[11] Freedman. The institution of slavery (servitium) which existed from ancient times, was an extremely important factor in the organization of Roman society. The slaves (servi) were the absolute property of their masters, who had unlimited control over their destinies and lives. (This right was not withdrawn until A.D. 61, when the law of Petronius prohibited the arbitrary condemnation of slaves to combats with wild beasts, etc.) The slave could then be released by the so-called manumissio, and was styled libertus or libertinus. His position depended upon the greater or less degree of formality with which the manumissio was granted. The most solemn manner bestowed all the rights of the free-born citizen, but even in this case he was socially burdened with the same stigma that rests upon the emancipated slaves in the United States. If a freedman attained power and influence—which under the emperors was very common—the haughty representatives of the ancient noble families paid him external respect, it is true, but the man’s origin was never forgotten.
[12] Trajectum. A Batavian city in the Roman province Germania, now Utrecht.
[13] Gades. A city in southern Spain, the modern Cadiz.
[14] Panormus. A city on the north coast of Sicily, the modern Palermo.
[15] Corybas. In the plural Corybantes; priests of Cybele. Their worship was a wild orgy with war-dances and noisy music. (Horace, Od. I, 16, 8: non acuta si geminant Corybantes aera, etc.)
[16] Ostia. The port of Rome, situated at the mouth of the Tiber.
[17] Massilia. An important city founded by the Greeks on the southern coast of Gaul, now called Marseilles.
[18] Rugii. A German race occupying a considerable part of the coast of the Baltic—the present Pomerania and island of Rügen.
[19] Frisii. A German race settled in the northern part of what is now Holland and farther east beyond Ems (Amisia).
[20] Breakfast. The first meal after rising was called jentaculum. In the time of the republic (and still later among the poorer classes) it consisted principally of pulse. Among the wealthy luxury intruded even here; but in comparison with the second breakfast (prandium) and especially with the principal repast (coena) the jentaculum always remained frugal.