[167] Rusellae, now Roselle.
[168] Forum Cassii, south of the Lacus Volsiniensis (Lago di Bolsena.)
[169] The soldiery were allowed to do just what they pleased. In a poem belonging to the early part of the second century, among other advantages of military life, it is specially mentioned, that the soldier can perpetrate many a wanton act upon civilians (See Juv. Sat. XVI, 7-34.) “If a soldier strikes a civilian (togutus,) the latter not only does not venture to return the blow, but cannot even commence a law-suit, for the whole cohort takes sides with the accused before the military tribunals, by which the soldiers’ offences are punished.”
[170] Stephanus, when he came out op his office in the morning, had his arm in a sling. See Suet. Dom. 17.
[171] This was the instant of which Stephanus took advantage. The description given here corresponds in essential particulars with the accounts of Suetonius and Dio Cassias, except that we identify the young slave, from whom the emperor, according to Suetonius, demands the sword, with the slave, who rushed in and struck down Stephanus. Domitian’s murder, which for private reasons I defer till the month of April, really occurred on the 18th of September.
[172] Phaeton!... too late! These words are borrowed from Suetonius’s account of Nero’s end, (Ner. 49) where the centurion, who is ordered to arrest the dying Caesar, overcome by compassion, lays the mantle over the fatal wound, feigning to come to his rescue.
[173] The very men, who had hitherto grovelled in the dust before the despot, etc. See Dio Cass. LXVIII, i.
[174] The numerous statues of himself, etc. See Dio Cass. and others.
[175] Powers of denunciation. See Dio Cass. and others: “Many were also sentenced to death through false informers.”
[176] The Senate were given full powers to provide for the liberation of all prisoners of state, inclusive even of the Nazarenes. See Dio Cass. and others. “Nerva ordered those accused of offences against the Caesar to be set free, and the exiles to be recalled home.” He also allowed no one to be dragged before a court of law, on account of a Jewish (Christian) mode of life.