Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Sejanus, L.

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search

SEJA'NUS, L., was praetor A. D. 32. Though a friend of Aelius Sejanus, and probably a kinsman, he was spared by Tiberius. This Sejanus, at the celebration of the Floralia, employed only bald-headed persons to perform the ceremonies, which were prolonged to the evening, and the spectators were lighted out of the theatre by five thousand children, with torches in their hands and their heads shaved. This was done to ridicule Tiberius, who was bald at the top of his head. The emperor affected to know nothing of this insult. It became a fashion, in consequence of this affair, to call bald persons Sejani. (Dion Cassius, lviii. 19.) [G. L.]