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which they went out； but according to the supposals of the
accusers and of the judges。
17。 But now a multitude of Germans had surrounded the theater
with their swords drawn： all the spectators looked for nothing
but death； and at every one coming in a fear seized upon them； as
if they were to be cut in pieces immediately； and in great
distress they were； as neither having courage enough to go out of
the theater； nor believing themselves safe from dangers if they
tarried there。 And when the Germans came upon them； the cry was
so great； that the theater rang again with the entreaties of the
spectators to the soldiers； pleading that they were entirely
ignorant of every thing that related to such seditious
contrivances； and that if there were any sedition raised； they
knew nothing of it； they therefore begged that they would spare
them； and not punish those that had not the least hand in such
bold crimes as belonged to other persons； while they neglected to
search after such as had really done whatsoever it be that hath
been done。 Thus did these people appeal to God； and deplore their
infelicity with shedding of tears； and beating their faces； and
said every thing that the most imminent danger and the utmost
concern for their lives could dictate to them。 This brake the
fury of the soldiers； and made them repent of what they minded to
do to the spectators； which would have been the greatest instance
of cruelty。 And so it appeared to even these savages； when they
had once fixed the heads of those that were slain with Asprenas
upon the altar； at which sight the spectators were sorely
afflicted； both upon the consideration of the dignity of the
persons； and out of a commiseration of their sufferings； nay；
indeed； they were almost in as great disorder at the prospect of
the danger themselves were in； seeing it was still uncertain
whether they should entirely escape the like calamity。 Whence it
was that such as thoroughly and justly hated Caius could yet no
way enjoy the pleasure of his death； because they were themselves
in jeopardy of perishing together with him； nor had they hitherto
any firm assurance of surviving。
18。 There was at this time one Euaristus Arruntius； a public
crier in the market； and therefore of a strong and audible voice；
who vied in wealth with the richest of the Romans； and was able
to do what he pleased in the city； both then and afterward。 This
man put himself into the most mournful habit he could； although
he had a greater hatred against Caius than any one else； his fear
and his wise contrivance to gain his safety taught him so to do；
and prevailed over his present pleasure； so he put on such a
mournful dress as he would have done had he lost his dearest
friends in the world； this man came into the theater； and
informed them of the death of Caius； and by this means put an end
to that state of ignorance the men had been in。 Arruntius also
went round about the pillars； and called out to the Germans； as
did the tribunes with him； bidding them put up their swords； and
telling them that Caius was dead。 And this proclamation it was
plainly which saved those that were collected together in the
theater； and all the rest who any way met the Germans； for while
they had hopes that Caius had still any breath in him； they
abstained from no sort of mischief； and such an abundant kindness
they still had for Caius； that they would willingly have
prevented the plot against him； and procured his escape from so
sad a misfortune； at the expense of their own lives。 But they now
left off the warm zeal they had to punish his enemies； now they
were fully satisfied that Caius was dead； because it was now in
vain for them to show their zeal and kindness to him； when he who
should reward them was perished。 They were also afraid that they
should be punished by the senate； if they should go on in doing
such injuries； that is； in case the authority of the supreme
governor should revert to them。 And thus at length a stop was
put； though not without difficulty； to that rage which possessed
the Germans on account of Caius's death。
19。 But Cherea was so much afraid for Minucianus； lest he should
light upon the Germans now they were in their fury； that he went
and spike to every one of the soldiers； and prayed them to take
care of his preservation； and made himself great inquiry about
him； lest he should have been slain。 And for Clement； he let
Minucianus go when he was brought to him； and； with many other of
the senators； affirmed the action was right； and commended the
virtue of those that contrived it； and had courage enough to
execute it； and said that 〃tyrants do indeed please themselves
and look big for a while； upon having the power to act unjustly；
but do not however go happily out of the world； because they are
hated by the virtuous； and that Caius； together with all his
unhappiness； was become a conspirator against himself； before
these other men who attacked him did so； and by becoming
intolerable； in setting aside the wise provision the laws had
made； taught his dearest friends to treat him as an enemy；
insomuch that although in common discourse these conspirators
were those that slew Caius； yet that； in reality； he lies now
dead as perishing by his own self。〃
20。 Now by this time the people in the theatre were arisen from
their seats； and those that were within made a very great
disturbance； the cause of which was this； that the spectators
were too hasty in getting away。 There was also one Aleyon； a
physician； who hurried away； as if to cure those that were
wounded； and under that pretense he sent those that were with him
to fetch what things were necessary for the healing of those
wounded persons； but in reality to get them clear of the present
dangers they were in。 Now the senate； during this interval； had
met； and the people also assembled together in the accustomed
form； and were both employed in searching after the murderers of
Caius。 The people did it very zealously； but the senate in
appearance only； for there was present Valerius of Asia； one that
had been consul； this man went to the people； as they were in
disorder； and very uneasy that they could not yet discover who
they were that had murdered the emperor； he was then earnestly
asked by them all who it was that had done it。 He replied； 〃I
wish I had been the man。〃 The consuls （7） also published an
edict； wherein they accused Caius； and gave order to the people
then got together； and to the soldiers； to go home； and gave the
people hopes of the abatement of the oppressions they lay under；
and promised the soldiers； if they lay quiet as they used to do；
and would not go abroad to do mischief unjustly； that they would
bestow rewards upon them； for there was reason to fear lest the
city might suffer harm by their wild and ungovernable behavior；
if they should once betake themselves to spoil the citizens； or
plunder the temples。 And now the whole multitude of the senators
were assembled together； and especially those that had conspired
to take away the life of Caius； who put on at this time an air of
great assurance； and appeared with great magnanimity； as if the
administration of the public affairs were already devolved upon
them。
CHAPTER 2。
How The Senators Determined To Restore The Democracy； But The
Soldiers Were For Preserving The Monarchy； Concerning The
Slaughter Of Caius's Wife And Daughter。 A Character Of Caius's
Morals。
1。 When the public affairs were in this posture； Claudius was on
the sudden hurried away out of his house； for the soldiers had a
meeting together； and when they had debated about what was to be
done； they saw that a democracy was incapable of managing such a
vast weight of public affairs； and that if it should be set up；
it would not be for their advantage； and in case any one of those
already in the government should obtain the supreme power； it
would in all respects be to their grief； if they were not
assisting to him in this advancement； that it would therefore be
right for them； while the public affairs were unsettled； to
choose Claudius emperor； who was uncle to the deceased Caius； and
of a superior dignity and worth to every one of those that were
assembled together in the senate； both on account of the virtues
of his ancestors； and of the learning he had acquired in his
education； and who； if once settled in the empire； would reward
them according to their deserts； and bestow largesses upon them。
These were their consultations； and they executed the same
immediately。 Claudius was therefore seized upon suddenly by the
soldiery。 But Cneas Sentins Saturninns； although he understood
that Claudius was seized； and that he intended to claim the
government； unwillingly indeed in appearance； but in reality by
his own free consent； stood up in the senate； and； without being
dismayed； made an exhortatory oration to them； and such a one
indeed as was fit for men of freedom and generosity； and spake
thus：
2。 〃Although it be a thing incredible； O Romans！ because of the
great length of time； that so unexpected an event hath happened；
yet are we now in possession of liberty。 How long indeed this
will last