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Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - 2:27 PM
There an incident occurred, which many thought unlucky, though
to the emperor it seemed due to the providence of auspicious deities. The
people who had been present, had quitted the theatre, and the empty building
then fell in without harm to anyone. Thereupon Nero in an elaborate ode
thanked the gods, celebrating the good luck which attended the late downfall,
and as he was on his way to cross the sea of Hadria, he rested awhile at
Beneventum, where a crowded gladiatorial show was being exhibited by Vatinius.
The man was one of the most conspicuously infamous sights in the imperial
court, bred, as he had been, in a shoemaker's shop, of a deformed person
and vulgar wit, originally introduced as a butt. After a time he grew so
powerful by accusing all the best men, that in influence, wealth, and ability
to injure, he was pre-eminent even in that bad company.
While Nero was frequently visiting the show, even amid his pleasures
there was no cessation to his crimes. For during the very same period Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire was forced to die, because over and above his illustrious rank
as one of the Junian family he claimed to be the great-grandson of Augustus.
Accusers were ordered to charge him with prodigality in lavishing gifts,
and with having no hope but in revolution. They said further that he had
nobles about him for his letters, books, and accounts, titles all and rehearsals
of supreme power. Then the most intimate of his freedmen were put in chains
and torn from him, till, knowing the doom which impended, Torquatus divided
the arteries in his arms. A speech from Nero followed, as usual, which
stated that though he was guilty and with good reason distrusted his defence,
he would yet have lived, had he awaited the clemency of the
judge.
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