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Notes Display Latin text | Vitellius, Chapter 12: Vitellius emperor[AD 69] | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
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Beginning in this way, he regulated the greater part of his rule wholly according to the advice and whims of the commonest of actors and chariot drivers, and in particular of his freedman Asiaticus. This fellow had immoral relations with Vitellius in his youth, but later grew weary of him and ran away. When Vitellius came upon him selling posca [A drink made of sour wine or vinegar mixed with water] at Puteoli, he put him in irons, but at once freed him again and made him his favorite. His vexation was renewed by the man's excessive insolence and thievishness, and he sold him to an itinerant keeper of gladiators. When, however, he was once reserved for the end of a gladiatorial show, Vitellius suddenly spirited him away, and finally on getting his province set him free. On the first day of his reign he presented him with the golden ring at a banquet, although in the morning, when there was a general demand that Asiaticus be given that honor, he had deprecated in the strongest terms such a blot on the equestrian order. Event: Vitellius emperor |