Res Gestae

At this time or a little earlier[*](360–363.) a new form of portent appeared in Annonarian Tuscany,[*](Tuscia, or Etruria, was divided into Tuscia Annonaria (grain-bearing) and Tuscia Urbicaria or Suburbicaria (near the city, i.e. Rome).) and how it would turn out even those who were skilled in interpreting prodigies were wholly at a loss to know. For in the town of Pistoria,[*](Modern Pistoia.) at about the third hour of the day, in the sight of many persons, an ass mounted the tribunal and was heard to bray persistently, to the amazement both of all who were present and of those who heard of it from the reports of others; and no one could guess what was to come, until later the portended event came to pass.

For one Terentius, born in that city, a fellow of low origin and a baker by trade, by way of reward because he had brought Orfitus, an ex-prefect, into court on the charge of embezzlement, held the position of governor in that province. Emboldened[*](374 A.D.) by this, he proceeded to stir up many disturbances, and being convicted of cheating in a matter of business with some ship-captains,[*](The navicularii brought grain from abroad.) as was reported,

However, long before this happened, Apronianus was succeeded by Symmachus,[*](City-prefect in 364 and 365, father of the Symmachus from whom we have a collection of letters.) a man worthy to be classed among the conspicuous examples of learning and moderation, through whose efforts the sacred city enjoyed an unusual period of quiet and prosperity, and prides itself on a handsome bridge,[*](The Pons Aurelius, later called Pons Antoninus, now the Ponte Sisto (see Top. Diet. Anc. Rome, s.v. Pons Aurelius). It was restored by Valentinian in 365–6 and bore his name for a time. It was not built (condidit) by Symmachus (see crit. note), but he dedicated it by the emperors’ orders after his prefecture. See Dessau, Inscr. 769; C.I.L., vi. 31402.) which Symmachus himself, by the decision of our mighty emperors, dedicated, and to the great joy of the citizens, who proved ungrateful, as the result most clearly showed.

For after some years had passed, they set fire to Symmachus’ beautiful house in the Transtiberine district, spurred on by the fact that a common fellow among the plebeians had alleged, without any informant or witness, that the prefect had said that he would rather use his own wine for quenching lime-kilns[*](Cf. Pliny, N.H. xxxvi. 181.) than sell it at the price which the people hoped for.

Symmachus was succeeded as prefect of the city by Lampadius,[*](In 365.) a former praetorian prefect, a man who took it very ill if even his manner of spitting was not praised, on the ground that he did that also with greater skill than anyone else; but yet he was sometimes strict and honest.

When this man, in his praetorship, gave magnificent games and made very rich largesses, being unable to endure