[1071] A freedman of the Emperor Claudius, whose epistolary correspondence he superintended. He was put to death on the accession of Nero, A.D. 54.
[1072] In which case it would be dangerous to speak of them.
[1073] A.U.C. 746.
[1074] According to some authorities, he was a Lydian. He derived his wealth from his gold mines in the neighbourhood of Celænæ in Phrygia, and would appear, in spite of Pliny’s reservation, to have been little less than a king. His five sons accompanied Xerxes; but Pythius, alarmed by an eclipse of the sun, begged that the eldest might be left behind. Upon this, Xerxes had the youth put to death, and his body cut in two, the army being ordered to march between the portions, which were placed on either side of the road. His other sons were all slain in battle, and Pythius passed the rest of his life in solitude.
[1075] “Stipem spargere.”
[1076] A.U.C. 568.
[1077] In performance of a vow made in the war with King Antiochus. See Livy, B. xxxix.
[1078] So called from the silversmiths who respectively introduced them. The Gratian plate is mentioned by Martial, B. iv. Epigr. 39.
[1079] “Etenim tabernas mensis adoptamus.”
[1080] “Anaglypta.” Plate chased in relief. It is mentioned in the Epigram of Martial above referred to.