hut, where they despatched
him. His body was dragged to the middle of the
camp, where they inclosed it with pales, and exposed
it to public view the next day.
Nymphidius being thus taken off, Galba was no
sooner informed of it, than he ordered such of his ac-
complices as had not already despatched themselves,
to be put to death. Amongst these was Cingonius, who
composed the oration, and Mithridates of Pontus. In
this the emperor did not proceed according to the
laws and customs of the Romans ; . nor was it indeed a
popular measure to inflict capital punishment On per-
sons of eminence, without any form of trial, though
they might deserve death: for the Romans, deceived,
as it usually happens, by the first reports, now ex-
pected another kind of government. But what afflicted
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? GALBA.
them most, was the order he sent for the execution of
Petronius Turpilianus, a man of consular dignity,
merely because he had been faithful to Nero. There
was some pretence for taking off Macer in Africa, by
means of Trebonianus, and Fonteius in Germany by
Valens, because they were in arms, and had forces that
he might be afraid of. But there was no reason why
Turpilianus, a defenceless old man, should not have a
hearing, at least under a prince who should have pre-
served in his actions the moderation he so much af-
fected. Such complaints there were against Galba on
this subject.
When he was about five-and-twenty furlongs from
the city, he found the way stopped by a disorderly
parcel of seamen, who gathered about him on all sides.
These were persons whom Nero had formed into a
legion, that they might act as soldiers. They now
met him on the road to have their establishment con-
firmed, and crowded the emperor so much, that he
could neither be seen nor heard by those who came to
wait on him; for they insisted, in a clamorous manner,
on having legionary colors and quarters assigned them.
Galba put them off to another time; but they consi-
dered that as a denial; and some of them even drew
their swords: on which he ordered the cavalry to fall
on them. They made no resistance, but fled with the
utmost precipitation, and many of them were killed in
their flight. It was considered as an inauspicious cir-
cumstance for Galba to enter the city amidst so much
blood and slaughter. And those who despised him
before as weak and inactive through age, now looked
on him as an object of fear and horror.
Besides, while he endeavored to reform the extra-
vagance and profusion with which money used to be
given away by Nero, he missed the mark of propriety.
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? PLUTARCH.
When Canus, a celebrated performer on the flute,
played to him one evening at court, after expressing
the highest satisfaction at the excellence of his music,
he ordered his purse to be brought, and taking out a
few pieces of gold, gave them to Canus, telling him, at
the same time, that this was a gratuity out of his own,
not the public money. As for the money which Nero
had given to persons that pleased him on the stage, or
in the palaestra, he insisted with great rigor that it
should be all returned, except a tenth part. And as
persons of such dissolute lives, who mind nothing but
a provision for the day, could produce very little, he
caused inquiry to be made for all who had bought any
thing of them, or received presents, and obliged them
to refund. This affair extending to great numbers of
people, and seeming to have no end, it reflected dis-
grace on Vinius, because he made the emperor sordid
and mean to others, while he pillaged the treasury
himself in the most insatiable manner, and took and
sold whatever he thought proper.
In short, as Hesiod says,
Spare not the full cask, nor, when shallow streams
Declare the bottom near, withdraw your hand.
So Vinius, seeing Galba old and infirm, drank freely of
the favors of fortune, as only beginning, and yet, at the
same time, drawing to an end.
But the aged emperor was greatly injured by Vinius,
not only through his neglect or misapplication of things
committed to his trust, but by his condemning or de-
feating the most salutary intentions of his master. This
was the case with respect to punishing Nero's ministers.
Some bad ones, it is true, were put to death, amongst
whom were Elius, Polycletus, Petinus, and Patrobius.
The people expressed their joy by loud plaudits when
these were led through the forum to the place of exe-
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? GALBA.
cution, and called it a glorious and holy procession.
But both gods and men, they said, demanded the pu-
nishment of Tigellinus, who suggested the very worst
measures, and taught Nero all his tyranny. That
worthy minister however had secured himself by great
presents to Vinius, which were only earnests of still
greater. Turpilianus, though obnoxious only because
he had not betrayed or hated his master, on account of
his bad qualities, and though guilty of no remarkable
crime, was, notwithstanding, put to death; while the
man who had made Nero unfit to live, and, after he
had made him such, deserted and betrayed him, lived
and florished: a proof that there was nothing which
Yinius would not sell, and that no man had reason to
despair who had money: for there was no sight which
the people of Rome so passionately longed for, as that
of Tigellinus carried to execution; and in the theatre
and the circus they continually demanded it, till at last
the emperor checked them by an edict, importing, that
Tigellinus was in a deep consumption, which would de-
stroy him ere long, and that their sovereign intreated
them not to turn his government into a tyranny by
needless acts of severity.
The people were highly displeased; but the mis-
creants only laughed at them. Tigellinus offered sacri-
fice in acknowlegement to the gods for his recovery,
and provided a great entertainment; and Vinius rose
from the emperor's table, to go and carouse with Ti-
gellinus, accompanied by his daughter, who was a
widow. Tigellinus drank to her, and said, 'I will
make this cup worth two hundred and fifty thousand
drachmas to you. ' At the same time he ordered his
chief mistress to take off her own necklace and give it
her. This was said to be worth a hundred and fifty
thousand more.
PLUT. VoL. VII. V
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PLUTARCH.
From this time the most moderate of Galba's pro-
ceedings were misrepresented: for instance, his lenity
to the Gauls, who had conspired with Vindex, did not
escape censure: for it was believed that they had not
gained a remission of tribute and the freedom of Rome
from the emperor's indulgence, but that they purchased
them of Vinius. Hence the people had a general aver-
sion to Galba's administration. As for the soldiers,
though they did not receive what had been promised
them, they let it pass, hoping that, if they had not that
gratuity, they should certainly have as much as Nero
had given them. But when they began to murmur,
and their complaints were brought to Galba, he said,
what well became a great prince, ' That it was his cus-
tom to choose, not to buy his soldiers. ' This saying,
however, being reported to the troops, filled them with
the most deadly and irreconcileable hatred to Galba:
for it seemed to them that he not only wanted to de-
prive them of the gratuity himself, but to set a prece-
dent for future emperors.
The disaffection to the government that prevailed in
Rome was as yet kept secret in some measure, partly
because some remaining reverence for the presence of
the emperor prevented the flame of sedition from break-
ing out, and partly for want of an open occasion to at-
tempt a change. But the troops which served under
Virginhis, and were now commanded by Flaccus in
Germany, thinking they deserved great things for the
battle which they fought with Vindex, and finding that
they obtained nothing, began to behave in a very re-
fractory manner, and could not be appeased by their
officers. Their general himself they utterly despised,
as well on account of his inactivity (for he had the gout
in a violent manner), as his want of experience in mili-
tary affairs. One day, at some public games, when the
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? GALBA.
307
tribunes and centurions, according to custom, made
vows for the happiness of the emperor, the common
soldiers murmured; and when the officers repeated
their good wishes, they answered, ' if he is worthy. '
The legions that were under the command of Tigel-
linus behaved with equal insolence; of which Galba's
agents wrote him an account. He was now appre-
hensive that it was not only his age, but his want of
children, that brought him into contempt; and therefore
he formed a design to adopt some young man of noble
birth, and declare him his successor. Marcus Otho
was of a family by no means obscure ; but, at the same
time, he was more remarkable from his infancy for
luxury and love of pleasure than most of the Roman
youth. And, as Homer often calls Paris the husband
of the beauteous Helen, because he had nothing else to
distinguish him, so Otho was noted in Rome as the
husband of Poppaea. This was the lady whom Nero
fell in love with while she was wife to Crispinus; but
retaining as yet some respect for his own wife, and
some reverence for his mother, he privately employed
Otho to solicit her: for Otho's debauchery had recom-
mended him to Nero as a friend and companion, and
he had an agreeable way of rallying him on what he
called his avarice and sordid manner of living.
We are told, that one day when Nero was perfuming
himself with a very rich essence, he sprinkled a little
of it on Otho. Otho invited the emperor the day fol-
lowing, when suddenly gold and silver pipes opened
on all sides of the apartment, and poured out essences
for them in as much plenty as if it had been water. He
applied to Poppa? a according to Nero's desire, and first
seduced her for him, with the flattering idea of having
an emperor for her lover: after which he persuaded
her to leave her husband. But when he took her
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? PLUTARGH.
home as his own wife, he was not so happy in having
her, as miserable in the thought of her being loved by
another. And Poppaea is said not to have been dis-
pleased with this jealousy; for it seems she refused
to admit Nero when Otho was absent; whether it was
that she studied to keep Nero's love from decaying, or
whether, (as some say,) she did not choose to receive
the emperor as a husband, but, in her playful way,
took more pleasure in having him approach her as a
gallant. Otho's life therefore was in great danger on
account of that, marriage; and it is. astonishing, that
the man who could sacrifice his wife and sister for the
sake of Poppaea should afterwards spare Otho.
But Otho had a friend in Seneca ; and it was he who
persuaded Nero to send him out governor of Lusitania,
on the borders of the ocean. Otho made himself agree-
able to the inhabitants by his lenity; for he knew that
this command was given him only as a more honorable
exile. On Galba's revolt, he was the first governor of
a province that came over to him, and he carried with
him all the gold and silver vessels he had, to be melted
down and coined for his use. He likewise presented
him with such of his servants as knew best how to wait
on an emperor. He behaved to him, indeed, in all re-
spects with great fidelity; and it appeared from the
specimen he gave, that there was no department in the
government for which he had not talents. He accom-
panied him in his whole journey, and was many days
in the same carriage with him; during all which time
he lost no opportunity to pay his court to Vinius,
either by assiduities or presents: and as he always
took care to leave him the first place, he was secure by
his means of having the second. Besides that there
was nothing invidious in this station, he recommended
himself by granting his favors and services without re-
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? GALEA.
309
ward, and by his general affability and politeness. He
took most pleasure in serving the officers of the army,
and obtained governments for many of them, partly by
applications to the emperor, and partly to Vinius and
his freedmen, Icelns and Asiaticus, for these had the
chief influence at court.
Whenever Galba visited him, he complimented the
company of guards that was on duty with a piece of
gold for each man; thus practising on and gaining the
soldiers, while he seemed only to be doing honor to
their master. When Galba was deliberating on the
choice of a successor, Vinius proposed Otho. Nor
was this a disinterested overture, for Otho had pro-
mised to marry Vinius' daughter, after Galba had
adopted him, and appointed him his successor. But
Galba always showed that he preferred the good of the
public to any private considerations; and in this case
he sought not for the man who might be most agree-
able to himself, but one who promised to be the great-
est blessing to the Romans. Indeed it can hardly be
supposed that he would have appointed Otho heir even
to his private patrimony, when he knew how expensive
and profuse he was, and that he was loaded with a debt
of five millions of drachmas. He therefore gave Vi-
nius a patient hearing, without returning him any an-
swer, and put off the affair to another time. However,
as he declared himself consul, and chose Vinius for
his colleague, it was supposed that he would appoint a
successor at the beginning of the next year, and the
soldiers wished that Otho might be the man.
But while Galba delayed the appointment, and con-
tinued deliberating, the army mutinied in Germany.
All the troops throughout the empire hated Galba, be-
cause they had not received the promised donations,
but those in Germany had a particular apology for
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? 310
PLUTARCH.
their aversion. They alleged 'that Virginias Rufus,
their general, had been removed with ignominy, and
that the Gauls, who had fought against them, were the
only people that were rewarded; whilst all who had
not joined Vindex were punished; and Galba, as if he
had obligations to none but him for the imperial dia-
dem, honored his memory with sacrifices and public
libations. '
Such speeches as this were common in the camp,
when the calends of January were at hand, and Flaccus
assembled the soldiers, that they might take tjje custo-
mary oath of fealty to the emperor. But, instead of
that, they overturned and broke to pieces the statues
of Galba; and, having taken an oath of allegiance to
the senate and people of Rome, they retired to their
tents. Their officers were now as apprehensive of
anarchy as rebellion, and the following speech is said
to have been made on the occasion: 'What are we
doing; my fellow-soldiers? We neither appoint ano-
ther emperor, nor keep our allegiance to the present,
as if we had renounced not only Galba, but every other
sovereign, and all manner of obedience. It is true,
Hordeonius Flaccus is no more than the shadow of
Galba. Let us quit him. But at the distance of one
day's march only, there is Vitellius, who commands
in the lower Germany, whose father was censor, and
thrice consul, and in a manner colleague to the empe-
ror Claudius. And though his poverty be a circum-
stance for which some people may despise him, it is a
strong proof of his probity and greatness of mind.
Let us go and declare him emperor, and show the
world that we know how to choose a person for that
high dignity better than the Spaniards and Lusita-
nians. ' ?
Some approved, and others rejected this motion*
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? GALBA.
One of the standard-bearers, however, marched off
privately, and carried the news to Vitellius that night.
He found him at table, for he was giving a great en-
tertainment to his officers. The news soon spread
through the army, and Fabius Valens, who commanded
one of the legions, went next day, at the head of a
considerable party of horse, and saluted Vitellius em-
peror. For some days before he seemed to dread the
weight of sovereign power, and totally to decline it;
but now being fortified with the indulgences of the
table, to which he had sat down at mid-day, he went
out, and accepted the title of Germanicus, which the
army conferred on him, though he refused that of Cae-
sar. Soon after, Flaccus' troops forgot the republican
oaths they had taken to the senate and the people, and
swore allegiance to Vitellius. Thus Vitellius was pro-
claimed emperor in Germany.
As soon as Galba was informed of the insurrection
there, he resolved, without farther delay, to proceed
to the adoption. He knew some of his friends were
for Dolabella, and a still greater number for Otho;
but without being guided by the judgment of either
party, or making the least mention of his design, he
sent suddenly for Piso, the son of Crassus and Scri-
bonia, who were put to death by Nero; a young man
formed by nature for every virtue, and distinguished
for his modesty and sobriety of manners. In pursu-
ance of his intentions, he went down with him to the
camp, to give him the title of Caesar, and declare him
his successor. But he was no sooner out of his palace
than very inauspicious presages appeared: and in the
camp, when he delivered a speech to the army, read-
ing some parts, and pronouncing others from memory,
the many claps of thunder and flashes of lightning, the
violent rain that fell, and the darkness that covered
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deed, had one consolation amidst their misfortunes,
that they needed no other revenge on the authors of
them, than to see them destroy each other; and with
the greatest justice of all fell the first, who corrupted
the army, and taught them to expect so much on the
change of an emperor; thus dishonoring a glorious ac-
tion by mercenary considerations, and turning the revolt
from Nero into treason: for Nymphidius Sabinus,
who, as we observed before,1 was joined in commission
with Tigellinus, as captain of the pretorian cohorts,
after Nero's affairs were in a desperate state, and it
was plain that he intended to retire into Egypt, per-
suaded the army, as if Nero had already abdicated, to
declare Galba emperor, promising every soldier of the
pretorian cohorts seven thousand five hundred drach-
mas, and the troops that were quartered in the pro-
vinces twelve hundred and fifty drachmas a man: a
sum which it was impossible to collect without doing
infinitely more mischief to the empire than Nero had
done in his whole reign. . '
This proved the immediate ruin of Nero, and soon
after destroyed Galba himself. They deserted Nerd
1 In the life of Nero, which is lost.
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? GALEA.
in hopes of receiving the money, and despatched Galba
because they did not receive it. Afterwards they
sought for another who might pay them that sum; but
they ruined themselves by their rebellions and trea-
sons, without gaining what they had been made to ex-
pect. To give a complete and exact account of the
affairs of those times belongs to the professed histo-
rian. It is however in my province to lay before the
reader the most remarkable circumstances in the lives
of the Caesars.
It is an acknowleged truth that Sulpitius Galba was
the richest private man that ever rose to the imperial
dignity: but though his extraction was of the noblest,
from the family of the Servii, yet he thought it a
greater honor to be related to Quintus Catulus Capito-
linus, who was the first man in his time for virtue and
reputation, though he voluntarily left to others the
pre-eminence in power. He was also related to Livia
the wife of Augustus, and it was by her interest that
he was raised from the office he had in the palace to the
dignity of consul. It is said that he acquitted himself
of his commission in Germany with honor; and that
he gained more reputation than most commanders,
during his proconsulate in Africa: but his simple par-
simonious way of living passed for avarice in an empe-
ror; and the pride he took in economy and strict tem-
perance was out of character.
He was sent governor into Spain by Nero, before
that emperor had learned to fear such of the citizens
as had great authority in Rome. Besides, the mildness
of his temper and his advanced time of life, promised
a cautious and prudent conduct. The emperor's re-
ceivers, a most abandoned set of men, harassed the
provinces in the most cruel manner. Galba could not
assist them against their persecutors, but his concern
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? 292
PLUTARCH.
for their misfortunes, which appeared not less than if
he had heen a sufferer himself, afforded them some
consolation, even while they were condemned and sold
for slaves. Many songs were made on Nero, and sung
every where; and as Galba did not endeavor to sup-
press them, or join the receivers of the revenues in their
resentment, that was a circumstance which endeared
him still more to the natives: for by this time he had
contracted a friendship with them, having long been
their governor. He had borne that commission eight
years, when Junius Vindex, who commanded in Gaul,
revolted against Nero. It is said that before this re-
bellion broke out Galba had intimations of it in let-
ters from Vindex; but he neither countenanced nor
discovered it, as the governors of other provinces did,
who sent the letters they had received to Nero, and by
that means ruined the project, as far as was in their
power. Yet those same governors afterwards joining
in the conspiracy against their prince, showed that they
could betray not only Vindex, but themselves.
But after Vindex had openly commenced hostilities,
he wrote to Galba, desiring him 'to accept the impe-
rial dignity, and give a head to the strong Gallic body,
which so much wanted one; which had no less than a
hundred thousand men in arms, and was able to raise a
much greater number. '
Galba then called a council of his friends. Some of
them advised him to wait and see what motions there
might be in Rome, or inclinations for a change: but Ti-
tus Viuius, captain of one of the pretorian cohorts,
said, 'What room is there, Galba, for deliberation?
To inquire whether we shall continue faithful to Nero,
is to have revolted already. There is no medium.
We must either accept the friendship of Vindex, as if
Nero were our declared enemy, or accuse and fight Vin-
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? GALBA.
293
dex, because he desires that the Romans should have
Galba for their emperor, rather than Nero for their
tyrant. ' On this, Galba, by an edict, fixed a day for
enfranchising all who should present themselves. The
report of this soon drew together a multitude of people
who were desirous of a change, and he had no sooner
mounted the tribunal, than with one voice they de-
clared him emperor. He did not immediately accept
the title, but accused Nero of great crimes, and la-
mented the fate of many Romans of great distinction,
whom he had barbarously slain: after which he de-
clared ' that he would serve his country with his best
abilities, not as Caesar or emperor, but as lieutenant to
the senate and people of Rome. '
That it was a just and rational scheme which Vindex
adopted in calling Galba to the empire, there needs no
better proof than Nero himself: for though he pre-
tended to look on the commotions in Gaul as nothing,
yet when he received the news of Galba's revolt,
which he happened to do just after he had bathed, and
had sat down to supper, in his madness he overturned
the table. However, when the senate had declared
Galba to be an enemy to his country, he affected to
despise the danger, and, attempting to be merry on it,
said to his friends, ' I have long wanted a pretence to
raise money, and this will furnish me with an excel-
lent one. The Gauls, when I have conquered them,
will be a fine booty, and, in the mean time, I will seize
the estate of Galba, since he is a declared enemy, and
dispose of it as I think fit. ' Accordingly he gave di-
rections that Galba's estate should be sold; which
Galba no sooner heard of, than he exposed to sale all
that belonged to Nero in Spain, and more readily
found purchasers.
The revolt from Nero soon became general; and the
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? PLUTARCH.
governors of provinces declared for Galba: only Clo-
dius Macer in Africa, and Virginius Rufus in Ger-
many, stood out and acted for themselves, but on dif-
ferent motives. Clodius being conscious to himself of
much rapine, and many murders, to which his avarice
and cruelty had prompted him, was in a fluctuating
state, and could not take his resolution either to as-
sume or reject the imperial title. And Virginius, who
commanded some of the best legions in the empire, and
had been often pressed by them to take the title of em-
peror, declared, ' that he would neither take it him-
self, nor suffer it to be given to any other, but the per-
son whom the senate should name. '
Galba was not a little alarmed at this at first: but
after the forces of Virginius and Vindex had over-
powered them, like charioteers no longer able to guide
the reins, and forced them to fight, Vindex lost twenty
thousand Gauls in the battle, and then despatched
himself. A report was then current that the victori-
ous army, in consequence of so great an advantage,
would insist that Virginius should accept the imperial
dignity, and that if he refused it, they would turn
again to Nero. This put Galba in p. great consterna-
tion, and he wrote letters to Virginius exhorting him
to act in concert with him, for preserving the empire
and liberty of the Romans. After which he retired
with his friends to Colonia, a city in Spain, and there
spent some time, rr. ther in repenting of what he had
done, and wishing for the life of ease and leisure, to
which he had so long been accustomed, than taking
any of the necessary steps for his promotion.
It was now the beginning of summer, when one even-
ing, a little before night, one of Galba's freedmen, a
native of Sicily, arrived in seven days from Rome,
BeiDg told that Galba had retired to rest, he ran up to
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? GALBA.
295
his chamber, and having opened it, in spite of the re-
sistance of the chamberlains, informed him, 'That as
JJero did not appear, though he was living at that time,
the army first, and then the people and senate of Rome,
had declared Galba emperor; and, not long after, news
was brought that Nero was dead. ' He added, that he
was not satisfied with the report, but went and saw the
dead body of the tyrant, before he would set out.
Galba was greatly elevated by this intelligence; and
he encouraged the multitudes that soon attended at the
door by communicating it to them, though the expedi-
tion with which it was brought appeared incredible.
But, two days after, Titus Vinius, with many others,
arrived from the camp, and brought an account of all
the proceedings of the senate. Vinius was promoted
to an honorable employment; while the freedman had
his name changed from Icelus to Marcianus, was ho-
nored with the privilege of wearing the gold ring, and
had more attention paid him than any of the other
freedmen.
Meantime, at Rome, Nymphidius Sabinus got the
administration into his hands, not by slow and insensi-
ble steps, but with the greatest celerity. He knew
that Galba, on account of his great age, being now se-
venty-three, was scarce able to make the journey to
Rome, though carried in a litter. Besides, the forces
there had long been inclined to serve him, and now
they depended on him only, considering him as their
benefactor on account of the large gratuity he had pro-
mised, and Galba as their debtor. He therefore im-
mediately commanded his colleague Tigellinus to give
up his sword. He made great entertainments, at which
he received persons of consular dignity, and such as
had commanded armies and provinces; yet he gave,
the invitation in the name of Galba. He likewise in-
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? 290
PLUTARCH.
structed many of the soldiers to suggest it to the pre-
torian cohorts, that they should send a message to
Galba, demanding that Nymphidius should be always
their captain, and without a colleague. The readiness
the senate expressed to add to his honor and authority,
in calling him their benefactor, in going daily to pay
their respects at his gate, and desiring that he would
take on him to propose and confirm every decree,
brought him to a much higher pitch of insolence; in-
somuch, that, in a little time, he became not only ob-
noxious, but formidable to the very persons that paid
their court to him. When the consuls had charged
the public messengers with the decrees to be carried
to the emperor, and had sealed the instruments with
their seal, in order that the magistrates of the towns
through which they were to pass, seeing their autho-
rity, might furnish them with carriages at every dif-
ferent stage for the great expedition, he resented it,
that they had not made use of his seal, and employed
his men to carry the dispatches. It is said that he
even had it under consideration whether he should not
punish the consuls; but on their apologising and beg-
ging pardon for the affront, he was appeased. To in-
gratiate himself with the people, he did not hinder
them from despatching by torture such of Nero's
creatures as fell into their hands. A gladiator, named
Spicillus, was put under the statues of Nero, and
dragged about with them in the forum till he died:
Aponius, one of the informers, was extended on the
ground, and waggons, loaded with stones, driven over
him: they tore many others in pieces, and some who
were intirely innocent. So that Mauriscus, who had
not only the character of one of the best men in Rome,
but really deserved it, said one day to the senate, 'he
was afraid they should soon regret the loss of Nero. '
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? GALBA.
Nymphidius, thus advancing in his hopes, was not at
all displeased at being called the son of Caius Caesar,
who reigned after Tiberius. It seems that prince, in
his youth, was acquainted with his mother, who was
daughter of Callistus, one of Caesar's freedmen, by
a sempstress, and who was not wanting in personal
charms. But it is evident that the acquaintance Caius
had with her was after the birth of Nymphidius; and
it was believed that he was the. son of Martianus the
gladiator, whom Nymphidia fell in love with on ac-
count of his reputation in his way; besides, his re-
semblance to the gladiator gave a sanction to that
opinion. Be that as it may, he acknowleged himself
the son of Nymphidia, and yet insisted that he-was
the only person who deposed Nero. Not content with
the honors and emoluments he enjoyed on that ac-
count, *****
***** *
he aspired to the imperial seat, and had his engines
privately at work in Rome, in which he employed his
friends, with some intriguing women, and some men of
consular rank. He sent also Gellianus, one of his friends,
into Spain, to act as a spy on Galba.
After the death of Nero, all things went for Galba
according to his wish; only the uncertainty what part
Virginius Rufus would act, gave him some uneasiness.
Virginius commanded a powerful army, which had
already conquered Vindex; and he held in subjection
a very considerable part of the Roman empire; for he
was master not only of Germany, but Gaul, which was
in great agitation, and ripe for a revolt. Galba,
therefore, was apprehensive that he would listen to
those who offered him the imperial purple. Indeed,
there was not an officer of greater name or reputation
than Virginius, nor one who had more weight in the
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? 298
PLUTARCH.
affairs of those times; for he had delivered the empire
both from tyranny and from a Gallic war. He abode
however by his first resolution, and reserved the ap-
pointment of emperor for the senate. After Nero's
death was certainly known, the troops again pressed
hard on Virginius, and one of the tribunes drew his
sword in the pavilion, and bade him receive either
sovereign power or the steel; but the menace had no
effect. At last, after Fabius Valens, who commanded
one legion, had taken the oath of fidelity to Galba, and
letters arrived from Rome with an account of the se-
nate's decree, he persuaded his army, though with
great difficulty, to acknowlege Galba. The new em-
peror having sent Flaccus Hordeouius as his suc-
cessor, he received him in that quality, and delivered
up his forces to him. He then went to meet Galba,
who was on his journey to Rome, and attended him
thither, without finding any marks either of his favor
or resentment. The reason of this was, that Galba,
on the one hand, considered him in too respectable a
light to offer him any injury; and, on the other hand,
the emperor's friends, particularly Titus Vinius, were
jealous of the progress he might make in his favor.
But that officer was not aware, that while he was pre-
venting his promotion, he was co-operating with his
good genius, in withdrawing him from the wars and
calamities in which other generals were engaged, and
bringing him to a life of tranquillity full of days and
peace.
The ambassadors which the senate sent to Galba
met him at Narbon, a city of Gaul. There they made
their compliments, and advised him to show himself as
soon as possible to the people of Rome, who were very
desirous to see him. He gave them a kind reception,
and entertained them in an agreeable manner. But
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? GALBA.
though Nymphidius had sent him rich vessels, and
other furniture suitable to a great prince, which he
had taken out of Nero's palace, he made use of none
of it; every thing was served up in dishes of his
own. This was a circumstance that did him honor, for
it showed him a man of superior sentiments, and in-
tirely above vanity. Titus Vinius, however, soon
endeavored to convince him that these superior senti-
ments, this modesty and simplicity of manners, be-
trayed an ambition for popular applause, which real
greatness of mind disdains; by which argument he
prevailed with him to use Nero's riches, and show all
the imperial magnificence at his entertainments. Thus
the old man made it appear that in time he would be
intirely governed by Vinius.
No man had a greater passion for money than Vi-
nius; nor was any man more an admirer of women.
While he was yet very young, and making his first
campaign under Calvisius Sabinus, he brought the
wife of his general one night into the camp in a sol-
dier's habit, and remained with her in that part of it
which the Romans call the Principia: for this, Cains
Caesar put him in prison; but. he was released on the
death of that prince. Afterwards, happening to sup
with Claudius Caesar, he stole a silver cup. The em-
peror being informed of it, invited him the following
evening, but ordered the attendants to serve him with
nothing but earthen vessels. This moderation of the
emperor seemed to show that the theft was deserving
only of ridicule, and not serious resentment: but what
he did afterwards, when he had Galba and his revenues
at command, served partly as the cause, and partly
as the pretence, for many events of the most tragical
kind.
Nymphidius, on the return of Gelliauus, whom he
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? 300
PLUTARCH.
had sent as a spy on Galba, was informed that Corne-
lius Laco was appointed to the command of the guards
and of the palace, and that all the power would be in
the hands of Vinius. This distressed him exceedingly,
as he had no opportunity to attend the emperor, or
speak to him in private; for his intentions were sus-
pected, and all were on their guard. In this perplexity,
he assembled the officers of the pretorian cohorts, and
told them, that ' Galba was indeed an old man of mild
and moderate sentiments; but that, instead of using
his own judgment, he was intirely directed by Vinius
and Laco, who made a bad use of their power. It is
our business therefore,' continued he, ' before they
insensibly establish themselves, and become sole mas-
ters, as Tigellinus was, to send ambassadors to the
emperor in the name of all the troops, and represent
to him, that if he removes those two counsellors from
his person, he will find a much more agreeable recep-
tion amongst the Romans. ' Nymphidius perceiving
that his officers did not approve the proposal, but
thought it absurd and preposterous to dictate the choice
of friends to an emperor of his age, as they might have
done to a boy who now first tasted power, he adopted
another scheme. In hopes of intimidating Galba, he
pretended sometimes in his letters that there were
discontents, and dangers of an insurrection in Rome;
sometimes, that Clodius Macer had laid an embargo in
Africa on the corn-ships. One while he said the Ger-
man legions were in motion, and another while that
there was the same rebellious disposition amongst those
in Syria and Judea. But as Galba did not give much
attention or credit to his advices, he resolved to usurp
the imperial title himself before he arrived; though
Clodius Celsus, the Antiochian, a sensible man, and
one of his best friends, did all in his power to dis-
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? GALBA.
301
suade him; and told him plainly, he did not believe
there was one family in Rome that would give him the
title of Caesar. Many others however made a jest of
Galba; and Mithridates of Pontus, in particular, mak-
ing merry with his bald head and wrinkled face, said,
'The Romans think him something extraordinary
while he is at a distance, but as soon as he arrives, they
will consider it a disgrace to the times to have ever
called him Caesar. '
It was resolved therefore that Nymphidius should be
conducted to the camp at midnight, and proclaimed
emperor. But Antonius Honoratus, the first tribune,
assembled in the evening the troops under his com-
mand, and blamed both himself and'them for changing
so often in so short a time, not in pursuance of the dic-
tates of reason, or for making a better choice, but be-
cause some demon pushed them on from one treason to
another. 'The crimes of Nero, indeed,' said he, 'may
justify our first measures: but has Galba murdered
his own mother, or his wife?
or has he made you
ashamed of your emperor by appearing as a fiddler or
an actor on a stage? Yet not even these things brought
us to abandon Nero; but Nymphidius first persuaded
us that he had abandoned us, and had fled into Egypt.
Shall we then sacrifice Galba after Nero; and when
we have destroyed the relation of Livia, as well as the
son of Agrippina, set the son of Nymphidia on the
imperial throne? Or rather, after having taken ven-
geance on a detestable tyrant in Nero, shall we not
show ourselves good and faithful guards to Galba? '
On this speech of the tribune, all his men acceded
to the proposal. They applied also to their fellow-
soldiers, and prevailed on most of them to return to
their allegiance. At the same time a loud shout was
heard in the camp; and Nymphidius either believing
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? 303
PLUTARCH.
(which is the account that some give us) that the troops
were calling him in order to proclaim him emperor, or
else hastening to appease the insurrection, and fix such
as he found wavering, went with lights to the camp;
having in his hand a speech composed for him by Cin-
gonins Varro, which he had committed to memory, in
order to pronounce it to the army. But seeing the
gates shut, and a number of men in arms on the wall,
his confidence abated. However, advancing nearer, he
asked them, ' What they intended to do, and by whose
command they were under arms V They answered,
one and all, 'that they acknowleged no other em-
peror but Galba. ' Then pretending to enter into their
opinion, he applauded their fidelity, and ordered those
that accompanied him to follow his example. The
guard opening the gate, and suffering him to enter with
a few of his people, a javelin was thrown at him, which
Septimius, who went before, received on his shield.
But others, drawing their swords, he fled, and was
pursued into a soldier's hut, where they despatched
him. His body was dragged to the middle of the
camp, where they inclosed it with pales, and exposed
it to public view the next day.
Nymphidius being thus taken off, Galba was no
sooner informed of it, than he ordered such of his ac-
complices as had not already despatched themselves,
to be put to death. Amongst these was Cingonius, who
composed the oration, and Mithridates of Pontus. In
this the emperor did not proceed according to the
laws and customs of the Romans ; . nor was it indeed a
popular measure to inflict capital punishment On per-
sons of eminence, without any form of trial, though
they might deserve death: for the Romans, deceived,
as it usually happens, by the first reports, now ex-
pected another kind of government. But what afflicted
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? GALBA.
them most, was the order he sent for the execution of
Petronius Turpilianus, a man of consular dignity,
merely because he had been faithful to Nero. There
was some pretence for taking off Macer in Africa, by
means of Trebonianus, and Fonteius in Germany by
Valens, because they were in arms, and had forces that
he might be afraid of. But there was no reason why
Turpilianus, a defenceless old man, should not have a
hearing, at least under a prince who should have pre-
served in his actions the moderation he so much af-
fected. Such complaints there were against Galba on
this subject.
When he was about five-and-twenty furlongs from
the city, he found the way stopped by a disorderly
parcel of seamen, who gathered about him on all sides.
These were persons whom Nero had formed into a
legion, that they might act as soldiers. They now
met him on the road to have their establishment con-
firmed, and crowded the emperor so much, that he
could neither be seen nor heard by those who came to
wait on him; for they insisted, in a clamorous manner,
on having legionary colors and quarters assigned them.
Galba put them off to another time; but they consi-
dered that as a denial; and some of them even drew
their swords: on which he ordered the cavalry to fall
on them. They made no resistance, but fled with the
utmost precipitation, and many of them were killed in
their flight. It was considered as an inauspicious cir-
cumstance for Galba to enter the city amidst so much
blood and slaughter. And those who despised him
before as weak and inactive through age, now looked
on him as an object of fear and horror.
Besides, while he endeavored to reform the extra-
vagance and profusion with which money used to be
given away by Nero, he missed the mark of propriety.
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? PLUTARCH.
When Canus, a celebrated performer on the flute,
played to him one evening at court, after expressing
the highest satisfaction at the excellence of his music,
he ordered his purse to be brought, and taking out a
few pieces of gold, gave them to Canus, telling him, at
the same time, that this was a gratuity out of his own,
not the public money. As for the money which Nero
had given to persons that pleased him on the stage, or
in the palaestra, he insisted with great rigor that it
should be all returned, except a tenth part. And as
persons of such dissolute lives, who mind nothing but
a provision for the day, could produce very little, he
caused inquiry to be made for all who had bought any
thing of them, or received presents, and obliged them
to refund. This affair extending to great numbers of
people, and seeming to have no end, it reflected dis-
grace on Vinius, because he made the emperor sordid
and mean to others, while he pillaged the treasury
himself in the most insatiable manner, and took and
sold whatever he thought proper.
In short, as Hesiod says,
Spare not the full cask, nor, when shallow streams
Declare the bottom near, withdraw your hand.
So Vinius, seeing Galba old and infirm, drank freely of
the favors of fortune, as only beginning, and yet, at the
same time, drawing to an end.
But the aged emperor was greatly injured by Vinius,
not only through his neglect or misapplication of things
committed to his trust, but by his condemning or de-
feating the most salutary intentions of his master. This
was the case with respect to punishing Nero's ministers.
Some bad ones, it is true, were put to death, amongst
whom were Elius, Polycletus, Petinus, and Patrobius.
The people expressed their joy by loud plaudits when
these were led through the forum to the place of exe-
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? GALBA.
cution, and called it a glorious and holy procession.
But both gods and men, they said, demanded the pu-
nishment of Tigellinus, who suggested the very worst
measures, and taught Nero all his tyranny. That
worthy minister however had secured himself by great
presents to Vinius, which were only earnests of still
greater. Turpilianus, though obnoxious only because
he had not betrayed or hated his master, on account of
his bad qualities, and though guilty of no remarkable
crime, was, notwithstanding, put to death; while the
man who had made Nero unfit to live, and, after he
had made him such, deserted and betrayed him, lived
and florished: a proof that there was nothing which
Yinius would not sell, and that no man had reason to
despair who had money: for there was no sight which
the people of Rome so passionately longed for, as that
of Tigellinus carried to execution; and in the theatre
and the circus they continually demanded it, till at last
the emperor checked them by an edict, importing, that
Tigellinus was in a deep consumption, which would de-
stroy him ere long, and that their sovereign intreated
them not to turn his government into a tyranny by
needless acts of severity.
The people were highly displeased; but the mis-
creants only laughed at them. Tigellinus offered sacri-
fice in acknowlegement to the gods for his recovery,
and provided a great entertainment; and Vinius rose
from the emperor's table, to go and carouse with Ti-
gellinus, accompanied by his daughter, who was a
widow. Tigellinus drank to her, and said, 'I will
make this cup worth two hundred and fifty thousand
drachmas to you. ' At the same time he ordered his
chief mistress to take off her own necklace and give it
her. This was said to be worth a hundred and fifty
thousand more.
PLUT. VoL. VII. V
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? 306
PLUTARCH.
From this time the most moderate of Galba's pro-
ceedings were misrepresented: for instance, his lenity
to the Gauls, who had conspired with Vindex, did not
escape censure: for it was believed that they had not
gained a remission of tribute and the freedom of Rome
from the emperor's indulgence, but that they purchased
them of Vinius. Hence the people had a general aver-
sion to Galba's administration. As for the soldiers,
though they did not receive what had been promised
them, they let it pass, hoping that, if they had not that
gratuity, they should certainly have as much as Nero
had given them. But when they began to murmur,
and their complaints were brought to Galba, he said,
what well became a great prince, ' That it was his cus-
tom to choose, not to buy his soldiers. ' This saying,
however, being reported to the troops, filled them with
the most deadly and irreconcileable hatred to Galba:
for it seemed to them that he not only wanted to de-
prive them of the gratuity himself, but to set a prece-
dent for future emperors.
The disaffection to the government that prevailed in
Rome was as yet kept secret in some measure, partly
because some remaining reverence for the presence of
the emperor prevented the flame of sedition from break-
ing out, and partly for want of an open occasion to at-
tempt a change. But the troops which served under
Virginhis, and were now commanded by Flaccus in
Germany, thinking they deserved great things for the
battle which they fought with Vindex, and finding that
they obtained nothing, began to behave in a very re-
fractory manner, and could not be appeased by their
officers. Their general himself they utterly despised,
as well on account of his inactivity (for he had the gout
in a violent manner), as his want of experience in mili-
tary affairs. One day, at some public games, when the
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? GALBA.
307
tribunes and centurions, according to custom, made
vows for the happiness of the emperor, the common
soldiers murmured; and when the officers repeated
their good wishes, they answered, ' if he is worthy. '
The legions that were under the command of Tigel-
linus behaved with equal insolence; of which Galba's
agents wrote him an account. He was now appre-
hensive that it was not only his age, but his want of
children, that brought him into contempt; and therefore
he formed a design to adopt some young man of noble
birth, and declare him his successor. Marcus Otho
was of a family by no means obscure ; but, at the same
time, he was more remarkable from his infancy for
luxury and love of pleasure than most of the Roman
youth. And, as Homer often calls Paris the husband
of the beauteous Helen, because he had nothing else to
distinguish him, so Otho was noted in Rome as the
husband of Poppaea. This was the lady whom Nero
fell in love with while she was wife to Crispinus; but
retaining as yet some respect for his own wife, and
some reverence for his mother, he privately employed
Otho to solicit her: for Otho's debauchery had recom-
mended him to Nero as a friend and companion, and
he had an agreeable way of rallying him on what he
called his avarice and sordid manner of living.
We are told, that one day when Nero was perfuming
himself with a very rich essence, he sprinkled a little
of it on Otho. Otho invited the emperor the day fol-
lowing, when suddenly gold and silver pipes opened
on all sides of the apartment, and poured out essences
for them in as much plenty as if it had been water. He
applied to Poppa? a according to Nero's desire, and first
seduced her for him, with the flattering idea of having
an emperor for her lover: after which he persuaded
her to leave her husband. But when he took her
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? PLUTARGH.
home as his own wife, he was not so happy in having
her, as miserable in the thought of her being loved by
another. And Poppaea is said not to have been dis-
pleased with this jealousy; for it seems she refused
to admit Nero when Otho was absent; whether it was
that she studied to keep Nero's love from decaying, or
whether, (as some say,) she did not choose to receive
the emperor as a husband, but, in her playful way,
took more pleasure in having him approach her as a
gallant. Otho's life therefore was in great danger on
account of that, marriage; and it is. astonishing, that
the man who could sacrifice his wife and sister for the
sake of Poppaea should afterwards spare Otho.
But Otho had a friend in Seneca ; and it was he who
persuaded Nero to send him out governor of Lusitania,
on the borders of the ocean. Otho made himself agree-
able to the inhabitants by his lenity; for he knew that
this command was given him only as a more honorable
exile. On Galba's revolt, he was the first governor of
a province that came over to him, and he carried with
him all the gold and silver vessels he had, to be melted
down and coined for his use. He likewise presented
him with such of his servants as knew best how to wait
on an emperor. He behaved to him, indeed, in all re-
spects with great fidelity; and it appeared from the
specimen he gave, that there was no department in the
government for which he had not talents. He accom-
panied him in his whole journey, and was many days
in the same carriage with him; during all which time
he lost no opportunity to pay his court to Vinius,
either by assiduities or presents: and as he always
took care to leave him the first place, he was secure by
his means of having the second. Besides that there
was nothing invidious in this station, he recommended
himself by granting his favors and services without re-
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? GALEA.
309
ward, and by his general affability and politeness. He
took most pleasure in serving the officers of the army,
and obtained governments for many of them, partly by
applications to the emperor, and partly to Vinius and
his freedmen, Icelns and Asiaticus, for these had the
chief influence at court.
Whenever Galba visited him, he complimented the
company of guards that was on duty with a piece of
gold for each man; thus practising on and gaining the
soldiers, while he seemed only to be doing honor to
their master. When Galba was deliberating on the
choice of a successor, Vinius proposed Otho. Nor
was this a disinterested overture, for Otho had pro-
mised to marry Vinius' daughter, after Galba had
adopted him, and appointed him his successor. But
Galba always showed that he preferred the good of the
public to any private considerations; and in this case
he sought not for the man who might be most agree-
able to himself, but one who promised to be the great-
est blessing to the Romans. Indeed it can hardly be
supposed that he would have appointed Otho heir even
to his private patrimony, when he knew how expensive
and profuse he was, and that he was loaded with a debt
of five millions of drachmas. He therefore gave Vi-
nius a patient hearing, without returning him any an-
swer, and put off the affair to another time. However,
as he declared himself consul, and chose Vinius for
his colleague, it was supposed that he would appoint a
successor at the beginning of the next year, and the
soldiers wished that Otho might be the man.
But while Galba delayed the appointment, and con-
tinued deliberating, the army mutinied in Germany.
All the troops throughout the empire hated Galba, be-
cause they had not received the promised donations,
but those in Germany had a particular apology for
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? 310
PLUTARCH.
their aversion. They alleged 'that Virginias Rufus,
their general, had been removed with ignominy, and
that the Gauls, who had fought against them, were the
only people that were rewarded; whilst all who had
not joined Vindex were punished; and Galba, as if he
had obligations to none but him for the imperial dia-
dem, honored his memory with sacrifices and public
libations. '
Such speeches as this were common in the camp,
when the calends of January were at hand, and Flaccus
assembled the soldiers, that they might take tjje custo-
mary oath of fealty to the emperor. But, instead of
that, they overturned and broke to pieces the statues
of Galba; and, having taken an oath of allegiance to
the senate and people of Rome, they retired to their
tents. Their officers were now as apprehensive of
anarchy as rebellion, and the following speech is said
to have been made on the occasion: 'What are we
doing; my fellow-soldiers? We neither appoint ano-
ther emperor, nor keep our allegiance to the present,
as if we had renounced not only Galba, but every other
sovereign, and all manner of obedience. It is true,
Hordeonius Flaccus is no more than the shadow of
Galba. Let us quit him. But at the distance of one
day's march only, there is Vitellius, who commands
in the lower Germany, whose father was censor, and
thrice consul, and in a manner colleague to the empe-
ror Claudius. And though his poverty be a circum-
stance for which some people may despise him, it is a
strong proof of his probity and greatness of mind.
Let us go and declare him emperor, and show the
world that we know how to choose a person for that
high dignity better than the Spaniards and Lusita-
nians. ' ?
Some approved, and others rejected this motion*
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? GALBA.
One of the standard-bearers, however, marched off
privately, and carried the news to Vitellius that night.
He found him at table, for he was giving a great en-
tertainment to his officers. The news soon spread
through the army, and Fabius Valens, who commanded
one of the legions, went next day, at the head of a
considerable party of horse, and saluted Vitellius em-
peror. For some days before he seemed to dread the
weight of sovereign power, and totally to decline it;
but now being fortified with the indulgences of the
table, to which he had sat down at mid-day, he went
out, and accepted the title of Germanicus, which the
army conferred on him, though he refused that of Cae-
sar. Soon after, Flaccus' troops forgot the republican
oaths they had taken to the senate and the people, and
swore allegiance to Vitellius. Thus Vitellius was pro-
claimed emperor in Germany.
As soon as Galba was informed of the insurrection
there, he resolved, without farther delay, to proceed
to the adoption. He knew some of his friends were
for Dolabella, and a still greater number for Otho;
but without being guided by the judgment of either
party, or making the least mention of his design, he
sent suddenly for Piso, the son of Crassus and Scri-
bonia, who were put to death by Nero; a young man
formed by nature for every virtue, and distinguished
for his modesty and sobriety of manners. In pursu-
ance of his intentions, he went down with him to the
camp, to give him the title of Caesar, and declare him
his successor. But he was no sooner out of his palace
than very inauspicious presages appeared: and in the
camp, when he delivered a speech to the army, read-
ing some parts, and pronouncing others from memory,
the many claps of thunder and flashes of lightning, the
violent rain that fell, and the darkness that covered
? ?
