6096. Judas (the son of Ezekias who headed a robber band and in previous times tried to overthrow Herod,) gathered a band of desperate men at Sepphoris, a city of Galilee and made incursions into the king's dominion. He captured the king's armoury and he armed all his soldiers and seized the king's treasure in those places. Thereupon he began to terrorise the inhabitants. He spoiled all that fell into his hands. He aspired also to the kingdom, not by lawful means, of which he was wholly ignorant, but by force. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 17. c. 11. <c. 10. 1:469,470>} For whereas hdwhy of the Hebrews, is the same with hdwt of the Syrians, from which comes Judas and Thaddaeus. {Lu 6:16 Mr 3:18} The name is Theudas since this Judas seems to be no other than Theudas, of whom {Ac 5:36} Gamaliel spoke:
``Before these times rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be some body, to whom a number of men, about 400, joined themselves, who were slain, and all as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to nought.''
6097. Simon also, a servant of King Herod's was a wise man esteemed among all men, for his handsomeness, height and strength. He dared assume the kingdom. He was attended by a large company and proclaimed king by them. These were an unbridled multitude and persuaded him that he was more fit to be the king than anyone else. He began his kingdom by plundering and burning the king's palace at Jericho. Then he burned other palaces and gave their plunder to those who followed him. He would also have done more licentious deeds if he had not been quickly stopped. Gratus, the captain of the king's soldiers, who then followed the Roman side, marched with his forces against Simon. There was a fierce conflict on the other side of Jordan. Simon's men fought in disorder and more from courage than skill and were defeated. Gratus captured Simon, as he was fleeing through a narrow valley and cut off his head. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 17. c. 11. <c. 10. 1:470>} Tacitus refers this rather to Varus {Tacitus, History, l. 5. c. 5} and wrote this about Simon:
``After the death of Herod, Simon made himself king, without so much as looking for Caesar's consent, but he was punished by Varus, the governor of Syria.''
6098. At Amatha, also by the Jordan River, a royal palace of the king, was burnt by the rabble of men that Simon had. Athronges who was an obscure shepherd and only famous for his great height and strength, made himself king. He had four brothers that were just as tall and strong whom he made his lieutenants over the multitude that came flocking to him in this time of unrest. He wore a crown and although he consulted others, he kept the sole command in his own hands. The power of this man lasted long, (for he was not a king for nothing) until he was brought under the power of Archelaus when he returned from Rome. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 12. <c. 10. 1:470>}
6099. Athronges' cruelty affected especially the Romans and the king's side for he hated them both alike. His forces surprised a cohort near Emmaus as it was carrying food and weapons to the army. He killed with their arrows, Arius, a centurion along with 40 of his best foot soldiers. The rest would have been killed had not Gratus arrived with the king's soldiers and rescued them but left the dead bodies. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 12. <c. 10. 1:470>}
6100. Quintilius Varus knew the danger that Sabinus was in by his letters and feared the utter destruction of the third legion. He left with two other legions, (for at the most there were but three legions in all Syria) and four troops of cavalry and the auxiliaries of the king and tetrarchs. He hurried into Judea to help the besieged and ordered those who were sent ahead, to meet him at Ptolemais. On his way past the city of Berythus, he received 1500 auxiliaries from them. Antus was a Petrean and a friend to the Romans. In spite of his hatred of Herod, he sent him good a number of cavalry and foot soldiers. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 12. <c. 10. 1:470,417>}
6101. After all the army came to Ptolemais, Varus turned part of it over to his son and to one of his friends. They were to march against the Galilaeans who bordered on Ptolemais. When they entered the country, they put all to flight who dared oppose them. They took the city Sepphoris and sold all the inhabitants and burned the city. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 12. <c. 10. 1:471>}
6102. Varus went toward Samaria with the army but did no harm to the city because he knew it had not been involved in the sedition. He pitched his camp in a certain village which was called Aras and was in the possession of Ptolemy. The Arabians had burnt it because they hated Herod's friends because they hated Herod as well as anyone who was Herod's friend. He marched and came to Sampho which the Arabians first plundered and then burnt even though it was well fortified. On all that march, they burned everything and killed anyone they met. Emmaus was burnt by the order of Varus, in revenge of his soldiers who were killed there. However, the inhabitants had first abandoned it. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 12. <c. 10. 1:471>}
6103. Then when they came near to Jerusalem, the Jews who besieged the Romans on that side, were terrified as soon as they saw the army coming. They abandoned the attack they had begun. Those of Jerusalem were grievously reproved by Varus. They excused themselves and said that the people indeed were gathered together for the feast but that the sedition was not started with their consent. It was caused by the boldness of the strangers who came there. Varus was met by Joseph, a nephew of King Herod's, Gratus and Rufus with their soldiers and the Romans that had endured the siege. Sabinus would not come but stole away secretly and hurried to the seaside. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 12. <c. 10. 1:471>}
6104. Then Varus sent part of his army throughout all the country to capture the instigators of this sedition. When he found them, he punished the most guilty and some were let go free. About 2,000 were crucified for this sedition. After this he dismissed his army who were disorderly and disobedient and committed many outrages for mere money's sake. When he heard that there were 10,000 Jews gathered together, he hurried to apprehend them. They dared not withstand him and surrendered themselves by advice of Achiabus. Varus pardoned the common people for their sedition but sent the ring leaders to Caesar. So all things were made peaceful again and he left the same legion in Jerusalem in the garrison. He returned to Antioch. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 12. <c. 10. 1:471>}
6105. Malthace, the mother of Archelaus, died of a sickness at Rome.
6106. When Caesar had received Varus' letter about the revolt of the Jews, he pardoned the rest of the captains of the seditions and only punished some of King Herod's relatives who with no regard for justice had fought against their own relatives. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 12. <c. 10. 1:471>}
6107. At the same time, with the permission of Varus, an embassy of the Jews came who desired that they might live according to their own laws. There were about 50 ambassadors who were joined by about 8000 Jews who lived at Rome. Caesar had convened a council of his friends and chief citizens into the temple of Apollo which he had built at great expense. The ambassadors and a multitude of the Jews who following them also went there. Archelaus came also with his company. Philip was also there who came by Varus' advice from Syria so that he might be an advocate for his brother to whom Varus wished well. He also wanted a share in the division of Herod's kingdom. The ambassadors were given permission to speak and they began with accusations against Herod and Archelaus and then desired that they might have no more kings. They wanted the government to be annexed to Syria and that they would obey the governors sent to them from Rome. When Nicolaus Damascene had answered the objections for Herod who was dead and for Archelaus who was present, Caesar dismissed the council. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 12. <c. 11. 1:471-473>}
6108. A few days later, Caesar declared Archelaus not to be king but made him lord of half part of that dominion that was left him by his father, Herod. He promised him a kingdom if he behaved himself so as to merit a kingdom. A fourth part of their tribute was remitted because they did not join the sedition. These cities were included in his government, the tower of Strato, Sebaste, Joppe, and Jerusalem. The cities Gaza, Gadara, and Hippos were cities which followed the laws of Greece. For this reason Caesar annexed them to Syria. There accrued to Archelaus 600 talents annually from his own dominion. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 13. <c. 12. 1:473>}
6109. Caesar divided the other half of Herod's dominion into two parts, one for each of Herod's sons. Herod Antipas was given Galilee with the little country of Petraea. (It was a most fertile country and lies beyond Jordan between the two lakes of Tiberias and the Dead Sea.) This generated 200 talents a year in revenue. Philip received Batanea with Trachonitis as well as Auranitis, with a certain part of the palace of Zenodorus, (as they call it) which paid annually 100 talents. Salome received in addition to the cities which were left her by her brother, Jamnia, Azotus and Phasaelis and 500,000 drachmas of silver. Caesar gave her a palace in Askelon and she also received from those places which were subject to her, 60 talents. Her residence was within the dominion of Archelaus. The rest of Herod's relatives received what was bequeathed by his will. Also two of Herod's daughters who were virgins, received in addition to what was bequeathed them, 250,000 drachmas of silver from the bounty of Caesar and they were married to the sons of Pheroras. Caesar gave his portion of the king's estate which amounted to the sum of 1500 talents to his sons. He kept only a few vessels not so much for their value but as keep sakes for the memory of his friend. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 13. <c. 12. 1:473>}
6110. Thus the children of Herod governed the country and were now restrained by a threefold division. {Tacitus, l. 5. c. 9.} Strabo added this about his children:
``Some of them Herod put to death himself under the charges of treachery, others at his death he left as his successors and assigned to everyone his portion. Caesar also highly honoured Herod's children and his sister Salome and Berenice the daughter of Salome.''
6111. A certain young man, a Jew of lowly parentage, was brought up in Sidon, with a Roman freed man. He resembled Alexander the son of Herod in his face and pretended to be Alexander who was saved from death with his brother Aristobulus by means of a certain friend of his keeper. This man took on an accomplice who was very well acquainted about Herod's palace and well instructed by this fellow's cunning and deceits. When he had sailed into Crete, he persuaded all the Jews that came to meet him this thing was so. He got money from them and he sailed to the island of Melus, where he got a huge amount of money under pretence that he was of the king's family. He now hoped that he should recover his father's kingdom and he hurried to Rome with his friends. When he had sailed to Puteoli, he was there likewise well received and deceived the Jews. As he was coming to Rome, all the Jews who lived there came out to meet him. When this news was brought to Caesar, he sent there Celadus, one of his freemen who was previously very well acquainted with the young men. Caesar ordered him that if he was Alexander, he should bring him to him. He likewise was deceived and brought him to Caesar. However, he did not deceive Caesar who sent this false Alexander when he had confessed his imposture to the galleys as a rower because he had a strong body. He executed the one that put him up to this fraud. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 14. <c. 12. 1:473,474>}
4002a AM, 4711 JP, 3 BC
6112. When Archelaus returned to his government in Judea, he removed the priesthood from Joazar, the son of Boethus (or his grandchild by his son Simon) accusing him that he had favoured the seditions and gave that office to Joazar's brother, Eleazar. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 15. <c. 13. 1:474>}
4002b AM, 4712 JP, 2 BC
6113. Augustus brought his son Lucius (in his 13th consulship) into the court. {Suetonius, Octavian, c. 26.} He conferred the same honours on him which he had conferred three years earlier on his brother Caius shown by the inscriptions on the coins. They show ensigns of Caius and Lucius with bucklers and spears with this inscription, "C. L. Caesares, Augusti. F. Cos. Des. Principes. Juvent." This means "Caius and Lucius Caesar, the sons of Augustus, designed consuls, princes of youth."
6114. In the same 13th consulship, he wrote on a monument of Ancyra, that he:
``gave 60 denarii to the common people that received public grain. (welfare)''
6115. He added:
``there were more than 200,000.''
6116. This very thing is also found in Xyphiline, in his writings from Dio, {Xyphiline, ex Dio} except that for 60 denarii, which the Greeks called drachmas, the Latin author wrote 240 denarii. We do not know the basis for the change.
6117. When Augustus and Gallus Coninius were consuls, they satisfied the desires of the Roman people with gladiatorial shows and a sham naval battle. {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 100. 1:257} {Jerome, in Chronicle} For these shows, he brought water into the circus. Thirty crocodiles were killed. {Xyphiline, ex Dio}
6118. He also held a naval fight and hollowed the ground around the Tiber River. That place was later called Caesar's Grove. {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 43.} The hollowed place was 1800 feet long and 200 feet wide. He had 30 warships and many galleys and smaller boats fight. This is recorded in the breviary of his doings which was engraved in the marble of Anoyra. Augustus wrote that this was a novelty in Rome. Ovid makes mention of this: {Ovid, Art, l. 1.}
What, Caesar when, like a sea-fight by land,
Made the Persian and Cecropian beaks the sand
To ride? He brought both men and maids from the main,
And made the city all the world retain.
6119. When Augustus was preparing his games in Rome, there was trouble in Armenia. Only Pompey had exposed the Armenians to the government of Roman governors. They had expelled Artarasdes (or Artabazes) whom Augustus had set over them as governor and had substituted Tigranes in his place. To support this revolt, they called the Parthians for help. So Armenia yielded to the Parthians and the Parthians broke their alliance with Rome and seized Armenia. {*Florus, l. 2. c. 32. 1:341,343} {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 101.} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 3.} {Zenaras, ex Dio} {excerptis a Fulv. Ursino Edit. legat. 39.} {Sextus Rufus, in Breviary}
6120. Augustus brought Caius and Lucius who were yet very young into the government service. He sent them around the provinces and armies and they had the title of consuls. {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 64.} Hence we read in Velleius Paterculus, {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 101.} that Caius went about the provinces to settle them. Beatus Rhenanus thinks it should read "to quiet them." Justus Ligsius thinks it should read, "to visit them." This is the best reading as that place of Dio shows in the collections recorded by Henricus Valesius, (p. 665.)
``Caius Caesar went about as they usually do in peace, viewed the legions that were encamped by the Ister River for he had never any command in the wars not that there was not any war at that time. This was because he had learned the arts in peace and security while the dangers of the war were committed to others to manage.''
6121. At Rome in the very year that Augustus held the shows of the combatants on land and sea, there was a filthy and horrible disaster in his own house. His daughter Julia who was altogether unmindful either of the greatness of her father or husband, left no disgraceful deed untried that it was possible for a woman to do or happen to her. She measured the greatness of her fortune by her liberty in sinning and considered everything lawful if it pleased her. {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 100. 1:259} She came to such height of lasciviousness that she kept her mighty feasting in the very courts of justice. She abused those courts with lascivious acts in which her father had made the law against adultery. Thereupon her father was so enraged that he could not contain his anger within his own house. He published these things and told them to the senators. {Seneca, de Beneficiis, l. 6. c. 32.} {Xyphiline, in Dio} {Excerptis, Valesii, p. 665.} He was not present but he had a quaestor read a note to them telling everything that happened. He kept himself also from any company for a very long time for very shame. He was thinking also of putting his daughter to death. {Suetonius, in Octavian} At last, she was banished to Pandataria, an island of Campania and her mother, Scibonia voluntarily accompanied her into exile. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 100. 1:259} {Xyphiline, in Dio} Her mother was divorced from Caesar on that very day she was born. L. Martius and C. Sabinus, were consuls at that time {*Dio, l. 48. 1:291} in 39 BC or 4675 JP. Hence Julia was 38 years old at that time. Macrobius confirms she was at least that old. {Macrobius, Saturnal, l. 2. c. 5.}
6122. Tiberius was in Rhodes and heard that his wife Julia was condemned for her lusts and adulteries and that a divorce was sent to her in his name by the order of Augustus. Although he was glad, yet he thought it his duty as much as lay in him to frequently write to Augustus. He begged him that he would forgive his daughter and would give her, although she did not deserve it, whatever he had given her. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 11.}
4003a AM, 4712 JP, 2 BC
6123. When Augustus heard that the Armenians had revolted and they were helped by the Parthians, he was grieved and did not know what to do. He could not manage the war himself because he was too old. Tiberius had withdrawn himself and he dared not trust any of the more powerful citizens. Caius and Lucus were too young and unfit for such matters. From necessity, he sent Caius and made him a proconsul. To give him more honour, he had him get married. He would have more friends to give him wise counsel. {Zenaras, ex Dio} He married Lollia Paulina, {Suetonius, in Claudius, c. 26.} who was either the daughter or niece of Marcus Lollius. {*Pliny, l. 9. c. 35. 3:243} {Solinus, c. 53.} Augustus wanted him to be an adviser for his young son. {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 102. 1:261} {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 12.}
6124. When Caius was prepared for this expedition, Ovid wrote mataioqecnian, in his first book. He mentioned the recent naval battle which had ended.
Caesar prepares with courage to subdue
Of the whole world the only unconquered crew,
Now must the Parthian by him overcome,
Receive chastisement and observe his doom.
Rejoice yon buried Crassians, what you lost,
Revengefully is taken to their cost,
By one, though captain young, yet shows the world,
Such high achievements cannot be controlled.
6125. He added a little latter:
With father's fate and gravity renowned,
Thou fighting shalt with victory be crowned:
Such expectation doth thy name obtain,
Though now of young, a prince of old thou let reign.
6126. Ovid was a very good prophet in trying to predict the outcome of this expedition. He recorded Caius' age correctly. His father Augustus was nineteen years old when he gathered his army as it has been shown before from the Ancyran Marble. Caius just turned nineteen, when he prepared for the Armenian and Parthian war. He was a commander in war just at the same age that his father had been.
6127. The Emperor Augustus sent ahead Dionysius who was a most excellent geographer into the east to note the geography of the land for his older son who was to go into Armenia. Pliny records information about Parthia and Arabia. {*Pliny, l. 6. c. 27-32. 2:421-459} We do not know whether it was that famous Dionysius whose records of geography are extant in Greek poetry or Dionysius, the son of Diogenes, of whom Marcianus Heracleota in his first book of journeys stated that he measured the dimension of the earth.
6128. Caius Caesar was assigned Armenia for his province. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 3. l. 3. c. 48.} He was sent into Syria. {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 101. 1:259} He was made the governor of the east. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 12.} He was sent by Augustus to order the provinces of Egypt and Syria. {Orosius, l. 7. c. 3.} Pliny cites the letters of King Juba written to the same Caius concerning the expedition into Arabia. {Pliny, l. 6. c. 31. 2:445.} Caius had only seen Arabia but never made any expedition there. {Pliny, l. 6. c. 32. 2:459}
6129. As soon as Phraates, the king of the Parthians, heard of the war preparations that Caius made against the barbarians, he sent an apology for those things that were done and desired peace. Caesar replied by letters and ordered him to leave Armenia. Tigranes, at that time, sent no embassy to him. {Dio, in Excerptis, ab Ursin. edit. legat. 39.}
4003b AM, 4713 JP, 1 BC
6130. When the time of his tribuneship was over, Tiberius finally confessed that he went into his retirement only to avoid all suspicion of envy between himself and Caius and Lucius. There was no danger concerning that now because they were grown men and next in authority to the emperor. Tiberius requested that Augustus would give him permission to see again his relatives whom he had a great desire to see. This was not granted and he was warned that he should forget about those whom he so willingly left. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 11.}
6131. Therefore Tiberius stayed at Rhodes against his will. He was not able to obtain that through his mother's request that he should remain there as a lieutenant to Augustus to cover his ignominy. He only lived as a private citizen and was in danger and fear. He hid in the middle of the island to avoid seeing those who sailed by. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 12.}
6132. When Caius went to the Armenian war, Tiberius crossed over to Chios to present his service to him. He removed all suspicions about himself and was very humble to Caius and to his followers. {Xyphiline, ex Dio} {Zonaras, ex Dio} Although Velleius flattered Tiberius, as he did always and wrote that Caius gave all honour to Tiberius as his superior. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 101. 1:259,261} Suetonius wrote that Tiberius went not to Chios, but Samos, to see his son-in-law, Caius. He was poorly received through the false accusations of Marcus Lollius. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 12.}
6133. Tiberius came also into suspicion through gifts he gave to some centurions. (??) They went from meeting him to the camp again and seemed to have given dubious commands to many which might tempt them to a revolt. When Augustus knew of this suspicion, Tiberius continually desired that Augustus would send one to him of any rank to be a witness to his words and deeds. He stopped his usual riding and his other martial exercises. He went in his coat and shoes and laid aside his country living. In that fashion he lived at Rhodes for the next two years and every day he was more despised and hated. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 12.}
6134. Caius passed through Judea and scorned to worship at Jerusalem. As soon as Augustus knew this, he highly commended him for this. {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 93.} {Orosius, l. 7. c. 3.} Orosius added that Caius came from Egypt and passed by the borders of Palestine.
6135. Zonaras {Zonaras, ex Dio} stated that Caius came from there into Syria and did nothing praiseworthy. Velleius Paterculus stated that he behaved himself with such versatility that there was much he could be praised for as well as critical of. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 110.} Through the greatness and majesty of the Roman name, he settled all things. {Sextus Rufus, in Breviary}
6136. When Quirinus returned to Rome, he married that generous woman Lepida, who was intended for sometime to be the wife for Lucius. (??) She was the daughter-in-law to Augustus. After twenty years when C. Marcus Valerius Messala and Marcus Aurelius Cotta were consuls in 20 AD, he divorced her and accused her of trying to poison him. {Suetonius, in Tiberius. c. 49.} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 22, 23.}
6137. When Augustus wrote the letters to Phraates, he did not call him king. Phraates was not intimidated but proudly wrote back again and called himself "king", and called Augustus nothing but "Caesar." {Dio, in Xephiline} {Legat. 39. Ursin. deit.} When he knew that Caius came into Syria, Phraates suspected that his subjects would not be quiet because they hated him. Hence he made a peace with Caius on this condition that he would lay aside all claims to Armenia. {Xyphiline, ex Dio} From this we read: {Eutropius, l. 7.}
``Augustus received Armenia from the Parthians.''
6138. We read also {Eusebius, Chronicle} that Caius Caesar made peace with the Parthians.
6139. When Artabazes or Artavasdes had died of a disease, Tigranes sent presents to Augustus for joy that his enemy was gone. He did not address himself as king and begged the kingdom of him. Augustus was troubled by these things and feared a Parthian war. He accepted his presents and offered him some hope if he went to Syria. He said:
``The Armenians who were then stronger than the Parthians, are subdued by Caius. The Armenians allied themselves with the Parthians and are easily overcome by Caius Augustus. The Armenians thought it better to be reconciled to the friendship of the Romans and to live in their own country than to join with the Parthians and loose their country and have the hostility of the Romans.''
4004 AM, 4714 JP, 1 AD
6140. This is the first year of the common Christian account of which we now calculate to be 1663 (when Ussher wrote this paragraph.) Caius Caesar was now twenty years old and this was five years after he was brought into the forum. He was consul in the east, as Pighius showed from a marble table of Naples and Anagna. {Pighius, Annals}
6141. Also this year, Tiberius lived at Rhodes as a banished man, under the pretence of leading a anxious life, for thus Tacitus rightly terms it. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 4.} Thereupon when his name was mentioned in a banquet, a man promised Caius, that if he would allow him, he would sail immediately to Rhodes and bring him the head of that banished man. Tiberius was compelled more from danger than fear to desire his return by his own and his mother's (of Livia) most earnest requests. However, Augustus was determined to do nothing concerning this matter except what pleased Caius. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 13.}
6142. After his climax year is past, Augustus celebrated his 64th birthday. On October 23rd (9th calends), he wrote this letter to Caius.
``All hail my Caius, my best delight whom in good faith I always desire when you are from me but especially on such days as this is. My eyes always long for Caius, whom wherever you are, I hope that you are merry and in health and celebrated my 64th birthday. For you have seen that we have past the 63rd, the common climax of all old men. I pray the gods that for the rest of my life that remaines, I may lead it in an happy estate for the government and that you are healthy and behaving yourself like a man and will succeed in my place.''
6143. This is from a book of the letters of Augustus to Caius that Aulius Gellius has preserved. {Aulius Gellius, Noctibus Atticis, l. 15. c. 7.}
4005a AM, 4714 JP, 1 AD
6144. Caius went to a conference with the king of the Parthians on an island in the Euphrates River. Each side had an equal sized retinue. The Roman and the Parthian army faced each other on either side of the river. First the Parthians was feasted by Caius on the Roman side and then Caius by the Parthians on the Parthian side. Velleius Paterculus witnessed this event. He was paymaster for the troops since he was a tribune for the soldiers. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 101. 1:262}
6145. At that time, the Parthians told Caius Caesar of the perfidious, subtle and cunning councils of Marcus Lollius. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 102. 1:262} He was notorious for taking bribes from the kings and for robbing all the countries of the east. Caius excluded him from his friends although his own wife, the daughter or niece of this Lollius, was said to have been given a gown by Lollius that was covered with pearls and valued at 40,000,000 sesterniums. (Some say this was a third of a million pounds of gold!) {*Pliny, l. 9. c. 38. 3:243} {Solinus, c. 55.} The more Caius was offended with Lollius, the more he showed himself gentle and kind to his father-in-law, Tiberius. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 13.}
6146. Velleius did not know if the death of Lollius which happened a few days later was accidental or a suicide. Pliny and Solinus stated that he died by taking poison. Velleius stated that all men rejoiced as heartily over this man's death as the city mourned the death of Censorinus. He died a little later in that province and was very well liked by everyone. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 102. 1:259,261} It seems that Caius Marcius was this Censorinus who represented the Jews of Cyrene and of Asia to Augustus. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 16. c. 10. <c. 6. 4:436>}
4005 AM, 4715 JP, 2 AD
6147. Quirinius was made adviser to Caius Caesar to replace Lollius who served Tiberius when he lived at Rhodes. Tiberius acknowledged this in the senate after the death of Lollius (??) and commended the services of Quirinius to Caius. He accused Lollius as the author of the ill will and differences between him and Caius Caesar. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 48.}
6148. With Caius' consent, Tiberius was recalled but on the condition, that he should hold no office in the government. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 13.}
6149. Tiberius was very skilful in astrology. He had Thrasyllus, a mathematician with him, who saw a ship sailing toward them in the distance which brought the news from Livia and Augustus of his return from exile. Tiberius said he was happy when in fact these things had recently happened to him before Thrasillus' predictions. Tiberius had intended at that very time as they walked together to throw him headlong into the sea since he was not honest with him and knew his secrets. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 14.} {Xyphiline, ex Dio}
6150. Tiberius had stayed seven years at Rhodes. In the eighth year after his departure, he returned into his country when Publius Vineius was consul and Lucius and Caius were still alive. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 14.} {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 99. 1:255 c. 103. 1:263} When he returned to Rome, his son Drusus was in the forum. Tiberius presently went from Pompey's house in the street Carinae to Mecaenas, his gardens in Esquiliae. He wholly gave himself to ease, doing some private entertaining but did not meddle with the government. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 15.}
6151. As Lucius was about to go to the armies in Spain, he died at Marseilles of a sudden death, who was not famous for anything, twenty two months before his brother Caius' death. {*Florus, l. 2. 1:343} {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 102. 1:263} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 3.} {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 65.} {Zonaras, ex Dio}
6152. After Lucius' death, Augustus would have adopted Tiberius but he vehemently refused it for he feared the envy of Caius. {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 103. 1:263}
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6153. Caius entered into Armenia and at first had good success. A little later Addo or Adduus, (he was called also Ador by Strabo) the governor of Artagera, persuaded the citadel to revolt. He enticed Caius to the wall, as though he would tell him some secret business, and wounded him. Caesar's captains took the citadel by continual assault and dismantled it. {*Velleius Paterculius, l. 2. c. 103. 1:263} {*Strabo. l. 11. 5:327} {Zonaras, ex Dio}
6154. In Florus {*Florus, l. 2. 1:343} this story is thus related. Dones or Domitus whom the king had made governor of Artaxatis or Artagerae pretended to betray the king. He wounded Caius as he was looking over a scroll which he had given him that contained a record of the treasures. Caius was indeed wounded, but in a short time recovered from his wound. The barbarians were attacked on every side by the army with the swords. Domitus was wounded and hurled himself upon a burning pyre. Thus he made atonement with his life to Caesar who outlived him. Sextus Rufus also followed Florus in his breviary. {Sextus, in Breviary}. However he relates this as it had been concerning the Parthians and not concerning the Armenians. He without any reason adds:
``The Parthians to give satisfaction for such a bold attempt, first gave hostages to Octavian Caesar and restored the ensigns that were taken away under Crassus.''
6155. This is the account of all those things to this history of Caius (incorrectly called Claudius, both here and by Jornandes, and in that writing of the Latins, that Georgius Syncellus transferred into his Greek Chronicle) which Suetonius {Suetonius, Octavian, c. 21.} had written about the Parthians. He confuses the two accounts and combines them into one:
``The Parthians easily yielded up Armenia to (Octavian) who claimed it. They restored the military ensigns to him that he demanded which were taken from M. Crassus and M. Antony. Moreover, they offered hostages.''
6156. Caius made Ariobarzanes governor over the Armenians at their request. He was a Mede and was very handsome and intelligent. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1.}
6157. Caius was less useful because of his wound and he was less energetic and his mind was less profitable to the state. He never lacked the company of men who by their flattery fomented his vices. By this it happened that he would rather spend all his time in any corner of the world than to return to Rome. He became less astute through sickness and more retiring and he desired that he might live a private life. Augustus was grieved by this and advised him that he should return into Italy He sailed to Lycia and died of sickness in the city Limyra. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 102. 1:259} Tacitus notes that he died as he came from Armenia and was sick from his wound. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1 c. 3.} Sextus Rufus affirmed that he died from his wound after he returned to Syria. Suetonius confirmed that he died in Lycia as does also Dio and Velleius (who was a tribune of soldiers and then served under Caius.) {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 65.}
6158. Augustus was very grieved by the death of Caius. In his letters, he complained to Asinius Pollio who was his dear friend when eating a large supper when his grief was too fresh and great. Pollio wrote back:
``I supped after the same fashion when I lost my son Aterius. Would any exact more grief from a friend than from a father?''
6159. Marcus Seneca relates this in the poem of the 4th book of his controversies. {Seneca, Controversiae Suasoriae. l. 4.}
6160. The bodies of Caius and Lucius were brought to Rome by the captains, armies and commanders of every city. The golden (or silver) shields and spears which they received from the equestrians when they came to manhood, were hung up in the senate house. {Xyphiline, ex Dio} Although Bellonius related in the second book of his observations that the epitaph of G. Caesar may be seen at Hama or Emesa in Syria. However, his bones were buried at Rome as this epitaph showed which is seen before the temple of the gods behind the temple of Minerva. "OSS A C. CAESAR IS AVGVSTIF. PRINCIPIS JUVENTUTIS." This means the bones of G. Caesar the son of Augustus, prince of youth. {Gruter, Inscriptions, p. 235. 4.} There was a suspicion that both these brothers were taken out of the way by the deceit of their stepmother Livia, to make way for her son, Tiberius for the empire. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 3.} {Zonaras, ex Dio}
6161. Augustus was made a god by the people. He did not approve and forbid it by an edict. {Xyphiline, ex Dio} {Zonaras, ex Dio} {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 53.}
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6162. After the thirteen years of his government had expired, he took upon himself the empire for another ten years. He did this as if it were upon compulsion. He had now become more mild and was loath to exasperate the senators and would not offend anyone any more. {Xyphiline, ex Dio}
6163. Augustus made Tiberius Nero his partner in the tribuneship. Tiberius eagerly refused both privately and in the senate. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 103. 1:265} Suetonius stated that the tribuneship was given to him for five years {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 16.} and Dio said for ten years. {Dio, l. 55. 6:425}
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6164. The Julian calender was now correct. The third intercalary day which was superfluous and added by the carelessness of the Roman priests, was omitted this year in the month of February. Later Augustus, who was the high priest, ordered that one day in the beginning of every fifth year should be intercalated according to the edict of Caesar. To ensure the perpetual keeping of this order, he ordered that it should be engraved in a brass table. {Macrobius, Saturnal. l. 1. c. 14. fin.} From the institution the records of all times after this are calculated. {Solinus, c. 3.} It was no marvel, for it was constantly observed after this until the change of the calender made by Pope Gregory 13th in the year 1579. Yet lest the fairs that were kept by the Romans at the beginning of every ninth day, should fall on the first of January, one day was added often at the end of the previous year and was removed again in the following year. This would keep the time in agreement with Julius Caesar's edicts. {Dio, l. 48. p. 377.} {Dio, l. 60 p. 681.}
6165. After five years Augustus brought his daughter Julia from the island to the continent and gave her some more gentle conditions of exile. However, he could not bring himself to recall her altogether. When the Roman people intreated him for her and were very urgent with him, he used this curse publicly on them that they should have such daughters and such wives. {Suetonius, Octavian, c. 65.}
6166. When Aelius Catus and Sentius (Saturninus) were consuls on June 27th (5th calends of July), Augustus adopted Tiberius Nero. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 103. 1:265} He swore before the people that he adopted him for the commonwealth's sake.{Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 104. 1:265} {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 21.} Marcus Agrippa, the brother of Caius and Lucius was adopted the same day whom Julia bore after the death of Agrippa. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 104. 1:265} {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 15.} Augustus feared lest Tiberius should grow proud and make a rebellion. Before he adopted him, he made Tiberius adopt Germanicus, the son of his brother Drusus, although Tiberius had a son of his own. {*Dio, l. 55. 6:425} {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 15.} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 3.}
6167. Immediately after his adoption, Tiberius was sent into Germany, with whom Paterculus went and served as a colonel of the cavalry. He was an eye witness of all that Tiberius did for nine years. {*Velleius Paterculus, c. 104, 105. 1:265-269}
6168. When Tiberius was sent into Germany, the ambassadors of the Parthians, came with their embassy to Rome. They were ordered to go into the province to him. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 16.} There were many contending for the Parthian kingdom and ambassadors came from the noblemen of Parthia and desired to have a king of one of the three sons of Phraates who remained as hostages at Rome. Vonones was preferred before his other brothers and was helped by Caesar. He was joyfully received by the Parthians for some time. {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 21.} {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478,479>} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 2.}
6169. Augustus accepted the proconsular power so that he might raise a tax in Italy. {*Dio, l. 55. 6:427}
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6170. The sun was partially eclipsed {*Dio, l. 55. 6:451} on March 28 about five o'clock in the afternoon according to the astronomical tables.
6171. Toga Virilis which was the gown that the Roman men wore at age 18, was given to Marcus Agrippa Posthumous, (e.g. born after the death of his father) who had never had those honours that his brothers (Caius and Lucius) had. {*Dio, l. 55. 6:451}
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6172. The rulers of the Jews as well as of the Samaritans could no longer put up with the tyranny of Archelaus and accused him to Caesar. They knew that he had acted contrary to Caesar's command by whom he was commanded to govern his subjects with justice and equity. When Caesar heard this, he was very angry and sent for his agent who lived at Rome. He did not write anything to Archelaus but ordered his agent to go to Judea and immediately to bring his master to him. {Josephus, Wars, l. 2. c. 6.} {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. ult. <c. 13. 1:474,475>}
6173. Archelaus claimed to have had a dream foretelling this misfortune. He saw nine ears of grain which were eaten up by oxen. Simon, an Essean, interpreted those ears to be nine years of his kingdom and said that now the end of his government was at hand. The fifth day after this, the agent of Archelaus is said to have come to Judea. He found Archelaus banqueting with his friends and told him Caesar's pleasure was that he must come and answer the accusations. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. ult. <c. 13. 1:475>}
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6174. About our November, on the seventh day of the Jewish month Cisleu, began the tenth year of the reign of Archelaus. (What Augustus called an ethnarchy the Jews called a kingdom.) Joseph the priest had a son named Matthias, in the tenth year of the reign of Archelaus as it is in the public registers. Flavius Josephus, the historian, was the son of this Matthias. {Josephus, Life, 1:1} For this very reason, Josephus thought it best to change what he had written formerly in his books of the wars of the Jews about the nine years of Archelaus. In his books of antiquities he substituted in the ten years in his kingdom and ten ears in the dream. No such amendment was needed. He only reigned a few days in his tenth year of his ethnarchy or kingdom. He was sent into banishment at the end of that year when M. Aemilius Lepidus and L. Aruntius were consuls. Under their consulship:
``Herod of Palestine (who was indeed none other than this Archelaus) was accused by his countrymen and was banished beyond the Alps and his government was confiscated.'' {*Dio, l. 55. 6:465,467}
6175. When Caesar heard the accusations and the defence of Archelaus, he banished him to Vienna of France and confiscated his country and his treasure. {Josephus, Wars, l. 2. c. 6.} {Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. ult. <c. 13. 1:475>} This is that son of Herod, whom Strabo noted to have lived in exile among the Allobroges of France. {*Strabo, l. 16. 7:299}
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6176. Augustus proscribed his only nephew Marcus Agrippa who was born after the death of his father. He was ignorant and foolishly fierce from a pride of his strength. He was found innocent but Augustus confiscated all his goods into the military treasury and banished him to Planasia, an island near Corsica. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 3.} {*Dio, l. 55. 6:475}
6177. The government of Archelaus, that is, Judea, (containing the tribe of Judah and Benjamin) Samaria and Idumea, was organised into a province and annexed to Syria. Quirinius was sent by Caesar, to be the governor of Syria so that he might tax both it and all Syria. He was sent to evaluate the wealth of the Jewish estates and to sell Archelaus' property and bring its money into his own country. {Josephus, Antiq, l. 17. c. fin l. 18. c. 1. <c. 13. 1:475,476>}
6178. Although the Jews could barely tolerate even the mention of a tax, however, Joazar the son of Boethus the high priest convinced them. He was either restored by Archelaus or else took the priesthood again in his absence. Without much opposition, they allowed themselves to be taxed. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 18. c. 1. <1:476>}
6179. At the time of this taxing, Judas a Galilean arose and drew away many people after him. After he died, all that followed him were dispersed according to Gamaliel. {Ac 5:37} Josephus calls him a Gaulonite. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 18. c. 1. <1:476>} He was born in the town of Gamala but in another place Josephus agrees with Gamaliel and he calls him a Galilean and wrote that he instigated the people to revolt from the Romans when Quirinius taxed Judea. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 18. c. 2. <c. 1. 1:476> l. 20 c. 3. <c. 5. 1:531>}
6180. Sadduc, a Pharisee was his associate and tried to stir up the people to rebel. He said that this taxing was nothing else but an obvious sign of their servitude. He exhorted all the country to stand for their liberty and gave them the hope that by this they should better enjoy their lives. They would be confirmed in the possession of their estates and would be considered valiant. They could not expect any help from God if they did not help themselves. The people readily received these speeches and were encouraged to do something. These men troubled the country for they filled all places with murders and robberies. They plundered without any respect of friend or foe and murdered many noble personages. All this was done under the pretext of defending the public liberty but indeed it was for their private profit. Judas and Sadduc were the instigators of all these calamities and the example for all who were desirous of seditions. This not only disturbed the country now but were the seeds of all the future calamities. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 1. <1:476>}
6181. To the three ancient sects of the Jews, (that is the Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes), Judas the Galilean founded a fourth one. Its followers agreed with the Pharisees and affirmed that God only is to be accounted Lord and master of all. They would more easily endure any most horrible torture together with their friends and children than call any mortal man, Lord. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 2. <c. 1. 1:477>}
6182. Quirinius sold and confiscated Archelaus' goods and went through the land with the tax. (This happened in the 37th year after the victory at Actium beginning in September of the previous year.) There was a sedition of the common people made against Joazar the high priest. Quirinius removed him from his office and substituted Ananus (or Annas) the son of Seth in his place. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>}
6183. Quirinius was accompanied by Coponius, who was of the equestrian order and Coponius was sent by Augustus to be the first governor of Judea, after it was organised into a province. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 2. <c. 1. 1:477>} {Josephus, Wars, l. 2. c. 7.} The term of the governors seems always to have expired after three years.
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6184. When Coponius was governor of Judea, in the passover of this or the following year, the priests (as it was the custom always at this feast) had opened the gates of the temple about midnight. Certain Samaritans secretly entered Jerusalem and scattered men's bones amidst the porch and over all the temple. After this, the priests watched the temple much more diligently than before. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 478>}
6185. At the passover of this year, Christ in the twelfth year of his age was brought to Jerusalem by Joseph and Mary. After the seven days of unleavened bread were over, his parents returned home and he stayed behind. They did not know where he was and looked for him for three days. They found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him, were astonished at his understanding and answers. {Lu 2:41-47}
6186. Jesus went down with his parents to Nazareth and was obedient to them. {Lu 2:51} He followed his father's trade as a carpenter and ate his bread by the sweat of his brow. From this, his fellow citizens of Nazareth stated: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?" {Mr 6:3}
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6187. Ovid was banished to Tomas in Pontus because, he saw some dishonest act of Augustus which he did not want to be seen. About this misfortune, we read him complaining: {*Ovid, Tristia, l. 2. 1:63}
Why saw I ought? Why did I guilty make My eyes? This sin why did I, wretch, partake?
6188. He was exiled also for his love of books he himself confirms and is recorded by Sidonius Apollinaris and others. {*Ovid, Tristia, l. 2. 1:61} We have shown before, that he was born in the consulship of Hirtius and Pansa, and was at this time fifty one years old but the current year was not complete. The poet records his age: {*Ovid, Tristia, l. 2. e. 10. 1:203}
When twice five times with olive girt the knight. Had bore away the prize (his virtues right) When by my princes rage I had command Of the Euxine Tomitae to seek the land.
6189. That is, as it is more clearly expressed by him, in his book in Iben, (he wrote against his accusers when he first arrived at Tomos.) {*Ovid, Tristia, l. 2. e. 8. 1:193}
When to this time ten lustrals I had seen.
6190. For he did not confuse the Olympiads which were every four years with the lustrals of the Romans which were every five years.
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6191. Ovid signified this that he had passed the first winter in Pontus, and with that the first year of his banishment, (for he had spent the former winter on his journey.) {*Ovid, Tristia, l. 3. e. 12. 1:147}
Now zephyr tames the cold; the years run round,
A longer winter the Maeotae found.
The sign in Aries, the night did make
Her equal hours with the day partake.
6192. He noted the second year of his banishment. {Ovid, Tristia, l. 6. e. 4.}
Since I my country left the barns twice filled And presses, grain and wine did to them yield.
6193. Marcus Ambivius was sent by Augustus, as the second governor into Judea. During his stay, Salome died who was the sister of Herod. She bequeathed to Julia (Livia, Augustus' wife) Jamnia, with its government, Phasealis which was located in the plain and Archelaus which was very well planted with date palm trees which is a most excellent fruit. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>}
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6194. Ovid recalls the beginning of his third winter that he spent in Pontus. {*Ovid, Tristia, l. 5. e. 10. 1:245}
Since I to Pontus came thrice Ister stood
With frost, and thrice lay glazed the Euxine flood.
6195. The senate and people of Rome, at Augustus' request, made a decree that Tiberius might have the same power in all the provinces and armies as he himself had. {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 121. 1:307} Suetonius stated that this law was propounded by the consuls {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 21.} that Tiberius should govern the provinces in common with Augustus. Germanicus was consul all that year, whom the aged Augustus used to commend in writing to the senate just as the senate itself did also commend him to Tiberius. {*Dio, l. 56. 7:59} It was no wonder that the senate should receive the commendation from Augustus:
``to his son his colleague of the empire and partner in the tribuneship.''
6196. as Tacitus stated. {Tacius, Annals, l. 1. c. 3.} Tiberius was also made censor and he committed the care of the city to Lucius Piso because he had continued two days and two nights in drinking with him since Tiberius was now made a prince. {*Pliny, l. 14. c. 38. 4:281} Tacitus confirmed that Piso was the prefect of the city for twenty years and did his job well. He died when Domitius Aenobarbus and Aulus Vitellius were consuls in 32 A. D. and was honoured with a public funeral. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 6. c. 11.} From this it is gathered that Tiberius was now prince or viceroy in 12 A. D. two whole years before Augustus' death. Therefore there must be a distinction noted between the beginning of Tiberius' first being a prince or viceroy and his later becoming emperor.
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6197. Ovid noted his fourth winter which he lived in exile. {*Ovid, Pontus, l. 1. e. 2. ad Maximus 1:291?}
Here the fourth winter wearied me doth hold,
Resisting adverse fate, weapons, sharp cold.
6198. Annius Rufus was sent as the third governor to Judea by Augustus. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>})
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6199. When Lucius Munacius and Caius Silius were consuls, the fourth ten year term of Augustus' empire was about to expire. Against his will, he accepted the government of the state for another ten years and continued Tiberius' tribuneship. {*Dio, l. 56. 6:63}
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6200. When Sextus Pompeius and Sextus Apuleius were consuls, Augustus wrote in a breviary of his acts which was engraved in marble of Ancira that he with his colleague Tiberius, numbered the people of Rome for the third time. In this census, the Roman citizens totalled 4,137,000. {Gruter, Inscriptions, p. 230} Eusebius {Eusebius, Chronicle} is incorrect where he said that there were numbered 9,370,000. Jornandes followed Eusebius in this error in his book {Jornandes, Succession of Kingdoms and Times} and gave and even larger number. He added that Augustus had:
``commanded all the world to be numbered since there was peace at the birth of Jesus Christ.''
6201. Both he and Eusebius in that place conjecture that the birth of the Lord happened in the 42nd year of Augustus' empire.
6202. When Augustus made this great muster in Mars field, there were a number of people there. An eagle often fluttered about Augustus and then went and sat on a nearby temple on the first letter of Agrippa's name. When Augustus saw this, he commanded his colleague Tiberius to make those vows that were usually made for the next year. For although all things were ready for the solemnities of those vows, yet he refused to make those vows which he should not live to perform. (??) {Suetonius, Octavian, c. 97.}
6203. About the same time the first letter of his name, that was on the inscription of his statue which was set in the capitol, fell down after it was struck with a flash of lightning. The soothsayers said that he would live only an hundred days after that because the letter "C" denoted 100 in Roman numerals. Also he should be canonized as a god, because "AESAR", which was the rest of his name, in the Etruscan language, meant "a god". {*Dio. l. 56. 7:67} {Suetonius, Octavian, c. 97.}
6204. In the meanwhile, Augustus wrote a summary of his doings which he wanted to have engraved in tables of brass and placed over his tomb. {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. ult.} {*Dio, l. 56. 7:73} An example of this which was written in the marble of Ancyra, so often mentioned by us, in which that former census that he took so recently was described.
6205. So Augustus ended his days at Nola in Campania, when those two Sexti were consuls and were named on his tomb. {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 123. 1:311} {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 100.} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 5. & 7.} {*Dio. l. 56. 7:71} He died in the same house and chamber, where his father Octavian had died, {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 100.} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 9.} on August 19th, which was the same day he was first made consul. {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 100.} {*Dio, l. 56. 7:69}
6206. Tiberius did not announce the death of Augustus before he had killed Agrippa Posthumous. He replied to the captain who killed him and brought back word that he had done as Tiberius had ordered that he had not ordered it and that he should give an account of it to the senate. He was willing at the present to avoid its reproach. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 22.} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 6.} {*Dio, l. 57. 7:119,121} After preparing all things according to the time, the same news came together that Augustus was dead and that Tiberius Nero was emperor. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 5.}
6207. Although he had every intention of taking over the empire, yet he for a long time most imprudently refused it and held the senate in suspense. They begged him and fell on their knees to him. He replied with doubtful and delaying answers so that some upbraided him to his face for his indecision. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 24.} {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 124. 1:311,313} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 7.} {*Dio, l. 57. 7:117}
6208. Between this new principality, as Tacitus calls it, {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 6,7.} and the former which he had 2 years before Augustus' death, was this difference. The former extended only to armies and provinces of the Roman Empire but this to the head city itself in which Tiberius only had the authority of censorship and tribuneship. He had the Augustal Principality, that is, of governing after his own will and being freed from all bonds of laws. For Tiberius had not equal power with Augustus as Lucius Varus had with Antony the philosopher who governed the state with equal authority according to Spartianus. {Spartianus, in Hadrian, Aelio Vero, & M. Aurelio.} His power was like Antoninus Pius had with Hadrian who was adopted by him and made colleague with his father in the proconsular power (in respect of the other provinces) and in the tribuneship (at home) as Julius Capitolinus stated. Thereupon Tiberius did not issue the edict by which he called the senators into the senate by the authority of his new principality but by the power of the tribuneship which he had under Augustus. However, he controlled the Praetorian cohorts as emperor. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 7.}
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6209. The legions of Pannonia rebelled and were frightened by a sudden eclipse of the moon and so submitted themselves to Tiberius. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 28.} {*Dio, l. 57. p. 7:123} This total eclipse happened on September 27th at five hours after midnight so that the moon set even in the very eclipse.