The stupid Claudius, brother of Germanicus, was already in their camp, invested with the Imperial purple, and prepared to support his election by arms.

The dream of liberty was at an end; and the senate awoke to all the horrors of inevitable servitude.

Deserted by the people, and threatened by a military force, that feeble assembly was compelled to ratify the choice of the praetorians, and to embrace the benefit of an amnesty, which Claudius had the prudence to offer, and the generosity to observe.

[28] [See The Capitol: When the throne was vacant by the murder of Caligula, the consuls convoked that assembly in the Capitol.] [Footnote 28: It is much to be regretted that we have lost the part of Tacitus which treated of that transaction.

We are forced to content ourselves with the popular rumors of Josephus, and the imperfect hints of Dion and Suetonius.] II.