24. interfēcit: “At last comes Phaon’s courier with the news that the senate had put a price upon his head; the tramp of the horses tells him that his pursuers are on his track, and fear gives him the nerve to put the dagger to his throat, while, true to the passion of his life, he mutters, ‘What a loss my death will be to art!’” The Early Empire, p. 127.
25. Nerōniānae: the ruins of the bath may still be seen near the Pantheon.
Page 69.
Ch. 16.
1. Serv. Galba: Servius Sulpicius Galba was born in the reign of Augustus of a patrician family. He was in Spain when Julius Vindex, the proconsular governor of Gaul, rose against Nero. Galba joined him, and Otho, governor of Lusitania, followed his example. He was saluted as emperor by the soldiers, and the senate was forced to ratify their choice. The emperors from this time on were set up and overthrown at the will of the army. He was very parsimonious in his dealings and so lost the good will of the soldiers, who were ready to aid any revolt against him. He ruled for only seven months. Creighton, p. 96; The Early Empire, Ch. VI.
Ch. 17.
12. Otho: Marcus Salvius Otho was Roman emperor from January 15 to April 16, 69 A.D. He was the husband of the beautiful but infamous Poppaea Sabina, whom Nero took from him and made his own. He was afterwards sent to Lusitania, where he governed with justice and moderation. Creighton, p. 96; The Early Empire, Ch. VII.
14. mollis: ‘effeminate.’
22. voluntāriā morte obiit: he put an end to his life at Brixellum in Cisalpine Gaul.
23. nōnāgēsimō et quīntō imperiī diē: Eutropius is slightly mistaken.