Nero | Page 9

in a purple tunic, and a cloak
embroidered with golden stars, having on his head the crown won at
Olympia, and in his right hand that which was given him at the Parthian
games: the rest being carried in a procession before him, with
inscriptions denoting the places where they had been won, from whom,
and in what plays or musical performances; whilst a train followed him
with loud acclamations, crying out, that "they (355) were the emperor's
attendants, and the soldiers of his triumph." Having then caused an arch
of the Circus Maximus [588] to be taken down, he passed through the
breach, as also through the Velabrum [589] and the forum, to the
Palatine hill and the temple of Apollo. Everywhere as he marched
along, victims were slain, whilst the streets were strewed with saffron,
and birds, chaplets, and sweetmeats scattered abroad. He suspended the
sacred crowns in his chamber, about his beds, and caused statues of
himself to be erected in the attire of a harper, and had his likeness
stamped upon the coin in the same dress. After this period, he was so
far from abating any thing of his application to music, that, for the

preservation of his voice, he never addressed the soldiers but by
messages, or with some person to deliver his speeches for him, when he
thought fit to make his appearance amongst them. Nor did he ever do
any thing either in jest or earnest, without a voice-master standing by
him to caution him against overstraining his vocal organs, and to apply
a handkerchief to his mouth when he did. He offered his friendship, or
avowed (356) open enmity to many, according as they were lavish or
sparing in giving him their applause.
XXVI. Petulancy, lewdness, luxury, avarice, and cruelty, he practised
at first with reserve and in private, as if prompted to them only by the
folly of youth; but, even then, the world was of opinion that they were
the faults of his nature, and not of his age. After it was dark, he used to
enter the taverns disguised in a cap or a wig, and ramble about the
streets in sport, which was not void of mischief. He used to beat those
he met coming home from supper; and, if they made any resistance,
would wound them, and throw them into the common sewer. He broke
open and robbed shops; establishing an auction at home for selling his
booty. In the scuffles which took place on those occasions, he often ran
the hazard of losing his eyes, and even his life; being beaten almost to
death by a senator, for handling his wife indecently. After this
adventure, he never again ventured abroad at that time of night, without
some tribunes following him at a little distance. In the day-time he
would be carried to the theatre incognito in a litter, placing himself
upon the upper part of the proscenium, where he not only witnessed the
quarrels which arose on account of the performances, but also
encouraged them. When they came to blows, and stones and pieces of
broken benches began to fly about, he threw them plentifully amongst
the people, and once even broke a praetor's head.
XXVII. His vices gaining strength by degrees, he laid aside his jocular
amusements, and all disguise; breaking out into enormous crimes,
without the least attempt to conceal them. His revels were prolonged
from mid- day to midnight, while he was frequently refreshed by warm
baths, and, in the summer time, by such as were cooled with snow. He
often supped in public, in the Naumachia, with the sluices shut, or in
the Campus Martius, or the Circus Maximus, being waited upon at

table by common prostitutes of the town, and Syrian strumpets and
glee-girls. As often as he went down the Tiber to Ostia, or coasted
through the gulf of Baiae, booths furnished as brothels and
eating-houses, were erected along the shore and river banks; before
which stood matrons, who, like bawds and hostesses, allured him to
land. It was also his custom to invite (357) himself to supper with his
friends; at one of which was expended no less than four millions of
sesterces in chaplets, and at another something more in roses.
XXVIII. Besides the abuse of free-born lads, and the debauch of
married women, he committed a rape upon Rubria, a Vestal Virgin. He
was upon the point of marrying Acte [590], his freedwoman, having
suborned some men of consular rank to swear that she was of royal
descent. He gelded the boy Sporus, and endeavoured to transform him
into a woman. He even went so far as to marry him, with all the usual
formalities of a marriage settlement, the rose-coloured nuptial veil, and
a numerous company at