Neæra: A Tale of Ancient RomeGraham, John W. (John William), active 1886-1887
History
Neæra: A Tale of Ancient Rome
Graham, John W. (John William), active 1886-1887
Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-476 A.D. -- Fiction
He was tall and spare, but with a slight stoop. His features were regular
and handsome. His hair, though closely cropped, was yet thick and
luxuriant, but white as snow. He could not have been less than seventy‐
five years of age; but the vigorous, free motions of his limbs, and the
healthy hue of his aged, wrinkled face, denoted a still sound
constitution, preserved by a temperate mode of life. His dark eyes, though
somewhat sunken, were yet bright and quick. As he now passed along,
engaged with no train of thought in particular, their expression was one
of settled melancholy abstraction. His mouth was closely knit and firm,
but, occasionally, as some poor neighbour saluted him, his lips curved
into a kindly smile. His vigorous old age, and the natural nobility of his
appearance, were calculated to inspire respect; but there were also
distinctions in his dress which marked his rank. His toga was made of
wool, in its natural colour of greenish white, a fashion of garment which
was preserved by men of distinguished rank long after the toga itself had
fallen into disuse. On the right breast of his short‐sleeved tunic, where
it peeped from beneath the graceful folds of the toga, might be seen a
glimpse of the ‘Angustus Clavus,’(1) or narrow purple stripe, which was
woven into the garment, and ran down perpendicularly from each shoulder.
The high buskins on his feet were each fastened in front by four black
thongs, ornamented by a small crescent, the exclusive, sartorial badge of
senatorial rank. Such little particulars were trifling enough in extent,
and unnoticeable to a stranger, but to a Roman eye they denoted at once
the rank and importance of the wearer. They were, however, unnecessary in
the poor and crowded suburb through which he and his slaves passed
leisurely towards the river. He was well known to the humble inhabitants,
in consequence of the proximity of his mansion, which stood on the height
overlooking them; and, also, by acts of liberality and good‐nature, which
ever met with full appreciation. Hence, as he wound his way through the
crowded and not altogether sweet‐flavoured district, his vanguard of
slaves before mentioned had only occasion now and again to use their
voices to open a free passage. The people gave way readily, with gestures
of respect.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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