Hellenistic kings assumed divine aspects, as the masses fell to their knees in their presence; soon enough, these kings began to have such a low opinion of man, they didn't bother fooling the masses with displays of divine attributes, rather exterting brute power.
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This contempt for humanity, which we find throughout Greek thought and at last applied here, is the reason why noble Romans seemed more impressive in their exterior; being still young, they thought highly of themselves and of mankind at large, thence the pride for ruling it.
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Greek kings didn't think the subjection of countless millions of men was something impressive, as it seemed like their natural state. Tacitus is infuriated by this mindset he finds in Tiberius, whom, enslaving Rome, is full of contempt for the slaves he created.
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The grandeur & cold distance which we find in the Roman nobility results from its late appearance on the international political stage as well as its constant interior struggles against popular elements. An old noble like Tiberius, accustomed to power, only had disdain left.
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