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Upon this not only did the people and the ignorant rabble break
out into applause and vehement expressions of zeal； but many of the
Knights and Senators； losing their caution as they laid aside their
fear； burst open the doors of the palace； rushed in； and displayed
themselves to Galba； complaining that their revenge had been
snatched from them。 The most arrant coward； the man； who； as the event
proved； would dare nothing in the moment of danger； was the most
voluble and fierce of speech。 No one knew anything； yet all were
confident in assertion； till at length Galba in the dearth of all true
intelligence； and overborne by the universal delusion； assumed his
cuirass； and as； from age and bodily weakness； he could not stand up
against the crowd that was still rushing in； he was elevated on a
chair。 He was met in the palace by Julius Atticus； a soldier of the
body…guard； who； displaying a bloody sword； cried 〃I have slain Otho。〃
〃Comrade；〃 replied Galba； 〃who gave the order？〃 So singularly resolute
was his spirit in curbing the license of the soldiery； threats did not
dismay him； nor flatteries seduce。
There was now no doubt about the feeling of all the troops in the
camp。 So great was their zeal； that； not content with surrounding Otho
with their persons in close array； they elevated him to the
pedestal； on which a short time before had stood the gilt statue of
Galba； and there； amid the standards； encircled him with their
colours。 Neither tribunes nor centurions could approach。 The common
soldiers even insisted that all the officers should be watched。
Everything was in an uproar with their tumultuous cries and their
appeals to each other； which were not； like those of a popular
assembly or a mob； the discordant expressions of an idle flattery；
on the contrary； as soon as they caught sight of any of the soldiers
who were flocking in； they seized him； gave him the military
embrace； placed him close to Otho； dictated to him the oath of
allegiance； commending sometimes the Emperor to his soldiers；
sometimes the soldiers to their Emperor。 Otho did not fail to play his
part； he stretched out his arms； and bowed to the crowd； and kissed
his hands； and altogether acted the slave； to make himself the master。
It was when the whole legion from the fleet had taken the oath to him；
that feeling confidence in his strength； and thinking that the men； on
whose individual feeling he had been working； should be roused by a
general appeal； he stood before the rampart of the camp； and spoke
as follows：
〃Comrades； I cannot say in what character I have presented myself to
you； I refuse to call myself a subject； now that you have named me
Prince； or Prince； while another reigns。 Your title also will be
equally uncertain； so long as it shall be a question； whether it is
the Emperor of the Roman people； or a public enemy； whom you have in
your camp。 Mark you； how in one breath they cry for my punishment
and for your execution。 So evident it is； that we can neither
perish； nor be saved； except together。 Perhaps； with his usual
clemency； Galba has already promised that we should die； like the man；
who； though no one demanded it； massacred so many thousands of
perfectly guiltless soldiers。 A shudder comes over my soul； whenever I
call to mind that ghastly entry； Galba's solitary victory； when；
before the eyes of the capital he gave orders to decimate the
prisoners； the suppliants； whom he had admitted to surrender。 These
were the auspices with which he entered the city。 What is the glory
that he has brought to the throne？ None but that he has murdered
Obultronius Sabinus and Cornelius Marcellus in Spain； Betuus Chilo
in Gaul； Fonteius Capito in Germany； Clodius Macer in Africa；
Cingonius on the high road； Turpilianus in the city； Nymphidius in the
camp。 What province； what camp in the world； but is stained with blood
and foul with crime； or； as he expresses it himself； purified and
chastened？ For what others call crimes he calls reforms； and； by
similar misnomers； he speaks of strictness instead of barbarity； of
economy instead of avarice； while the cruelties and affronts inflicted
upon you he calls discipline。 Seven months only have passed since Nero
fell； and already Icelus has seized more than the Polycleti； the
Vatinii； and the Elii amassed。 Vinius would not have gone so far
with his rapacity and lawlessness had he been Emperor himself； as it
is； he has lorded it over us as if we had been his own subjects； has
held us as cheap as if we had been another's。 That one house would
furnish the donative； which is never given you； but with which you are
daily upbraided。
〃Again； that we might have nothing to hope even from his
successor； Galba fetches out of exile the man in whose ill…humour
and avarice he considers that he has found the best resemblance to
himself。 You witnessed； comrades； how by a remarkable storm even the
Gods discountenanced that ill…starred adoption； and the feeling of the
Senate； of the people of Rome； is the same。 It is to your valour
that they look； in you these better counsels find all their support；
without you； noble as they may be； they are powerless。 It is not to
war or to danger that I invite you； the swords of all Roman soldiers
are with us。 At this moment Galba has but one half…armed cohort； which
is detaining； not defending him。 Let it once behold you； let it
receive my signal； and the only strife will be； who shall oblige me
most。 There is no room for delay in a business which can only be
approved when it is done。〃 He then ordered the armoury to be opened。
The soldiers immediately seized the arms without regard to rule or
military order； no distinction being observed between Praetorians
and legionaries； both of whom again indiscriminately assumed the
shields and helmets of the auxiliary troops。 No tribune or centurion
encouraged them； every man acted on his own impulse and guidance；
and the vilest found their chief incitement in the dejection of the
good。
Meanwhile； appalled by the roar of the increasing sedition and by
the shouts which reached the city； Piso had overtaken Galba； who in
the interval had quitted the palace； and was approaching the Forum。
Already Marius Celsus had brought back discouraging tidings。 And now
some advised that the Emperor should return to the palace； others that
he should make for the Capitol； many again that he should occupy the
Rostra； though most did but oppose the opinions of others； while； as
ever happens in these ill…starred counsels； plans for which the
opportunity had slipped away seemed the best。 It is said that Laco；
without Galba's knowledge； meditated the death of Vinius； either
hoping by this execution to appease the fury of the soldiers； or
believing him to be an accom