The first words spoken by a woman in the cena Trimalchionis (Trimalchio’s dinner) are to another woman.
Gareth Schmeling notes that this is possibly a colloquial version of what Anchises says to Aeneas when seeing him in the underworld: datur ora tueri nate - “Is it permitted to see your face, child” (“est te…videre” literally translates as “Is it permitted to see you?”)
iam nunc algentes autumnus fecerat umbras atque hiemem tepidis spectabat Phoebus habenis, iam platanus iactare comas, iam coeperat uvas adnumerare suas defecto palmite vitis: ante oculos stabat quidquid promiserat annus.
“Already now autumn had produced cold shades and Phoebus was looking toward winter with cooled reins, already the plane tree had begun to cast down its foliage, already the vine, having lost her youth, had begun to count out her grapes: everything the year had promised was standing before our eyes.”
Nam Sibyllam quidem Cumis ego ipse oculis meis vidi in ampulla pendere et cum illi pueri dicerent: Σίβυλλα τί θέλεις; respondebat illa: ἀποθανεῖν θέλω.
For with my own eyes I saw the Sibyl swinging in her bottle, and when the boys asked her, “Sibyl, what do you want?”, she replied, “I want to die.”
I seized my opportunity, and persuaded a guest in our house to come with me as far as the fifth milestone. He was a soldier, and as brave as Hell. So we trotted off about cockcrow; the moon shone like high noon. We got among the tombstones: my man went aside to look at the epitaphs, I sat down with my heart full of song and began to count the graves. Then when I looked round at my friend, he stripped himself and put all his clothes by the roadside. My heart was in my mouth, but I stood like a dead man. He made a ring of water [urinated] round his clothes and suddenly turned into a wolf. Please do not think I am joking; I would not lie about this for any fortune in the world. But as I was saying, after he had turned into a wolf, he began to howl, and ran off into the woods. At first I hardly knew where I was, then I went up to take his clothes; but they had all turned into stone. No one could be nearer dead with terror than I was.
Our account of Petronius’s death comes from Tacitus, and quite frankly, it’s the most badass thing. He opened his veins, bound them, and opened them again, all the while chatting with his friends and making jokes, before dining and taking a nap. This was to make his death appear as natural as possible. He then proceeded to write up a list of Nero’s indulgent acts and debaucheries, which he sent to Nero before breaking his signet ring so that it couldn’t be used to forge documents that might harm someone else.
If I had read this post just 4 days ago, I’d have known how to answer a question on my final exam… “Compare and contrast seneca’s death to petronius’ death” and I was like whaaat the heck bro chill out Never mind, I actually managed to disguise my ignorance Post link
I don’t think that’s true, but I can ask Decimus. He probably won’t actually give us an answer since he doesn’t like you, though.
I figure we can sell most of it before anyone realizes it was stolen, but then maybe keep one or two as a memento of our sexy sins.
Too bad. Well, I can’t be everyone’s cup of tea, otherwise where’s my individuality? My spark?
Ah. Good plan. We just need a fence.
In fairness, you’ve made a bit of an art out of antagonizing people. Though they have too, since that’s kind of their job (they want me to remind you that they are, indeed, a lawyer).
Also do you think we should include some murder too, or is that a little too much?
I’m thinking about quitting my job as a poet and becoming a full-time garbage rat or maybe a fucktoy. I do enjoy writing poetry but having a job is so droll when I could instead be bedding senators and stealing their belongings when I sneak out in the middle of the night.
That’s such an excellent idea. Why haven’t I thought of that?
We’re going to do this as a team.
Now that’s an interesting thought. I’m sure there’s somebody into that somewhere. Plus double the hands means double the jewelry and fine watches we can plunder. Dear, I think we’ve found a business for ourselves. Though not officially a business, because I don’t want to pay taxes.
Happy Valentine’s Day to the most beautiful, compelling person I know, just…the sort of person anyone would want to be. I admire him. I love him with all my heart, he’s truly the love of my life. I am, of course, talking about famed fashion icon Gaius Petronius,
literally could you be any more of a dumb bitch? tho i guess since you like marsh youre into that. shit that means im into that too. fuck
I’m terribly sorry that you had to find out you’re a superior being.
If it helps, Marsh is tied for my Valentine’s day favorite.
the only superior beings here are those that like furry anime. so, me
dont put him on the same level as you. his hair is better and he’s way sexier
Happy Valentine’s Day to the most beautiful, compelling person I know, just…the sort of person anyone would want to be. I admire him. I love him with all my heart, he’s truly the love of my life. I am, of course, talking about famed fashion icon Gaius Petronius,
literally could you be any more of a dumb bitch? tho i guess since you like marsh youre into that. shit that means im into that too. fuck
…Alright, I can’t argue with that. I think my style is doing fine, personally, but, uh. Perhaps sometime you could convince Decimus to wear less….everything that he wears? Or at least not to wear novelty ties to work?
Sometimes you just have to start a war in a group conversation about fashion and threaten people and that’s valid, I think!
I feel like I should disapprove of this, but. At the same time, I’m far too much of a shit-stirrer to not be curious. Do share the details, dear.
You’re the only person who truly understands and cares for me.
Anyway, we’re arguing about the validity of clear plastic clothes. As much as I know they can be styled okay I’m calling for the clothes’ rights to be taken away.
I try my hardest, but only for you, dear.
I suppose I do agree with you on the principle of the matter…but I do like the idea of more clear clothing, especially where you’re concerned, so.
Same for you, love :*
See, there’s a way to be sheer/see-through without being plastic…uncomfortable…thank you though haha I’ll remember that if you do the same for me ;)
That’s fair…but sometimes you have to take what you can get. Though at the same time you would definitely have…better options than that. Since you’re actually good at this fashion thing.
Sometimes you just have to start a war in a group conversation about fashion and threaten people and that’s valid, I think!
I feel like I should disapprove of this, but. At the same time, I’m far too much of a shit-stirrer to not be curious. Do share the details, dear.
You’re the only person who truly understands and cares for me.
Anyway, we’re arguing about the validity of clear plastic clothes. As much as I know they can be styled okay I’m calling for the clothes’ rights to be taken away.
I try my hardest, but only for you, dear.
I suppose I do agree with you on the principle of the matter…but I do like the idea of more clear clothing, especially where you’re concerned, so.
