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instance that Vinius could do anything； and an advertisement that
those that had money to give him need despair of nothing。 The
people； however； were so possessed with the desire of seeing
Tigellinus dragged to execution； that they never ceased to require
it at the theatre； and in the race…course； till they were checked by
an edict from the emperor himself； announcing that Tigellinus could
not live long； being wasted with a consumption； and requesting them
not to seek to make his government appear cruel and tyrannical。 So the
dissatisfied populace were laughed at； and Tigellinus made a
splendid feast； and sacrificed in thanksgiving for his deliverance；
and after supper； Vinius； rising from the emperor's table； went to
revel with Tigellinus； taking his daughter； a widow； with him； to whom
Tigellinus presented his compliments； with a gift of twenty…five
myriads of money； and bade the superintendent of his concubines take
off a rich necklace from her own neck and tie it about hers； the value
of it being estimated at fifteen myriads。
After this； even reasonable acts were censured； as； for example； the
treatment of the Gauls who had been in the conspiracy with Vindex。 For
people looked upon their abatement of tribute and admission to
citizenship as a piece； not of clemency on the part of Galba； but of
money…making on that of Vinius。 And thus the mass of the people
began to look with dislike upon the government。 The soldiers were kept
on a while in expectation of the promised donative； supposing that
if they did not receive the full； yet they should have at least as
much as Nero gave them。 But when Galba； on hearing they began to
complain； declared greatly； and like a general； that he was used to
enlist and not to buy his soldiers； when they heard of this； they
conceived an implacable hatred against him； for he did not seem to
defraud them merely himself in their present expectations； but to give
an ill precedent； and instruct his successors to do the like。 This
heart…burning； however； was as yet at Rome a thing undeclared； and a
certain respect for Galba's personal presence somewhat retarded
their motions； and took off their edge； and their having no obvious
occasion for beginning a revolution curbed and kept under； more or
less； their resentments。 But those forces that had been formerly under
Virginius； and now were under Flaccus in Germany； valuing themselves
much upon the battle they had fought with Vindex； and finding now no
advantage of it； grew very refractory and intractable towards their
officers； and Flaccus they wholly disregarded； being incapacitated
in body by unintermitted gout； and； besides； a man of little
experience in affairs。 So at one of their festivals； when it was
customary for the officers of the army to wish all health and
happiness to the emperor； the common soldiers began to murmur
loudly； and on their officers persisting in the ceremony； responded
with the words； 〃If he deserves it。〃
When some similar insolence was committed by the legions under
Vitellius； frequent letters with the information came to Galba from
his agents； and taking alarm at this； and fearing that he might be
despised not only for his old age； but also for want of issue； he
determined to adopt some young man of distinction； and declare him his
successor。 There was at this time in the city Marcus Otho； a person of
fair extraction； but from his childhood one of the few most debauched；
voluptuous； and luxurious livers in Rome。 And as Homer gives Paris
in several places the title of 〃fair Helen's love；〃 making a woman's
name the glory and addition to his； as if he had nothing else to
distinguish him； so Otho was renowned in Rome for nothing more than
his marriage with Poppaea； whom Nero had a passion for when she was
Crispinus's wife。 But being as yet respectful to his own wife； and
standing in awe of his mother； he engaged Otho underhand to solicit
her。 For Nero lived familiarly with Otho； whose prodigality won his
favour； and he was well pleased when he took the freedom to jest
upon him as mean and penurious。 Thus when Nero one day perfumed
himself with some rich essence and favoured Otho with a sprinkle of
it； he； entertaining Nero next day； ordered gold and silver pipes to
disperse the like on a sudden freely； like water； throughout the room。
As to Poppaea； he was beforehand with Nero； and first seducing her
himself； then； with the hope of Nero's favour； he prevailed with her
to part with her husband； and brought her to his own house as his
wife； and was not content afterwards to have a share in her； but
grudged to have Nero for a claimant； Poppaea herself； they say；
being rather pleased than otherwise with this jealousy； she
sometimes excluded Nero； even when Otho was not present； either to
prevent his getting tired with her； or； as some say； not liking the
prospect of an imperial marriage； though willing enough to have the
emperor as her lover。 So that Otho ran the risk of his life； and
strange it was he escaped； when Nero； for this very marriage； killed
his wife and sister。 But he was beholden to Seneca's friendship； by
whose persuasions and entreaty Nero was prevailed with to despatch him
as praetor into Lusitania； on the shores of the Ocean； where he
behaved himself very agreeably and indulgently to those he had to
govern； well knowing this command was but to colour and disguise his
banishment。
When Galba revolted from Nero； Otho was the first governor of any of
the provinces that came over to him； bringing all the gold and
silver he possessed in the shape of cups and tables； to be coined into
money； and also what servants he had fitly qualified to wait upon a
prince。 In all other points； too； he was faithful to him； and gave him
sufficient proof that he was inferior to none in managing public
business。 And he so far ingratiated himself； that he rode in the
same carriage with him during the whole journey； several days
together。 And in this journey and familiar companionship he won over
Vinius also； both by his conversation and presents； but especially
by conceding to him the first place securing the second； by his
interest； for himself。 And he had the advantage of him in avoiding all
odium and jealousy； assisting all petitioners； without asking for
any reward； and appearing courteous and of easy access towards all
especially to the military men； for many of whom he obtained commands；
some immediately from the emperor； others by Vinius's means； and by
the assistance of the two favourite freedmen； Icelus and Asiaticus；
these being the men in chief power in the court。 As often as he
entertained Galba； he gave the cohort on duty； in addition to their
pay； a piece of gold for every man there； upon pretence of respect
to the emperor； while really he undermined him； and stole away his
popularity with the soldiers。
So Galba consulting about a successor； Vinius introduced Otho； yet
not even this gratis； but upon promise that he would marry his
daughter if Galba should make him his adopted son and successor to the
empire。 But Galba； in all his actions； showed clearly that he
preferred the public good before his own private interest；