He eventually
conspired against Vespasian and was forced to commit suicide.
conspired against Vespasian and was forced to commit suicide.
Tacitus
He accordingly took all
the rascals he could find and cast them for parts. The credulous mob
and some of the soldiers, who were either victims of the imposture or
anxious for a riot, eagerly flocked to join him. However, he was taken
before Vitellius and his identity examined. When it was found that
there was no truth in his pretensions, and that his master recognized
him as a runaway called Geta, he suffered the execution of a
slave. [391]
FOOTNOTES:
[329] i. e. the gladiators (cp. chap. 36).
[330] Modena.
[331] A famous orator and informer, who from small beginnings
acquired great wealth and influence under Nero. Best known as
the prosecutor of Thrasea (cp. iv. 6, &c. ).
He eventually
conspired against Vespasian and was forced to commit suicide.
[332] Bologna.
[333] They would entitle him to the use of post-horses, &c. ,
as for public business.
[334] April 12-19.
[335] From this phrase it is not clear whether the actual news
of his suicide had arrived. It took place on April 17.
[336] Vespasian's brother (see i. 46).
[337] See note 70.
[338] Cp. i. 47.
[339] By this time no one except the emperor was expected to
address official letters referring to the general political
situation to the consuls or the senate. Valens' action was
therefore presumptuous (cp. iv.
the rascals he could find and cast them for parts. The credulous mob
and some of the soldiers, who were either victims of the imposture or
anxious for a riot, eagerly flocked to join him. However, he was taken
before Vitellius and his identity examined. When it was found that
there was no truth in his pretensions, and that his master recognized
him as a runaway called Geta, he suffered the execution of a
slave. [391]
FOOTNOTES:
[329] i. e. the gladiators (cp. chap. 36).
[330] Modena.
[331] A famous orator and informer, who from small beginnings
acquired great wealth and influence under Nero. Best known as
the prosecutor of Thrasea (cp. iv. 6, &c. ).
He eventually
conspired against Vespasian and was forced to commit suicide.
[332] Bologna.
[333] They would entitle him to the use of post-horses, &c. ,
as for public business.
[334] April 12-19.
[335] From this phrase it is not clear whether the actual news
of his suicide had arrived. It took place on April 17.
[336] Vespasian's brother (see i. 46).
[337] See note 70.
[338] Cp. i. 47.
[339] By this time no one except the emperor was expected to
address official letters referring to the general political
situation to the consuls or the senate. Valens' action was
therefore presumptuous (cp. iv.
