7 The following year inflicted
a terrible blow on his affections and his fortunes. Otho’s fleet, while
cruising idly about, cruelly ravaged Intemelii, a district of Liguria; his
mother, who was living here on her own estate, was murdered. The estate itself
and a large part of her patrimony were plundered. This was indeed the occasion
of the crime. Agricola, who instantly set out to discharge the duties of
affection, was overtaken by the tidings that Vespasian was aiming at the
throne. He at once joined his party. Vespasian’s early policy, and the
government of Rome
were directed by Mucianus, for Domitian was a mere youth, and from his father’s
elevation sought only the opportunities of indulgence. Agricola, having been
sent by Mucianus to conduct a levy of troops, and having done his work with
integrity and energy, was appointed to command the 20th Legion, which had been
slow to take the new oath of allegiance, and the retiring officer of which was
reported to be acting disloyally. It was a trying and formidable charge for
even officers of consular rank, and the late praetorian officer, perhaps from
his own disposition, perhaps from that of the soldiers, was powerless to
restrain them. Chosen thus at once to supersede and to punish, Agricola, with a
singular moderation, wished it to be thought that he had found rather than made
an obedient soldiery.
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