Claudian (iii. Cons. Stilich. 99-119) describes their trial (tremuit quos Africa nuper, cernunt rostra reos), and applauds the restoration of the ancient constitution. It is here that he introduces the famous sentence so familiar to the friends of despotism:
___Nunquam libertas gratior exstat
Quam sub rege pio.__
But the freedom which depends on royal piety scarcely deserves that appellation.