The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-13
SOME ANCIENT FORTUNES.
Extravaganoes of Millionaires anC
Spendthrifts of Classic Times.

0penQtnrlIrS OF CLASSIC Times.
From the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
In these days, when so much notice is
taken Of millionaires, it may not be out of
place to recall few of those of ancient
times. 1t is known that in Assyria there
We're large masses of gold, and that Darius
received in tribute from Persia as much as
$l6250,00O. 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 SIG, 100000.
In Greece, Croesus possessed in landed
property fortune equal to $S,S50000, be-
sides large sum of money, slaves and
furniture, which amounted to an equal
sum. He used to say that citizen who
had not a fortune sufficient to support an
army or legion, did not deserve the title
of rich man. The wealth of Pytheno was
estimated at $15,000,0OO
The philosopher Seneca, acquired i'm
mense wealth under his pupil Nero but
he was afterward put to death by the ty-
rant, and his fortune of Sl2 500 900 confis-
Gated. The wealth of Lentullus, the sooth-
sayer. was estimated at $17, $50, 900.
The debts of some of the great person
ages of ancient times were enormous.
Those of Milon amounted to 50, 600 OOO Ju-
$l6,OO,OOO; he purchased the friendship of
Curio for $2,5OO0OO, and that of Lucius
Paulus for $500, 900. At the time of Gaze
sar's assassination, Anthony was in debt
to the amount of 81. $780, 900. This sum, which
he owed in the ides of March, was paid
before the kalends of April and he squan-
dered $147, 000, 900 of the public treasury.
Augustus obtained by testamentary dis
position as much as $3.50, 100000. The Roman
emperor, Tberus, at his death left $11S
100000, which Cahgula spent in less than
twelve months. We have no such instance
of modern spendthrift. One supper alone
cost him $150000. Nespasian, on ascending
the throne, estimated his expenses at ST.
500, 900.
Appicus a noted epicure, who lived in
the time of Augustus, expended $500 900
in debauchery, and finding, on an exami-
nation of his state of affairs, that he had
sufficient for his maintenance. The efforts
self, because he considered the sum in
sufficient for his maintenance. The effort
of our nineteenth century ''plungers'' pale
before such instances.
Julius Caesar gave Servilia, the mother
of Brutus, pearl valued at $400, 900; and
Anthony, at an entertainment given to
him by Cleopatra, is said to have swal-
lowed one of equal value, which she dis
solved in vinegar.
Claudius Aesopus, the comedian, ac-
cumulated an immense fortune and was
very expensive in his manner of living
His son Claudius was noted for his luxury,
extravaganza and prodigality. and, not
being able to get rid of his money fast
enough, swallowed a pearl worth $4,000
The Emperor Heliogabalus spent 100000
on one supper The fish from the fish
pond of Lucullus, a Roman general, re-
markable for his great wealth and mag
nificence. sold for Sl75,000.
Msalla gave 100000 for the house of
Anthony Scaurus was immensely rich i;
his country house was destroyed by fire,
and the loss estimated at S4,250,000. Ohio,
to finish a part of Nero's palace, spent
$2.400000. Cicero had a great number of
fine houses in various parts of Italy. some
reckon up to eighteen; all, with the ex-
ception 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 fewer than 500 churches,
bearing the images of the deceased's an
cestors and statues of other great men
were carried before the corpse of Mar
cellus, and ], 900 before that of Sylla, be-
sides which the professions were attend
ed by innumerable musicians and singing
women, chanting the praises of the de-
ceased.