A vein of humour seems to have run through the Caesar family.  Caius Julius Caesar Strabo Vopiscus was so noted for the gift that Cicero in his work on Oratory makes him deliver his observations on the subject.  Julius Caesar himself was as remarkable for pleasantry as for clemency.  His “Veni, vidi, vici,” in which his enemies saw so much arrogance, was no doubt intended and understood by his friends to be humorous.  In his youth he was accused of effeminate habits, and when on his obtaining the entire command of Gaul, he said that he would now make his enemies his suppliants, and a senator replied sarcastically, “That will not be an easy task for a woman.”  He rejoined with gaiety, “Semiramis reigned in Assyria, and the Amazons possessed a great part of Asia.”  We have already seen him lamenting over the loss of comic force in Terence as compared with Menander, and in the triumphal games given in his honour in the year 45, he commanded Decimus Laberius, though a man of sixty, to appear on the stage in the contest of wit.  This knight was a composer of mimes—­a light kind of comedy, somewhat to be compared to the “entertainments” given by humorists at the present day.  Julius Caesar obliged him to perform in person—­an act of degradation—­but afterwards gave him 500,000 sesterces, and restored him to his rank.  This act of Caesar’s has been regarded as having a political significance, but it may merely have shown his love of humour.  He may have wished to bring out the talent of the new mime, Publius, a young Syrian, who had acquired great celebrity both for beauty and wit.  It is said that when his master first took Publius to see his patron, the latter observed one of his slaves, who was dropsical, lying in the sunshine, and asking him angrily what he was doing there, Publius answered for him “Warming water.”  On the same visit, in jesting after supper, the question was asked, “What is a disagreeable repose?” When many had attempted answers, Publius replied, “That of gouty feet.”

Some of the sayings of Publius, have been preserved.

“He receives a benefit who gives to a worthy person.”

“He to whom more than is just is allowed, wishes for more than he gets.”

“A man who talks well on the road is as good as a carriage.”

“He unjustly accuses Neptune who is ship-wrecked twice.”

“By overlooking an old injury you invite a new one.”

These sayings are of a worldly-wise and proverbial character, and, therefore, as has been already observed, although not actually humorous, are easily capable of being so regarded.

Caesar awarded the prize to Publius instead of Laberius, because, as it is supposed, of some reflections the latter made upon him.  But it may have been that Caesar was right, and Publius’ wit was the most salient.

Scarcely any specimens remain of Laberius’ talent.  Aulus Gellius says that he coined many strange words, and he seems to have made considerable use of alliteration.