temples of Egyptian deities.  Such as had been built by private individuals he ordered their children and descendants, if any survived, to repair, and the rest he restored himself.  He did not, however, appropriate the credit for their building but allowed it to rest with those who had originally constructed them.  And since very many unlawful and unjust ordinances had been passed during the internecine strifes and in the wars, and particularly in the dual reign of Antony and Lepidus, he abolished them all by one promulgation, setting his sixth consulship as the limit of their existence.  As he obtained approbation and praise for this act he desired to exhibit another instance of magnanimity, that by such a policy he might be honored the more and that his supremacy might be voluntarily confirmed by the people, which would enable him to avoid the appearance of having forced them against their will.  As a consequence, after apprising those senators with whom he was most intimate of his designs, he entered the senatorial body in his seventh consulship and read the following document.

[B.C. 27 (a. u. 727)]

[-3-] “I am sure that I shall seem to some of you, Conscript Fathers, to have made an incredible choice.  For what each one of my hearers would not wish to do himself, he does not like to believe when another states it as accomplished.  This is chiefly because every one is jealous of every one who surpasses him and is more or less inclined to distrust anything said that is higher than his own standard.[1] Moreover I know this, that those who make apparently untrustworthy statements not only persuade nobody but further have the appearance of cheats.  And, indeed, if it were a case of announcing something that I was not intending to do immediately, I should hesitate very much about making it public, for fear of obtaining some unworthy charge against me instead of gratitude.  But, as it is, when the performance will follow the promise this very day, I feel entirely confident not only of avoiding any shame for prevarication but of surpassing all mankind in good repute. [-4-] You all see that I am so situated that I could rule you perpetually.  All the revolutionists either have been disciplined and been made to halt or have had pity shown them and so have come to their senses.  My helpers have been made devoted by a recompense of benefits and steadfast by a participation in the government:  therefore they do not desire any political innovations, and if anything of the sort should take place, the men to assist me are even more ready for it than the instigators of rebellion.  My military is in prime condition, we have good-will, strength, money, and allies, and chiefest of all you and the people are so disposed toward me that you would be quite willing to have me at your head.  However, I will lead you no longer, nor shall any one say that all the acts of my previous career have been with the object of sole rulership.  I give up the entire domain,