no vertue can neuer be happie:  for by his own baseness he will loose all, which either fortune, or other mens labours have cast upon him.  By Vespasian, that in civill tumults an advised patience, and opportunitie well taken are the onely weapons of advantage.  In them all, and in the state of Rome under them thou maiest see the calamities that follow civill warres, where lawes lie asleepe, and all things are iudged by the sword.  If thou mislike their warres be thankfull for thine owne peace; if thou dost abhor their tyrannies, love and reverence thine owne wise, iust and excellent Prince.’  So whatever guise our age may assume, there are lessons to be drawn from Tacitus either directly or per contra, and his translators may be acquitted at a time when Latin scholarship is no longer an essential of political eminence.

FOOTNOTES: 

     [1] Napoleon’s phrase.

     [2] Ann. iii. 65.

SUMMARY OF CHIEF EVENTS

I. THE FIGHT FOR THE THRONE.

A.D. 68.

  June

     9.  Death of Nero.

    16.  Galba, Governor of Nearer Spain, declared Emperor at Clunia.

Fonteius Capito, Governor of Lower Germany, Clodius Macer, Governor of Africa, and Nymphidius Sabinus, Prefect of the Guard, murdered as possible rivals.  Verginius Rufus, Governor of Upper Germany, refuses to compete.

  October

        Galba enters Rome.  Massacre of Marines at Mulvian Bridge.

        His government controlled by Laco, Vinius, and Icelus.

A.D. 69.

  January

     1.  News of mutiny in Upper Germany, now governed by Hordeonius
        Flaccus.

     3.  The armies of Upper Germany (under Caecina) and of Lower Germany
        (under Valens) salute Vitellius, Governor of Lower Germany, as
        Emperor.

    10.  Galba adopts Piso Licinianus as his successor.

    15.  Otho declared Emperor in Rome and recognized by Praetorian
        Guard.

        Murder of Galba, Vinius, and Piso.

        Otho recognized by the Senate.

  February

The Vitellian armies are now marching on Italy:  Caecina through Switzerland and over the Great St. Bernard with Legio XXI Rapax and detachments of IV Macedonica and XXII Primigenia:  Valens through Gaul and over Mount Genevre with Legio V Alaudae and detachments of I Italica, XV Primigenia, and XVI.

  March

        Caecina crosses the Alps.

        Otho dispatches an advance-guard under Annius Gallus and Spurinna.

        Otho starts for the Po with Suetonius Paulinus, Marius Celsus,
        and Proculus.

        Titianus left in charge of Rome.