[361] Berenice’s Hair. A constellation, so called from the glittering hair of Berenice, daughter of Magas of Cyrene. See Cat. 66.
[362] The senatorial purple. From ancient times the privilege of wearing a broad purple stripe upon the edge of the toga was one of the distinctions of the Roman senators. The second class (equites) among other prerogatives, possessed the right to wear a gold ring on the finger. But at a very early period abuse of this privilege crept in, until members of the third class, nay, even freedmen, presumed to assume this badge of honor. The severest punishments, such as confiscation of property, etc., could not prevent the misdemeanor. At the time of my story, the gold ring was actually as common as the use of the “von” in addressing simple citizens in Austria at the present day. See Mart. Ep. XI, 37, where the freedman Zoilus ventures to don a huge gold ring. The ring worn by Caius Aurelius—though legitimately his—must therefore have seemed all the more contemptible, in comparison with the senatorial purple. By the way, it may be said, that in the time of Tiberius the use of the purple was also abused. See Dio Cass. LVII, 13.
[363] The Bona Dea. A somewhat mystical divinity, allied with the Ops, the Fauna, and the Hellenic Demeter. Her temple stood on the northeastern slope of the Aventine Hill.
[364] The Delphian Way, (Clivus Delphini), led from the Circus Maximus to the Porta Raudusculana.
[365] Clear a way through the mass of people. When people of distinction went out, this making a way through the crowd was often done with much ostentation, but it was always the duty of a few slaves to walk before their masters, and thus smooth the way for them.
[366] Knight’s portion. 400,000 sesterces.
[367] A large four-wheeled chariot. Allusion is here made to the rheda (the travelling-coach) or the carruca (a comfortable, nay, magnificent equipage).
[368] Cisium. Such two-wheeled cabriolets were principally used when the greatest speed was desired. (See Cic., Rosc.: cisiis pervolavit)
[369] Loaded with provisions. Aristocratic Romans, even on short journeys, carried a large quantity of baggage, principally table furniture and provisions, for the taverns so often mentioned were intended exclusively for the lower classes.
[370] Ficana..A small town half-way between Ostia and Rome.