of Augustus's favourites.

[211] Dodekatheos; the twelve Dii Majores; they are enumerated in two
verses by Ennius:--

Juno, Vesta, Minerva, Ceres, Diana, Venus, Mars;
Mercurius, Jovis, Neptunus, Vulcanus, Apollo.

[212] Probably in the Suburra, where Martial informs us that torturing
scourges were sold:

Tonatrix Suburrae faucibus sed et primis,
Cruenta pendent qua flagella tortorum.
Mart. xi. 15, 1.

[213] Like the gold and silver-smiths of the middle ages, the Roman
money-lenders united both trades. See afterwards, NERO, c. 5. It is
hardly necessary to remark that vases or vessels of the compound metal
which went by the name of Corinthian brass, or bronze, were esteemed even
more valuable than silver plate.

[214] See c. xxxii. and note.

[215] The Romans, at their feasts, during the intervals of drinking,
often played at dice, of which there were two kinds, the tesserae and
tali. The former had six sides, like the modern dice; the latter, four
oblong sides, for the two ends were not regarded. In playing, they used
three tesserae and four tali, which were all put into a box wider below
than above, and being shaken, were thrown out upon the gaming-board or
table.

[216] The highest cast was so called.

[217] Enlarged by Tiberius and succeeding emperors. The ruins of the
palace of the Caesars are still seen on the Palatine.

[218] Probably travertine, a soft limestone, from the Alban Mount, which
was, therefore, cheaply procured and easily worked.

[219] It was usual among the Romans to have separate sets of apartments
for summer and winter use, according to their exposure to the sun.

[220] This word may be interpreted the Cabinet of Arts. It was common,
in the houses of the great, among the Romans, to have an apartment called
the Study, or Museum. Pliny says, beautifully, "O mare! O littus! verum
secretumque mouseion, quam multa invenitis, quam multa dictatis?" O sea!
O shore! Thou real and secluded museum; what treasures of science do you
not discover to us, how much do you teach us!--Epist. i. 9.

[221] Mecaenas had a house and gardens on the Esquiline Hill, celebrated
for their salubrity--

Nunc licet Esquiliis habitore salubribus.--Hor. Sat. i. 3, 14.

[222] Such as Baiae, and the islands of Ischia, Procida, Capri, and
others; the resorts of the opulent nobles, where they had magnificent
marine villas.

[223] Now Tivo