this purpose he caused the heads of the statues of
Jupiter, and some other gods, to be struck off, and
his own to be put in their places. He frequently
seated himself between Castor and Pollux, and ordered
that all who came to this temple to worship should
pay their adorations only to himself. 23. However,
such was the extravagant inconsistency of this unaccountable
idiot, that he changed his divinity as often as he
changed his clothes; being at one time a male deity,
at another a female; sometimes Jupiter or Mars; and
not unfrequently Venus or Diana. 24. He even
built and dedicated a temple to his own divinity,
in which his statue of gold was every day dressed in
robes similar to those which he himself wore, and
worshipped by crowds of adorers. His priests
were numerous; the sacrifices made to him were of the
most exquisite delicacies that could be procured;
and the dignity of the priesthood was sought by the
most opulent men of the city. However, he admitted
his wife and his horse to that honour; and to give
a finishing stroke to his absurdities, became a priest
to himself. 25. His method of assuming the manners
of a deity was not less ridiculous; he often went
out at full moon, and courted it in the style of a
lover. He employed many inventions to imitate
thunder, and would frequently defy Jupiter, crying
out with a speech of Homer, “Do you conquer
me, or I will conquer you.” He frequently
pretended to converse in whispers with the statue
of Jupiter, and usually seemed angry at its replies,
threatening to send it back into Greece, whence it
came. Sometimes, however, he would assume a better
temper, and seem contented that Jupiter and he should
dwell together in amity.
26. Of all his vices, prodigality was the most
remarkable, and that which in some measure gave rise
to the rest. The luxuries of former emperors
were simplicity itself when compared to those which
he practised. He contrived new ways of bathing,
when the richest oils and most precious perfumes were
lavished with the utmost profusion. His luxuries
of the table were of immense value, and even jewels,
as we are told, were dissolved in his sauces.
He sometimes had services of pure gold presented before
his guests, instead of meat, observing that a man
should be an economist or an emperor.
27. The manner in which he maintained his horse
will give some idea of his domestic extravagance.
He built a stable of marble, and a manger of ivory;
and whenever the animal, which he called Incita’tus,
was to run in the race, he placed sentinels near its
stable, the night preceding, to prevent its slumbers
from being broken.[16]
Questions for Examination.
1. What was the first measure of Sejanus?
2. Did the emperor yield to his persuasions?
3. What consequences ensued from this measure?
4. Who were the first sufferers?
5. Did Sejanus increase his influence?
6. Was this elevation permanent?