disorder, upon the sad accident of the murder of Caius, he was in great distress how to save himself. And was found to have hidden himself in a certain *narrow place: though he had no other occasion for suspicion of danger, besides the dignity of his birth. For while he was a †private man, he behaved himself with moderation; and was contented with his present fortune applying himself to learning, and especially to that of the Greeks and keeping himself entirely clear from every thing that might bring on any disturbance. But as at this time the multitude were under a consternation, and the whole palace was full of the soldiers' madness; and the very emperor's guard seemed under the like fear and disorder with private persons, the band called Pretorian, which was the purest part of the army, was in consultation what was to be done at this juncture. Now all those that were at this consultation had little regard to the punishment Caius had suffered, because he justly deserved such fortune but they were rather considering their own circumstances, how they might take the best care of themselves. Especially while the Germans were busy in punishing the murderers of Caius which yet was rather done to gratify their own savage temper, than for the good of the public. All these things disturbed Claudius, who was afraid of his own safety: and this particularly because he saw the heads of Asprenas and his partners carried about. His station had been on a certain elevated place, whither he had retired in the dark by himself. But when Gratus, who was one of the soldiers that belonged to the palace, saw him, but did not well know by his countenance, who he was, because it was dark; though he could well judge that it was a man who was privately there on some design; he came nearer to him; and when Claudius desired that he would retire, he discovered who he was. So he said to his followers, "This : * This first place Claudius came to was inhabited, and called Hermeum: as Spanheim here informs us, from Suetonius, in Claud. chap. X. + Private and public life require very different endowments of mind. Some are amiable in the shades of retirement, who, in the open walks of life, cannot conciliate or obtain esteem. It is but seldom that men are so well acquainted with themselves, or disposed to judge impartially concerning their own qualifications, as to choose that station, in which they may appear to the most advantage. B. is a *Germanicus'; come on, let us choose him for our emperor.' But when Claudius saw they were making preparations for taking him away by force, and was afraid they would kill him, as they had killed Caius, he besought them to spare him; putting them in mind how quietly he had demeaned himself, and that he was unacquainted with what had been done. Hereupon Gratus smiled upon him, and took him by the right hand, and said, "Leave off, Sir, these low thoughts of saving yourself, while you ought to have greater thoughts, even of obtaining the empire, which the gods, out of their concern for the habitable world, by taking Caius out of the way, commit to your virtuous conduct. Accept, therefore, the throne of your ancestors." So they took him up, and carried him, because he was not able to go on foot, such was his dread, and his joy, at what was told him. Now there was already assembled about Gratus a great num ber of the guards. And when they saw Claudius carried off, they looked with a sad countenance, as supposing that he was carried to execution, for the mischiefs that had been lately done; while yet they thought him a man who never meddled with public affairs, and one that had met with no contemptible dangers under the reign of Caius. And some of them thought it reasonable that the consuls should take cognizance of these matters. And as still more and more of the soldiery got together, the crowd about him ran away, and Claudius could hardly go on, his body was then so weak. And those who carried his sedan, upon an inquiry that was made about his being carried off, ran away, and saved themselves, as despairing of their lord's preservation. But when they were come into the large court of the palace, (which, according to report, was inhabited first of all parts of the city of Rome,) and had just reached the public treasury, many more soldiers came about him, as glad to see Claudius's face; and thought it exceeding right to make him the * How Claudius, another son of Drusus, which Drusus was the father of Germanicus, could be here himself called Germanicus, Suetonius informs ns' when he assures us, that, by a decree of the senate, the surname of Germanicus was bestowed on Drusus, and his posterity. In Claud. chap, I. emperor, on account of their kindness to Germanicus, who was his brother, and left behind him a vast reputation among all that were acquainted with him. They reflected also on the covetous temper of the leading men of the senate, and what great errors they had been guilty of, when they had the government formerly. They also considered the impossibility of such an undertaking; as also what dangers they should be in if the government should come to a single person, and that such a one should possess it as they had no hand in advancing; and not to Claudius, who would take it as their grant, and as gained by their good will to him, and would remember the favours they had done him, and would make them a sufficient recompense for the same. These were the discourses the soldiers had one with another by themselves; and they communicated them to all such as came in to them. Now those that inquired about this matter willingly embraced the invitation to join with the rest. So they carried Claudius into the camp; crowding about him, as his guard, and encompassing him about: one chairman still succeeding another, that their vehement endeavours might not be hindered. But as to the populace, and the senators, they disagreed in their opinions. The latter were very desirous to recover their former dignity; and were zealous to get clear of the slavery that had been brought on them by the injurious treatment of the tyrants, which the present opportunity afforded them. But the people, who were envious against them, and knew that the emperors were capable of curbing their covetous temper, and were a refuge from them, were very glad that Claudius had been seized upon, and brought to them; and thought, that if he were made emperor, he would prevent a civil war; such as there was in the days of Pompey. But when the senate knew that Claudius was brought into the camp by the soldiers, they sent to him those of their body which had the best character for their virtues, that they might inform him, that he ought to do nothing by violence, in order to gain the government: that he, who was a single person, one either already, or hereafter to be a member of their body, ought to yield to the senate, which consisted of so great a number; that he ought to let the law take place, in the disposal of all that related to the public order; and to re member how greatly the 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 wilfully treat his country after a mad and insolent manner. That if he would comply with them, and demonstrate his firm resolution to live quietly and virtuously, he would have the greatest honours 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 could be no other than such as were willing to fight for the liberty of their country. 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 by no means 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 injustice, but by the good will of those that would bestow it upon him. + The names of those two ambassadors, sent to Claudius, by the senate, are wanting both in Suetonius and Dio, though this ambassage be mentioned by them both. Sueton. chap. X. Dio, lib. LX. page 665. These names Josephus might easily have from Agrippa, jun. his great friend. CHAP. IV. CLAUDIUS SUCCEEDS TO THE IMPERIAL DIGNITY, AND COMMANDS THE MURDERERS OF CAIUS TO BE SLAIN. CLAUDIUS 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 become one that had been much honoured 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 his 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 that he was ready to lose his life for the honour of the senate: but desired them to consider what was for their advantage, without any regard to what was the 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 |