Note 435 — BOOK II (continued 2)
W. Hamilton (William Hamilton) Fyfe translation
Thrasea, Helvidius' father-in-law, was an honoured member of the Stoic opposition who had been executed by Nero a.d. 66. Here Vitellius is posing as an ordinary senator. If he had opposed so distinguished a man as Thrasea, why should not Helvidius oppose him? Thrasea's end gives the remark a slightly sinister tone.