It was not long after this that Nero sailed on his expedition to Greece, where he disgraced himself and his kingdom by the most contemptible and debasing frivolity. He returned to Rome with great pomp, and in his golden palace, surrounded by the most infamous of his courtiers, he engaged in scenes of revolting debauchery. In the midst of their revelry, a voice as of a tumult in the streets was heard, and a messenger was despatched to learn the cause. He hastily returned with the appalling news that Galba, at the head of an avenging army, was marching rapidly upon Rome, that insurrection had already broken out in the city, and the streets were filled with an enraged mob threatening death to the emperor and all his supporters, and rapidly urging their way toward the palace.{LP 316.2}

Ikke længe herefter sejlede Nero ud på den berygtede tur til Grækenland, hvor han vanærede sig selv og sit rige ved foragtelig og nedværdigende letfærdighed, Da han med stor pragt vendte tilbage til Rom, omgav han sig med sine hoffolk og beskæftigede sig med oprørende, tøjlesløse fornøjelser. Midt under den støjende lystighed lød der larmende røster fra gaden. Et sendebud, der blev udsendt for at få grunden at vide, vendte tilbage med den forfærdelige nyhed, at Galba hurtigt marcherede imod Rom i spidsen for en hær, at der allerede var udbrudt oprør i byen og at gaderne myldrede af ophidsede mennesker, som truede kejseren med døden tillige med alle hans tilhængere og hurtigt nærmede sig paladset.