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sempstress。 But it is plain that Caius's familiarity with his mother
was of too late date to give him any pretensions； and it was suspected
he might； if he pleased； claim a father in Martianus； the gladiator；
whom his mother； Nymphidia； took a passion for； being a famous man
in his way； whom also he much more resembled。 However； though he
certainly owned Nymphidia for his mother； he ascribed meantime the
downfall of Nero to himself alone； and thought he was not sufficiently
rewarded with the honours and riches he enjoyed （nay； though to all
was added the company of Sporus； whom he immediately sent for while
Nero's body was yet burning on the pile； and treated as his consort
with the name of Poppaea）； but he must also aspire to the empire。
And at Rome he had friends who took measures for him secretly； as well
as some women and some members of the senate also； who worked
underhand to assist him。 And into Spain he despatched one of his
friends； named Gellianus； to view the posture of affairs。
But all things succeeded well with Galba after Nero's death； only
Virginius Rufus； still standing doubtful； gave him some anxiety；
lest he should listen to the suggestions of some who encouraged him to
take the government upon him； having； at present； besides the
command of a large and warlike army； the new honours of the defeat
of Vindex and the subjugation of one considerable part of the Roman
empire； namely； the entire Gaul； which had seemed shaking about upon
the verge of open revolt。 Nor had any man indeed a greater name and
reputation than Virginius； who had taken a part of so much consequence
in the deliverance of the empire at once from a cruel tyranny and a
Gallic war。 But he； standing to his first resolves； reserved to the
senate the power of electing an emperor。 Yet when it was now
manifest that Nero was dead； the soldiers pressed him hard to it；
and one of the tribunes； entering his tent with his drawn sword；
bade him either take the government or that。 But after Fabius
Valens； having the command of one legion； had first sworn fealty to
Galba； and letters from Rome came with tidings of the resolves of
the senate； at last with much ado he persuaded the army to declare
Galba emperor。 And when Flaccus Hordeonius came by Galba's
commission as Galba successor； he handed over to him his forces； and
went himself to meet Galba on his way； and having met him turned
back to attend him； in all which no apparent displeasure nor yet
honour was shown him。 Galba's feelings of respect for him prevented
the former； the latter was checked by the envy of his friends； and
particularly of Titus Vinius； who； acting in the desire of hindering
Virginius's promotion； unwittingly aided his happy genius in
rescuing him from those hazards and hardships which other commanders
were involved in； and securing him the safe enjoyment of a quiet
life and peaceable old age。
Near Narbo； a city in Gaul； the deputation of the senate met
Galba； and after they had delivered their compliments； begged him to
make what haste he could to appear to the people that impatiently
expected him。 He discoursed with them courteously and unassumingly；
and in his entertainment； though Nymphidius had sent him royal
furniture and attendance of Nero's； he put all aside； and made use
of nothing but his own； for which he was well spoken of； as one who
had a great mind； and was superior to little vanities。 But in a
short time； Vinius； by declaring to him that these noble； unpompous；
citizen…like ways were a mere affectation of popularity and a petty
bashfulness at assuming his proper greatness； induced him to make
use of Nero's supplies； and in his entertainments not to be afraid
of a regal sumptuosity。 And in more than one way the old man let it
gradually appear that he had put himself under Vinius's disposal。
Vinius was a person of an excessive covetousness； and not quite free
from blame in respect to women。 For being a young man； newly entered
into the service under Calvisius Sabinus； upon his first campaign；
he brought his commander's wife； a licentious woman； in a soldier's
dress； by night into the camp； and was found with her in the very
general's quarters； the principia； as the Romans call them。 For
which insolence Caius Caesar cast him into prison； from whence he
was fortunately delivered by Caius's death。 Afterwards； being
invited by Claudius Caesar to supper； he privily conveyed away a
silver cup； which Caesar hearing of； invited him again the next day；
and gave order to his servants to set before him no silver plate；
but only earthenware。 And this offence； through the comic mildness
of Caesar's reprimand； was treated rather as a subject of jest than as
a crime。 But the acts to which now； when Galba was in his hands and
his power was so extensive； his covetous temper led him were the
causes； in part； and in part the provocation； of tragical and fatal
mischiefs。
Nymphidius became very uneasy upon the return out of Spain of
Gellianus whom he had sent to pry into Galba's actions；
understanding that Cornelius Laco was appointed commander of the court
guards； and that Vinius was the great favourite； and that Gellianus
had not been able so much as to come nigh； much less have any
opportunity to offer any words in private； so narrowly had he been
watched and observed。 Nymphidius； therefore； called together the
officers of the troops； and declared to them that Galba of himself was
a good； well…meaning old man； but did not act by his own counsel；
and was ill…guided by Vinius and Laco； and lest； before they were
aware； they should engross the authority Tigellinus had with the
troops； he proposed to them to send deputies from the camp acquainting
him that if he pleased to remove only these two from his counsel and
presence； he would be much more welcome to all at his arrival。
Wherein； when he saw he did not prevail （it seeming absurd and
unmannerly to give rules to an old commander what friends to retain or
displace； as if he had been a youth newly taking the reins of
authority into his hands）； adopting another course； he wrote himself
to Galba letters in alarming terms； one while as if the city were
unsettled； and had not yet recovered its tranquillity； then that
Clodius Macer withheld the corn…ships from Africa； that the legions in
Germany began to be mutinous； and that he heard the like of those in
Syria and Judaea。 But Galba not minding him much or giving credit to
his stories； he resolved to make his attempt beforehand； though
Clodius Celsus； a native of Antioch； a person of sense； and friendly
and faithful to Nymphidius； told him he was wrong； saying he did not
believe one single street in Rome would ever give him the title of
Caesar。 Nevertheless many also derided Galba； amongst the rest
Mithridates of Pontus； saying； that as soon as this wrinkled；
baldheaded man should be seen publicly at Rome； they would think it an
utter disgrace even to have had such a Caesar。
At last it was resolved； about midnight； to bring Nymphidius into
the camp； and declare him emperor。 But Antonius Honoratus； who was
first among the tribunes； summoning together in the evening those
under his co