THE HISTORIE OF Servius Sulpitius Galba,

THe (*) * Or line: Progenie of the Cæsars ended in Nero. Which, Chap 1 that it would so come to passe, appeared verily by many signes, but by two of all other most evident. As Livia in times past immediatly after her mariage with Aucustus, went to see a Mannour house and land of her owne in the veientane Territorie, it fortuned that an Eagle soaring over her head let fall into her lap a white hen, holding in her bill a Lawrell branch even as she had caught it up. And thinking it good to have both the foule kept, and the said branch set in the ground: behold there came of the one such a goodly broode of (*) * Which proved white, as also the whole breed of them. Di [•…] : chickens, that even at this day the very house aforesaid is called Aa Gallinas: and sprung of the other so faire a row of Bay trees, that all the Cæsars when they were to ride in triumph gathered from thence Page 211 their Laurell (*) * And branches which they held in their hands. Plin. guirlands. And as the manner was, that when any of them tryumphed, they should pricke downe straight waies others in the same place: so it was obserued likewise, that a little before the death of every one the tree by him planted, did mislike and die. In the last yeere therefore of Nero, not onely the* [〈◊〉] , saith the very same. whole grove of bay trees withered to the very roote, but all the hens there died euery one. And anone after the Temple of the Cæsars being strucke͏̄ with lightning, the heads with all of their Statues fell downe all at once, and the Scepter of Avgvstvs was shaken out of his hands.

After Nero succeeded Galba, in no degree allied unto the house of the Caesars:2 but without all question a right noble gentleman of a great and auncientA Vc. 821 (*) * Or pengree race: as who in the titles and Inscriptions over his owne Statues wrote himselfe alwaies the (*) * Pronepot [•…] m Nephew once remooved of Q. Catvlvs Capitolinvs: and being once Emperour did set up also in his (*) * Or Court yard. Haule the Lineall processe and race of his house, wherein he deriueth his descent from the father side, from Ivpiter and by his mother from Pasiphae, the wife of King Minos.

To prosecute the Images and Laudatorie testimonials belonging to the3 whole stocke & linage in generall were a long peece of worke: those onely of his own family wil I briefly touch. The first of all the Svlpitii, why? and whervpon he bare the surname of Galba? there is some doubfull question. Some thinke it came by occasion of a Towne in Spaine, which after it had beene a long time in vaine assaulted, hee at length set on fire with burning brands besmeered all over with Galbanum: others, for that in a long sickenesse which hee had, hee vsed continually Galbeum, that is to say, a cure with remedies (*) * A gumme or [〈◊〉] iuice yssuiug out of t [•…] e [•…] oote (when it is wounded) of a plart called Ferula. enwrapped within wooll: some againe because hee seemed to be very fat, and such a one, the French doth name Galba: or contrariwise, in regard that he was as slender, as are those creatures (*) * Like vnto those round r [•…] ls which wome͏̄ in s [•…] ead of fa [•…] thingales vse nder their clothes beneath the wast called in Latine Galbaei. (or wormes) which breede in the trees called Esculi, and be named Galbae. This familie one Servivs Galba who had beene Consul, and in his time most eloquent, ennobled first, and made renowmed, who by report, rulinge the province of Spaine as Praetour, having (*) * Resembling magots. treacherously put to sworde (*) * Per [•…] dia accor ding to M. Tullius in Bruto. Some expound it otherwise, namelie for their treachery. Livins. 30000, Lvsitanes, was the cause of the (*) * Of Viriatus the Captaine thereof. Viriatine warre. His Nephew be ing maliciously ben [•…] against Ivlivs Cæsar (whose Lieuetenant he had bin in Gaule) for a repulse that he tooke in suing to be Consul, ioyned in the conspiracy with Cassivs & Brvtvs: for which condemned he was by the law Paedia. Fro͏̄ A V C. 610 this man descended immediately the Grandsire and father of this Galba the Emperour. His Grandfather for his booke and learning was more famous, then for any dignity in common weale that ever he attained unto. For, he arose no high er, than to the degree of a Praetour: but many histories he wrote, and those not sligh ly nor negligently composed. His father bare the honourable office of Consul: a man very low of stature and withall crowchbacked: and having but a meane gift in Oratory yet used he to plead causes industriously. Two wiues he had, Mvmmia* 7000 As Val. eriu [•…] Ma [•…] . saith Achaica the neipce of Catvlvs, and once remooved of Lvcivs Mvmmivs,A V C. 710. who rased and destroyed Corinth: likewise Livia Ocellina, an exceeding welthy Ladie & a beautiful. Of whom for his noble bloud sake, it is thought he was (a) woed: yea, & somwhat the more hotely, after that, (upon her importunateA V C. 775 suite) hee stript himselfe once. out of his clothes in a secret place before her, and revealed the imperfection of his bodie, because he would not seeme to deceive her, for want of knowledge. By Achaica, he had issew Caivs and Servivs Page 212 Of whome, Caius the elder, hauing wasted his estate and spent all, left the City of Rome, and was by Tiberivs prohibited to put in his lot for to be chosen Proconsull, in his (*) * when his time by cou [•…] se came yeere: wherevpon voluntarilie he killed himselfe

To come now unto Servivs Galba the Emperour, borne he was when M.4 Valerivs Messalla, and Cn. Lentvlvs were Consuls, the ninth dayA. V, C, 751 before the Calends of Ianuarie, in a country house situate (*) * [〈◊〉] or rather 2 [•…] some read, Superposita [•…] , vpon under a little hill neere unto Terracina, on the left hand as men goe to Fundie. Being adopted by his stepmother, he assumed the name of Livivs, and the surname (*) * Livia Oceliina Ocella, changing his fore name with all. For, afterwards even unto the time of his Empire; he was forenamed Lvcivs in steed of Servivs. It is for certain knowne, • Or Ocellaris. that Avgvstvs (what time as little Galba among other boyes like himselfe saluted him,) tooke him by his pretie (*) * As the maner was in kissing young children cheeke and said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , i. And thou also my child shall haue a tast one day of our soveraine rule. Tiberivs likewise, when hee had knowledge once that (*) * Galba. hee should bee Emperour, but not before old age, go to, quoth he, let him liue a Gods name, seeing it is nothing to vs. Also as his Grand-father was sacrificing for the expiation of an (*) * For some be fortunate and signifie good. aduerse flash of lightning, (what time an Aegle caught out of his hands the inwards of the beasts, caried them away, and bestowed them in an Oke (*) * For some bee fruitlesse. bearing mast) answere was giuen vnto him by the Soothsayers out of their learning, that thereby was pottended and foreshewed vnto his house, soueraine gouernment: but it would be late first. Then he againe, by way of Irrision, yee say very true indeed, That will ye, quoth bee, when a mule shall bring foorth a fole. Afterwards when this Galba began to rebell and aspire unto the Empire, nothing hartened him in this dessigne of his so much, as the foling of a mule. For when all men besides, abhorred this foule and monstrous prodigie, he alone tooke it to be most fortunate: calling to remembrance the fore said sacrifice and the speech of his grandfather. When hee had newly put on his virile gowne, he dreamt that fortune spake these words unto him, namely, how she stood before his doore all weary, and vnlesse she were let in the sooner she should become a pray unto whom soeuer shee met. No sooner awakened he, and opened his (*) * Oor the outward Court. gate. Port hall doore, but he found hard by the (*) * Or Doorefill. entry, a brason Image of the said goddesse about a cubit long: which hee caried away with him in his bosome to Tusculum where he was wont to summer, and having consecrated it in one part of his house there, worshipped the same from that time forward with monethly supplications, and a (*) * Or wake Vigill all night long once every yeere. And albeit he was not yet come to his middle and staied age, yet retained he most constantly, this old manner of the Citie (which was nowe worne out of vse, but that it continued still in his house and linage) That his freed-men and bond seruants should duelie twice a day present themselues all together before him: and one by one in the morning salute him with a good morrowe, and in the eueninge take their leave likewise with a farewell and also good night.

Among the liberall Sciences he gave himselfe to the studie of the (Civil) lawe.5 He entred also into the state of wedlocke, but having buried his wife Lepida, and two sonnes that he had by her, he led alwaies after a single life. Neither could he euer, by any offer or condition be perswaded to marriage again, no not of Dame • The father of Nero. Agrippina, who by the death of Domitivs became widdow and had by all meanes solicited Galba euen whiles he was the husband of a wife, and not yet a Page 213 single man, and in so much as at a great meeting of Ladies and Matrones, the mother of his wife Lepida shooke her uppe roundly. yea and knockt her well for it with her own fists. He honoured & affected above all others Livia Avgvsta the Empresse, through whose grace and favoure whiles shee lived he became migh tie, and by whose will and testament when she was dead, he had like to haue beene enriched. For wheras among others whom shee remembred in her will, he had a speciall legacie to the valew of (*) * Quingentie [•…] Hs. some read quinquagus rathe [•…] . [•…] . 5, millians. 50 millians of Sesterces bequeathed unto him: because the said summe was set downe in figures and cyphres and not written out at large, her heire Tiberivs brought it downe unto one (*) * Ad quing [〈◊〉] . sc. sestertia halfe millian: and yet even that he never receiued.6

Having entred upon the honourable offices of state before due time by law setA V C. [•…] 86 downe; when he was Praetour, during the playes and games called (*) * Either in honour of Flora the Goddesse of Floures, or else in thankefull memoriall of a famous Curtesan named Flora who made the people of Rome her heire & gaue the Citty a great summe of mony: out of ye yeerel [•…] increase whereof were the charges defraied that went to these li centious pla [•…] es. Floralia, hee shewed a new and strange kind of sight, to wi [•…] Elephants walking uppon Ropes. After that, he gouerned the province Aquitaine almost one whole yeare. Soone after he bare the ordinarie Consulship in his (*) * Not substituted in the rowme of another deceased. due time for the space of 6 moneths. And it fell out so, that as himselfe therein succeeded Domitivs the father of Nero, so Sylvivs the father of Otho followed immediatly after him: a very presage of the euent ensuing: whereby hee came to bee Emperour iust in the middle betweene the sonnes of them both. Being by (*) * Cal [•…] gnla Caivs Cæsar substituted Lord generall for Getvlicvs, the very next day after he was come to the Legions, when as the soldiers at a solemne shew which happened then to be exhibited, clapped their hands, he restrained them with this (a) Praecept, That they should keepe their hands (*) * O [•…] vnder. within their (*) * Or Mandi [•…] ia͏̄s. Cl [•…] kes: Wherupon, this by word annon ranne rife through the Campe.

With semblable severitie, he inhibited all petitions for (*) * Lice [•…] c st be absent from the Camp placards and pasports The old beaten souldiers as well as the new and untrained, hee hardened still with continuall worke & labour: and having soone repressed the Barbarians who by their rodes and incursions had now by this time broken in violently and set foote within Gaule, he quit himselfe so well and shewed such good proofe of his armie unto Caivs also then & there present in proper person as that among an infinite* Cal gula number of forces levied and assembled out of all provinces there were none wentA, V, C, 794: away with greater testimonies of proesse nor received larger rewards than he and his regiments. Himselfe above them all was most bravely be seene in this, that marching with his targuet before him he mashalled the gallants Iusting and running at tilt in the plaine field. and for that he ranne also by the Emperours chariot side, for the space of twentie miles. When tidings came that (*) * Caligula Caivs was murdered,A, V, C, 794 and many pricked him forward to take the opportunitie then offered, hee preferred quietnesse and rest. For which cause hee stood in especiall fauour with Clavdivs, and was admitted into the ranke of his inward friends; a man of that worth and reputation as that when hee fell so dainely sicke (although not verie grieuously) the day appointed for to set forth in the Brittish expedition was differred. He gouerned Africk as Proconsul two yeeres: being elected without lots drawing, for to settle and bring into order that Prouince farre out of frame and Page 214 disquieted as wel with the civil mutinies, among the soldiers, as tumultuous co͏̄motions of the barbarous inhabitants. Which commission he discharged with great regard of severe discipline & execution of Iustice even in very small matters, A soldier of his there was, who during the expedition above said, in a great dearth and scarcity of Corne, was accused to have sold a residue remaining of his owne allowance, to wit, a (*) * Much about our peck. Modious of wheat, (*) * 3 l. 2. S. 6. d sterl: for one hundred deniers. whereuppon hee gave straight commandement, that when the said souldier began once to want food, no man should be so hardy as to relieve him. And so for hunger he pined to death. As for his civill Iurisdiction and ministring iustice: when there grew some question and debate about the proprietarie and right owner of a labouring beast, and sight evidences and presumptions on both sides were alledged: as simple witnesses also produced and therefore hard to devine and guesse of the truth, he made* Couerrd all ouer the head. this decree, That the beast should be led (*) * As some horse or mule hoodwinked unto the poole where it was wont to be watered: and when it was unhooded againe, he awarded and pronounced the said beast to be his, unto whom of the own accord he returned directly after the had drunke.

For his brave exploits atchieued both in Africke then, and also in Germanie 8 afore time he received the honour of tryumphall Ornaments and a triple Sacerdotall dignitie; being admitted among the (*) * Sacris faci [•…] n du, or Sybillinis libris i [•…] spiciundis i. to ouersee sacrifices and divine seruice or to peruse the propheticall books of Sibylla. They were in number 15. Quindecimvirs; into the guild and confraternitie of the (a) Tity: and the Colledge or societie of the Priests (b) Augusta [•…] es. And from that time unto the midst well neere of Neroes Empire, he lived for the most part private in some retiring place out of the way: yet so as he never went forth any iourney, (were it but for exercise by way of (*) * Carying in a light litter or chaire. Gestation) but he tooke forth with him in a wagon going hard by, to the valew of a millian of Sesterces in gold untill such time, as making his abode in a towne called Fundi, the Regencie of a province in Spaine named Tarraconensis, was offered unto him. And it fortuned, that when he was newly arriued and entred into that province, as hee sacrificed within a publike temple, a boy among other Ministers holding the (*) * Incence Panne Cen ser, sodainely had all the haire of his head turned gray. Now there wanted not some who made this interpretation, That thereby was signified a change in the states; and that an old man should succeede a younge, even himselfe in Neroes steed. And not long after, there fell a (*) * Or dint of lightening. Thuntherbolt into a (*) * L. cum. al. Locum i, a groue. lake of Cantabria: and found there were immediatly twelue axes: a doubtlesse tooken presaging Soveraine Rule.

9 For 8 yeares space he governed that prouince variably and with an vneven hand. At the first, sharpe he was, severe, violent, and in chasticing verily of trespasses beyond all measure extreame. For he caused a Banker, for unfaithfull hand ling and exchang of mony to leese both his hands, and to have them nailed fast unto his owne shop bourd: A Guardian also he crucified, for poysoning his ward, whose heire he was in remainder. Now, as the partie Delinqvent called for the benefit of law, and avouched in his plea. That he (*) * And therfore not to be crucied. was a Romaine Citizen; Galba, as if he would alay his punishment with some (*) * Solatio & ho. nore, or comfortable honor. Hen dia duo, comfort and honour: commanded the crosse already made to be changed, and another to be reared far higher then the ordinarie: and the same laid ouer with a white colour. By little and little he grew to be slouthfull, carelesse and Idle because he would minister no matter unto Nero for to worke uppon: and for that (as himselfe was wont to Page 215 say) No man was compelled to render an acco [•…] mpt of his owne Idlenesse. As hee held the Iudiciall Assises at new Carthage, he had intelligence that (*) * France Gaule was in a tumult.* For, they bee st [•…] ring spirits, that are looked into in a State. And whiles the (*) * Or Lieuten [•…] t Embassadour of Aquitaine besought him earnestly to send aide, the letters of Vindex came in the very nicke: exhorting him to frame and carie himselfe as the deliverer and protectour of Mankinde, even to take uponA, V, C. [〈◊〉] him to be their generall Captaine. He, making no longer stay upon the point, accepted the offer, partly for feare and in part upon hope. For he had both found out the warrants of Nero sent privily unto his Agents and procuratours there, as touching his death. and also much confirmed and strengthened he was, as well by most luckie Auspices and Osses, as by the prophesie of an honest Virgin: so much the rather, because the very same verses containing the prophesie, the priest of Ivpiter at Clunia, had two hundred yeares past (by warning and direction given him in a dreame) fetched out of an inward and secret vault of the Temple, delivered them likewise by a maiden which had the spirit of prophesie. The meaning and effect of which verses was, That one day there should arise out of Spaine the soveraigne Prince, and Lord of the whole world. 10

Therefore, when he had mounted the Tribunall, as if hee intended then the (*) * Enfraunckes sing. manumising of slaues, and set before him in open sight very many pourtraicts and Images of such as had beene condemned and killed by Nero: whiles their stood also in his presence a (*) * Some noble mans sonne of Rome boy of noble bloud, whom he had sent for of purpose out of one of the Baleare Ilands hard by, where he was (*) * By Nero. exiled: he bewailed the state of those times. Wherupon being with one accord saluted (*) * or L. General Emperour, yet he professed himselfe to be the Lieutenant onely of the Senate & people of Rome. After this, having proclaimed a Cessation of Iudicial pleas for the time; out of the Commons verily of that Province, he enrolled both Legions and Auxiliaries, over and above the old armie, which contained on Legion, two cornets of horsemen, & three cohorts: but out of the better sort, to wit, the Nobility and Gentrie; such I meane as for wisdom & age we͏̄t before the rest, he ordained a body of a Senat: un to whom men shold have recourse touching matters of greater importa͏̄ce, as need required He chose forth also young gentlemen, for the knights degree, who conti nuing stil the wearing of (gold) Rings shold be called (*) * As if they had serued their full time, and were now called forth a [•…] gai [•…] e by way o [•…] bor our Evocati, & kept watch and ward insteede of (sworne) (*) * Wh [•…] vs [•…] ally were rings of yron. Soldiers about his lodging and bedchamber. Hee sent out his Edicts also in every Province, counselling and perswading all and some to ioyne with him in these designements: and (proportionally to the meanes that every one had) to helpe and promote the common cause. Much about the same time, in the fortification of a towne which he had chosen to be the Capitall seate of the warre, a Ring was found of Antique worke, in the Gemm or stone whereof was engrauen the expresse resemblance of (a) victorie together with a (b) Trophee: And soone after, a ship of Alexandrea fraight with armour, arrived (*) * Dertosam appu lit: al. Decursa appul [•…] , i hulled down the tide: cr [•…] as the wind did driue it before Dertosa, without pilot, without mariner or passenger: that noe man might make any doubt, but that this warre was just, lawfull, and undertaken with the favour and approbation of the Gods. But lo, sodainely and unlooked for, all in manner was dasnt and put out of frame. One of the two Cornets of horsemen above mentioned; as bethinking themselues and repenting that they had changed their military oth was at the point to fall away and forsake him as hee approched the Campe, yea and hardly kept in their alleageance to him: Certaine slaues also, whom (being prepared a forehand to doe him a mischiefe) hee had Page 216 received as a present at the hands of a freed man of Nerors, missed but little of killing him, as he passed through a crosse lane to the Baines for to bath. And surely done the deed they had, but that as they exhorted and incouraged one another not to (*) * Omitterent or, [〈◊〉] i to loose. overslip the opportunitie presented they were over hearde: who beeing examined and asked, upon what occasion they spake such words? were by torture forced to confesse the truth.

11 Besides these daungers so great, there fel out (to helpe the matter well) the death of Vindex. wherewith being most of all amased, and like to a man utterly forlorne, he went within a little of renouncing this world and forgoing his owne life. But by occasion of messengers comming with newes from the Citty in the verie instant, no sooner understood he that Nero was slaine, and all men in general had swome alleageance unto him, but he laide away the name of Lieutenant and tooke upon him the stile of Cæsar. So, he put himselfe on his Iourney clad in his Coatearmour, with his dagger hanging downe from about his necke iust before his breast. neither tooke he to the use of a gown and long robe againe, before they were surprised and suppressed, who made insurrections and rose up in armes against (*) * Notwithsta͏̄ding that vpon the death of Nero, he was declared Emperour at Rome. him: namely, at Rome Nymphidivs Sabinvs Capitaine of the Praetorian guard: in Germanie Fonteivs Capito & in Africke Clodivs Macer, ij: Lieutenants.

12 There had a rumour beene raised before of his crueltie and covetousnesse both: for punishing the Citties of Spaine which were somewhat slacke in comming to side with him, by saying very heavy tributes and taxes upon them: some of them also by dismanteling and rasing their wals: likewise for putting to death certaine Presidents and Procuratours together with there wives and children: as also for melting a Coronet of gold weighing 15. pound: which the men of Tarracon from out of the old Temple of Ivpiter had presented unto him: and commaunding that the three ounces which wanted of the full weight should be exacted and made good. This report was both confirmed and also increased uppon his first entrance into Rome. For when he would haue compelled the servitours at Sea (whom* Either by wast in melting or by the crafty conueiance of the gold founder. Nero had made of mariners and oaremen, full and lawfull souldiers) to returne againe to their former state and condition: when they made refusall, and besides called malapertly for their Aegle and other militarie ensignes: hee not onely sent in, among them a troupe of horsemen and so trode them under foote; but also executed with death euery tenth man of them. Semblably, the Cohort of Germaines which in times past had beene by the Cæsars ordained for the guard of their persons, and by many good proofes were found most trustie, hee dissolved: and without any availes and recompence for their service sent them home againe into their Country: pretending that they stood better affected unto Cn. Dolaeella (nee [•…] unto whose Horthyards and gardens they quartered) than to him. Moreover, these reports also (whether truely or falsely I wote not) went commonly of him by way of mockerie. That when there was a more plentifull supper than usual served up before him, he gaue a great grone thereat. His Steward verily in (*) * Ordinaris Di [•…] pensatori or this one Ordinari [•…] s his steward. ordinary cast up his bookes and rendred unto him a breviary of all reckonings, and accoumpts. For his great care and serviceable diligence, hee reached unto him a dish of (*) * As of peasen or beanes &c. pulse. But when Caivs the minstrill played upon the Hautbois Page 217 the Hautbois and pleased him wonderous well, hee bestowed liberally upon him* Or pence, 3 S. id, ob, English. for his labour five good Deniers, and those he drew with his owne hand out of his privie purse.

At his first comming therefore, he was not so welcome. And that appeared at13 the next solemnitie of publick Shewes. For when as in the Atellane Comaedies, some had begun a most vulgar Canticle with this verse,

“St: Venit Io Simus a villa, &c.” * Husht or whist, an Interiection of silence.

The Spectatours all at once with one accord and voice, sung out the rest in manner of a respond: and repeating withall the said verse oft, as the fore-burden of the Song, acted (and with gesture) noted him.

14 Thus verily with farre greater favour and aucthoritie obtained hee the Empire than menaged it when he was therein; notwithstanding, hee gave many proofes of an excellent Prince: But nothing so acceptable were his good Acts, as those were odious and displeasant wherein he faulted and did amisse. Ruled he was according to the will and pleasure of three persons: whom dwelling as they did together and that within the Palatium, (readie evermore at his elbow and in his eare) men commonly called his Paedagogues. These were, Titus (*) * Or Vini [•…] . Iunius, his Lieutenant in Spaine; a man infinitely covetous: Cornelius Laco, who being of his Counsell and assistance was advanced by him to be Capitaine of the guard; one for his arrogancie and (*) * S [•…] cordia, or sottishnes. luskishnesse Intollerable: and a freed man of his, Icelus; who but a little before, being honoured with the (*) * Knighthood. golden ring, and endowed with the surname Martianus, looked now for to bee the Provost and Captaine of the Pretorian Gentlemen and Knights Degree. Vnto these men, I say, playing their parts and committing outrages correspondent to their vices in* Summa aeq [•…] stris gradus, or summi equest [•…] ordinis. divers kinds, hee yeelded and wholly gave himselfe to be abused so much, as that scarcely he was like himselfe, but alwaies variable: one while precise and neere, otherwhiles as remisse and carelesse; more, ywis, than became a Prince elected, and a man of those (*) * 73 yeeres. Some honourable persons of (*) * Gentlemen and Senatours. both degrees he condemned upon the least suspition, before their cause was heard. The Freedome of Rome Citie he seldome graunted to any. The priviledge and Immunitie due to those who had three children, hee gave to one or two at most with much a-doe: nor to them verily, but for a certaine time limitted and set downe. The Iudges making suite for to have a sixth Decurie adioyned unto them, he not onely denied flatly, but also this benefite of vacation graunted unto them by Claudius. That they should not be called forth to sit in the Winter (a) season, and at the beginning of the yeere, he tooke from them.

15 It was thought also, that hee purposed to determine and limit the Offices belonging to Senatours and Gentlemen, within the compasse of two yeeres: and not to bestow the same but upon such as were unwilling and refused to take them. The Liberalities and bountifull (*) * Which amounted according to Tacitus into bis & vicies millies 2200 millians. Donations of Nero, hee tooke order by a Commission directed unto (*) * Tacitus saith 30. fiftie Gentlemen of Rome, for to bee revoked: yea, and the same to bee exacted for his behoofe, allowing out Page 218 thereof not above the tenth part: with this straight condition moreover, That if Actours upon the Stage, o [•…] Wrestlers and Champions otherwise, had sold any such donation given unto them aforetime, the same should be taken from the Buiers, since that the parties who had sold the same had spent the money, and were not sufficient to repay it. Contrariwise, there was not any thing, but by the meanes of his followers, Favorites and freed men, hee suffred either to bee purchased for money, or graunted freely for favour: as for example, Customes, [•…] posts, Immunities, Punishments of the Innocent, and Impunitie of Malefactours. Moreover, when as the people of Rome called upon him for Iustice, & namely to have Halotus and Tigellinus executed, the onely men of all the bloud-hounds and instruments of N [•…] Ro that wrought most mischiefe, he saved them from daunger: and besides, advaunced Halotus to a most honourable Procuratorship: and in the behalfe of Tigellinus rebuked the people by an Edict for their crueltie unto him.

16 Having heereby given offence and (*) * Propé universis ordi [•…] bus [•…] nsis. discontentment, to the States and Degrees in manner all, yet he incurred the displeasure and ill will most of the Souldiours. For, when his Provosts had promised and pronounced unto them, (what time they sware alleageance unto him), a greater Donative than usually had beene given, hee would not make good and ratifie the same; but eft-soones gave it out, That his manner had ever beene to choose and not buy his Souldiours. And as, upon that occasion verily hee angered all his Souldiours wheresoever: so, the Pretorians and those of his guard he provoked moreover with feare, and netled with offring them indignities; namely, by removing and displacing most of them one after another, as suspected persons, and the adhaerents of Nymphidius. But the forces of higher Germanie grumbled and fumed most of all, for being defrauded of their rewards for service performed against the French and Vindex. They were the first therefore that durst breake out into open disobedience: and upon the Newyeeres day refused to take an oath and binde themselves in alleageance unto any other than the Senate of Rome. They intended also to dispatch forthwith an Embassie unto the Pretorian guard, with these advertisements and messages from them, Namely, That they were displeased with an Emperour made in Spaine: and therefore themselves should elect one, whom all the Armies in Generall might allow and approve.

17 No sooner heard he this newes, but supposing that hee was become contemptible, not so much for his olde age, as his childlesse estate; hee presently out of the thick throng and middle multitude that came to salute him, caught hold of Piso Frugi Licinianus, a noble young Gentleman and of excellent parts; one whom in times past he had made right great account of, and (*) * Semper, or super [•…] , besides. alwaies in his will remembred as Inheritour to succeede in his goods and name: Him he now called Sonne, him he presented unto the Pretorian Campe; and there before a publick assembly, adopted. But of the fore-saide Donative not a word all this while, no not at that very time. Whereby he ministred unto M. Salvius Ot [•…] O better occasion and readier meanes to accomplish his enterprises within sixe daies after this Adoption.

18 Manie prodigious sights and those presented continuallie even from the verie first beginning, had portended unto him such an end as ensued. When all the way as hee iourneyed, beasts were sacrificed to doe him honour in everie towne on both sides, it chaunced that a Bull astonied with the stroke of the Butchers axe, brake the bond wherewith hee stoode tied and ran [•…] full upon his Chariot; and rising up with his (fore) feete, all to be spr [•…] inct and d [•…] enched it with bloud. As he alight out of it, one of the guard and Pensioners about him, with the thrusting of the throng had like with his speare to have wounded him. As he entred also the Citie of Rome and so passed forward up to the P [•…] latium; hee was welcomed with an Earthquake, and a certaine noise resembling the lowing of a beast. But there followed after these, greater Prodigies still and more fearefull. He had selected and layed by it selfe out of all his Treasure, a iewell set thick with pearle and pretious stones, for to beautifie and adorne his Goddesse Fortune at Tusculum. This Iewell (as if it had beene worthy of a more stately and sacred place), all of a suddaine hee dedicated to Venus in the Capitoll, and the next night following he dreamt, that he saw Fortune making her moane and complaining, how shee was defrauded of the gift intended and meant unto her: threatning withall, that shee her selfe also would take away what shee had given him. Now, being aff [•…] ighted with this vision, when in great hast hee was gone apace to Tusculum, and had by breake of day sent certaine before of purpose to provide an expiatorie (*) * To avert the harme prog [•…] nosticated thereby. sacrifice for this dreame, he found nothing there but warme embers upon the altar herth, and an olde man all in (*) * Like a mo [•…] ner. blacke sitting hard by, * holding in a dish of (*) * Ominous tokens presagi [•…] g haply his b [•…] tle state. glasse, Frankincense, and in an earthen cup, wine. Observed also it was, that upon the Kalends of Ianuarie while hee sacrificed, his co [•…] onet sell from his head: As he tooke his Auspices, the pullets flew away. And upon the Solemne day of the fore-said Adoption, when hee should make a Speech unto the Souldiours, the (*) * Or chaire of Estate. Camp-Throne stoode not, (as the manner was) before his Tribunall; (such was the forgetfulnesse of his Ministers) and in the Senate, his Curule chaire was placed wrong, with the back toward him.

19 But before he was slaine, as he sacrificed that morning, the Southsayer oftentimes warned him to beware of daunger: For murderers were not farre off. And not long after hee tooke knowledge that Otho was possessed of the (*) * Praeterian. Campe. And when most of those about his person perswaded him still to make what speed hee could and goe forward thither (for why? by his authority and presence hee might beare sway and prevaile) hee resolved to doe no more but keepe close within house: to stand upon his guard, and to fortifie himselfe with the strength of his legionarie Souldiours, in many and divers places quartered. Howbeit, hee put* [〈◊〉] . on a good linnen (a) Iack: although hee seemed to acknowledge, that in small steed it would stand him, against so many sword-points. But being borne in hand & seduced with rumours which the Conspiratours had of purpose spread abroad to traine him out into the open street: whiles some few rashly affirmed, That all was dispatched; The rebels & seditious persons defaited: and the rest co͏̄ming in great frequencie with ioy & gratulation, ready to do him all the obsequions service they could: Page 220 Hee to meete them went forth; and that with so great confidence as that unto a Souldiour who made his boast, He had slaine Otho, hee answered, And by whose warrant? This advaunced he as farre as into the Market-place. There, the Horsemen having commission and commaundement to kill him: When they had voided the common people out of the way, and put their horses forward through the Streetes, and espied him a [•…] arre off, staied a while: but afterwards, setting spurtes to againe, fell upon him and slew him outright, forsaken as he was of all his traine and followers.

20 There be that report, How at the first uprore, hee cried aloud: What meane yee my fellow Souldiours? I am yours, and yee are mine: and withall promised (to pay) the Donative: But, many mo [•…] e have left in writing, that of himselfe he offred them his throat, and willed them (since they thought so good) to mind that onely which they came for, even to strike and spare not. A strange and wonderfull thing it was, that of those who were there present not one went about to helpe their Emperour: and all that were sent for, reiected the messenger, saving onely a guidon of Germane Horsemen. These in regard of his fresh demerite (in that hee had tenderly cherished and made much of them being sicke and feeble) hastned to the rescue: Howbeit they came too late, by occasion, that beeing ignorant of the streetes and places they tooke a wrong way and were hindered. Killed hee was at the (*) * The place. wheresomtime that lake was. Lake Curtius, and there left lying even as hee was; untill such time as a common Souldiour as he returned from foraging and providing of corne, threw downe his load and cut his headoff. Now, because hee could not catch hold of the haire of his head (so bald hee was) hee hid it in his lap: and anone thrust his thumbe into his mouth and so brought it to Otho: who gave it to the (*) * Or water. bearers and wood purveiers for the Souldiours. Scullians, Lackies & * Varlets that follow the Campe. These sticking it upon a speare caried it, not without reproachfull scorne all about the Campe setting up ever and anone this Note, (*) * [〈◊〉] , Cupido, &c. Galba, thou lovely Cupid take thy time, and make use of thy fresh and youthfull yeeres: Provoked they were, especially to such malapert frumps and floutes, because some daies before there ranne a rife report abroad, that unto one who commended that visage and person of his, as continuing still fresh, faire, and vigorous, he made this answere, “ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .”

At their hands, a freed man of Patrobius Neronianus, bought the same for one hundred (a) peeces of gold and flung it into that very (b) place, where, before time his (*) * Patrobius. Patron by the commaundement of Galba, had beene executed. At length (late though it was) his Steward Argius buried both it and the trunk of his body within his owne private Hortyards in the way Aurelia.

21 Of full stature he was: his head bald: his eyes gray, and his nose hooked: his hands and feete by reason of the gout growne exceeding crooked; in so much as uneth he was able either to abide shooes on the one, or to turne over, or so much as hold his bookes with the other. There was an (*) * Or bunch. excrescence also of flesh in the right side of his body; and the same hung downward so much, as hardly it could be tied up with a (*) * Or swathing band. trusse.

22 A great feeder and meate-man by report, he was. For in Winter time hee used to eate before day light: and at supper to bee served so plentifully, that the reliques and reversion of the bourd being gathered together into heapes, hee commanded Page 221 to be caried round about and distributed among those that stoode waiting at his feete. Given he was over much to the unnaturall lust of Male-kind: but such chose he (and none else) for his Dearlings, as were stale-thick-skins and past growth. It was reported that in Spaine when Icelus one of his olde Catamites brought him word of Neroes end, he not onely received him in open sight with most kinde kisses, but intreated him without delay to be (*) * Made smooth plucked, and so led him at one side out of the way.

23 He died in the 73 yeere of his age, and seventh moneth of his Empire. The Senate as soone as lawfully they might, had decreed for him a Statue standing upon a Columne adorned (*) * Rostr [•…] with the Stemmes and beake-heads of ships, in that part of the Mercate-steed of Rome where hee lost his life: But Vespasian repealed that Decree: as being thus conceited of him, That he had suborned and sent under hand out of Spaine into Iurie, certaine of purpose to murder him.