Yet it was still felt and acknowledged, in the last period of Roman servitude, that this empty name might be compared, and even preferred, to the possession of substantial power.

The title of consul was still the most splendid object of ambition, the noblest reward of virtue and loyalty.

The emperors themselves, who disdained the faint shadow of the republic, were conscious that they acquired an additional splendor and majesty as often as they assumed the annual honors of the consular dignity.

[92] [Footnote 85: See Claudian in Cons.Prob.et Olybrii, 178, &c.; and in iv.Cons.Honorii, 585, &c.; though in the latter it is not easy to separate the ornaments of the emperor from those of the consul.

Ausonius received from the liberality of Gratian a vestis palmata, or robe of state, in which the figure of the emperor Constantius was embroidered.
Cernis et armorum proceres legumque potentes: Patricios sumunt habitus; et more Gabino Discolor incedit legio, positisque parumper Bellorum signis, sequitur vexilla Quirini.