Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/537

TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 529 confessed, that be had done, without scruple, whatever Tiberius bade him. " What," replied Nasica, " then if Tiberius had bidden you burn the capitol, would you have burnt it?" His first answer was, that Tiberius never would have ordered any such thing ; but being pressed with the same question by several others, he declared, "If Tiberius had commanded it, it would have been right for me to do it ; for he never would have commanded it, if it had not been for the people's good." Blossius at this time was pardoned, and afterwards went away to Aristo- nicus in Asia, and when Aristonicus was overthrown and ruined, killed himself. The senate, to soothe the people after these transactions, did not oppose the division of the public lands, and per- mitted them to choose another commissioner in the room of Tiberius. So they elected Publius Crassus, who was Gracchus's near connection, as his daughter Licinia was married to Caius Gracchus ; although Cornelius Nepos says, that it was not Crassus's daughter whom Caius mar- ried, but Brutus's, who triumphed for his victories over the Lusitanians; but most writers state it as we have done. The people, however, showed evident marks of their anger at Tiberius's death ; and were clearly waiting- only for the opportunity to be revenged, and Nasica was already threatened with an impeachment. The senate, therefore, fearing lest some mischief should befall him, sent him ambassador into Asia, though there was no occa- sion for his going thither. For the people did not conceal their indignation, even in the open streets, but railed at him, whenever they met him abroad, calling him a mur- derer and a tyrant, one who had polluted the most holy and religious spot in Home with the blood of a sacred and inviolable magistrate. And so Nasica left Italy, although he was bound, being the chief priest, to officiate in all principal sacrifices. Thus wandering wretchedly and vol. iv. 34