his associate in so many former struggles, both in war and
the administration of affairs.

[127] The poison proved fatal, as every one knows, see Velleius, ii. 27;
Florus, iv. 11. The Psylli were a people of Africa, celebrated for
sucking the poison from wounds inflicted by serpents, with which that
country anciently abounded. They pretended to be endowed with an
antidote, which rendered their bodies insensible to the virulence of that
species of poison; and the ignorance of those times gave credit to the
physical immunity which they arrogated. But Celsus, who flourished about
fifty years after the period we speak of, has exploded the vulgar
prejudice which prevailed in their favour. He justly observes, that the
venom of serpents, like some other kinds of poison, proves noxious only
when applied to the naked fibre; and that, provided there is no ulcer in
the gums or palate, the poison may be received into the mouth with
perfect safety.

[128] Strabo informs us that Ptolemy caused it to be deposited in a
golden sarcophagus, which was afterwards exchanged for one of glass, in
which probably Augustus saw the remains.

[129] A custom of all ages and of people the most remote from each
other.

[130] Meaning the degenerate race of the Ptolomean kings.

[131] The naval trophies were formed of the prows of ships.

[132] A.U.C. 721.

[133] Because his father was a Roman and his mother of the race of the
Parthini, an Illyrian tribe.

[134] It was usual at Rome, before the elections, for the candidates to
endeavour to gain popularity by the usual arts. They would therefore go
to the houses of the citizens, shake hands with those they met, and
address them in a kindly manner. It being of great consequence, upon
those occasions, to know the names of persons, they were commonly
attended by a nomenclator, who whispered into their ears that
information, wherever it was wanted. Though this kind of officer was
generally an attendant on men, we meet with instances of their having
been likewise employed in the service of ladies; either with the view of
serving candidates to whom they were allied, or of gaining the affections
of the people.

[135] Not a bridge over a river, but a military engine used for gaining
admittance into a fortress.

[136] Cantabria, in the north of Spain, now the Basque province.

[137] The ancient Pannonia includes Hungary and part of Austria, Styria
and Carniola.

[138] The Rhae