Tiberius |
Translator: Alexander Thomson
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Patricia gens Claudia —fuit enim et alia plebeia , nec potentia minor nec dignitate —orta est ex Regillis oppido Sabinorum . inde Romam recens conditam cum magna clientium manu conmigrauit auctore Tito Tatio consorte Romuli , uel , quod magis constat , Atta Claudio gentis principe , post reges exactos sexto fere anno ; atque in patricias cooptata agrum insuper trans Anienem clientibus locumque sibi ad sepulturam sub Capitolio publice accepit . deinceps procedente tempore duodetriginta consulatus , dictaturas quinque , censuras septem , triumphos sex , duas ouationes adepta est . cum praenominibus cognominibusque uariis distingueretur , Luci praenomen consensu repudiauit , postquam e duobus gentilibus praeditis eo alter latrocinii , caedis alter conuictus est . inter cognomina autem et Neronis assumpsit , quo significatur lingua Sabina fortis ac strenuus .
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The patrician family of the Claudii (for there was a plebeian family of the same name, no way inferior to the other either in power or dignity) came originally from Regilli, a town of the Sabines. They removed thence to Rome soon after the building of the city, with a great body of their dependants, under Titus Tatius, who reigned jointly with Romulus in the kingdom; or, perhaps, what is related upon better authority, under Atta Claudius, the head of the family, who was admitted by the senate into the patrician order six years after the expulsion of the Tarquins. They likewise received from the state, lands beyond the Anio for their followers, and a burying place for themselves near the capitol. After this period, in process of time, the family had the honour of twenty-eight consulships, five dictatorships, seven censorships, seven triumphs, and two ovations. Their descendants were distinguished by various praenomina and cognomina, but rejected by common consent the praenomen of Lucius, when, of the two races who bore it, one individual had been convicted of robbery, and another of murder. Amongst other cognomina, they assumed that of Nero, which in the Sabine language signifies strong and valiant. |
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Multa multorum Claudiorum egregia merita , multa etiam sequius admissa in rem p . extant . sed ut praecipua commemorem , Appius Caecus societatem cum rege Pyrro ut parum salubrem iniri dissuasit . Claudius Caudex primus freto classe traiecto Poenos Sicilia expulit . †Tibus Nero aduenientem ex Hispania cum ingentibus copiis Hasdrubalem , prius quam Hannibali fratri coniungeretur , oppressit . contra Claudius Regillianus , decemuir legibus scribendis , uirginem ingenuam per uim libidinis gratia in seruitutem asserere conatus causa plebi fuit secedendi rursus a patribus . Claudius †Drusus statua sibi diademata ad Appi Forum posita Italiam per clientelas occupare temptauit . Claudius Pulcher apud Siciliam non pascentibus in auspicando pullis ac per contemptum religionis mari demersis , quasi ut biberent quando esse nollent , proelium nauale iniit ; superatusque , cum dictatorem dicere a senatu iuberetur , uelut iterum inludens discrimini publico Glycian uiatorem suum dixit . Extant et feminarum exempla diuersa aeque , siquidem gentis eiusdem utraque Claudia fuit , et quae nauem cum sacris Matris deum Idaeae obhaerentem Tiberino uado extraxit , precata propalam , ut ita demum se sequeretur , si sibi pudicitia constaret ; et quae nouo more iudicium maiestatis apud populum mulier subiit , quod in conferta multitudine aegre procedente carpento palam optauerat , ut frater suus Pulcher reuiuisceret atque iterum classem amitteret , quo minor turba Romae foret . praeterea notatissimum est , Claudios omnis , excepto dum taxat P . Clodio , qui ob expellendum urbe Ciceronem plebeio homini atque etiam natu minori in adoptionem se dedit , optimates adsertoresque unicos dignitatis ac potentiae patriciorum semper fuisse atque aduersus plebem adeo uiolentos et contumaces , ut ne capitis quidem quisquam reus apud populum mutare uestem aut deprecari sustinuerit ; nonnulli in altercatione et iurgio tribunos plebi pulsauerint . etiam uirgo Vestalis fratrem iniussu populi triumphantem ascenso simul curru usque in Capitolium prosecuta est , ne uetare aut intercedere fas cuiquam tribunorum esset .
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It appears from record, that many of the Claudii have performed signal services to the state, as well as committed acts of delinquency. To mention the most remarkable only, Appius Caecus dissuaded the senate from agreeing to an alliance with Pyrrhus, as prejudicial to the republic. Claudius Candex first passed the straits of Sicily with a fleet, and drove the Carthaginians out of the island. Claudius Nero cut off Hasdrubal with a vast army upon his arrival in Italy from Spain, before he could form a junction with his brother Annibal. On the other hand, Claudius Appius Regillanus, one of the Decemvirs, made a violent attempt to have a free virgin, of whom he was enamoured, adjudged a slave; which caused the people to secede a second time from the senate. Claudius Drusus erected a statue of himself wearing a crown at Appii Forum, and endeavoured, by means of his dependants, to make himself master of Italy. Claudius Pulcher, when, off the coast of Sicily, the pullets used for taking augury would not eat, in contempt of the omen threw them overboard, as if they should drink at least, if they would not eat; and then engaging the enemy, was routed. After his defeat, when he was ordered by the senate to name a dictator, making a sort of jest of the public disaster, he named Glycias, his apparitor. The women of this family, likewise, exhibited characters equally opposite to each other. For both the Claudias belonged to it; she, who, when the ship freighted with things sacred to the Idaean Mother of the Gods, stuck fast in the shallows of the Tiber, got it off, by praying to the Goddess with a loud voice, "Follow me, if I am chaste;" and she also, who, contrary to the usual practice in the case of women, was brought to trial by the people for treason; because, when her litter was stopped by a great crowd in the streets, she openly exclaimed, "I wish my brother Pulcher was alive now, to lose another fleet, that Rome might be less thronged." Besides, it is well known, that all the Claudii, except Publius Claudius, who, to effect the banishment of Cicero, procured himself to be adopted by a plebeian, and one younger than himself, were always of the patrician party, as well as great sticklers for the honour and power of that order; and so violent and obstinate in their opposition to the plebeians, that not one of them, even in the case of a trial for life by the people, would ever condescend to put on mourning, according to custom, or make any supplication to them for favour; and some of them in their contests, have even proceeded to lay hands on the tribunes of the people. A Vestal Virgin likewise of the family, when her brother was resolved to have the honour of a triumph contrary to the will of the people, mounted the chariot with him, and attended him into the capitol, that it might not be lawful for any of the tribunes to interfere and forbid it. |
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Ex hac stirpe Tiberius Caesar genus trahit , et quidem utrumque : paternum a Tiberio Nerone , maternum ab Appio Pulchro , qui ambo Appi Caeci filii fuerunt . insertus est et Liuiorum familiae adoptato in eam materno auo . quae familia , quanquam plebeia , tamen et ipsa admodum floruit octo consulatibus , censuris duabus , triumphis tribus , dictatura etiam ac magisterio equitum honorata ; clara et insignibus uiris ac maxime Salinatore Drusisque . Salinator uniuersas tribus in censura notauit leuitatis nomine , quod , cum se post priorem consulatum multa inrogata condemnassent , consulem iterum censoremque fecissent . Drusus hostium duce Drauso comminus trucidato sibi posterisque suis cognomen inuenit . traditur etiam pro praetore ex prouincia Gallia rettulisse aurum Senonibus olim in obsidione Capitolii datum nec , ut fama est , extortum a Camillo . eius abnepos ob eximiam aduersus Gracchos operam patronus senatus dictus filium reliquit , quem in simili dissensione multa uarie molientem diuersa factio per fraudem interemit .
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From this family Tiberius Caesar is descended; indeed both by the father and mother's side; by the former from Tiberius Nero, and by the latter from Appius Pulcher, who were both sons of Appius Caecus. He likewise belonged to the family of the Livii, by the adoption of his mother's grandfather into it; which family although plebeian, made a distinguished figure, having had the honour of eight consulships, two censorships, three triumphs, one dictatorship, and the office of master of the horse; and was famous for eminent men, particularly, Salinator and the Drusi. Salinator, in his censorship, branded all the tribes, for their inconstancy in having made him consul a second time, as well as censor, although they had condemned him to a heavy fine after his first consulship. Drusus procured for himself and his posterity a new surname, by killing in single combat Drausus, the enemy's chief. He is likewise said to have recovered, when pro-praetor in the province of Gaul, the gold which was formerly given to the Senones, at the siege of the capitol, and had not, as is reported, been forced from them by Camillus. His great-great-grandson, who, for his extraordinary services against the Gracchi, was styled the "Patron of the Senate," left a son, who, while plotting in a sedition of the same description, was treacherously murdered by the opposite party. |
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Pater Tiberi , Nero , quaestor C . Caesaris Alexandrino bello classi praepositus , plurimum ad uictoriam contulit . quare et pontifex in locum P . Scipionis substitutus et ad deducendas in Galliam colonias , in quis Narbo et Arelate erant , missus est . tamen Caesare occiso , cunctis turbarum metu abolitionem facti decernentibus , etiam de praemiis tyrannicidarum referendum censuit . praetura deinde functus , cum exitu anni discordia inter triumuiros orta esset , retentis ultra iustum tempus insignibus L . Antonium consulem triumuiri fratrem ad Perusiam secutus , deditione a ceteris facta , solus permansit in partibus ac primo Praeneste , inde Neapolim euasit seruisque ad pilleum frustra uocatis in Siciliam profugit . sed indigne ferens nec statim se in conspectum Sexti Pompei admissum et fascium usu prohibitum , ad M . Antonium traiecit in Achaiam . cum quo breui reconciliata inter omnis pace Romam redit uxoremque Liuiam Drusillam et tunc grauidam et ante iam apud se filium enixam petenti Augusto concessit . nec multo post diem obiit , utroque liberorum superstite , Tiberio Drusoque Neronibus .
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But the father of Tiberius Caesar, being quaestor to Caius Caesar, and commander of his fleet in the war of Alexandria, contributed greatly to its success. He was therefore made one of the high-priests in the room of Publius Scipio; and was sent to settle some colonies in Gaul, and amongst the rest, those of Narbonne and Arles. After the assassination of Caesar, however, when the rest of the senators, for fear of public disturbances, were for having the affair buried in oblivion, he proposed a resolution for rewarding those who had killed the tyrant. Having filled the office of praetor, and at the end of the year a disturbance breaking out amongst the triumviri, he kept the badges of his office beyond the legal time; and following Lucius Antonius the consul, brother of the triumvir, to Perusia, though the rest submitted, yet he himself continued firm to the party, and escaped first to Praeneste, and then to Naples; whence, having in vain invited the slaves to liberty, he fled over to Sicily. But resenting his not being immediately admitted into the presence of Sextus Pompey, and being also prohibited the use of the fasces, he went over into Achaia to Mark Antony; with whom, upon a reconciliation soon after brought about amongst the several contending parties, he returned to Rome; and, at the request of Augustus, gave up to him his wife Livia Drusilla, although she was then big with child, and had before borne him a son. He died not long after; leaving behind him two sons, Tiberius and Drusus Nero. |
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Tiberium quidam Fundis natum existimauerunt secuti leuem coniecturam , quod materna eius auia Fundana fuerit et quod mox simulacrum Felicitatis ex s . c . publicatum ibi sit . sed ut plures certioresque tradunt , natus est Romae in Palatio XVI . Kal . Dec . M . Aemilio Lepido iterum L . Munatio Planco conss . per bellum Philippense . sic enim in fastos actaque in publica relatum est . nec tamen desunt , qui partim antecedente anno , Hirti ac Pansae , partim insequenti , Seruili Isaurici L .que Antoni consulatu , genitum eum scribant .
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Some have imagined that Tiberius was born at Fundi, but there is only this trifling foundation for the conjecture, that his mother's grandmother was of Fundi, and that the image of Good Fortune was, by a decree of the senate, erected in a public place in that town. But according to the greatest number of writers, and those too of the best authority, he was born at Rome, in the Palatine quarter, upon the sixteenth of the calends of December [16th Nov.], when Marcus AEmilius Lepidus was second time consul, with Lucius Munatius Plancus, after the battle of Philippi; for so it is registered in the calendar, and the public acts. According to some, however, he was born in the preceding year, in the consulship of Hirtius and Pansa; and others say, in the year following, during the consulship of Servilius Isauricus and Antony. |
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Infantiam pueritiamque habuit laboriosam et exercitatam , comes usque quaque parentum fugae ; quos quidem apud Neapolim sub inruptionem hostis nauigium clam petentis uagitu suo paene bis prodidit , semel cum a nutricis ubere , iterum cum a sinu matris raptim auferretur ab iis , qui pro necessitate temporis mulierculas leuare onere temptabant . per Siciliam quoque et per Achaiam circumductus ac Lacedaemoniis publice , quod in tutela Claudiorum erant , demandatus , digrediens inde itinere nocturno discrimen uitae adiit flamma repente e siluis undique exorta adeoque omnem comitatum circumplexa , ut Liuiae pars uestis et capilli amburerentur . munera , quibus a Pompeia Sex . Pompei sorore in Sicilia donatus est , chlamys et fibula , item bullae aureae , durant ostendunturque adhuc Bais . post reditum in urbem a M . Gallio senatore testamento adoptatus hereditate adita mox nomine abstinuit , quod Gallius aduersarum Augusto partium fuerat . Nouem natus annos defunctum patrem pro rostris laudauit . dehinc pubescens Actiaco triumpho currum Augusti comitatus est sinisteriore funali equo , cum Marcellus Octauiae filius dexteriore ueheretur . praesedit et asticis ludis et Troiam circensibus lusit ductor turmae puerorum maiorum .
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His infancy and childhood were spent in the midst of danger and trouble; for he accompanied his parents everywhere in their flight, and twice at Naples nearly betrayed them by his crying, when they were privately hastening to a ship, as the enemy rushed into the town; once, when he was snatched from his nurse's breast, and again, from his mother's bosom, by some of the company, who on the sudden emergency wished to relieve the women of their burden. Being carried through Sicily and Achaia, and entrusted for some time to the care of the Lacedaemonians, who were under the protection of the Claudian family, upon his departure thence when travelling by night, he ran the hazard of his life, by a fire which, suddenly bursting out of a wood on all sides, surrounded the whole party so closely, that part of Livia's dress and hair was burnt. The presents which were made him by Pompeia, sister to Sextus Pompey, in Sicily, namely, a cloak, with a clasp, and bullae of gold, are still in existence, and shewn at Baiae to this day. After his return to the city, being adopted by Marcus Gallius, a senator, in his will, he took possession of the estate; but soon afterwards declined the use of his name, because Gallius had been of the party opposed to Augustus. When only nine years of age, he pronounced a funeral oration in praise of his father upon the rostra; and afterwards, when he had nearly attained the age of manhood, he attended the chariot of Augustus, in his triumph for the victory at Actium, riding on the left-hand horse, whilst Marcellus, Octavia's son, rode that on the right. He likewise presided at the games celebrated on account of that victory; and in the Trojan games intermixed with the Circensian, he commanded a troop of the biggest boys. |
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Virili toga sumpta adulescentiam omnem spatiumque insequentis aetatis usque ad principatus initia per haec fere transegit . munus gladiatorium in memoriam patris et alterum in aui Drusi dedit , diuersis temporibus ac locis , primum in foro , secundum in amphitheatro , rudiaris quoque quibusdam reuocatis auctoramento centenum milium ; dedit et ludos , sed absens : cuncta magnifice , inpensa matris ac uitrici . Agrippinam , Marco Agrippa genitam , neptem Caecili Attici equitis R ., ad quem sunt Ciceronis epistulae , duxit uxorem ; sublatoque ex ea filio Druso , quanquam bene conuenientem rursusque grauidam dimittere ac Iuliam Augusti filiam confestim coactus est ducere non sine magno angore animi , cum et Agrippinae consuetudine teneretur et Iuliae mores improbaret , ut quam sensisset sui quoque sub priore marito appetentem , quod sane etiam uulgo existimabatur . sed Agrippinam et abegisse post diuortium doluit et semel omnino ex occursu uisam adeo contentis et umentibus oculis prosecutus est , ut custoditum sit ne umquam in conspectum ei posthac ueniret . cum Iulia primo concor diter et amore mutuo uixit , mox dissedit et aliquanto grauius , ut etiam perpetuo secubaret , intercepto communis fili pignore , qui Aquileiae natus infans extinctus est . Drusum fratrem in Germania amisit , cuius corpus pedibus toto itinere praegrediens Romam usque peruexit .
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After assuming the manly habit, he spent his youth, and the rest of his life until he succeeded to the government, in the following manner: he gave the people an entertainment of gladiators, in memory of his father, and another for his grandfather Drusus, at different times and in different places: the first in the forum, the second in the amphitheatre; some gladiators who had been honourably discharged, being induced to engage again, by a reward of a hundred thousand sesterces. He likewise exhibited public sports, at which he was not present himself. All these he performed with great magnificence, at the expense of his mother and father-in-law. He married Agrippina, the daughter of Marcus Agrippa, and granddaughter of Caecilius Atticus, a Roman knight, the same person to whom Cicero has addressed so many epistles. After having by her his son Drusus, he was obliged to part with her, though she retained his affection, and was again pregnant, to make way for marrying Augustus's daughter Julia. But this he did with extreme reluctance; for, besides having the warmest attachment to Agrippina, he was disgusted with the conduct of Julia, who had made indecent advances to him during the lifetime of her former husband; and that she was a woman of loose character, was the general opinion. At divorcing Agrippina he felt the deepest regret; and upon meeting her afterwards, he looked after her with eyes so passionately expressive of affection, that care was taken she should never again come in his sight. At first, however, he lived quietly and happily with Julia; but a rupture soon ensued, which became so violent, that after the loss of their son, the pledge of their union, who was born at Aquileia and died in infancy, he never would sleep with her more. He lost his brother Drusus in Germany, and brought his body to Rome, travelling all the way on foot before it. |
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Ciuilium officiorum rudimentis regem Archelaum Trallianos et Thessalos , uaria quosque de causa , Augusto cognoscente defendit ; pro Laodicenis Thyatirenis Chiis terrae motu afflictis opemque implorantibus senatum deprecatus est ; Fannium Caepionem , qui cum Varrone Murena in Augustum conspirauerat , reum maiestatis apud iudices fecit et condemnauit . interque haec duplicem curam administrauit , annonae quae artior inciderat , et repurgandorum tota Italia ergastulorum , quorum domini in inuidiam uenerant quasi exceptos supprimerent non solum uiatores sed et quos sacramenti metus ad eius modi latebras compulisset .
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When he first applied himself to civil affairs, he defended the several causes of king Archelaus, the Trallians, and the Thessalians, before Augustus, who sat as judge at the trials. He addressed the senate on behalf of the Laodiceans, the Thyatireans, and Chians, who had suffered greatly by an earthquake, and implored relief from Rome. He prosecuted Fannius Caepio, who had been engaged in a conspiracy with Varro Mursena against Augustus, and procured sentence of condemnation against him. Amidst all this, he had besides to superintend two departments of the administration, that of supplying the city with corn, which was then very scarce, and that of clearing the houses of correction throughout Italy, the masters of which had fallen under the odious suspicion of seizing and keeping confined, not only travellers, but those whom the fear of being obliged to serve in the army had driven to seek refuge in such places. |
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Stipendia prima expeditione Cantabrica tribunus militum fecit , dein ducto ad Orientem exercitu regnum Armeniae Tigrani restituit ac pro tribunali diadema imposuit . recepit et signa , quae M . Crasso ademerant Parthi . post hoc Comatam Galliam anno fere rexit et barbarorum incursionibus et principum discordia inquietam . exin Raeticum Vindelicumque bellum , inde Pannonicum , inde Germanicum gessit . Raetico atque Vindelico gentis Alpinas , Pannonico Breucos et Dalmatas subegit , Germanico quadraginta milia dediticiorum traiecit in Galliam iuxtaque ripam Rheni sedibus adsignatis conlocauit . quas ob res et ouans et curru urbem ingressus est , prius , ut quidam putant , triumphalibus ornamentis honoratus , nouo nec antea cuiquam tributo genere honoris . Magistratus et maturius incohauit et paene iunctim percucurrit , quaesturam praeturam consulatum ; interpositoque tempore consul iterum etiam tribuniciam potestatem in quinquennium accepit .
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He made his first campaign, as a military tribune, in the Cantabrian war. Afterwards he led an army into the East, where he restored the kingdom of Armenia to Tigranes; and seated on a tribunal, put a crown upon his head. He likewise recovered from the Parthians the standards which they had taken from Crassus. He next governed, for nearly a year, the province of Gallia Comata, which was then in great disorder, on account of the incursions of the barbarians, and the feuds of the chiefs. He afterwards commanded in the several wars against the Rhaetians, Vindelicians, Pannonians, and Germans. In the Rhaetian and Vindelician wars, he subdued the nations in the Alps; and in the Pannonian wars the Bruci, and the Dalmatians. In the German war, he transplanted into Gaul forty thousand of the enemy who had submitted, and assigned them lands near the banks of the Rhine. For these actions, he entered the city with an ovation, but riding in a chariot, and is said by some to have been the first that ever was honoured with this distinction. He filled early the principal offices of state; and passed through the quaestorship, praetorship, and consulates almost successively. After some interval, he was chosen consul a second time, and held the tribunitian authority during five years. |
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tot prosperis confluentibus integra aetate ac ualitudine statuit repente secedere seque e medio quam longissime amouere : dubium uxorisne taedio , quam neque criminari aut dimittere auderet neque ultra perferre posset , an ut uitato assiduitatis fastidio auctoritatem absentia tueretur atque etiam augeret , si quando indiguisset sui res p . quidam existimant , adultis iam Augusti liberis , loco et quasi possessione usurpati a se diu secundi gradus sponte cessisse exemplo M . Agrippae , qui M . Marcello ad munera publica admoto Mytilenas abierit , ne aut obstare aut obtrectare praesens uideretur . quam causam et ipse , sed postea , reddidit . tunc autem honorum satietatem ac requiem laborum praetendens commeatum petit ; neque aut matri suppliciter precanti aut uitrico deseri se etiam in senatu conquerenti ueniam dedit . quin et pertinacius retinentibus , cibo per quadriduum abstinuit . facta tandem abeundi potestate , relictis Romae uxore et filio confestim Ostiam descendit , ne uerbo quidem cuiquam prosequentium reddito paucosque admodum in digressu exosculatus .
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Surrounded by all this prosperity, in the prime of life and in excellent health, he suddenly formed the resolution of withdrawing to a greater distance from Rome. It is uncertain whether this was the result of disgust for his wife, whom he neither durst accuse nor divorce, and the connection with whom became every day more intolerable; or to prevent that indifference towards him, which his constant residence in the city might produce; or in the hope of supporting and improving by absence his authority in the state, if the public should have occasion for his service. Some are of opinion, that as Augustus's sons were now grown up to years of maturity, he voluntarily relinquished the possession he had long enjoyed of the second place in the government, as Agrippa had done before him; who, when M. Marcellus was advanced to public offices, retired to Mitylene, that he might not seem to stand in the way of his promotion, or in any respect lessen him by his presence. The same reason likewise Tiberius gave afterwards for his retirement; but his pretext at this time was, that he was satiated with honours, and desirous of being relieved from the fatigue of business; requesting therefore that he might have leave to withdraw. And neither the earnest entreaties of his mother, nor the complaint of his father-in-law made even in the senate, that he was deserted by him, could prevail upon him to alter his resolution. Upon their persisting in the design of detaining him, he refused to take any sustenance for four days together. At last, having obtained permission, leaving his wife and son at Rome, he proceeded to Ostia, without exchanging a word with those who attended him, and having enbraced but very few persons at parting. |
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ab Ostia oram Campaniae legens inbecillitate Augusti nuntiata paulum substitit . sed increbrescente rumore quasi ad occasionem maioris spei commoraretur , tantum non aduersis tempestatibus Rhodum enauigauit , amoenitate et salubritate insulae iam inde captus cum ad eam ab Armenia rediens appulisset . hic modicis contentus aedibus nec multo laxiore suburbano genus uitae ciuile admodum instituit , sine lictore aut uiatore gymnasio interdum obambulans mutuaque cum Graeculis officia usurpans prope ex aequo . Forte quondam in disponendo die mane praedixerat , quidquid aegrorum in ciuitate esset uisitare se uelle ; id a proximis aliter exceptum iussique sunt omnes aegri in publicam porticum deferri ac per ualitudinum genera disponi . perculsus ergo inopinata re diuque quid ageret incertus , tandem singulos circuit excusans factum etiam tenuissimo cuique et ignoto . unum hoc modo neque praeterea quicquam notatum est , in quo exeruisse ius tribuniciae potestatis uisus sit : cum circa scholas et auditoria professorum assiduus esset , moto inter antisophistas grauiore iurgio , non defuit qui eum interuenientem et quasi studiosiorem partis alterius conuicio incesseret . sensim itaque regressus domum repente cum apparitoribus prodiit citatumque pro tribunali uoce praeconis conuiciatorem rapi iussit in carcerem . Comperit deinde Iuliam uxorem ob libidines atque adulteria damnatam repudiumque ei suo nomine ex auctoritate Augusti remissum ; et quamquam laetus nuntio , tamen officii duxit , quantum in se esset , exorare filiae patrem frequentibus litteris et uel utcumque meritae , quidquid umquam dono dedisset , concedere . transacto autem tribuniciae potestatis tempore , confessus tandem , nihil aliud secessu deuitasse se quam aemulationis cum C . Lucioque suspicionem , petit ut sibi securo iam ab hac parte , conroboratis his et secundum locum facile tutantibus , permitteretur reuisere necessitudines , quarum desiderio teneretur . sed neque impetrauit ultroque etiam admonitus est , dimitteret omnem curam suorum , quos tam cupide reliquisset .
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From Ostia, journeying along the coast of Campania, he halted awhile on receiving intelligence of Augustus's being taken ill, but this giving rise to a rumour that he stayed with a view to something extraordinary, he sailed with the wind almost full against him, and arrived at Rhodes, having been struck with the pleasantness and healthiness of the island at the time of his landing there in his return from Armenia. Here contenting himself with a small house, and a villa not much larger, near the town, he led entirely a private life, taking his walks sometimes about the Gymnasia, without any lictor or other attendant, and returning the civilities of the Greeks with almost as much complaisance as if he had been upon a level with them. One morning, in settling the course of his daily excursion, he happened to say, that he should visit all the sick people in the town. This being not rightly understood by those about him, the sick were brought into a public portico, and ranged in order, according to their several distempers. Being extremely embarrassed by this unexpected occurrence, he was for some time irresolute how he should act; but at last he determined to go round them all, and make an apology for the mistake, even to the meanest amongst them, and such as were entirely unknown to him. One instance only is mentioned, in which he appeared to exercise his tribunitian authority. Being a constant attendant upon the schools and lecture-rooms of the professors of the liberal arts, on occasion of a quarrel amongst the wrangling sophists, in which he interposed to reconcile them, some person took the liberty to abuse him as an intruder, and partial in the affair. Upon this, withdrawing privately home, he suddenly returned attended by his officers, and summoning his accuser before his tribunal, by a public crier, ordered him to be taken to prison. Afterwards he received tidings that his wife Julia had been condemned for her lewdness and adultery, and that a bill of divorce had been sent to her in his name, by the authority of Augustus. Though he secretly rejoiced at this intelligence, he thought it incumbent upon him, in point of decency, to interpose in her behalf by frequent letters to Augustus, and to allow her to retain the presents which he had made her, notwithstanding the little regard she merited from him. When the period of his tribunitian authority expired, declaring at last that he had no other object in his retirement than to avoid all suspicion of rivalship with Caius and Lucius, he petitioned that, since he was now secure in that respect, as they were come to the age of manhood, and would easily maintain themselves in possession of the second place in the state, he might be permitted to visit his friends, whom he was very desirous of seeing. But his request was denied; and he was advised to lay aside all concern for his friends, whom he had been so eager to quit. |
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remansit igitur Rhodi contra uoluntatem , uix per matrem consecutus , ut ad uelandam ignominiam quasi legatus Augusto abesset . Enimuero tunc non priuatum modo , sed etiam obnoxium et trepidum egit mediterraneis agris abditus uitansque praeternauigantium officia , quibus frequentabatur assidue , nemine cum imperio aut magistratu tendente quoquam quin deuerteret Rhodum . et accesserunt maioris sollicitudinis causae . namque priuignum Gaium Orienti praepositum , cum uisendi gratia traiecisset Samum , alieniorem sibi sensit ex criminationibus M . Lolli comitis et rectoris eius . uenit etiam in suspicionem per quosdam beneficii sui centuriones a commeatu castra repetentis mandata ad complures dedisse ambigua et quae temptare singulorum animos ad nouas res uiderentur . de qua suspicione certior ab Augusto factus non cessauit efflagitare aliquem cuiuslibet ordinis custodem factis atque dictis suis .
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He therefore continued at Rhodes much against his will, obtaining, with difficulty, thrqugh his mother, the title of Augustus's lieutenant, to cover his disgrace. He thenceforth lived, however, not only as a private person, but as one suspected and under apprehension, retiring into the interior of the country, and avoiding the visits of those who sailed that way, which were very frequent; for no one passed to take command of an army, or the government of a province, without touching at Rhodes. But there were fresh reasons for increased anxiety. For crossing over to Samos, on a visit to his step-son Caius, who had been appointed governor of the East, ihe found him prepossessed against him, by the insinuations of Marcus Lollius, his companion and director. He likewise fell under suspicion of sending by some centurions who had been promoted by himself, upon their return to the camp after a furlough, mysterious messages to several persons there, intended, apparently, to tamper with them for a revolt. This jealousy respecting his designs being intimated to him by Augustus, he begged repeatedly that some person of any of the three Orders might be placed as a spy upon him in every thing he either said or did. |
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equi quoque et armorum solitas exercitationes omisit redegitque se deposito patrio habitu ad pallium et crepidas atque in tali statu biennio fere permansit , contemptior in dies et inuisior , adeo ut imagines eius et statuas Nemausenses subuerterint ac familiari quondam conuiuio mentione eius orta extiterit qui Gaio polliceretur , confestim se , si iuberet , Rhodum nauigaturum caputque exulis —sic enim appellabatur —relaturum . quo praecipue non iam metu sed discrimine coactus est , tam suis quam matris inpensissimis precibus reditum expostulare , impetrauitque adiutus aliquantum etiam casu . destinatum Augusto erat , nihil super ea re nisi ex uoluntate maioris fili statuere ; is forte tunc M . Lollio offensior , facilis exorabilisque in uitricum fuit . permittente ergo Gaio reuocatus est , uerum sub condicione ne quam partem curamue rei p . attingeret .
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He laid aside likewise his usual exercises of riding and arms; and quitting the Roman habit, made use of the Pallium and Crepida. In this condition he continued almost two years, becoming daily an object of increasing contempt and odium; insomuch that the people of Nismes pulled down all the images and statues of him in their town; and upon mention being made of him at table, one of the company said to Caius, "I will sail over to Rhodes immediately, if you desire me, and bring you the head of the exile;" for that was the appellation now given him. Thus alarmed not only by apprehensions, but real danger, he renewed his solicitations for leave to return; and, seconded by the most urgent supplications of his mother, he at last obtained his request; to which an accident somewhat contributed. Augustus had resolved to determine nothing in the affair, but with the consent of his eldest son. The latter was at that time out of humour with Marcus Lollius, and -therefore easily disposed to be favourable to his father-in-law. Caius thus acquiescing, he was recalled, but upon condition that he should take no concern whatever in the administration of affairs. |
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Rediit octauo post secessum anno , magna nec incerta spe futurorum , quam et ostentis et praedictionibus ab initio aetatis conceperat . Praegnans eo Liuia cum an marem editura esset , uariis captaret ominibus , ouum incubanti gallinae subductum nunc sua nunc ministrarum manu per uices usque fouit , quoad pullus insigniter cristatus exclusus est . ac de infante Scribonius mathematicus praeclara spopondit , etiam regnaturum quandoque , sed sine regio insigni , ignota scilicet tunc adhuc Caesarum potestate . et ingresso primam expeditionem ac per Macedoniam ducente exercitum in Syriam , accidit ut apud Philippos sacratae olim uictricium legionum arae sponte subitis conlucerent ignibus ; et mox , cum Illyricum petens iuxta Patauium adisset Geryonis oraculum , sorte tracta , qua monebatur ut de consultationibus in Aponi fontem talos aureos iaceret , euenit ut summum numerum iacti ab eo ostenderent ; hodieque sub aqua uisuntur hi tali . ante paucos uero quam reuocaretur dies aquila numquam antea Rhodi conspecta in culmine domus eius assedit ; et pridie quam de reditu certior fieret , uestimenta mutanti tunica ardere uisa est . Thrasyllum quoque mathematicum , quem ut sapientiae professorem contubernio admouerat , tum maxime expertus est affirmantem naue prouisa gaudium afferri ; cum quidem illum durius et contra praedicta cadentibus rebus ut falsum et secretorum temere conscium , eo ipso momento , dum spatiatur una , praecipitare in mare destinasset .
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He returned to Rome after an absence of nearly eight years, with great and confident hopes of his future elevation, which he had entertained from his, youth, in consequence of various prodigies and predictions. For Livia, when pregnant with him, being anxious to discover, by different modes of divination, whether her offspring would be a son, amongst others, took an egg from a hen that was sitting, and kept it warm with her own hands, and those of her maids, by turns, until a fine cock-chicken, with a large comb, was hatched. Scribonius, the astrologer, predicted great things of him when he was a mere child. " He will come in time," said the prophet, "to be even a king, but without the usual badge of royal dignity;" the rule of the Caesars being as yet unknown. When he was making his first expedition, and leading his army through Macedonia into Syria, the altars which had been formerly consecrated at Philippi by the victorious legions, blazed suddenly with spontaneous fires. Soon after, as he was marching to Illyricum, he stopped to consult the oracle of Geryon, near Padua; and having drawn a lot by which he was desired to throw golden tali into the fountain of Aponus, for an answer to his inquiries, he did so, and the highest numbers came up. And those very tali are still to be seen at the bottom of the fountain. A few days before his leaving Rhodes, an eagle, a bird never before seen in that island, perched on the top of his house. And the day before he received the intelligence of the permission granted him to return, as he was changing his dress, his tunic appeared to be all on fire. He then likewise had a remarkable proof of the skill of Thrasyllus, the astrologer, whom, for his proficiency in philosophical researches, he had taken into his family. For, upon sight of the ship which brought the intelligence, he said good news was coming: whereas every thing going wrong before, and quite contrary to his predictions, Tiberius had intended that very moment, when they were walking together, to throw him into the sea, as an impostor, and one to whom he had too hastily entrusted his secrets. |