[Sidenote:—­14—­] This period saw also the demise of Vespasian’s concubine, Caenis.  I have mentioned her because she was exceedingly faithful and possessed naturally a most excellent memory.  For instance, her mistress Antonia, the mother of Claudius, had had her write secretly to Tiberius about Sejanus and later had ordered the message erased, that no trace of the same might be left.  Thereupon she replied:  “It is in vain, mistress, that you have issued this command.  All of this and whatever else you dictate to me I always carry with me in my soul and it can never be erased.”  This is one thing I have admired about her and a second is that Vespasian should have been so much pleased with her.  This fact gave her the greatest influence, and she collected untold wealth, so that it was even thought that she obtained money by her independent efforts.  She received vast sums from all sources and sold to some persons offices, to others procuratorships, the command of campaigns, priesthoods, and to some actually imperial decisions.  For Vespasian killed no one to get his money and took care to preserve large numbers of those who freely gave it.  The person who secured the funds was his concubine, but it was suspected that Vespasian willingly allowed her to do as she did; and this belief was strengthened by his other acts, a few of which, for the sake of illustration, I shall relate.  When certain persons voted to erect to him a statue costing twenty-five myriads, he stretched out his hand and said:  “Give me the money; this [Footnote:  i.e., the hollowed hand (compare Suetonius Vespasian, chapter 23).] will serve as its pedestal.”—­And to Titus, who was angry at the tax on urinating [Footnote:  This refers to conveniences in the public streets.], which was appointed along with the rest, he replied, as he picked up some gold pieces that were the product of it:  “See, my child, if they smell at all.”

[Sidenote:  A.D. 75 (a.u. 828)] [Sidenote:—­15—­] In the sixth year of Vespasian as magistrate and the fourth of Titus the precinct of Peace was dedicated and the so-called Colossus was set up on the Sacred Way.  It is said to have been one hundred feet high, and to have had—­according to one account—­the figure of Nero, according to others that of Titus.  Vespasian would often have beasts slain in the theatres.  He did not particularly enjoy gladiatorial combats of men, although Titus during the youthful sports which were celebrated in his own land had once had a sham fight in heavy armor with Alienus.  The Parthians, who fell into a war with some peoples, asked for an alliance with him, but he did not go to their aid, saying that it was not proper for him to interfere in other persons’ business.