1On the day before the Ides of March, having commended the state to the senators, he granted to those recalled from exile the remains of Nero's confiscations not yet paid into the treasury, a most just gift and splendid in appearance, but barren in practice, since the collection had long since been hurried through. 1Then, calling an assembly, he extolled the majesty of the city and the agreement of the people and senate in his favour, and spoke with restraint against the Vitellian party, rebuking the ignorance of the legions rather than their audacity, without any mention of Vitellius, whether that moderation was his own, or the writer of the speech, fearing for himself, refrained from insults against Vitellius, since it was believed that, as Otho used Suetonius Paulinus and Marius Celsus in military counsels, so in city affairs he used the talent of Galerius Trachalus; 1and there were those who recognised the very style of speaking, well known from frequent use in the forum and broad and sonorous, to fill the people's ears.
1The shouts and cries of the crowd, in the usual way of flattery, were excessive and false: as if they were escorting the dictator Caesar or the emperor Augustus, they vied in zeal and prayers, not from fear or love, but from a passion for servitude: as in households, each had his own private motive, and public honour now counted for nothing. 1On setting out, Otho entrusted the quiet of the city and the cares of empire to his brother Salvius Titianus.