" In truth, full of envy as he
was, and anxious lest his own grandeur should sink as that of his mother
rose, he would not suffer so much as a Lictor to be decreed her, and even
forbade the raising her an altar upon her late adoption, or paying her any
such solemnities. But for Germanicus he asked the Proconsular power; and
to carry him that dignity, honourable deputies were sent, as also to
mollify his sorrow for the death of Augustus. If for Drusus he demanded
not the same honour, it was because Drusus was present and already Consul
designed. He then named twelve candidates for the Praetorship; the same
number settled by Augustus; and though the Senate requested him to
increase it, by an oath he bound himself never to exceed.
The privilege of creating Magistrates was now first translated from the
assemblies of the people to the Senate; for though the Emperor had before
conducted all affairs of moment at his pleasure; yet till that day some
were still transacted by the Tribes, and carried by their bent and
suffrages. Neither did the regret of the people for the seizure of these
their ancient rights rise higher than some impotent grumbling.
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