Res Gestae

After they had crossed, orders were given to the captains of ships going to or coming from that port not to dare to give an Egyptian passage; and since that order was strictly observed, this obstinate attempt at blackmail vanished, and they all returned to their homes, disappointed in the hopes that they had entertained.

Thereupon a law was passed, as if at the proposal of Justice herself, which provided that no advocate at court should be troubled about payments which it was recognised that he had justly received.[*](For his services; these advocates were influential men at court, who appeared for men of humble rank when they brought petitions before the emperor. Evidently they were sometimes paid for their services. Julian’s law is to be found in Cod. Theod. ii. tit. 29.)

And so the first of January came, when the consular annals took on the names of Mamertinus and Nevitta; and the emperor showed himself especially condescending by going on foot to their inauguration in company with other high officials, an action which some commended but others criticised as affected and cheap.[*](It was, however, usual; cf. Spart., Hadr. ix. 7, praetorum et consulum official frequentavit; Claud. in Eutrop. i. 308; Ansonius, Prec. Consulis (Edyll. viii.), 34.)