11. Chap. 11.-At What Period The First Crown Of Gold Was Presented.

CHAP. 11.—AT WHAT PERIOD THE FIRST CROWN OF GOLD WAS PRESENTED.

But, a thing that is more surprising still, crowns[1] of gold were given to the citizens as well. As to the person who was first presented with one, so far as I have enquired, I have not been able to ascertain his name: L. Piso says, however, that the Dictator[2] A. Posthumius was the first who conferred one: on taking the camp of the Latins at Lake Regillus,[3] he gave a crown of gold, made from the spoil, to the soldier whose valour had mainly contributed to this success. L. Lentulus, also, when consul,[4] presented one to Servius Cornelius Merenda, on taking a town of the Samnites; but in his case it was five pounds in weight. Piso Frugi, too, presented his son with a golden crown, at his own private expense, making[5] it a specific legacy in his will.

1. On this subject, see B. xvi. c. 3, and B. xxi. c. i.

2. A.U.C. 323, or 431 B.C.

3. Situate about fourteen miles from Rome, and on the road to the town called La Colonna.

4. A.U.C. 479, and B.C. 275. In the following year Merenda himself was consul, with Manius Curius Dentatus.

5. "Testamento prælegavit." Properly speaking, "prælegare" was "to bequeath a thing to be given before the inheritance was divided." The crown thus left by Piso was to be three pounds in weight.