Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/478

 470 GALEA. pilianus, who was of consular dignity, and had remained faithful to Nero, was yet more keenly resented. Indeed, the taking off of Macer in Africa by Trebonius, and Fon- teius by Valens in Germany, had a fair pretence, they being dreaded as armed commanders, having their soldiers at their bidding ; but why refuse Turpilianus, an old man and unarmed, permission to try to clear himself, if any part of the moderation and equity at first promised were really to come to a performance ? Such were the comments to which these actions exposed him. When he came within five and twenty furlongs or thereabouts of the city, he happened to light on a disorderly rabble of the seamen,* who beset him as he passed. These were they whom Nero made soldiers, forming them mto a legion. They so rudely crowded to have their commission confirmed, that they did not let Galba either be seen or heard by those that had come out to meet their new emperor ; but tumultuously pressed on with loud shouts to have colors to their legion, and quarters assigned them. Galba put them off until another time, which they interpret- ing as a denial, grew more insolent and mutinous, follow- ing and crying out, some of them with their drawn swords in their hands. Upon seeing which, Galba com- manded the horse to ride over them, when they were soon routed, not a man standing his ground, and many of them were slain, both there and in the jDursuit; an ill omen, that Galba should make his first entry through so much blood and among dead bodies. And now he was looked upon with terror and alarm by any who had entertained contempt of him at the sight of his age and apparent infirmities. But when he desired presently to let it appear what a change would be made from Nero's profuseness and sump- in the regular service on shore.
 * The classiarii, levied from the rowers in the fleet, and employed