Expert: Maria - 4/17/2010

Question
did the slave who rode behind generals celebrating their triumphs whispering horrible things have a name or title?

thanks

Answer
Hello,

Actually there was no name/title for the slave who stood behind the victorious Roman general in the chariot drawn by four horses, while the conqueror was preceded by the captives and spoils taken in war and followed by his troops, passing in state along the 'Via Sacra' (Sacred Road), ascended the Capitol to offer sacrifice in the temple of Jupiter.

According to Tertullian in his Apologeticum 33, the presence of a slave in such a place at such a time seems to have been intended to avert "invidia" ( envy) and the influence of the evil eye, so that the slave  ever and anon whispered in the ear of the general  the warning words "Respice post te! Hominem te memento!" meaning  “Look behind you. Remember you are but a man” just to remember that all glory is fleeting.

To conclude, this slave had no name or title, but was simply one of the slaves of the general, sometimes a prisoner of war.

Regards,
Maria