The emperor's speech was followed by a decree of the Senate, and
the Aedui were the first to obtain the right of becoming senators at Rome.
This compliment was paid to their ancient alliance, and to the fact that
they alone of the Gauls cling to the name of brothers of the Roman
people.
About the same time the emperor enrolled in the ranks of the patricians
such senators as were of the oldest families, and such as had had distinguished
ancestors. There were now but scanty relics of |