DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.53553#0253
219
inaccessible rock, goes far in corroboration of my hypo-
thesis, which has at least the merit of having originated from
local survey.
But a few more words, and I have done with Augustus.
When attacked with the flux, that terminated his life, he
once more resolved to try the air of Capri, which so often
had been the means of restoring his health. He staid there
a few days, during which his disease assumed more favour-
able symptoms, and his spirits a degree of cheerfulness, which
enabled him to pass a joke or two on Thrasyllus, the confi-
dent of Tiberius, who accompanied him on his journey. He
likewise determined to pass over to Naples, in order to be
present at some games in Campania, celebrated in his honour
every fifth year; but on his return, growing suddenly worse*
he was forced to stay at Nola, where he died.
I have been somewhat diffuse in adverting to the particu-
lars relating to Augustus’s stay at Capri, not only as they
seemed to me sufficiently interesting in themselves to claim
your attention, but also to combat the common opinion, as
if it was purposely to indulge in his beastly propensities that
Tiberius pitched upon Capri as a spot best calculated for
such a design. He had been there with Augustus, and had
participated in the diversions (innocent to be sure) of his
predecessor. The taste of Augustus had already formed on
the island magnificent establishments, sufficiently inviting
for a man like his successor. It is therefore probable that
some political motives influenced his departure from Rome.
These are easily found in the domineering disposition of his
mother Livia, and in the ambitious designs of his powerful
minister, Sejanus, neither of which he could with safety
counteract but at some distance from the capital. Suetonius,
and, above all, Tacitus, put this opinion beyond a doubt.
Hence his retreat to Capri, where he sojourned for the re-
r f 2 mainder
inaccessible rock, goes far in corroboration of my hypo-
thesis, which has at least the merit of having originated from
local survey.
But a few more words, and I have done with Augustus.
When attacked with the flux, that terminated his life, he
once more resolved to try the air of Capri, which so often
had been the means of restoring his health. He staid there
a few days, during which his disease assumed more favour-
able symptoms, and his spirits a degree of cheerfulness, which
enabled him to pass a joke or two on Thrasyllus, the confi-
dent of Tiberius, who accompanied him on his journey. He
likewise determined to pass over to Naples, in order to be
present at some games in Campania, celebrated in his honour
every fifth year; but on his return, growing suddenly worse*
he was forced to stay at Nola, where he died.
I have been somewhat diffuse in adverting to the particu-
lars relating to Augustus’s stay at Capri, not only as they
seemed to me sufficiently interesting in themselves to claim
your attention, but also to combat the common opinion, as
if it was purposely to indulge in his beastly propensities that
Tiberius pitched upon Capri as a spot best calculated for
such a design. He had been there with Augustus, and had
participated in the diversions (innocent to be sure) of his
predecessor. The taste of Augustus had already formed on
the island magnificent establishments, sufficiently inviting
for a man like his successor. It is therefore probable that
some political motives influenced his departure from Rome.
These are easily found in the domineering disposition of his
mother Livia, and in the ambitious designs of his powerful
minister, Sejanus, neither of which he could with safety
counteract but at some distance from the capital. Suetonius,
and, above all, Tacitus, put this opinion beyond a doubt.
Hence his retreat to Capri, where he sojourned for the re-
r f 2 mainder