The Senate
too liked the change; as by it they were released from the charge of
buying votes, and from the shame of begging them: and so moderate was
Tiberius, that of the twelve candidates he only reserved to himself the
recommendation of four, to be accepted without opposition or caballing. At
the same time, the Tribunes of the people asked leave to celebrate at
their own expense certain plays in honour of Augustus, such as were to be
called after his name, and inserted in the calendar. But it was decreed,
that out of the Exchequer the charge should be defrayed, and the Tribunes
should in the circus wear the triumphal robe; but to be carried in
chariots was denied them. The annual celebration of these plays was, for
the future, transferred to one of the Praetors, him in particular to whom
should fall the jurisdiction of deciding suits between citizens and
strangers.
Thus stood affairs at Rome when a sedition seized the legions in Pannonia;
without any fresh grounds, save that from a change of Princes, they meant
to assume a warrant for licentiousness and tumult, and from a civil war
hoped great earnings and acquisitions: they were three legions encamped
together, all commanded by Junius Blesus, who, upon notice of the death of
Augustus and the accession of Tiberius, had granted the soldiers a recess
from their wonted duties for some days, as a time either of public
mourning or festivity.
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