San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-12-07
SOME ANCIENT FORTUNES.
The Extravagances of Milllonaires
and Spendthrifts of Classic Times.

Inc EXtraVaganc9S OF MllliOnalreS
and Spendthrifts of Classic Times.
In these days, when so much
notice is taken of millionaires, it
may not be out of place to recall a
few of those Of ancient times. 1t is
known that in Assyria there were
large masses of gold, and that
Darius received in tribute from
Persia as much as SlG,25O,000. The
sacred writings tell that Solomon
was immensely rich, that silver
was abundant in Jerusalem, and
that in one year the king received
from Hiram 800 talents of gold,
equal to $l6,259,000.
In Greece, Croesus possessed in
landed property fortune equal to
S., 100000 besides a large sum of
money, slaves and furniture, which
amounted to an equal sum. He
used to say that a citizen who had
not a fortune sufficient to support
an army, or a legion, did not
deserve the title of a rich man. The
wealth of Pytheno was estimated
at $l5,00O,OO0.
The philosopher Seneca acquired
immense wealth under his pupil
Nero, says the Cincinnati CONNER
cial Gazette, but he was afterward
put to death by the tyrant, and his
fortune of $l2,500,00O confiscated.
The wealth of Lentullus, the
soothsayer, was estimated at $l1,-
100000.
The debts of some Of the great
personages OF ancient times were
enormous. Those of Milon amount
ed to $3,OO0,000. julius Caesar, be-
fore he entered office, owed $4,000,
900; he purchased the friendship
of Curio for $2,5OOO,0OO, and that
Of Lucius Paulus for $7,500,0OO. AT
the time Of Caesars assassination.
Anthony was in debt to the
amount of $7,500,00O. The sum
which he owed in the ides of
March, was paid before the kalends
of April. and he squandered $l47,-
600, 600 Of the public treasury.
Augustus obtained by testamen.
tary disposition as much as $780,
100000. The Roman emperor.
Tiberius, at his death left $l1S,-
100000, which Caligula spent in
less than twelve months. We have
no such instance of modern
spendthrift. One supper alone cost
him $4,000. Vespasian, on as
CON Ipp tho fbropa acfin,o TOD I,;o
expenses at ST., 100000.
Appicus, a noted epicure, who
lived in the time of Augustus, eX-
pended $2,500,0G0 in debauchery.
and finding on an examination CT
his state of affairs that he had no
more than 100000 left, he poison
ed himself, because he considered
the sum insufficient for his MAIN
tenance. The efforts of our nine
teenth century "plunge" pale be-
fore such instances.
Julius Cesar gave Servilia, the
mother Of Brutus, pearl valued
at 100000; and Anthony, at an
entertainment given to him by
Ni'ophtld, 10 Sdlu W udNe Swallow
cd one of equal value which she
dissolved in vinegar.
Claudius Aesopus, the comedian
accumulated an immense fortune,
and was very expensive in his man
ner Of living. His son Claudius
was noted for his luxury, eXtrava-
gance and prodigality, and, not
being able to get rid Of his money
fast enough, swallowed a pearl
worth $4,000. The Emperor Hello
gabalus spent 100000 on one sup
per. The fish from the fish pond
OF Eucullus, Roman general, re-
markable for his great wealth and
magnificence, sold for $4,000.
Mlsalla gave 100000 for the
house Of Anthony. Scaurus was
immensely rich: his country house
was destroyed by fire, and the loss
estimated at $4,250,00O. Ohio, to
finish a part OF Nero's palace, spent
100000. Cicero had great
number OF fine houses in various
parts of Italy. Some reckon up to
eighteen all,'with the exception OF
the family seat at Arpinum, built
by himself. Besides these, he had
several small inns or resting
places, in passing from one villa
to another.
Immense sums were sometimes
spent by the wealthy Romans on
their funeral professions. No few
er than 600 churches, bearing the