[Sidenote:  Trophies and emblems.]

In these triumphal processions, every thing was borne in exhibition which could serve as a symbol of the conquered country or a trophy of victory, Flags and banners taken from the enemy; vessels of gold and silver, and other treasures, loaded in vans; wretched captives conveyed in open carriages or marching sorrowfully on foot, and destined, some of them, to public execution when the ceremony of the triumph was ended; displays of arms, and implements, and dresses, and all else which might serve to give the Roman crowd an idea of the customs and usages of the remote and conquered nations; the animals they used, caparisoned in the manner in which they used them:  these, and a thousand other trophies and emblems, were brought into the line to excite the admiration of the crowd, and to add to the gorgeousness of the spectacle.  In fact, it was always a great object of solicitude and exertion with all the Roman generals, when on distant and dangerous expeditions, to possess themselves of every possible prize in the progress of their campaign which could aid in adding splendor to the triumph which was to signalize its end.

[Sidenote:  Banners and paintings.]

In these triumphs of Caesar, a young sister of Cleopatra was in the line of the Egyptian procession.  In that devoted to Asia Minor was a great banner containing the words already referred to, Veni, Vidi, Vici.  There were great paintings, too, borne aloft, representing battles and other striking scenes.  Of course, all Rome was in the highest state of excitement during the days of the exhibition of this pageantry.  The whole surrounding country flocked to the capital to witness it, and Caesar’s greatness and glory were signalized in the most conspicuous manner to all mankind.

[Sidenote:  Public entertainments.] [Sidenote:  Various spectacles and amusements.] [Sidenote:  Naval combats.]

After these triumphs, a series of splendid public entertainments were given, over twenty thousand tables having been spread for the populace of the city Shows of every possible character and variety were exhibited.  There were dramatic plays, and equestrian performances in the circus, and gladiatorial combats, and battles with wild beasts, and dances, and chariot races, and every other imaginable amusement which could be devised and carried into effect to gratify a population highly cultivated in all the arts of life, but barbarous and cruel in heart and character.  Some of the accounts which have come down to us of the magnificence of the scale on which these entertainments were conducted are absolutely incredible.  It is said, for example, that an immense basin was constructed near the Tiber, large enough to contain two fleets of galleys, which had on board two thousand rowers each, and one thousand fighting men.  These fleets were then manned with captives, the one with Asiatics and the other with Egyptians, and when all was ready, they were compelled