Antonius led the usual life of the Roman nobles of that time. He lounged, drank, and played for high stakes at the gaming-tables at the baths. He sauntered into the Forum, and listened to some favourite orator, or later in the day he attended the Court, and either drove in his gaily-decorated chariot, or sauntered in the gardens where the beauty and fashion of Rome resorted. Then he would bid guests to his supper, who were never unwilling to respond to his invitation, for his board was always spread with sumptuous fare, and the emperor himself was frequently announced by heralds as deigning to confer the favour of his presence upon Antonius. When Antonius had dismissed the slaves and attendants, he said-- “Here is your father’s letter. He begs me to make a Roman of you, and mentions that by reason of robbers by land, and pirates by sea, you had arrived in a sorry plight. You can be equipped by my people in native attire, and it is time that you left off that prætexta, if your father’s version of your age be true--near fifteen. He says, and truly, that you are small and slender, and a contrast to him in all things. He does not think you will make a soldier.” Antonius laughed. “And I agree with him; we must turn you into a Roman, befitting in manners and appearance your high rank. You have a sister a vestal, I hear.” “Yes, a young sister received as a disciple,” Casca said. “A vestal’s brother must needs be careful to do her honour, and you must submit yourself to the hands of my dresser, and acquire some accomplishment, play on some instrument, as well as play high at other games. The Emperor may look kindly on you, and I will get you a place in his household.” Then Antonius yawned, and lazily stretching himself on his luxurious couch, leaned over a few parchments and made a cabalistic sign on one or two, and then settled himself to his siesta. Meantime Casca was reading his father’s letter, which Antonius had tossed to him, and there was also a short one addressed to himself. He knew already the contents of that written to Antonius, but Severus’s counsel to his young son may bear to be transcribed here as a specimen of paternal counsel in those days of Roman decline. “Severus, pro-consul at Verulam, to my son Casca, greeting.