[Sidenote:—­11—­] After the forces of Otho had been worsted, a certain horseman brought word of the disaster to Otho.  When the bystanders refused to credit his report—­it chanced that there were many gathered there—­and some set to calling him “renegade” and others “enemy,” he exclaimed:  “Would that this news were false, Caesar:  for most gladly would I have died to secure thy victory.  As it is, my demise is determined, that no one may think I fled hither to secure my own safety.  But do thou be assured that the enemy will ere long arrive, and debate what must be done.”  Having finished these words, he despatched himself. [Sidenote:—­12—­] This act caused all to believe him, and they were ready to renew the conflict.  Those present formed a numerous body and there were not a few others at hand from Pannonia.  But the most important consideration, as usual in such cases, was that they loved Otho and were quite devoted to him, not in word but in their hearts.  When, however, they besought him not to abandon either himself or them, he waited until the rest, at report of the news, had come running together, and then, after some muttered words to himself, he delivered to the soldiers a speech, from which the following is a brief excerpt: 

[Sidenote:—­13—­] “Enough, quite enough, has already been done.  I hate a civil war, even though I conquer:  and I love all Romans, even though they do not side with me.  Let Vitellius be victor, since this has pleased the gods; and let the lives of his soldiers also be spared, since this pleases me.  It is far better and more just that one should perish for all, rather than many for one, and that I should refuse on account of one single man to embroil the Roman people and cause so great a mass of human beings to perish.  I certainly should prefer to be a Mucius, a Decius, a Curtius, a Regulus, rather than a Marius, a Cinna, or a Sulla,—­not to mention other names.  Therefore do not force me to become one of these men I hate, nor grudge me the privilege of imitating one of those whom I commend.  Do you depart to meet the conqueror and do him reverence.  As for me, I shall find means to free myself, that all men may be taught by the event that you have chosen such an emperor as has not given you up to save himself but himself to save you.”

[Sidenote:—­14—­] Of this nature were the words of Otho.  Falling upon the ears of the soldiers they aroused both admiration of the man and pity for what might befall him:  his troops shed tears of lamentation and mourning, calling him father and terming him dearer than children and parents. ["Upon thee our lives depend,” they said, “and for thee we will all die.”] This argument continued so for most of the day, Otho begging to be allowed to die and the soldiers refusing to permit him to carry out his wish.  Finally, he reduced them to silence and said:  “It can not be that I should show myself inferior to this soldier, whom you have seen kill himself for the single reason that he had borne news of defeat to his own emperor.  I shall certainly follow in his footsteps, that I may cease to see or hear aught any longer.  And you, if you love me in reality, let me die as I desire and do not compel me to live against my will, but take your way to the victor and gain his good graces.”