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OTHO
A。D。 32…69
by Plutarch
translated by John Dryden
THE new emperor went early in the morning to the capitol； and
sacrificed； and； having commanded Marius Celsus to be brought； he
saluted him； and with obliging language desired him rather to forget
his accusation than remember his acquittal； to which Celsus answered
neither meanly nor ungratefully； that his very crime ought to
recommend his integrity； since his guilt had been his fidelity to
Galba； from whom he had never received any personal obligations。
Upon which they were both of them admired by those that were
present； and applauded by the soldiers。
In the senate； Otho said much in a gentle and popular strain。 He was
to have been consul for part of that year himself； but he gave the
office to Virginius Rufus； and displaced none that had been named
for the consulship by either Nero or Galba。 Those that were remarkable
for their age and dignity he promoted to the priesthoods； and restored
the remains of their fortunes； that had not yet been sold； to all
those senators that were banished by Nero； and recalled by Galba。 So
that the nobility and chief of the people； who were at first
apprenhensive that no human creature； but some supernatural； or
penal vindictive power had seized the empire； began now to flatter
themselves with hopes of a government that smiled upon them thus
early。
Besides； nothing gratified or gained the whole Roman people more
than his justice in relation to Tigellinus。 It was not seen how he was
in fact already suffering punishment； not only by the very terror of
retribution which he saw the whole city requiring as a just debt；
but with several incurable diseases also； not to mention those
unhallowed frightful excesses among impure and prostitute women； to
which； at the very close of life； his lewd nature clung； and in them
gasped out； as it were； its last； these； in the opinion of all
reasonable men； being themselves the extremest punishment； and equal
to many deaths。 But it was felt like a grievance by people in
general that he continued yet to see the light of day； who had been
the occasion of the loss of it to so many persons； and such persons；
as had died by his means。 Wherefore Otho ordered him to be sent for；
just as he was contriving his escape of means of some vessels that lay
ready for him on the coast near where he lived； in the neighbourhood
of Sinuessa。 At first he endeavoured to corrupt the messenger； by a
large sum of money； to favour his design； but when he found this was
to no purpose； he made him as considerable a present as if he had
really connived at it； only entreating him to stay till he had shaved；
and so took that opportunity； and with his razor despatched himself。
And while giving the people this most righteous satisfaction of
their desires； for himself he seemed to have no sort of regard for any
private injuries of his own。 And at first； to please the populace；
he did not refuse to be called Nero in the theatre； and did not
interfere when some persons displayed Nero's statues to public view。
And Cluvius Rufus says； imperial letters； such as are sent with
couriers； went into Spain with the name of Nero affixed adoptively
to that of Otho； but as soon he perceived this gave offence to the
chief and most distinguished citizens； it was omitted。
After he had begun to model the government in this manner； the
paid soldiers began to murmur； and endeavoured to make him suspect and
chastise the nobility； either really out of a concern for his
safety； or wishing； upon this pretence； to stir up trouble and
warfare。 Thus； whilst Crispinus； whom he had ordered to bring him
the seventeenth cohort from Ostia； began to collect what he wanted
after it was dark； and was putting the arms upon the wagons； some of
the most turbulent cried out that Crispinus was disaffected； that
the senate was practising something against the emperor； and that
those arms were to be employed against Caesar； and not for him。 When
this report was once set afoot； it got the belief and excited the
passions of many； they broke out into violence； some seized the
wagons； and others slew Crispinus and two centurions that opposed
them； and the whole number of them； arraying themselves in their arms；
and encouraging one another to stand by Caesar； marched to Rome。 And
hearing there that eighty of the senators were at supper with Otho；
they flew into the palace； and declared it was a fair opportunity to
take off Caesar's enemies at one stroke。 A general alarm ensued of
an immediate coming sack of the city。 All were in confusion about
the palace； and Otho himself in no small consternation； being not only
concerned for the senators （some of whom had brought their wives to
supper thither）； but also feeling himself to be an object of alarm and
suspicion to them； whose eyes he saw fixed on him in silence and
terror。 Therefore he gave orders to the prefects to address the
soldiers and do their best to pacify them； while he bade the guests
rise； and leave by another door。 They had only just made their way
out； when the soldiers rushed into the room； and called out； 〃Where
are Caesar's enemies？〃 Then Otho； standing up on his couch； made use
both of arguments and entreaties； and by actual tears at last； with
great difficulty； persuaded them to desist。 The next day he went to
the camp； and distributed a bounty of twelve hundred and fifty
drachmas a man amongst them； then commended them for the regard and
zeal they had for his safety； but told them that there were some who
were intriguing among them； who not only accused his own clemency； but
had also misrepresented their loyalty； and； therefore； he desired
their assistance in doing justice upon them。 To which； when they all
consented； he was satisfied with the execution of two only； whose
deaths he knew would be regretted by no one man in the whole army。
Such conduct； so little expected from him； was regarded by some with
gratitude and confidence； others looked upon his behaviour as a course
to which necessity drove him； to gain the people to the support of the
war。 For now there were certain tidings that Vitellius had assumed the
sovereign title and authority； and frequent expresses brought accounts
of new accessions to him； others； however； came； announcing that the
Pannonian； Dalmatian； and Moesian legions； with their officers；
adhered to Otho。 Ere long also came favourable letters from Mucianus
and Vespasian； generals of two formidable armies； the one in Syria；
the other in Judaea； to assure him of their firmness to his
interest： in confidence whereof he was so exalted； that he wrote to
Vitellius not to attempt anything beyond his post； and offered him
large sums of money and a city； where he might live his time out in
pleasure and ease。 These overtures at first were responded to by
Vitellius with equivocating civilities； which soon； however； turned
into an interchange of angry words； and letters passed between the
two； conveying bitter and shameful terms of reproach； which wer