ch we commonly translate Lamprey, was a
sub-genus of the Conger; it was the most prized of all the Roman
fish, and grew to the weight of twenty-five or thirty pounds. The
value set upon them was enormous; and it is said that guilty slaves
were occasionally thrown into their stews, to fatten these voracious
dainties.

10 The aureus was a gold coin, as the name implies, worth twenty-five
denarii, or about seventeen shillings and nine pence sterling.

11 The stylus was a pointed metallic pencil used for tracing letters on
the waxen surface of the table.

12 The cavalry attached to every legion, consisting of three hundred
men, was divided into ten troops, _turmae_ of thirty each, which were
subdivided into decuriae of ten, commanded by a decurio, the first
elected of whom was called _dux turmae_, and led the troop.

13 The guests at Roman banquets usually brought their own napkins,
_mappae_, and wore robes of bright colors, usually flowered, called
_caenateriae_ or _cubitoriae_.

14 Pro certo creditur, necato filio, _vacuam_ domum scelestis nuptiis
fecisse.

15 The Petasus was a broad brimmed hat of felt with a low round crown.
It was originally an article of the Greek dress, but was adopted by
the Romans.

16 Seven thousand talents, about 7,500,000 dollars.

17 The classical reader will perhaps object to the introduction of the
Alcaic measure at this date, 62 B. C., it being generally believed
that the Greek measures were first adapted to the Latin tongue by
Horace, a few years later. The desire of giving a faint idea of the
rhythm and style of Latin song, will, it is hoped, plead in
mitigation of this very slight deviation from historical truth--the
rather that, in spite of Horace's assertion,

Non ante vulgatas per artes
Verba loquor sociata chordis,

it is not certain, that no imitations of the Greek measures existed
prior to his success.

18 The senior consul, or he whose month it was to preside, had twelve
lictors; the junior but one, while within the city.

19 The Tribunes of the people were, at this period of the Republic,
Senators; the Atinian law, the date of which is not exactly fixed,
having undoubtedly come into operation soon after B. C. 130. I do
not, however, find it mentioned, tha