The Works of Tacitus

tr. by Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb

[1864-1877]

Tacitus: History Book 1 [90]

90. On the 14th of March, after commending the State to the care of the Senate,
he presented to those who had been recalled from exile what was left of the
Neronian confiscations, or had not yet been paid into the Imperial treasury,
a most equitable and apparently most splendid piece of liberality, but practically
worthless, as the property had been hastily realized long before. Soon afterwards
he summoned an assembly, and enlarged on the dignity of the capital and the
unanimity of the Senate and people in his favour. Of the party of Vitellius
he spoke with moderation, charging the legions with ignorance rather than with
crime, and making no mention of Vitellius himself. This moderation was either
his own, or was due to the writer of the speech, who, fearing for himself, abstained
from invectives against Vitellius. For Otho was believed to avail himself of
the abilities of Galerius Trachalus in civil matters, just as he employed those
of Celsus and Paullinus in war. There were some who recognized the very style
of speaking, which was well known from his constant pleading at the bar, and
which sought to fill the popular ear with a copious and sonorous diction. The
acclamations and cries which habitual flattery prompted in the people were at
once extravagant and false. As if they were applauding a Dictator like Caesar,
or an Emperor like Augustus, they vied with each other in their zeal and good
wishes. They acted not from fear or affection, but from the mere love of servitude;
as it might be in some private household, each had his own motives, and the
public honour now went for nothing. Otho set out, leaving the peace of the city
and the cares of empire in the charge of his brother Salvius Titianus. prosequerentur,
ita studiis votisque certabant, nec metu aut amore, sed ex libidine servitii:
ut in familiis, privata cuique stimulatio, et vile iam decus publicum. profectus
Otho quietem urbis curasque imperii Salvio Titiano fratri permisit.

Next: Book 2 [1]