BOOK VII. XXXVI. I2I-I22 



XXXVI. Of filial atfection tlicre have it is true Eminence in 

 been unlimited instaiices all over the world, but affecHon. 

 one at Rome with which the whole of the rest 

 could not compare. A plebeian woman of low 

 position and therefore unknown, who had just given 

 birth to a child, had permission to visit her mother 

 who had been shut up in prison as a punishment, and 

 was always searched in advance by the doorkceper 

 to prevent her carrying in any food ; she was 

 detected giving her mother sustenance from her 

 own breasts. In consequence of this marvel the 

 daughter's pious affection was rewarded by the 

 mother's release and both were awarded mainten- 

 ance for hfe ; and the place where it occurred was 

 consecrated to the Goddess concerned, a temple 

 dedicated to Filial Affection being built on the site 

 of the prison, where the Theatre of Marcellus noAV 

 stands, in the consulship "^ of Gaius Quinctius and 

 Manius AciUus. In the house of the father of the 

 Gracchi two snakes were caught, and in reply to 

 enquiry an oracle declared that he himself would 

 live if the snake of the other sex were killed ; " No," 

 said he, " kill my snake : Corneha is young and still 

 able to bear children." This meant, to spare his 

 wife and think of the pubHc interest ; and the result 

 prophesied soon followed. Marcus Lcpidus after 

 divorcing his wife Appuleia died for love of her. 

 Pubhus Rutihus when suffering from a shght illness 

 received news of his brother's dcf<i-at in his candi- 

 dature for the consulship, and at once expired. 

 Pubhus Catienus Philotimus loved his patron so 

 dearly that he threw himself upon his funeral 

 pyre, although left heir to the whole of his 

 property. 



587 



