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?