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157]
Now by this time the people in the theatre were arisen from their
seats, and those that were within made a very great disturbance; the cause
of which was this, that the spectators were too hasty in getting away.
There was also one Aleyon, a physician, who hurried away, as if to cure
those that were wounded, and under that pretense he sent those that were
with him to fetch what things were necessary for the healing of those wounded
persons, but in reality to get them clear of the present dangers they were
in. Now the senate, during this interval, had met, and the people also
assembled together in the accustomed form, and were both employed in searching
after the murderers of Caius. The people did it very zealously, but the
senate in appearance only; for there was present Valerius of Asia, one
that had been consul; this man went to the people, as they were in disorder,
and very uneasy that they could not yet discover who they were that had
murdered the emperor; he was then earnestly asked by them all who it was
that had done it. He replied, "I wish I had been the man." The
consuls
1
also published an edict, wherein they accused Caius, and gave order to
the people then got together, and to the soldiers, to go home; and gave
the people hopes of the abatement of the oppressions they lay under; and
promised the soldiers, if they lay quiet as they used to do, and would
not go abroad to do mischief unjustly, that they would bestow rewards upon
them; for there was reason to fear lest the city might suffer harm by their
wild and ungovernable behavior, if they should once betake themselves to
spoil the citizens, or plunder the temples. And now the whole multitude
of the senators were assembled together, and especially those that had
conspired to take away the life of Caius, who put on at this time an air
of great assurance, and appeared with great magnanimity, as if the administration
of the public affairs were already devolved upon them.
2