He
strengthened the hitherto moderate powers of his office by concentrating the
cohorts scattered throughout the capital into one camp, so that they might
all receive orders
SEJANUS' POSITION AND
AMBITIONS |
at the same moment, and that the sight of their numbers and
strength might give confidence to themselves, while it would strike terror
into the citizens. His pretexts were the demoralisation incident to a
dispersed soldiery, the greater effectiveness of simultaneous action in the
event of a sudden peril, and the stricter discipline which would be insured
by the establishment of an encampment at a distance from the temptations of
the city. As soon as the camp was completed, he crept gradually into the
affections of the soldiers by mixing with them and addressing them by name,
himself selecting the centurions and tribunes. With the Senate too he sought
to ingratiate himself, distinguishing his partisans with offices and
provinces, Tiberius readily yielding, and being so biassed that not only in
private conversation but before the senators and the people he spoke highly
of him as the partner of his toils, and allowed his statues to be honoured
in theatres, in forums, and at the head-quarters of our legions.