galba-第2节
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command of the strongest legions; by whom he was many repeated times
saluted emperor and pressed to take the title upon him; declared
that he neither would assume that honour himself; nor see it given
to any other than whom the senate should elect。
These things at first did not a little disturb Galba; but when
presently Virginius and Vindex were in a manner forced by their
armies; having got the reins; as it were; out of their hands; to a
great encounter and battle; in which Vindex; having seen twenty
thousand of the Gauls destroyed; died by his own hand; and when the
report straight spread abroad; that all desired Virginius; after
this great victory; to take the empire upon him; or else they would
return to Nero again; Galba; in great alarm at this; wrote to
Virginius; exhorting him to join with him for the preservation of
the empire and the liberty of the Romans; and so retiring with his
friends into Clunia; a town in Spain; he passed away his time;
rather repenting his former rashness; and wishing for his wonted
ease and privacy; than setting about what was fit to be done。
It was now summer; when on a sudden; a little before dusk; comes a
freedman Icelus by name; having arrived in seven days from Rome; and
being informed where Galba was reposing himself in private; he went
straight on; and pushing by the servants of the chamber; opened the
door and entered the room; and told him; that Nero being yet alive but
not appearing; first the army; and then the people and senate;
declared Galba emperor; not long after; it was reported that Nero
was dead; 〃but I;〃 said he; 〃not giving credit to common fame; went
myself to the body and saw him lying dead; and only then set out to
bring you word。〃 This news at once made Galba great again; and a crowd
of people came hastening to the door; all very confident of the
truth of his tidings; though the speed of the man was almost
incredible。 Two days after came Titus Vinius with sundry others from
the camp; who gave an account in detail of the orders of the senate;
and for this service was considerably advanced。 On the freedman; Galba
conferred the honour of the gold ring; and Icelus; as he had been
before; now taking the name of Marcianus; held the first place of
the freedmen。
But at Rome; Nymphidius Sabinus; not gently; and little by little;
but at once; and without exception; engrossed all power to himself;
Galba; being an old man (seventy…three years of age); would
scarcely; he thought; live long enough to be carried in a litter to
Rome; and the troops in the city were from old time attached to him;
and now bound by the vastness of the promised gift; for which they
regarded him as their benefactor; and Galba as their debtor。 Thus
presuming on his interest; he straightway commanded Tigellinus; who
was in joint commission with himself; to lay down his sword; and
giving entertainments; he invited the former consuls and commanders;
making use of Galba's name for the invitation; but at the same time
prepared many in the camp to propose that a request should be sent
to Galba that he should appoint Nymphidius sole prefect for life
without a colleague。 And the modes which the senate took to show him
honour and increase his power; styling him their benefactor; and
attending daily at his gates; and giving him the compliment of heading
with his own name and confirming all their acts; carried him on to a
yet greater degree of arrogance; so that in a short time he became
an object; not only of dislike; but of terror; to those that sought
his favour。 When the consuls themselves had despatched their
couriers with the decrees of the senate to the emperor; together
with the sealed diplomas; which the authorities in all the towns where
horses or carriages are changed look at; and on that certificate
hasten the courtiers forward with all their means; he was highly
displeased that his seal had not been used; and none of his soldiers
employed on the errand。 Nay; he even deliberated what course to take
with the consuls themselves; but upon their submission and apology
he was at last pacified。 To gratify the people; he did not interfere
with their beating to death any that fell into their hands of Nero's
party。 Amongst others; Spiclus; the gladiator; was killed in the forum
by being thrown under Nero's statues; which they dragged about the
place over his body。 Aponius; one of those who had been concerned in
accusations; they knocked to the ground; and drove carts loaded with
stones over him。 And many others they tore in pieces; some of them
no way guilty; insomuch that Mauriscus; a person of great account
and character; told the senate that he feared; in a short time; they
might wish for Nero again。
Nymphidius; now advancing towards the consummation of his hopes; did
not refuse to let it be said that he was the son of Caius Caesar;
Tiberius's successor; who; it is told; was well acquainted with his
mother in his early youth; a woman indeed handsome enough; the
offspring of Callistus; one of Caesar's freedmen; and a certain
sempstress。 But it is plain that Caius's familiarity with his mother
was of too late date to give him any pretensions; and it was suspected
he might; if he pleased; claim a father in Martianus; the gladiator;
whom his mother; Nymphidia; took a passion for; being a famous man
in his way; whom also he much more resembled。 However; though he
certainly owned Nymphidia for his mother; he ascribed meantime the
downfall of Nero to himself alone; and thought he was not sufficiently
rewarded with the honours and riches he enjoyed (nay; though to all
was added the company of Sporus; whom he immediately sent for while
Nero's body was yet burning on the pile; and treated as his consort
with the name of Poppaea); but he must also aspire to the empire。
And at Rome he had friends who took measures for him secretly; as well
as some women and some members of the senate also; who worked
underhand to assist him。 And into Spain he despatched one of his
friends; named Gellianus; to view the posture of affairs。
But all things succeeded well with Galba after Nero's death; only
Virginius Rufus; still standing doubtful; gave him some anxiety;
lest he should listen to the suggestions of some who encouraged him to
take the government upon him; having; at present; besides the
command of a large and warlike army; the new honours of the defeat
of Vindex and the subjugation of one considerable part of the Roman
empire; namely; the entire Gaul; which had seemed shaking about upon
the verge of open revolt。 Nor had any man indeed a greater name and
reputation than Virginius; who had taken a part of so much consequence
in the deliverance of the empire at once from a cruel tyranny and a
Gallic war。 But he; standing to his first resolves; reserved to the
senate the power of electing an emperor。 Yet when it was now
manifest that Nero was dead; the soldiers pressed him hard to it;
and one of the tribunes; entering his tent with his drawn sword;
bade him either take the government or that。 But after Fabius
Valens; having the command of one legion; had first sworn fealty to
Galba; and letters from Rome came with tidings of the resolves of
the senate; at last with much ado he persuaded the army to declare
Galba emperor。 And when Flaccus Hordeonius came by Galba's
commission as Galba successor; he handed over to him his forces; and
went himself to meet Galba on his way; and having met him turned
back to attend him; in all which no apparent displeasure nor yet
honour was shown him。 Galba's feelings of respect for him prevented
the former; the latter was checked by the envy of his friends; and
particularly of Titus Vinius; who; acting in the desire of hindering
Virginius's promotion; unwittingly aided his happy genius in
rescuing him from those hazards and hardships which other commanders
were involved in; and securing him the safe enjoyment of a quiet
life and peaceable old age。
Near Narbo; a city in Gaul; the deputation of the senate met
Galba; and after they had delivered their compliments; begged him to
make what haste he could to appear to the people that impatiently
expected him。 He discoursed with them courteously and unassumingly;
and in his entertainment; though Nymphidius had sent him royal
furniture and attendance of Nero's; he put all aside; and made use
of nothing but his own; for which he was well spoken of; as one who
had a great mind; and was superior to little vanities。 But in a
short time; Vinius; by declaring to him that these noble; unpompous;
citizen…like ways were a mere affectation of popularity and a petty
bashfulness at assuming his proper greatness; induced him to make
use of Nero's supplies; and in his entertainments not to be afraid
of a regal sumptuosity。 And in more than one way the old man let it
gradually appear that he had put himself under Vinius's disposal。
Vinius was a person of an excessive covetousness; and not quite free
from blame in respect to women。 For being a young man; newly entered
into the service under Calvisius Sabinus; upon his first campaign;
he brought his commander's wife; a licentious woman; in a soldier's
dress; by night into the camp; and was