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governor of the Romans； rather than Nero their tyrant。〃 Thereupon
Galba； by an edict； appointed a day when he would receive
manumissions； and general rumour and talk beforehand about his purpose
brought together a great crowd of men so ready for a change； that he
scarcely appeared； stepping up to the tribunal； but they with one
consent saluted him emperor。 That title he refused at present to
take upon him； but after he had a while inveighed against Nero and
bemoaned the loss of the more conspicuous of those that had been
destroyed by him； he offered himself and service to his country； not
by the titles of Caesar or emperor； but as the lieutenant of the Roman
senate and people。
Now that Vindex did wisely in inviting Galba to the empire； Nero
himself bore testimony； who； though he seemed to despise Vindex and
altogether to slight the Gauls and their concerns； yet when he heard
of Galba （as by chance he had just bathed and sat down to his
morning meal）； at this news he overturned the table。 But the senate
having voted Galba an enemy； presently； to make his jest； and likewise
to personate a confidence among his friends； 〃This is a very happy
opportunity；〃 he said； 〃for me； who sadly want such a booty as that of
the Gauls； which must all fall in as lawful prize； and Galba's
estate I can use or sell at once； he being now an open enemy。〃 And
accordingly he had Galba's property exposed to sale； which when
Galba heard of； he sequestered all that was Nero's in Spain； and found
far readier bidders。
Many now began to revolt from Nero； and pretty nearly all adhered to
Galba； only Clodius Macer in Africa； and Virginius Rufus； commander of
the German forces in Gaul； followed counsel of their own； yet these
two were not of one and the same advice； for Clodius； being sensible
of the rapines and murders to which he had been led by cruelty and
covetousness； was in perplexity； and felt it was not safe for him
either to retain or quit his command。 But Virginius； who had the
command of the strongest legions； by whom he was many repeated times
saluted emperor and pressed to take the title upon him； declared
that he neither would assume that honour himself； nor see it given
to any other than whom the senate should elect。
These things at first did not a little disturb Galba； but when
presently Virginius and Vindex were in a manner forced by their
armies； having got the reins； as it were； out of their hands； to a
great encounter and battle； in which Vindex； having seen twenty
thousand of the Gauls destroyed； died by his own hand； and when the
report straight spread abroad； that all desired Virginius； after
this great victory； to take the empire upon him； or else they would
return to Nero again； Galba； in great alarm at this； wrote to
Virginius； exhorting him to join with him for the preservation of
the empire and the liberty of the Romans； and so retiring with his
friends into Clunia； a town in Spain； he passed away his time；
rather repenting his former rashness； and wishing for his wonted
ease and privacy； than setting about what was fit to be done。
It was now summer； when on a sudden； a little before dusk； comes a
freedman Icelus by name； having arrived in seven days from Rome； and
being informed where Galba was reposing himself in private； he went
straight on； and pushing by the servants of the chamber； opened the
door and entered the room； and told him； that Nero being yet alive but
not appearing； first the army； and then the people and senate；
declared Galba emperor； not long after； it was reported that Nero
was dead； 〃but I；〃 said he； 〃not giving credit to common fame； went
myself to the body and saw him lying dead； and only then set out to
bring you word。〃 This news at once made Galba great again； and a crowd
of people came hastening to the door； all very confident of the
truth of his tidings； though the speed of the man was almost
incredible。 Two days after came Titus Vinius with sundry others from
the camp； who gave an account in detail of the orders of the senate；
and for this service was considerably advanced。 On the freedman； Galba
conferred the honour of the gold ring； and Icelus； as he had been
before； now taking the name of Marcianus； held the first place of
the freedmen。
But at Rome； Nymphidius Sabinus； not gently； and little by little；
but at once； and without exception； engrossed all power to himself；
Galba； being an old man （seventy…three years of age）； would
scarcely； he thought； live long enough to be carried in a litter to
Rome； and the troops in the city were from old time attached to him；
and now bound by the vastness of the promised gift； for which they
regarded him as their benefactor； and Galba as their debtor。 Thus
presuming on his interest； he straightway commanded Tigellinus； who
was in joint commission with himself； to lay down his sword； and
giving entertainments； he invited the former consuls and commanders；
making use of Galba's name for the invitation； but at the same time
prepared many in the camp to propose that a request should be sent
to Galba that he should appoint Nymphidius sole prefect for life
without a colleague。 And the modes which the senate took to show him
honour and increase his power； styling him their benefactor； and
attending daily at his gates； and giving him the compliment of heading
with his own name and confirming all their acts； carried him on to a
yet greater degree of arrogance； so that in a short time he became
an object； not only of dislike； but of terror； to those that sought
his favour。 When the consuls themselves had despatched their
couriers with the decrees of the senate to the emperor； together
with the sealed diplomas； which the authorities in all the towns where
horses or carriages are changed look at； and on that certificate
hasten the courtiers forward with all their means； he was highly
displeased that his seal had not been used； and none of his soldiers
employed on the errand。 Nay； he even deliberated what course to take
with the consuls themselves； but upon their submission and apology
he was at last pacified。 To gratify the people； he did not interfere
with their beating to death any that fell into their hands of Nero's
party。 Amongst others； Spiclus； the gladiator； was killed in the forum
by being thrown under Nero's statues； which they dragged about the
place over his body。 Aponius； one of those who had been concerned in
accusations； they knocked to the ground； and drove carts loaded with
stones over him。 And many others they tore in pieces； some of them
no way guilty； insomuch that Mauriscus； a person of great account
and character； told the senate that he feared； in a short time； they
might wish for Nero again。
Nymphidius； now advancing towards the consummation of his hopes； did
not refuse to let it be said that he was the son of Caius Caesar；
Tiberius's successor； who； it is told； was well acquainted with his
mother in his early youth； a woman indeed handsome enough； the
offspring of Callistus； one of Caesar's freedmen； and a certain
sempstress。 But it is plain that Caius's familiarity with his mother
was of too late date to give him any pretensions； and it