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that thus acted； those who had been sent on from Moesia declared
that the approaching army was as firmly resolved； and that the legions
had entered Aquileia。 No one therefore can doubt that the war might
have been renewed with its terrible disasters； and its uncertainties
both for victors and vanquished。
Otho himself was opposed to all thoughts of war。 He said； 〃I hold
that to expose such a spirit； such a courage as yours； to any
further risk is to put too high a value on my life。 The more hope
you hold out to me； should I choose to live； the more glorious will be
my death。 Fortune and I now know each other； you need not reckon for
how long； for it is peculiarly difficult to be moderate with that
prosperity which you think you will not long enjoy。 The civil war
began with Vitellius； he was the first cause of our contending in arms
for the throne； the example of not contending more than once shall
belong to me。 By this let posterity judge of Otho。 Vitellius is
welcome to his brother； his wife； his children。 I need neither revenge
nor consolation。 Others may have held the throne for a longer time；
but no one can have left it with such fortitude。 Shall I suffer so
large a portion of the youth of Rome and so many noble armies to be
again laid low and to be lost to the State？ Let this thought go with
me； that you were willing to die for me。 But live； and let us no
longer delay； lest I interfere with your safety； you with my firmness。
To say too much about one's end is a mark of cowardice。 Take as the
strongest proof of my determination the fact that I complain of no
one。 To accuse either gods or men is only for him who wishes to live。〃
After having thus spoken； he courteously entreated all in terms
befitting their age and rank to go at once； and not exasperate the
anger of the conqueror by staying。 With the young he used his
authority； with the old his prayers； and still his look was calm；
his speech collected； as he checked the unseasonable tears of his
friends。 He gave orders that those who were departing should be
furnished with boats and carriages； he destroyed all memorials and
letters remarkable for their expressions of zeal for himself or
their abuse of Vitellius。 He distributed some gratuities； but
sparingly； and not like a man who was soon to die。 Then he even
administered consolation to Salvius Cocceianus； his brother's son； a
very young man； who was anxious and sorrowful； praising his
affection while he rebuked his fear。 〃Do you think；〃 he said； 〃that
Vitellius will shew so ruthless a temper that he will not make even
this return for the preservation of his whole family？ By hastening
my end I earn the clemency of the conqueror。 It is not in the
extremity of despair； but while my army yet cries for battle； that I
have sacrificed to the State my last chance。 I have obtained enough
reputation for myself； enough nobility for my family。 Successor to the
Julii； the Claudii； the Servii； have been the first to bring the
Imperial dignity into a new family。 Enter then on life with a brave
heart； and never entirely forget； or remember too vividly； that Otho
was your uncle。〃
After this he dismissed every one； and took some repose。 He was
now pondering in his heart the last cares of life； when his
attention was distracted by a sudden tumult and he was told of the
confusion and outrageous conduct of the soldiers。 They were
threatening with death all who attempted to depart； and were extreme
in their violence against Verginius； whose house they had blockaded
and were besieging。 After rebuking the ringleaders of the tumult； he
returned and employed himself in granting interviews to those who were
departing； till all had left in safety。 Towards evening he quenched
his thirst with a draught of cold water。 Two daggers were brought to
him； he tried the edge of each； and then put one under his head。 After
satisfying himself that his friends had set out； he passed a
tranquil night； and it is even said that he slept。 At dawn he fell
with his breast upon the steel。 Hearing a groan from the dying man；
his freedmen and slaves； and Plotius Firmus； prefect of the Praetorian
Guard； came in。 They found but one wound。 His funeral was hastily
performed。 He had made this the subject of earnest entreaties； anxious
that his head might not be cut off and subjected to indignities。 The
Praetorian cohorts carried his body with praises and tears； covering
his wound and his hands with kisses。 Some of the soldiers killed
themselves near the funeral pile； not moved by remorse or by fear； but
by the desire to emulate his glory； and by love of their Prince。
Afterwards this kind of death became a common practice among all ranks
at Bedriacum； at Placentia； and in the other camps。 Over Otho was
built a tomb unpretending and therefore likely to stand。
Thus Otho ended his life in the 37th year of his age。 He came from
the municipal town of Ferentinum。 His father was of consular； his
grandfather of praetorian rank。 His family on the mother's side was of
less distinction； but yet respectable。 What his boyhood and his
youth had been； we have already shewn。 By two daring acts； one most
atrocious； the other singularly noble； he earned in the eyes of
posterity about an equal share of infamy and of glory。 I should
think it unbecoming the dignity of the task which I have undertaken；
to collect fabulous marvels； and to amuse with fiction the tastes of
my readers； at the same time I would not venture to impugn the
credit of common report and tradition。 The natives of these parts
relate that on the day when the battle was being fought at
Bedriacum； a bird of unfamiliar appearance settled in a much
frequented grove near Regium Lepidum； and was not frightened or driven
away by the concourse of people； or by the multitude of birds that
flocked round it； until Otho killed himself； then it vanished。 When
they came to compute the time； it was found that the commencement
and the end of this strange occurrence tallied with the last scenes of
Otho's life。
At the funeral the mutinous spirit of the soldiers was kindled
afresh by their sorrow and regret； and there was no one to check them。
They turned to Verginius； and in threatening language； at one time
besought him to accept the Imperial dignity； at another； to act as
envoy to Caecina and Valens。 Verginius secretly departed by a back way
from his house； and thus managed to elude them when they burst in。
Rubrius Gallus was charged with the petition of the cohorts which
had been quartered at Brixellum。 An amnesty was immediately granted to
them； while at the same time the forces which had been commanded by
Flavius Sabinus signified through him their submission to the
conqueror。
Hostilities had ceased everywhere； but a conside