Galba | Page 4

sudden grey-headed. This incident was
regarded by some as a token of an approaching revolution in the
government, and that an old man would succeed a young one: that is,
that he would succeed Nero. And not long after, a thunderbolt falling
into a lake in Cantabria [660], twelve axes were found in it; a manifest
sign of the supreme power.
IX. He governed the province during eight years, his administration
being of an uncertain and capricious character. At first he was active,
vigorous, and indeed excessively severe, in the punishment of offenders.
For, a money-dealer having committed some fraud in the way of his
business, he cut off his hands, and nailed them to his counter. Another,
who had poisoned an orphan, to whom he was guardian, and next heir
to the estate, he crucified. On this delinquent imploring the protection
of the law, and crying out that he was a Roman citizen, he affected to
afford him some alleviation, and to mitigate his punishment, by a mark
of honour, ordered a cross, higher than usual, and painted white, to be
erected for him. But by degrees he gave himself up to a life of
indolence and inactivity, from the fear of giving Nero any occasion of
jealousy, and because, as he used to say, "Nobody was obliged to
render an account of their leisure hours." He was holding a court of
justice on the circuit at New Carthage [661], when he received
intelligence of the insurrection in Gaul [662]; and while the lieutenant
of Aquitania was soliciting his assistance, letters were brought from
Vindex, requesting him "to assert the rights of mankind, and put
himself at their head to relieve them from the tyranny of Nero."
Without any long demur, he accepted the invitation, from a mixture of
fear and hope. For he had discovered that private orders had been sent
by Nero to his procurators in the province to get (407) him dispatched;

and he was encouraged to the enterprise, as well by several auspices
and omens, as by the prophecy of a young woman of good, family. The
more so, because the priest of Jupiter at Clunia [663], admonished by a
dream, had discovered in the recesses of the temple some verses similar
to those in which she had delivered her prophecy. These had also been
uttered by a girl under divine inspiration, about two hundred years
before. The import of the verses was, "That in time, Spain should give
the world a lord and master."
X. Taking his seat on the tribunal, therefore, as if there was no other
business than the manumitting of slaves, he had the effigies of a
number of persons who had been condemned and put to death by Nero,
set up before him, whilst a noble youth stood by, who had been
banished, and whom he had purposely sent for from one of the
neighbouring Balearic isles; and lamenting the condition of the times,
and being thereupon unanimously saluted by the title of Emperor, he
publicly declared himself "only the lieutenant of the senate and people
of Rome." Then shutting the courts, he levied legions and auxiliary
troops among the provincials, besides his veteran army consisting of
one legion, two wings of horse, and three cohorts. Out of the military
leaders most distinguished for age and prudence, he formed a kind of
senate, with whom to advise upon all matters of importance, as often as
occasion should require. He likewise chose several young men of the
equestrian order, who were to be allowed the privilege of wearing the
gold ring, and, being called "The Reserve," should mount guard before
his bed-chamber, instead of the legionary soldiers. He likewise issued
proclamations throughout the provinces of the empire, exhorting all to
rise in arms unanimously, and aid the common cause, by all the ways
and means in their power. About the same time, in fortifying a town,
which he had pitched upon for a military post, a ring was found, of
antique workmanship, in the stone of which was engraved the goddess
Victory with a trophy. Presently after, a ship of Alexandria arrived at
Dertosa [664], loaded with arms, without any person to steer it, or so
much as a single sailor or passenger (408) on board. From this incident,
nobody entertained the least doubt but the war upon which they were
entering was just and honourable, and favoured likewise by the gods;
when all on a sudden the whole design was exposed to failure. One of
the two wings of horse, repenting of the violation of their oath to Nero,

attempted to desert him upon his approach to the camp, and were with
some difficulty kept in their duty. And some slaves who had been
presented to him by a freedman of Nero's,