Caligula | Page 2

tombs of illustrious men, he
made offerings over them to the infernal deities. He gave a common
grave, under a mound of earth, to the scattered relics of the legionaries
slain under Varus, and was the first to put his hand to the work of
collecting and bringing them to the place of burial. He was so
extremely mild and gentle to his enemies, whoever they were, or on
what account soever they bore him enmity, that, although Piso
rescinded his decrees, and for a long time severely harassed his
dependents, he never showed the smallest resentment, until he found
himself attacked by magical charms and imprecations; and even then

the only steps he took was to renounce all friendship with him,
according to ancient custom, and to exhort his servants to avenge his
death, if any thing untoward should befall him.
IV. He reaped the fruit of his noble qualities in abundance, being so
much esteemed and beloved by his friends, that Augustus (to say
nothing of his other relations) being a long time in doubt, whether he
should not appoint him his successor, at last ordered Tiberius to adopt
him. He was so extremely popular, that many authors tell us, the
crowds of those who went to meet him upon his coming to any place,
or to attend him at his departure, were so prodigious, that he was
sometimes in danger of his life; and that upon his return from Germany,
after he had quelled the mutiny in the army there, all the cohorts of the
pretorian guards marched out to meet him, notwithstanding the order
that only two should go; and that all the people of Rome, both men and
women, of every age, sex, and rank, flocked as far as the twentieth
milestone to attend his entrance.
V. At the time of his death, however, and afterwards, they displayed
still greater and stronger proofs of their extraordinary attachment to
him. The day on which he died, stones were thrown at the temples, the
altars of the gods demolished, the household gods, in some cases,
thrown into the streets, and new-born infants exposed. It is even said
that barbarous nations, both those engaged in intestine wars, and those
in hostilities against us, all agreed to a cessation of arms, as if they had
been mourning for some very near and common friend; that some petty
kings shaved their beards and their wives' heads, in token of their
extreme sorrow; and that the king of kings [383] forbore his exercise of
hunting and feasting with his nobles, which, amongst the Parthians, is
equivalent to a cessation of all business in a time of public mourning
with us.
VI. At Rome, upon the first news of his sickness, the city was thrown
into great consternation and grief, waiting impatiently for farther
intelligence; when suddenly, in the evening, a report, without any
certain author, was spread, that he was recovered; upon which the
people flocked with torches (254) and victims to the Capitol, and were
in such haste to pay the vows they had made for his recovery, that they
almost broke open the doors. Tiberius was roused from out of his sleep
with the noise of the people congratulating one another, and singing

about the streets,
Salva Roma, salva patria, salvus est Germanicus. Rome is safe, our
country safe, for our Germanicus is safe.
But when certain intelligence of his death arrived, the mourning of the
people could neither be assuaged by consolation, nor restrained by
edicts, and it continued during the holidays in the month of December.
The atrocities of the subsequent times contributed much to the glory of
Germanicus, and the endearment of his memory; all people supposing,
and with reason, that the fear and awe of him had laid a restraint upon
the cruelty of Tiberius, which broke out soon afterwards.
VII. Germanicus married Agrippina, the daughter of Marcus Agrippa
and Julia, by whom he had nine children, two of whom died in their
infancy, and another a few years after; a sprightly boy, whose effigy, in
the character of a Cupid, Livia set up in the temple of Venus in the
Capitol. Augustus also placed another statue of him in his bed-chamber,
and used to kiss it as often as he entered the apartment. The rest
survived their father; three daughters, Agrippina, Drusilla, and Livilla,
who were born in three successive years; and as many sons, Nero,
Drusus, and Caius Caesar. Nero and Drusus, at the accusation of
Tiberius, were declared public enemies.
VIII. Caius Caesar was born on the day before the calends [31st August]
of September, at the time his father and Caius Fonteius Capito were
consuls [384]. But where he was born, is rendered uncertain from the
number of places which are said to