Caesares: Single Verses II. — Single Verses on the Succession of the Emperors

Julius Caesar first opened a royal court and to Augustus bequeathed his name and stronghold. After him his stepson, Nero Claudius (Tiberius) reigned, and next Caesar whom the troops nicknamed after the soldier's boot. Then Claudius gained the throne. Cruel Nero followed him, last of the sons of Aeneas. Then three emperors in scarce three years: aged Galba, vainly reliant on his slothful partner; effeminate Otho, degraded by a life made notorious by vice; Vitellius, as unworthy of the throne as unmanly in his death. Fate summoned Vespasian to make the tenth, and Titus, blessed in his brief reign. His brother following was called "the bald Nero" by his subject Rome.