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time come to render an account of his actions； addressing the public
assembly； he was as profuse in enumerating the lucky chances of war as
any of his own military merits。 And； finally； from this felicity he
requested to receive the surname of Felix。 In writing and
transacting business with the Greeks； he styled himself
Epaphroditus； and on his trophies which are still extant with us the
name is given Lucius Cornelius Sylla Epaphroditus。 Moreover； when
his wife had brought him forth twins； he named the male Faustus and
the female Fausta； the Roman words for what is auspicious and of happy
omen。 The confidence which he reposed in his good genius； rather
than in any abilities of his own； emboldened him； though deeply
involved in bloodshed； and though he had been the author of such great
changes and revolutions of state； to lay down his authority； and place
the right of consular elections once more in the hands of the
people。 And when they were held； he not only declined to seek that
office； but in the forum exposed his person publicly to the people；
walking up and down as a private man。 And contrary to his will； a
certain bold man and his enemy； Marcus Lepidus； was expected to become
consul； not so much by his own interest； as by the power and
solicitation of Pompey； whom the people were willing to oblige。 When
the business was over； seeing Pompey going home overjoyed with the
success； he called him to him and said； 〃What a polite act； young man；
to pass by Catulus； the best of men； and choose Lepidus； the worst！ It
will be well for you to be vigilant； now that you have strengthened
your opponent against yourself。〃 Sylla spoke this； it may seem； by a
prophetic instinct； for； not long after； Lepidus grew insolent and
broke into open hostility to Pompey and his friends。
Sylla； consecrating the tenth of his whole substance to Hercules；
entertained the people with sumptuous feastings。 The provision was
so much above what was necessary； that they were forced daily to throw
great quantities of meat into the river； and they drank wine forty
years old and upwards。 In the midst of the banqueting； which lasted
many days； Metella died of a disease。 And because that the priest
forbade him to visit the sick； or suffer his house to be polluted with
mourning； he drew up an act of divorce and caused her to be removed
into another house whilst alive。 Thus far； out of religious
apprehension； he observed the strict rule to the very letter； but in
the funeral expenses he transgressed the law he himself had made；
limiting the amount； and spared no cost。 He transgressed； likewise；
his own sumptuary laws respecting expenditure in banquets； thinking to
allay his grief by luxurious drinking parties and revellings with
common buffoons。
Some few months after； at a show of gladiators； when men and women
sat promiscuously in the theatre； no distinct places being as yet
appointed； there sat down by Sylla a beautiful woman of high birth； by
name Valeria； daughter of Messala； and sister to Hortensius the
orator。 Now it happened that she had been lately divorced from her
husband。 Passing along behind Sylla； she leaned on him with her
hand； and plucking a bit of wool from his garment； so proceeded to her
seat。 And on Sylla looking up and wondering what it meant； 〃What harm；
mighty sir；〃 said she； 〃if I also was desirous to partake a little
in your felicity？〃 It appeared at once that Sylla was not
displeased； but even tickled in his fancy； for he sent out to
inquire her name； her birth； and past life。 From this time there
passed between them many side glances； each continually turning
round to look at the other； and frequently interchanging smiles。 In
the end； overtures were made； and a marriage concluded on。 All which
was innocent； perhaps； on the lady's side； but； though she had been
never so modest and virtuous； it was scarcely a temperate and worthy
occasion of marriage on the part of Sylla； to take fire； as a boy
might； at a face and a bold look； incentives not seldom to the most
disorderly and shameless passions。
Notwithstanding this marriage； he kept company with actresses；
musicians； and dancers； drinking with them on couches night and day。
His chief favourites were Roscius the comedian； Sorex the arch mime；
and Metrobius the player； for whom； though past his prime； he still
professed a passionate fondness。 By these courses he encouraged a
disease which had begun from unimportant cause； and for a long time he
failed to observe that his bowels were ulcerated； till at length the
corrupted flesh broke out into lice。 Many were employed day and
night in destroying them； but the work so multiplied under their
hands； that not only his clothes； baths； basins； but his very meat was
polluted with that flux and contagion； they came swarming out in
such numbers。 He went frequently by day into the bath to scour and
cleanse his body； but all in vain； the evil generated too rapidly
and too abundantly for any ablutions to overcome it。 There died of
this disease； amongst those of the most ancient times； Acastus； the
son of Pelias； of later date； Alcman the poet； Pherecydes the
theologian； Callisthenes the Olynthian； in the time of his
imprisonment； as also Mucius the lawyer； and if we may mention
ignoble； but notorious names； Eunus the fugitive； who stirred up the
slaves of Sicily to rebel against their masters； after he was
brought captive to Rome； died of this creeping sickness。
Sylla not only foresaw his end； but may be also said to have written
of it。 For in the two…and…twentieth book of his Memoirs； which he
finished two days before his death； he writes that the Chaldeans
foretold him； that after he had led a life of honour； he should
conclude it in fulness of prosperity。 He declares； moreover； that in a
vision he had seen his son； who had died not long before Metella；
stand by in mourning attire； and beseech his father to cast off
further care； and come along with him to his mother Metella； there
to live at ease and quietness with her。 However； he could not
refrain from intermeddling in public affairs。 For； ten days before his
decease； he composed the differences of the people of Dicaearchia； and
prescribed laws for their better government。 And the very day before
his end； it being told him that the magistrate Granius deferred the
payment of a public debt； in expectation of his death； he sent for him
to his house； and placing his attendants about him； caused him to be
strangled； but through the straining of his voice and body； the
imposthume breaking； he lost a great quantity of blood。 Upon this； his
strength failing him； after spending a troublesome night； he died；
leaving behind him two young children by Metella。 Valeria was
afterwards delivered of a daughter； named Posthuma； for so the
Romans call those who are born after the father's death。
Many ran tumultuously together； and joined with Lepidus to deprive
the corpse of the accustomed solemnities； but Pompey； though
offended at Sylla （for he alone of all his friends was not mentioned
in his will）； having kept off some by his interest and entreaty；
others by menaces； conveyed the body to Rome； and gav