1Next, at Bononia, a gladiatorial show is put on by Fabius Valens, with its trappings brought from Rome. 1And the nearer he came to Rome, the more corrupt the march became, with actors mingled in, and herds of eunuchs, and all the other characters of Nero's court; 1for Vitellius used also to extol Nero himself with admiration, having been accustomed to follow him about when he sang, not under compulsion, as all the most honourable men did, but as one enslaved and bought by luxury and gluttony. 1To open up vacant months in that office for Valens and Caecina, the consulships of others were shortened, and that of Marcus Macer was passed over, on the ground that he had been a leader of Otho's party; 1and he postponed Valerius Marinus, designated consul by Galba, not for any offence, but because he was mild and would bear an injury tamely.
1Pedanius Costa is passed over, unwelcome to the emperor as one who had dared to act against Nero and had goaded on Verginius, but he put forward other reasons; 1and thanks were rendered to Vitellius besides, from the habit of servility.