Reader

He aggravated his barbarous actions by language equally outrageous. "There is nothing in my nature," said he,' that I commend or approve so much as my

ἀδιατρεψία

(inflexible rigour)." Upon his grandmother

Antonia

's giving him some advice, as if it was a small matter to pay no regard to it, he said to her, "Remember that all things are lawful for me." When about to murder his brother, whom he suspected of taking antidotes against poison, he said, "See then an andidote against Caesar!" And when he banished his sisters, he told them in a menacing tone, that he had not only islands at command, but also swords. One of pretorian rank having sent several times from Anticyra,

1

whither he had gone for his health, to have his leave of absence prolonged, he ordered him to be put to death; adding these words: "Bleeding is necessary for one that has taken hellebore so long and found no benefit." It was his custom every tenth day to sign the lists of prisoners appointed for execution; and this he called "clearing his accounts." And having condemned several Gauls and Greeks at one time, he exclaimed in triumph, "I have conquered Gallograecia."

2