Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-03-16
THEY HAD MONEY TO BURN.
MillioDaires in Ancient Times Who Used
to Squander Their Wealth.


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
were large masses of gold, and that Da-
RUS received in tribute from Persia as
much as S16,250,0O0. The sacred writ
ings tell that Solomon was immensely
rich, that silver was abundant in Jerusa-
lem, and that in one year the King re-
ceived from Hiram 300 talents of gold,
equal to $16,250,0OO.
In Greece, Croesus possessed in landed
property fortune equal to $3.50, 600, be-
sides large sum of money, slaves and
furniture, which amounted to an equal
sum. He used to say that 4 citizen who
had not fortune sufficient to support an
army or legion did not deserve the title
of rich man. The wealth of Pytheno
was estimated at $15,000,000.
The philosopher Seneca acquired i'm
mense wealth under his pupil Nero, but
he was afterWard put to death by the
tyrant, and his fortune of So 100000 con-
tlscated. The wealth of Lentullus, the
SOOthSayer, was estimated at ST, 500. 900
The debts of some of the great person.
ages OF ancient times were enormous.
Those of A1ilon amounted 10 $3,000,000
owed Sl6,O0O,O0O; he purchased the
friendship of Curio for s., 100000, and
that OF Lucius Paulus for 81 100000. At
the time of Caesars assassination. An
tony was in debt to the amount of $780,
900. This sum, which he owed in the
ides Of March, was paid before the ka-
lends of April, and he squandered $147,-
100000 of the public treasury.
Augustus obtained by testamentary dis
position as much as S160,0OO,00O The
Roman Emperor TiberiuS at his death
left $11S,O 900, which Caligula spent in
less than twelve months. We have no
such instance of a modern Spendthrift.
One supper alone cost him S150,O0O Yes
paSIan, on ascending the throne, estimat-
ed his. expenses at ST, 100000.
!, Applcus, a noted epicure who lived in
the time Of Augustus, expended $500
600 IN debauchery, and, finding on an eX-
animation of his affairs that he had no
more than 100000 left, he poisoned him
self, because he considered that sum III
sufficient for his maintenance. The eff
forts of our Nineteenth century ''Dlung-
erS' pale before such instances.
Julius Caesar gave Servilla, the mother
Of Brutus, a pearl valued at $500, 0CO,
and Antony, at an entertainment given
him by Cleopatra is said to have sNal-
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 lux
ury, extravaganza and prodigaIity, and,
not being able to get rid of his money
fast enough, swallowed a pearl worth
$4,000. Emperor Heliogabalus spent
100000 on one supper. The FISH from
the fish pond of Lucuiius, a Roman gen
eral, remarkable for his great wealth and
magnifcence, sold for $4,000.
Misalla gave 100000 for the house of
Antony. Scaurus was immensely rich;
his country house was destroyed by fire,
and the loss estimated at 81, 25O. 900.
Ohio, to finish a part of Nero's palace.
spent $2,40O,OOO. Cicero had great
number of the houses in various paris 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 prices
in passing from one villa to another
Immense sums were sometimes spent by
the wealthy Romans on their funeral pro-
cessions. No fewer than 600 couches,
bearing the images Of the deceased's an
cestors and statues of other great men,
were carried before the corpse of Marcel
lus, and 1000 before that of Sylla, be-
sides which the professions were at
tended by innumerable musicians and sing
ing women chanting the praises Of the de-
ceased.