His
minions, Tedius and Vedius Pollio, had lived in scandalous and excessive
luxury: his wife Livia, who wholly controlled him, had proved a cruel
governess to the Commonwealth; and to the Julian house, a more cruel
step-mother: he had even invaded the incommunicable honours of the Gods,
and setting up for himself temples like theirs, would like them be adored
in the image of a Deity, with all the sacred solemnity of Priests and
sacrifices: nor had he adopted Tiberius for his successor, either out of
affection for him, or from concern for the public welfare; but having
discovered in him a spirit proud and cruel, he sought future glory from
the blackest opposition and comparison." For, Augustus, when, a few years
before, he solicited the Senate to grant to Tiberius another term of the
authority of the Tribuneship, though he mentioned him with honour, yet
taking notice of his odd humour, behaviour, and manners, dropped some
expressions, which, while they seemed to excuse him, exposed and upbraided
him.
As soon as the funeral of Augustus was over, a temple and divine worship
were forthwith decreed him.
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