[-23-] Portions of Britain, then, were captured at this time in the manner described.  After this, during the second consulship of Gaius Crispus and the first of Titus Statilius, Claudius came to Rome at the end of a six months’ absence from the city (of which time he had spent only sixteen days in Britain) and celebrated his triumph.  In this he followed the well-established precedents, even to the extent of ascending the steps of the Capitol on his knees, with his sons-in-law supporting him on each side.  He granted to the senators taking part with him in the procession triumphal honors, and this not merely to the ex-consuls ... for he was accustomed to do that most lavishly on other occasions and with the slightest excuse.  Upon Rufrius Pollio the prefect he bestowed an image and a seat in the senatorial body as often as he would enter that assembly with him.  And to avoid having it thought that he was making any innovation, he declared that Augustus had done this in the case of a certain Valerius, a Ligurian.  He also increased the dignity of Laco (formerly praefectus vigilum but now procurator of the Gauls) by this same mark of esteem and in addition by the honors belonging to ex-consuls.

Having finished this business he held the festival following the triumph and assumed for the occasion some of the consular authority.  It took place in both the theatres at once.  In the course of the spectacle he would frequently absent himself while others superintended it in his place.  He had announced as many horse-races as could find place in a day, but they amounted to not more than ten altogether.  For between the separate courses bears were slaughtered and athletes struggled.  Boys sent for from Asia also executed the Pyrrhic dance.  The performers in the theatre gave, with the consent of the senate, another festival likewise intended to commemorate the victory.  All this was done on account of the successes in Britain, and to the end that other nations might more readily capitulate it was voted that all the agreements which Claudius or the lieutenants representing him should make with any peoples should be binding, the same as if sanctioned by the senate and the people.

[-24-] Achaea and Macedonia, which ever since Tiberius became emperor had belonged to elected governors, Claudius now returned to the choice by lot.  And abolishing the office of “praetor charged with the administration of funds” he put the business in the hands of quaestors as it had been of old; and these were not annual magistrates, as was the case with them previously and with the praetors subsequently, but the same two men attended to their duties for three entire years.  Some of these secured a praetorship immediately afterward and others drew a salary the amount of which depended on the impression of efficiency they had created while in office.