g him, but had still invented ten thousand excuses for delaying
to do it. But it seems probable to me that Callistus only counterfeited
this, in order to ingratiate himself with Claudius; for if Caius
had been in earnest resolved to take off Claudius, he would not have
admitted of Callistus's excuses; nor would Callistus, if he had been
enjoined to do such an act as was desired by Caius, have put it off;
nor if he had disobeyed those injunctions of his master, had he escaped
immediate punishment; while Claudius was preserved from the madness of
Caius by a certain Divine providence, and Callistus pretended to such a
piece of merit as he no way deserved.

11. However, the execution of Cherea's designs was put off from day to
day, by the sloth of many therein concerned; for as to Cherea himself,
he would not willingly make any delay in that execution, thinking every
time a fit time for it; for frequent opportunities offered themselves;
as when Caius went up to the capitol to sacrifice for his daughter, or
when he stood upon his royal palace, and threw gold and silver pieces
of money among the people, he might be pushed down headlong, because the
top of the palace, that looks towards the market-place, was very high;
and also when he celebrated the mysteries, which he had appointed
at that time; for he was then no way secluded from the people, but
solicitous to do every thing carefully and decently, and was free from
all suspicion that he should be then assaulted by any body; and although
the gods should afford him no divine assistance to enable him to take
away his life, yet had he strength himself sufficient to despatch Caius,
even without a sword. Thus was Chorea angry at his fellow conspirators,
for fear they should suffer a proper opportunity to pass by; and they
were themselves sensible that he had just cause to be angry at them, and
that his eagerness was for their advantage; yet did they desire he would
have a little longer patience, lest, upon any disappointment they might
meet with, they should put the city into disorder, and an inquisition
should be made after the conspiracy, and should render the courage of
those that were to attack Caius without success, while he would then
secure himself more carefully than ever against them; that it would
therefore be the best to set about the work when the shows were
exhibited in the palace. These shows were acted in honor of that Caesar
[4] who first of all changed the popula