1Thereafter everything was done at the soldiers' discretion: they chose the prefects of the praetorian guard themselves, Plotius Firmus, once one of the rank and file, then in command of the watch, who while Galba was still alive had followed Otho's party; 1with him is joined Licinius Proculus, suspected, from his close intimacy with Otho, of having furthered his plans. 1Over the city they set Flavius Sabinus, following the judgement of Nero, under whom he had held the same charge, while most of them saw in him his brother Vespasian. 1It was demanded that the payments for exemptions usually made to centurions should be abolished; 1for the common soldier paid them like an annual tribute.
1A quarter of each company was scattered on leave or idling about in the camp itself, provided it paid the centurion his fee, and no one cared about the size of the burden or how the money was earned: by brigandage and robbery or by servile tasks they bought release from military duty. 1Then all the richest soldiers were worn down with toil and harsh treatment until they bought an exemption. 1When, drained by these expenses and enervated besides by idleness, a man returned to his company poor instead of rich and sluggish instead of active, then again one after another, corrupted by the same poverty and licence, they rushed into mutinies and quarrels and finally civil wars.
1But Otho, so as not to alienate the centurions by generosity to the rank and file, promised that his own treasury would pay for the annual exemptions, a measure undoubtedly useful, and later made a permanent part of discipline by good emperors. 1The prefect Laco, ostensibly being banished to an island, was stabbed to death by a recalled veteran whom Otho had sent ahead to kill him; 1on Marcianus Icelus, as a freedman, punishment was inflicted openly.