was a
teacher of rhetoric, a man of wealth and literary attainments. Seneca
began to practise at the bar at Rome, and was gaining considerable
reputation, when in 41 he was banished to Corsica. Eight years later he
was recalled to be tutor of the young Nero, then eleven years old. He
was Consul in 57, and during the first years of Nero's reign he shared
the administration of affairs with the worthy Burrhus. His influence
over Nero, while it lasted, was salutary, though often maintained by
doubtful means. In course of time Nero began to dislike him, and when
Burrhus died his fate was sealed. By the Emperor's command he committed
suicide. Opening the veins in his feet and arms, he discoursed with his
friends on the brevity of life till death ensued.

Seneca is the most eminent of the writers of his age. He wrote moral
essays, philosophical letters, physical treatises, and tragedies. Of the
last, the best are HERCULES FURENS, PHAEDRA, and MEDEA.

GALBA (68-69).--OTHO (69).--VITELLIUS (69).

GALBA entered the city as a conqueror, without much trouble, but on
account of his parsimony and austerity he soon became unpopular, and was
murdered by his mutinous soldiers fifteen days after he reached Rome.
He belonged to an old patrician family, and his overthrow was sincerely
regretted by the better element in the city.

OTHO, the first husband of Poppaea, and the leader in the insurrection
against Galba, was now declared Emperor. No sooner did the news of his
accession reach Gaul than VITELLIUS, a general of the army of the Rhine,
revolted. Otho marched against the rebels, was defeated, and committed
suicide after a reign of three months.

VITELLIUS had been a good soldier, but as a ruler he was weak and
incapable. He was killed after a reign of less than a year, during which
he had distinguished himself by gluttony and vulgar sensuality.

CHAPTER XXXIX. THE FLAVIAN EMPERORS.

VESPASIAN (69-79).

The East now made a claim for the Emperor, and on July 1, 69, the
soldiers who were engaged in war against the revolted Jews in Judaea
proclaimed as Emperor their commander, TITUS FLAVIUS VESPASIANUS. He
left the conduct of the war in charge of his son Titus, and arrived at
Rome in 70. Here he overthrew and put to death Vitellius. In the course
of this struggle the Capitol was burned. This he restored, rebuilding
also a large part of the city.

In his own life Vespasian was simple, putting to shame the luxury and
ext