Calpurnia and the Disruption of the Roman State Chris Mowat, Newcastle University
Nicolaus of Damascus, Life of Augustus 23. κα ὶ σ ὺ ὁ τηλικόσδε, γυναικ ὸ ς ἐ νυπνίοις κα ὶ ἀ νδρ ῶ ν ματαίων κληδόσι προσσχ ὼ ν ὑ βριε ῖ ς τήν σε τιμήσασαν σύγκλητον, ἣ ν α ὐ τ ὸ ς συνεκάλεσας, ο ὐ κ ἐ ξιών; Will one such as you, because of the dreams of a woman and the chance utterances of foolish men, insult the senate which has honoured you, which you yourself have convened, by not leaving the house? (trans. Hall 1923)
Exhibit A: The dream(s) of Publius Decius Mus and Manlius Torquatus. Message Dream Larger than life figure Two dreamers Morning Sacrifice Consuls
Exhibit B: The dream of Titus Latinius Message dream Visit from Jupiter Repetition Illness, death, recovery Peasant farmer
Exhibit C: The dream of Caecilia Metella: Message or symbol? Juno Élite female dreamer Consular approval Political tensions
The Death of Caesar Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1867.