按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
what was left of the Neronian confiscations； or had not yet been
paid into the Imperial treasury； a most equitable and apparently
most splendid piece of liberality； but practically worthless； as the
property had been hastily realized long before。 Soon afterwards he
summoned an assembly； and enlarged on the dignity of the capital and
the unanimity of the Senate and people in his favour。 Of the party
of Vitellius he spoke with moderation； charging the legions with
ignorance rather than with crime； and making no mention of Vitellius
himself。 This moderation was either his own； or was due to the
writer of the speech； who； fearing for himself； abstained from
invectives against Vitellius。 For Otho was believed to avail himself
of the abilities of Galerius Trachalus in civil matters； just as he
employed those of Celsus and Paullinus in war。 There were some who
recognized the very style of speaking； which was well known from his
constant pleading at the bar； and which sought to fill the popular ear
with a copious and sonorous diction。 The acclamations and cries
which habitual flattery prompted in the people were at once
extravagant and false。 As if they were applauding a Dictator like
Caesar； or an Emperor like Augustus； they vied with each other in
their zeal and good wishes。 They acted not from fear or affection； but
from the mere love of servitude； as it might be in some private
household； each had his own motives； and the public honour now went
for nothing。 Otho set out； leaving the peace of the city and the cares
of empire in the charge of his brother Salvius Titianus。
BOOK II； March … August； A。D。 69
IN A distant part of the world fortune was now preparing the
origin and rise of a new dynasty； whose varied destinies brought
happiness or misery on the State； prosperity or destruction on the
Princes of its line。 Titus Vespasian had been sent from Judaea by
his father while Galba still lived； and alleged as a reason for his
journey the homage due to the Emperor； and his age； which now
qualified him to compete for office。 But the vulgar； ever eager to
invent； had spread the report that he was sent for to be adopted。
The advanced years and childless condition of the Emperor furnished
matter for such gossip； and the country never can refrain from
naming many persons until one be chosen。 The report gained the more
credit from the genius of Titus himself； equal as it was to the most
exalted fortune； from the mingled beauty and majesty of his
countenance； from the prosperous fortunes of Vespasian； from the
prophetic responses of oracles； and even from accidental occurrences
which； in the general disposition to belief； were accepted as omens。
At Corinth； the capital of Achaia； he received positive information of
the death of Galba； and found men who spoke confidently of the
revolt of Vitellius and of the fact of war。 In the anxiety of his
mind； he sent a few of his friends； and carefully surveyed his
position from both points of view。 He considered that if he should
proceed to Rome； he should get no thanks for a civility intended for
another； while his person would be a hostage in the hands either of
Vitellius or of Otho； that should he turn back； the conqueror would
certainly be offended； but with the issue of the struggle still
doubtful； and the father joining the party； the son would be
excused； on the other hand； if Vespasian should assume the direction
of the state； men who had to think of war would have to forget such
causes of offence。
These and like thoughts made him waver between hope and fear； but
hope triumphed。 Some supposed that he retraced his steps for love of
Queen Berenice； nor was his young heart averse to her charms； but this
affection occasioned no hindrance to action。 He passed； it is true；
a youth enlivened by pleasure； and practised more self…restraint in
his own than in his father's reign。 So； after coasting Achaia and
Asia； leaving the land on his left； he made for the islands of
Rhodes and Cyprus； and then by a bolder course for Syria。 Here he
conceived a desire to visit and inspect the temple of the Paphian
Venus； place of celebrity both among natives and foreigners。 It will
not be a tedious digression to record briefly the origin of the
worship； the ceremonial of the temple； and the form under which the
goddess is adored； a form found in no other place。
The founder of the temple； according to old tradition； was king
Aerias； though some represent this as the name of the goddess herself。
Later accounts tell us that the temple was consecrated by Cinyras； and
that the goddess herself after her birth from the sea was wafted to
this spot； but that the wisdom and craft of the diviners was a foreign
importation introduced by Tamiras of Cilicia； and that it was agreed
that the descendants of both families should preside over the worship。
Afterwards； that the royal family might not be without some
superiority over the foreign stock； the strangers relinquished the
craft which they had themselves introduced。 The priest of the line
of Cinyras is alone consulted。 The victims are such as each worshipper
has vowed； but males are selected； the surest prognostics are seen
in the entrails of kids。 It is forbidden to pour blood on the altar；
the place of sacrifice is served only with prayers and pure flame； and
though it stands in the open air； it is never wet with rain。 The image
of the goddess does not bear the human shape； it is a rounded mass
rising like a cone from a broad base to a small circumference。 The
meaning of this is doubtful。
Titus； after surveying the treasures； the royal presents； and the
other objects which the antiquarian tendencies of the Greek
arbitrarily connect with some uncertain past； first consulted the
oracle about his voyage。 Receiving an answer that the way was open and
the sea propitious； he then； after sacrificing a number of victims；
asked some questions in ambiguous phrase concerning himself。 Sostratus
（that was the name of the priest） seeing that the entrails presented
an uniformly favourable appearance； and that the goddess signified her
favour to some great enterprise； returned at the moment a brief and
ordinary answer； but afterwards soliciting a private interview；
disclosed the future。 His spirits raised； Titus rejoined his father；
and was received as a mighty pledge of success by the wavering minds
of the provincials and the troops。 Vespasian had all but completed the
Jewish war； and only the siege of Jerusalem now remained； an
operation； the difficulty and arduousness of which was due； rather
to the character of its mountain citadel and the perverse obstinacy of
the national superstition； than to any sufficient means of enduring
extremities left to the besiege