88 PLINY'S NATUUAL HISTORY. [Book XXXIII. 



gems : but arc they to cover'their feet 37 as well with gold, and 

 so, between the stola 38 of the matrons and the garb of tlio 

 plebeians, establish an intermediate 39 or equestrian 40 order of 

 females? Much more becomingly do we accord this distine-- 

 lion to our pages, 41 and the adorned beauty of these youths has 

 quite changed the features of our public baths. 



At the present day, too, a fashion has been introduced 

 among the men even, of wearing effigies upon their fingers 

 representing Harpocrates 42 and other divinities of Egypt. In 

 the reign of Claudius, also, there was introduced another 

 unusual distinction, in the case of those to whom was granted 

 the right of free admission, 43 that, namely, of wearing the 

 likeness of the emperor engraved in gold upon a ring: a 

 circumstance that gave rise to vast numbers of informations, 

 until the timely elevation of the Emperor Vespasianus rendered 

 them impossible, by proclaiming that the right of admission to 

 the emperor belonged equally to all. Let these particulars 

 suffice on the subject of golden rings and the use of them. 



CHAP. 115. COINS OF GOLD. AT WHAT PERIODS COPPER, GOLD, 



AND SILVER WKKK FIRST IMPRESSED. HOW COPPER WAS USED 

 BEFORE GOLD AND SFLVKK WERE COINED. WHAT WAS TllK 

 LARGEST SUM OF MONEY POSSESSED UY ANY ONE AT THE TIME 

 OF Ot'R FIRST CENSUS. HOW OFTEN, AND AT WHAT PERIODS, 



27 In allusion to the use of gold as an ornament for the shoes and 

 sandal- ties. 



3s A dress worn over the tunic, and which came as low as the ankles or 

 fret. The stohi was the characteristic dress of the Itornan matrons of 

 rank ; other females being restricted to the use- of the toga, which did not 

 reach so low. 



25 Between the matrons of rank whose feet were not to he seen at all, 

 and the plebeian females, whose feet fare-seen, hut comparatively unadorned. 



40 In the same way that the gold ring was the distinguishing mark of 

 the Kqiiitcs. so would the gold ankle-jewels be the characteristic of this 

 r.t-w ordt r of females. In the use of the word " Kquostrem," Ajasson 

 absolutely detects an indelicate allusion, and rallies our author on thus re- 

 taining '* the aroma of the camp I" 



41 . I'ti'dajrogiis." The origin of our word "page." The pages of 

 the Romans were decorated with gold ankle-jewels and other ornaments 

 ft-r the l-s. 



i2 Or Horns, the god of silence. Ajasson is of opinion that this im- 

 pression on the seal was symbolical of the secrecy which ought to be pre- 

 served as to written communications. 



43 To the Emperor's presence. 



