former tyrants had afflicted their city； and what dangers both he
and they had escaped under Caius； and that he ought not to hate
the heavy burden of tyranny； when the injury is done by others；
while he did himself willfully treat his country after a mad and
insolent manner； that if he would comply with them； and
demonstrate that his firm resolution was to live quietly and
virtuously； he would have the greatest honors decreed to him that
a free people could bestow； and by subjecting himself to the law；
would obtain this branch of commendation； that he acted like a
man of virtue； both as a ruler and a subject； but that if he
would act foolishly； and learn no wisdom by Caius's death； they
would not permit him to go on； that a great part of the army was
got together for them； with plenty of weapons； and a great number
of slaves； which they could make use of； that good hope was a
great matter in such cases； as was also good fortune； and that
the gods would never assist any others but those that undertook
to act with virtue and goodness； who can be no other than such as
fight for the liberty of their country。
4。 Now these ambassadors； Veranius and Brocchus； who were both of
them tribunes of the people； made this speech to Claudius； and
falling down upon their knees； they begged of him that he would
not throw the city into wars and misfortunes； but when they saw
what a multitude of soldiers encompassed and guarded Claudius；
and that the forces that were with the consuls were； in
comparison of them； perfectly inconsiderable； they added； that if
he did desire the government； he should accept of it as given by
the senate； that he would prosper better； and be happier； if he
came to it； not by the injustice； but by the good…will of those
that would bestow it upon him。
CHAPTER 4。
What Things King Agrippa Did For Claudius； And How Claudius When
He Had Taken The Government Commanded The Murderers Of Caius To
Be Slain。
1。 Now Claudius； though he was sensible after what an insolent
manner the senate had sent to him yet did he； according to their
advice； behave himself for the present with moderation； but not
so far that he could not recover himself out of his fright； so he
was encouraged ＇to claim the government＇ partly by the boldness
of the soldiers； and partly by the persuasion of king Agrippa；
who exhorted him not to let such a dominion slip out of his
hands； when it came thus to him of its own accord。 Now this
Agrippa； with relation to Caius； did what became one that had
been so much honored by him； for he embraced Caius's body after
he was dead； and laid it upon a bed； and covered it as well as he
could； and went out to the guards； and told them that Caius was
still alive； but he said that they should call for physicians；
since he was very ill of his wounds。 But when he had learned that
Claudius was carried away violently by the soldiers； he rushed
through the crowd to him； and when he found that he was in
disorder； and ready to resign up the government to the senate； he
encouraged him； and desired him to keep the government； but when
he had said this to Claudius； he retired home。 And upon the
senate's sending for him； he anointed his head with ointment； as
if he had lately accompanied with his wife； and had dismissed
her； and then came to them： he also asked of the senators what
Claudius did； who told him the present state of affairs； and then
asked his opinion about the settlement of the public。 He told
them in words that he was ready to lose his life for the honor of
the senate； but desired them to consider what was for their
advantage； without any regard to what was most agreeable to them；
for that those who grasp at government will stand in need of
weapons and soldiers to guard them； unless they will set up
without any preparation for it； and so fall into danger。 And when
the senate replied that they would bring in weapons in abundance；
and money； and that as to an army； a part of it was already
collected together for them； and they would raise a larger one by
giving the slaves their liberty； … Agrippa made answer； 〃O
senators！ may you be able to compass what you have a mind to； yet
will I immediately tell you my thoughts； because they tend to
your preservation。 Take notice； then； that the army which will
fight for Claudius hath been long exercised in warlike affairs；
but our army will be no better than a rude multitude of raw men；
and those such as have been unexpectedly made free from slavery；
and ungovernable； we must then fight against those that are
skillful in war； with men who know not so much as how to draw
their swords。 So that my opinion is； that we should send some
persons to Claudius； to persuade him to lay down the government；
and I am ready to be one of your ambassadors。〃
2。 Upon this speech of Agrippa； the senate complied with him； and
he was sent among others； and privately informed Claudius of the
disorder the senate was in； and gave him instructions to answer
them in a somewhat commanding strain； and as one invested with
dignity and authority。 Accordingly； Claudius said to the
ambassadors； that he did not wonder the senate had no mind to
have an emperor over them； because they had been harassed by the
barbarity of those that had formerly been at the head of their
affairs； but that they should taste of an equitable government
under him； and moderate times； while he should only he their
ruler in name； but the authority should be equally common to them
all； and since he had passed through many and various scenes of
life before their eyes； it would be good for them not to distrust
him。 So the ambassadors； upon their hearing this his answer； were
dismissed。 But Claudius discoursed with the army which was there
gathered together； who took oaths that they would persist in
their fidelity to him； Upon which he gave the guards every man
five thousand （13） drachmae a…piece； and a proportionable
quantity to their captains； and promised to give the same to the
rest of the armies wheresoever they were。
3。 And now the consuls called the senate together into the temple
of Jupiter the Conqueror； while it was still night； but some of
those senators concealed themselves in the city； being uncertain
what to do； upon the hearing of this summons； and some of them
went out of the city to their own farms； as foreseeing whither
the public affairs were going； and despairing of liberty； nay；
these supposed it much better for them to be slaves without
danger to themselves； and to live a lazy and inactive life； than
by claiming the dignity of their forefathers； to run the hazard
of their own safety。 However； a hundred and no more were gotten
together； and as they were in consultation about the present
posture of affairs； a sudden clamor was made by the soldiers that
were on their side； desiring that the senate would choose them an
emperor； and not bring the government into ruin by setting up a
multitude of rulers。 So they fully declared themselves to be for
the giving the government not to all； but to one； but they gave
the senate leave to look out for a person worthy to be set over
them； insomuch that now the affairs of the senate were much worse
than before； because they had not only failed in the recovery of
their liberty； which they boasted themselves of； but were in
dread of Claudius also。 Yet were there those that hankered after
the government； both on account of the dignity of their families
and that accruing to them by their marriages； for Marcus
Minucianus was illustrious； both by his own nobility； and by his
having married Julia； the sister of Caius； who accordingly was
very ready to claim the government； although the consuls
discouraged him； and made one delay after another in proposing
it： that Minucianus also； who was one of Caius's murderers；
restrained Valerius of Asia from thinking of such things； and a
prodigious slaughter there had been； if leave had been given to
these men to set up for themselves； and oppose Claudius。 There
were also a considerable number of gladiators besides； and of
those soldiers who kept watch by night in the city； and rowers of
ships； who all ran into the camp； insomuch that； of those who put
in for the government； some left off their pretensions in order
to spare the city； and others out of fear for their own persons。
4。 But as soon as ever it was day； Cherea； and those that were
with him； came into the senate； and attempted to make speeches to
the soldiers。 However； the multitude of those soldiers； when they
saw that they were making signals for silence with their hands；
and were ready to begin to speak to them； grew tumultuous； and
would not let them speak at all； because they were all zealous to
be under a monarchy； and they demanded of the senate one for
their ruler； as not enduring any longer delays： but the senate
hesitated about either their own governing； or how they should
themselves be governed； while the soldiers would not admit them
to govern； and the murderers of Caius would not permit the
soldiers to dictate to them。 When they were in these
circumstances； Cherea was not able to contain the anger he had；
and promised； that if they desired an emperor； he would give them
one； if any one would bring him the watchword from Eutychus。 Now
this Eutychus was charioteer of the green…band faction； styled
Prasine； and a great friend of Caius； who used to harass the
soldiery with building stables for the horses； and spent his time
in ignominious labors； which occasioned Cherea to reproach them
with him； and to abuse them with much other scurrilous language；
and told them he would bring them the head of Claudius； and that
it was an amazing thing； that； after their former madness； they
should commit their government to a fool。 Yet were not they moved
with his words； but drew their swords； and took up their ensigns；
and went to Claudius； to join in taking the oath of fidelity to
him。 So the senate were left without any body to defend them； and
the very consuls differed nothing from private persons。 They were
also under consternation and sorrow； men not knowing what would
become of them； because Claudius was very angry at them； so they
fell a re