Dead gladiators.—‘Quinetiam percussos jacentesque repeti jubent, et cadavera ictibus dissipari, ne quis illos simulata morte deludat’ (Lactantius).
[Note 39]. Page 351.
The Rex Nemorensis.—See Ovid, Fasti, iii. 263-277; Propert. iii. 24. 9; Stat. Sylv. iii. 1. 32; and Mr. Fraser’s Golden Bough.
The appearance and cautious terror of the priest are described by Strabo (v. 3. 12):—ξιφήρης οὖν ἐστιν, ἀεὶ περισκοπῶν, τὰς ἐπιθέσεις ἕτοιμος ἀμύνεσθαι.
[Note 40]. Page 398.
Age of Octavia.—Nothing certain can be ascertained as to the exact age of Octavia at her death. Tillemont, Néron, Art. xv., thinks that she was twenty-two; and Nipperdey on Tac. Ann. xiv. 64 conjectures that the true reading is ‘II et vicesimo.’ See Stahr, Agrippina, p. 54; Lehmann, 132; Sievers, Studien zur Gesch. des Röm. Kaiser., 129; H. Schiller, Gesch. des Röm. Kaiserreichs, 67. When she married Nero she was apparently thirteen, and he fifteen; Schiller, l. c. 83.
[Note 41]. Page 401.
Christian fortitude.—These are the explanations given by Pagans of the calmness of Christians under martyrdom. Marc. Aurelius says that men should die calmly, yet not διὰ ψιλὴν παράταξιν ὡς οἱ Χριστιανοί, Medit. xi. 3; ὑπὸ μανίας, ὑπὸ ἔθους, ὡς οἱ Γαλιλαῖοι, says Epictetus, Dissert. iv. 7.
[Note 42]. Page 416.
Ishmael ben Phabi.—An Ishmael ben Phabi was made high priest by Valerius Gratus; and another, or the same at a later age, by Festus. The younger is here intended.