All honors voted to him he immediately accepted, except the title “Father,” and this he afterward took:  yet he did not at once enter the senate, but delayed as late as the thirtieth day.  The fact that he had seen Gaius perish as he did and now learned that some other candidates, presumably superior to himself, had been proposed for emperor by the senatorial body made him a little timid.  Therefore he exercised great caution at all points and caused all men and women who approached him to be searched, for fear they might have a dagger.  At banquets he made sure there were some soldiers present,—­a custom which, set by him, continues to this day.  That of invariable search was brought to an end by Vespasian.  He put to death Chairea and some others in spite of his pleasure at the death of Gaius.  In other words he looked far ahead to ensure his own safety, and was not so much grateful to the man for having by his deed enabled him to get the empire as he was displeased at the idea of any one assassinating an emperor.  He acted in this matter not as an avenger of Gaius but as one who had caught a person plotting against himself.  As a sequel to this murder Sabinus also died by his own hand, not choosing to survive after his comrade had been executed.

As for all other citizens who had openly shown their eagerness for a democracy or had been regarded as eligible for the supreme power.  Claudius so far from bearing malice toward them gave them honors and offices.  In plainer terms than any ruler that ever lived he promised them immunity,—­therein imitating the example of the Athenians,[1] as he said,—­and it was no mere promise, but he afforded it in fact.  He abolished complaints of maiestas alike for things written and things done and punished no one on any such charge for either earlier or later offences.  He invented no complaint for the sake of persecuting those who had wronged or insulted him when he was a private citizen; and there were many who had done this, particularly as he was deemed of no importance, and to please either Tiberius or Gaius.  If, however, he found them guilty of some other crime, he would take vengeance on them also for their former abuse. [-4-] The taxes introduced in the reign of Gaius and whatever other measures had led to denunciation of the latter’s acts were done away with by Claudius, not all at once but as opportunity offered.  He also brought back such persons as Gaius had unjustly exiled,—–­among others the latter’s sisters Agrippina and Julia,—­and restored to them, their property.  Of those imprisoned,—­and a very great number were in this predicament,—­he liberated such as were suffering for maiestas or any similar complaints, but real criminals he punished.