Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

RETURN FROM EXILE53granted proconsular authority outside the city, andthat the title of princeps jiiventutis, or prince ofthe youth, might be conferred upon him, to allwhich petitions Claudius was graciously pleasedto assent. The soldiers and people were at thesame time gratified with donatives.Britannicus meanwhile was the object of generalpity. He was thought a boy of much promise,though whether this opinion was well-founded, orwhether it was merely the result of the interestnaturally excited by his misfortunes, is a questionleft doubtful by the historian. He was neglectedby the Court, deprived of the most faithful of hisattendants, and surrounded by the creatures ofAgrippina. At the circus games held in honourof Nero's majority the people marked the contrastbetween that prince's splendid attire adornedwith the triumphal ornaments, and the humblepraetexta, or boy's dress, of Britannicus, and theheir to the Empire seemed to be indicated bythe distinction. The twelve-year-old child havingcontinued to call his brother Domitius instead ofNero after the adoption, this was made matterof grave complaint by Agrippina to Claudius, whothereupon removed his former tutors and substitutedfor them the stepmother's nominees.The most important step, however, taken byAgrippina in her son's interests was the reorganisationof the praetorian guard under a single chief.This force, to which the protection of the emperor'sperson was entrusted, was at that time underthe joint command of Geta and Crispinus— twoofficers who owed their commissions to Messalina,