Martia was observed, in her lamentations and groans at his funeral, to
accuse herself as the sad cause of her husband's destruction. Whatever
truth was in all this, Tiberius was scarce entered Illyrium, but he was
hastily recalled by his mother's letters: nor is it fully known whether at
his return to Nola, he found Augustus yet breathing, or already
breathless. For Livia had carefully beset the palace, and all the avenues
to it, with detachments of the guards; and good news of his recovery were
from time to time given out. When she had taken all measures necessary in
so great a conjuncture, in one and the same moment was published the
departure of Augustus, and the accession of Tiberius.

The first feat of this new reign was the murder of young Agrippa: the
assassin, a bold and determined Centurion, found him destitute of arms,
and little apprehending such a destiny, yet was scarce able to despatch
him. Of this transaction Tiberius avoided any mention in the Senate: he
would have it pass for done by the commands of Augustus; as if he had
transmitted written orders to the Tribune, who guarded Agrippa, "to slay
him the instant he heard of his grandfather's decease." It is very true
that Augustus had made many and vehement complaints of the young man's
obstinate and unruly demeanour, and even solicited from the Senate a
decree to authorise his banishment: but he never hardened himself against
the sentiments of nature, nor in any instance dipped his hands in his own
blood; neither is it credible that he would barbarously sacrifice the life
of his grandson for the security and establishment of his step-son. More
probable it is, that this hasty murder was purely the work of Tiberius and
Livia; that the young Prince, hated and dreaded by both, fell thus
untimely, to rid the one of his apprehensions and a rival, and to satiate
in the other the rancorous spirit of a step-mother. When the Centurion,
according to the custom of the army, acquainted Tiberius, "that his
commands were executed;" he answered, "he had commanded no such execution,