[Sidenote:—­13—­] But this Sardanapalus, who thought it right to make the gods cohabit under the form of marriage, himself lived from first to last most licentiously. [He married many women] and had liaisons with many more [without any lawful title], yet it was not that he cared about them; he simply wanted to imitate their actions when he should lie with his lovers [and get accomplices in his excesses by returning to them indiscriminately].  He used his body for doing and allowing many unheard of things which no one would endure telling or hearing, but his most conspicuous acts, which it would be impossible to conceal, were the following.  He would go by night, wearing a wig of long hair, into the taverns and ply the trade of a female huckster.  He frequented the notorious brothels, drove out the prostitutes, and prostituted himself.  Finally, he set aside a room in the palace and there committed his indecencies, standing all the time naked at the door of it, as the harlots do, and shaking the curtain, which was fastened by gold rings, the while in a soft and melting voice he solicited the passers-by.  Certain persons had been given special orders to let themselves be attracted to his abode.  For, as in other matters, so in this business, too, he had numerous detectives through whom he sought out the persons who could please him most by their foulness.  He would collect money from his Patrons and put on airs over his gains:  he would also dispute with his associates in this shameful occupation, saying that he had more lovers than they and took in more money. [Sidenote:—­14—­] This is the way he behaved to all alike that enjoyed his services.  But he had, besides, one chosen man whom he accordingly desired to appoint Caesar.

Also, arrayed in the Green uniform, he drove a chariot privately and at home,—­if one can call that place home where contests were conducted by the foremost of his suite [and knights and Caesarians], the very prefects, his grandmother, his mother, his women, and likewise several members of the senate, including Leo, the praefectus urbi, and where they watched him playing charioteer and begging gold coin like any vagabond, and bowing down before the managers of the games and the members of the factions.

[Now in trying anybody in court he really did have the appearance of a man, but everywhere else his actions and the quality of his voice showed the wantonness of youth.  For instance, he used to dance not only in the orchestra but more or less also while walking, performing sacrifice, greeting friends or making speeches.

And finally (to go back now to the story which I began) he was bestowed in marriage and was termed wife, mistress, queen.  He worked in wool, sometimes wore a hair-net, painted his eyes [daubing them with white lead and alkanet], and once he shaved his chin and celebrated a festival to mark the event.  After that he went with smooth face, because it would help him appear like a woman, and he often reclined while greeting