Upon a dearth of provisions, the people entreated him to accept of the dictatorship; but he would by no means assume the title of dictator, which had been abolished by law.
20.

An accumulation of titles and employments did not in the least diminish his assiduity in fulfilling the duties of each.

Several very wholesome edicts were passed by his command, tending to suppress corruption in the senate, and licentiousness in the people.21.

He ordained that none should exhibit a show of gladiators without an order from the senate; and then not oftener than twice a year, nor with more than a hundred and twenty at a time.

This law was extremely necessary at so corrupt a period of the empire, when armies of these unfortunate men were brought at once upon the stage, and compelled to fight, often, till half of them were slain.22.It had been usual also with the knights, and women of the first distinction, to exhibit themselves as dancers upon the theatre; he ordered that not only these, but their children and grand-children should be restrained from such exercises for the future.23.He fined many that had refused to marry at a certain age, and rewarded such as had many children.