d, to use a familiar expression, when Augustus got rid of him
quietly from the Triumvirate. Augustus assumed it A.U.C. 740, thus
centring the last of all the great offices of the state in his own
person; that of Pontifex Maximus, being of high importance, from the
sanctity attached to it, and the influence it gave him over the whole
system of religion.

[162] In the thirty-six years since the calendar was corrected by Julius
Caesar, the priests had erroneously intercalated eleven days instead of
nine. See JULIUS, c. xl.

[163] Sextilis, the sixth month, reckoning from March, in which the year
of Romulus commenced.

[164] So Cicero called the day on which he returned from exile, the day
of his "nativity" and his "new birth," paligennesian, a word which had
afterwards a theological sense, from its use in the New Testament.

[165] Capi. There is a peculiar force in the word here adopted by
Suetonius; the form used by the Pontifex Maximus, when he took the novice
from the hand of her father, being Te capio amata, "I have you, my dear,"
implying the forcible breach of former ties, as in the case of a captive
taken in war.

[166] At times when the temple of Janus was shut, and then only, certain
divinations were made, preparatory to solemn supplication for the public
health, "as if," says Dio, "even that could not be implored from the
gods, unless the signs were propitious." It would be an inquiry of some
interest, now that the care of the public health is becoming a department
of the state, with what sanatory measures these becoming solemnities were
attended.

[167] Theophrastus mentions the spring and summer flowers most suited
for these chaplets. Among the former, were hyacinths, roses, and white
violets; among the latter, lychinis, amaryllis, iris, and some species of
lilies.

[168] Ergastulis. These were subterranean strong rooms, with narrow
windows, like dungeons, in the country houses, where incorrigible slaves
were confined in fetters, in the intervals of the severe tasks in
grinding at the hand-mills, quarrying stones, drawing water, and other
hard agricultural labour in which they were employed.

[169] These months were not only "the Long Vacation" of the lawyers, but
during them there was a general cessation of business at Rome; the
calendar exhibiting a constant succession of festivals. The month of
December, in particular, was devoted to pleasure and relaxation.

[170] Causes are menti