A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

CHAPTER XXXIX
FROM PRINCIPATE TO MONARCHY: THE CLAUD-
IAN AND THE FLAVIAN PRINCES
A. ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE PRINCES
I. Claudius
Personal
appearance
of Claudius.
Suetonius,
Claudius, 30.
Ancient
World, 465 f-
Narrowness
of the
Roman
senators.
(Gallia
Comata, or
Celtica, one
of the provinces
of
Transalpine
Gaul.)
Tacitus, Annals,
xi. 23.
Either standing or sitting,
but especially when he lay
asleep, Claudius had a majestic and graceful appearance;
for he was tall, but not slender. His gray locks became him
well, and he had a full neck. But his knees were feeble
and failed him in walking, so that his gait was ungainly on
state occasions as well as when he was taking exercise.
Boisterous in his laughter, he was still more so in his
wrath. ... He stammered, too, in his speech, and had
a tremulous motion of the head at all times, but especially
when he was engaged in any business, however trifling.
The question of filling up the senate was discussed, and
the chief men of Gallia Comata, who had long possessed
the rights of allies and of Roman citizens, sought the
privilege of obtaining public offices at Rome. There was
much talk of every kind on the subject, and vehement
opposition showed itself in the argument before the emperor.
"Italy," some said, "is not so feeble as to be unable
to furnish her own capital with a senate. . . . What
distinctions will be left for the remnants of our noble
houses, or for any impoverished senators from Latium?
Every place will be crowded with these millionaires,
whose ancestors of the second and third generations at
480