[Footnote 659:  This sham fight was according to an old tradition established by AEneas.  It is described by Virgil, AEneid, v. 553, &c.  See Tacitus, Annal. xi. 11; and Dion Cassius, 43. c. 23, and 49. c. 43.  These games (ludi) were also celebrated under the early Emperors.]

[Footnote 660:  The text is literally “a place for the impious,” not the place.  But Plutarch may allude to the tortures of the wicked in the regions below, according to the popular notions.]

[Footnote 661:  The possession of a priestly office by a person who also discharged the functions of civil life was common among the Romans.  The effect of this political institution was more extensive than at first sight may appear, but the examination of such a question belongs, as Plutarch sometimes observes, to another place.]

[Footnote 662:  He is mentioned by Cicero (De Offic. ii. 24), but some suppose that there were two Tyrian philosophers of that name.]

[Footnote 663:  See Plutarch’s Life of Cato the Censor, c. 19.  This, the first Roman Basilica, was erected B.C. 182 (Livy, 39. c. 44).  A basilica was a place for law business and the meeting of traders and the like.]

[Footnote 664:  The highest cast with four dice of six sides was twenty-four points, and it was called Venus.  The lowest cast was four points, and it was called Canis.  This is one explanation.  But the Venus is also explained to be the throw which resulted in all the dice turning up with different faces.  See the notes in Burmann’s edition of Suetonius, Octav.  Augustus, c. 71.  It is said that sometimes they played with four-sided dice, sometimes with six-sided.  The subject is somewhat obscure, and the investigation not suited to all people.]

[Footnote 665:  Probably C. Memmius Gemellus, tribune of the Plebs, B.C. 66.  See the Life of Lucullus, c. 37.]

[Footnote 666:  This was Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio, the son of P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica, praetor B.C. 94.  He was the adopted son of Q. Metellus Pius, consul B.C. 80, who is mentioned in the Life of Sulla, c. 28.  This rival of Cato was the Metellus who was defeated by Caesar at the battle of Thapsus, and is often mentioned in this Life.  It is not said what legal process Cato could have instituted for the loss of his promised marriage.]

[Footnote 667:  This Greek poet, who was probably born about the close of the eighth century B.C. at Paros, was noted for his biting Iambics, which became proverbial.

     “Archilochum proprio rabies armavit iambo.”

HORAT. Ars Poet., v. 79.]

[Footnote 668:  This was of course a gentile name.  The name Soranus should be Seranus or Serranus.]

[Footnote 669:  C. Laelius, the friend of the elder Scipio Africanus, is probably meant.]

[Footnote 670:  The history of this insurrection of Spartacus is told in the Life of Crassus, c. 8, &c.  As to Gellius, see the Life of Crassus, c. 9.]