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first among the tribunes； summoning together in the evening those
under his command； charged himself and them severely with their many
and unreasonable turns and alterations； made without any purpose or
regard to merit； simply as if some evil genius hurried them from one
reason to another。 〃What though Nero's miscarriages；〃 said he； 〃gave
some colour to your former acts； can you say you have any plea for
betraying Galba in the death of a mother； the blood of a wife； or
the degradation of the imperial power upon the stage and amongst
players？ Neither did we desert Nero for all this； until Nymphidius had
persuaded us that he had first left us and fled into Egypt。 Shall
we； therefore； send Galba after； to appease Nero's shade； and； for the
sake of making the son of Nymphidia emperor； take off one of Livia's
family； as we have already the son of Agrippina？ Rather； doing justice
on him； let us revenge Nero's death； and show ourselves true and
faithful by preserving Galba。〃
The tribune having ended his harangue； the soldiers assented； and
encouraged all they met with to persist in their fidelity to the
emperor； and； indeed； brought over the greatest part。 But presently
hearing a great shout； Nymphidius； imagining； as some say； that the
soldiers called for him； or hastening to be in time to check any
opposition and gain the doubtful； came on with many lights； carrying
in his hand a speech in writing； made by Cingonius Varro； which he had
got by heart； to deliver to the soldiers。 But seeing the gates of
the camp shut up； and large numbers standing armed about the walls； he
began to be afraid。 Yet drawing nearer he demanded what they meant；
and by whose orders they were then in arms； but hearing a general
acclamation； all with one consent crying out that Galba was their
emperor； advancing towards them； he joined in the cry； and likewise
commanded those that followed him to do the same。 The guard
notwithstanding permitted him to enter the camp only with a few； where
he was presently struck with a dart； which Septimius； being before
him； received on his shield； others； however； assaulted him with their
naked swords； and on his flying； pursued him into a soldier's cabin；
where they slew him。 And dragging his body thence； they placed a
railing about it； and exposed it next day to public view。 When Galba
heard of the end which Nymphidius had thus come to； he commanded
that all his confederates who had not at once killed themselves should
immediately be despatched； amongst whom were Cingonius； who made his
oration； and Mithridates； formerly mentioned。 It was； however；
regarded as arbitrary and illegal； and though it might be just； yet by
no means popular； to take off men of their rank and equality without a
hearing。 For every one expected another scheme of government； being
deceived； as is usual； by the first plausible pretences； and the death
of Petronius Turpilianus； who was of consular dignity； and had
remained faithful to Nero； was yet more keenly resented。 Indeed； the
taking off of Macer in Africa by Trebonius； and Fonteius by Valens
in Germany； had a fair pretence； they being dreaded as armed
commanders； having their soldiers at their bidding； but why refuse
Turpilianus； an old man and unarmed； permission to try to clear
himself； if any part of the moderation and equity at first promised
were really to come to a performance？ Such were the comments to
which these actions exposed him。 When he came within five…and…twenty
furlongs or thereabouts of the city； he happened to light on a
disorderly rabble of the seamen； who beset him as he passed。 These
were they whom Nero made soldiers； forming them into a legion。 They so
rudely crowded to have their commission confirmed that they did not
let Galba either be seen or heard by those that had come out to meet
their new emperor； but tumultuously pressed on with loud shouts to
have colours to their legion； and quarters assigned them。 Galba put
them off until another time； which they interpreted as a denial；
grew more insolent and mutinous； following and crying out； some with
their drawn swords in their hands。 Upon seeing which； Galba
commanded the horse to ride over them； when they were soon routed； not
a man standing his ground； and many of them were slain； both there and
in the pursuit； an ill…omen； that Galba should make his first entry
through so much blood and among dead bodies。 And now he was looked
upon with terror and alarm by any one who had entertained contempt
of him at the sight of his age and apparent infirmities。
But when he desired presently to let it appear what a change would
be made from Nero's profuseness and sumptuosity in giving presents； he
much missed his aim； and fell so short of magnificence； that he
scarcely came within the limits of decency。 When Canus； who was a
famous musician； played at supper for him； he expressed his
approbation； and bade the bag he brought to him； and taking a few gold
pieces； put them in with this remark； that it was out of his own
purse； and not on the public account。 He ordered the largess which
Nero had made to actors and wrestlers and such like to be strictly
required again； allowing only the tenth part to be retained； though it
turned to very small account； most of those persons expending their
daily income as fast as they received it； being rude； improvident
livers； upon which he had further inquiry made as to those who had
bought or received from them； and called upon these people to
refund。 The trouble was infinite； the exactions being prosecuted
far； touching a great number of persons； bringing disrepute on
Galba； and general hatred on Vinius； who made the emperor appear
base…hearted and mean to the world； whilst he himself was spending
profusely； taking whatever he could get； and selling to any buyer。
Hesiod tells us to drink without stinting of…
〃The end and the beginning of the cask。〃
And Vinius； seeing his patron old and decaying； made the most of
what he considered to be at once the first of his fortune and the last
of it。
Thus the aged man suffered in two ways； first； through the evil
deeds which Vinius did himself； and； next； by his preventing or
bringing into disgrace those just acts which he himself designed。 Such
was the punishing Nero's adherents。 When he destroyed the bad； amongst
whom were Helius； Polycletus； Petinus； and Patrobius； the people
mightily applauded the act； crying out； as they were dragged through
the forum； that it was a goodly sight； grateful to the gods
themselves； adding； however； that the gods and men alike demanded
justice on Tigellinus； the very tutor and prompter of all the tyranny。
This good man； however； had taken his measures beforehand； in the
shape of a present and a promise to Vinius。 Turpilianus could not be
allowed to escape with life； though his one and only crime had been
that he had not betrayed or shown hatred to such a ruler as Nero。
But he who had made Nero what he became； and afterwards deserted and
betrayed him whom he had so corrupted； was allowed to survive as an
instance that Vinius could do anything； and an advertisement that
those that had money to give him need