c. AD 120

Suet. Dom. 19

The Life of Domitian Chapter 19

Author
Suetonius
Translator
J. C. Rolfe

The Life of Domitian

Chapter 19

Suetonius

translated by J. C. Rolfe

19He was incapable of exertion and seldom went about the city on foot, while on his campaigns and journeys he rarely rode on horseback, but was regularly carried in a litter. He took no interest in arms, but was particularly devoted to archery. There are many who have more than once seen him slay a hundred wild beasts of different kinds on his Alban estate, and purposely kill some of them with two successive shots in such a way that the arrows gave the effect of horns. Sometimes he would have a slave stand at a distance and hold out the palm of his right hand for a mark, with the fingers spread; then he directed his arrows with such accuracy that they passed harmlessly between the fingers.