Chapter 1.
- Antiquities of the Jews -- Preface
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Search Results
- Results
- Related
- Featured
- Weighted Relevancy
- Content Sequence
- Relevancy
- Earliest First
- Latest First
- Exact Match First, Root Words Second
- Exact word match
- Root word match
- EGW Collections
- All collections
- Lifetime Works (1845-1917)
- Compilations (1918-present)
- Adventist Pioneer Library
- My Bible
- Dictionary
- Reference
- Short
- Long
- Paragraph
No results.
EGW Extras
Directory
Chapter 1.
HOW CAIUS (1) In this and the three next chapters we have, I think, a larger and more distinct account of the slaughter of Caius, and the succession of Claudius, than we have of any such ancient facts whatsoever elsewhere. Some of the occasions of which probably were, Josephus's bitter hatred against tyranny, and the pleasure he took in giving the history of the slaughter of such a barbarous tyrant as was this Caius Caligula, as also the deliverance his own nation had by that slaughter, of which he speaks sect. 2, together with the great intimacy he had with Agrippa, junior, whose father was deeply concerned in the advancement of Claudius, upon the death of Caius; from which Agrippa, junior, Josephus might be fully informed Of his history. WAS SLAIN BY CHEREA.FJAJ 19.3
1. NOW this Caius (2)
Called Caligula by the Romans.
did not demonstrate his madness in offering injuries only to the Jews at
Jerusalem, or to those that dwelt in the neighborhood; but suffered it
to extend itself through all the earth and sea, so far as was in subjection
to the Romans, and filled it with ten thousand mischiefs; so many indeed
in number as no former history relates
But Rome itself felt the most dismal
effects of what he did, while he deemed that not to be any way more honorable
than the rest of the cities; but he pulled and hauled its other citizens,
but especially the senate, and particularly the nobility, and such as had
been dignified by illustrious ancestors; he also had ten thousand devices
against such of the equestrian order, as it was styled, who were esteemed
by the citizens equal in dignity and wealth with the senators, because
out of them the senators were themselves chosen; these he treated after
all ignominious manner, and removed them out of his way, while they were
at once slain, and their wealth plundered, because he slew men generally
in order to seize on their riches
He also asserted his own divinity, and
insisted on greater honors to be paid him by his subjects than are due
to mankind
He also frequented that temple of Jupiter which they style
the Capitol, which is with them the most holy of all their temples, and
had boldness enough to call himself the brother of Jupiter
And other pranks
he did like a madman; as when he laid a bridge from the city Dicearchia,
which belongs to Campania, to Misenum, another city upon the sea-side,
from one promontory to another, of the length of thirty furlongs, as measured
over the sea
And this was done because he esteemed it to be a most tedious
thing to row over it in a small ship, and thought withal that it became
him to make that bridge, since he was lord of the sea, and might oblige
it to give marks of obedience as well as the earth; so he enclosed the
whole bay within his bridge, and drove his chariot over it; and thought
that, as he was a god, it was fit for him to travel over such roads as
this was
Nor did he abstain from the plunder of any of the Grecian temples,
and gave order that all the engravings and sculptures, and the rest of
the ornaments of the statues and donations therein dedicated, should be
brought to him, saying that the best things ought to be set no where but
in the best place, and that the city of Rome was that best place
He also
adorned his own house and his gardens with the curiosities brought from
those temples, together with the houses he lay at when he traveled all
over Italy; whence he did not scruple to give a command that the statue
of Jupiter Olympius, so called because he was honored at the Olympian games
by the Greeks, which was the work of Phidias the Athenian, should be brought
to Rome
Yet did not he compass his end, because the architects told Memmius
Regulus, who was commanded to remove that statue of Jupiter, that the workmanship
was such as would be spoiled, and would not bear the removal
It was also
reported that Memmius, both on that account, and on account of some such
mighty prodigies as are of an incredible nature, put off the taking it
down, and wrote to Caius those accounts, as his apology for not having
done what his epistle required of him; and that when he was thence in danger
of perishing, he was saved by Caius being dead himself, before he had put
him to death.FJAJ 19.4
2. Nay, Caius's madness came to this height, that when he had a daughter
born, he carried her into the capitol, and put her upon the knees of the
statue, and said that the child was common to him and to Jupiter, and determined
that she had two fathers, but which of these fathers were the greatest
he left undetermined; and yet mankind bore him in such his pranks
He also
gave leave to slaves to accuse their masters of any crimes whatsoever they
pleased; for all such accusations were terrible, because they were in great
part made to please him, and at his suggestion, insomuch that Pollux, Claudius's
slave, had the boldness to lay an accusation against Claudius himself;
and Caius was not ashamed to be present at his trial of life and death,
to hear that trial of his own uncle, in hopes of being able to take him
off, although he did not succeed to his mind
But when he had filled the
whole habitable world which he governed with false accusations and miseries,
and had occasioned the greatest insults of slaves against their masters,
who indeed in a great measure ruled them, there were many secret plots
now laid against him; some in anger, and in order for men to revenge themselves,
on account of the miseries they had already undergone from him; and others
made attempts upon him, in order to take him off before they should fall
into such great miseries, while his death came very fortunately for the
preservation of the laws of all men, and had a great influence upon the
public welfare; and this happened most happily for our nation in particular,
which had almost utterly perished if he had not been suddenly slain
And
I confess I have a mind to give a full account of this matter particularly,
because it will afford great assurance of the power of God, and great comfort
to those that are under afflictions, and wise caution to those who think
their happiness will never end, nor bring them at length to the most lasting
miseries, if they do not conduct their lives by the principles of virtue.FJAJ 19.5
3. Now there were three several conspiracies made in order to take off
Caius, and each of these three were conducted by excellent persons
Emilius
Regulus, born at Corduba in Spain, got some men together, and was desirous
to take Caius off, either by them or by himself
Another conspiracy there
was laid by them, under the conduct of Cherea Cassius, the tribune [of
the Pretorian band]
Minucianus Annins was also one of great consequence
among those that were prepared to oppose his tyranny
Now the several occasions
of these men's several hatred and conspiracy against Caius were these:
Regulus had indignation and hatred against all injustice, for he had a
mind naturally angry, and bold, and free, which made him not conceal his
counsels; so he communicated them to many of his friends, and to others
who seemed to him persons of activity and vigor: Minucianus entered into
this conspiracy, because of the injustice done to Lepidus his particular
friend, and one of the best character of all the citizens, whom Caius had
slain, as also because he was afraid of himself, since Caius's wrath tended
to the slaughter of all alike: and for Cherea, he came in, because he thought
it a deed worthy of a free ingenuous man to kill Caius, and was ashamed
of the reproaches he lay under from Caius, as though he were a coward;
as also because he was himself in danger every day from his friendship
with him, and the observance he paid him
These men proposed this attempt
to all the rest that were concerned, who saw the injuries that were offered
them, and were desirous that Caius's slaughter might succeed by their mutual
assistance of one another, and they might themselves escape being killed
by the taking off Caius; that perhaps they should gain their point; and
that it would be a happy thing, if they should gain it, to approve themselves
to so many excellent persons, as earnestly wished to be partakers with
them in their design for the delivery of the city and of the government,
even at the hazard of their own lives
But still Cherea was the most zealous
of them all, both out of a desire of getting himself the greatest name,
and also by reason of his access to Caius's presence with less danger,
because he was tribune, and could therefore the more easily kill him.FJAJ 19.6
4. Now at this time came on the horse-races [Circensian games]; the
view of which games was eagerly desired by the people of Rome, for they
come with great alacrity into the hippodrome [circus] at such times, and
petition their emperors, in great multitudes, for what they stand in need
of; who usually did not think fit to deny them their requests, but readily
and gratefully granted them
Accordingly, they most importunately desired
that Caius would now ease them in their tributes, and abate somewhat of
the rigor of their taxes imposed upon them; but he would not hear their
petition; and when their clamors increased, he sent soldiers some one way
and some another, and gave order that they should lay hold on those that
made the clamors, and without any more ado bring them out, and put them
to death
These were Caius's commands, and those who were commanded executed
the same; and the number of those who were slain on this occasion was very
great
Now the people saw this, and bore it so far, that they left off
clamoring, because they saw with their own eyes that this petition to be
relieved, as to the payment of their money, brought immediate death upon
them
These things made Cherea more resolute to go on with his plot, in
order to put an end to this barbarity of Caius against men
He then at
several times thought to fall upon Caius, even as he was feasting; yet
did he restrain himself by some considerations; not that he had any doubt
on him about killing him, but as watching for a proper season, that the
attempt might not be frustrated, but that he might give the blow so as
might certainly gain his purpose.FJAJ 19.7
5. Cherea had been in the army a long time, yet was he not pleased with
conversing so much with Caius
But Caius had set him to require the tributes,
and other dues, which, when not paid in due time, were forfeited to Caesar's
treasury; and he had made some delays in requiring them, because those
burdens had been doubled, and had rather indulged his own mild disposition
than performed Caius's command; nay, indeed, be provoked Caius to anger
by his sparing men, and pitying the hard fortunes of those from whom he
demanded the taxes; and Caius upbraided him with his sloth and effeminacy
in being so long about collecting the taxes
And indeed he did not only
affront him in other respects, but when he gave him the watchword of the
day, to whom it was to be given by his place, he gave him feminine words,
and those of a nature very reproachful; and these watchwords he gave out,
as having been initiated in the secrets of certain mysteries, which he
had been himself the author of
Now although he had sometimes put on women's
clothes, and had been wrapt in some embroidered garments to them belonging,
and done a great many other things, in order to make the company mistake
him for a woman; yet did he, by way of reproach, object the like womanish
behavior to Cherea
But when Cherea received the watchword from him, he
had indignation at it, but had greater indignation at the delivery of it
to others, as being laughed at by those that received it; insomuch that
his fellow tribunes made him the subject of their drollery; for they would
foretell that he would bring them some of his usual watchwords when he
was about to take the watchword from Caesar, and would thereby make him
ridiculous; on which accounts he took the courage of assuming certain partners
to him, as having just reasons for his indignation against Caius
Now there
was one Pompedius, a senator, and one who had gone through almost all posts
in the government, but otherwise an Epicurean, and for that reason loved
to lead an inactive life
Now Timidius, an enemy of his, had informed Caius
that he had used indecent reproaches against him, and he made use of Quintilia
for a witness to them; a woman she was much beloved by many that frequented
the theater, and particularly by Pompedius, on account of her great beauty.
Now this woman thought it a horrible thing to attest to an accusation that
touched the life of her lover, which was also a lie
Timidius, however,
wanted to have her brought to the torture
Caius was irritated at this
reproach upon him, and commanded Cherea, without any delay, to torture
Quintilia, as he used to employ Cherea in such bloody matters, and those
that required the torture, because he thought he would do it the more barbarously,
in order to avoid that imputation of effeminacy which he had laid upon
him
But Quintilia, when she was brought to the rack, trod upon the foot
of one of her associates, and let him know that he might be of good courage,
and not be afraid of the consequence of her tortures, for that she would
bear them with magnanimity
Cherea tortured this woman after a cruel manner;
unwillingly indeed, but because he could not help it
He then brought her,
without being in the least moved at what she had suffered, into the presence
of Caius, and that in such a state as was sad to behold; and Caius, being
somewhat affected with the sight of Quintilia, who had her body miserably
disordered by the pains she had undergone, freed both her and Pompedius
of the crime laid to their charge
He also gave her money to make her an
honorable amends, and comfort her for that maiming of her body which she
had suffered, and for her glorious patience under such insufferable torments.FJAJ 19.8
6. This matter sorely grieved Cherea, as having been the cause, as far
as he could, or the instrument, of those miseries to men, which seemed
worthy of consolation to Caius himself; on which account he said to Clement
and to Papinius, (of whom Clement was general of the army, and Papinius
was a tribune,) "To be sure, O Clement, we have no way failed in our
guarding the emperor; for as to those that have made conspiracies against
his government, some have been slain by our care and pains, and some have
been by us tortured, and this to such a degree, that he hath himself pitied
them
How great then is our virtue in submitting to conduct his armies!"
Clement held his peace, but showed the shame he was under in obeying Caius's
orders, both by his eyes and his blushing countenance, while he thought
it by no means right to accuse the emperor in express words, lest their
own safety should be endangered thereby
Upon which Cherea took courage,
and spake to him without fear of the dangers that were before him, and
discoursed largely of the sore calamities under which the city and the
government then labored, and said, "We may indeed pretend in words
that Caius is the person unto whom the cause of such miseries ought to
be imputed; but, in the opinion of such as are able to judge uprightly,
it is I, O Clement! and this Papinius, and before us thou thyself, who
bring these tortures upon the Romans, and upon all mankind
It is not done
by our being subservient to the commands of Caius, but it is done by our
own consent; for whereas it is in our power to put an end to the life of
this man, who hath so terribly injured the citizens and his subjects, we
are his guard in mischief, and his executioners instead of his soldiers,
and are the instruments of his cruelty
We bear these weapons, not for
our liberty, not for the Roman government, but only for his preservation,
who hath enslaved both their bodies and their minds; and we are every day
polluted with the blood that we shed, and the torments we inflict upon
others; and this we do, till somebody becomes Caius's instrument in bringing
the like miseries upon ourselves
Nor does he thus employ us because he
hath a kindness for us, but rather because he hath a suspicion of us, as
also because when abundance more have been killed, (for Caius will set
no bounds to his wrath, since he aims to do all, not out of regard to justice,
but to his own pleasure,) we shall also ourselves be exposed to his cruelty;
whereas we ought to be the means of confirming the security and liberty
of all, and at the same time to resolve to free ourselves from dangers.FJAJ 19.9
7. Hereupon Clement openly commended Cherea's intentions, but bid him hold his tongue; for that in case his words should get out among many, and such things should be spread abroad as were fit to be concealed, the plot would come to be discovered before it was executed, and they should be brought to punishment; but that they should leave all to futurity, and the hope which thence arose, that some fortunate event would come to their assistance; that, as for himself, his age would not permit him to make any attempt in that case.FJAJ 19.10
"However, although perhaps I could suggest
what may be safer than what thou, Cherea, hast contrived and said, yet
trow is it possible for any one to suggest what is more for thy reputation?"
So Clement went his way home, with deep reflections on what he had heard,
and what he had himself said
Cherea also was under a concern, and went
quickly to Cornelius Sabinus, who was himself one of the tribunes, and
whom he otherwise knew to be a worthy man, and a lover of liberty, and
on that account very uneasy at the present management of public affairs,
he being desirous to come immediately to the execution of what had been
determined, and thinking it right for him to propose it to the other, and
afraid lest Clement should discover them, and besides looking upon delays
and puttings off to be the next to desisting from the enterprise.FJAJ 19.11
8. But as all was agreeable to Sabinus, who had himself, equally without
Cherea, the same design, but had been silent for want of a person to whom
he could safely communicate that design; so having now met with one, who
not only promised to conceal what he heard, but who had already opened
his mind to him, he was much more encouraged, and desired of Cherea that
no delay might be made therein
Accordingly they went to Minucianus, who
was as virtuous a man, and as zealous to do glorious actions, as themselves,
and suspected by Caius on occasion of the slaughter of Lepidus; for Minucianus
and Lepidus were intimate friends, and both in fear of the dangers that
they were under; for Caius was terrible to all the great men, as appearing
ready to act a mad part towards each of them in particular, and towards
all of: them in general; and these men were afraid of one another, while
they were yet uneasy at the posture of affairs, but avoided to declare
their mind and their hatred against Caius to one another, out of fear of
the dangers they might be in thereby, although they perceived by other
means their mutual hatred against Caius, and on that account were not averse
to a mutual kindness one towards another.FJAJ 19.12
9. When Minuetanus and Cherea had met together, and saluted one another,
(as they had been used on former conversations to give the upper hand to
Minucianus, both on account of his eminent dignity, for he was the noblest
of all the citizens, and highly commended by all men, especially when he
made speeches to them,) Minuetanus began first, and asked Cherea, What
was the watchword he had received that day from Caius; for the affront
which was offered Cherea, in giving the watchwords, was famous over the
city
But Cherea made no delay so long as to reply to that question, out
of the joy he had that Minueianus would have such confidence in him as
to discourse with him.FJAJ 19.13
"But do thou," said he, "give me
the watchword of liberty
And I return thee my thanks that thou hast so
greatly encouraged me to exert myself after an extraordinary manner; nor
do I stand in need of many words to encourage me, since both thou and I
are of the same mind, and partakers of the same resolutions, and this before
we have conferred together
I have indeed but one sword girt on, but this
one will serve us both
Come on, therefore, let us set about the work.
Do thou go first, if thou hast a mind, and bid me follow thee; or else
I will go first, and thou shalt assist me, and we will assist one another,
and trust one another
Nor is there a necessity for even one sword to such
as have a mind disposed to such works, by which mind the sword uses to
be successful
I am zealous about this action, nor am I solicitous what
I may myself undergo; for I can not at leisure to consider the dangers
that may come upon myself, so deeply am I troubled at the slavery our once
free country is now under, and at the contempt cast upon our excellent
laws, and at the destruction which hangs over all men, by the means of
Caius
I wish that I may be judged by thee, and that thou mayst esteem
me worthy of credit in these matters, seeing we are both of the same opinion,
and there is herein no difference between us."FJAJ 19.14
10. When Minucianus saw the vehemency with which Cherea delivered himself,
he gladly embraced him, and encouraged him in his bold attempt, commending
him, and embracing him; so he let him go with his good wishes; and some
affirm that he thereby confirmed Minuclanus in the prosecution of what
had been agreed among them; for as Cherea entered into the court, the report
runs, that a voice came from among the multitude to encourage him, which
bid him finish what he was about, and take the opportunity that Providence
afforded; and that Cherea at first suspected that some one of the conspirators
had betrayed him, and he was caught, but at length perceived that it was
by way of exhortation
Whether somebody (3)
Just such a voice as this is related to be came, and from an unknown original
also, to the famous Polycarp, as he was going to martyrdom, bidding him
"play the man;" as the church of Smyrna assures us in their account
of that his martyrdom, sect. 9.
that was conscious of what he was about, gave a signal for his encouragement,
or whether it was God himself, who looks upon the actions of men, that
encouraged him to go on boldly in his design, is uncertain
The plot was
now communicated to a great many, and they were all in their armor; some
of the conspirators being senators, and some of the equestrian order, and
as many of the soldiery as were made acquainted with it; for there was
not one of them who would not reckon it a part of his happiness to kill
Caius; and on that account they were all very zealous in the affair, by
what means soever any one could come at it, that he might not be behindhand
in these virtuous designs, but might be ready with all his alacrity or
power, both by words and actions, to complete this slaughter of a tyrant.
And besides these, Callistus also, who was a freed-man of Caius, and was
the only man that had arrived at the greatest degree of power under him,
- such a power, indeed, as was in a manner equal to the power of the tyrant
himself, by the dread that all men had of him, and by the great riches
he had acquired; for he took bribes most plenteously, and committed injuries
without bounds, and was more extravagant in the use of his power in unjust
proceedings than any other
He also knew the disposition of Caius to be
implacable, and never to be turned from what he had resolved on
He had
withal many other reasons why he thought himself in danger, and the vastness
of his wealth was not one of the least of them; on which account he privately
ingratiated himself with Claudius, and transferred his courtship to him,
out of this hope, that in case, upon the removal of Caius, the government
should come to him, his interest in such changes should lay a foundation
for his preserving his dignity under him, since he laid in beforehand a
stock of merit, and did Claudius good offices in his promotion
He had
also the boldness to pretend that he had been persuaded to make away with
Claudius, by poisoning 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.FJAJ 19.15
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)
Here Josephus supposes that it was Augustus, and not Julius Caesar, who
first changed the Roman commonwealth into a monarchy; for these shows were
in honor of Augustus, as we shall learn in the next section. who
first of all changed the popular government, and transferred it to himself;
galleries being fixed before the palace, where the Romans that were patricians
became spectators, together with their children and their wives, and Caesar
himself was to be also a spectator; and they reckoned, among those many
ten thousands who would there be crowded into a narrow compass, they should
have a favorable opportunity to make their attempt upon him as he came
in, because his guards that should protect him, if any of them should have
a mind to do it, would not here be able to give him any assistance.FJAJ 19.16
12. Cherea consented to this delay; and when the shows were exhibited,
it was resolved to do the work the first day
But fortune, which allowed
a further delay to his slaughter, was too hard for their foregoing resolution;
and as three days of the regular times for these shows were now over, they
had much ado to get the business done on the last day
Then Cherea called
the conspirators together, and spake thus to them: "So much time passed
away without effort is a reproach to us, as delaying to go through such
a virtuous design as we are engaged in; but more fatal will this delay
prove if we be discovered, and the design be frustrated; for Caius will
then become more cruel in his unjust proceedings
Do we not see how long
we deprive all our friends of their liberty, and give Caius leave still
to tyrannize over them? while we ought to have procured them security for
the future, and, by laying a foundation for the happiness of others, gain
to ourselves great admiration and honor for all time to come." Now
while the conspirators had nothing tolerable to say by way of contradiction,
and yet did not quite relish what they were doing, but stood silent and
astonished, he said further, "O my brave comrades! why do we make
such delays? Do not you see that this is the last day of these shows, and
that Caius is about to go to sea? for he is preparing to sail to Alexandria,
in order to see Egypt
Is it therefore for your honor to let a man go out
of your hands who is a reproach to mankind, and to permit him to go, after
a pompous manner, triumphing both at land and sea? Shall not we be justly
ashamed of ourselves, if we give leave to some Egyptian or other, who shall
think his injuries insufferable to free-men, to kill him? As for myself,
I will no longer bear your stow proceedings, but will expose myself to
the dangers of the enterprise this very day, and bear cheerfully whatsoever
shall be the consequence of the attempt; nor, let them be ever so great,
will I put them off any longer: for, to a wise and courageous man, what
can be more miserable than that, while I am alive, any one else should
kill Caius, and deprive me of the honor of so virtuous an action?"FJAJ 19.17
13. When Cherea had spoken thus, he zealously set about the work, and
inspired courage into the rest to go on with it, and they were all eager
to fall to it without further delay
So he was at the palace in the morning,
with his equestrian sword girt on him; for it was the custom that the tribunes
should ask for the watchword with their swords on, and this was the day
on which Cherea was, by custom, to receive the watchword; and the multitude
were already come to the palace, to be soon enough for seeing the shows,
and that in great crowds, and one tumultuously crushing another, while
Caius was delighted with this eagerness of the multitude; for which reason
there was no order observed in the seating men, nor was any peculiar place
appointed for the senators, or for the equestrian order; but they sat at
random, men and women together, and free-men were mixed with the slaves.
So Caius came out in a solemn manner, and offered sacrifice to Augustus
Caesar, in whose honor indeed these shows were celebrated
Now it happened,
upon the fall of a certain priest, that the garment of Asprenas, a senator,
was filled with blood, which made Caius laugh, although this was an evident
omen to Asprenas, for he was slain at the same time with Caius
It is also
related that Caius was that day, contrary to his usual custom, so very
affable and good-natured in his conversation, that every one of those that
were present were astonished at it
After the sacrifice was over, Caius
betook himself to see the shows, and sat down for that purpose, as did
also the principal of his friends sit near him
Now the parts of the theater
were so fastened together, as it used to be every year, in the manner following:
It had two doors, the one door led to the open air, the other was for going
into, or going out of, the cloisters, that those within the theater might
not be thereby disturbed; but out of one gallery there went an inward passage,
parted into partitions also, which led into another gallery, to give room
to the combatants and to the musicians to go out as occasion served
When
the multitude were set down, and Cherea, with the other tribunes, were
set down also, and the right corner of the theater was allotted to Caesar,
one Vatinius, a senator, commander of the praetorian band, asked of Cluvius,
one that sat by him, and was of consular dignity also, whether he had heard
any thing of news, or not? but took care that nobody should hear what he
said; and when Cluvius replied, that he had heard no news, "Know then,"
said Vatinius, "that the game of the slaughter of tyrants is to be
played this dav." But Cluvius replied "O brave comrade hold thy
peace, lest some other of the Achaians hear thy tale." And as there
was abundance of autumnal fruit thrown among the spectators, and a great
number of birds, that were of great value to such as possessed them, on
account of their rareness, Caius was pleased with the birds fighting for
the fruits, and with the violence wherewith the spectators seized upon
them: and here he perceived two prodigies that happened there; for an actor
was introduced, by whom a leader of robbers was crucified, and the pantomime
brought in a play called Cinyras, wherein he himself was to be slain, as
well as his daughter Myrrha, and wherein a great deal of fictitious blood
was shed, both about him that was crucified, and also about Cinyras
It
was also confessed that this was the same day wherein Pausanias, a friend
of Philip, the son of Amyntas, who was king of Macedonia, slew him, as
he was entering into the theater
And now Caius was in doubt whether he
should tarry to the end of the shows, because it was the last day, or whether
he should not go first to the bath, and to dinner, and then return and
sit down as before
Hereupon Minucianus, who sat over Caius, and was afraid
that the opportunity should fail them, got up, because he saw Cherea was
already gone out, and made haste out, to confirm him in his resolution;
but Caius took hold of his garment, in an obliging way, and said to him,
"O brave man! whither art thou going?" Whereupon, out of reverence
to Caesar, as it seemed, he sat down again; but his fear prevailed over
him, and in a little time he got up again, and then Caius did no way oppose
his going out, as thinking that he went out to perform some necessities
of nature
And Asprenas, who was one of the confederates, persuaded Caius
to go out to the bath, and to dinner, and then to come in again, as desirous
that what had been resolved on might be brought to a conclusion immediately.FJAJ 19.18
14. So Cherea's associates placed themselves in order, as the time would
permit them, and they were obliged to labor hard, that the place which
was appointed them should not be left by them; but they had an indignation
at the tediousness of the delays, and that what they were about should
be put off any longer, for it was already about the ninth (5)
Suetonius says Caius was slain about the seventh hour of the day, the ninth.
The series of the narration favors Josephus.
hour of the day; and Cherea, upon Caius's tarrying so long, had a great
mind to go in, and fall upon him in his seat, although he foresaw that
this could not be done without much bloodshed, both of the senators, and
of those of the equestrian order that were present; and although he knew
this must happen, yet had he a great mind to do so, as thinking it a right
thing to procure security and freedom to all, at the expense of such as
might perish at the same time
And as they were just going back into the
entrance to the theater, word was brought them that Caius was arisen, whereby
a tumult was made; hereupon the conspirators thrust away the crowd, under
pretense as if Caius was angry at them, but in reality as desirous to have
a quiet place, that should have none in it to defend him, while they set
about Caius's slaughter
Now Claudius, his uncle, was gone out before,
and Marcus Vinicius his sister's husband, as also Valellus of Asia; whom
though they had had such a mind to put out of their places, the reverence
to their dignity hindered them so to do; then followed Caius, with Paulus
Arruntius: and because Caius was now gotten within the palace, he left
the direct road, along which those his servants stood that were in waiting,
and by which road Claudius had gone out before, Caius turned aside into
a private narrow passage, in order to go to the place for bathing, as also
in order to take a view of the boys that came out of Asia, who were sent
thence, partly to sing hymns in these mysteries which were now celebrated,
and partly to dance in the Pyrrhic way of dancing upon the theatres
So
Cherea met him, and asked him for the watchword; upon Caius's giving him
one of his ridiculous words, he immediately reproached him, and drew his
sword, and gave him a terrible stroke with it, yet was not this stroke
mortal
And although there be those that say it was so contrived on purpose
by Chorea, that Caius should not be killed at one blow, but should be punished
more severely by a multitude of wounds; yet does this story appear to me
incredible, because the fear men are under in such actions does not allow
them to use their reason
And if Cherea was of that mind, I esteem him
the greatest of all fools, in pleasing himself in his spite against Caius,
rather than immediately procuring safety to himself and to his confederates
from the dangers they were in, because there might many things still happen
for helping Caius's escape, if he had not already given up the ghost; for
certainly Cherea would have regard, not so much to the punishment of Caius,
as to the affliction himself and his friends were in, while it was in his
power, after such success, to keep silent, and to escape the wrath of Caius's
defenders, and not to leave it to uncertainty whether he should gain the
end he aimed at or not, and after an unreasonable manner to act as if he
had a mind to ruin himself, and lose the opportunity that lay before him.
But every body may guess as he please about this matter
However, Caius
was staggered with the pain that the blow gave him; for the stroke of the
sword falling in the middle, between the shoulder and the neck, was hindered
by the first bone of the breast from proceeding any further
Nor did he
either cry out, (in such astonishment was he,) nor did he call out for
any of his friends; whether it were that he had no confidence in them,
or that his mind was otherwise disordered, but he groaned under the pain
he endured, and presently went forward and fled; when Cornelius Sabinus,
who was already prepared in his mind so to do, thrust him down upon his
knee, where many of them stood round about him, and struck him with their
swords; and they cried out, and encouraged one another all at once to strike
him again; but all agree that Aquila gave him the finishing stroke, which
directly killed him
But one may justly ascribe this act to Cherea; for
although many concurred in the act itself, yet was he the first contriver
of it, and began long before all the rest to prepare for it, and was the
first man that boldly spake of it to the rest; and upon their admission
of what he said about it, he got the dispersed conspirators together; he
prepared every thing after a prudent manner, and by suggesting good advice,
showed himself far superior to the rest, and made obliging speeches to
them, insomuch that he even compelled them all to go on, who otherwise
had not courage enough for that purpose; and when opportunity served to
use his sword in hand, he appeared first of all ready so to do, and gave
the first blow in this virtuous slaughter; he also brought Caius easily
into the power of 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.FJAJ 19.19
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 bad been a gladiator, but he had obtained that post in the army
by his having a robust body
So these Germans marched along the houses
in quest of Caesar's murderers, and cut Asprenas to pieces, because he
was the first man they fell upon, and whose garment it was that the blood
of the sacrifices stained, as I have said already, and which foretold that
this his meeting the soldiers would not be for his good
Then did Norbanus
meet them, who was one of the principal nobility of and could show many
generals of armies among his ancestors; but they paid no regard to his
dignity; yet was he of such great strength, that he wrested the sword of
the first of those that assaulted him out of his hands, and appeared plainly
not to be willing to die without a struggle for his life, until he was
surrounded by a great number of assailants, and died by the multitude of
the wounds which they gave him
The third man was Anteius, a senator, and
a few others with him
He did not meet with these Germans by chance, as
the rest did before, but came to show his hatred to Caius, and because
he loved to see Caius lie dead with his own eyes, and took a pleasure in
that sight; for Caius had banished Anteius's father, who was of the same
name with himself, and being not satisfied with that, he sent out his soldiers,
and slew him; so he was come to rejoice at the sight of him, now he was
dead
But as the house was now all in a tumult, when he was aiming to hide
himself, he could not escape that accurate search which the Germans made,
while they barbarously slew those that were guilty, and those that were
not guilty, and this equally also
And thus were these [three] persons
slain.FJAJ 19.20
16. But when the rumor that Caius was slain reached the theater, they
were astonished at it, and could not believe it; even some that entertained
his destruction with great pleasure, and were more desirous of its happening
than almost any other faction that could come to them, were under such
a fear, that they could not believe it
There were also those who greatly
distrusted it, because they were unwilling that any such thing should come
to Caius, nor could believe it, though it were ever so true, because they
thought no man could possibly so much power as to kill Caius
These were
the women, and the children, and the slaves, and some of the soldiery.
This last sort had taken his pay, and in a manner tyrannized with him,
and had abused the best of the citizens, in being subservient to his unjust
commands, in order to gain honors and advantages to themselves; but for
the women and the youth, they had been inveigled with shows, and the fighting
of the gladiators, and certain distributions of flesh-meat among them,
which things them pretense were designed for the pleasing of multitude,
but in reality to satiate the barbarous cruelty and madness of Caius
The
slaves also were sorry, because they were by Caius allowed to accuse and
to despise their masters, and they could have recourse to his assistance
when they had unjustly affronted them; for he was very easy in believing
them against their masters, even when they the city, accused them falsely;
and if they would discover what money their masters had, they might soon
obtain both riches and liberty, as the rewards of their accusations, because
the reward of these informers was the eighth (6)
The rewards proposed by the Roman laws to informers was sometimes an eigth
partm as Spanheim assures us, from the criminal's goods, as here, and sometimes
a fourth part.
part of the criminal's substance
As to the nobles, although the report
appeared credible to some of them, either because they knew of the plot
beforehand, or because they wished it might be true; however, they concealed
not only the joy they had at the relation of it, but that they had heard
any thing at all about it
These last acted so out of the fear they had,
that if the report proved false, they should be punished, for having so
soon let men know their minds
But those that knew Caius was dead, because
they were partners with the conspirators, they concealed all still more
cautiously, as not knowing one another's minds; and fearing lest they should
speak of it to some of those to whom the continuance of tyranny was advantageous;
and if Caius should prove to be alive, they might be informed against,
and punished
And another report went about, that although Caius had been
wounded indeed, yet was not he dead, but alive still, and under the physician's
hands
Nor was any one looked upon by another as faithful enough to be
trusted, and to whom any one would open his mind; for he was either a friend
to Caius, and therefore suspected to favor his tyranny, or he was one that
hated him, who therefore might be suspected to deserve the less credit,
because of his ill-will to him
Nay, it was said by some (and this indeed
it was that deprived the nobility of their hopes, and made them sad) that
Caius was in a condition to despise the dangers he had been in, and took
no care of healing his wounds, but was gotten away into the market-place,
and, bloody as he was, was making an harangue to the people
And these
were the conjectural reports of those that were so unreasonable as to endeavor
to raise tumults, which they turned different ways, according to the opinions
of the bearers
Yet did they not leave their seats, for fear of being accused,
if they should go out before the rest; for they should not be sentenced
according to the real intention with which they went out, but according
to the supposals of the accusers and of the judges.FJAJ 19.21
17. But now a multitude of Germans had surrounded the theater with their
swords drawn: all the spectators looked for nothing but death, and at every
one coming in a fear seized upon them, as if they were to be cut in pieces
immediately; and in great distress they were, as neither having courage
enough to go out of the theater, nor believing themselves safe from dangers
if they tarried there
And when the Germans came upon them, the cry was
so great, that the theater rang again with the entreaties of the spectators
to the soldiers, pleading that they were entirely ignorant of every thing
that related to such seditious contrivances, and that if there were any
sedition raised, they knew nothing of it; they therefore begged that they
would spare them, and not punish those that had not the least hand in such
bold crimes as belonged to other persons, while they neglected to search
after such as had really done whatsoever it be that hath been done
Thus
did these people appeal to God, and deplore their infelicity with shedding
of tears, and beating their faces, and said every thing that the most imminent
danger and the utmost concern for their lives could dictate to them
This
brake the fury of the soldiers, and made them repent of what they minded
to do to the spectators, which would have been the greatest instance of
cruelty
And so it appeared to even these savages, when they had once fixed
the heads of those that were slain with Asprenas upon the altar; at which
sight the spectators were sorely afflicted, both upon the consideration
of the dignity of the persons, and out of a commiseration of their sufferings;
nay, indeed, they were almost in as great disorder at the prospect of the
danger themselves were in, seeing it was still uncertain whether they should
entirely escape the like calamity
Whence it was that such as thoroughly
and justly hated Caius could yet no way enjoy the pleasure of his death,
because they were themselves in jeopardy of perishing together with him;
nor had they hitherto any firm assurance of surviving.FJAJ 19.22
18. There was at this time one Euaristus Arruntius, a public crier in
the market, and therefore of a strong and audible voice, who vied in wealth
with the richest of the Romans, and was able to do what he pleased in the
city, both then and afterward
This man put himself into the most mournful
habit he could, although he had a greater hatred against Caius than any
one else; his fear and his wise contrivance to gain his safety taught him
so to do, and prevailed over his present pleasure; so he put on such a
mournful dress as he would have done had he lost his dearest friends in
the world; this man came into the theater, and informed them of the death
of Caius, and by this means put an end to that state of ignorance the men
had been in
Arruntius also went round about the pillars, and called out
to the Germans, as did the tribunes with him, bidding them put up their
swords, and telling them that Caius was dead
And this proclamation it
was plainly which saved those that were collected together in the theater,
and all the rest who any way met the Germans; for while they had hopes
that Caius had still any breath in him, they abstained from no sort of
mischief; and such an abundant kindness they still had for Caius, that
they would willingly have prevented the plot against him, and procured
his escape from so sad a misfortune, at the expense of their own lives.
But they now left off the warm zeal they had to punish his enemies, now
they were fully satisfied that Caius was dead, because it was now in vain
for them to show their zeal and kindness to him, when he who should reward
them was perished
They were also afraid that they should be punished by
the senate, if they should go on in doing such injuries; that is, in case
the authority of the supreme governor should revert to them
And thus at
length a stop was put, though not without difficulty, to that rage which
possessed the Germans on account of Caius's death.FJAJ 19.23
19. But Cherea was so much afraid for Minucianus, lest he should light upon the Germans now they were in their fury, that he went and spike to every one of the soldiers, and prayed them to take care of his preservation, and made himself great inquiry about him, lest he should have been slain. And for Clement, he let Minucianus go when he was brought to him, and, with many other of the senators, affirmed the action was right, and commended the virtue of those that contrived it, and had courage enough to execute it; and said that "tyrants do indeed please themselves and look big for a while, upon having the power to act unjustly; but do not however go happily out of the world, because they are hated by the virtuous; and that Caius, together with all his unhappiness, was become a conspirator against himself, before these other men who attacked him did so; and by becoming intolerable, in setting aside the wise provision the laws had made, taught his dearest friends to treat him as an enemy; insomuch that although in common discourse these conspirators were those that slew Caius, yet that, in reality, he lies now dead as perishing by his own self."FJAJ 19.24
20. Now by this time the people in the theatre were arisen from their
seats, and those that were within made a very great disturbance; the cause
of which was this, that the spectators were too hasty in getting away.
There was also one Aleyon, a physician, who hurried away, as if to cure
those that were wounded, and under that pretense he sent those that were
with him to fetch what things were necessary for the healing of those wounded
persons, but in reality to get them clear of the present dangers they were
in
Now the senate, during this interval, had met, and the people also
assembled together in the accustomed form, and were both employed in searching
after the murderers of Caius
The people did it very zealously, but the
senate in appearance only; for there was present Valerius of Asia, one
that had been consul; this man went to the people, as they were in disorder,
and very uneasy that they could not yet discover who they were that had
murdered the emperor; he was then earnestly asked by them all who it was
that had done it
He replied, "I wish I had been the man." The
consuls (7)
These consuls are named in the War of the Jews, B. II. ch. 11. sect; 1,
Sentius Saturninus and Pomponius Secundus, as Spanheim notes here. The
speech of the former of them is set down in the next chapter, sect. 2.
also published an edict, wherein they accused Caius, and gave order to
the people then got together, and to the soldiers, to go home; and gave
the people hopes of the abatement of the oppressions they lay under; and
promised the soldiers, if they lay quiet as they used to do, and would
not go abroad to do mischief unjustly, that they would bestow rewards upon
them; for there was reason to fear lest the city might suffer harm by their
wild and ungovernable behavior, if they should once betake themselves to
spoil the citizens, or plunder the temples
And now the whole multitude
of the senators were assembled together, and especially those that had
conspired to take away the life of Caius, who put on at this time an air
of great assurance, and appeared with great magnanimity, as if the administration
of the public affairs were already devolved upon them.FJAJ 19.25