LUXURIES OF GALLIENUS
" [16, 1] Such was the life of Gallienus, which I have briefly described in writing, who, born for his belly and his pleasures, wasted his days and nights in wine and debauchery and caused the world to be laid waste by pretenders about twenty in number, so that even women ruled better than he. He, forsooth, — in order that his pitiable skill may not be left unmentioned — used in the spring-time to make sleeping-places of roses. He built castles of apples, preserved grapes for three years, and served melons in the depth of winter. He showed how new wine could be had all through the year. He always served out of season green figs and apples fresh from the trees. He always spread his tables with golden covers. He made jewelled vessels, and golden ones too. He sprinkled his hair with gold-dust. He went out in public adorned with the radiate crown, and at Rome — where the emperors always appeared in the toga — he appeared in a purple cloak with jewelled and golden clasps. He wore a man's tunic of purple and gold and provided with sleeves. He used a jewelled sword-belt and he fastened jewels to his boot-laces and then called his boots "reticulate." He used, moreover, to banquet in public. He won the people's favour by largesses, and he distributed, seated, portions of food to the senate. He invited matrons into his council, and to those who kissed his hand he presented four aurei bearing his own name."
Historia Augusta - The two Gallieni ( by Trebellius Pollio )
