[319] THIS WILD HORSE OF THE SUN. Herodianus alludes to the steeds of Helios and the fate of Phaethon, who obtained his father’s permission to guide the chariot of the Sun one day in his stead, but had so little control over the unruly steeds, that to save the earth from burning, Zeus was compelled to slay him with a thunderbolt and hurl him from the chariot into the river Eridanus. [320] BURRHUS, THE SON OF PARTHENIUS. See Mart. _Ep._, IV, 45; V, 6. [321] WOLF’S-TOOTH BIT (_lupata frena_) a curb furnished with iron points shaped like a wolf’s tooth, used for hard-mouthed horses. See Hor. _Od._ I, 8, 6; _Nec lupatis temperat ora frenis_.... [322] SORACTE. A mountain north of Rome. See Varro R.R. II, 3, 3; Virg. _Aen._ VI, 696, Hor. _Od._ I, 9 (_alta nive candidum._) CHAPTER XVIII. It was dark. In the dining-room of Cneius Afranius a small party had just risen from table. Six guests had shared the modest meal--men differing in age and position, but agreed in feeling, unanimous in their hatred of the imperial reign of terror, and alike in courage and strength of character. During the meal none but commonplace topics were discussed, convinced as Afranius was of the fidelity of his slaves; under Domitian’s rule, suspiciousness had risen to the dignity of a virtue. Even the _commissatio_--the friendly cup which, in accordance with time-honored custom, closed the meal--lent no impetus to the conversation. Each one was thinking of the discussion, that was now to follow.