Tacitus: The Histories, Volumes I and II | Page 9

take the throne from Nero, if it was to be left to Otho?
Otho had led a careless boyhood and a dissolute youth, and endeared
himself to Nero by aping his vices. Thus it was to Otho, as being
already in the secret, that Nero entrusted his favourite mistress,
Poppaea Sabina,[35] until he could get rid of Octavia. Later he grew
jealous and removed Otho to the province of Lusitania under cover of a
governorship. Otho had been popular in his administration of the
province, and was one of the first to join Galba's party. Being a man of
action and one of the most distinguished of Galba's officers in the war,
when once he had conceived the hope of succeeding him, he eagerly
indulged it. Most of the soldiers were on his side and the Court
supported him as Nero's double.
After receiving the news of the German revolt, although Galba knew 14
nothing for certain of Vitellius' plans, he was fearful to what lengths the

outbreak of the troops might go; so, being unable to trust the troops in
the city,[36] he had recourse to what seemed his sole remedy and held
an Imperial Election. Besides Vinius and Laco he summoned Marius
Celsus, consul-elect and the City-Prefect Ducenius Geminus.[37] After
prefacing a few words about his own advanced age he ordered Piso
Licinianus[38] to be sent for, either on his own initiative, or, as some
believed, at the instance of Laco. Laco had met Piso at Rubellius
Plautus' house and they had formed a friendship, but he cunningly
pretended that he was supporting a stranger, and Piso's good repute
gave colour to this policy. Piso was a noble on both sides, being the son
of Marcus Crassus and Scribonia. There was an old-world austerity in
his face and bearing, and just critics spoke of his strict morality: people
who took a less favourable view thought him soured. But while those
who disliked this side of his character carped at it, it was a
recommendation in the eyes of the emperor who intended to adopt him.
Galba is said to have taken Piso's hand and addressed him as 15 follows:
'Were I a private citizen, and were I to adopt you in the presence of the
Priests by the usual formality of a curial statute,[39] it would be an
honour for me to introduce into my family a descendant of Cnaeus
Pompeius and of Marcus Crassus, and for you it would be a distinction
to add to your noble ancestry the glories of the Sulpician and Lutatian
houses.[40] As it is, I have been called by the consent of gods and men
to be an emperor. Your distinguished qualities and your patriotism have
persuaded me to offer to you peacefully and quietly the throne for
which our ancestors fought on the field of battle,[41] and which I too
won by war. In so doing I am following the precedent set by the sainted
Augustus, who raised to the rank next himself first his nephew
Marcellus, then his son-in-law Agrippa, then his daughter's sons,[42]
and finally his stepson Tiberius Nero. However, while Augustus looked
for a successor in his own family, I have searched throughout the
country. Not that I lack either kinsmen or supporters, but it was by no
favour of birth that I myself came to the throne, and, to prove my
policy in this matter, consider how I have passed over not only my own
relatives but yours. You have an elder brother,[43] as noble as yourself.
He would have been worthy of this position, but you are worthier. You
are old enough to have outlived youthful passions. Your life has been

such that you have nothing in your past to excuse. So far you have only
experienced misfortune. Prosperity probes the heart with a keener touch;
misery only calls for patience, but there is corruption in success.
Honesty, candour, and affection are the best of human qualities, and
doubtless you yourself have enough character to retain them. But the
complaisance of others will weaken your character. Flattery and servile
compliments will break down its defences and self-interest too, the
bane of all sincerity. What though you and I can talk plainly with each
other to-day? Others will address themselves not to us but to our
fortunes. To persuade an emperor what he ought to do is a laborious
task: any one can flatter him without a spark of sincerity.
'If the vast bulk of this empire could stand and keep its balance 16
without a guiding hand, the Republic might well have dated its birth
from me. As it is, things have long ago come to such a pass that neither
I in my old age can give the Roman people any better gift than a good
successor,