The lives of the noble Grecians and Romanes compared together by that graue learned philosopher and historiographer, Plutarke of Chæronea ; translated out of Greeke into French by Iames Amyot ... ; and out of French into Englishe, by Thomas North.

[unspec C] THE LIFE OF Otho. [unspec D]

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[unspec E]

THe next morning, the new Emperour by breake of day went vnto the Capitoll, and sacrificed, and there sent for Marius Celsus to come vn∣to him, whom he curteouslie saluted, and prayed him rather to forger the cause of his imprisonment, then to remember his deliuerie. Ma∣rius Celsus made him a wise and noble aunswere againe, and sayd that the matter for the which they would haue accused him vnto him, did witnes his behauiour, shewing him selfe faithfull vnto Galba, who ne∣uer [unspec F] did him any pleasure. These words of them both did maruelouslie please the people: & so did they like the souldiers also wōderfully well. Moreouer, after he had verie fauorablie and graciouslie taken order for matters in the Senate,

the rest of the time he had to be Consull, he imployed partely about Verginius Rufus, and did [unspec A] also establish them Consuls in their place and degree, which had bene called vnto that digni∣tie by Nero, or otherwise by Galba: and he also honored the oldest Senators and of greatest e∣stimacion with certaine Priesthoodes. Besides all this, he restored vnto all those Senators that were banished by Nero, and called home againe, all their goodes yet vnsold. Whereupon the chiefest Magistrats and noble men of the citie that quaked before for feare, supposing that he was not a man, but rather a deuill or furie of hell that was come to be Emperour: they all be∣came glad men, for the good hope of this smiling and gracious raigne they were so lately en∣tred into. Moreouer, nothing pleased all the ROMANES: together more, nor wanne him the good will of all men so muche, as that he did vnto Tigellinus. For it was punishment enough for him, if he had had no more but the feare of the punishment euerie man threatned him [unspec B] withall, as a thing due to the common wealth, and also by reason of the incurable diseases his bodie was infected withall. Now, though the noble men thought his vnreasonable insolency and lust of the flesh, (following naughtie packes, and common strumpets, burning still in fil∣thie concupiscence) an extreame punishment, comparable to many deaths, and being also no better then a dead man in maner, still following pleasure and sensualitie as long as he coulde: this notwithstanding, all men were offended with him, that they shoulde see suche a wicked creature as he liue, that had put so many noble men to death. So Otho sent for him, who liued verie pleasauntlie at this houses in the contrie, by the citie of SINVESSA, and had shippes euer readie vppon the sea coast, to flie if necessitie draue him to it. Thereuppon he first sought to bribe him with money, which was sent with commission to apprehend him, and perswaded [unspec C] him to let him scape: but when he saw he could not frame him to his minde, yet he resrayned not to geue him gifts, and prayed him to geue him leaue to shaue his beard. The other graun∣ted him. Then Tigellinus tooke a razer, and did cut his owne throte. So, Otho hauing pleased the people thus well, he sought not otherwise to be reuenged of his priuate iniuries. Moreo∣uer, to currie fauour with the common people, he refused not to be called Nero, in any open assemblies at the Theaters. Also when certaine priuate men had set vp Neroes images in open sight, Otho was not offended withall: but moreouer Clodius Rufus writeth, that letters pattents & cōmissions were sent into SPAYNE by posts, subscribing the goodly name of Nero, with the name of Otho. Howbeit when it came to his eares that the noble men of ROME misliked of it: he left it of, and would wryte it no more in his letters. So Otho hauing begonne in this sorte [unspec D] to stablish his Empire, the souldiers maruelouslie troubled him. For they continually perswa∣ded him to take heede to him selfe, and to beware how noblemen and gentlemen came neere vnto him: the which they did, either for that in deede they bearing him good will, were af∣frayed some trecherie or treason would be secretlie practised against him: or else it was some fained deuise to set all together by the eares, and to bring it to ciuill warre. For when Otho him selfe had sent Crispinus with his seuenteenth legion to bring him certaine prisoners, and that Crispinus was ready before day, going to performe the effect of his commission, hauing loden carts with armor and weapon for his souldiers: the desperatest and boldest men among them, began to crie out, and sayd that Crispinus ment no good in his hart, and that the Senate went about to make some chaunge and sturre, and that his armor and weapons were not for Caesar, [unspec E] but against him. These wordes moued many mens consciences, and made them to rebell: so that some layed hold vpon the carts to stay them, others slue two Centurions out of hande, and Crispinus him selfe also that woulde haue stayed them. Thereuppon all of them together, one incoraging an other, went directly to Rome, as meaning to aide the Emperour. But when they came thither, vnderstanding that there were foure score Senators at supper with the Emperour, they ranne straight to the pallace, crying out that it was a good occasion offered them to kill all Caesars enemies at a clappe. Hereupon all ROME was straight in armes, looking immediatly after to be sacked and spoyled of all that euer they had: and the people ranne vp and downe the pallace, here and there. Otho him selfe also being in great feare and distresse. For men might easelie see he was affrayed, bicause of his ghestes he had bidden, not for him [unspec F] selfe, seeing them all amazed with the matter for feare, not speaking a word vnto him, but sta∣ring on him still, and speciallie those that came and brought their wiues with them to supper.

[unspec A] So Otho sodainly sent the Captaines vnto the souldiers & commaunded them to speake with them, & to pacifie them as well as they could: and therewithall he made them take away the borde, and conueyed his ghestes out of his pallace by secret posternes. So they saued them selues, passing through the souldiers, a litle before they entred into the hall where the feast was kept, crying out, and asking, what was become of Caesars enemies. So the Emperour ri∣sing from his bedde, he pacified them with gentle wordes, the teares standing in his eyes, and thereby at length he sent them all away. The next morning he liberallie bestowed vpon euery souldier, a thowsande two hundred and fiftie Drachmas: and then he went into the market place, & there gaue great commendacion to the common people for their readie good wills they had shewed vnto him: howbeit, he said there were some among them, that vnder colour [unspec B] and pretext of honestie, did commit many lewde partes, and made his goodnesse and grace towards them to be euill spoken of, and their constancie and faith also to be misliked of, and prayed them his griefe might be theirs, and that the offendors might be punished. They all confirmed his words, and bad him alowde he should doe it. So Otho thereuppon caused two of them only to be apprehended, supposing no man would he greatlie offended with the pu∣nishment of them, and then went his way. Those that loued and trusted him, marueled much to see this chaunge. Other were of opinion, that it stoode him vpon to doe so, to winne the souldiers harts, bicause of the warre at hand. Now newes came flying to him out of all partes, that Vitellius had taken vpon him the authoritie to be Emperour, and posts came to him one in an others necke, to tel him that numbers of people came in daily to submit them selues vn∣to [unspec C] Vitellius. Others tolde him also, how the legions remayning in PANONIA, DALMATIA, and MYSIA, had chosen Otho, Immediatly after, frendly letters were brought him also from Mu∣tianus and Vespasianus, the one of them being in SYRIA, and the other in IVDEA, with great and mightie armies. Whereuppon Otho geuing credit vnto them, wrote vnto Vitellius, and bad him beware how he meddled with any deeper enterprise, then became a priuate souldier: and that he would geue him golde and siluer enough, and a great citie, where he might liue quiet∣ly, and take his pleasure. Vitellius gently aunswered him at the first, and sported with him: but afterwards they falling out one with an other, spiteful letters were sent betwext either parties, one of them reproaching an other, not falsely but fondly, and foolishly detecting eche others vices. For in deede it was hard to iudge, which of them two was most licentiously geuen, most [unspec D] effeminate, least skilfull, poorer, or most indetted before. Nowe at that time they talked of wonderful signes that had bene sene: howbeit they were but flying tales, & there was no man to iustifie them. But in the Capitoll there was the image of Victorie set vppon a triumphing chariot: the which euery bodie saw did let slacke the reynes of the bridles of the horses which she had in her handes, as though she could not stay them any more. The statue of Caius Caesar also within the Iland, which standeth in the middest of the riuer of Tiber at ROME, without a∣ny earthquake or storme of winde, turned of it selfe from the West to the East: the which (as it is reported) chaūced about the time that Vespasian began to take vpon him to be Emperour. Many also tooke the ouerflowing of the riuer of Tiber for an euil signe. For in deede it was at that time of the yeare when riuers do swell most, yet was it neuer so great before, neither had [unspec E] it euer done so much hurt as it did at that time. For it had ouerflowen her bankes, and drow∣ned the most parte of the citie, and specially the corne market: insomuche that they suffered famine many dayes after in ROME. In all this sturre, newes came that Cecinna and Valeus, (two of Vitellius Captaines) had taken the mountaines of the Alpes: and moreouer in ROME, Do∣labella a noble man, was suspected by the Praetorian souldiers, that he practised some treason. Now Otho, either bicause he was affrayed of him, or of some other: he sent him to the citie of AQVINVM, promising him he shoulde haue no other hurte. Then choosing the choyces•• gentlemen which he would take with him, among others he tooke Lucius, the brother of Vi∣tellius, and did not depriue him of any iot of his honor and dignitie. Moreouer, he was verie carefull to see his wife and mother safe, that they shoulde not be affrayed of them selues. Be∣sides [unspec F] all this, he appointed Flauius Sabinus, Vespasians brother, Gouernour of ROME in his ab∣sence: and did it for Neroes sake, who had affore geuen him the same honor and authoritie the which Galba had taken from him: or els to make Vespasian see, that he loued & trusted him.

So he taried behinde at BRESSELLE, a citie standing vpon the riuer of Po: and sent his armie [unspec A] before vnder the conduct of Marius Celsus, of Svvetonius Paulinus, and of Gallus, and Spurina, all noble and great personages, howbeit they could not haue their wills to rule the armie as they woulde, bicause of the insolencie and stubbornes of the souldiers, who would haue no other Captaines but the Emperour only, saying that he, and none other, should commaund them. In deede, the enemies souldiers also were not muche wiser, not more obedient to their Cap∣taines, but were braue and lustie vpon the selfe same occasion: howbeit they had this aduan∣tage ouer the other, that they could tell how to fight, and were all well trained in the warres, and could away with paines and hardnes, and neuer shronke from it. Whereas the Praetorian souldiers that came from ROME, were fine mealed mouthed men, bicause they had bene long from the warres, & had liued at ease in ROME, and taken their pleasure in banketing & playes: [unspec B] and therefore in a brauery and iolity, they would needes haue men thinke that they disdained to do what their Captaines commaunded them, as men that were too good to do it, and not that they were fine fingered, and loth to take paines. So that when Spu∣rina would haue com∣pelled them, he was in daunger of death, and scaped verie narowly that they slue him not. For they stucke not to reuile him, and geue him as fowle words as they could: calling him traitor, and cursing him, saying that he marred all Caesars affaires. Yea and there were some of them that hauing their full cuppes went in the night to his tent, to aske him leaue to depart, saying that they would go to the Emperour, and complaine to him of him. But the flowte they had geuen them by their enemies about that time, hard by the city of PLACENTIA, did stand Spu∣rina and his affaires to great purpose. For Vitellius souldiers comming hard to the walls of the [unspec C] citie, did mocke Othoes men that were at the cranewes of the same, and called them fine daun∣sers, and goodly stage players, that had seene nothing but playes and feasts: and that for feats of armes, and battells, they knewe not what it ment: and that the greatest act they euer did, was for that they strake of the head of a poore naked olde man, meaning by Galba: and that to come to fight a battell in the fielde before men, their hartes were in their heeles. These vile words galled them to the hart, and made them so mad withall, that they came of them selues to pray Spurina to commaund them what he thought good, promising that from thence forth they would neuer refuse any paines or daunger he would put them to. Thereupon, there was a hotte assault geuen to the city of PLACENTIA, with great store of sundry enguies. Howbeit Spurinaes men had the better, and hauing with great slaughter repulsed the assailants, they sa∣ued [unspec D] one of the goodliest, the greatest, and most florishing cities of all ITALIE. So Othoes Captaines were farre more familiar, curteous, and ciuill to deale with cities and priuate men, then Vitellius souldiers were. For, of Vitellius Captaines, Cecinna, was neither for person nor maners accompanyable for the people, but straunge, monstruous, & troublesome to see him only, a mightie made man wearing gallie gaskons, and coates with sleeues, after the facion of the GAVLES, and spake in this attire vnto the ensigne bearers, and Captaines of the RO∣MANES. Furthermore, he had his wife alway with him brauely mounted a horsebacke, gal∣lantlie apparelled, and accompanied with a troupe of the choycest men of armes of all the companies. The other, Fabius Valens, he was so couetous, that no spoyle of enemies, no pol∣ling of subiects, nor bribes taken of their frends and confederats, could quenche or satisfie his [unspec E] vnsatiable couetousnes: whereby it seemeth that was the let, that comming on so slowly, he was not at the first battell. Howbeit others do blame Cecinna for it, that made too much hast, for the desire he had to haue the only honor of the victory to him selfe: & this was the cause, that besides his other light saultes, he also made this, that he gaue battell out of due time and season, and when it came to the poynt in deede, yet he fought it not out valliantly, so that he had almost cast all away. For when he had the repulse from PLACENTIA, he went vnto CRE∣MONA an other great citie. And Annius Gallus going to aide Spurina, who was besieged in the citie of PLACENTIA: when he heard by the way that the PLACENTINES had the better, and that the CREMONENSES were in great daunger and distresse: he marched thither with his ar∣my, and went and camped hard by the enemies. After that also, the other Captaines of either [unspec F] side came to aide their men. Howbeit Cecinna hauing layed a great number of his best soul∣diers well armed in ambushe, in certaine thicke groues and woddes: he commaunded his

[unspec A] horsemen to march forward, and if the enemies came to charge them, that they should retyre litle and litle, making as though they fled, vntill they had drawen them within his ambush. So there were certaine traitors that bewrayed the ambush vnto Marius Celsus, who came against them with his choyce men of armes, and did not followe them ouerrashly, but compassed in the place where the ambush lay, the which he raised, and in the meane time sent to his campe with all possible speede to his footemen to make hast thitherward: and it seemeth, that if they had comen in time, they had not left one of their enemies aliue, but had marched vpon the bellies of all Cecinnaes armie, if they had followed the horsemen in time, as they should haue done. But Paulinus being comen too late to aide them, for that he came so slowly: he was bur∣dened that he did not the duetie of a Captaine, that bare the name and countenaunce he ca∣ried. [unspec B] Futhermore, the common souldiers accused him of treason vnto Otho, and stirred vp their Emperour against him, and spake verie bigge words of them selues, saying, that they had ouercomen for their owne partes, had not the cowardlines of their Captaines bene, who put them by the victory. So Otho did not trust him so much, that he would not make him beleue but that he mistrusted somwhat. Therefore he sent his brother Titianus to the campe, and Pro∣clus with him. Captaine of the Praetorian garde, who in deede commaunded all, but in sight Titianus had all the honor, as bearing the name of the Emperours Lieutenaunt. Marcius Cel∣sus, and Paulinus followed after, bearing name of counsellers and frends only: howbeit other∣wise they meddled with nothing, neither had any authoritie geuen them. On the other side, the enemies were in as much trouble as they; and those specially, whom Valens led. For when [unspec C] newes was brought of the conflict that was betwene them in this ambushe, they were angrie with him, bicause they were not at it, and for that he had not led them thither, to helpe their men that were slaine: insomuch that he had much a doe to pacifie and quiet them, they were so readie to haue flowen vpon him. So Valens at length remoued his campe, & went & ioyned with Cecinna. Howbeit Otho being comen to his campe at the towne of BEBRIACVM, which is a litle towne hard by CREMONA: he consulted with his Captaines whether he should geue battell or not. So Proclus and Titianus gaue him counsell to fight, considering that the soul∣diers were verie willing to it, by reason of the late victorie they had wonne, and wished him not to deferre it: for thereby he shoulde but discorage his armie, which was nowe willing to fight, and also geue their enemies leasure to tarie for their Chiefetaine Vitellius, who came [unspec D] him selfe out of GAVLE. But Paulinus in contrarie manner alleaged, that the enemies had all their force and power present, with the which they thought to fight with them, and also to ouercome them, and that they wanted nothing: whereas Otho looked for an other armie out of MYSIA and PANNONIA, as great an armie as his enemies had alreadie, so that he could tary his time, & not serue his enemies turne: and also, that if the souldiers being now but a few in number were willing to fight, they shoulde then be much more incoraged, when they should haue greater companie, and should also fight with better safetie. Furthermore he perswaded them, that to delay time was for their auaile, considering that they had plentie and store of all maner of prouision: where the enemies on thother side being also in their enemies contrie, their vittells would quickely faile them. Marius Celsus liked verie well of these perswasions. [unspec E] And so did Annius Gallus, who was not present at this counsell (but gone from the campe, to be cured of a fall he had from his horse) but he was wrytten to by Otho to haue his opinion also. So Annius Gallus returned aunswere, that he thought it not best to make hast, but to stay for the armie that came out of MYSIA, considering they were onwardes on their way. How∣beit Otho woulde not hearken to this counsell, but followed their mindes that concluded of battell: for the which were alleaged diuers occasions. But the chiefest and likeliest cause of all was, that the souldiers which are called the Praetorian gard (being the dayly gard about the Emperours person) finding then in effect what it was to professe to be a souldier, and to liue like a souldier: they lamented their continuing in ROME, where they liued at ease & pleasure, feasting and banketing, neuer feeling the discommodities and bitter paines of warre, and did [unspec F] therefore so earnestly crie out to fight, that there was no staying of them, as if they should at their first crie and setting forward, haue ouerthrowen their enemies. Moreouer, it seemed al∣so that Otho him selfe could no more away with the feare and dout of the vncertaine successe

to come, neither could any lenger abide the grieuous thoughts of the daunger of his estate, [unspec A] he was so effeminate, and vnacquainted with sorowe, and paines. This was the cause that ca∣ried him on headlong, as a man that shutteth his eyes falling from a high place, and so to put all at aduenture. The matter is thus reported by Secundus the Orator, and Othoes secretarie. Others also doe report, that both armies had diuers determinations and mindes: as to ioyne all together in one campe, and ioyntly to choose among them, if they could agree, the wor∣thiest man of all the Captaines that were there: if not, then to assemble the whole Senate in a place together, & there to suffer the Senators to choose such one Emperour, as they liked best of. And sure it is verie likely it was so, considering that neither of them both which were then called Emperours, was thought meete for the place they had: and therefore that these counsells and consideracions might easely fall into the ROMANE souldiers heades, (who were [unspec B] wise men and expert souldiers) that in deede it was a thing for them iustly to mislike, to bring them selues into the like miserable time and calamitie, which their predecessors before them had caused one an other to suffer, first for Sylla and Marius sakes, and afterwards for Caesar and Pompey, and now to bestow the Empire of ROME either vpon Vitellius, to make him the abler to follow his dronkennes and gluttony: or else vpon Otho, to maintaine his wanton and licen∣tious life. This was the cause that moued Celsus to delay time, hoping to end the warres with∣out trouble and daunger: and that caused Otho also to make the more hast, being affrayed of the same. Howebeit Otho returning backe againe to BRESSELLES, he committed an other fault, nor only bicause he tooke his mens good wils from thē to fight, the which his presence, and the reuerence they bare vnto him did put in them: but bicause also he caried away with [unspec C] him for the gard of his person, the valliantest souldiers & most resolute men of all his host. A∣bout that time there chaunced a skirmish to fall out by the riuer of Po, bicause Cecinna built a bridge ouer it, & Othoes men did what they could to hinder them. Howbeit when they saw they preuailed not, they laded certaine barges with faggots and drie wodde, all rubbed ouer with bunistone and pitche, and setting them a fire, they sent them downe the streame. When the barges were in the middest of the streame, there sodainlie rose a winde out of the riuer, which blewe vppon this woddestake they had prepared to cast among the enemies workes of this bridge, that first made it smoke, and immediatly after fell all on a great flame, which did so trouble the men in the barges, that they were driuen to leape into the riuer to saue them selues: and so they lost their barges, and became them selues also prisoners to their enemies, [unspec D] to their great shame and mockerie. Furthermore, the GERMAINES vnder Vitellius, fighting with Othoes fensers, which of them should winne a litle Iland in the middest of the riuer: they had the vpper hand, and slue many of the sensers, Thereuppon Othoes souldiers which were in BERRIACVM, being in a rage withall, and would nedes fight: Proclus brought them into the fielde, and went and camped about fiftie furlong out of the citie, so fondly, and to so litle pur∣pose, that being the spring of the yeare, and all the contrie thereabout full of brookes and ri∣uers, yet they notwithstanding lacked water. The next morning they raised their campe to meete with their enemies the same day, and were driuen to march aboue a hundred furlong. Now Paulinus perswaded them to go fayer and softly, and not to make more hast then neded, and would not so soone as they should come, (being wearied with their iorney and trauell) set [unspec E] vpon their enemies that were weil armed, and besides had leasure & time enough to set their men in battell ray, whilest they were cōming so long a iorney with all their cariage. Now the Captaines being of diuers opinions about this matter, there came a horseman from Otho, one of those they call the Nomades, that brought them letters, in the which Otho commaunded them to make all the hast they could, and to loose no time, but to marche with all speede to∣wards the enemie. So when these letters were red, the Captaines presently marched forward with their armie. Cecinna vnderstanding of their comming, was astonied at the first, and so∣dainlie forsooke the worke of his bridge to returne to his campe, where he founde the most parte of his souldiers alreadie armed, and Valens had geuen them their signall & word of bat∣tell. And in the meane time, whilest the legions were taking their places to set them selues in [unspec F] battell ray: they sent out before the choycest horsemen they had, to skirmish. Now there ran a rumor (no man knew how, nor vpon what cause) that Vitellius Captaines would turne on

[unspec A] Othoes side in battell. Insomuch that when these men of armes came neare to meete with the voward of Othoes armie: Othoes men did speake very gently to them, and called them compa∣nions. Vitellina man on the other side tooke this salutacion in euill parte, and aunswered them againe in rage as men that, were willing to fight. Insomuch that those that had spokē to them, were quite discoraged cragede and the residue also beganne to suspect their companions which had spoken to them, and mistrusted them to be traytors. And this was the chiefest cause of all their disorder, being ••••••dy to ioyne battell. Furthermore, on the enemies side also, all was out of or∣der: for the beasts of cariage ranne in amongest them that fought, and so did put them mar∣uelously out of order: Besides that also, the disaduauntage of the place where they fought, did compell them to disperse one from another, bicause of sundry ditches and trenches that were [unspec B] betwene them whereby they were compelled to fight in diuers companies together. So there were but two legions onely, the one of Vitellius, called the deuowrer: and the other of Otho, called the helper which getting out of these holes and ditches a part by them selues, in a good plaine euen ground, fought it out so a long time together in good order of battel. Othoes soul∣diers were men of goodly personages, strong, and valliant of their handes, howbeit they had neuer serued in the warres not had euer soughten battell but that. And Vitellius men on the other side, were olde beaten souldiers, and had serued all their youth, and knew what warres & battells ment. So when they came to ioyne, Othoes men gaue such a lusty charge vpon the first onset, that they ouerthrew, & flue all the first rancke, and also wanne the enseigne of the eagle. Vitellius men were so ashamed of it, and therewith in such a rage, that they tooke hart againe [unspec C] vnto them, and ranne in so desperately vpon their enemies, that at the first they slue the colo∣nell of all their legion, and wanne diuers ensignes. And furthermore, against Othoes sensers, (which were accompted the valliantest men, and readiest of hande) Varus Alphenus brought his men of armes called the BATTAVI••, which are GERMAINES in the lower parte of GERMA∣NY, dwelling in an Iland compassed about with the riuer of Rhein. There were few of his Fen∣sers that stocke by it, but the most of them ranne away towards the riuer, where they sounde certeine ensignes of their enemies set in battell ray, who put them all to the sworde, and not a man of them scaped with life. But aboue all other, none proued more beasts & cowards, then the Praetorian gard. For they would not tary till the enemies came to giue them charge, but cowardly turned their backs, and fled through their owne men that were not ouerthrowen: [unspec D] and so did both disorder them, and also make them affrayd. This notwithstanding, there were a great number of Othoes men who hauing ouerthrowen the voward of them that made head against them, they forced a lane through their enemies that were Conquerors, and so valli∣antly returned back into their campe. But of their Captaines, nether Proclus, nor Paulinus, durst returne backe with them, but fled another way, being affraid of the furye of the souldiers, that they would lay all the fault of their ouerthrow vpon their Captaines. Howbeit Annius Gallus receiued them into the citie of BEBRIACVM, that came together after this ouerthrow, & told them that the battell was equall betwixt them, and that in many places they had had the bet∣ter of their enemies. But Marius Celsus gathering the noble men and gentlemen together that had charge in the army, he fell to consultacion what they should do in so great a calamitie, & [unspec E] extreame slaughter of the ROMANE Citizens. For if Otho him selfe were an honest man, he should no more attempt fortune: considering that Cato and Scipio were both greatly blamed, for that they were the cause of casting away many men in AFRICK to no purpose, (though they fought for the libertie of the ROMANES) and onely of selfe will, for that they would not yeld to Iulius Caesar after he had wonne the battell of PHARSALIA. For though fortune in all o∣ther things haue power ouer men: yet extremities happening to good men, she can not pre∣uent them to determine the best for their safetie. These perswasions straight caried away the Captaines, who went presently to feele the mindes of the priuate souldiers, whom they found all of them desirous of peace. So Titianus perswaded them to send Ambassadors vnto the e∣nemies to treate of peace: and Celsus and Gallus tooke vpon them the charge to goe thither, [unspec F] to breake the matter vnto Cecinna, and Valens. But by the way they met with certen Centuri∣ons, who told them how all the army of the enemies were comming onwards on their way, to come directly to the citie of BEBRIACVM, and that their chieftaines had sent before to offer

treaty of peace. Celsus and his companion Gallus being glad of this, prayed the Centurions [unspec A] that they would returne with them vnto Cecinna. But when they were come neate vnto him, Celsus was in great daunger of his life: bicause the men of armes which he had ouerthrowen certen dayes before in an ambushe, comming before, when they spyed him, they flew vpon him with great showres. Howbeit the Centurio••s that were in his companye, stepped before him, and closed him in: and so did the other Captenies that cryed vnto them they should do him no hurt. Cecinna vnderstanding what the matter was, reade thither, and pacified the tu∣mult of these men of armes: and then saluting Celsus very curteously, he went with him to∣wardes BEBRIACVM. But nowe Titianus in the meane time, repentinge him selfe that he had sent Ambassadors vnto the enemies, he placed the desperatest souldiers he had vpon the walls of the citie, and incoraged the rest also to doe the like, and to stand to the defense. But [unspec B] Cecinna came to the wal, & being a horsebacke, held vp his hand vnto them. Then they made no more resistance, but those that were vpon the walles, saluted the souldiers and they that were within the citie opened the gates, and thrust in amongest Vitellius men; who 〈…〉〈…〉 them, and did no man any hurt, but curteously imbraced them, and saluted eche other. Then they all sware and tooke their othes to be true to Vitellius, and so yelded them selues vnto him. So doe the most part of those that were at this battell, report the successe thereof: graunting notwithstanding, that they knew not euery thing that was done, bicause of the great disorded among them. But as I trauelled on a time through the field where the battell was striken, with Metrius Florus that had beene Consul: he shewed me an olde man that when the field was fought in that place, was younge, and against his will was at the same battell on Othoes parte. [unspec C] Who told vs, that after the battell was fought, he came into the field to suruey the number of those that were dead: and he found the dead bodies piled on a heape, of the height of those that came to view them. And sayd moreouer, that he made inquierie of the matter, but he ne∣ther could imagine it him selfe, nor be satisfied by others. Now in deede it is likely, that in ci∣uil warres betwene contry men of one self citie, where one of the two armies is ouerthrowen, that there should be greater slaughter among them, then against the other enemies, bicause they take no prisoners of either side: for those they should take, would serue them to no good purpose. But after they were slaine, one to be layed on heapes so by another, that is a hard thing to iudge. But now to the matter. The newes of this ouerthrowe came first but obscurely vnto Otho, a common thing in a matter of so great importance: but afterwardes, when some [unspec D] that were hurt came and brought him certen newes of it, it was no maruell then to see Othoes friendes and familliers to comfort him, who prayed him to be of good cheere, and not to be discoraged for that. Howbeit, the wonderfull great loue and good will which the priuat soul∣diers shewed vnto him at that time, did passe and exceede all speech and education. For they forsooke him not, nether went they to submit them selues to their enemies the conquerors, nether tooke they any regard of them selues, to see their Emperour in that dispayre: but all of them ioyntly together went vnto his lodging, and called him their Emperour. Then he came out, and they fell downe at his feete, as men represented in a triumphe lying on the ground, & kissed his hands, with the teares ronning downe their cheekes, and besought him not to for∣sake and leaue them to their enemies, but to commaund their persons whilest they had one [unspec E] droppe of blud left in their bodies to doe him seruice. All of them together made this petiti∣on to him. But amongest others, there was a poore souldier drawing out his sword, sayd vnto him: know, O Caesar, that all my companions are determined to dye in this sort for thee, and so slue him selfe. But all these lamentable things did neuer melt Othoes hart: who looking with a stowte countenaunce round about him, and casting his eyes euery where, spake vnto them in this maner. I thinke this a more happy day for me, my fellowes, then that in the which you first chose me Emperour: to see you loue me so well, and doe me such honor, with so great shew of loyaltie. But yet I beseech you not to deny me of a greater fauor, which is: to dye val∣liantly, and honorably, for the safetie of so many honest men as you be,

and so good Citizens of Rome. If by your election you made me worthy to take vpon me the Imperiall crowne: I [unspec F] must now needes shewe my selfe an Emperour, not sparing to spend my life, for your and my contries safetie. I am certen that the victorie is not altogether myne enemies. For newes are

[unspec A] come vnto me, that our armies of MYSIA and PANNONIA are in their way comming to vs, and that they are not farre of from the Adriatick sea. ASIA, SYRIA, and AEGYPT, and the le∣gions that make warre in IVRY, are all ours. The Senate taketh our parte, and our enemies wiues and children be in our handes. But this warre is not against Annibal, nor Pyrrhus, nor a∣gainste the CIMBRES, to fight who should be owners of ITALY: but it is againste the RO∣MANES them selues. For in this ciuill warre, both the Conqueror and vanquished doe offend their contrye: for where the Conquerors haue benefit, the contry and common wealth al∣wayes receyueth losse. Assure your selues I had rather dye, then raigne Emperour: consi∣dering also that my life with victorie can not so much benefit the ROMANES, as the sacrifice of the same may doe my contry good, for the peace and quietnes of my contry men, keeping [unspec B] ITALY thereby from seeing such another battell, as this hath bene. So when he had made this oration vnto them, and put those by, that would haue disswaded him the contrary: he commaunded all the Senators and his friendes that were present, to auoyde.

Then he wrote letters to them that were absent, and also vnto the cities wherethrough they passed, to vse them very curteously, and to see them safely conueyed. Then came his Nephewe Cocceius to him, who was yet but a younge boye, and he did comfort him, and bad him not to be af∣frayd of Vitellius, for he had safely kept his mother, wife, and children, and had bene as care∣full of them, as if they had bene his owne: and that he would not yet adopt him for his sonne, though he was desirous to doe it, vntill such tyme as he sawe the ende of this warre: to thend that if he ouercame, he shoulde quietly raigne Emperour with him: and if he were ouer∣come, [unspec C] that for adopting of him, he woulde not be cause of his death. But this one thinge onely, I commaunde and charge thee, my sonne, euen as the last commaundement that I can giue thee: that thou doe not forget altogether, nether ouer much remember, that thyne Vncle hath bene Emperour. When he had tolde him this tale, he heard a noyse at his dore: they were the souldiers that threatned the Senators which came from him, and woulde kill them, if they did not remayne with him, but would for sake their Emperour. Vpon this oc∣casion he came out once againe among them, being affrayd least the souldiers would doe the Senators some hurt, and made the souldiers giue backe, not by intreating of them, nor spea∣king curteously to them, but looking grymly on them, and in great rage: insomuch that they all shroncke backe, and went away for feare. So when night came, he was a thirst, and dranke [unspec D] a litle water: and hauing two swordes, he was prouing a great while which had the best edge. In the ende, he put by the one, and kept the other in his armes. Then he began to comfort his seruaunts, and liberally to giue out his money amonge them, to some more, to some lesse, not prodigally throwing it away without discretion, as being another mans money: but discreete∣ly gaue to euery man according to his desert. Then after he had dispatched them away, he laid him down to sleepe al the rest of the night, that the groomes of his chamber heard him snort, he slept so sowndly. In the morning he called one of his infranchised bondmen, whom he had commaunded to helpe to saue the Senators, and sent him to see if they were all safe, & gone. So when he vnderstoode that they were all gone, and that they had all they would: come on, said he then vnto him, looke to thy selfe I reade thee, and take heede the souldiers see thee not, [unspec E] if thou wilt scape with life, for sure they will kill thee, thinking thou hast holpen me to kill my selfe. So assoone as his infranchised bondman was gone out of his chamber, he toke his sword with both his hands, and setting the poynt of it to his brest, he fell downe vpon it, seeming to feele no other payne, sauing that he fetched a sighe: whereby they that were without, knewe that he had done him selfe hurt. Thereuppon his friendes made straight an outcry, and all the campe and citie was incontinently full of teares and lamentacion. The souldiers sodainly ran with a great noyse to his gates, where they bitterly bewayled, and lamented his death, falling out with them selues that they were such Villaines so slenderly to haue garded their Empe∣rour, that they kept him not from killing him selfe for their sakes. So there was not a man of them that left his body, though the enemies were hard at hand: but hauing honorably bury∣ed [unspec F] him, and prepared a great stacke of wodde, they conueyed him armed to the fire of his funeralls, euery man thinking him selfe happy, that coulde first set his shoulders to the cof∣fyn to helpe to cary him. Others comming to it, kneeled downe on their knees, and kissed his

wound. Others tooke and kissed his handes. Others that could not come neare him, honored [unspec A] him, and did reuerence him a farre of, and some there were also that after the stacke of woode was set a fire, slue them selues hard by the fire: who had neuer receiued benefit by him that was dead, (at the least to any mans knowledge) nether had they any occasion to be affraid of him, that was Conqueror. And truely me thinkes, neuer king nor tyrant was so ambitiously giuen to raigne, as they vehemently desired to be commaunded by Otho, and to obeye him: considering that their desire left them not euen after his death, but was so liuely rooted in their mindes, that in the ende, it turned to a deadely hate vnto Vitellius. But of this we will speake more hereafter in time and place. Now, when they had buried Othoes ashes, they did set vp a tombe for him, nether for magnificence of building, nor forglorious epitaphe, subiect vnto enuy. For I haue seene his tombe in the citie of BRESSELLES, a meane thing, and the epitaph [unspec B] vpon it translated out of Latine, sayeth no more but this: This is the tombe of Marcus Otho. He dyed being but seuen and thirty yere olde, and was Emperor but three moneths: & there were as many famous men that commended his death, as they that reproued his life. For though he liued not much more honester then Nero, yet he dyed farre more honorably. Fur∣thermore, when Pollio one of the Captaines would haue compelled his souldiers presently to haue taken their othes to be true to Vitellius, they fell out with him: and vnderstanding that there were yet remayning some Senators, they would not medle with them, but onely trou∣bled Verginius Rufus. For they came to his dores armed, and called him by his name, & com∣maunded him to take charge of them, and to goe as Ambassador to intreate for them. How∣beit he thought it were but a fond part of him to take charge of them that were already ouer∣come, [unspec C] considering he refused it when they had ouercome: and also he was affraid to goe Ambassador to the GERMAINES, bicause he had compelled them to doe thinges against their willes. Therefore he went out at his backe dore, and saued him selfe. So when the souldiers heard of it they were at length contented to be brought to be sworne vnto Vitellius, and so ioyned them selues with Ce∣cinnaes souldiers, so they might be pardoned for all that was past.

Notes

• Othoes mode∣ration at the beginning of his raigne.
• Tigellinus killeth him selfe.
• Otho at the beginning of his raigne, tooke vpon him the name of Nero.
• Tumul•• a∣mongest the Praetorian souldiers.
• The death of Crispinus.
• Othoes libe∣ralitie to the souldiers.
• Vitellius re∣bellion.
• Small diffe∣rence betwext Otho and Vi∣tellius ma∣ners of life. VVonders seene at Rome.
• The wonder∣full ouerflow∣ing of the ri∣uer of Tiber.
• The srew••••d∣nes of Otho and Vitellius souldiers.
• Placētia the fertilest town of all Italie.
• The praise of Othoes Cap∣taines, and dispraise of Vitellius Cap∣taines.
• Fabius Va∣lens.
• Cremona a goodly citie.
• Paulinus O∣thoes Cap∣taine, accused for a coward.
• Bebriacum a towne by Cre∣mona.
• Othoes con∣sultacion of geuing bat∣tell.
• Freshwater souldiers la∣mens their pleasaunt life at Rome. fea∣ling the paines and smart of a souldier.
• Secundus the Orator, secre∣tarie vnto O∣tho the Empe∣rour.
• Vitellius: a dronkard and glutton. Otho : a wanton and licen∣tious liner. The towne of Bresselles in hard by the riuer of Po.
• Battell be∣wixt the O∣thonians and Vitellians. Legions cal∣led by prety names Denowrer. Hel∣per.
• The valliant∣nes of the Bat¦tan••j in warres Note the ••ri•••• seruice of Fensers, and what souldi∣ers they he: The Othoni∣ans ouerco∣men in battell by the Vitel∣lians.
• The coward∣lines of the fresh water souldiers.
• Marius Cel∣sus orationes Othoes soul∣diers perswa∣ding them to goe to Vatelli∣us.
• Othoes Cap∣taines doe yeld them selues vnto Vitallius.
• Me that fight a battell know not all thing that are done at the battell.
• The great fi∣delitie of the souldiers, vn∣to the Empe∣ror Otho.
• The wonder∣full corage of a souldier of Othoes.
• The noble co∣rage of Otho before his death, •••• his oracion to the souldiers.
• The Emperor Othoes words to his Nephew Cocceius.
• Otho in his death, seemed to follow Case Vaican.
• Otho slue him selfe.
• The funeralle of Otho the Emperour.
• The Emperor Othoes tombe in the citie of Bresselles. Othoes age and raigne.