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GALBA
5 B。C。？ … 69 A。D。
by Plutarch
translated by John Dryden
IPHICRATES the Athenian used to say that it is best to have a
mercenary soldier fond of money and of pleasures； for thus he will
fight the more boldly； to procure the means to gratify his desires。
But most have been of opinion； that the body of an army； as well as
the natural one； when in its healthy condition； should make no efforts
apart； but in compliance with its head。 Wherefore they tell us that
Paulus Aemilius； on taking command of the forces in Macedonia； and
finding them talkative and impertinently busy； as though they were all
commanders； issued out his orders that they should have only ready
hands and keen swords； and leave the rest to him。 And Plato； who can
discern use of a good ruler or general if his men are not on their
part obedient and conformable （the virtue of obeying； as of ruling；
being； in his opinion； one that does not exist without first a noble
nature； and then a philosophic education； where the eager and active
powers are allayed with the gentler and humaner sentiments）； may claim
in confirmation of his doctrine sundry mournful instances elsewhere；
and； in particular； the events that followed among the Romans upon the
death of Nero； in which plain proofs were given that nothing is more
terrible than a military force moving about in an empire upon
uninstructed and unreasoning impulses。 Demades； after the death of
Alexander； compared the Macedonian army to the Cyclops after his eye
was out； seeing their many disorderly and unsteady motions。 But the
calamities of the Roman government might be likened to the motions
of the giants that assailed heaven； convulsed as it was； and
distracted； and from every side recoiling； as it were； upon itself；
not so much by the ambition of those who were proclaimed emperors；
as by the covetousness and licence of the soldiery； who drove
commander after commander out； like nails one upon another。
Dionysius； in raillery； said of the Pheraean who enjoyed the
government of Thessaly only ten months； that he had been a
tragedy…king； but the Caesars' house in Rome； the Palatium； received
in a shorter space of time no less than four emperors； passing； as
it were； across the stage； and one making room for another to enter。
This was the only satisfaction of the distressed； that they need not
require any other justice on their oppressors； seeing them thus murder
each other； and first of all； and that most justly； the one that
ensnared them first； and taught them to expect such happy results from
a change of emperors； sullying a good word by the pay he gave for
its being done and turning revolt against Nero into nothing better
than treason。
For； as already related； Nymphidius Sabinus； captain of the
guards； together with Tigellinus； after Nero's circumstances were
now desperate； and it was perceived that he designed to fly into
Egypt； persuaded the troops to declare Galba emperor； as if Nero had
been already gone； promising to all the court and praetorian soldiers；
as they are called； seven thousand five hundred drachmas apiece； and
to those in service abroad twelve hundred and fifty drachmas each；
so vast a sum for a largess as it was impossible any one could
raise； but he must be infinitely more exacting and oppressive than
ever Nero was。 This quickly brought Nero to his grave； and soon
after Galba too； they murdered the first in expectation of the
promised gift； and not long after the other because they did not
obtain it from him； and then； seeking about to find some one who would
purchase at such a rate； they consumed themselves in a succession of
treacheries and rebellions before they obtained their demands。 But
to give a particular relation of all that passed would require a
history in full form； I have only to notice what is properly to my
purpose； namely； what the Caesars did and suffered。
Sulpicius Galba is owned by all to have been the richest private
person that ever came to the imperial seat。 And besides the additional
honour of being of the Servii； he valued himself more especially for
his relationship to Catulus； the most eminent citizen of his time both
for virtue and renown； however he may have voluntarily yielded to
others as regards power and authority。 Galba was also akin to Livia；
the wife of Augustus； by whose interest he was preferred to the
consulship by the emperor。 It is said of him that he commanded the
troops well in Germany； and； being made proconsul in Libya； gained a
reputation that few ever had。 But his quiet manner of living and his
sparingness in expenses and his disregard of appearances gave him；
when he became emperor； an ill…name for meanness； being； in fact；
his worn…out credit for regularity and moderation。 He was entrusted by
Nero with the government of Spain； before Nero had yet learned to be
apprehensive of men of great repute。 To the opinion； moreover；
entertained of his mild natural temper； his old age added a belief
that he would never act incautiously。 There while Nero's iniquitous
agents savagely and cruelly harassed the provinces under Nero's
authority； he could afford no succour； but merely offer this only ease
and consolation； that he seemed plainly to sympathize； as a
fellow…sufferer； with those who were condemned upon suits and sold。
And when lampoons were made upon Nero and circulated and sung
everywhere about； he neither prohibited them； nor showed any
indignation on behalf of the emperor's agents； and for this was the
more beloved； as also that he was now well acquainted with them；
having been in chief power there eight years at the time when Junius
Vindex； general of the forces in Gaul； began his insurrection
against Nero。 And it is reported that letters came to Galba before
it fully broke out into an open rebellion； which he neither seemed
to give credit to； nor on the other hand to take means to let Nero
know； as other officers did； sending to him the letters which came
to them； and so spoiled the design； as much as in them lay； who yet
afterwards shared in the conspiracy； and confessed they had been
treacherous to themselves as well as him。 At last Vindex； plainly
declaring war； wrote to Galba； encouraging him to take the
government upon him； and give a head to this strong body； the
Gaulish provinces； which could already count a hundred thousand men in
arms； and were able to arm a yet greater number if occasion were。
Galba laid the matter before his friends； some of whom thought it
fit to wait； and see what movement there might be and what
inclinations displayed at Rome for the revolution。 But Titus Vinius；
captain of his praetorian guard； spoke thus： 〃Galba； what means this
inquiry？ To question whether we shall continue faithful to Nero is； in
itself； to cease to be faithful。 Nero is our enemy； and we must by
no means decline the help of Vindex： or else we must at once
denounce him； and march to attack him； because he wishes you to be the
governor of the Romans； rather than Nero their tyrant。〃 Thereupon
Galba； by a