The annales of Cornelius Tacitus. The description of Germanie

II. Vitellius oration for the marriage of the vncle and the neece. The marriage betweene Claudius and Agrippina. The death of Silanus.

C. Pompeius, and Q. Verannius being Consuls, the marriage was concluded betweene Claudius and Agrippina, and held as certaine in euery mans mouth through tokens of vnlawfull loues, though they durst not as yet celebrate the solemnities, hauing no precident that the brothers daughter should be brought into the vncles house as wife; for it was incest: and if not looked into, it was to be feared that it would turne to a publike mischiefe. Neither was that doubt out of Caesars head, vntill Vitellius by his drifts and sleights vndertooke the matter. And asking the Emperour whether he would yeeld to the commandemēt of the people, or authoritie of the Senate? and he answering that he was one of the citizens, and not able to withstand their agreement, Vitellius willed him not to stirre out of his pallace, but goeth himselfe to the Curia, and protesting that he had a matter to de∣bate which touched the welfare of the whole state, craueth licence to speake first, and began as followeth: That the heauie and great toiles of the Prince in gouer∣ning the whole world, wanted support; that being vnburdened of domesticall cares, he might the better prouide for the common good. And what honester solace of a Censors mind, then to take vnto him a wife, a companion in prosperous and doubt∣full fortune? vnto whom he might impart his inward thoughts, commit his small children; he especially not nuzled vp in riot and wanton lusts, but who had beene obedient to lawes from his first youth. After he had made this preamble with a glosing speech, and that it was accepted with great flattery of the Lords of the Se∣nate, he began anew and sayd. Seeing that all of them did exhort the Prince to marry, it was conuenient a wife were chosen for him, renowmed for her nobilitie, child-bearing, and honestie of life. Neither was it needefull to go farre for such a one, seeing Agrippina did excell the rest in noblenes of bloud; & had giuen a proofe of her fruitfulnes, and was indued with other honest qualities. That was a matter worthy remembrance, that by the prouidence of the gods, a widow should be ioy∣ned to a Prince, who had tried no matrimonie but his owne. They had heard of their forefathers, and seene themselues, mens wiues to haue beene taken by force at the will of the Emperour; a thing farre from the modestie of the present time: yea he should be a precident how hereafter the Emperour should take a wife. But it is a strange precident to marry our brothers daughters: but it is a vsuall matter among other nations, and by no law forbidden. And marriages betweene cosen germaines a long time not knowne, in progrosse of time grew common. A custome is to be ap∣plied

according as it is profitable and expedient: and this marriage likewise in time to come will be among things commonly practised. There wanted not some which protested, if Caesar would protract his resolution, they would force him to it, and so rusht who first might out of the Curia: and afterward by multitudes flocked toge∣ther, crying that the people of Rome desired the same. Claudius expected no longer, but went and met them at the Forum, and shewed himselfe to such as were glad thereof. And entering into the Senate, demaunded that a decree might be inacted, by which, marriage betweene the vncles and nieces, daughters to their brothers, should from thence forward be accompted iust and lawfull. Yet for all that onely one there hath beene, called Talledius Seuerus, a gentleman of Rome, who hath greatly desired to marry in that sort, whom most men thinke to haue done it to win Agrippinaes fauour. By that marriage all was turned vpside downe in the citie, and al men obeyed this woman; yet not as when Messallina abused the gouernment through licentiousnes: but as it were with as great and seuere subiection, as if they had beene vnder a man. Openly she shewed seueritie, and often pride; nothing done in her house dishonorably, vnlesse it were so expedient for the furthering of rule and gouernment: her exceeding greedines in raking of money had a cloake, which was the maintenance of the state. The day of the marriage Silanus killed him∣selfe, either because vntill that time he had hope of prolonging his life; or else chose that day to make the marriage more odious. Caluina his sister was expulsed Italie. Claudius added certaine sacrifices according to the lawes of King Tullus, and cer∣taine satisfactions by the chiefe priest in Dianaes wood, all men laughing Claudius to skorne, that punishment and purging sacrifices of incest should be sought at that time.