Greek and Roman
The Vegetarian King of the World
“Often, moreover, even if there was no religious reason, he dined happily on green vegetables and beans, without meat.” […]
4th Century AD
Greek and Roman
Petty Complaints About the King of the World
“While he was affable in conversation, in reality he was ungenerous and almost mean – to the extent of serving half-portions of lettuce and artichoke at banquets while a private citizen.” […]
Greek and Roman
Omens Are Everywhere
“Another time, when he was sleeping in a tavern, a snake wound itself round his head, and when his friends were alarmed and shouted out, the creature went away without harming him.” […]
Greek and Roman
An Emperor and Gladiator
“For such things as these, to be sure, he was strong enough, but otherwise he was weak and feeble, even having something wrong with him in the groin, which stuck out so much that the Roman people could detect the swelling through his silk clothing. Many verses were written on this subject. ” […]
Greek and Roman
O, That This Too Solid Flesh Would Melt
” After making his will he did in fact attempt to kill himself again; when the dagger was taken from him he became more violent. He sought poison from a doctor, who killed himself to avoid giving it.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Emperor’s Infinite Forgiveness
‘ You yourself know what your grandfather Hadrian said: “The lot of emperors is wretched, for they cannot be believed in cases of attempted usurpation – unless they have been killed!”’ […]
Greek and Roman
To Fool an Emperor
“Hence the following story has also become well known: when he had refused a request to a certain gray-haired man, and the same man petitioned again, but with dyed hair.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Emperor’s No-Good Step-Brother
“He also used to thrown the largest coins into cookshops and smash the cups with them.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Emperor in the Bath
“But on another day when several old men were rubbing themselves on the wall to arouse the emperor’s generosity, he ordered them to be called out and to rub each other down in turn.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Emperor and the Academics
“You don’t give me good advice, my friends,” said Favorinus, “when you don’t allow me to believe the man who possesses 30 legions to be more learned than anyone else!” […]