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第5章

otho-第5章

小说: otho 字数: 每页4000字

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in at the doors with a loud cry; in passionate distress; and
accusing themselves that they had been so negligent in looking after
that life which was laid down to preserve theirs。 Nor would a man of
them quit the body to secure his own safety with the approaching
enemy; but having raised a funeral pile; and attired the body; they
bore it thither; arrayed in their arms; those among them greatly
exulting who succeeded in getting first under the bier and becoming
its bearers。 Of the others; some threw themselves down before the body
and kissed his wound; others grasped his hand; and others that were at
a distance knelt down to do him obeisance。 There were some who;
after putting their torches to the pile; slew themselves; though
they had not; so far as appeared; either any particular obligations to
the dead; or reason to apprehend ill…usage from the victor。 Simply; it
would seem; no king; legal or illegal; had ever been possessed with so
extreme and vehement a passion to command others; as was that of these
men to obey Otho。 Nor did their love of him cease with his death; it
survived and changed ere long into a mortal hatred to his successor;
as will be shown in its proper place。
  They placed the remains of Otho in the earth and raised over them
a monument which neither by its size nor the pomp of its inscription
might excite hostility。 I myself have seen it; at Brixillum; a plain
structure; and the epitaph only this: To the memory of Marcus Otho。 He
died in his thirty…eighth year; after a short reign of about three
months; his death being as much applauded as his life was censured;
for if he lived no better than Nero; he died more nobly。 The
soldiers were displeased with Pollio; one of their two prefects; who
bade them immediately swear allegiance to Vitellius; and when they
understood that some of the senators were still upon the spot; they
made no opposition to the departure of the rest; but only disturbed
the tranquillity of Virginius Rufus with an offer of the government;
and moving in one body to his house in town they first entreated
him; and then demanded of him to be head of the empire; or at least to
be their mediator。 But he; that refused to command them when
conquerors; thought it ridiculous to pretend to it now they were beat;
and was unwilling to go as their envoy to the Germans; whom in past
time he had compelled to do various things that they had not liked;
and for these reasons he slipped away through a private door。 As
soon as the soldiers perceived this; they owned Vitellius; and so
got their pardon; and served under Caecina。





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