Most of the idlers nevertheless are slaves. In the vast _familia_ of the palaces the tasks are all so subdivided that the average slave has far too much time on his hands. He puts in many hours, therefore, wandering about the sights of the city, gaming, following coarse love affairs, and seeking tips on the circus and amphitheater contests. The amount of worthless chatter is infinite. Even at this early hour from the tables of a wine-shop comes the rattle of dice boxes. Another dirty group is actually throwing dice on the pavement under pedestrian’s heels. The law nominally forbids open gaming, but the police are very busy men. Rome, one discovers thus promptly, is all too much a city of “parasites.” By exploiting the world, she is able to maintain a horde of human bipeds, bond or free, who minister nothing to her prosperity. The gamesters on the pavement halt, however, instantly, when a tumult arises from a neighboring vintner’s stall. A Spanish boy has tried to steal a jar of fine old Massic, but the vessel has been wisely fastened to a pillar with a chain. While he tugs to break this the dealer spots him: “Stop thief!” rises the cry. Instantly appear two broad-shouldered men, in half armor with small steel caps. They carry stout poles tipped with strong hooks useful in fires. These are _vigiles_ (police-firemen) of the city watch. The thief is seized and hustled off howling and protesting, to tell his troubles at the court of the City Praefect. Before the players can resume, they have to stand aside also for a funeral procession--flute players, professional mourners screaming and gesticulating, manumitted slaves of the deceased wearing liberty caps, mourning relatives around the bier; all headed for the cremation-pyre outside the gates. [Illustration: MONUMENT OF A WINE SELLER.] =22. Public Placards and Notices.=--Just as the dice are about to rattle again a shrewd-looking fellow with a piece of red chalk is seen stepping up to a space of blank wall. “Celer, the notice writer,” whispers everybody. A large crowd elbows and gathers around him, as to general delight, with quick strokes he letters the following announcement of a gladiator fight: IN THE AMPHITHEATER OF TAURUS THE GAMES OF THE AEDILE BALBUS _From the 12th to the 15th of May_ THE ‘THRACIAN’ PUGNAX OF THE NERONIAN GLADIATORIAL SCHOOL Who Has Fought Three Times Will Meet THE ‘MURMILLO’ MURANUS OF THE SAME SCHOOL And The Same Number of Fights THE ‘HEAVY ARMOUR FIGHTER’ CYCNUS FROM THE SCHOOL OF JULIUS CAESAR Who Has Fought Eight Times WILL MEET