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 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