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snares laid for the life of the emperor。 Thus Otho had even been
discovered by the finger of the god； being there just behind Galba；
bearing all that was said； and seeing what was pointed out to them
by Umbricius。 His countenance changed to every colour in his fear； and
he was betraying no small discomposure； when Onomastus； his
freedman； came up and acquainted him that the master builders had
come； and were waiting for him at home。 Now that was the signal for
Otho to meet the soldiers。 Pretending then that he had purchased an
old house； and was going to show the defects to those that had sold it
to him； he departed； and passing through what is called Tiberius's
house； he went on into the forum； near the spot where a golden
pillar stands； at which all the several roads through Italy terminate。
Here； it is related； no more than twenty…three received and
saluted him emperor； so that； although he was not in mind as in body
enervated with soft living and effeminacy； being in his nature bold
and fearless enough in danger； nevertheless； he was afraid to go on。
But the soldiers that were present would not suffer him to recede； but
came with their swords drawn around his chair； commanding the
bearers to take him up； whom he hastened on； saying several times over
to himself； 〃I am a lost man。〃 Several persons overheard the words；
who stood by wondering； rather than alarmed； because of the small
number that attempted such an enterprise。 But as they marched on
through the forum； about as many more met him； and here and there
three or four at a time joined in。 Thus returning towards the camp；
with their bare swords in their hands； they saluted him as Caesar；
whereupon Martialis； the tribune in charge of the watch； who was； they
say； noways privy to it； but was simply surprised at the
unexpectedness of the thing； and afraid to refuse； permitted him
entrance。 And after this； no man made any resistance； for they that
knew nothing of the design； being purposely encompassed by the
conspirators； as they were straggling here and there； first
submitted for fear； and afterwards were persuaded into compliance。
Tidings came immediately to Galba in the Palatium； whilst the
priests were still present and the sacrifices at hand； so that persons
who were most entirely incredulous about such things； and most
positive in their neglect of them； were astonished； and began to
marvel at the divine event。 A multitude of all sorts of people now
began to run together out of the forum； Vinius and Laco and some of
Galba's freedmen drew their swords and placed themselves beside him；
Piso went forth and addressed himself to the guards on duty in the
court； and Marius Celsus； a brave man； was despatched to the
Illyrian legion； stationed in what is called the Vipsanian chamber； to
secure them。
Galba now consulting whether he should go out； Vinius dissuaded him；
but Celsus and Laco encouraged him by all means to do so； and
sharply reprimanded Vinius。 But on a sudden a rumour came hot that
Otho was slain in the camp； and presently appeared one Julius Atticus；
a man of some distinction in the guards； running up with his drawn
sword； crying out that he had slain Caesar's enemy； and pressing
through the crowd that stood in his way； he presented himself before
Galba with his bloody weapon； who； looking on him； demanded； 〃Who gave
you your orders？〃 And on his answering that it had been his duty and
the obligation of the oath he had taken the people applauded； giving
loud acclamations； and Galba got into his chair and was carried out to
sacrifice to Jupiter； and so to show himself publicly。 But coming into
the forum； there met him there； like a turn of wind； the opposite
story； that Otho had made himself master of the camp。 And as usual
in a crowd of such a size； some called to him to return back； others
to move forwards； some encouraged him to be bold and fear nothing；
others bade him to be cautious and distrust。 And thus whilst his chair
was tossed to and fro； as it were on the waves； often tottering； there
appeared first horse； and straightway heavy…armed foot coming
through Paulus's court； and all with one accord crying out； 〃Down with
this private man。〃 Upon this； the crowd of people set off running； not
to fly and disperse； but to possess themselves of the colonnades and
elevated places of the forum； as it might be to get places to see a
spectacle。 And as soon as Atillius Vergilio knocked down one of
Galba's statues； this was taken as the declaration of war； and they
sent a discharge of darts upon Galba's litter； and missing their
aim； came up and attacked him nearer hand with their naked swords。
No man resisted or offered to stand up in his defence； save one
only； a centurion； Sempronius Densus； the single man among so many
thousands that the sun beheld that day act worthily of the Roman
empire； who； though he had never received any favour from Galba； yet
out of bravery and allegiance endeavoured to defend the litter。 First；
lifting up his switch of vine； with which the centurions correct the
soldiers when disorderly； he called aloud to the aggressors；
charging them not to touch their emperor。 And when they came upon
him hand…to…hand； he drew his sword； and made a defence for a long
time； until at last he was cut under the knees and brought to the
ground。
Galba's chair was upset at the spot called the Lacus Curtius；
where they ran up and struck at him as he lay in his corselet。 He；
however； offered his throat； bidding them 〃Strike； if it be for the
Romans' good。〃 He received several wounds on his legs and arms； and at
last was struck in the throat； as most say； by one Camurius； a soldier
of the fifteenth legion。 Some name Terentius； others Lecanius； and
there are others that say it was Fabius Fabulus； who it is reported
cut off the head and carried it away in the skirt of his coat； the
baldness making it a difficult thing to take hold of。 But those that
were with him would not allow him to keep it covered up； but bade
him let every one see the brave deed he had done； so that after a
while he stuck upon the lance the head of the aged man that had been
their grave and temperate ruler； their supreme priest and consul； and；
tossing it up in the air； ran like a bacchanal； twirling and
flourishing with it； while the blood ran down the spear。 But when they
brought the head to Otho； 〃Fellow…soldiers；〃 he cried out； 〃this is
nothing； unless you show me Piso's too；〃 which was presented him not
long after。 The young man； retreating upon a wound received； was
pursued by one Murcus； and slain at the temple of Vesta。 Titus
Vinius was also despatched； avowing himself to have been privy to
the conspiracy against Galba by calling out that they were killing him
contrary to Otho's pleasure。 However； they cut off his head； and
Laco's too； and brought them to Otho； requesting a boon。
And as Archilochus says…
〃When six or seven lie breathless on the ground；
'Twas I； 'twas I； say thousands； gave the wound。〃
Thus many that had no share in the murder wetted their hands and
swords in blood； and came and showed them to Otho； presenting
memorials suing for a gratu