[643] The Atrium, or Aula, was the court or hall of a house, the entrance to which was by the principal door. It appears to have been a large oblong square, surrounded with covered or arched galleries. Three sides of the Atrium were supported by pillars, which, in later times, were marble. The side opposite to the gate was called Tablinum; and the other two sides, Alae. The Tablinum contained books, and the records of what each member of the family had done in his magistracy. In the Atrium the nuptial couch was erected; and here the mistress of the family, with her maid-servants, wrought at spinning and weaving, which, in the time of the ancient Romans, was their principal employment. [644] He was consul with L. Aurelius Cotta, A.U.C. 610. [645] A.U.C. 604. [646] A.U.C. 710. [647] A.U.C 775. [648] A.U.C. 608. [649] Caius Sulpicius Galba, the emperor's brother, had been consul A.U.C. 774. [650] A.U.C. 751. [651] Now Fondi, which, with Terracina, still bearing its original name, lie on the road to Naples. See TIBERIUS, cc. v. and xxxix. [652] Livia Ocellina, mentioned just before. [653] A.U.C. 751. [654] The widow of the emperor Augustus. [655] Suetonius seems to have forgotten, that, according to his own testimony, this legacy, as well as those left by Tiberius, was paid by Caligula. "Legata ex testamento Tiberii; quamquam abolito, sed et Juliae Augustae, quod Tiberius suppresserat, cum fide, ac sine calumnia repraesentate persolvit." CALIG. c. xvi. [656] A.U.C. 786. [657] Caius Caesar Caligula. He gave the command of the legions in Germany to Galba. [658] "Scuto moderatus;" another reading in the parallel passage of Tacitus is scuto immodice oneratus, burdened with the heavy weight of a shield. [659] It would appear that Galba was to have accompanied Claudius in his expedition to Britain; which is related before, CLAUDIUS, c. xvii. [660] It has been remarked before, that the Cantabria of the ancients is now the province of Biscay. [661] Now Carthagena. [662] A.U.C. 821. [663] Now Corunna. [664] Tortosa, on the Ebro. [665] "Simus," literally, fiat-nosed, was a cant word, used for a clown; Galba being jeered for his rusticity, in consequence of his long retirement. See c. viii. Indeed, they called Spain his farm. [666] The command of the pretorian guards. [667] In the Forum. See AUGUSTUS, c. lvii. [668] II. v. 254. [669] A.U.C. 822.