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The
Brownstone Journal >>
Issues >> Vol.
XII Spring 2005
from Tacitus' Annals
Translated by Derek Hadad
After Brutus and Cassius were slain, there
were no more forces for the Republic at the time. Pompeius was
crushed in Sicily. Lepidus was rubbed out. Antony killed. No
one was left to lead Caesar's constituents but Caesar Augustus
himself. So he dispensed with the title of Triumvir, made himself
consular president, and was happy to pile on top of it all the
power of a legislative tribune, to protect the lower class of
course. Then he enticed the military with "gifts,"
the public with decent food subsidies, everyone with the harmony
of restful repose from constant war. Little by little he rose
in power, the duties of the Senate, of the magistrates, of the
laws, he gathered for himself. No one opposed him: the most
daring of men had already fallen, some along the battle field,
others by death squads that hunt down "enemies of the state."
The rest of the nobles were rewarded with wealth and honors
and property an titles,according to how much each noble was
swift in obsequiousness. These men benefited from the new shift
in power, preferring the safe and present to the old and dangerous.
Nor did the provinces of the empire decline approval of Augustus
and his regime, since they were mistrustful of the power of
the Senate and the people of Rome. This wariness stemmed from
the competition of powerful men and the greed of officials.
The law was of little help, as it was corrupted by force, by
ambition, an especially by money.
Derek Hadad (CAS 06) is majoring in Ancient Greek
& Latin as well as Classical Civilization. He is co-President
of the Undergraduate Classics Association.TBJ
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