No More Learning

thoroughly exasperated, they wrote to each other in a
style of the hitterest invective; not that their mutual
reproaches were groundless, but it was absurd for the
one to insult the other with what might with equal
justice be objected to both: for their charges consisted
of prodigality, effeminacy, incapacity for war, their
former poverty and immense debts; such articles, that
it is hard to say which of them had the advantage.
As to the stories of prodigies and apparitions at that
time, many of them were founded on vague reports
that could not be traced to their author: but in the
capitol there was a Victory mounted on a chariot, and
numbers of people saw her let the reins fall out of her
hands, as if she had lost the power to hold them: and
in the island of the Tiber, the statue of Julius Caesar
turned from west to east, without either earthquake or
whirlwind to move it; a circumstance which is said
likewise to have happened when Vespasian openly
took on him the direction of affairs. The inundation
of the Tiber, too, was considered by the populace as a
bad omen. It was at a time, indeed, when rivers usu-
ally overflow their banks; but the flood never rose so
high before, nor was so ruinous in its effects; for now
it laid great part of the city under water, particularly
the corn-market, and caused a famine which continued
for some days.
About this time news was brought that Cecina and
Valens, who acted for Vitellins, had seized the passes
of the Alps. And in Rome, Dolabella, who was of an
illustrious family, was suspected by the guards of some
disloyal design. Otho, either fearing him, or some
other whom he could influence, sent him to Aquinum,
with assurances of friendly treatment. When the em-
peror came to select the officers that were to attend
him on his march, he appointed Lucius, the brother of
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? oTHo.
Vitellius, to be of the number, without either pro-
moting or lowering him in point of rank. He took
also particular care of the mother and wife of Vitel-
lius, and endeavored to put them in a situation where
they had nothing to fear. The government of Rome
he gave to Flavius Sabinus, the brother of Vespasian;
either with an intention to do honor to Nero, (for he
had formerly given him that appointment, and Galba
had deprived him of it,) or else to show his affection to
Vespasian by promoting his brother.
Otho himself stopped at Brixellum, a town in Italy,
near the Po, and ordered the army to march on under
the conduct of his lieutenants, Marius Celsus, Sueto-
nius Paulinus, Gallus and Spurina, officers of great
reputation. But they could not pursue the plan of
operations they had formed, by reason of the obstinacy
and disorderly behavior of the soldiers, who declared
that they had made the emperor, and they would be
commanded by him only. . The enemy's troops were
not under much better discipline: they, too, were re-
fractory and disobedient to their officers, and on the
same account. Yet they had seen service, and were
accustomed to fatigue: whereas Otho's men had been
used to idleness, and their manner of living was quite
different from that in the field. Indeed they had spent
most of their time at public spectacles and the enter-
tainments of the theatre, and were come to that degree
of insolence, that they did not pretend to be unable to
perform the services they were ordered on, but affected
to be above them. Spurina, who attempted to use com-
pulsion, was in danger of being killed by them. They
spared no manner of abuse, calling him traitor, and
telling him that it was he who ruined the affairs of
Caesar, and purposely missed the fairest opportunities.
Some of them came in the night intoxicated with liquor
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? PLUTARCH.
to his tent, and demanded their discharge; 'for they
had to go,' they said, 'to Caesar, to accuse him/
The cause, however, and Spurina with it, received
some benefit from the insult which these troops met
with at Placentia. Those of Vitellius came Up to the
walls, and ridiculed Otho's men, who were appointed
to defend them; calling them players and dancers, fit
only to attend the Pythian and Olympic games; fel-
lows who knew nothing of war, who had not even
made one campaign, who were swoln up with pride
merely because they had cut off the head of a poor un-
armed old man (meaning Galba); wretches that durst
not look men in the face, or stand any thing like a fair
and open battle. They were so cut with these re-
proaches, and so desirous of revenge, that they threw
themselves at Spurina's feet, and begged of him to
command and employ them on whatever service he
thought proper, assuring him that there was neither
danger nor labor which they would decline. After
this the enemy made a vigorous attack on the town,
and plied their battering-engines with all their force j
but Spurina's men repulsed them with great slaughter,
and by that means kept possession of one of the most
respectable and most florishing towns in Italy.
It must be observed of Otho's officers in genera],
that they were more obliging in their behavior both to
cities and private persons than those of Vitellius. Ce-
cilia, one of the latter, had nothing popular either in
his address or his figure. He was of a gigantic size,
and most uncouth appearance; for he wore breeches
and long sleeves in the manner of the Gauls, even
while his standard was Roman, and whilst he gave his
instructions to Roman officers. His wife followed him
on horseback, in a rich dress, and was attended by a
select party of cavalry. Fabius Yalens, the other ge.
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? OTHO.
neral, had a passion for money, which was not to he
satisfied by any plunder from the enemy, or exactions
and contributions from the allies. Insomuch, that he
was believed to proceed more slowly for the sake of
collecting gold as he went, and therefore was not up at
the first action. Some indeed accuse Cecina of has-
tening to give battle before the arrival of Valens, in
order that the victory might be all his own; and, be-
sides other less faults, they charged him not only with
attacking at an unseasonable time, bnt with not main-
taining the combat so gallantly as he ought to have
done; all which errors nearly ruined the affairs of his
party.
Cecina, after his repulse at Placentia, marched
against Cremona, another rich and great city. In the
mean time Annius Gallus, who was going to join Spu-
rina at Placentia, had intelligence by the way that he
was victorious, and that the siege was raised. But
being informed at the same time that Cremona was in
danger, he led his forces thither, and encamped very
near the enemy. Afterwards other officers brought in
reinforcements. Caecina posted a strong body of in-
fantry under cover of some trees and thickets; after
which he ordered his cavalry to advance, and if the
enemy attacked them, to give way by degrees, and re-
tire, till they had drawn them into the ambuscade.
But Celsus, being informed of his intention by some
deserters, advanced with his best cavalry against Cae-
cina's troops; and, on their retreating, he pursued
with so much caution, that he surrounded the corps
that lay in ambush. Having thus put them in confu-
sion, he called the legions from the camp; and it ap-
pears that, if they had come up in time to support the
horse, Csecina's whole army would have been cut in
pieces. But, as Paulinus advanced very slowly, he
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? PLUTARCH.
was censured for having used more precaution than
became a general of his character. Nay, the soldiers
accused him of treachery, and endeavored to incense
Otho against him; insisting that the victory was in
their hands, and that if it was not complete, it was
owing intirely to the mismanagement of their generals.
Otho did not so much believe these representations as
he was willing to appear not to disbelieve them. He
therefore sent his brother Titianus to the army, with
Proculus, the captain of his guard; Titianus had the
command in appearance, and Proculus in reality. Cel-
sus and Paulinus had the title of friends and coun-
sellors, but not the least authority in the direction of
affairs.
The enemy, too, were not without their dissatisfac-
tions and disorder, particularly amongst the forces of
Valens: for when they were informed of what hap-
pened at the ambuscade, they expressed their indigna-
tion that their general did not put it in their power to
be there, that they might have used their endeavors to
save so many brave men who perished in that action.
They were even inclined to despatch him; but having
pacified them with much difficulty, he decamped, and
joined Caecina.
In the mean time Otho came to the camp at Bedri-
acum, a small town near Cremona, and there held a
council of war. Proculus and Titianus were of opi-
nion, ' That he ought to give battle, while the army re-
tained those high spirits with which the late victory
had inspired them, and not suffer that ardor to cool,
nor wait till Vitellius came in person from Gaul. ' But
Paulinus was against it. 'The enemy,' said he, ' have
received all their troops, and have no farther prepara-
tions to make for the combat; whereas Otho will have
from Mysia and Pannonia forces as numerous as those
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? OTHo.
329
he has already, if he will wait his own opportunity, in-
stead of giving one to the enemy. And certainly the
army he now has, if with their small numbers they
have so much ardor, will not fight with less, but greater
spirit when they see their numbers so much increased.
Besides, the gaining of time makes for us, because we
have every thing in abundance; but delays must greatly
distress Cecina and his colleague for necessaries, be-
cause they lie in an enemy's country. '
Marius Celsus supported the opinion of Paulinus.
Annius Gallus could not attend, because he had re-
ceived some hurt by a fall from his horse, and was
under cure. Otho therefore wrote to him, and Gallus
advised him not to precipitate matters, but to wait for
the army from Mysia, which was already on the way.
Otho however would not be guided by these counsels,
and the opinion of those prevailed who were for ha-
zarding a battle immediately. Different reasons are,
indeed, alleged for this resolution. The most probable
is, that the pretorian cohorts, which composed the em-
peror's guards, now coming to taste what real war was,
longed to be once more at a distance from it, to return
to the ease, the company, and public diversions of
Rome; and therefore they could not be restrained in
their eagerness for a battle, for they imagined that
they could overpower the enemy at the first charge.
Besides, Otho seems to have been no longer able to
support himself in a state of suspense; such an aver-
sion to the thoughts of danger had his dissipation and
effeminacy given him! Overburdened then by his
cares, he hastened to free himself from their weight:
he covered his eyes, and leaped down the precipice:
he committed all at once to fortune. Such is the ac-
count given of the matter by the orator Secundus, who
was Otho's secretary.
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? PLUTARCH.
Others say that the two parties were much inclined
to lay down their arms, and unite in choosing an em-
peror out of the best generals they had; or, if they
could not agree on it, to leave the election to the se-
nate. Nor is it improbable, as the two who were
called emperors were neither of them men of reputa-
tion, that the experienced and prudent part of the sol-
diers should form such a design: for they could not
but reflect how unhappy and dreadful a thing it would
be to plunge themselves into the same calamities,
which the Romans could not bring on each other with-
out aching hearts, in the quarrels of Sylla and Man us,
of Caeear and Pompey; and for what? but to provide
an empire to minister to the insatiable appetite and
the drunkenness of Vitellius, or to the luxury and de-
baucheries of Otho. These considerations are sup-
posed to have induced Celsus to endeavor to gain time,
in hopes that matters might be compromised without
the sword; while Otho, out of fear of such an agree-
ment, hastened the battle.
In the mean time he returned to Brixellum, which
certainly was an additional error: for by that step he
deprived the combatants of the reverence and emula-
tion which his presence might have inspired, and took
a considerable limb from the body of the army ; I mean,
some of the best and most active men, both horse and
foot, for his body-guard. There happened about that
time a rencounter on the Po, while Cecilia's troops en-
deavored to lay a bridge over that river, and Otho's to
prevent it. The latter finding their other efforts inef-
fectual, put a quantity of torches well covered with
brimstone and pitch into some boats, which were car-
ried by the wind and current on the enemy's work.
First smoke, and afterwards a bright flame arose; on
which Cecina's men were so terrified, that they leaped
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? oTHO.
331
into the river, overset their boats, and were intirely
exposed to their enemies, who laughed at their awk-
ward distress.
The German troops, however, beat Otho's gladiators
in a little island of the Po, and killed a considerable
number of them. Otho's army that was in Bedriacum,
resenting this affront, insisted on being led out to battle.
Accordingly Proculus marched, and pitched his camp
at the distance of fifty furlongs from Bedriacum. But
he chose his ground in a very unskilful manner; for,
though it was in the spring season, and the country
afforded many springs and rivulets, his army was dis-
tressed for water. Next day Proculus was for march-
ing against the enemy, who lay not less than a hundred
furlongs off: but Paulinus would not agree to it. He
said, 'They ought to keep the post they had taken,
rather than fatigue themselves first, and then imme-
diately engage an enemy, who could arm and put them-
selves in order of battle at their leisure, while they
were making such a march with all the incumbrance of
baggage and servants. The generals disputed the point,
till a Nuiaidian horseman came with letters from Otho,
ordering them to make no longer delay, but proceed
to the attack without losing a moment's time. They
then decamped of course, and went to seek the enemy.
The news of their approach threw Cecina into great
confusion; and immediately quitting bis works and
post on the river, he repaired to the camp, where he
found most of the soldiers armed, and the word already
given by Valens.
During the time that the infantry were forming the
best of the cavalry were directed to skirmish. At that
moment a report was spread, from what cause we can-
not tell, amongst Otho's van, that Vitellius' officers
were coming over to their party. As soon, therefore,
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as they approached, they saluted them in a friendly
manner, calling them fellow-soldiers: but instead of
receiving the appellation, they answered with a furious
and hostile shout. The consequence was, that the
persons who made the compliment were dispirited,
and the rest suspected them of treason. This was the
first thing that disconcerted Otho's troops, for by this
time the enemy had charged. Besides, they could
preserve no order, the intermixture of the baggage,
and the nature of the ground, preventing any regular
movement: for the ground was so full of ditches and
other inequalities, that they were forced to break their
ranks and wheel about to avoid them, and could only
fight in small parties. There were but two legions,
one of Vitellius' called the Devourer, and one of Otho's
called the Succorer, which could disentangle them-
selves from the defiles and gain the open plain. These
engaged in a regular battle, and fought a long time.
Otho's men were vigorous and brave; but they had
not seen so much as one action before this; on the
other hand, those of Vitellius had much experience
in the field; but they were old, and their strength de-
caying.
Otho's legion coming on with great fury, mowed
down the first ranks, and took the eagle. The enemy,
filled with shame and resentment, advanced to chastise
them, slewOrphidius, who commanded the legion, and
took several standards. Against the gladiators, who
had the reputation of being brave fellows, and ex-
cellent at close fighting, Alphenus Varus brought up
the Batavians, who come from an island formed by the
Rhine, and are the best cavalry in Germany. A few
of the gladiators made head against them; but the
greatest part fled to the river, and falling in with some
of the enemy's infantry that was posted there, were all
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? oTHo.
cut in pieces. But none behaved so ill that day as the
pretorian bands. They did not even wait to receive
the enemy's charge, and in their flight they broke
through the troops that as yet stood their ground, and
put them in disorder. Nevertheless, many of Otho's
men were irresistible in the quarter where they fought,
and opened a way through the victorious enemy to
their camp. But Proculus and Paulinus took another
way; for they dreaded the soldiers, who already
blamed their generals for the loss of the day.
Annius Gallus received into the city all the scattered
parties, and endeavored to encourage them by assur-
ances that the advantage on the whole was equal, and
that their troops had the superiority in many parts of
the field. But Marius Celsus assembled the principal
officers, and desired them to consider of measures that
might save their country. 'After such an expense of
Roman blood,' said he, ' Otho himself, if he has a pa-
triotic principle, would not tempt Fortune any more;
since Cato and Scipio, in refusing to submit to Caesar
after the battle of Pharsalia, are accused of having un-
necessarily sacrificed the lives of so many brave men
in Africa, notwithstanding that they fought for the
liberties of their country. Fortune indeed is capri-
cious, and all men are liable to suffer by her incon-
stancy: yet good men have one advantage which she
cannot deprive them of, and that is, to avail themselves
of their reason in whatever may befall them. ' These
arguments prevailed with the officers, and on sounding
the private men, they found them desirous of peace.
Titianus himself was of opinion that they ought to send
ambassadors to treat for a coalition. In pursuance of
which, Celsus and Gallus were charged with a commis-
sion to Cecina and Valens. As they were on the road,
they met some centurions, who informed them that Vi--
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? PLUTARCH.
Cellini' army was advancing to Bedriacum, and that they
were sent before by their generals with proposals for
an accommodation. Celsus and Gallus commended
their design, and desired them to go back with them to
meet Cecina.
When they approached that general's army, Celsus
was in great danger; for the cavalry that were beaten
in the affair of the ambuscade happened to be in the
van; and they no sooner saw Celsus than they ad-
vanced with loud shouts against him. The centurions
however put themselves before him, and the other offi-
cers called out to them to do him no violence. Cecina
himself, when he was informed of the tumult, rode up
and quelled it, and after he had made his compliments
to Celsus in a very obliging manner, accompanied him
to Bedriacum.
In the mean time, Titianus repenting that he had sent
the ambassadors, placed the most resolute of the sol-
diers again on the walls, and exhorted the rest to
assist. But when Cecina rode up and offered his
hand, not a man of them could resist him. Some sa-
luted his men from the walls, and others opened the
gates; after which they went out and mixed with the
troops that were coming up. Instead of acts of hos-
tility, there was nothing but mutual caresses and other
demonstrations of friendship; in consequence of which,
they all took the oath to Vitellius, and ranged them-
selves under his banner.
This is the account which most of those that were in
the battle give of it; but at the same time they confess
that they did not know all the particulars, because of
the confused manner in which they fought and the in-
equality of the ground.
Long after, when I was pass-
ing over the field of battle, Mestrius Florus, a person
of consular dignity, showed me an old man, who in his
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? oTHo.
youth had served under Otho with others of the same
age with himself, not from inclination, but by con-
straint. He told me also, that on visiting the field after
the battle, he saw a large pile of dead bodies as high as
the head of a man; and on inquiring into the reason,
he could neither discover it himself, nor get any infor-
mation about it. It was no wonder that there was a
great carnage in case of a general rout, because in a
civil war they make no prisoners; for such captives
would be of no advantage to the conquerors; but it is
difficult to assign a reason why the carcasses should be
piled up in that manner.
An uncertain rumor (as it commonly happens) was
first brought to Otho, and afterwards some of the
wounded came and assured him that the battle was lost.
On this occasion, it was nothing extraordinary that his
friends strove to encourage him and keep him from
desponding; but the attachment of the soldiers to him
exceeds all belief. None of them left him, or went
over to the enemy, or consulted his own safety, even
when their chief despaired of his. On the contrary,
they crowded his gates; they called him emperor;
they left no form of application untried; they kissed
his hands; they fell at his feet, and with groans and
tears intreated him not to forsake them, nor give them
up to their enemies, but to employ their hearts and
hands to the last moment of their lives. They all
joined in this request: and one of the private men
drawing his sword, thus addressed himself to Otho,
'Know, Caesar, what your soldiers are ready to do
for you,' and immediately plunged the steel into his
heart.
Otho was not moved at this affecting scene, but with
a cheerful and steady countenance looking round on
the company, he spoke as follows: 'This day, my fel-
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? 336
PLUTARCH.
low-soldiers, I consider as a more happy one, than
that on which you made me emperor, when I see you
thus disposed, and am so great in your opinion. But
deprive me not of a still greater happiness, that of lay-
ing down my life with honor for so many generous Ro-
mans. If I am worthy of the Roman empire, I ought
to shed my blood for my country. I know the victory
my adversaries has gained is by no means decisive. I
have intelligence that my army from Mysia is at the
distance of but a few days' march; Asia, Syria, and
Egypt, are pouring their legions on the Adriatic; the
forces in Judea declare for us; the senate is with us;
and the very wives and children of our enemies are so
many pledges in our hands. But we are not fighting
for Italy with Hannibal or Pyrrhus, or the Cimbrians;
our dispute is with the Romans; and whatever party
prevails, whether we conquer or are conquered, our
country must suffer. Under the victor's joy she bleeds.
Believe, then, my friends, that I can die with greater
glory than reign: for I know no benefit that Rome can
reap from my victory, equal to what I shall confer on
her by sacrificing myself for peace and unanimity,
and to prevent Italy from beholding such another day
as this! '
After he had made this speech, and showed himself
immovable to those who attempted to alter his resolu-
tion, he desired his friends, and such senators as were
present, to leave him, and provide for their own safety.
To those that were absent he sent the same commands,
and signified his pleasure to the cities by letters, that
they should receive them honorably, and supply them
with good convoys.
He then called his nephew Cocceius, who was yet
very young, and bade him compose himself, and not
fear Vitellius. 'I have taken the same care,' said he,
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? oTHo.
337
'of his mother, his wife and children, as if they had
been my own. And for the same reason, I mean for
your sake, I deferred the adoption which I intended
you: for I thought proper to wait the issue of this war,
that you might reign with me if I conquered, and not
fall with me if I was overcome. The last thing, my
son, I have to recommend to you, is, neither intirely
to forget, nor yet to remember too well that you had
an emperor for your uncle. '
A moment after he heard a great noise and tumult
at his gate. The soldiers seeing the senators retiring,
threatened to kill them if they moved a step farther or
abandoned the emperor. Otho, in great concern for
them, showed himself again at the door, but no longer
with a mild and supplicating air; on the contrary, he
cast such a stern and angry look on the most turbulent
part of them, that they withdrew in great fear and con-
fusion.
In the evening he was thirsty, and drank a little
water. Then he had two swords brought him, and
having examined the points of both a long time, he
sent away the one, and put the other under his arm.
After this he called his servants, and with many ex-
pressions of kindness gave them money: not that he
chose to be lavish of what would soon be another's, for
he gave to some more, and to some less, proportioning
his bounty to their merit, and paying a strict regard to
propriety.
When he had dismissed them, he dedicated the re-
mainder of the night to repose, and slept so sound,
that his chamberlains heard him at the door. Early
in the morning he called his freedman, who assisted
him in the care of the senators, and ordered him to
make the proper inquiries about them. The answer
he brought was, that they were gone, and had been
PLUT. VoL, VII. y
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? 338
PLUTARCH.
provided with every thing they desired. On which he
said, 'Go you, then, and show yourself to the sol-
diers, that they may not imagine you have assisted me
in despatching myself, and put you to some cruel
death for it. '
As soon as the freedman was gone out he fixed the
hilt of his sword on the ground, and holding it with
hoth hands, fell on it with so much force, that he ex-
pired with one groan. The servants who waited without
heard the groan, and burst into a loud lamentation,
which was echoed through the camp and the city. The
soldiers ran to the gates with the most pitiable wailings
and most unfeigned grief, reproaching themselves for
not guarding their emperor, and prevent his dying for
them. Not one of them would leave him to provide
for himself, though the enemy was approaching. They
attired the body in a magnificent manner, and prepared
a funeral pile; after which they attended the proces-
sion in their armor, and happy was the man that could
come to support his bier. Some kneeled and kissed
his wound, some grasped his hand, and others pros-
trated themselves on the ground, and adored him at a
distance. Nay, there were some who threw their
torches on the pile, and then slew themselves. Not
that they had received any extraordinary favors from
the deceased, or were afraid of suffering under the
hands of the conqueror; but it seems that no king or
tyrant was ever so passionately fond of governing, as
they were of being governed by Otho. Nor did their
affection cease with his death; it survived the grave,
and terminated in the hatred and destruction of Vi-
tellius. Of that we shall give an account in its proper
place.
After they had interred the remains of Otho they
erected a monument over them, which, neither by its
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? oTHo.
339
size nor any pomp of epitaph, could excite the least
envy. I have seen it at Brixillum; it was very modest,
and the inscription only thus,
To the Memory of Marcus Otho.
Otho died at the age of thirty-seven, having reigned
only three months. Those who find fault with his life
are not more respectable either for their numbers or
for their rank, than those who applaud his death; for,
though his life was not so much better than that of
Nero, yet his death was nobler.
The soldiers were extremely incensed against Pollio,
one of the principal officers of the guards, for per-
suading them to take the oath immediately to Vitel-
lius; and being informed that there were still some
senators on the spot, they let the others pass, but so-
licited Verginius Rufus in a very troublesome man-
ner. They went in arms to his house, and insisted
that he should take the imperial title, or at least be
their mediator with the conqueror. But he who had re-
fused to accept that title from them when they were
victorious, thought it would be the greatest madness
to embrace it after they were beaten. And . he was
afraid of applying to the Germans in their behalf, be-
cause he had obliged that people to do many things
contrary to their inclinations. He therefore went out
privately at another door. When the soldiers found
that he had left them, they took the oath to Vitellius,
and having obtained their pardon, were inrolled amongst
the troops of Caecina.
END oF PLUTARCH.
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