Otho |
Translator: Alexander Thomson
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Tanto Othonis animo nequaquam corpus aut habitus competit . fuisse enim et modicae staturae et male pedatus scambusque traditur , munditiarum uero paene muliebrium , uulso corpore , galericulo capiti propter raritatem capillorum adaptato et adnexo , ut nemo dinosceret ; quin et faciem cotidie rasitare ac pane madido linere consuetum , idque instituisse a prima lanugine , ne barbatus umquam esset ; sacra etiam Isidis saepe in lintea religiosaque ueste propalam celebrasse . per quae factum putem , ut mors eius minime congruens uitae maiore miraculo fuerit . multi praesentium militum cum plurimo fletu manus ac pedes iacentis exosculati , fortissimum uirum , unicum imperatorem praedicantes , ibidem statim nec procul a rogo uim suae uitae attulerunt ; multi et absentium accepto nuntio prae dolore armis inter se ad internecionem concurrerunt . denique magna pars hominum incolumem grauissime detestata mortuum laudibus tulit , ut uulgo iactatum sit etiam , Galbam ab eo non tam dominandi quam rei p . ac libertatis restituendae causa interemptum .
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The person and appearance of Otho no way corresponded to the great spirit he displayed on this occasion; for he is said to have been of low stature, splayfooted, and bandy-legged. He was, however, effeminately nice in the care of his person: the hair on his body he plucked out by the roots; and because he was somewhat bald, he wore a kind of peruke, so exactly fitted to his head, that nobody could have known it for such. He used to shave every day, and rub his face with soaked bread; the use of which he began when the down first appeared upon his chin, to prevent his having any beard. It is said likewise that he celebrated publicly the sacred rites of Isis, clad in a linen garment, such as is used by the worshippers of that goddess. These circumstances, I imagine, caused the world to wonder the more that his death was so little in character with his life. Many of the soldiers who were present, kissing and bedewing with their tears his hands and feet as he lay dead, and celebrating him as "a most gallant man, and an incomparable emperor," immediately put an end to their own lives upon the spot, not far from his funeral pile. Many of those likewise who were at a distance, upon hearing the news of his death, in the anguish of their hearts, began fighting amongst themselves, until they dispatched one another. To conclude: the generality of mankind, though they hated him whilst living, yet highly extolled him after his death; insomuch that it was the common talk and opinion, "that Galba had been driven to destruction by his rival, not so much for the sake of reigning himself, as of restoring Rome to its ancient liberty." |