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without strife。 It was thought that by my adoption provision was
made against the possibility of war； even after Galba's death。
〃I will lay no claim to nobleness； or moderation； for indeed； to
count up virtues in comparing oneself with Otho is needless。 The
vices； of which alone he boasts； overthrew the Empire； even when he
was but the Emperor's friend。 Shall he earn that Empire now by his
manner and his gait； or by those womanish adornments？ They are
deceived； on whom luxury imposes by its false show of liberality； he
will know how to squander； he will not know how to give。 Already he is
thinking of debaucheries； of revels； of tribes of mistresses。 These
things he holds to be the prizes of princely power； things； in which
the wanton enjoyment will be for him alone； the shame and the disgrace
for all。 Never yet has any one exercised for good ends the power
obtained by crime。 The unanimous will of mankind gave to Galba the
title of Caesar； and you consented when he gave it to me。 Were the
Senate； the Country； the People； but empty names； yet； comrades； it is
your interest that the most worthless of men should not create an
Emperor。 We have occasionally heard of legions mutinying against their
generals； but your loyalty； your character； stand unimpeached up to
this time。 Even with Nero； it was he that deserted you； not you that
deserted him。 Shall less than thirty runaways and deserters whom no
one would allow to choose a tribune or centurion for themselves；
assign the Empire at their pleasure？ Do you tolerate the precedent？ Do
you by your inaction make the crime your own？ This lawless spirit will
pass into the provinces； and though we shall suffer from this treason；
you will suffer from the wars that will follow。 Again； no more is
offered you for murdering your Prince； than you will have if you
shun such guilt。 We shall give you a donative for your loyalty； as
surely as others can give it for your treason。〃
The soldiers of the body…guard dispersed； but the rest of the
cohort； who shewed no disrespect to the speaker； displayed their
standards； acting； as often happens in a disturbance； on mere
impulse and without any settled plan； rather than； as was afterwards
believed； with treachery and an intention to deceive。 Celsus Marius
was sent to the picked troops from the army of Illyricum； then
encamped in the Portico of Vipsanius。 Instructions were also given
to Amulius Serenus and Quintius Sabinus； centurions of the first rank；
to bring up the German soldiers from the Hall of Liberty。 No
confidence was placed in the legion levied from the fleet； which had
been enraged by the massacre of their comrades； whom Galba had
slaughtered immediately on his entry into the capital。 Meanwhile
Cetrius Severus； Subrius Dexter； and Pompeius Longinus； all three
military tribunes； proceeded to the Praetorian camp； in the hope
that a sedition； which was but just commencing； and not yet fully
matured； might be swayed by better counsels。 Two of these tribunes；
Subrius and Cetrius； the soldiers assailed with menaces； Longinus they
seized and disarmed； it was not his rank as an officer； but his
friendship with Galba； that bound him to that Prince； and roused a
stronger suspicion in the mutineers。 The legion levied from the
fleet joined the Praetorians without any hesitation。 The Illyrian
detachments drove Celsus away with a shower of javelins。 The German
veterans wavered long。 Their frames were still enfeebled by
sickness； and their minds were favourably disposed towards Galba； who；
finding them exhausted by their long return voyage from Alexandria；
whither they had been sent on by Nero； had supplied their wants with a
most unsparing attention。
The whole populace and the slaves with them were now crowding the
palace； clamouring with discordant shouts for the death of Otho and
the destruction of the conspirators； just as if they were demanding
some spectacle in the circus or amphitheatre。 They had not indeed
any discrimination or sincerity； for on that same day they would raise
with equal zeal a wholly different cry。 It was their traditional
custom to flatter any ruler with reckless applause and meaningless
zeal。 Meanwhile two suggestions were keeping Galba in doubt。 T。 Vinius
thought that he should remain within the palace； array the slaves
against the foe； secure the approaches； and not go out to the
enraged soldiers。 〃You should；〃 he said； 〃give the disaffected time to
repent； the loyal time to unite。 Crimes gain by hasty action； better
counsels by delay。 At all events； you will still have the same
facilities of going out； if need be； whereas； your retreat； should you
repent of having gone； will be in the power of another。〃
The rest were for speedy action； 〃before；〃 they said； 〃the yet
feeble treason of this handful of men can gather strength。 Otho
himself will be alarmed； Otho； who stole away to be introduced to a
few strangers； but who now； thanks to the hesitation and inaction in
which we waste our time； is learning how to play the Prince。 We must
not wait till； having arranged matters in the camp； he bursts into the
Forum； and under Galba's very eyes makes his way to the Capitol； while
our noble Emperor with his brave friends barricades the doors of his
palace。 We are to stand a siege forsooth； and truly we shall have an
admirable resource in the slaves； if the unanimous feeling of this
vast multitude； and that which can do so much； the first burst of
indignation； be suffered to subside。 Moreover that cannot be safe
which is not honourable。 If we must fall； let us go to meet the
danger。 This will bring more odium upon Otho； and will be more
becoming to ourselves。〃 Vinius opposing this advice； Laco assailed him
with threats； encouraged by Icelus； who persisted in his private
animosities to the public ruin。
Without further delay Galba sided with these more plausible
advisers。 Piso was sent on into the camp； as being a young man of
noble name； whose popularity was of recent date； and who was a
bitter enemy to T。 Vinius； that is； either he was so in reality； or
these angry partisans would have it so； and belief in hatred is but
too ready。 Piso had hardly gone forth when there came a rumour； at
first vague and wanting confirmation； that Otho had been slain in
the camp； soon； as happens with these great fictions； men asserted
that they had been present； and had seen the deed； and； between the
delight of some and the indifference of others； the report was
easily believed。 Many thought the rumour had been invented and
circulated by the Othonianists； who were now mingling with the
crowd； and who disseminated these false tidings of success to draw
Galba out of the palace。
Upon this not only did the people and the ignorant rabble break
out int