Octavian Augustus (Second part)

The Twelve Caesars
Gaius Suetonius

Part biography of Octavian Augustus

XXXIII. He administered justice itself frequently, and sometimes even at night. When he was ill judged from a litter placed before the court, or at home and in bed. Not only great care applied to the trial of causes, but also adds sweetness displayed. Wanting to release a defendant convicted of parricide the honor of being sewn into a leather bag (54), which applied torture to which he pleaded guilty, he suggested, they say, the prosecution in these terms: Is not it true that you have not killed your father? In a testament false accusation, which were complicated by virtue of the law Cornelia everyone who had armed themselves, circulated to the judges, in addition to two regular tablets of condemnation and acquittal, one in which he forgave those whose signature has been obtained by mistake or fraud. Every year were delivered by him to the prefect of Rome appeals by litigants residing in the city, the inhabitants of the provinces were given to each of the men responsible consular especially foreign affairs.

XXXIV. Review all laws and restored an absolute number of them, as there were sumptuary and against adultery, immorality, intrigue and celibacy. Regarding the latter, which was even more severe than the others, the violence of the protests that prevented him from keeping it raised and forced to remove or soften some of the sentences, to grant a period of three years and to increase the rewards . Although reformed the law in this way, the Knights called loudly for its abolition in full spectacle Augustus, then, calling the sons of Germanicus, who came, some on their arms and the other to his father, and show the people urged to look at attitude and not afraid to imitate the example of the young prince. Realizing later that mocked the provisions of the law, choosing brides who could not marry in a long time and often changing wives, restricted the duration of the engagement and limited the freedom of divorce.

XXXV. The excessive number of senators had made this body a strange and confusing amalgam, having, in effect, over a thousand, of which some were completely unworthy of this range, which had been high after the death of Caesar, please or money, and whom the people called Orcino (55). Augustus, through two elections, returned to this body proportions and primitive splendor. The first choice was left to the discretion of the same senators, of which each had to choose another, the second was made by Agrippa. When the new Senate presided, wearing, say, a breastplate under his robe and a sword at his side, ten Senators robust, his friends, around his seat. Refer Cordo Cremucio that at this time, only admitted to his presence senators one by one and after being registered. Augusto forcing some to resign, and authorized the insignia of his dignity to those who submitted to his desire, as well as its position in the orchestra and in the solemn feasts offered to the gods. As newly elected senators or preserved, arranged so that their duties they seem both more sacred and less painful, which, before settling, would make each a libation of wine and incense to the divinity of the temple where sit, it also ordered that the Senate would hold no more than two meetings per month, on the Kalends and the Ides, and that in the months of September and October would be required to attend any sessions, except those designated by lot to form the legal number. He created for himself a Council, which was renewed every six months by lot, with the deliberate about business to be presented to the full Senate. In important cases did not reflect the votes according to the established order, but according to your taste, so that each senator had to be willing to give views instead of simply following the other.

XXXVI. He still had many other innovations, including prohibiting the publication of the proceedings of the Senate and sent to provincial judges whose functions just had just completed. He wanted to proconsuls assigned fixed compensation for transportation and room expenses previously awarded in competitive bidding. He retired from the city Quaestors custody of the Treasury, entrusting it to the magistrates and citizens who had been. Decemvirs charged the court calls centunviros, functions previously entrusted to those who had received the dignity quaestorship do.

XXXVII. In order to involve more citizens in the administration of the Republic, created new jobs, the monitoring of public works (56), roads, aqueducts, the bed of the Tiber, the distribution of wheat to the people; organized a prefecture in Rome (57), a triumvirate for the election of senators and another to interview the gentlemen who had long since ceased to choose, and increased the number of magistrates. He also asked that when he became consul, was to give him two colleagues instead of one, which failed, having already lowered all its majesty too honored to share with another that he could enjoy himself.

XXXVIII. Generously rewarded the military merit, was given the honors of victory more than thirty generals, and the triumphal insignia still a larger number (58). To quickly get used to the children of the senators in the management of public affairs, allowing them to take the lacticlavia while the manly toga, and attend the Senate since that time. After some time of military service the tribune of the legion, and even cavalry corps commanders, so that no one was alien to life in the camps, distributed between two senators often command a wing of the army. He made frequent men's magazines, restoring the use, since well abolished, its solemn procession. It also prohibited that any accuser forced to get to any of his horse, as was formerly in the midst of this ceremony. A mutilated elderly authorized to send his horse in his place, and stand to answer whether the quoted foot, granted, finally, to the gentlemen over thirty-five years, please return the horse if they did not keep it.

XXXIX. Having asked the Senate ten colleagues, made all the knights give strict account for their conduct, those who were found wanting, were punished with different penalties, and some with a note of infamy, several of them escaped with more or less severe repression, consisting of the lightest in tablets that should deliver on the spot and read quietly, some were punished for lending money with interest, after having succeeded to such an object to a very low interest.

XL. When the ballot for the election of tribunes there was insufficient number of candidates for senators, chosen from among the Roman knights, taking them right, upon expiration of their office, to remain in the order they chose. Like many gentlemen, ruined by civil wars, dared not sit on public games on the benches reserved for this order, for fear of incurring penalties theater, said that was enough to get rid of these have appeared in person at the equestrian order, or have relatives that are listed therein. Established the census of the people for quarters, and deliveries of wheat to not deviate too often commoners of their occupations, he delivered three times a year bonds for four months, seeing, however, who missed the old use of monthly distributions, it reinstated. It established the old regulations relating to elections and imposed penalties multiplied with coercion. On election day, the tribes Fabia Scaptia of which was a member, he did so distribute thousand sesterces per head, so they had nothing to ask any candidate. Granted very great importance to preserve the Roman people pure from any mixture of foreign or servile blood, granted only the right of citizenship with extraordinary reserves, and restricted the power of manumission. A Tiberio, asking the right for a Greek client of his, wrote that he would grant it if he had not come to prove the justice of their request. Livia, who requested the same for a tributary Gaul, was refused, offering to free his protégé of the charge, preferring to remove as I said something to the Treasury, to prostitute the dignity of a Roman citizen. Not content with having raised many obstacles between slavery and the simple freedom, with more still to be opposite manumissions legitimate, whose number, position and fix took care of differences, but also prohibited the slave who had taken or suffered chains the torture could never, and in any manner whatsoever, to obtain the rights of citizenship (59). He also intends to restore the ancient Roman costume itself, seeing a day in a town meeting many dark cloaks, angrily exclaimed: "Behold, Romans, these conquerors of the world and those winners with toga and entrusted the Velasco councilors that for anyone, hereafter filed in the Forum or Circus without the cloak and Roman toga.

XLI. On many occasions presented the testimony given in all orders of his generosity. Brought to Rome by order of his royal treasury of Alexandria, shed such an abundance of cash, which immediately lowered the interest of money and raised the price of land, and later, when the Treasury was increased with the seizure of assets of the condemned, provided pro bono, and for a specified period, which could account for twice as much. He raised the census required for senators of eight hundred thousand sesterces to one million two hundred thousand, supplementing, but those who do not possess. Frequently congiarios gave the people (60), but need not always equal the amount, were sometimes four sesterces per person, others three hundred, and only a few hundred or fifty. Of these donations did not exclude children or infants, although it was customary not to include them until the age of eleven. In times of scarcity it was also distributed rations of wheat, often at very low cost, and duplicate while the distribution of money.

XLII. This shows, however, sought only by this means the welfare of the people and not their favor, is that one day having raised complaints about the high price of wine, he suppressed the cries and said indignantly that by introducing his son Agrippa many aqueducts, had served enough that no one had sed. Another day, the people having recalled the promise he had made a congiario replied that they should trust his word, but as another opportunity to claim the crowd something he had not promised, censure by his baseness and shamelessness edict stating that would give nothing, but had had prior intent. He showed no less firm when, looking after the announcement of a congiario that a large number of freed slaves had become free registration among citizens, refused to accept a distribution that is not promised, giving to others less than they had promised, so that the amount could be sufficient for that purpose. obligóle an extraordinary shortage at one time, Rome's take all the slaves for sale, all the gladiators, all foreigners, except doctors and teachers, and even part of the slaves in service. When he finally became abundant, conceived, as he himself confesses, the bold intention to abolish forever the distributions of wheat, because the hope of such distributions made to neglect the cultivation of land. He gave up his idea, convinced that his successor would not return this application with a view, ambitious, but since then moderated the excess, while reconciling the interests of the people with the growers and traders.

XLIII. Surpassed all who preceded him into the number, variety and magnificence of the shows. According to his testimony, he gave games four times in his behalf, and twenty justices absent or were not able to afford the cost. It was not unusual performances give different neighborhoods at once, in different theaters, and that would represent actors of all countries. Their games were held not only in the Forum and in the Amphitheater, but in the Circus and in the septa, sometimes merely of fierce fighting. Athletes also fought in the field of Mars, which were surrounded by bleachers for the show, gave a naval battle near the Tiber, in a place designed for such purpose, and where now stands the sacred groves of the Caesars. In those days tended to establish guards in the city, which was uninhabited solitude exposing the attempts of the outlaws. He also made a circus act in the charioteers, runners, hunters who did not have to do more than finish off the pieces, and sometimes these papers chose to represent young people of the leading families. He liked, above all, to see Trojans host the Games most distinguished youth of Rome, judging it beautiful and worthy of ancient times to help her show early on his enlightened race. A C. Asprenas Vernier, wounded by falling into one of these fights, gave him a gold necklace and autorizóle, and their descendants, to carry the name of Torquato (61). As a result of bitter complaints and insidious in the Senate gave Sen. Asinius Pollio, whose nephew Esernio had broken a leg, he concluded, however, by removing such games. Sometimes also made Roman knights out in theatrical games and gladiatorial combat, but this was before the ban was imposed by a Senate-consulted. Since then no longer forced to stand for anyone who has distinguished birth, except the young Lucius, who did only exhibit at less to have two feet tall, could not even seventeen pounds and had very strong voice. Wishing on a day to show the hostages to show the people of first births that were sent to Rome, made them cross the sand and placed under it in the second bank. Although there were day representation if Rome had brought something that had not been seen yet and it was worth seeing, then show it to people in all parts of the city in this way showed a rhinoceros in the field of Mars, a tiger on stage, and a snake of fifty cubits in the polls. Having felt sick one day votive games were held in the amphitheater, followed by lying in his bunk, next to the cars that drove to the gods. Another day for the games that accompanied the dedication of the theater of Marcellus, fell back, for having broken the suspension of your chair seat, and during a performance that gave his grandchildren, unable to contain or by any means to calm the people, he feared the collapse of the Amphitheater, left his post and went to sit on the site believed to be most threatened.

XLIV. There was great confusion among the spectators, who sat indifferently everywhere, but corrected this abuse, prompted by an injury received in a few games Puzzula busy, a senator who no one wanted to leave the theater filled seat found, command, then by decree of the Senate, which provided that should give public performances, the first row of seats shall be reserved for senators. Rome forbade the ambassadors of free nations or allies to sit in the orchestra, it warned that many of them were freed breed. Separate the people of the soldier, and said special seats for commoners married, those who still wore the excuse, said certain steps, which were beside themselves to their teachers, and forbidden entry to those who were badly dressed. With respect to women, who were previously confused with the audience, decided that they had separate seats, and only attended the gladiatorial combat in the stands sitting higher. He pointed to the vestal virgins in the theater special place near the rostrum of the Praetor. Banned, finally, to all women's shows athletes well, during the games that gave as Pontifex Maximus, having asked the people a boxing match, it postponed to the next morning, very early, and held, under its authority did not want women to be the theater before the fifth hour.

XLV. As for himself, witnessed the games of the Circus from the house of a friend or a freedman of his, and sometimes from a bed, similar to the gods, who sat with his wife and children. No wonder the show was absent for many hours and even days, in which case asking permission, appointing one to preside in his place. But when I attended was very attentive. Whether to avoid the whispers that reminded the people had often warned his father Caesar, who was busy reading through the letters show or memorials and answer them, whether it's because, in fact, exceedingly likes such representations, more than once as he frankly. So he was often giving their money to large crown and rewards in games and events not offered by him, and never attended the Greek struggle without reward each participant with a prize given to merit. He felt a certain passion for boxing, especially among Latinos, among them not only liked to watch professional athletes, exercised to fight with the Greeks, but also without rules and without struggling art space in the narrow alleys. Without exception, all those who devoted their public entertainment industry, seemed worthy of their care. He maintained the privileges of the athletes and ended up increasing them, forbade that they should do the gladiators fight to death, confined to the campus theater games and the coercive authority of an ancient law that gave judges on the players, at all times and place, which did not prevent very strict rules refer to the struggles of athletes and combat of gladiators. Suppressed the license of buffoons, to whip up into three theaters and then banish Estefanión actor for agreeing to serve by a woman wearing hair-free status as slaves cut, the jester Hylas, by complaints from the praetor, he commanded whip in the vestibule of his palace, where everyone could see it, and echo of Rome and Italy in the comic Pylades, for pointing the finger, showing the public, he whistled a spectator.

XLVI. After fixing things in Rome thus settled in Italy with twenty-eight new colonies and contributed in many ways its glory through jobs and revenues, the same in some ways made to Rome in rights and dignity, because it established a kind of vote that the Council of Ten of the colonies were in charge of collecting in each of them for the election of judges of the capital, and they sent closed for days of the election. To encourage all parties to honor the families and the spread, admitted in the order of knights whose request had been recommended by their city, and if they were of sections rewarded plebeians who had children of both sex, with a thousand sesterces each.

XLVII. Personally took charge of the administration of the most important provinces, not to seem easy and secure delivery to the authority of annual magistrates, let the other proconsuls be distributed by lot, sometimes, however, made changes and most frequently visited of these provinces, or not belong to his department. Deprived of their freedom to some allied cities, which threatened to ruin the license; relief to which they were overwhelmed; build again destroyed by earthquakes, and granted the privileges of Latium or the rights of the city, some by the merit of their services had been contracted before the Roman people. Except for Africa and Sardinia, there was, in my opinion, part of the Empire that did not visit, he prepared to do to these provinces after his victory over Sextus Pompey in Sicily, but was prevented from doing so by violent and continuous storms, not then taking the occasion or reason to visit.

XLVIII. As to the realms of war right passed to his power, restored almost all the same people whom they had been robbed, or was present for them to foreigners. Joined among them by blood, to the allied kings of Rome, showing frequent tireless negotiator and protector of all marriages of family or friendship between the kings, which considered and treated as members and component parts of the Empire of so much that he gave guardians for minor children or insane of them until adulthood or until healing, and he also educate and instruct their own children to many of these kings.

XLIX. As far as the army, he distributed the legions and auxiliary troops by provinces Misena organized a fleet and one in Ravenna with the task of monitoring the two seas. Rome remained a number of chosen troops to the security of the town and to his, because he had licensed the body of calagurritano, with whom he had formed his guard up his victory over Antony, and the Germans, who later served until the defeat of Varus. However, it had never agreed in Rome over three cohorts, and those without camping, the other left in the winter barracks near the neighboring cities. Established an invariable rule for pay and rewards to the soldiers, wherever they were, and determined for each grade and length of service awards attached to the license, for fear that the necessity of becoming, after early retirement in instruments of sedition. In order to readily provide the ongoing costs of this maintenance and of pensions, established a military background with the products of new taxes. It had also in all the military roads and short distances, young post office, and cars then, to be informed quickly of what happens in the provinces, in addition to the advantage provided by this measure, now has the power, when circumstances require, receive prompt further by carrying letters back and forth of the Empire.

L. The stamp imprinted on the public acts, instructions and letters was first a sphinx, then the head of Alexander the Great, and ultimately his own likeness, recorded by Dioscorides, using this stamp princes his successors. In his letters always stated that when he wrote them, whether by day or night.

LI. He bright and numerous tests of his mercy and kindness. I will not name all his opponents who gave life and grace to let get to the first dignities of the State, shall quote only two commoners June Novato and Cassius of Padua, who punished the one with a simple fine and the other with short exile, although the former had written against him and released under the name of young Agrippa violent letter, and the second had exclaimed in full banquet to kill him or did not lack desire or value. One such Emilio Aelian, Cordoba, appeared before the court, among other crimes and accusing him of speaking ill of the Emperor Augustus turned to the accuser and said with emotion: I wish you could prove what you say the accused, because then it would demonstrate to Aelian that I also have language, and say more about him than he has said about me. And then or later again took on the issue. Having been complaining about this restraint, Tiberius, in a letter, with great bitterness, he replied: Do not be misled, my dear Tiberius, the vividness of your age, and not angered too if you speak ill of me. Much is unable to do anything to us.

LII. I knew that, ordinarily, temples were dedicated to the proconsul, but not accepted in any province, unless it were the name of Rome and his own. Always rejected the honor of having them in this city and even ordered all statues melt silver had been erected at one time, with the money she got gold tripods dedicated to Apollo Palatino. Offered him the people's dictatorship with large organizations, but rejected placing a knee on the ground, getting off the robe and showing his bare chest.

LIII. He always had the title of lord horror, behave as if reproach or injury. One day I was in the theater, and having such an actor: Oh, sir kind and righteous!, All spectators, applying these words, applauded with enthusiasm quickly caught with the hand and eyes the low flattery, and in the morning following published a severe edict censoring. It also allowed their children and grandchildren will never give him the name, no seriously or in jest, forbidding also including this kind of flattery. I tried not to get into Rome or in any other city, or leave them, but in the afternoon or evening, not to bother anyone with empty ceremonies. As consul would ordinarily walk, when he was not carrying a litter became uncovered. The days of receipt admitted to the common people, and received with the greatest affability requests put to him, one day reproved one who shook gaily to give a memorial, saying he used so carefully as to present a coin to a elephant. The days of sitting in the Senate did not greet the senators but in their living room to sit, naming each one and no one helped her memory, and took leave of them leave the same way. He kept many regular citizens favors trade, not stopped going to their family parties to old age, after being very upset one day the crowd at a betrothal party. Sen. Gallus Tirrino, with whom he was joined any close friendship, having suddenly gone blind, he wanted to die of hunger was he to see him, comforted him and he reconciled with life.

LIV. One day, while speaking in the Senate, interrupted him, one saying I did not understand, and another: I would contest if he were released. Happen abruptly leaving the room, exasperated by the endless violent incidents that were promoted. and was told a few: The Senators have the right to discuss public affairs. Using Antiscio Labon the right to elect a senator at the time the Senate was reformed, elected Triumvir Lepidus, Augustus enemy once and exiled at the time, asking if he knew the others more worthy, he replied that each had his opinion. But this boldness, not hurt either.

LV. The pamphlets that were handed offensive against the Senate failed to arouse in him any care or desire to refute them, not even sought to authors, content to have to be pursued hereafter to be published under a name borrowed verses defamatory libel against either. Seeing the object of many bitter and insolent mockery, replied to them by an edict, which was always opposing take any steps to curb the license of language in the wills.

LVI. Always attending to the polls for the election of judges, the tribes ran their candidates, asking them to vote in the usual way and then he voted in his position as an ordinary citizen. Witnessing in justice, it was left to question and contradict with the utmost patience. He built a much smaller forum than I wanted, not to force the owners of the neighboring houses and destroyed. Not recommended for their children without adding people, if they deserve it. One day he was deeply troubled because upon entering the theater all the spectators rose and applauded, but still carried the pretext. He wanted his friends enjoyed power in the state, but who lived under the same laws as others and enforceable by the courts. Having been accused of poisoning Asprenas Nonius, intimate friend, by Cassius Severus, Augustus consulted the Senate about what to do on this occasion, fearing that he said to accompany him to court could be interpreted as his desire to wrest the culprit to the condemnation of laws, or failure to do so meant giving up the friend and ordered before the judges. It was apparently unanimous Senate to sit for several hours at the bank of the defenders, but was silent and even refrained from so-called judicial praise. Always attended to their customers, for example, such a sit down, his former soldier, haunted by injuries. The only defendant who wrested the rule of law was Castricio, whom learned of the conspiracy of Nureña, and even this did begging the accuser before the judges a waiver was granted.

LVII. It is easy to understand how long it would want with such behavior. Not speak of the Senate "consultations given in his favor, and that could be attributed to fear or flattery. But by choice, all Roman knights celebrated each year for two days, the anniversary of his birth. All orders of the state, in compliance with a solemn vow, thrown annually into the lake of Curtius silver coins for his health when he was absent, engaged him, on the Kalends of January, gifts in the Capitol, with the amount bought precious statues gods that was placed in the various districts of the city, like the Apollo Sandalitario the Jupiter Tragediano and others. When a fire destroyed their house on the Palatine Hill, veterans, decurias, tribes and many individuals contributed voluntarily, and each according to his abilities, to rebuild, but scarcely dared to touch those heaps of wealth, and nobody accepted more than money. When returning from any province, went to meet his wishes for happiness and singing verses in his praise. They sought their input in Rome do not coincide with any executions.

LVIII. The title of Father of the Nation was conferred by unanimous consent unexpected: first by the people, whereupon he sent a deputation to Antium, despite his refusal, he was given a second time in Rome, going to their meeting, with branches of laurel in his hand, a day that went to the theater, then in the Senate, not by decree or acclamation, but voice Massala Valerio, who said on behalf of his colleagues: We wish, Caesar Augustus, which can contribute to your happiness and your family, which is like the eternal desire for happiness and prosperity of the Republic Senate, which, according to the Roman people, greets you, FATHER OF THE NATION. Augustus, with tears in his eyes, replied in these terms, which mean literally like those Massala: Arrived at the height of my desires, conscript fathers, what can you ask for and to the immortal gods, but last until the end of my life the agreement of your feelings for me?.

LIX. For subscriptions was raised a statue near that of Aesculapius, his physician Antonius Musa, who had cured of a dangerous condition. Many parents imposed their heirs in the will on Capitol Hill that would provide a solemn sacrifice, the motive of which, announced publicly. would give thanks to heaven in his name, for having preserved HEALTH AUGUSTO. Some Italian cities began to count the year by the day when he first visited. Most provinces in addition to temples and shrines, founded in honor of her quinquennial games in almost every city.

LX. Kings friends and allies of Rome was founded, each in his own kingdom, cities named Cesare, and decided together to end a common expense of Olympian Zeus Temple, begun since ancient Athens, to spend the genius of Augustus. They often left their states to go to him, not only in Rome but also in the provinces I visited, then watched them greet each day, stripped of their regalia and wearing the Roman toga, as mere customers.

LXI. Now that I've shown and was in command and the magistracy, the head of armies, the government of the Republic and the world, in war and peace, I will refer to his private life and private, say what were, from his youth until his last days, his habits, his touch with his family, his fate in his family. He lost his mother during his first consulship and his sister Octavia, when he was fifty-four years, in life was to them all the attention and tributóles great honor after his death.

LXII. As a teenager, was betrothed to the daughter of P. Servilius Isaurian, but after his first reconciliation with Antony, asking the soldiers of both parties an alliance of family among its leaders, joined by the sister of Anthony, Claudia, which had Fulvia P. Clodius and it was barely nubile. Disgusted with his mother then Fulvia repudiated Claudia, whom he left untouched. Scribonia married shortly afterwards, the widow of two men who had children consular and the second, but also separated from her, outraged by its perverse ways. Then contracted marriage to Livia Drusilla, who had wrested from her husband Tiberius Nero, who was pregnant, the latter the only loved and upheld with embedded perseverance.

LXIII. From Scribonia had a daughter named Julia. Livia gave him no children, despite the strong desire; was pregnant once, and gave birth prematurely. Julia first married Augustus with Marcellus, son of his sister Octavia, who had barely emerged from childhood, died Marcelo, gave in marriage to M. Agrippa, having obtained his sister-in-law to cede this, because then Agrippa was married with a daughter of Marcelo and had children. Agrippa also died, after searching long Augusto husband for his daughter, even in the order of knights, finally chose his son Tiberius, before forcing him to divorce his wife, then pregnant, and had already returned to his father. M. Antonio Augusto wrote that Julia had intended for his son Antonio, then to Cortisone, king of the Dacians, in a time when he asked for wife the daughter of the king.

LXIV. Agrippa and Julia had three grandsons, Gaius, Lucius, and Agrippa, and two granddaughters, Julia and Agrippina. He married Julia L. Paulo censor's son, and Agrippina to Germanicus, his sister's grandson. He adopted Gaius and Lucius, comparing his father Agrippa at home by Ace and balance; acostumbrólos very young to the practice of public affairs, and appointed consuls allocated to the provinces and armies. She brought up her daughter and grandchildren with great simplicity, making them learn, even the wool; prohibióles say or do anything but in front of other people and that could be recorded in the annals of his house daily. Retúvolos whatsoever of any relationship with strangers, so far as to write to L. Vinicius, dignified and distinguished young man, who had been very prudent Baias going to greet his daughter. He taught his grandchildren to read, write and count, and put special care to imitate his handwriting. They sat in the same bed to eat, travel and went before his carriage or rode around him.

LXV. Misfortune destroyed, however, confidence and joy that inspired and educated a large family with such care. He was forced to banish the two Julias, his daughter and granddaughter, stained with every infamy, losing to Gaius and Lucius in the space of eighteen months, the first to Livia, and the second in Marsala. Then he adopted in the Forum under the law curiata, his third grandson Agrippa and his son Tiberius shortly after Agrippa had to take his family because of the meanness and ferocity of his character, banishing Sorrento. Was more sensitive to the opprobrium of his men to death. Those of Gaius and Lucius was not shot down, but when he banished his daughter, revealed the reasons for the Senate in a letter that read quaestor was charged in his absence, and their disorders embarrassed him so much, that was long separated from treatment of men and deliberated whether it would even death. A freedman named Phoebus, an accomplice in her daughter in their disorders, who hanged himself on this occasion, said his father would rather be be Julia. Forbade it in his exile the use of wine and all the comforts of life, and ordered that no man, free or slave, come to her without his authorization, and without his age, height, color and even the signs and had scars on the body. After belt years, allowed the back end of the island was the mainland, and imposed less stringent conditions. But he never consented to that lived by his side as the Roman people frequently and insistently requested by his return, wished, in full assembly, daughters and wives like her. On the other Julia, his granddaughter, forbade recognize and raise the child she gave birth shortly after his exile. Moved to an island to Agrippa, that far from improving, day by day becoming more intractable, and soldiers guarding him, getting a senate that confined him for life on that island. When they spoke in the presence of Agrippa or some of the Julias, always exclaim with a sigh: Blessed is he who lives and dies with no children and no wife v (62) and his family always called her three tumors and three cancers.

LXVI. Not to friends easily, but once given his, it was forever. Appreciate every friend I knew in merit and virtue, and could also support the small defects and lesser faults. Only two men can be cited who incurred their hatred, after granting him his friendship. Salvidienus Rufus and Cornelius Gallus, who rose from the humblest condition, the one to the consulate, the other to the prefecture of Egypt. At first, as punishment for their ingratitude and wickedness, denied entry at home and in the provinces he commanded, in the second, trying to stir up trouble, handed it to the justice of the Senate, and when the charges of his accusers and the decrees of judges also determined to be death, Augustus praised the zeal that had been deployed to avenge him, but shed tears and complaining of his greatness that was the only one who was not allowed to control his anger against his friends. Rich and powerful, others were friends of Augustus to the end of his life the first of his order, despite some troubles that passed between them. Thus, to cite many examples, M. Agrippa once lost patience, discretion and Maecenas: the first, slight suspicion of coolness and under the pretext that he preferred to Marcelo, left everything behind and retired to Mytilene, the other told his wife a secret Terentia State: the discovery he had just done in the conspiracy of Murena. In exchange for his friendship demanded adherence Augustus did not even finish in the grave. Indeed, even if very little greedy inheritance and never accept for who was not intimate with him, very carefully considered the last measures of his friends, and did not hide his disgust when he tried with little honor and liberality, nor its content when responding to hope the testimonies of gratitude and affection. As far as parties to the legacy and inheritance left him parents, accustomed to resign immediately for the children and reintegrate them if they were children, adding a gift the day he wore the toga virile or married .

LXVII. As lord and head properly managed to combine the severity with gentleness and mercy, and honored with his confidence to many of his freedmen, as Enceladus Licinio and others. Simply put chains to Cosmos, a slave of his who had murmured against him. He walked one day with his steward Diomedes, and this, with an impulse of terror, pushed him in front of a boar that rushed upon them; Augustus chose to consider him a coward villain, and as there was treason, was the first to mock the I had run some risk. The prince himself was killed Proclus, his freedmen, whom he loved deeply, when he was convinced of his adultery with midwives; sent to Talo breaking legs, his secretary, who had received five hundred money to communicate a letter, and did cast a river with a stone around his neck and slaves to tutor her son Gaius, who, taking advantage of his illness and death in their government committed acts of greed and tyranny.

LXVIII. Several young opprobrium from his reputation tarnished. Sex. Pompey tried him effeminate. M. Antonio blamed him have bought the price of his disgrace the adoption of his uncle, Lucius, the brother of Antony, claimed that after he has given to Caesar the flower of his youth, he sold it again in Spain for three hundred Hirtius A. thousand sesterces, adding that he used to burn the hair on the legs with walnut shell fire, to keep them softer. The village, a day at the theater, applied to transport of evil glee, this verse designating a priest of Cybele playing the tambourine:

They measure, ut cinoedus orbem temperat digit? (62bis).

LXIX. Nobody, not even his own friends, many deny that commits adultery, and only seek to excuse him, saying he was not so much by passion as by policy and in order to learn, through women, the secrets of his opponents. M. Antonio, not content to accuse the precipitation of her marriage to Livia, even charged that ushered in a feast of the banquet table to a room next to the wife of a consular officer, the husband being present, and when brought Again, she had red ears and hair in disarray. Add to Scribonia chided her for not being able to bear the haughtiness of a concubine, that his friends were looking for married women and nubile maidens to be have certain conditions, and he examined them as slaves for sale in the market Torani. At a time when there was still his enemy, Antonio wrote him familiarly:

What has changed? What is my mistress a queen? It's my wife, not yesterday, but already for nine years. Do you have only to Livia? I'm sure at the time you read my letter you've already enjoyed Tertulla or Terentila or Rufila or Titiscuria Salvia, or perhaps all of them. What matter where or woman who you want?

LXX. There was much talk also of the secret houses, commonly called "The Banquet of the twelve gods", in the diners wore them gods and goddesses, representing Apollo and Augustus. Antonio in his letters named and bitterly criticized all contained in such feasts, on which an anonymous author made these known lines:

Quum, primum istorum conduxit mensa choragum,
Sexque deos vidit Mallia, sexque ideas;
Impious Caesar dum Phoebi mendacia Luddites,
Dum nova divorum coenat adultery
Omnia se a terris tunc numina declinarunt,
Fugit et ipse aurata Juppiter throne (623).

The scarcity which prevailed in Rome became more outrageous of these orgies, saying in public the next morning that the gods had eaten all the grain and that Caesar was indeed Apollo, but Apollo tormentor, whose name is revered to this god in a neighborhood of the city. Also complains that the desire of Augustus by antique furniture and vessels of Corinth, and his passion for the game. For this reason, at the time of its proscriptions, wrote at the foot of his statue:

Pater Argentario, ego Corinthiarius (624);

because he was accused of having banned for many citizens to take over their glasses of Corinth in Sicily during the war was run this epigram:

Postquam a rictus classe perdidit ships,
Ut aliquando vineat, aleam regular Luddite (625).