the rest, and almost killed him himself, insomuch that it is but just
to ascribe all that the rest did to the advice, and bravery, and labors
of the hands of Cherea.

15. Thus did Caius come to his end, and lay dead, by the many wounds
which had been given him. Now Cherea and his associates, upon Caius's
slaughter, saw that it was impossible for them to save themselves, if
they should all go the same way, partly on account of the astonishment
they were under; for it was no small danger they had incurred by killing
an emperor, who was honored and loved by the madness of the people,
especially when the soldiers were likely to make a bloody inquiry after
his murderers. The passages also were narrow wherein the work was done,
which were also crowded with a great multitude of Caius's attendants,
and of such of the soldiers as were of the emperor's guard that day;
whence it was that they went by other ways, and came to the house of
Germanicus, the father of Caius, whom they had now killed [which house
adjoined to the palace; for while the edifice was one, it was built in
its several parts by those particular persons who had been emperors, and
those parts bare the names of those that built them or the name of him
who had begun to build its parts]. So they got away from the insults of
the multitude, and then were for the present out of danger, that is, so
long as the misfortune which had overtaken the emperor was not known.
The Germans were the first who perceived that Caius was slain. These
Germans were Caius's guard, and carried the name of the country whence
they were chosen, and composed the Celtic legion. The men of that
country are naturally passionate, which is commonly the temper of some
other of the barbarous nations also, as being not used to consider
much about what they do; they are of robust bodies and fall upon their
enemies as soon as ever they are attacked by them; and which way soever
they go, they perform great exploits. When, therefore, these German
guards understood that Caius was slain, they were very sorry for it,
because they did not use their reason in judging about public affairs,
but measured all by the advantages themselves received, Caius being
beloved by them because of the money he gave them, by which he had
purchased their kindness to him; so they drew their swords, and Sabinus
led them on. He was one of the tribunes, not by the means of the
virtuous actions of his pro genitors, for he had been a g