equally in the case of all such as needed any repair.  He put in good condition all buildings that had fallen to decay (not constructing anything new at all himself, except the temple of Augustus), and appropriated none of them, but restored to all of them the same names, names of the original builders.  While expending extremely little for himself he laid out very great sums for the common good, either building over or adorning practically all the public works.  He assisted many cities and individuals and enriched numerous senators who were poor and on that account were no longer willing to be members of the senate.  However, he did not do this promiscuously and even expunged the names of some for licentiousness and of others for poverty when they could give no adequate reason for it.  Every gift that was bestowed upon any persons was counted out directly in his presence.  For since in the days of Augustus the officials who made the presentation were wont to deduct large sums for their own use, he took the greatest care that this should not happen during his reign.  All the expenditures, moreover, he made from the regular sources of income.  He killed no one for his money, did not confiscate (at this time) any one’s property, nor collect any funds by abuses.  Indeed, when Aemilius Rectus once sent him from Egypt, of which he was governor, more money than was required, he sent him a message, saying:  “To shear my sheep and not to shave them to the skin is what I desire.”

[-11-] Furthermore he was extremely easy of access and ready to grant an audience.  The senators he bade greet him all at once and so avoid jostling one another.  In fine, he showed himself so considerate that once, when the leaders of the Rhodians sent him some communication and failed to write at the foot of the letter this customary formula about offering their prayers for his welfare, he summoned them in haste as if he intended to do them some harm, but on their arrival instead of administering any serious rebuke had them subscribe what was lacking and then sent them away.  The temporary officials he honored as he would have done in a democracy, even rising from his seat at the approach of the consuls.  Whenever he entertained them at dinner he would in the first place receive them at the door when they entered, and secondly escort them on their way when they departed.  In case he was at any time being carried anywhere in his litter, he would not allow even one of the knights who was prominent to accompany him, still less a senator.  On the occasion of festivals or so often as anything similar was going to afford the people leisure, he would go the evening before to one of the Caesarians who lived near the places where there was sure to be a large crowd and there pass the night.  His object was to make it possible for the people to meet him with a minimum of formality and fatigue.  The equestrian contests he would often watch in person from the house of some freedman.  He attended the spectacles very frequently