While he was in this plight the Roman people were going wild with delight and offering whole oxen in sacrifice. Some carried small liberty caps, and they voted to Galba the rights pertaining to the imperial office. For Nero himself they instituted a search in all directions and for some time were at a loss to know whither he could have betaken himself. When they finally learned, they sent horsemen to dispose of him. He, then, perceiving that they were drawing near, commanded his companions to kill him. As they refused to obey, he uttered a groan and said: "I alone have neither friend nor foe." By this time the horsemen were close at hand, and so he killed himself, uttering that far-famed sentence: "Jupiter, what an artist perishes in me!" And as he lingered in his agony Epaphroditus dealt him a finishing stroke. He had lived thirty years and nine months, out of which he had ruled thirteen years and eight months. Of the descendants of Aeneas and of Augustus he was the last, as was plainly indicated by the fact that the laurels planted by Livia and the breed of white chickens perished somewhat before his death. There was no one who might not hope to lay hands on the sovereignty in a time of so great confusion. Rufus visited Galba and could obtain from him no important privileges, unless one reckons the fact that a man who had frequently been hailed as emperor was allowed to live. Among the rest of mankind, however, he had acquired a great name, greater than if he had accepted the sovereignty, for refusing to receive it. Galba, now that Nero had been destroyed and the senate had voted him the imperial authority and Rufus had made advances to him, plucked up courage. However, He did not adopt the name "Caesar," until envoys of the senate had paid him a visit. Nor had he hitherto inscribed the name "emperor" in any document. DIO'S ROMAN HISTORY 64 Omens announcing Galba's sovereignty: his avarice: the insolence of freedmen, of Nymphidius, of Capito (chapters 1, 2). His ferocious entrance into the city: punishment of the Neronians (chapter 3). About the uprising of Vitellius against Galba (chapter 4). L. Piso Caesar adopted by Galba: Otho usurps the sovereignty (chapter 5). Death of Galba and Piso (chapter 6). Otho assumes the sovereignty amid unfavorable auspices and flattery (chapters 7, 8). Insolence of the soldiers: the Pseudo-Nero (chapter 9). Battles between Otho and Vitellius at Cremona (chapters 10, 11). Otho's speech to his soldiers (chapters 12, 13). How Otho with his dagger took his own life (chapters 14, 15). The rapacity of Valens (chapter 16). DURATION OF TIME. C. Silius Italicus, Galerius Trachalus Turpilianus. (A.D. 68 = a.u. 821, from the 9th of June). Galba Caes. Aug. (II), T. Vinius. (A.D. 69 = a.u. 822, to January 15th).