campaigns with success, and honor to himself. Returning to Rome in 7
B. C., he celebrated a triumph, and afterwards married Julia, the
dissolute daughter of Augustus. This marriage proved to be the ruin of
Tiberius, developing everything that was bad in his character, and
making him jealous, suspicious, and hypocritical.

Augustus, not relishing the changes in his character, sent him to
Rhodes, where he lived seven years in retirement. Through his mother's
influence, however, he was recalled in 2 A. D., and was afterwards
appointed the Emperor's successor. He ascended the throne at the
age of fifty-six. A silent man, "all his feelings, desires, and
ambitions were locked behind an impenetrable barrier." He is said but
once to have taken counsel with his officers. He was a master of
dissimulation, and on this account an object of dislike and suspicion.
But until his later years, his intellect was clear and far-seeing,
penetrating all disguises.

Throughout his reign Tiberius strove to do his duty to the Empire at
large, and maintained with great care the constitutional forms which
had been established by Augustus. Only two changes of importance were
made. First, the IMPERIAL GUARD, hitherto seen in the city only in
small bodies, was permanently encamped in full force close to the
walls. By this course the danger of riots was much lessened. Secondly,
the old COMITIAS were practically abolished. But the Senate was
treated with great deference.

Tiberius expended great care on the provinces. His favorite maxim was,
that a good shepherd should shear, and not flay, his sheep. Soldiers,
governors, and officials of all kinds were kept in a wholesome dread
of punishment, if they oppressed those under them. Strict economy in