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himself to learning； and especially to that of the Greeks； and
keeping himself entirely clear from every thing that might bring
on any disturbance。 But as at this time the multitude were under
a consternation； and the whole palace was full of the soldiers'
madness； and the very emperor's guards seemed under the like fear
and disorder with private persons； the band called pretorian；
which was the purest part of the army； was in consultation what
was to be done at this juncture。 Now all those that were at this
consultation had little regard to the punishment Caius had
suffered； because he justly deserved such his fortune； but they
were rather considering their own circumstances； how they might
take the best care of themselves； especially while the Germans
were busy in punishing the murderers of Caius； which yet was
rather done to gratify their own savage temper； than for the good
of the public； all which things disturbed Claudius； who was
afraid of his own safety； and this particularly because he saw
the heads of Asprenas and his partners carried about。 His station
had been on a certain elevated place； whither a few steps led
him； and whither he had retired in the dark by himself。 But when
Gratus； who was one of the soldiers that belonged to the palace；
saw him； but did not well know by his countenance who he was；
because it was dark； though he could well judge that it was a man
who was privately there on some design； he came nearer to him；
and when Claudius desired that he would retire； be discovered who
he was； and owned him to be Claudius。 So he said to his
followers； 〃This is a Germanicus； （12） come on； let us choose him
for our emperor。〃 But when Claudius saw they were making
preparations for taking him away by force； and was afraid they
would kill him； as they had killed Caius； he besought them to
spare him； putting them in mind how quietly he had demeaned
himself； and that he was unacquainted with what had been done。
Hereupon Gratus smiled upon him； and took him by the right hand；
and said； 〃Leave off； sir； these low thoughts of saving yourself；
while you ought to have greater thoughts； even of obtaining the
empire； which the gods； out of their concern for the habitable
world； by taking Caius out of the way； commit to thy virtuous
conduct。 Go to； therefore； and accept of the throne of thy
ancestors。〃 So they took him up and carried him； because he was
not then able to go on foot； such was his dread and his joy at
what was told him。
2。 Now there was already gathered together about Gratus a great
number of the guards； and when they saw Claudius carried off；
they looked with a sad countenance； as supposing that he was
carried to execution for the mischiefs that had been lately done；
while yet they thought him a man who never meddled with public
affairs all his life long； and one that had met with no
contemptible dangers under the reign of Caius； and some of them
thought it reasonable that the consuls should take cognizance of
these matters； and as still more and more of the soldiery got
together； the crowd about him ran away； and Claudius could hardly
go on； his body was then so weak； and those who carried his
sedan； upon an inquiry that was made about his being carried off；
ran away and saved themselves； as despairing of their Lord's
preservation。 But when they were come into the large court of the
palace； （which； as the report goes about it； was inhabited first
of all the parts of the city of Rome；） and had just reached the
public treasury； many more soldiers came about him； as glad to
see Claudius's face； and thought it exceeding right to make him
emperor； on account of their kindness for Germanicus； who was his
brother； and had left behind him a vast reputation among all that
were acquainted with him。 They reflected also on the covetous
temper of the leading men of the senate； and what great errors
they had been guilty of when the senate had the government
formerly； they also considered the impossibility of such an
undertaking； as also what dangers they should be in； if the
government should come to a single person； and that such a one
should possess it as they had no hand in advancing； and not to
Claudius； who would take it as their grant； and as gained by
their good…will to him； and would remember the favors they had
done him； and would make them a sufficient recompense for the
same。
3。 These were the discourses the soldiers had one with another by
themselves； and they communicated them to all such as came in to
them。 Now those that inquired about this matter willingly
embraced the invitation that was made them to join with the rest；
so they carried Claudius into the camp； crowding about him as his
guard； and encompassing him about； one chairman still succeeding
another； that their vehement endeavors might not be hindered。 But
as to the populace and senators； they disagreed in their
opinions。 The latter were very desirous to recover their former
dignity； and were zealous to get clear of the slavery that had
been brought on them by the injurious treatment of the tyrants；
which the present opportunity afforded them； but for the people；
who were envious against them； and knew that the emperors were
capable of curbing their covetous temper； and were a refuge from
them； they were very glad that Claudius had been seized upon； and
brought to them； and thought that if Claudius were made emperor；
he would prevent a civil war； such as there was in the days of
Pompey。 But when the senate knew that Claudius was brought into
the camp by the soldiers； they sent to him those of their body
which had the best character for their virtues； that they might
inform him that he ought to do nothing by violence； in order to
gain the government； that he who was a single person； one either
already or hereafter to be a member of their body； ought to yield
to the senate； which consisted of so great a number； that he
ought to let the law take place in the disposal of all that
related to the public order； and to remember how greatly the
former tyrants had afflicted their city； and what dangers both he
and they had escaped under Caius； and that he ought not to hate
the heavy burden of tyranny； when the injury is done by others；
while he did himself willfully treat his country after a mad and
insolent manner； that if he would comply with them； and
demonstrate that his firm resolution was to live quietly and
virtuously； he would have the greatest honors decreed to him that
a free people could bestow； and by subjecting himself to the law；
would obtain this branch of commendation； that he acted like a
man of virtue； both as a ruler and a subject； but that if he
would act foolishly； and learn no wisdom by Caius's death； they
would not permit him to go on； that a great part of the army was
got together for them； with plenty of weapons； and a great number
of slaves； which they could make use of； that good hope was a
great matter in such cases； as was also good fortune； and that
the gods would never assist any others but those that undertook
to act with virtue and goodness； who can be no other than such as
fight for the liberty of their country。