[A.D. 46 (a. u. 799)]

[-27-] At the close of that year Valerius Asiaticus for the second time and also Marcus Silanus became consuls.  The latter held office for the period for which he was elected.  Asiaticus, however, though elected to serve for the whole year (as was done in other cases), failed to do so and resigned voluntarily.  Some others had done this, though mostly by reason of poverty.  The expenses connected with the horse-races had greatly increased, for generally there was a series of twenty-four contests.  But Asiaticus withdrew simply by reason of his wealth, which also proved his destruction.  Inasmuch as he was extremely well-to-do and by being consul a second time had aroused the dislike and jealousy of many, he desired in a way to overthrow himself, feeling that by so doing he would be less likely to encounter danger.  Still he was deceived.—­Vinicius, on the other hand, suffered no harm from Claudius, for though he was an illustrious man he managed by keeping quiet and minding his own business to preserve his life; but he perished by poison administered by Messalina.  She suspected that he had killed his wife Julia and was angry because he refused to have intercourse with her.  He was duly accorded a public funeral and eulogies,—­an honor which had been granted to many.

Asinius Gallus, half-brother of Drusus by the same mother, conspired against Claudius but instead of being put to death was banished.  The reason perhaps was that he made ready no army and collected no funds in advance but was emboldened merely by his extreme folly, which led him to think that the Romans would submit to having him rule them on account of his family.  But the chief cause was that he was a very small and unshapely person and was therefore held in contempt, incurring ridicule rather than danger.

[-28-]The people were truly loud in praise of Claudius for his moderation, and also, by Jupiter, at the fact that he showed displeasure when a certain man sought the aid of the tribunes against the person who had freed him, asking and securing thus a helper in his cause.  Both the man in question and those associated with him in the proceedings were punished; and the emperor further forbade rendering assistance to persons in this way against their former masters, on pain of being deprived of the right to bring suit against others.  Per contra, people were vexed at seeing him so much the slave of his wife and freedmen.  This feeling was especially marked on an occasion when Claudius himself and all the rest were anxious to kill Sabinus (former governor of the Celtae in the reign of Gains) in a gladiatorial fight, but the latter approached Messalina and she saved him.  They were also irritated at her having withdrawn Mnester from the theatre and keeping him with her.  But whenever any talk about his not dancing sprang up among the people, Claudius would appear surprised and make various apologies, taking oath that he was