But the several revolutions in the ancient free state of Rome, and all her
happy or disastrous events, are already recorded by writers of signal
renown. Nor even in the reign of Augustus were there wanting authors of
distinction and genius to have composed his story; till by the prevailing
spirit of fear, flattery, and abasement they were checked. As to the
succeeding Princes, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero; the dread of
their tyranny, whilst they yet reigned, falsified their history; and after
their fall, the fresh detestation of their cruelties inflamed their
Historians. Hence my own design of recounting briefly certain incidents in
the reign of Augustus, chiefly towards his latter end, and of entering
afterwards more fully into that of Tiberius and the other three; unbiassed
as I am in this undertaking by any resentment, or any affection; all the
influences of these personal passions being far from me.
When, after the fall of Brutus and Cassius, there remained none to fight
for the Commonwealth, and her arms were no longer in her own hands; when
Sextus Pompeius was utterly defeated in Sicily, Lepidus bereft of his
command.
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