Caesellius Bassus
Caesellius Bassus (died possibly 65 AD) was a member of the Roman knighthood who became famous through an anecdote with Emperor Nero . The story was passed on through Tacitus and Suetonius .
Treasure hunt
Caesellius Bassus came from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa . Caused by a dream, he believed that a great treasure of the legendary Queen Dido was buried on his estate . He tried to convince Emperor Nero to dig up the treasure. The news caused a sensation in Rome and prompted further exuberant spending by the emperor, according to Tacitus Nero is said to have already made donations of it.
When the treasure hunt was unsuccessful, Bassus killed himself in 65. Tacitus himself points to a different tradition, according to which Bassus was only placed in chains, but was released again after one had kept amicable with his property.
swell
- Suetonius : Nero 31 ( online at www.thelatinlibrary.com ).
- Tacitus : Annales 16, 1-3 ( online at www.thelatinlibrary.com ).
literature
- Arthur Stein : Caesellius 1). In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume III, 1, Stuttgart 1897, Col. 1304 f.
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Caesellius Bassus |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Bassus, Caesellius |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | roman knight |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1st century |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1st century |