s instance, my history turns out to be
only half complete for the acts of the consuls and even for those of
the dictators. Hence, passing over them, though reluctantly, I will
record the deeds of the emperors, with some brief introductory remarks
to make clear to those who shall read my history by what steps the
Romans passed from aristocracy (or democracy) to the rule of one man,
and to impart, in addition, coherence to the narrative.

* * * * *

NOTE.--NO SUMMARY EXISTS OF THE MISSING BOOKS TWENTY-TWO TO
THIRTY-FIVE INCLUSIVE, AND WE ARE DRIVEN TO RELY ON SCATTERED AND
INCONSEQUENTIAL FRAGMENTS (THAT HAVE SOMEHOW ESCAPED THE WRECK OF
SEASONS) AS THE BASIS FOR WHATEVER MENTAL IMAGE WE MAY CHOOSE TO FORM
OF THE LOST NARRATIVE. THESE BITS POSSESS THE SAME VALUE FOR DIO'S
HISTORY AS DO THE UNRELATED PIECES OF MARBLE AND CLAY FROM EXCAVATIONS
IN ENABLING US TO GAIN A WIDER UNDERSTANDING OF ANTIQUE SCULPTURE AND
POTTERY. FOR AN ACCOUNT OF THE SOURCES OF THESE FRAGMENTS SEE THE
INTRODUCTION, UNDER THE CAPTION ENTITLED THE WRITING.

* * * * *

_(BOOK 22, BOISSEVAIN.)_

[Sidenote: FRAG. LXXIII] (Par.) Viriathus was a Lusitanian, of very
obscure origin, as some think, who enjoyed great renown through his
deeds, for from a shepherd he became a robber and later on also a
general. He was naturally adapted and had trained himself to be very
quick in pursuing and fleeing, and of great force in a stationary
conflict. He was glad to get any food that came to hand and whatever
drink fell to his lot; he lived most of his life under the open sky
and was satisfied with nature's bedding. Consequently he was
superior to any heat or any cold, and neither was he ever troubled
by hunger nor did he suffer from any other disagreeable condition;
since he found all his wants met quite sufficiently by whatever he
had at hand, which seemed to him unexcelled. While he possessed
such a physical constitution, as the result of nature and training,
he surpassed still more in spiritual endowment. He was swift to
perceive and do whatever was requisite,--he could tell what must
be done and at the same time he understood the proper occasion for
it,--and he was clever at pretending not to know the most evident
facts and to know the most hidden secrets. Furthermore he was not
only general but his own assistant in every business equally,
and was seen to be neither humble nor pompous, but in h