SABINUS, a person of mean descent, but appointed by Nero colleague of Tigellinus in the command of the praetorian guards. About the time, however, that the German legions revolted from this despotic prince, he was also betrayed by Nymphidius and abandoned by his guards.

Nymphidius began now to entertain thoughts of seizing the sovereignty himself. However, he did not immediately declare his ambitious views; but pretending to espouse the cause of Galba, assured the guards that Nero was fled, and promised them such sums as neither Galba nor any other was able to discharge. This promise secured for the present the empire to Galba, occasioned afterwards the loss of it, and, finally, produced the destruction of Nymphidius and the guards themselves. After Nero's death, however, and on the acknowledgement of Galba as emperor, he renewed his ambition; and having, by his immense largesses, gained the affections of the praetorian guards, and persuading himself that Galba, by reason of his infirmities and old age, would never reach the capital, usurped all the authority at Rome. Preferring upon his interest, he obliged Tigellinus, who commanded, jointly with him, the praetorian guards, to resign his commission. He made several magnificent and extensive entertainments, inviting such as had been consuls or had commanded armies, distributed large sums among the people, and with shows and other diversions, which he daily exhibited, gained so great an interest with all ranks, that he already looked upon himself as sovereign. The senate, dreading his power, conferred extraordinary honours upon him, styled him their protector, attended him when he appeared in public, and had recourse to him for the confirmation of their decrees, as if he had been already invested with the sovereign power. This base compliance elated him to such a degree, that he usurped not leisurely, and by degrees, but all at once, an absolute authority. He acted as sovereign indeed, but he had not as yet openly declared his design of seizing the empire: his power, however, was great, and he used it in undermining Galba's power; he was, however, unsuccessful, and the disclosure of his designs was much against him. Galba was again acknowledged and proclaimed, and he, notwithstanding his artifices, detected and slain by the soldiers who were proclaiming Galba. See Nero.