of his perpetually
contriving to get the government, both in order to preserve himself, and
to be at the head of affairs also. Now Tiberius had been very much given
to astrology, [25] and the calculation of nativities, and had spent his
life in the esteem of what predictions had proved true, more than those
whose profession it was. Accordingly, when he once saw Galba coming in
to him, he said to his most intimate friends, that there came in a man
that would one day have the dignity of the Roman empire. So that this
Tiberius was more addicted to all such sorts of diviners than any other
of the Roman emperors, because he had found them to have told him truth
in his own affairs. And indeed he was now in great distress upon
this accident that had befallen him, and was very much grieved at
the destruction of his son's son, which he foresaw, and complained of
himself, that he should have made use of such a method of divination
beforehand, while it was in his power to have died without grief by this
knowledge of futurity; whereas he was now tormented by his foreknowledge
of the misfortune of such as were dearest to him, and must die under
that torment. Now although he was disordered at this unexpected
revolution of the government to those for whom he did not intend it,
he spake thus to Caius, though unwillingly, and against his own
inclination: "O child! although Tiberius be nearer related to me than
thou art, I, by my own determination, and the conspiring suffrage of the
gods, do give and put into thy hand the Roman empire; and I desire thee
never to be unmindful when thou comest to it, either of my kindness to
thee, who set thee in so high a dignity, or of thy relation to Tiberius.
But as thou knowest that I am, together with and after the gods, the
procurer of so great happiness to thee; so I desire that thou wilt
make me a return for my readiness to assist thee, and wilt take care of
Tiberius because of his near relation to thee. Besides which, thou art
to know, that while Tiberius is alive, he will be a security to thee,
both as to empire and as to thy own preservation; but if he die, that
will be but a prelude to thy own misfortunes; for to be alone under the
weight of such vast affairs is very dangerous; nor will the gods suffer
those actions which are unjustly done, contrary to that law which
directs men to act otherwise, to go off unpunished." This was the speech
which Tiberius made, which did not persuade Caius to act