without exaggeration and in sober truth--not a single
coin was levied while I was in power. In return for these benefits,
benefits at which they are simply astonished. I will not allow any but
verbal honors to be voted to me. Statues, temples, chariots of bronze, I
forbid. In nothing do I make myself a trouble to the cities, though it
is possible I do so to you, while I thus proclaim my own praises. Bear
with me, if you love me. This is the rule which you would have had me
follow. My journey through Asia had such results that even the
famine--and than famine there is no more deplorable calamity--which then
prevailed in the country (there had been no harvest) was an event for me
to desire; for wherever I journeyed, without force, without the help of
law, without reproaches, but my simple influence and expostulations, I
prevailed upon the Greeks and Roman citizens, who had secreted the corn,
to engage to convey a large quantity to the various tribes." He writes
again: "I see that you are pleased with my moderation and
self-restraint. You would be much more pleased if you were here. At the
sessions which I held at Laodicea for all my districts, excepting
Cilicia, from February 15th to May 1st, I effected a really marvelous
work. Many cities were entirely freed from their debts, many greatly
relieved, and all of them enjoying their own laws and courts, and so
obtaining self-government received new life. There were two ways in
which I gave them the opportunity of either throwing off or greatly
lightening the burden of debt. First: they have been put to no expense
under my rule--I do not exaggerate; I positively say that they have not
to spend a farthing. Then again: the cities had been atrociously robbed
by their own Greek magistrates. I myself questioned the men who had
borne office during the last ten years. They confessed and, without
being publicly disgraced, made restitution. In other respects my
government, without being wanting in address, is marked by clemency and
courtesy. There is none of the difficulty, so usual in the provinces, of
approaching me; no introduction by a chamberlain. Before dawn I am on
foot in my house, as I used to be in old days when I was a candidate for
office. This is a great matter here and a popular, and to myself, from
my old practice in it, has not yet been troublesome."

He had other less serious cares. One Caelius, who was good enough to
keep him informed of what was happening at Rome, a