CHAPTER VI.

The house of Titus Claudius Mucianus, the high-priest of Jupiter,

stood at no great distance from the precipitous Capitoline Hill,[125]

looking over the Forum Romanum[126] and the Sacred Way.[127] Simple and

yet magnificent, it showed in every detail the stamp of that quiet,

self-sufficing and confident wealth, that ease of distinction, which is

so unattainable to the _parvenu_.

It was now October. The sun was just appearing above the horizon.

There was a motley turmoil in the house of the Flamen; the vast atrium

positively swarmed with men. Most of these were professional morning

visitors--waiters in the ante-chamber--known also from the gala dress

in which they were expected to appear, as “Toga-wearers;” the poor

relations of the house, clients and protégés.[128] Still, there were

among them not a few persons of distinction, members of the senate

and upper-class, court officials and magistrates. It was a scene of

indescribable variety and bustle. The world of Rome in miniature.

Petitioners from every point of the compass eagerly watched the slaves,

on whom their admission depended. Rich farmers, who desired to bring

a private offering to Jupiter Capitolinus, sat open-mouthed on the

cushioned marble seats, gaping at the handsomely-dressed servants

or the splendid wall-paintings and statues. Young knights from the

provinces, whose ambition it was to be Tribune of a legion,[129] or

to obtain some other honorable appointment, and who hoped for the

high-priest’s protection, gazed with deep admiration at the endless

series of ancestral images[130] in wax, which adorned the hall in

shrines of ebony.

And in fact these portraits were well worthy of study, for they were

an epitome of a portion of the history of the world. Those stern,

inexorable features were those of Appius Claudius Sabinus, who,

as consul, wreaked such fearful justice on his troops. Beside him

stood his brother, the haughty patrician, Caius Claudius, knitting

his thick brows--an embodiment of the protest of the nobles against

the rights contended for by the popular party. There was the keen,

eagle face of the infamous Decemvir, the persecutor of Virginia--a

villain, but a daring and imperious villain.--Claudius Crassus, the

cruel, resolute foe of the plebeians--Appius Claudius Caecus, who made

the Appian Way--Claudius Pulcher, the witty sceptic, who flung the

sacred fowls into the sea because they warned him of evil--Claudius

Cento, the conqueror of Chalcis--Claudius Caesar, and a hundred other

world-renowned names of old and modern times.... What an endless

chain! And just as they now looked down, head beyond head from their

frames, they had been, all without exception, stiff-necked contemners

of the people, and staunch defenders of their senatorial privileges.

A splendid, defiant and famous race! Even the tattooed native of

Britain,[131] who came to offer fine amber chains[132] and broken

rings of gold,[133] was sensible of an atmosphere of historic greatness.

One after another--the humbler folks in parties together--the visitors

were led from the atrium into the carpeted reception-room, where

the master of the house stood to welcome them in robes of dazzling

whiteness[134] and wearing his priestly head-gear.[135] He had already

dismissed a considerable number of important personages, when a

tall officer, stout almost to clumsiness, was announced and at once

admitted, interrupting as he did the strict order of succession. This

was no less a person than Clodianus, the adjutant of Caesar himself.

He came in noisily, embraced and kissed the priest and then, glancing

round at the slaves, asked if he might be allowed a few words with

Titus Claudius in private. The priest gave a sign; the slaves withdrew

into a side room.

“There is no end to it all!” cried Clodianus, throwing himself into a

large arm-chair. “Every day brings some fresh annoyance!”

“What am I to hear now?” sighed the high-priest.

“Oh! this time it has nothing to do with the outbreak among the

Nazarenes and all the troubles of these last weeks. We can detect here

and there extraordinary symptoms, and fabulous rumors ... for instance

... but, your word of honor that you will be silent...!”

“Can you doubt it?”

“Well, for instance, it sounds incredible ... but Parthenius[136]

brought it all from Lycoris the fair Gaul.... It is said that this

Nazarene craze has seized the very highest personages.... They even

name....”

He stopped and looked round the room, as if he feared to be overheard.

“Well?” said the high-priest.

“They name Titus Flavius Clemens,[137] the Consul....”

“Folly! a relation of Caesar’s. The man who spreads such a report

should be found out and brought to condign punishment....”

“Folly! that is what I said too! Infernal nonsense. Still the story is

characteristic, and proves what the people conceive of as possible....”

“Patience, patience, noble Clodianus! Things will alter as winter

approaches. The wildest torrent may be dammed up. But we are

digressing--what new annoyance?”

“Ah! to be sure,” interrupted Clodianus. “Then nothing of it has

reached your ears?”

“No one has mentioned anything to me.”

“They dare not.”

“And why?”

“Because your views are well known. They know that you hate the

populace--and the populace yesterday achieved a triumph.”

“And in what way?” asked Claudius frowning.

“In the circus.[138] I can tell you, my respected friend, it was a

frightful scandal, a real storm in miniature! Caesar turned pale--nay

he trembled.”

“Trembled!” cried Claudius indignantly.

“With rage of course,” said Clodianus in palliation. “The thing

occurred thus. One of the charioteers[139] of the new party--those

that wear purple--drove so magnificently, that Caesar was almost

beside himself with delight. By Epona, the tutelary goddess of

horses![140] but the fellow drove four horses that cannot be matched

in the whole world. Incitatus,[141] old Caligula’s charger, was an ass

in comparison, and the names of those splendid steeds are in every

one’s mouth to-day like a proverb: Andraemon, Adsertor, Vastator and

Passerinus[142]--you hear them in every market and alley; our poets

might almost be envious. And the charioteer too, a free Greek in the

service of Parthenius the head chamberlain, is a splendid fellow. He

stood in his quadriga[143] like Ares rushing into battle. In short it

was a stupendous sight, and then he was so far ahead of the rest--I

tell you, no one has won by so great a length since Rome was a city.

Scorpus[144] is the rascal’s name. Every one was fairly carried

away. Caesar, the senators, the knights--all clapped till their

hands were sore. Even strangers, the watery-eyed Sarmatians[145] and

Hyperboreans[146] shouted with delight.”

“Well?” asked Titus Claudius, as the narrator paused.

“To be sure--the chief point. Well, it was known that Caesar would

himself grant the winner some personal favor, and every one gazed at

the imperial tribune in the greatest excitement. Caesar ordered the

herald to command silence. ‘Scorpus,’ said he, when the uproar was

lulled, ‘you have covered yourself with glory. Ask a favor of me,’ and

Scorpus bowed his head and demanded in a firm voice, that Domitian

should be reconciled to his wife.”

“Audacious!” cried Titus Claudius wrathfully.

“There is better still to come. Hardly had the charioteer spoken, when

a thousand voices shouted from every bench: ‘Dost thou hear, oh Caesar?

Leave thy intrigue with Julia![147] We want Domitia!’ There was quite a

tumult,[148] a scandalous scene that defies description.”

“But what do the people mean? What has so suddenly brought them to make

this demand?”

“Oh!” said Clodianus, “I see through the farce. The whole thing is

merely a trick on the part of Stephanus, Domitia’s steward. That sly

fox wants to regain for his mistress her lost influence. Of course

he bribed Scorpus, and the gods alone know how many hundred thousand

sesterces the game must have cost him. The spectators’ seats were

filled on all sides with bribed wretches, and even among the better

classes I saw some who looked to me suspicious.”

“This is bad news,” interrupted the high-priest. “And what answer did

Domitian give the people?”

“I am almost afraid to tell you of his decision.”

“His decision could not be doubtful, I should suppose. By giving

Scorpus leave to ask what he would, he pledged himself to grant his

prayer. But how did he punish the howling mob that stormed around him?

I too regret our sovereign’s connection with his niece, but what gives

the populace the right to interfere in such matters?”

“You know,” replied the other, “how tenderly these theatre and circus

demonstrations have always been dealt with. Domitian, too, thought it

prudent to smother his just anger and to show clemency. When the herald

had once more restored order, Caesar said in a loud voice: ‘Granted,’

and left his seat. But he was deeply vexed, noble Claudius.”

“Well and then?” asked the Flamen in anxious suspense.

“Well, the matter is so far carried out, that in the secretary’s[149]

room to-day an imperial decree was drawn up, calling upon Domitia[150]

to return to her rooms on the Palatine, and granting her pardon for all

past offences.”

“And Julia?”

“By Hercules!” laughed Clodianus. “With regard to Julia, Caesar made no

promises.”[151]

“Then I greatly fear, that this reconciliation will only prove the germ

of farther complications.”

“Very possibly. It has been the source of annoyance enough to me

personally. Caesar is in the worst of humors. Do what you can to soothe

him, noble Claudius. We all suffer under it....”

“I will do all I can,” said the priest with a sigh. Clodianus noisily

pushed back his chair. “Domitian is waiting for me,” he said as he

jumped up. “Farewell, my illustrious friend. What times we live in

now! How different things were only three or four years ago!”

Claudius escorted him to the door with cool formality. The slaves and

freedmen now came back again into the room, and ranged themselves

silently in the background, and the “_nomenclator_,” the “namer,” whose

duty it was to introduce unknown visitors, came at once to Claudius and

said hesitatingly:

“My lord, your son Quintus is waiting in the atrium and craves to be

admitted.”

A shade of vexation clouded the high-priest’s brow.

“My son must wait,” he said decisively; “Quintus knows full well, that

these morning hours belong neither to myself nor to my family.”

And Quintus, the proud, spoilt and wilful Quintus, was forced to have

patience. The Flamen went on calmly receiving his numerous friends,

clients and petitioners, who retired from his presence cheerful or

hanging their heads, according as they had met with a favorable or

an unfavorable reception. Not till the last had vanished was his son

admitted to see him.

Quintus had meanwhile conquered his annoyance at the delay he had

been compelled to brook, and offered his father his hand with an

affectionate gesture; but Titus Claudius took no notice of his son’s

advances.

“You are unusually early,” he observed in icy tones, “or perhaps you

are but just returning from some cheerful entertainment--so-called.”

“That is the case,” replied Quintus coolly. “I have been at the house

of Lucius Norbanus, the prefect of the body-guard. The noble Aurelius

was also there,” he added with an ironical smile. “Our excellent friend

Aurelius.”

“Do you think to excuse yourself by casting reflections on another?

If Aurelius shares your dissipation once or twice a month, I have no

objections to raise--I have no wish to deny the right of youth to its

pleasures. But you, my son, have made a rule of what ought to be the

exception. Since your return from Baiae, you have led a life which is a

disgrace alike to yourself and to me.”

Quintus looked at the floor. His respect and his defiant temper were

evidently fighting a hard battle.

“You paint it too black, father,” he said at last, in a trembling

voice. “I enjoy my life--perhaps too wildly; but I do nothing that can

disgrace you or myself. Your words are too hard, father.”

“Well then, I will allow that much; but you, on your part, must allow

that the son of the high-priest is to be measured by another standard

than the other youths of your own rank.”

“It might be so, if I lived under the same roof with you. But since I

am independent and master of my own fortune....”

“Aye, and that is your misfortune,” the priest interrupted. “Enough,

you know my opinion. However, that which caused me to require your

presence here to-day, was not your course of life in general. A

particular instance of incredible folly has come to my ears; you are

playing a wicked and dangerous game, and I sent for you to warn you.”

“Indeed, father, you excite my curiosity.”

“Your curiosity shall at once be satisfied. Is it true that you have

been so rash, so audacious, as to address love-songs to Polyhymnia, the

Vestal maiden?”[152]

Quintus bit his lip.

“Yes,” he said, “and no. Yes, if you consider the superscription of the

verses. No, if you imagine that the poem ever reached her hands.”

The priest paced the room with wide strides.

“Quintus,” he said suddenly: “Do you know what punishment is inflicted

on the wretch, who tempts a Vestal virgin to break her vows?”

“I do.”

“You know it!” said the priest with a groan.

“But father,” said Quintus eagerly: “You are branding a jest as a

crime. In a merry mood, inspired by wine, I composed a poem in the

style of Catullus, and to complete the audacity of it, instead of the

name of Lycoris, I placed at the beginning that of our highly-revered

Polyhymnia. And now report says--Pah! it is ridiculous! I grant you it

was impudent, unbecoming, in the very worst taste if you will, but not

calumny itself can say worse of it than that.”

“Well, it certainly sounds less scandalous from that point of view.

Quintus, I warn you. Now, if at any time, be on your guard against

any deed, any expression, which may be construed as an insult to the

religion of the state! Do not trust too much to the influence of my

position or of my individuality. The law is mightier than the will

of any one man. When what we are now planning takes form and life,

severity, inexorable as iron, will decide in all such questions.

That reckless jest sprang from a mind, which no longer holds dear

the eternal truths of religion. Beware, Quintus, and conceal this

indifference; do not come forward as a contemner of the gods. Once more

I warn you.”

“Father....”

“Go now, my son, and ponder on what I have said.”

Quintus bowed and kissed the stern man’s hand. Then he left the room

with a quick, firm step, and a look of devoted love, of passionate

paternal pride followed him as he crossed the room, so tall, lovely and

handsome.

FOOTNOTES:

[125] THE CAPITOLINE HILL. _Mons Capitolinus_, north of the Palatine

and southwest of the Quirinal. Tarquinius Priscus erected

on its summit the Capitolium, that is the temple of Jupiter

Optimus Maximus, Juno and Minerva.

[126] FORUM ROMANUM. The Roman forum par excellence, at the foot of

the Capitoline and Palatine Hills, was the centre of public

life even in the days of the republic.

[127] THE SACRED WAY (_Sacra Via_) divided the real _Sacra Via_,

which led from the Capitol to the Arch of Titus, and the

_Summa Sacra Via_ (the upper sacred street) that extended from

the Arch of Titus to the Flavian Amphitheatre. Hor. _Sat._ I,

9 (_Ibam forte Via Sacra, sicut meus est mos._) It was the

most frequented street in Rome. The ancient pavement exists

at the present day. “Via” was the name of the large principal

streets, as it still is at the present time in Italy.

[128] CLIENTS AND PROTÉGÉS. These were the clients mentioned in note

99. Juvenal (_Sat._ 5) and especially Martial, in various

passages, speak of their pitiable situation, the contempt in

which they were held and the ill-treatment they had to endure

even from their patrons’ slaves. (See Friedlander I, 247 to

252.) The usual visiting-hour was just after sunrise.

[129] TRIBUNE OF A LEGION. Augustus appointed the so-called

_legati_ or _praefecti legionum_ commanders of the legions.

The _legatus_ thus corresponded with our colonel. The next

in rank to the _legati_ were the tribunes (corresponding to

our majors) who, however, with special qualifications, might

undertake the command of a legion. Usually the tribunes did

not have the reputation of possessing remarkable military

ability, as the sons of the knights and senators began their

military career with this dignity. According to their age

and experience, the tribunes were second lieutenants. The

men next in rank to the tribunes were the centurions, the

really experienced officers, who were held in high esteem

on account of their superior knowledge. At the time of our

story the pressure of the young men for tribuneships was so

extraordinary, that the places actually at disposal were not

nearly sufficient to supply the demand. The Emperor Claudius

had therefore created supernumerary tribuneships (_supra

numerum, imaginariae militiae genus._ Suet. _Claud._ 25) a

brevet-rank, which without claiming the performance of any

duty, flattered the vanity.

[130] ANCESTRAL IMAGES. Statues of ancestors, modelled in wax

(_imagines majorum_) formed one of the principal ornaments of

the atrium in the houses of aristocratic Romans. The ancestors

here mentioned of our (imaginary) Titus Claudius Mucianus are

all historical characters.

[131] TATTOOED NATIVE OF BRITAIN. The original Celtic inhabitants of

England. For the impression made by Roman magnificence on the

British chieftain Caractacus, see Dio Cass. LX, 33.

[132] AMBER CHAINS. Amber (_Electrum_) was greatly admired by the

Romans for necklaces, rings and bracelets, until its value

decreased by over-importation. It was chiefly brought from the

shores of the Baltic.

[133] BROKEN RINGS OF GOLD. The priest of Jupiter was only permitted

to wear broken rings of gold, as closed ones were the symbols

of captivity.

[134] ROBES OF DAZZLING WHITENESS. The white toga was the invariable

gala dress worn at all ceremonious receptions, even by the

emperors. Great indignation was felt against Nero, because

once, when the senate paid him a visit, he wore only a

flowered toga.

[135] PRIESTLY HEAD-GEAR. The Flamines were forbidden to go

bare-headed. They always wore a hat (_apex_) or a sort of

fillet.

[136] PARTHENIUS. This historical personage was a man of conspicuous

importance at the court of Domitian, and mentioned by many

authors, particularly in Martial’s epigrams. He was _cubiculo

praepositus_, (πρόκεντος in Dio Cass.) groom of the bed-chamber

or high chamberlain, and a particular favorite with Caesar. His

companion in office Sigerus or Sigerius, his inferior in rank,

power and influence, will not be again mentioned in this story.

[137] TITUS FLAVIUS CLEMENS. A cousin of the emperor, was consul

A.D. 95 with Domitian, (who conferred this dignity upon him

seventeen times). Concerning his conversion to Christianity

see Dio Cass. LXVII, 14, as well as Suet. _Dom._ 15.

[138] IN THE CIRCUS. The Circus Maximus, between the Aventine and

Palatine Hills, was the principal place for the horse and

chariot races, and in Domitian’s time accommodated about a

quarter of a million spectators.

[139] CHARIOTEERS. As the givers of entertainments could rarely

furnish men and horses enough of their own for the games in

the circus, companies of capitalists and owners of larger

families of slaves and studs, undertook to supply them. As

there were usually four chariots in each race, there were

four such companies, each of which furnished a chariot for

each race, and as the chariots and drivers had colors to

distinguish them, each adopted one of these colors, hence they

were called factions or parties. (Friedlander, II, 192.) The

colors of these four parties were white, red, green and blue.

Domitian added two new ones, gold and purple. Like so many of

Domitian’s institutions, this circus innovation passed without

leaving any trace, but the original parties, especially the

green and the blue, lasted for centuries. The whole population

of Rome, and afterwards that of Constantinople, divided into

different parties, each of which sided with one of these

circus factions. The eager, even passionate interest with

which this was done, finds a feeble analogy at the present day

in some phases of English and American popular life.

[140] BY EPONA, THE TUTELARY GODDESS OF HORSES! Epona (from

_epus-equus_, the horse) was the protecting deity of the

horse, mule and donkey. (Juv. _Sat._ VIII, 157.) Stables,

etc., were adorned with her statue. Roman sportsmen swore by

the goddess of horses. (See Juv. _Sat._ VIII, 156: _jurat

solam Eponam_.)

[141] INCITATUS, the swift--_equo incitato_--in a stretching

gallop--a famous favorite horse of the emperor Caligula.

(Suet. _Cal._ 55.) The emperor built this animal a palace,

gave orders that it should feed from an ivory manger, and

be attended by slaves clad in rich garments. When it was

to appear in the circus, all noise in its neighborhood was

prohibited during the whole of the preceding day, that the

noble creature’s rest should not be disturbed. Caligula is

said to have intended to make his Incitatus consul.

[142] ANDRAEMON, ADSERTOR, VASTATOR AND PASSERINUS. Names of horses

frequently mentioned during the reign of the Roman emperors.

Andraemon often won the race in Domitian’s time. Monuments

with the portrait of this racer have come down to us.

[143] QUADRIGA. A carriage in front of which four horses were

fastened abreast. The racing quadrigae were exactly like the

old Homeric chariot--being provided with a breast-work in

front while open in the rear.

[144] SCORPUS. A famous chariot-driver in Domitian’s time, see the

epitaph Martial composed for him. (Martial _Ep._ X, 53.)

“I am that Scorpus, glory of the race

Rome’s admired joy, but joy for a short space,

Among the dead Fates early me enroll’d,

Numb’ring my conquests, they did think me old.”

ANON, 1695.

That the name of Scorpus was on every lip appears from another

passage in Martial _Ep._ XI, 1, which runs as follows:

“Nor will your follies by those few

Be told; but when their stories flag

Of some new bet or running nag.”

HAY.

where the Incitatus to whom reference is made is not

Caligula’s horse, already mentioned, but a racer named for it.

[145] SARMATIANS. A people in what is now Poland and Tartary. (See

Mart. _Spect._ 3.)

[146] HYPERBOREANS. People who lived above Boreas, fabulous folk

dwelling in the extreme north; also Northmen in general. For

instance Martial includes among the Hyperboreans, the Chatti

(Hessen) and Dacians, inhabitants of eastern Hungary.

[147] JULIA. The daughter of the Emperor Titus, with whom Domitian

for a long time had unlawful relations. Dio Cass. LXVII, 3.

Suet _Dom._ 22.

[148] A TUMULT. Many things are related about such tumults. They

were partly impromptu, partly carefully prepared. A striking

instance of the latter style is told by Dio Cassius (LXXII,

13) where a cunningly-planned circus-riot causes the fall of

the hated lord high-chamberlain Cleander. This omnipotent

favorite of the Emperor Commodus had enraged the people by

a series of the boldest frauds, during a period of great

scarcity. Just as the horses were starting for the seventh

race a throng of boys, led by a tall, formidable looking

woman, rushed into the arena. The children loaded Cleander

with the fiercest curses, the people joined them, all rose

and rushed furiously towards the emperor’s Quintilian villa.

Commodus, a very cowardly man, was so terrified, that after a

short struggle he commanded Cleander and his little son to be

slain. The mob dragged the corpse of the chamberlain about in

triumph, mutilated it, and stuck the head on a pole as a sign

of victory.

[149] SECRETARY. The modern equivalent for the office of “_ab

epistulis_,” held under Domitian by the freedman Abascantus.

(Stat. Silv. V, 1.) At a later period--under Hadrian and

afterwards--such offices were held only by men of knightly

rank.

[150] CALLING UPON DOMITIA. We here follow a passage (somewhat

doubtful, it is true) of Dio Cassius (LXVII, 3) which states

that the emperor “_at the entreaties of the people_,” became

reconciled to his wife. Suetonius (_Dom._ 3) says, he only

_alleged_ such a desire on the part of the people, but really

received the empress again “because the separation from her

became unendurable.” For special reasons our story fixes the

time of this reconciliation in the year 95, while it actually

occurred some time earlier.

[151] WITH REGARD TO JULIA, CAESAR MADE NO PROMISES. See Dio Cass.

LXVII 3. He became reconciled, “but without giving up Julia.”

[152] VESTAL MAIDEN. Priestess of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth.

At first they were four, afterwards six. They were chosen

between the ages of six and ten, and were obliged to remain

in the service of the goddess thirty years, ten as novices,

ten as acting priestesses, and ten to instruct novices. Their

principal task was to keep the sacred fire alive. They were

vowed to chastity, and if they broke their vows were buried

alive in the _campus sceleratus_, while the seducer was

publicly flogged to death.