[11] To such a pitch of meanness were the Roman senators arrived, that when the emperor’s letter arrived, the senators, thinking it contained orders for bestowing on Sejanus the tribunitial power, crowded around him, each striving to be foremost in congratulating him on his new dignity; but they no sooner learned the real contents of the fatal letter than all forsook him; even those who sat near him removed to another part of the house, lest they should be accounted his friends.  (Dio.) The populace likewise broke in pieces those very statues which, a few hours before, they had adored.

[12] It has been well said of Tiberius, “This great prince—­this sovereign of Rome—­with his numerous armies, his praetorian bands, and his unlimited power, was in hourly fear of secret assassins, incessantly prompted by his own apprehensions; with all the eclat of empire, the most miserable being in his dominions.  His power, indeed, was unlimited, but so was his misery; the more he made others suffer, the faster he supplied his own torments.  Such was his situation and life, and such were the natural consequences of the abuse of power.”

[13] He was so named from caliga, a sort of military boot which he usually wore.

[14] A promontory, port, and town in Italy, near Naples.

[15] The Praetorian bands were instituted by Augustus, to guard his person, and maintain his authority.  Under bold and warlike emperors, they were kept in tolerable subjection:  but when the reins of government were held by feeble hands, they became the disturbers, instead of preservers, of the public peace; and, at length, deposed and set up emperors at their pleasure.

[16] Some still more extraordinary accounts are given of this horse:  it is said that he appointed it a house, furniture, and kitchen, in order to treat all its visitors with proper respect.  Sometimes he invited Incita’tus to his own table, and presented it with gilt oats, and wine in a golden cup.  He would often swear, “by the safety of his horse!” and it is even said that it was his intention to have appointed it to the consul-ship, had not his death prevented it.

[17] One day on visiting the amphitheatre, finding there were no criminals condemned to fight with wild beasts, he ordered numbers of the spectators to be thrown to them, previously causing their tongues to be cut out, that they might not, by their cries, disturb his inhuman diversions.

[18] It is said that the tower which stands at the entry of the port of Bologne, called La tour d’ordre, is that built by Calig’ula on this occasion.

[19] Palatine games were so called from their being celebrated on the Palatine Hill, which was the most considerable of the seven hills on which Rome was built.  This was the first hill occupied by Rom’ulus, and where he fixed his residence, and kept his court; as also did Tul’lus, Hostil’ius, Augus’tus, and all the succeeding emperors; and hence it is that the residence of princes is called Palatium or Palace.