1.  Augustus, by his own example, tended greatly to humanize his fellow-citizens; for being placed above all equality, he had nothing to fear from condescension.  He was familiar with all, and suffered himself to be reprimanded with the most patient humility.  Though, by his sole authority, he could condemn or acquit whomsoever he thought proper, he gave the laws their proper course, and even pleaded for persons he desired to protect. 2.  When the advocate for Pri’mus[2] desired to know, with an insolent air, what brought Augustus into court, the emperor calmly replied, “The public good.”  When one of his veteran soldiers entreated his protection, Augustus bid him apply to an advocate.  “Ah!” replied the soldier, “it was not by proxy that I served you at the battle of Ac’tium.”  Augustus was so pleased that he pleaded his cause and gained it for him.  One day a petition was presented to him with so much awe as to displease him.  “Friend,” cried he, “you seem as if you were offering something to an elephant rather than to a man; be bolder.” 3.  Once as he was sitting in judgment, Maece’nas perceiving that he was inclined to be severe, and not being able to get to him through the crowd, he threw a paper into his lap, on which was written, “Arise, executioner!” Augustus read it without displeasure, and immediately rising, pardoned those whom he was disposed to condemn. 4.  But what most of all showed a total alteration, was his treatment of Corne’lius Cinna, Pompey’s grandson.  This nobleman had entered into a conspiracy against him:  Augustus sent for the other conspirators, reprimanded them, and dismissed them.  But resolving to mortify Cinna by the greatness of his generosity—­“I have twice,” says he, “given you your life, as an enemy and as a conspirator:  I now give you the consulship; let us therefore be friends for the future; let us contend only in showing whether my confidence or your fidelity shall be victorious.”

5.  In the practice of such virtues he passed a long reign.  In fact, he seemed the first Roman who aimed at gaining a character by the arts of peace, and who obtained the affections of the soldiers without any military talents of his own:  nevertheless, the Roman arms, under his lieutenants, were crowned with success.

6.  But he had uneasiness of a domestic nature that distressed him.  He had married Liv’ia, the wife of Tibe’rius Nero, by the consent of her husband, when she was six months advanced in her pregnancy.  She was an imperious woman, and, conscious of being beloved, controlled him at her pleasure. 7.  She had two sons, Tibe’rius the elder, and Dru’sus, who was born three months after she had been married to Augustus, and who was thought to be his own son.  The elder of these, Tibe’rius, whom he afterwards adopted, and who succeeded him in the empire, was a good general, but of a suspicious and obstinate temper, and of a conduct so turbulent and restless, that he was at last exiled for five years to the island of Rhodes, where he chiefly spent his time in a retired manner, conversing with the Greeks, and addicting himself to literature, of which, however he afterwards made but a bad use.