Gaio Vipstano C. Fonteio consulibus diu meditatum scelus non ultra Nero distulit,
In the consulship of Gaius Vipstanus Caius Fontaneius, Nero no longer delayed the long-meditated crime,
vetustate imperii coalita audacia et flagrantior in dies amore Poppaeae,
By a long time in power, his audacity had been strengthened, and his love burned brighter as the days [went by] for Poppaea,
quae sibi matrimonium et discidium Octaviae incolumi Agrippina haud sperans crebris
Who saw no hope of marriage for herself and divorce for Octavia while Agrippina was unharmed,
criminationibus, aliquando per facetias incusaret principem et pupillum vocaret,
With complaints, every now and again through wit accused the emperor, and called him a ward,
qui iussis alienis obnoxius non modo imperii sed libertatis etiam indigeret. cur enim differri nuptias suas?
Who was not only obliged to the commands of others [regarding] power, but lacking even freedom. Why was their marriage deferred?
formam scilicet displicere et triumphalis avos. an fecunditatem et verum animum?
Clearly her form displeased and the triumphs of her grandfather. Or her fertility, and strength of spirit?
timeri ne uxor saltem iniurias patrum, iram populi adversus superbiam avaritiamque matris aperiat.
No, the fear was that as wife, at least she would reveal the injustices done to the senate, the anger of the people against the arrogance and greed of his mother.
quod si nurum Agrippina non nisi filio infestam ferre posset, redderetur ipsa Othonis coniugio:
Or if Agrippina was not able to bear a daughter-in-law not hostile to her son, let her be returned to Otho in marriage:
ituram quoquo terrarum, ubi audiret potius contumelias imperatoris quam viseret periculis eius immixta.
[or] proceed to any land, where instead she would hear insults to the emperor, rather than see them, intermixed with his dangers.
haec atque talia lacrimis et arte adulterae penetrantia nemo prohibebat,
This no one prohibited, penetrating as it was with such tears and seductive arts,
cupientibus cunctis infringi potentiam matris et credente nullo usque ad caedem eius duratura filii odia.
All hoped the power of the mother could be broken, and none believed the son to be hardened to the killing by his hate.
2
Tradit Cluvius ardore retinendae Agrippinam potentiae eo usque provectam ut medio diei,
Cluvius hands down that Agrippina’s desire to retain her power was carried so far that in the middle of the day,
cum id temporis Nero per vinum et epulas incalesceret, offerret se saepius temulento comptam et incesto paratam;
When at that time, Nero warmed by wine and food, she offered herself more often to the intoxicated [son], and prepared for incest;
iamque lasciva oscula et praenuntias flagitii blanditias adnotantibus proximis,
And now with lustful kisses and allurements foretelling the shameful deed had been noted by those closest,
Senecam contra muliebris inlecebras subsidium a femina petivisse,
Seneca sought in a woman help against the feminine enticement [of Agrippina],
immissamque Acten libertam quae simul suo periculo et infamia Neronis anxia deferret pervulgatum esse incestum gloriante matre,
By introducing Acte the freedwoman who anxious of her own danger, and the infamy of Nero, that she might report the incest was common knowledge, his mother boasting about it,
nec toleraturos milites profani principis imperium. Fabius Rusticus non Agrippinae sed Neroni cupitum id memorat eiusdemque libertae astu disiectum.
Nor would the military tolerate an impious emperor in power. Fabius Rusticus relates that not Agrippina, but Nero desired it, and it was ruined by the wiles of the same freedwoman.
sed quae Cluvius eadem ceteri quoque auctores prodidere, et fama huc inclinat,
But the rest of the authors record the same as Cluvius too, and rumour leans to this,
seu concepit animo tantum immanitatis Agrippina, seu credibilior novae libidinis meditatio in ea visa est
Either the monstrousness was derived from the mind of Agrippina, or more credible, that [such] extraordinary ideas of lustfulness be seen in her,
quae puellaribus annis stuprum cum Lepido spe dominationis admiserat, pari cupidine usque ad libita Pallantis provoluta et exercita ad omne flagitium patrui nuptiis.
Who, in the years of girlhood, had committed disgrace with Lepidus in the hope of power, and for like greed had descended to the lusts of Pallas, and prepared for all [this] by shameful marriage to her uncle.
3
Igitur Nero vitare secretos eius congressus, abscedentem in hortos aut Tusculanum vel Antiatem in agrum laudare quod otium capesseret.
Consequently Nero avoided meeting with her privately, praising her when she withdrew to gardens or lands in Tusculum or Antium because she was pursuing leisure.
postremo, ubicumque haberetur, praegravem ratus interficere constituit, hactenus consultans,
After a while, having judged that wherever she resided, she would be a burden, he decided to kill [her], now considering only,
veneno an ferro vel qua alia vi. placuitque primo venenum. sed inter epulas principis si daretur,
Whether it should be by venom or iron, or something else. At first he was pleased by venom. But if he were to give it among the meals of the emperor,
referri ad casum non poterat tali iam Britannici exitio; et ministros temptare arduum videbatur mulieris usu scelerum adversus insidias intentae;
It could not be ascribed to chance, Britannicus having deceased just so; and it seemed difficult to incite the helpers of the woman [to murder her], being herself used to crimes, [and therefore] attentive of plots against her;
atque ipsa praesumendo remedia munierat corpus. ferrum et caedes quonam modo occultaretur nemo reperiebat;
And also it was to be presumed that she had protected her body with remedies. Iron, and cutting her down no one could find a way to keep secret wherever [it was done],
et ne quis illi tanto facinori delectus iussa sperneret metuebat. obtulit ingenium Anicetus libertus,
And he feared that no matter who he chose to do it, might go against orders. The [final] idea was brought forth by the freedman Aicetus,
classi apud Misenum praefectus et pueritiae Neronis educator ac mutuis odiis Agrippinae invisus.
Prefect among the fleet at Misenum, and Nero’s boyhood educator, and through mutual hatred, hated by Agrippina.
ergo navem posse componi docet cuius pars ipso in mari per artem soluta effunderet ignaram:
A ship could be built thus, that which appeared part of itself could be detached into the sea through cunning:
nihil tam capax fortuitorum quam mare; et si naufragio intercepta sit, quem adeo iniquum ut sceleri adsignet quod venti et fluctus deliquerint?
Nothing had such capacity for [ill] fortune than the sea; and if [the plan] was interrupted by a shipwreck, who could be so unjust, that they attributed it to crime, and not the wrongdoing of a wave?
additurum principem defunctae templum et aras et cetera ostentandae pietati.
The emperor would need to add a temple and altars to the deceased, and the rest of the showings of piety.
4
Placuit sollertia, tempore etiam iuta, quando Quinquatruum festos dies apud Baias frequentabat.
The ingenuity pleased, even aided by the time, when he frequented the Quinquatrum festival days at Baiae.
illuc matrem elicit, ferendas parentium iracundias et placandum animum dictitans
He drew out his mother there, maintaining that wrathfulness born of parents should be born, and the mind appeased,
quo rumorem reconciliationis efficeret acciperetque Agrippina facili feminarum credulitate ad gaudia.
By which he [hoped] to create a rumour of reconciliation and Agrippina might accept, given women’s easy belief in that which delighted.
venientem dehinc obvius in litora (nam Antio adventabat) excepit manu et complexu ducitque Baulos.
Coming from there to meet on the beach (for she was arriving from Antium) took her hand, and with an embrace led her to Bauli.
id villae nomen est quae promunturium Misenum inter et Baianum lacum flexo mari adluitur.
It is the name of a villa, which is between the highest point of Misenum, and the lake of Baiae washed by the bending of the sea.
stabat inter alias navis ornatior, tamquam id quoque honori matris daretur:
Standing among the other ships was one more ornate, as if given to the honour of his mother:
quippe sueverat triremi et classiariorum remigio vehi. ac tum invitata ad epulas erat ut occultando facinori nox adhiberetur.
Since she had been accustomed to travel by trireme and with the rowing of marines. And then she was invited to dinner, so that night might be called upon to conceal the deed.
satis constitit extitisse proditorem et Agrippinam auditis insidiis, an crederet ambiguam,
The existence of a traitor is well established, and Agrippina hearing of the plot, but unsure to believe it,
gestamine sellae Baias pervectam. ibi blandimentum sublevavit metum:
Was conveyed to Baiae by a carried chair [litter]. There, her anxiety alleviated by flattery
comiter excepta superque ipsum conlocata. iam pluribus sermonibus modo familiaritate iuvenili Nero et rursus adductus,
Having been received politely, and placed above [the emperor] himself. Now with many conversations acting familiarly of youth, and [at times] frowning in seriousness, Nero
quasi seria consociaret, tracto in longum convictu, prosequitur abeuntem, artius oculis et pectori haerens,
Almost like to share something serious, with feasting drawn-out in length, he followed her to her departure, clinging more strongly to eyes and heart,
sive explenda simulatione, seu periturae matris supremus aspectus quamvis ferum animum retinebat.
Whether to complete the pretence, or because the last sight of his doomed mother held back even his steeled spirit.
5
Noctem sideribus inlustrem et placido mari quietam quasi convincendum ad scelus dii praebuere.
The night illuminated with stars and the quiet of a calm sea almost convincing [that it was] of the gods, to expose the crime.
nec multum erat progressa navis, duobus e numero familiarium Agrippinam comitantibus,
The ship had not progressed far, two of Agrippina’s household were in attendance,
ex quis Crepereius Gallus haud procul gubernaculis adstabat, Acerronia super pedes cubitantis reclinis paenitentiam filii
Of these, Crepereius Gallus was standing hardly far from the helm, Acerrionia reclining over the feet of the reclining [Agrippina] about the repentances of the son,
et reciperatam matris gratiam per gaudium memorabat, cum dato signo ruere tectum loci multo plumbo grave,
And the recuperated grace of the mother through joy was remembering, when with the given signal the roof collapsed in place, heavy with much lead,
pressusque Crepereius et statim exanimatus est: Agrippina et Acerronia eminentibus lecti parietibus ac forte validioribus quam ut oneri cederent protectae sunt.
And Crepereius was pressed and at once killed: Agrippina and Acerronia were protected from the falling load, by the high walls of the couch, by chance strong [enough]
nec dissolutio navigii sequebatur, turbatis omnibus et quod plerique ignari etiam conscios impediebant.
Dissolution of the ship did not follow, everyone was unsettled, and because most were ignorant [of the plot], even those conscious of it were impeded.
visum dehinc remigibus unum in latus inclinare atque ita navem submergere:
After that, the idea [came] to the oarsmen to lean to one side, and in this way sink the ship:
sed neque ipsis promptus in rem subitam consensus, et alii contra nitentes dedere facultatem lenioris in mare iactus.
But agreement among themselves was not ready for sudden [measures], and the others struggling against gave [people] the chance to go into the water more slowly.
verum Acerronia, imprudentia dum se Agrippinam esse utque subveniretur matri principis clamitat,
The real Acerronia, in her imprudence then called that she was Agrippina, so as to be saved as mother of the emperor,
contis et remis et quae fors obtulerat navalibus telis conficitur: Agrippina silens eoque minus adgnita (unum tamen vulnus umero excepit) nando,
With long poles and oars and those naval spears which chance presented, she was killed: Agrippina, silent, and so less discernible (although she took a wound in the shoulder) swimming,
deinde occursu lenunculorum Lucrinum in lacum vecta villae suae infertur.
Then met by some small ships was carried to Lucrinum lake, [and] brought to her villa.
6
Illic reputans ideo se fallacibus litteris accitam et honore praecipuo habitam, quodque litus iuxta non ventis acta,
There, pondering the deceitful letter of invitation, and the especial honour she had had, and that not far from the beach, moving without wind,
non saxis impulsa navis summa sui parte veluti terrestre machinamentum concidisset;
Not having driven onto rocks, the ship had as if by terrestrial machination collapsed from above;
observans etiam Acerroniae necem, simul suum vulnus aspiciens, solum insidiarum remedium esse,
Regarding also the death of Acerrionia, while inspecting her own wound, the only aid of the plot would be,
si non intellegerentur; misitque libertum Agerinum qui nuntiaret filio benignitate deum et fortuna eius evasisse gravem casum;
If it was not recognised; and she sent the freedman Agerinus who was to tell her son that by the good will of the gods and his fortune, she had evaded a grave case;
orare ut quamvis periculo matris exterritus visendi curam differret; sibi ad praesens quiete opus.
To beg that however scared he was by his mother’s danger, to delay the care of taking a look [visiting]; at present she herself was in need of quiet.
atque interim securitate simulata medicamina vulneri et fomenta corpori adhibet;
And in the meantime she, in feigned security, applied medicine to the wound, and poultices to her body;
testamentum Acerroniae requiri bonaque obsignari iubet, id tantum non per simulationem.
And she ordered a search for the will of Acerronia and the sealing up of her goods, it all not through a feign.
7
At Neroni nuntios patrati facinoris opperienti adfertur evasisse ictu levi sauciam et hactenus adito discrimine ne auctor dubitaretur.
Whereas Nero was awaiting the messengers of the deed having been accomplished, it was brought forth that she had escaped, wounded by a light blow, and enough danger that tha author could not be doubted.
tum pavore exanimis et iam iamque adfore obtestans vindictae properam, sive servitia armaret vel militem accenderet,
Then trembling [as though] dead, and now and now imploring that she would be there, hasty for punishment, whether she armed slaves or aroused the military,
sive ad senatum et populum pervaderet, naufragium et vulnus et interfectos amicos obiciendo:
Whether she reached the senate and the people, exposing the shipwreck, and the wound, and the killed friends:
quod contra subsidium sibi? nisi quid Burrus et Seneca; quos expergens statim acciverat,
What aid [was there] against her? No one but Burrus and Seneca; who awakening, he had sent for at once,
incertum an et ante gnaros. igitur longum utriusque silentium, ne inriti dissuaderent, an eo descensum credebant ut,
Uncertain or already in the know. Then [there was] a long silence from both, not to dissuade in vain, or [because] they believed it had descended to the point, [where]
nisi praeveniretur Agrippina, pereundum Neroni esset. post Seneca hactenus promptius ut respiceret Burrum ac sciscitaretur an militi imperanda caedes esset.
Unless Agrippina was prevented, it was to be the end of Nero. After Seneca, the more ready at that point to look back on Burrus and ask if the soldiers should be ordered to murder.
ille praetorianos toti Caesarum domui obstrictos memoresque Germanici nihil adversus progeniem eius atrox ausuros respondit:
He responded that the praetorians were bound to the whole family of Caesars, and the memory of Germanicus, they would venture no atrocity against one of his offspring:
perpetraret Anicetus promissa. qui nihil cunctatus poscit summam sceleris.
Ancietus would have to carry out his promise. Who did not delay, asked for responsibility over the deed.
ad eam vocem Nero illo sibi die dari imperium auctoremque tanti muneris libertum profitetur:
To his voice Nero professed that that day he was giving him the empire and the freedman was the author of the whole gift:
iret propere duceretque promptissimos ad iussa. ipse audito venisse missu Agrippinae nuntium Agerinum,
He was to go quickly, and lead those most ready [to follow] orders. Himself having heard that the messenger Agerinus sent by Agrippina was arriving,
scaenam ultro criminis parat gladiumque, dum mandata perfert, abicit inter pedes eius,
He prepared the scene of crime, and threw down a sword, while he was giving his message, among his feet,
tum quasi deprehenso vincla inici iubet, ut exitium principis molitam matrem et pudore deprehensi sceleris sponte mortem sumpsisse confingeret.
Then ordered him put in chains, so as to pretend that the mother had attempted the destruction of the emperor, and by the shame of the deed having been caught, had suddenly chosen death.
8
Interim vulgato Agrippinae periculo, quasi casu evenisset, ut quisque acceperat, decurrere ad litus.
Meanwhile the danger of Agrippina [had become] common knowledge, as if it had happened by chance, everyone when they received [the news], ran down to the beach.
hi molium obiectus, hi proximas scaphas scandere; alii quantum corpus sinebat vadere in mare;
These ones climbed over the walls, these onto nearby skiffs; others, as much as their body permitted, waded into the sea;
quidam manus protendere; questibus, votis, clamore diversa rogitantium aut incerta respondentium omnis ora compleri;
Some stretching out their arms; with laments, prayers, the shouting of different questions or uncertain responses, the whole coast was filled;
adfluere ingens multitudo cum luminibus, atque ubi incolumem esse pernotuit, ut ad gratandum sese expedire,
A huge multitude with lights poured in, and when it permeated that she was safe, to express their congratulations,
donec aspectu armati et minitantis agminis disiecti sunt. Anicetus villam statione circumdat refractaque ianua obvios servorum abripit,
Until they caught sight of armed men and threatened, scattered before the marching men. Anicetus surrounded the villa with a watch, and having broken open the gate, broke through the servants in the way,
donec ad foris cubiculi veniret; cui pauci adstabant, ceteris terrore inrumpentium exterritis.
Until he came to the door of the bedroom; a few were standing there, the rest terrified by fear of the break-in.
cubiculo modicum lumen inerat et ancillarum una, magis ac magis anxia Agrippina quod nemo a filio ac ne Agerinus quidem:
In the middle of the bedroom there was a light and a single slave-girl, Agrippina, more and more anxious, because no one [had come] from his son, and not even Agerinus:
aliam fore laetae rei faciem; nunc solitudinem ac repentinos strepitus et extremi mali indicia.
Things of joy were on another face; now [there was] solitude, sudden noise, and signs of the final evil.
abeunte dehinc ancilla 'tu quoque me deseris' prolocuta respicit Anicetum trierarcho Herculeio et Obarito centurione classiario comitatum:
The slave girl rising away from there, “even you desert me” she spoke out, looking behind Anicetus, accompanied by Hercules, the trireme captain, and Obaritus the centurion of marines:
ac, si ad visendum venisset, refotam nuntiaret, sin facinus patraturus, nihil se de filio credere;
If he had come to see her, he could report her recovery, if he was to commit a crime, she would not believe it of her son;
non imperatum parricidium. circumsistunt lectum percussores et prior trierarchus fusti caput eius adflixit.
He could not have ordered the killing of a relative. The assassins surrounded the couch, and the trireme captain hit her head with a stick.
iam in mortem centurioni ferrum destringenti protendens uterum 'ventrem feri' exclamavit multisque vulneribus confecta est.
Now the centurion drawing his iron [to bring about her] death, she, offering her belly, cried “do it in my stomach”, and with many wounds, she was killed.
9
Haec consensu produntur. aspexeritne matrem exanimem Nero et formam corporis eius laudaverit,
This is narrated consistently. Nero beheld his dead mother, and eulogised the appearance of her body,
sunt qui tradiderint, sunt qui abnuant. cremata est nocte eadem convivali lecto et exequiis vilibus;
There are some who have related, there are some who have denied. She was cremated that night on a couch with a feast, and with common funeral rites;
neque, dum Nero rerum potiebatur, congesta aut clausa humus. mox domesticorum cura levem tumulum accepit,
Nor while Nero was reigning over things, was it closed, or the earth closed. Soon by the care of her household, she received a light mound of earth,
viam Miseni propter et villam Caesaris dictatoris quae subiectos sinus editissima prospectat.
Close to the way to Misenum, and the villa of the dictator Caesar, which elevated, looks out onto the bay below.
accenso rogo libertus eius cognomento Mnester se ipse ferro transegit, incertum caritate in patronam an metu exitii.
As the funeral pyre was lit, her freedman, called Mnester and ran himself through with iron, it is not known whether out of care for his patron or fear of his destruction.
hunc sui finem multos ante annos crediderat Agrippina contempseratque.
This was the end which many years ago Agrippina had credited and scorned.
nam consulenti super Nerone responderunt Chaldaei fore ut imperaret matremque occideret; atque illa 'occidat' inquit, 'dum imperet.'
For having consulted about Nero, the astrologers had replied that he would reign, and kill his mother; and she told them “let him kill. As long as he reigns.”
10
Sed a Caesare perfecto demum scelere magnitudo eius intellecta est. reliquo noctis modo per silentium defixus,
But the magnitude of the crime was realised by Caesar after it had been completed. For the remaining night, silent and stupefied,
saepius pavore exsurgens et mentis inops lucem opperiebatur tamquam exitium adlaturam.
More often rising in fear and weak in mind he was waiting for the light as though it were conducting death.
atque eum auctore Burro prima centurionum tribunorumque adulatio ad spem firmavit,
He was first encouraged to hope by the adulation of the centurions and the tribunes, authored by Burro,
prensantium manum gratantiumque quod discrimen improvisum et matris facinus evasisset.
Grasping his hand and congratulating him on evading the unexpected danger, and his mother’s wickedness.
amici dehinc adire templa et coepto exemplo proxima Campaniae municipia victimis et legationibus laetitiam testari:
His friends then went to the temples, and by the begun example, and the municipalities near Campania were witness to their happiness with sacrificial victims and deputations:
ipse diversa simulatione maestus et quasi incolumitati suae infensus ac morti parentis inlacrimans.
Himself mournful, going against the pretence, and as if angry at his own safety, and verging on tears for the death of his parent.
quia tamen non, ut hominum vultus, ita locorum facies mutantur, obversabaturque maris illius et litorum gravis aspectus
Yet because that place did not change as the faces of humans do, the same sea and beach with grave aspects were being observed
(et erant qui crederent sonitum tubae collibus circum editis planctusque tumulo matris audiri),
(and there were those who believed the sound of trumpets was heard from the surrounding hills, and lamentations from the grave of the mother),
Neapolim concessit litterasque ad senatum misit quarum summa erat repertum cum ferro percussorem Agerinum,
He withdrew to Naples, and sent letters to the senate, the sum of which was that it had been discovered that the assassin, with iron, was Agerinus
ex intimis Agrippinae libertis, et luisse eam poenas conscientia quasi scelus paravisset.
Of the innermost freedmen of Agrippina, and that conscious of having prepared the crime, she had paid the penalty.
11
Adiciebat crimina longius repetita, quod consortium imperii iuraturasque in feminae verba praetorias cohortis idemque dedecus senatus et populi speravisset,
He added crimes long repeated, that she had hoped to share power, and that the praetorian guard might swear allegiance to her, a woman, [bringing] disgrace to the senate and people,
ac postquam frustra habita sit, infensa militi patribusque et plebi dissuasisset donativum et congiarium periculaque viris inlustribus struxisset.
And when she was habitually frustrated, she [became] hostile to the military and the senate, and the people, and advised against gratuities and gifts, and had plotted to endanger illustrious men.
quanto suo labore perpetratum ne inrumperet curiam, ne gentibus externis responsa daret.
By how much of his work had he achieved that she might not break into the senate, and give her responses to foreign people.
temporum quoque Claudianorum obliqua insectatione cuncta eius dominationis flagitia in matrem transtulit,
He also indirectly [brought] criticisms against the time of Claudius, attributing all the disgraces of his reign to his mother,
publica fortuna extinctam referens. namque et naufragium narrabat: quod fortuitum fuisse quis adeo hebes inveniretur ut crederet?
Reporting that her death was the public’s fortune. And he even told of the shipwreck: though who could be found so stupid as to believe it had been by chance?
aut a muliere naufraga missum cum telo unum qui cohortis et classis imperatoris perfringeret?
Or by the shipwrecked woman one man had been sent with a weapon to break through the cohorts and fleets of the emperor?
ergo non iam Nero, cuius immanitas omnium questus antibat, sed Seneca adverso rumore erat quod oratione tali confessionem scripsisset.
Therefore rumour was now against not Nero, whose cruelty exceeded all complaint, but Seneca, who had written such a confession in a speech.
12
Miro tamen certamine procerum decernuntur supplicationes apud omnia pulvinaria,
However, with miraculous competition the nobles voted for supplications at all the shrines,
utque Quinquatrus quibus apertae insidiae essent ludis annuis celebrarentur;
The Quinquatrus [a festival of Minerva] when plots had been uncovered was to be celebrated by annual years;
aureum Minervae simulacrum in curia et iuxta principis imago statuerentur; dies natalis Agrippinae inter nefastos esset.
A golden statue of Minerva was to be set up in the senate and near to the image of the emperor; the day of Agrippina’s birth was to be among the inauspicious days.
Thrasea Paetus silentio vel brevi adsensu priores adulationes transmittere solitus exiit tum senatu ac sibi causam periculi fecit,
Thrasea Paetus had usually let prior adulations go with silence and even approval, [this time] he left the senate and created for himself a cause of danger,
ceteris libertatis initium non praebuit. prodigia quoque crebra et inrita intercessere:
[despite] not having prepared the initiative for the other freedmen. Frequent and useless omens also appeared:
anguem enixa mulier et alia in concubitu mariti fulmine exanimata; iam sol repente obscuratus et tactae de caelo quattuordecim urbis regiones.
A snake was born of a woman, and another was killed in her husband’s embrace by a thunderbolt; now the sun was suddenly obscured and fourteen regions of the city were touched by the sky.
quae adeo sine cura deum eveniebant ut multos post annos Nero imperium et scelera continuaverit.
These many things occurred without the care of the gods, since Nero’s reign and crimes continued for many years afterwards.
ceterum quo gravaret invidiam matris eaque demota auctam lenitatem suam testificaretur,
Additionally to worsen his mother’s unpopularity, and to show that with her gone he was more lenient,
feminas inlustris Iuniam et Calpurniam, praetura functos Valerium Capitonem et Licinium Gabolum sedibus patriis reddidit,
He recalled illustrious women- Iunia and Calpurnia, with ex-praetors Valerius Capito and Licinius Gabolus to their native lands,
ab Agrippina olim pulsos. etiam Lolliae Paulinae cineres reportari sepulcrumque extrui permisit;
Having once been exiled by Agrippina. He even allowed the ashes of Lollia Paulina and a tomb to be built;
quosque ipse nuper relegaverat, Iturium et Calvisium poena exolvit. nam Silana fato functa erat,
Those he himself had banished, Iturius and Calvisius, he absolved them of punishment. Since Silana had died naturally
longinquo ab exilio Tarentum regressa labante iam Agrippina, cuius inimicitiis conciderat, vel mitigata.
Returned from a long exile in Tarentum for Agrippina, whose hostility had led to her fall, was weakened or might have been mitigated.
13
Tamen cunctari in oppidis Campaniae, quonam modo urbem ingrederetur, an obsequium senatus,
However, he lingered in the towns of Campania, how he should enter the city, whether the senate obedient,
an studia plebis reperiret anxius: contra deterrimus quisque, quorum non alia regia fecundior extitit,
And the eagerness of the people, he was anxious to find: against the worst individuals, of whom no other court existed more pregnant,
invisum Agrippinae nomen et morte eius accensum populi favorem disserunt:
They told him Agrippina’s name was hated, and her death had aroused the favour of the public:
iret intrepidus et venerationem sui coram experiretur; simul praegredi exposcunt.
Let him go intrepidly, and experience publicly the veneration towards him; they requested to precede [him] at the same time.
et promptiora quam promiserant inveniunt, obvias tribus, festo cultu senatum,
And they found greater readiness than they had promised, the tribes coming to meet, the senate hurrying in festive attire,
coniugum ac liberorum agmina per sexum et aetatem disposita, extructos, qua incederet,
With their wives and children in a column, arranged by sex and age, built, where he walked,
spectaculorum gradus, quo modo triumphi visuntur. hinc superbus ac publici servitii victor Capitolium adiit,
A stage of the spectacles, in the way of seeing a triumph. Because of this, proud and the public his slaves, he went to the capitol as a victor,
grates exolvit seque in omnis libidines effudit quas male coercitas qualiscumque matris reverentia tardaverat.
Released thanks, and abandoned himself to every desire, which though badly curbed, he had delayed out of some sort of reverence for his mother