For Otho's had been a neglected boyhood and a riotous youth, and he had made himself agreeable to Nero by emulating his profligacy. regebat tum Tiberius Alexander, eiusdem nationis. 13. Let the principle of my choice be shown not only by my connections which I have set aside for you, but by your own. est tibi frater pari nobilitate, natu maior, dignus hac fortuna nisi tu potior esses. Otho ruled the province with mildness, and, as he was the first to join Galba's party, was not without energy, and, while the war lasted, was the most conspicuous of the Emperor's followers, he was led to cherish more and more passionately every day those hopes of adoption which he had entertained from the first. They were also moved by hatred of T. Vinius, who grew daily more powerful, and in the same proportion more unpopular.

The Annals & The Histories (Modern Library Classics), The Annals: The Reigns of Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero (Oxford World's Classics), Agricola and Germany (Oxford World's Classics), Study Guide: Agricola by Tacitus (SuperSummary), Russian History: A Captivating Guide to the History of Russia, Including Events Such as the Mongol Invasion, the Napoleonic Invasion, Reforms of Peter the Great, the Fall of the Soviet Union, and More. He shewed no change in look or manner; he seemed like one who had the power rather than the wish to rule. et Galba quidem haec ac talia, tamquam principem faceret, ceteri tamquam cum facto loquebantur. The most practical and the shortest method of distinguishing between good and bad measures, is to think what you yourself would or would not like under another emperor. Flavius Vespasian, a general of Nero's appointment, was carrying on the war in Judaea with three legions, and he had no wish or feeling adverse to Galba. Quartum idus Ianuarias, foedum imbribus diem, tonitrua et fulgura et caelestes minae ultra solitum turbaverunt. non sane crebrior tota civitate sermo per illos mensis fuerat, primum licentia ac libidine talia loquendi, dein fessa iam aetate Galbae. To this speech he added no word of flattery, no hint of a bribe. nec ullum orationi aut lenocinium addit aut pretium. utilissimus idem ac brevissimus bonarum malarumque rerum dilectus est, cogitare quid aut volueris sub alio principe aut nolueris; neque enim hic, ut gentibus quae regnantur, certa dominorum domus et ceteri servi, sed imperaturus es hominibus qui, nec totam servitutem pati possunt nec totam libertatem." 16. Few had any discrimination or patriotism, many had foolish hopes for themselves, and spread interested reports, in which they named this or that person to whom they might be related as friend or dependant.

This, with more to the same effect, was said by Galba; he spoke to Piso as if he were creating an emperor; the others addressed him as if he were an emperor already. He was ruined by his old-fashioned inflexibility, and by an excessive sternness which we are no longer able to endure. It is said of Piso that he betrayed no discomposure or excessive joy, either to the gaze to which he was immediately subjected, or afterwards when all eyes were turned upon him. eoque Poppaeam Sabinam, principale scortum, ut apud conscium libidinum deposuerat, donec Octaviam uxorem amoliretur. 18.