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[145]
There was at this time one Euaristus Arruntius, a public crier in
the market, and therefore of a strong and audible voice, who vied in wealth
with the richest of the Romans, and was able to do what he pleased in the
city, both then and afterward. This man put himself into the most mournful
habit he could, although he had a greater hatred against Caius than any
one else; his fear and his wise contrivance to gain his safety taught him
so to do, and prevailed over his present pleasure; so he put on such a
mournful dress as he would have done had he lost his dearest friends in
the world; this man came into the theater, and informed them of the death
of Caius, and by this means put an end to that state of ignorance the men
had been in. Arruntius also went round about the pillars, and called out
to the Germans, as did the tribunes with him, bidding them put up their
swords, and telling them that Caius was dead. And this proclamation it
was plainly which saved those that were collected together in the theater,
and all the rest who any way met the Germans; for while they had hopes
that Caius had still any breath in him, they abstained from no sort of
mischief; and such an abundant kindness they still had for Caius, that
they would willingly have prevented the plot against him, and procured
his escape from so sad a misfortune, at the expense of their own lives.
But they now left off the warm zeal they had to punish his enemies, now
they were fully satisfied that Caius was dead, because it was now in vain
for them to show their zeal and kindness to him, when he who should reward
them was perished. They were also afraid that they should be punished by
the senate, if they should go on in doing such injuries; that is, in case
the authority of the supreme governor should revert to them. And thus at
length a stop was put, though not without difficulty, to that rage which
possessed the Germans on account of Caius's death.
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