Res Gestae

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.)

Then, when Mamertinus gave games in the Circus and the slaves that were to be manumitted were led in by the assistant master of ceremonies,[*](The consuls on entering office gave games lasting three days, and usually freed some slaves in the presence of the people.) the emperor himself,