If this impious prince had rested satisfied with such demonstrations of imbecility, his subjects might have deemed themselves comparatively happy. Unfortunately, however, it was not so. In short, his happiness appeared to increase only in proportion as he succeeded in rendering the Romans more miserable. He squandered his revenue without judgment,1 and as a natural consequence he oppressed his subjects without pity.

Having thus effectually perpetuated his memory as an oppressor, he next formed a resolution to distinguish himself as a great general and a mighty conqueror, and, while attempting to realize the whims of a disordered brain, both in Germany and Gaul, he rendered himself ridiculous beyond all comparison. After returning to Rome he made secret preparations for extirpating the whole senate; but before he had put his diabolical intentions into execution a conspiracy was formed by an insulted nobleman named Cherea, a tribune of the torian band, and the emperor was quickly despatched in the twenty-ninth year of his age, after swaying the Roman sceptre nearly four years.2 'His body was interred without the least sign of regret or respect,' all his acts were, by an order of the senate, abolished, his statues were destroyed, and all coins bearing his inscription melted and recast.

præ

Treatment of the Jews.-In consequence of a misunderstanding having arisen between the Jews and Greeks of Alexandria, a certain limited number of the disaffected of each party were deputed to Rome to lay their complaints before the emperor. On reaching the end of their journey the former were openly accused by their enemies of refusing to comply with the wishes of Cæsar in acknowledging him as a god. Their judge on this occasion was none other than the offended Cæsar himself. On hearing of their conduct in this

latter and her infant daughter survived the emperor only a few hours. Both were murdered by Lupus, at the instigation of Cherea. (Jos. Ant. xix. 2. 4.)

1 ་

And other pranks he did like a madman; as when he laid a bridge from the city Dicearchia (Puteoli), which belongs to Campania, to Miseof the length of thirty furlongs.' (Jos. Ant. xix. 1. 1.) 2 For a full account of this conspiracy of Cherea Cassius, and the manner of his death, vide Jos. Ant. xix. 1. 3–14.

num

'What can be more miserable than that, while I am alive, any one else should kill Caius, and deprive me of the honour of so virtuous an action?' (Cherea, Jos. Ant. xix. 1. 12.)

particular he instantly gave vent to his indignation and sought an early opportunity to punish the offending nation for their obstinacy. About this time Petronius, who had been nominated to succeed Vitellius as governor of Syria, was commanded to set up an image of Cæsar in the temple of God at Jerusalem. Finding his position, however, anything but enviable, he proceeded in the matter with extreme caution, fearing an insurrection of the Jews on the one hand and the displeasure of the emperor on the other. After some delay he made known to them the emperor's intentions. On receiving this unexpected news the Jews were instantly paralysed-they knew not whither to turn-they knew not what to say. The rocks of Ptolemais and Tiberias re-echoed their wailings, and bitterest tears bespoke their inmost anguish. The powerful appeal was not in vain. Petronius was visibly moved by their sufferings, and in accordance with his promise he wrote to the emperor in their behalf, and through the solicitations and prudent conduct of Agrippa, who was then in Rome, the matter was dropped.2

Publius Petronius was after this still president of Syria under Claudius, and at the desire of Agrippa published a severe edict against the inhabitants of Doris, who, in a sort of imitation of Caius, had set up a statue of Claudius in a Jewish synagogue there. This decree is extant.' (Ant. xix. 6. 3.)

2

Agrippa, who now lived at Rome, made the emperor a sumptuous feast, and when the latter had drunk wine plentifully, and was merrier than ordinary,' he felt so overcome with Agrippa's generosity that he made him a solemn promise that 'everything that might contribute to his happiness should be at his service to the utmost of his ability.' The emperor expected Agrippa 'to ask for some large country, or the revenues of certain cities,' but to his great amazement Agrippa replied, 'Since thou, O my lord, declarest that I am worthy of thy gifts

my petition is this, that thou wilt no longer think of the dedication of that statue which thou hast ordered to be set up in the Jewish temple by Petronius.' 'Caius was so mightily taken with Agrippa's obliging behaviour,' &c. that he granted him his request. He accordingly wrote to Petronius the following epistle:-'If thou hast already erected my statue, let it stand; but if thou hast not yet dedicated it, do not trouble thyself farther about it, but dismiss thy army, go back and take care of those affairs which I sent thee about at first, for I have now no occasion for the erection of that statue. This I have granted as a favour to Agrippa, a man whom I honour so very greatly that I am not able to contradict what he would have, or what he desired me to do for him.' Shortly afterwards the letter of Petronius reached the emperor, to which the latter instantly replied. Seeing thou esteemest the presents made thee by the Jews to be of greater value than my com

While the emperor's edict was in force, Flaccus, the governor of Egypt, suffered the Jews who dwelt in that country to be plundered without pity, and put to death in the most ignominious manner that deep-rooted hatred could devise. Agrippa, hearing of their deplorable condition, interceded in their behalf, and so far succeeded that Flaccus was recalled and banished. Nevertheless the Jews residing in Egypt suffered considerably till the reign of Claudius.1

III. CLAUDIUS.

Reigned 13 years.2 A.D. 41-54.

Character. Being destitute of the characteristic pride and ambition of the Cæsar family, Claudius was treated with contempt even by his nearest relations.3 His personal appearance was perhaps on the whole favourable, and his intellectual acquirements by no means inconsiderable. He was equally well acquainted with the language of the Greeks as with that of his own native Italy. He was also an author of some reputation, and a firm supporter of learning. Notwithstanding

mands, and art grown insolent enough to be subservient to their pleasure, I charge thee to become thy own judge, and to consider what thou art to do, now thou art under my displeasure; for I will make thee an example to the present and to all future ages, that they may not dare to contradict the commands of their emperor.' 'But God did not forget the dangers Petronius had undertaken on account of the Jews.' Before this epistle had reached the hands of the governor, 'commanding him to kill himself with his own hands,' another epistle had fortunately arrived containing intelligence which was far more acceptable. "Those who brought Caius's epistle were tossed by a storm, and were detained on the sea for three months, while others that brought the news of Caius's death had a good voyage. Accordingly, Petronius received the epistle concerning the death of Caius twenty-seven days before he received that which was against himself.' (Vide Jos. Ant. xviii. 8. Of the Wars, ii. 10.)

For when Caius was dead, the nation of the Jews, which had been very much mortified under the reign of Caius, and reduced to very great distress by the people of Alexandria, recovered itself, and they immediately took up arms to fight for themselves.' (Jos. Ant. xix. 5. 2.)

For the misfortunes which befell the Jews of Babylon during this reign read Jos. Ant. xviii. 9.

2 13 years 8 months 20 days. (Jos. Ant. xx. 8. 1.)

3 'Antonia, his mother, used to say that Nature began to mould him, but had not finished her work.'

this, on account of his natural timidity and feebleness of resolution, he was totally disqualified for the exalted position to which he was called.

History.-In consequence of the enormities of Tiberius and Caligula, the senate now seriously contemplated the restoration of the republic; but whilst they were deliberating in this very matter, Claudius, the uncle of Caligula, was borne on the shoulders of the soldiery and proclaimed emperor. Being now in his fiftieth year and naturally timid, he was at first disposed to decline the honour which they wished to confer upon him;2 but through the instrumentality of King Agrippa, who was then in Rome, he was finally prevailed upon to accede to their requests.3 He entered upon the duties of his office in a manner which gave universal satisfaction, for he not only recalled such as had been unjustly banished during the reign of his odious predecessor, but he also eased the people of their intolerable burdens. These and the like acts rendered him justly popular. But such was his natural timidity, that he was in continual apprehension of being murdered when he had every reason to believe that he was universally beloved, so that the apparently contradictory epithets of greatest and most miserable were justly applicable to him at the same time.

Notwithstanding the many defects of this weak and irresolute prince, we find that during his reign the Roman name was generally respected, and the Roman arms attended with success. He even undertook to gratify the people by foreign conquest, and extended his authority as far as Britain. With regard to the provinces, we are told that 'he made important regulations to secure for them a wise and just administration,' and that 'he severely punished those governors who had been guilty of oppressing the people intrusted to their care.' In short, he seems to have done whatever was suggested by his friends calculated to exalt or render the Romans happy.' But

it is too true he was influenced for evil as well as good.

1

His

So they took him and carried him, because he was not then able to go on foot, such was his dread and his joy at what was told him.' (Jos. Ant. xix. 3. 1.)

2 Josephus speaks of him (Ant. xix. 2. 1) as intending to claim the government, unwillingly indeed in appearance, but in reality of his own free consent.'

So he was encouraged (to claim the government) partly by the boldness of the soldiers, and partly by the persuasion of King Agrippa.' (Jos. Ant. xix. 4. 1.)

infamous wife Messalina,1 and her successor Agrippina swayed him according to their pleasure, and always found in him a ready instrument for furthering their own unrighteous designs. Most of the noble ladies of Rome who incurred their displeasure were put to death, and it is computed that upwards of 300 knights and senators were sacrificed to their suspicions. The conduct of Agrippina became at last insupportable, so that Claudius was heard publicly to lament that, 'by some strange fatality it had been his constant lot to bear for a time the irregularities of his wives, and in the end to punish them.' 2 This hasty expression sealed his doom. Agrippina immediately set about contriving a plan for evading the punishment which she so justly deserved. The emperor's physician was consulted, and his services secured. Claudius soon after feeling somewhat indisposed, a poisoned feather was introduced into his throat, under pretence of making him vomit, and had the desired effect.3 Thus he at last realised that which he had for thirteen years continually dreaded, in the 64th year of his age, and 14th of his reign.

Invasion of Britain.-For nearly one hundred years the Britons had been left in quiet possession of their island, but it had by this time become a scene of disorder and confusion, for which reason certain of the disaffected natives persuaded the emperor to annex it to his dominions. Accordingly, Plautius, the Roman prætor, at the head of a considerable army, made a descent on the island, and overthrew the Britons in several battles. Claudius, hearing of the success attending the Roman arms, followed in person A.D. 44,1 and

The character of this princess will be best understood by a quotation from Tacitus (Ann. xi. 12). 'Caius Silius was the person for whom (after her marriage with Claudius) she burned with all the vehemence of wild desire.' 6 That she might enjoy her favourite without a rival she obliged him to repudiate his wife Junia Silana, though descended from illustrious ancestors.' 'She scorned to save appearances, but visited him publicly with all her train, and in public places she hung enamoured over him.' 'At last, to crown her follies, she married him.' (Ann. xi. 26. Vide also § 28, 31, 35, and 36.)

2 Agrippina was a woman' of dissolute manners, proud, fierce and lascivious. Her adulterous commerce with Pallas is too well known, and it is equally known that her modesty, her fame, her honour, and even her person are all subservient to her ambition.' (Ann. xii. 64, 65.)

3 Tac. Ann. xii. 67. Vide also Jos. Ant. xx. 8. 1. After this a report went about that he was poisoned by his wife Agrippina.'

This, it will be observed, was the year in which Herod Agrippa met