ABSTRACT
The Julian dynasty died out with the Emperor Gaius. It was a bitter mockery on the part of history to bring this illustrious house to an end with such a worthless person. When Tiberius died there had still been two men waiting in the wings to succeed; now there was no one. Understandably, Gaius had made no provision for the succession. Nor, however, did the conspirators have any plan in this regard. This is suggested by the declaration of Valerius Asiaticus in the Senate: he regretted that he had known nothing of the conspiracy.559 The political establishment, assembled at the court theatre, initially took the news to be some ruse by the Emperor. A silence fell over them, and then they dispersed. The German bodyguard avenged the murder by slaying some innocent senators near the body of the Emperor.560 Cassius Chaerea and Cornelius Sabinus were not senators, only equestrians; perhaps they were counting on pro-Republican sentiment. They placed themselves at the disposal of the consuls Gnaeus Sentius Saturninus and Pomponius Secundus. This was the proper thing to do. The entire Senate decided [MH.I, 169] in principle for a restoration of the Republic. The officers involved in the conspiracy were favourably received and likened to Brutus and Cassius, and libertas proclaimed as the watchword for the guardsmen. There was sporadic talk, however, of the Senate electing an Emperor. At first the Senate was in control of the situation.561 The Praetorian guard was utterly demoralized; there was a lack of leadership. No one thought of the Praetorian Prefects. Instinct told the soldiers that if the Republic were restored the Praetorian guard would be abolished. This was instantly clear to everyone. It is striking that not one soldier was in league with the assassins. Storming the palace, the Guard at least managed to discover a prince of sorts for the succession.562
