85 



fellow-citizeus and our allies, I entreat that after my death thej^ may 

 kindly remember me, give me credit for what I have done for them, 

 and honour my memory."^ 



Apart from the provinces it appears, that Italy alone furnished an 

 ample supply of materials for the most zealous administration. But 

 here also iu great and small matters we everywhere observe the active 

 co-operation of the Emperor. We have noticed already the decision of 

 the senate in the local affairs of Trebia. Similar questions raised in 

 other towns of the Peninsula were no doubt constantly brought to the 

 central board for decision. In addition to these local matters, general 

 measures of great importance claimed the Emperor's attention. The 

 security of the highways throughout Italy and of the streets of Rome, 

 the revival of decaying agriculture, the supply of Rome with the neces- 

 sary food, and numerous other matters, constantly pressed upon his 

 time and attention. The following instance may serve as an illustra- 

 tion : — 



A great portion of Rome was exposed to frequent inundations 

 of the Tiber. A calamity of this kind occurred in the fifteenth year 

 of our era, and was the cause of the downfall of numerous houses, no 

 doubt chiefly large lodging-houses of the poorer classes (insulaj).^" 

 Misery, disease and death were the consequence. The senate, acting 

 as an administrative board of all-embracing capacity, discussed the 

 possible remedies. We are informed (Tac. Ann. i, 76) that Asinius 

 Gallus proposed to consult the Sibylline books, thinking no doubt, 

 that the times had not altered, since the Delphic oi'acle was consulted 

 respecting the overflowing of the Alban lake. Tiberius had the good 

 sense and the firmness bluntly to resist such antiquated nonsense, and 

 to propose the nomination of a committee of senators, charged with 

 inquiring into the causes of the evil, and with proposing measures for 

 its prevention. The committee, it is true, failed in finding either the 

 one oi' the other, chiefly, as it seems, from want of engineering skill ; 

 but we cannot withhold our approval from the Emperor, who did all he 

 could to resist the superstitious folly of his advisers, and to point out 

 the line of action, which alone promised success. 



' As these words show the regard of Tiberius for an uusullied name, so his contempt of 

 adulation is equally apparent on several occasions ; he refused to be called Father of his 

 country (Pater Patriie), or Augustus; he rejected with indignation the title of Master 

 (l)omiuus) ; he would not allow the Mons Caelius, which after the great fire had betn 

 restored by him, to be called Alons Tiberinus, and wh u the senate projiosed to call (he 

 month of September, in which he was boni, " Tiberius," he asked jeeringlj-, what they 

 would do, when they had got thirteen Emperors (Dio C. Ivii. 18; S'.etTib. xxvi. 27.) In 

 the debates of the senate he would not listen to flittering allusions to himself, but used to 

 interrupt the speakers, and compel tlieui to alter their e.xpressions. 



'" As occurred also a.d. 70. — Tac. Hist. i. SO. 



