[2921] That of Africa.
[2922] See B. vii. c. 27.
[2923] As was the case, after the murder of Pompey in Egypt.
[2924] Caligula.
[2925] Modern writers differ as to the material of which these vessels were composed. Some think that they were of variegated glass, and others of onyx; but the more general opinion is, that they were Chinese porcelain, and we have the line in Propertius, B. iv. El. 5, l. 26. “And murrhine vessels baked on Parthian hearths.” Ajasson is of opinion, from the description given by Pliny, that these vessels were made of Fluor spar, or fluate of lime. “Myrrhine” is another reading of the word.
[2926] “Ante hos annos.” Sillig is of opinion that the reading here should be “L. Annius,” and that L. Annius Bassus, who was Consul suffectus in the year 70 A.D., is the person referred to; or possibly, T. Arrius Antoninus, who was Consul suffectus, A.D. 69.
[2927] The Gardens of Nero, in the Fourteenth Region of the City.
[2928] He had been formerly a sharer in the debaucheries of Nero. Tacitus called him “Caius.”
[2929] See B. vi. cc. 27, 28, 32.
[2930] Ajasson is of opinion that this passage bears reference to crystallization. Both he and Desfontaines see in the present Chapter a very exact description of Fluor spar; and there is certainly great difficulty in recognizing any affinity between murrhine vessels, as here described, and porcelain.