[Sidenote:—­6—­] [Though his life was of this kind he was not entirely without good deeds.  For example, he retained the coinage minted under Nero and Galba and Otho, evincing no displeasure at their images; and whatever gifts had been bestowed upon any persons he held to be valid and deprived no one of any such possession.  He did not collect any sums still owing of former public contributions, and he confiscated no one’s property.  A very few of those who sided with Otho he put to death but did not withhold even the property of these from their relatives.  Upon the kinsmen of those previously executed he bestowed all the funds that were found in the public treasury.  He did not obstruct the execution of the wills of such as had fought against him and had fallen in the battles.  Furthermore he forbade the senators and the knights to fight as gladiators or to appear in any spectacle in the orchestra.  And for these measures he was commended.]

[Sidenote:—­7—­] He was a constant attendant of the theatres, and this won the attachment of the populace.  He ate with the most influential men on free and easy terms, and this gained their favor to an even greater degree.  His old companions he never failed to remember and honored them greatly, not (like some others) disdaining to appear to recognize any of them.  Many persons have unexpectedly attained to great power feel hate for those who are acquainted with their former humble state. [Vitellius, when Priscus opposed him in the senate and denounced one of the soldiers, called the tribunes to his side as if he had some need of their assistance.  He did not himself do Priscus any harm and did not allow the officials to hurt him, but merely said:  “Be not indignant, Conscript Fathers, that we two out of your number have had a little dispute with each other.”  This act seemed to have been due to a kindly disposition.  The fact, however, that he wished to imitate Nero and offered sacrifices to his Manes, and that he spent so great sums on dinners, though it caused joy to some, made the sensible grieve, since they were fully aware that not all the money in the whole world would be sufficient for him.]

[Sidenote:—­8—­] While he was behaving in this way, evil omens occurred.  A comet star was seen, and the moon contrary to precedent appeared to have had two eclipses, being obscured by shadows on the fourth and on the seventh day.  Also people saw two suns at once, one in the west weak and pale, and one in the east brilliant and powerful.  On the Capitol many huge footprints were seen, presumably of some spirits that had descended that hill.  The soldiers who had slept there the night in question said that the temple of Jupiter had opened of itself with great clangor and some of the guards were so terrified that they expired.  At the same time that this happened Vespasian, engaged in warfare with the Jews, [sent his son Titus to the emperor Galba to give him a message.  But when Titus returned, having learned on the way] of the rebellion of Vitellius and of Otho, he deliberated what ought to be done. [For Vespasian was in general not rashly inclined and he hesitated very much about involving himself in such troublous affairs.]