[-52-] Now the population of Rome was being disturbed by signs.  Among the various pieces of news brought to them was one to the effect that many dolphins battled with one another and perished near Aspis, the African city.  And in the vicinity of the City blood descended from heaven and was smeared all about by the birds.  When at the Ludi Romani not one of the senators was entertained on the Capitol, as had been the custom, they took this, too, as a portent.  Again, the incident that happened to Livia caused her pleasure, but inspired the rest with terror.  A white bird carrying a sprig of fruited laurel had been thrown by an eagle into her lap.  As this seemed to be a sign of no small importance, she took care of the bird and planted the laurel.  The latter took root and grew, so that it amply supplied those who were afterward to celebrate triumphs; and Livia was destined to hold Caesar’s power in a fold of her robe and to dominate him in everything.

[-53-] The rest, however, in the City had their peace of mind thoroughly shattered by this and the differences between officials.  Not only the consuls and praetors but even the quaestors were arrayed against one another, and this lasted for some time.  The reason was that all were anxious not so much to hold office a longer time at home as to be counted among the ex-officials and secure the outward honors and influence that belonged to that class.  They were no longer chosen for any specified time, but took just long enough to enter upon the title of the office and resign, whenever it so seemed good to those in power.  Many did both on the same day.  Some actually had to abandon hope of offices through poverty, and in this I am not speaking of those then supporting Sextus, who had been disenfranchised as if by some principle of right.  But we have the case of a certain Marcus Oppius who through lack of means desired to resign the aedileship,—­both he and his father had been among the proscribed,—­and the populace would not permit it, but contributed money for his various necessities of life and the expenses of his office.  And the story goes that some criminals, too, really came into the theatre in masks as if they were actors and left their money there with the rest.  So this man was loved by the multitude while in life and at his death not long after was carried to the Campus Martius and there burned and buried.  The senate was indignant at the utter devotion of the masses to him and took up his bones, on the plea that it was impious for them to lie in that consecrated spot; they were persuaded by the pontifices to make this declaration although they buried many other men there both before and after.