17. tamquam … orbitāte: ‘mourned as for a loss in their own families.’
Ch. 23.
21. Domitiānus: Titus Flavius Domitian. Vespasian was aware of his son’s disposition and put no confidence in him. When Vespasian died, Domitian tried to arouse the soldiers against his brother Titus. After his brother became emperor, Domitian was treated with great kindness, and several offices were shared with him. At first mild and just, he soon became suspicious and cruel. In Britain alone were the Roman arms successful during his reign. In all other places defeat and disgraceful compromises with the enemy marked his campaigns. Finally his cruelty became unbearable, and a conspiracy was formed by the officers of the guard, several of his intimate friends, and even his wife Domatilla, and he was slain after a desperate struggle. Creighton, p. 98; The Early Empire, Ch. XI.
27. dominum: here it has the New Testament meaning, ‘Lord.’
Page 73.
13. Palātiō: in the Flavian Palace on the Palatine Hill. Extensive remains of this structure still exist. At first the word Palātium was applied only to the hill, but from the time of Augustus it meant a ‘palace,’ especially the imperial palace of the Caesars.
Book VIII
Ch. 1.
20. Nerva: Marcus Cocceius Nerva was born at Narnia in Umbria in 32 A.D. He was consul with Vespasian in 71 A.D. and with Domitian in 90 A.D. After the assassination of Domitian he was declared emperor by the Roman people and the soldiers, and his administration restored tranquillity to the troubled state. He stopped proceedings against those accused of treason and permitted many exiles to return. Though he was virtuous and humane, he did not possess the necessary vigor for checking the many abuses that existed. He adopted as his son and successor Marcus Ulpius Traian, who was then at the head of the army in Germany. He died suddenly on the 27th of January, 98 A.D. Creighton, p. 99; The Age of the Antonines, Ch. I.
22. operam dante: ‘giving him aid, assisting him.’