itated their zealous application to the learning and to the
glorious actions of the best men; but when he became insolent towards
them, they laid aside the kindness they had for him, and began to hate
him; from which hatred came that plot which they raised against him, and
wherein he perished.

CHAPTER 3. How Claudius Was Seized Upon And Brought Out Of His House And
Brought To The Camp; And How The Senate Sent An Embassage To Him.

1. Now Claudius, as I said before, went out of that way along which
Caius was gone; and as the family was in a mighty disorder upon the sad
accident of the murder of Caius, he was in great distress how to save
himself, and was found to have hidden himself in a certain narrow place,
[12] though he had no other occasion for suspicion of any dangers,
besides the dignity of his birth; for while he was a private man, he
behaved himself with moderation, and was contented with his present
fortune, applying himself to learning, and especially to that of the
Greeks, and keeping himself entirely clear from every thing that might
bring on any disturbance. But as at this time the multitude were under
a consternation, and the whole palace was full of the soldiers' madness,
and the very emperor's guards seemed under the like fear and disorder
with private persons, the band called pretorian, which was the purest
part of the army, was in consultation what was to be done at this
juncture. Now all those that were at this consultation had little regard
to the punishment Caius had suffered, because he justly deserved such
his fortune; but they were rather considering their own circumstances,
how they might take the best care of themselves, especially while the
Germans were busy in punishing the murderers of Caius; which yet was
rather done to gratify their own savage temper, than for the good of the
public; all which things disturbed Claudius, who was afraid of his own
safety, and this particularly because he saw the heads of Asprenas and
his partners carried about. His station had been on a certain elevated
place, whither a few steps led him, and whither he had retired in the
dark by himself. But when Gratus, who was one of the soldiers
that belonged to the palace, saw him, but did not well know by his
countenance who he was, because it was dark, though he could well judge
that it was a man who was privately there on some design, he came nearer
to him; and when Claudius desired that he would retire, he