with Galba, declared him emperor, and condemned Nero to die, mo’re majo’rum; that is, according to the rigour of the ancient laws. 10.  When he was told of the resolution of the senate, he asked what was meant by being punished according to the rigour of the ancient laws?  To this it was answered, that the criminal was to be stripped naked, his head fixed in a pillory, and in that posture he was to be scourged to death. 11.  Nero was so terrified at this, that he seized two poniards, which he had brought with him:  after examining their points, he returned them, however, to their sheaths, pretending that the fatal moment was not yet arrived. 12.  He then desired Sporus to begin the lamentations which were used at funerals; he next entreated that one of his attendants would die, to give him courage by his example, and afterwards began to reproach his own cowardice, crying out, “Does this become Nero?  Is this trifling well-timed?  No!—­let me be courageous!” In fact, he had no time to spare; for the soldiers who had been sent in pursuit of him, were just then approaching the house. 13.  Upon hearing, therefore, the sound of the horses’ feet, he set a dagger to his throat, with which, by the assistance of Epaphrod’itus, his freedman and secretary, he gave himself a mortal wound. 14.  However, he was not yet dead when one of the centurions, entering the room and pretending that he came to his relief, attempted to stop the blood with his cloak.  But Nero, regarding him with a stern countenance, said, “It is now too late!  Is this your fidelity?” Upon which, with his eyes fixed and frightfully staring, he expired; exhibiting, even after death, a ghastly spectacle of innoxious tyranny. 15.  He reigned thirteen years, seven months, and twenty-eight days, and died in the thirty-second year of his age.

[Sidenote:  U.C. 820, A.D. 69]

16.  Galba was seventy-two years old when he was declared emperor, and was then in Spain with his legions.  He soon found that his being raised to the throne was but an inlet to new disquietudes. 17.  He seemed to have three objects in view:  to curb the insolence of the soldiers; to punish those vices which had risen to an enormous height in the last reign; and to replenish the exchequer, which had been drained by the prodigality of his predecessors. 18.  However, permitting himself to be governed by favourites, he at one time showed himself severe and frugal; at another remiss and prodigal; condemning some illustrious persons without any hearing, and pardoning others, though guilty.  In consequence of this, seditions were kindled, and factions promoted. 19.  Galba was sensible that, besides his age, his want of an heir rendered him less respected:  he resolved, therefore, to adopt a person whose virtues might deserve such advancement, and protect his declining age from danger; but his favourites wished to give him an heir of their own choosing; so that there arose a great contention among them upon this occasion. 20.