[212] The narrative is continued
from chap. 63.
[213] December 17-23.
[214] Otricoli.
[215] i.e. for the delay
which gave time for the burning of
the
Capitol. The fact that he tried to shift the
responsibility
seemed to argue an uncomfortable conscience.
[216] i.e. through the
Colline Gate.
[217] Grotta Rosa.
[218] A well-known member
of the Stoic opposition, executed by
Domitian’s
order, A.D. 94.
[219] The historian.
They now belonged to the emperor.
[220] 88 and 82 B.C.
[221] 87 B.C.
[222] The Saturnalia.
[223] See chap. 27, note 77.
[224] Cp. note 205.
[225] The words are uncertain.
There is probably a lacuna.
[226] Cp. vol. i, note 99.
[227] He had taken refuge
with a humble friend (see chap. 74).
ROME AFTER THE FALL OF VITELLIUS
(January-July, A.D. 70)
The death of Vitellius ended the war without inaugurating
peace. 1 The victors remained under arms,
and the defeated Vitellians were hunted through the
city with implacable hatred, and butchered promiscuously
wherever they were found. The streets were choked
with corpses; squares and temples ran with blood.
Soon the riot knew no restraint; they began to hunt
for those who were in hiding and to drag them out.
All who were tall and of youthful appearance, whether
soldiers or civilians, were cut down indiscriminately.[228]
While their rage was fresh they sated their savage
cravings with blood; then suddenly the instinct of
greed prevailed. On the pretext of hunting for
hidden enemies, they would leave no door unopened and
regard no privacy. Thus they began to rifle private
houses or else made resistance an excuse for murder.
There were plenty of needy citizens, too, and of rascally
slaves, who were perfectly ready to betray wealthy
householders: others were indicated by their friends.
From all sides came cries of mourning and misery.
Rome was like a captured city. People even longed
to have the insolent soldiery of Otho and Vitellius
back again, much as they had been hated. The Flavian
generals, who had fanned the flame of civil war with
such energy, were incapable of using their victory
temperately. In riot and disorder the worst characters
take the lead; peace and quiet call for the highest
qualities.
Domitian having secured the title and the official
residence of a 2 Caesar,[229] did not as yet
busy himself with serious matters, but in his character
of emperor’s son devoted himself to dissolute
intrigues. Arrius Varus[230] took command of
the Guards, but the supreme authority rested with
Antonius Primus. He removed money and slaves
from the emperor’s house as though he were plundering
Cremona. The other generals, from excess of modesty
or lack of spirit, shared neither the distinctions
of the war nor the profits of peace.
