Claudius |
Translator: Alexander Thomson
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| 45 |
mors eius celata est , donec circa successorem omnia ordinarentur . itaque et quasi pro aegro adhuc uota suscepta sunt et inducti per simulationem comoedi , qui uelut desiderantem oblectarent . excessit III . Id . Octob. Asinio Marcello Acilio Auiola coss . sexagesimo quarto aetatis , imperii quarto decimo anno , funeratusque est sollemni principum pompa et in numerum deorum relatus ; quem honorem a Nerone destitutum abolitumque recepit mox per Vespasianum .
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His death was kept secret until everything was settled relative to his successor. Accordingly, vows were made for his recovery, and comedians were called to amuse him, as it was pretended, by his own desire. He died upon the third of the ides of October [13th October], in the consulship of Asinius Marcellus and Acilius Aviola, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and the fourteenth of his reign. His funeral was celebrated with the customary imperial pomp, and he was ranked amongst the gods. This honour was taken from him by Nero, but restored by Vespasian. |
| 46 |
praesagia mortis eius praecipua fuerunt : exortus crinitae stellae , quam cometen uocant , tactumque de caelo monumentum Drusi patris , et quod eodem anno ex omnium magistratuum genere plerique mortem obierant . sed nec ipse ignorasse aut dissimulasse ultima uitae suae tempora uidetur , aliquot quidem argumentis . nam et cum consules designaret , neminem ultra mensem quo obiit designauit , et in senatu , cui nouissime interfuit , multum ad concordiam liberos suos cohortatus , utriusque aetatem suppliciter patribus commendauit , et in ultima cognitione pro tribunali accessisse ad finem mortalitatis , quanquam abominantibus qui audiebant , semel atque iterum pronuntiauit .
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The chief presages of his death were, the appearance of a comet, his father Drusus's monument being struck by lightning, and the death of most of the magistrates of all ranks that year. It appears from several circumstances, that he was sensible of his approaching dissolution, and made no secret of it. For when he nominated the consuls, he appointed no one to fill the office beyond the month in which he died. At the last assembly of the senate in which he made his appearance, he earnestly exhorted his two sons to unity with each other, and with earnest entreaties commended to the fathers the care of their tender years. And in the last cause he heard from the tribunal, he repeatedly declared in open court, "That he was now arrived at the last stage of mortal existence;" whilst all who heard it shrunk at hearing these ominous words. |