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emperor。 He was a compound of dissipation and energy； of arrogance and
courtesy； of good and bad qualities。 His self…indulgence was
excessive； when he had leisure； yet whenever he had served； he had
shown great qualities。 In his public capacity he might be praised； his
private life was in bad repute。 Yet over subjects； friends； and
colleagues； he exercised the influence of many fascinations。 He was
a man who would find it easier to transfer the imperial power to
another； than to hold it for himself。 Flavius Vespasian； a general
of Nero's appointment； was carrying on the war in Judaea with three
legions； and he had no wish or feeling adverse to Galba。 He had in
fact sent his son Titus to acknowledge his authority and bespeak his
favour； as in its proper place I shall relate。 As for the hidden
decrees of fate； the omens and the oracles that marked out Vespasian
and his sons for imperial power； we believed in them only after his
success。
Ever since the time of the Divine Augustus Roman Knights have
ruled Egypt as kings； and the forces by which it has to be kept in
subjection。 It has been thought expedient thus to keep under home
control a province so difficult of access； so productive of corn； ever
distracted； excitable； and restless through the superstition and
licentiousness of its inhabitants； knowing nothing of laws； and unused
to civil rule。 Its governor was at this time Tiberius Alexander； a
native of the country。 Africa and its legions； now that Clodius
Macer was dead； were disposed to be content with any emperor； after
having experienced the rule of a smaller tyrant。 The two divisions
of Mauritania； Rhaetia； Noricum and Thrace and the other provinces
governed by procurators； as they were near this or that army； were
driven by the presence of such powerful neighbours into friendship
or hostility。 The unarmed provinces with Italy at their head were
exposed to any kind of slavery； and were ready to become the prize
of victory。 Such was the state of the Roman world； when Servius Galba；
consul for the second time； with T。 Vinius for his colleague；
entered upon a year； which was to be the last of their lives； and
which well nigh brought the commonwealth to an end。
A few days after the 1st of January； there arrived from Belgica
despatches of Pompeius Propinquus； the Procurator； to this effect；
that the legions of Upper Germany had broken through the obligation of
their military oath； and were demanding another emperor； but
conceded the power of choice to the Senate and people of Rome； in
the hope that a more lenient view might be taken of their revolt。
These tidings hastened the plans of Galba； who had been long
debating the subject of adoption with himself and with his intimate
friends。 There was indeed no more frequent subject of conversation
during these months； at first because men had liberty and
inclination to talk of such matters； afterwards because the feebleness
of Galba was notorious。 Few had any discrimination or patriotism； many
had foolish hopes for themselves； and spread interested reports； in
which they named this or that person to whom they might be related
as friend or dependant。 They were also moved by hatred of T。 Vinius；
who grew daily more powerful； and in the same proportion more
unpopular。 The very easiness of Galba's temper stimulated the greedy
cupidity which great advancement had excited in his friends； because
with one so weak and so credulous wrong might be done with less risk
and greater gain。
The real power of the Empire was divided between T。 Vinius； the
consul； and Cornelius Laco； prefect of the Praetorian Guard。 Icelus； a
freedman of Galba； was in equal favour； he had been presented with the
rings of knighthood； and bore the Equestrian name of Martianus。
These men； being at variance； and in smaller matters pursuing their
own aims； were divided in the affair of choosing a successor； into two
opposing factions。 T。 Vinius was for Marcus Otho； Laco and Icelus
agreed； not indeed in supporting any particular individual； but in
striving for some one else。 Galba indeed was aware of the friendship
between Vinius and Otho； the gossip of those who allow nothing to pass
in silence had named them as father…in…law and son…in…law； for
Vinius had a widowed daughter； and Otho was unmarried。 I believe
that he had also at heart some care for the commonwealth； in vain；
he would think； rescued from Nero； if it was to be left with Otho。 For
Otho's had been a neglected boyhood and a riotous youth； and he had
made himself agreeable to Nero by emulating his profligacy。 For this
reason the Emperor had entrusted to him； as being the confidant of his
amours； Poppaea Sabina； the imperial favourite； until he could rid
himself of his wife Octavia。 Soon suspecting him with regard to this
same Poppaea； he sent him out of the way to the province of Lusitania；
ostensibly to be its governor。 Otho ruled the province with
mildness； and； as he was the first to join Galba's party； was not
without energy； and； while the war lasted； was the most conspicuous of
the Emperor's followers； he was led to cherish more and more
passionately every day those hopes of adoption which he had
entertained from the first。 Many of the soldiers favoured him； and the
court was biassed in his favour； because he resembled Nero。
When Galba heard of the mutiny in Germany； though nothing was as yet
known about Vitellius； he felt anxious as to the direction which the
violence of the legions might take； while he could not trust even
the soldiery of the capital。 He therefore resorted to what he supposed
to be the only remedy； and held a council for the election of an
emperor。 To this he summoned； besides Vinius and Laco； Marius
Celsus； consul elect； and Ducennius Geminus； prefect of the city。
Having first said a few words about his advanced years； he ordered
Piso Licinianus to be summoned。 It is uncertain whether he acted on
his own free choice； or； as believed by some； under the influence of
Laco； who through Rubellius Plautus had cultivated the friendship of
Piso。 But； cunningly enough； it was as a stranger that Laco
supported him； and the high character of Piso gave weight to his
advice。 Piso； who was the son of M。 Crassus and Scribonia； and thus of
noble descent on both sides； was in look and manner a man of the old
type。 Rightly judged； he seemed a stern man； morose to those who
estimated him less favourably。 This point in his character pleased his
adopted father in proportion as it raised the anxious suspicions of
others。
We are told that Galba； taking hold of Piso's hand； spoke to this
effect： 〃If I were a private man； and were now adopting you by the Act
of the Curiae before the Pontiffs； as our custom is； it would be a
high honour to me to i