ibility 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 great