[For account of this statue, see Handbook to Roman Court and Nave, No. 291.] 32. MENANDER. _Comic Poet._ [Born at Cephissia, near Athens, B.C. 342. Died probably at Athens, B.C. 290. Aged 52.] The model writer of “The New Comedy,” which substituted for the personalities of the “Ancient Comedy,” a more faithful portraiture of the vices and follies of men. A few fragments only remain of his numerous works. His plays are said to have presented a most true and lively reflexion of the manners and morals of his age. He had many imitators amongst the Greeks and Romans, and Plautus and Terence profited by his writings. Only eight of his plays were crowned. He was probably in advance of his time and audience. [For account of this statue, see Handbook to Greek Court, No. 290.] 33. POSIDONIUS. _Greek Philosopher._ [Born at Apameia in Syria, about 135 years B.C. Died, probably at Rome, about 51 B.C.] A writer on History, Astronomy, Astrology, Cosmography, and Grammar, but none of his works remain; a great scholar and traveller. A Stoic in philosophy, yet desirous of bringing all systems of philosophy into harmony. He suffered much from illness. Pompey visited him during a sharp attack of gout, but during his agony he sustained an argument with the orator Hermagoras to prove that pain is no evil. “Torment me if you will, oh Pain!” he exclaimed, “I shall not admit pain to be an evil, a bit the more for that.” [For account of this statue, see Handbook to Roman Court and Nave, No. 307.] ROMAN COURT. ENTERING BY THE CENTRE ARCH FROM THE NAVE. (_Numbers commencing on the right._) ROMAN EMPERORS. 34. NUMA POMPILIUS. _Second King of Rome._ [Born at Cures, in the country of the Sabines.] The life of Numa Pompilius belongs to the realm of fable. “His name,” says Dr. Smith, “represents the rule of law and order, and to him are ascribed all those ecclesiastical institutions which formed the basis of the ceremonial religion of the Romans.” The legend attached to Numa describes him as the mildest, wisest, and most virtuous of men. After his election to the throne, vacated by Romulus, his first care was to ameliorate the condition of his people, and to legislate on behalf of religion. He reigned thirty-nine years in uninterrupted peace. It is suggested that as Numa was reputed chosen from amongst the Sabines, the Romans, in all probability, drew their religious institutions from that nation, rather than from the Etruscans. [From the bust in the Vatican at Rome.] 35. AUGUSTUS. _Roman Emperor_, B.C. 30-A.D. 14. [Born at Rome, B.C. 63. Died at Nola, in Campania, A.D. 14. Aged 76.]