The Roman coins of Otho are entirely confined to gold and silver: from whichand his known contempt for ignoble metals-it is probable that the Italians named brass Ottone, by antiphrasis. Several antiquaries have been of opinion that no brass coins were struck during this reign, because the Emperor was proclaimed Augustus by the army only; but it would seem rather from some accidental delay of the senate those of gold and silver were by the sovereign's personal order. Be this as it may, it is certain that no senatorial medal has been hitherto produced, which has not been suspected; for the second-brass one in the Florence cabinet, is but a restitution by Titus, and even that, from the title of Pater Patria which it bears, is not unimpeachable, notwithstanding it was dispatched to Rome to get its legitimacy formally established. So great was the anxiety of potentates, and scholars, to obtain large-brass medals of this Emperor, that much ingenuity was exerted in fabricating some, and the learned Chifflet wrote a work to prove the deceptions abroad. "He who shall find an antique coin of Otho in bronze," said Christina, Queen of Sweden," will have found the philosopher's stone."

LXIII.

Obverse. IMP. M. OTHO CAE. AVG. (Imperator Marcus Otho, Cesar Augustus.) The laureated head of Otho, with a profile representing a handsome young man, having an aquiline nose, and a placid brow; with but little of that resemblance to Nero, which had caused the people to cry out Othoni Neroni! In the gold and silver coins, this Emperor is represented with several rows of curled hair, resembling a peruke, which is not the case on the present specimen; and in all others that I have examined, he is without the wreath. The wig constitutes a striking confirmation of the historical description of the Emperor, who is recorded to have had but very little hair,-"galericulo capiti propter raritatem capillorum adaptato," says Suetonius; and it may be advanced, though Folard would oppose it, that Otho introduced the use of periwigs into Italy. This most rare and precious medal is in finer preservation than any other which either myself, or my friends, have seen of its kind; and I purchased it, with several of meaner degree, from an Arab Scheikh, of the Weled Orfili, in 1821, and thus accidentally became possessed of one of the richest prizes of a cabinet.

Reverse. S. C. (Senatus Consultu.) These are large uncial characters surrounded by a garland of laurel, placed within two circles,-the leaves tied in threes, and interspersed with berries. This medal, though bearing a latin legend, was struck at Antioch, A. D. 69; for that city had the privilege of a Roman coinage, and it is probable that intelligence of the fall of Otho was not speedily announced to the authorities there. No doubt can possibly exist upon this point, for the metal and fabric are precisely identical with those of other Emperors which are known to have been minted at Antioch, from Augustus down to Volusian.

1 may here notice the great difference that existed between the relative and political situation of the Greek and Roman colonies, as contrasted with those of the modern mercantile nations of Europe. Gibbon remarks that the colonies of Rome, in their manners and internal policy, "formed a perfect representation of their great parent, and they were soon endeared to the natives, by the ties of friendship and alliance; they effectually diffused a reverence for the Roman name, and a desire which was seldom disappointed, of sharing, in due time, its honours and advantages." The spirit of this differs most widely from the suspicious policy of colonial legislation in later times. With the ancients, the name of colonies, far from being disadvantageous, was a privilege, owing to their sound system, which was sought even by allies; and far from excluding their colonists from metropolitan rights, they even conferred them on the conquered, especially where previous compacts existed.

VITELLIUS.

Aulus Vitellius, the ninth Emperor of Rome, was probably born about A. D. 15, but there is a difference of three years among historians; and they are equally at variance as to whether he was nobly descended. The name affords but little clue, being derived from circumstances similar to those of the Fabii, Porcii, Pisones, Lentuli, and Cicerones, who owed their appellations to the beans, pigs, pease, lentils, and vetches, sold by the founders of their families: Metellus, in the same way, took his name from a suttler, and Cocles from his "one eye;" there were others also called by the name of the fish they caught, as Orata, and Muræna. The parents of this Prince were Lucius Vitellius, an abject courtier, and Sextilia, a woman, who in objecting to be saluted Augusta by her son, manifested a judgment very superior to that of Nero's mother. Aulus was sent, when a child, to attend Tiberius at Capreæ, in which diabolical school he contracted those infamous vices which have for ever branded his name. He was elected consul A. D. 48, and as it was thought that his sensual propensities would occupy all his study, and render him harmless to the state, Galba sent him as legate into Germany, A. D. 68. Here however he revolted against that Emperor, and after his death, overthrew Otho, A. D. 69. He enjoyed the imperial power but eight months and a few days, for towards the end of December in the same year, the soldiers of Vespasian pulled him from behind a bed in a porter's lodge, and having pinioned his arms, dragged him through the streets with a rope about his neck, and a poniard at his throat, in order that he might not hide his face. In this manner he was forced to the Scala Gemoniæ, where, under accumulated insults and many wounds his ignominious life was terminated.

In examining the character of this ephemeral sovereign, there will be found in it but few qualities worthy of commendation,-yet no man was more constantly popular with the licentious soldiers who held the fate of Rome; and they fought for him to desperation. In the short reign of Vitellius, no less than 900 millions of sesterces, or more than 7 millions sterling, were prodigally wasted; and Josephus thinks that, had his life been prolonged, the whole revenues of the empire would not have sufficed to defray the expences incurred by his monstrous gluttony. If he did not eclipse Nero in ferocity, it was from the sluggishness of intemperance: for, the vindictive murder of Dolabella,-the imputed poisoning of his mother and son,his relishing the stench of dead citizens,-and the atrocious executions he personally witnessed, evidently betray his natural bent to bloodshed. He abandoned the functions of an emperor, and entirely resigned himself to riot, gluttony, and drunken debaucheries. In his court no man strove to rise by virtue, or ability; preferment

A

was won by consuming of banquets, and gorging the appetite of the ever craving and never satiated Emperor." Edunt ut vomant, vomunt ut edant." The boundless extravagance of these entertainments has excited disgust through all succeeding ages. On one occasion his brother prepared a repast, in which were 2000 choice fishes, and 7000 exquisite birds; and at the consecration of a silver dish, which from its magnitude was called the shield of Minerva, Vitellius filled it with the livers of scares, (Labrus scarus,) the brains of pheasants and peacocks, the tongues of flamingoes,* and the sounds of foreign lampreys. By the luxurious vices of such sovereigns the Roman people had become so unnaturally debased that, in the struggle between the troops of Vitellius and Vespasian within the walls of the city, the populace enjoyed the havoc as a public spectacle; and, in the midst of desolation and murder, continued their revels with inhuman indifference to the contending parties.. "Whatever the libidinous passions can inspire in time of peace," says the indignant Tacitus, "was intermixed with all the horrors of war, slaughter, and destruction. The whole city seemed to be inflamed with frantic rage, and, at the same time, intoxicated with bacchanalian excesses."

With the exception of the silver ones, all the coins of Vitellius are of great rarity, especially the gold, and large-brass; indeed, from the scarcity of the latter, forgers have derived profit by palming skilful alterations of Vespasian upon young collectors. It does not authentically appear that any medal was struck in honour of Galeria Fundana, the Emperor's second wife,—a woman to whom all writers, save Dio, ascribe prudence, humility, and virtue; and it were happy for Vitellius had he listened to her counsel, instead of that of the insolent Triaria, his sisterin-law. The title of Cæsar has never been found upon the coins of this reign, which corroborates history; nor has that of Pater Patriæ been known, as genuine. It should be mentioned that both gold and silver coins were struck in honour of Lucius Vitellius, father of the Emperor, of which the former are extremely rare. LXIV.

Obverse. A. VITELLIUS GERMAN. IMP. AVG. P. M. TR. P. (Aulus Vitellius, Germanicus, Imperator, Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate.) The laureated head of Vitellius in bold relief, bearing strong traits of the grovelling sensuality ascribed to him by Suetonius ;-" For, of stature he was beyond measure tall: a red face he had, occasioned for the most part by swilling in wine, and a great fat paunch besides." +

I once ordered a dish of the tongues of these birds, which proved but indifferent eating, owing perhaps to our cooks being less skilful than those of Vitellius. He who wishes for further particulars of the luxury of those times, may › consult Brotier's edition of Tacitus.

+ This is "done into English" by the plodding Doctor Philemon Holland, who dedicated his filthy and unfaithful translation of the twelve Cæsars, to a VERTVOVS LADIE. The wits of the day got weary of his leaden labours, and thus vented their spleen :

"Philemon with translations so does fill us,

He will not let Suetonius be Tranquillus.”

Reverse. VICTORIA AVG. (Victoria Augusti.) In the lower part of the field S. C. An elegant and finely executed figure of Victory, naked to the middle, and her left foot placed upon a helmet; she is inscribing OB. CIVÉS SER. (Ob Cives Servatos,) on a shield placed against a palm-tree, in allusion to the slaughter of Roman citizens being stayed by the battle of Bedriacum. This magnificent medal fell into my possession in 1825, having been previously the ornament of the Hon. R. E. Digby's collection. It is slightly coated with patina, through which the yellow brass appears like gold.

LXV.

Obverse. A. VITELLIVS GERMAN. IMP. AVG, P. M. TR. P. (Aulus Vitellius Germanicus, Imperator, Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate.) The laureated head of Vitellius "crapulatus," having the bust covered with the paludamentum. A singularly fine and bold medal, coated with a greenish-brown patina, and formerly belonging to the well-known cabinet of Mr. Neave. Reverse. MARS VICTOR. In the field, S. C. Mars gradiens armed in rather an unusual type. His right hand holds a winged victory with a garland, his left grasps a trophy which is supported on his shoulder, and a sword is girt to his loins. As the latter weapon is supposed not to exist on a Roman coin, it may be proper to say that it resembles a parazonium in shape. See No. LXXI. LXVI.

Obverse. A. vitellivs GERMANICVS IMP. AVG. P. M. TR. P. (Aulus Vitellius, Germanicus, Imperator, Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate.) A characteristic laureated head of the Emperor. This medal is in tolerable preservation, and covered with a very dark-green patina: it was obtained from Mr. Young, in 1826.

Reverse. PAX AVGVSTI. In the lower part of the field, S. C. between which letters, stands a robed female bearing a cornucopiæ, while her right hand holds forth an olive brauch. This commemorates the short peace which followed the defeat of Otho.

LXVII.

Obverse. A. VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP. AVG. P. M. TR. P. (Aulus Vitellius, Germanicus, Imperator, Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate.) A very expressive laureated head of the Emperor. The medal is in beautiful preservation, and coated with a bottle-green patina; it was obtained, by exchange, at Spalatro, in Dalmatia, in 1819. Reverse. S. C. (Senatus Consultu,) in uncial characters. Between these letters, stands a bold galeated figure of Romulus, as Mars gradiens, with the spolia opima of Acron on his left shoulder, and a lance held transversely, with the point upwards, in his right-hand. He is naked except that a robe floats round his loins. This symbol has been held to imply the consent of the army to an emperor's election, a supposition which has not yet been proved. Others think it alluded to the warlike qualities of the prince,-but though Vitellius triumphed over Otho, what were his ?-Vitellius ventre, et gula sibi hostis fuit.”

LXVIII.

Obverse. A. VITELLIVS GERMAN. IMP. AVG. P. M. TR. P. (Aulus Vitellius, Germanicus, Imperator, Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate.) The laureated head of the Emperor, with his usual sordid aspect, and the shoulders robed. A thinly patinated coin in pretty fair condition, presented to me at Athens, by Sig. Lusieri, the well-known and admirable artist, in 1820.

Reverse. L. VITEL. CENSOR II. (Lucius Vitellius, Censor iterum.) On the exergum S. c. The Magister morum is seen on a curule chair placed upon a tribunal, in the exercise of his office. Before him are three Romans, one of whom offers his hand to the censor, and above them is another sedent figure: the whole are togated. This was struck to flatter the Emperor by recording the honours to which his father was advanced. Suetonius informs us of Lucius's having been three times consul, and once censor, but the iterum which is here shewn, has never been properly accounted for..

The office of censor was considered as more honourable than even that of consul,—for besides their business of registering and valuing all effects, and imposing the excise duties, they were also armed with authority for the correction and reformation of manners. The liability of citizens of every rank, not excepting consuls and dictators, to be summoned before the censors, and be there required to render an account of their actions, must have operated as a check to licentiousness, till the power of those magistrates had become "an old song."

VESPASIAN.

Flavius Vespasianus, the tenth Emperor of Rome, was descended from a respectable Sabine family near Reaté, where he was born A. D. 9,-his parents being Flavius Sabinus, and Vespasia Polla. In the reign of Caligula, young Vespasian was a conspicuous" toad-eater" about the court, and being afterwards over-head-and-ears in debt, bore but an equivocal character. After being made a senator by his imperial patron, he attended Claudius into Britain, where he fought in thirty pitched battles, subdued two mighty nations, took upwards of twenty towns, and reduced the Isle of Wight. For these successful proofs of military skill he was highly honoured, and largely rewarded. He then served as pro-consul in Africa; and though, from nodding or dozing while Nero was singing, he had fallen into disgrace, that musical despot selected him for the conquest of Judæa, A. D. 66. In the disorders which followed the death of Galba, the legions of the East proclaimed him Emperor, although, according to Josephus, Vespasian refused the dignity till he was compelled, by the drawn swords of his soldiers, to accept it. The execution of Vitellius left him sole master of the empire at the close of A. D. 69, and his two sons were elected Cæsars. He appointed Titus his colleague in the censorship, A. D. 74, and they took the last general census that we find recorded in history. Having caught a fever, he died, universally lamented, at his paternal estate in the vicinity of Reaté, in the summer of A. D. 79, at the age of 69 years, 7 months, and 7 days. He was the first Emperor who changed his character for the better, on attaining supreme authority, as well as the first who was succeeded by a son; and if it be admitted that Livia hastened the deification of Augustus, he was also the first who died a natural death.

When this excellent sovereign was fairly seated upon the throne, his first care was to restore the edifices which had been destroyed in the late cruel contests; and, by rewarding virtue and reforming abuses, to establish order and confidence. In this third building of the capitol he carried the first basket of earth, and the example was followed by all the patricians and courtiers: the custom of laying a first stone in pomp, if not arising from this event, probably then gained its form and ceremony. Vespasian avoided every kind of parade, and restrained luxury by his personal example; he administered justice with impartiality, and manifested the mildness of