as well as many, by haranguing
the Gallic legions, who were accustomed to the frozen Rhine, in a simple
address, he persuaded them to traverse vast regions and to march through
the warm plains of Assyria to the borders of Media.

14. His good fortune was so conspicuous that, riding as it were on the
shoulders of Fortune, who was long his faithful guide, he overcame
enormous difficulties in his victorious career. And after he quitted the
regions of the west, they all remained quiet during his life-time, as if
under the influence of a wand powerful enough to tranquillize the world.

15. Of his liberality there are many and undoubted proofs. Among which
are his light exactions of tribute, his remission of the tribute of
crowns, and of debts long due, his putting the rights of individuals on
an equal footing with those of the treasury, his restoration of their
revenues and their lands to different cities, with the exception of such
as had been lawfully sold by former princes; and also the fact that he
was never covetous of money, which he thought was better kept by its
owners, often quoting the saying, "that Alexander the Great, when he was
asked where he kept his treasures, kindly answered 'Among my friends.'"

16. Having discussed those of his good qualities which have come within
our knowledge, let us now proceed to unfold his faults, though they have
been already slightly noticed. He was of an unsteady disposition; but
this fault he corrected by an excellent plan, allowing people to set him
right when guilty of indiscretion.

17. He was a frequent talker, rarely silent. Too much devoted to
divination, so much so as in this particular to equal the emperor
Adrian. He was rather a superstitious than a legitimate observer of
sacred rites, sacrificing countless numbers of victims; so that it was
reckoned that if he had returned from the Parthians there would have
been a scarcity of cattle. Like the celebrated case of Marcus
Caesar,[154] about whom it was written, as it is said, "The white cattle
to Marcus Caesar, greeting. If you conquer there is an end of us."

18. He was very fond of the applause of the common people, and an
immoderate seeker after praise even in the most trifling matters; often,
from a desire of popularity, indulging in conversation with unworthy
persons.

19. But in spite of all this he deserved, as he used to say himself, to
have it thought that that ancient Justice, whom Aratus says fled to
heave