86 pliny's natueal histoet. [Book XXXIII. 



At all events, in the writings left by Junius, who, from his 

 affection for C. Gracchus, took the name of Gracchanus,^^ we 

 find the following words — '* As regards the equestrian order, 

 its members were formerly called * Trossuli,' but at the 

 present day they have the name of 'Equites;' because it is 

 not understood what the appellation * Trossuli * really means, 

 and many feel ashamed at being called by that name."^^ — He^ 

 then goes on to explain the reason, as above mentioned, and 

 adds that, though much against their will, those persons are 

 Btni caUed " Trossuli.** 



CHAP. 10. GIFTS FOR MILITABT SERVICES, IN GOLD AND SILVER. 



There are also some other distinctions connected with gold, 

 the mention of which ought not to be omitted. Our ancestors, 

 for instance, presented tores ^^ of gold to the auxiliaries and 

 foreign troops, while to Roman citizens they only granted 

 silver ^* ones : bracelets"^ too, were given by them to citizens, 

 but never to foreigners. 



CHAP. 11. — AT WHAT PERIOD THE FIRST CROWN OF GOLD WAS 

 PRESENTED. 



But, a thing that is more surprising still, crowns" of gold 

 were given to the citizens as well. As to the person who was 

 first presented with one, so far as I have enquired, I have not 

 been able to ascertain his name : L. Piso says, however, that 

 the Dictator^^ A. Posthumius was the first who conferred one : 

 on taking the camp of the Latins at Lake llegillus,^^ he gave 

 a crown of gold, made from the spoil, to the soldier whose 

 valour had mainly contributed to this success. L. Lentulus, 



2^ See the end of this Book. 



22 From the ambiguous nature of the name, it being in later times an 

 expression of contempt, like our word "fop," or "beau." In this latter 

 sense, Salmasius derives it from the Greek rpvoaoQ, " effeminate." 



23 This concluding passage is omitted in most editions. 

 ^ See B. vii. c. 29. 



-5 Dionysius of Halicarnassus is therefore probably wrong in his as- 

 sertion that tores of gold were given to Siccius Dentatus, a Roman citizen, 

 aa the reward of valour. ^6 ggg ^ yji^ ^^ 29. 



^■^ On this subject, see B. xvi. c. 3, and B. xxi. c. i. 



29 A.u.c. 323, or 431 B.C. 



*9 Situate about fourteen miles from Rome, and on the road to the 

 town called La Colonna. 



