Classics Emperors & Subjects

Claudius fell so deeply (Suetonius)

Claudius fell so deeply under the influence of these freedmen and wives that he seemed to be their servant rather than their emperor

The imperial household shuddered (Tacitus)

The imperial household shuddered- especially those in power, with everything to fear from a new emperor

His firmest devotion (Suetonius)

His firmest devotion was reserved for Narcissus, his secretary, and Pallas, his bookkeeper

The first of (Suetonius abt Claudius)

The first of the Caesars to purchase the loyalty of the troops

Promised every (Suetonius)

promised every man 15,000 sesterces

Claudius did not presume (Suetonius)

Claudius did not presume to accept excessive honorifics... He recalled no exile from banishment without senatorial permission

Such erratic behaviour (Suetonius)

Such erratic behaviour brought Claudius into open and widespread contempt

Claudius often distributed (Suetonius)

Claudius often distributed largesse to the people and gave numerous magnificent public shows

Claudius always interested (Suetonius)

Claudius always interested himself in the proper upkeep of the city

Nero turned over all (Suetonius)

Nero turned over all his public and private affairs to Agrippina's management

His man (Helius) freedman (Cassius Dio)

His man (Helius) had been given a complete authority

There was no family (Suetonius)

There was no family relationship which Nero did not criminally abuse

Often he hinted (Suetonius)

Often he hinted broadly that it was not his intention to spare the remaining senators

He gave an immense (Nero Suetonius)

He gave an immense variety of entertainments

He sent a letter to the senate (Trajan Cassius Dio)

He sent a letter to the senate… he would not slay or disenfranchise any good man

Take this sword (Trajan Cassius Dio)

Take this sword, in order that, if I rule well, you may use it for me, but if ill, against me

She conducted herself (Plotina Cassius Dio)

She conducted herself during the entire reign in such a manner as to incur no censure

He did not envy (Trajan) Cassius Dio

He did not envy or slay anyone, but honoured and exalted all good men

As a consequence (Domitian) Cassius Dio

As a consequence of his cruelty, the emperor was suspicious of all mankind

Domitian put many (Suetonius)

Domitian put many senators to death

He reduced the number of laps (Domitian)

He reduced the number of laps from seven to five, so that 100 races a day could be run

The first five years of Nero

quinquennium neronis