Neither were the Provinces averse to the present Revolution, and
Sovereignty of one; since under that of the people and Senate they had
lived in constant fear and mistrust, sorely rent and harassed as they were
by the raging competition amongst our Grandees, as well as by the grievous
rapine and exactions of our Magistrates; in vain too, under these their
oppressions, had been their appeal to the protection of the laws, which
were utterly enfeebled and borne down by might and violence, by faction
and parties; nay, even by subornation and money.
Moreover, Augustus, in order to fortify his domination with collateral
bulwarks, raised his sister's son Claudius Marcellus, a perfect youth, to
the dignity of Pontiff and that of Aedile; preferred Marcus Agrippa to two
successive Consulships, a man in truth meanly born but an accomplished
soldier, and the companion of his victories; and Marcellus, the husband of
Julia, soon after dying, chose him for his son-in-law. Even the sons of
his wife, Tiberius Nero, and Claudius Drusus, he dignified with high
military titles and commands; though his house was yet supported by
descendants of his own blood.
Pages:
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63