A History of Roman Classical Literature.

by R. W. Browne

Roma sui famulum dum sciat esse Jovis.

Say ye I gained the laurelled Phœbus’ love,

So that Rome hails me servant of her Jove.

The latter, by his popularity, acquired great influence at court, but his profligacy proved his ruin. He intrigued with the empress Domitia; and Domitian consequently divorced his wife, and caused Paris to be assassinated. He has furnished a plot and a hero to Massinger’s play of the “Roman Actor.” The simple and beautiful epitaph written to his memory by Martial is as follows:—

Quisquis Flaminiam teris, viator,

Noli nobile præterire marmor.

Urbis deliciæ, salesque Nili,

Ars et gratia, lusus et voluptas;

Romani decus et dolor theatri,

Atque omnes Veneres, Cupidinesque,