constantly stigmatized with the name of Spintria
[702], and was supposed to have been the occasion of his father's
advancement, by consenting to gratify the emperor's unnatural lust.

IV. In the subsequent part of his life, being still most scandalously
vicious, he rose to great favour at court; being upon a very intimate
footing with Caius [Caligula], because of his fondness for
chariot-driving, and with Claudius for his love of gaming. But he was in
a still higher degree acceptable to Nero, as well on the same accounts, as
for a particular service which he rendered him. When Nero presided in the
games instituted by himself, though he was extremely desirous to perform
amongst the harpers, yet his modesty would not permit him, notwithstanding
the people entreated much for it. Upon his quitting the theatre,
Vitellius fetched him back again, pretending to represent the determined
wishes of the people, and so afforded him the opportunity of yielding to
their in treaties.

V. By the favour of these three princes, he was not only advanced to the
great offices of state, but to the highest dignities of the sacred order;
after which he held the proconsulship of Africa, and had the
superintendence of the public works, in which appointment his conduct,
and, consequently, his reputation, were very different. For he governed
the province with singular integrity during two years, in the latter of
which he acted as deputy to his brother, who succeeded him. But in his
office in the city, he was said to pillage the temples of their gifts and
ornaments, and to have exchanged brass and tin for gold and silver. [703]

VI. He took to wife Petronia, the daughter of a man of consular rank,
and had by her a son named Petronius, who was blind of an eye. The
mother being willing to appoint this youth her heir, upon condition that
he should be released from his father's authority, the latter discharged
him accordingly; but shortly after, as was believed, murdered him,
charging him with a design upon his life, and pretending that he had,
from consciousness of his guilt, drank the poison he had prepared for his
father. Soon afterwards, he married Galeria Fundana, the daughter of a
man of pretorian rank, and had by her both sons and daughters. Among the
former was one who had such a stammering in his speech, that he was
little better than if he had been dumb.

VII. He was sent by Galba into Lower Germany [704], contrary to his
expect