[Indeed, he condemned himself so for this act that, to prevent any remembrance of the dead surviving, he prohibited the inscribing of their names in the records.  Furthermore, he did not even make any communication to the senate regarding those put out of the way, although he sent their heads as well as that of Antonius to Rome and exposed them in the Forum.] But one young man, Julius Calvaster, who had served as military tribune in the hope of getting into the senate, was saved in a most unexpected fashion.  Inasmuch as it was being proved that he had frequent meetings with Antonius alone and he had no other way to free himself from the charge of conspiracy, he declared that he had met him for amorous intercourse.  The fact that he was of an appearance to inspire passion lent color to his statement.  In this way he was acquitted.

After just one more remark about the events of that time, I will cease.  Lusianus Proculus, an aged senator, who spent most of his time in the country, had come out with Domitian from Borne under compulsion so as to avoid the appearance of deserting him when in danger and the death that might very likely be the result of such conduct.  When the news came, he said:  “You have conquered, emperor, as I ever prayed.  Therefore, restore me to the country.”  Thereupon he left him without more ado and retired to his farm.  And after this, although he survived for a long time, he never came near him.

During this period some had become accustomed to smear needles with poison and then to prick with them whomsoever they would.  Many persons thus attacked died without even knowing the cause, and many of the murderers were informed against and punished.  And this went on not only in Rome but over practically the entire civilized world.

[Sidenote:—­12—­] To Ulpius Trajan and to Acilius Glabrio, who were consuls then, the same signs are said to have appeared.  They foretold to Glabrio destruction, but to Trajan the imperial office. [Numerous wealthy men and women both were punished for adultery, and some of the women had been debauched by him.  Many more were fined or executed on other charges.] A woman was tried and lost her life because she had stripped in front of an image of Domitian [and another for having had dealings with astrologers].  Among the many who perished at this time was also Mettius Pompusianus, whom Vespasian had refused to harm in any way after learning from some report that he would one day be sole ruler, but [Footnote:  Reading [Greek:  halla](Dindorf).] rather honored, saying:  “You will certainly remember me and will certainly honor me in return.”  But Domitian first exiled him to Corsica and later put him to death, one of the complaints being that he had the inhabited world painted on the walls of his bedchamber and another that he had excerpted and was wont to read the speeches of kings and other eminent men that are written in Livy.  Also Maternus, a sophist, met his death because in a practice speech