He then commanded the imperial register to be produced
and recited. It contained a summary of the strength and income of the
Empire, the number of Romans and auxiliaries in pay, the condition of the
navy, of the several kingdoms paying tribute, and of the various provinces
and their revenues, with the state of the public expense, the issues of
the exchequer, and all the demands upon the public. This register was all
writ by the hand of Augustus; and in it he had subjoined his counsel to
posterity, that the present boundaries of the Empire should stand fixed
without further enlargement; but whether this counsel was dictated by fear
for the public, or by envy towards his successors, is uncertain.
Now when the Senate was stooping to the vilest importunity and
prostrations, Tiberius happened to say, that, "as he was unequal to the
weight of the whole government; so if they entrusted him with any
particular part, whatever it were, he would undertake it." Here Asinius
Gallus interposed: "I beg to know, Caesar," says he, "what part of the
government you desire for your share?" He was astonished with the
unexpected question, and, for a short space, mute; but recovering himself,
answered, that "it ill became his modesty to choose or reject any
particular branch of the administration, when he desired rather to be
excused from the whole.
Pages:
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80