He was empowered by a decree of the senate to admit a number of families among the patricians.

Finally, the senate was not the legislative power .-- W] [Footnote 3: Dion Cassius, l.liii.p.693.Suetonius in August.c.

35.] Before an assembly thus modelled and prepared, Augustus pronounced a studied oration, which displayed his patriotism, and disguised his ambition.

"He lamented, yet excused, his past conduct.

Filial piety had required at his hands the revenge of his father's murder; the humanity of his own nature had sometimes given way to the stern laws of necessity, and to a forced connection with two unworthy colleagues: as long as Antony lived, the republic forbade him to abandon her to a degenerate Roman, and a barbarian queen.