Virgilius: Difference between revisions
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|Has Summary='''The Wonders of Virgil''' | |||
This story describes wonders built for Rome by Virgil or Virgilius, and how their treatment demonstrates the wisdom or greed of the emperor. In most versions, the description of an initial wonder – a fire that will never go out, unless a particular statue is struck, which of course happens – precedes the main story. The primary marvel is a mirror which always reflects the image of those who would harm Rome, and guided by this, the city flourishes, and the mirror itself is carefully guarded. Eventually, however, an enemy king offers a reward to any who can destroy the mirror. Two men offer to do so, and request several coffers full of gold. They secretly bury the chests of gold in Rome, then report to the emperor that they are professional treasure hunters, and prove their skill by ‘discovering’ the chests they themselves had hidden. They convince him more gold is buried beneath the mirror, and the greedy emperor tells them to dig it up anyway; the mirror is destroyed, and the people of Rome turn on the emperor, and kill him by pouring molten gold into all his orifices. | |||
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Latest revision as of 18:43, 19 August 2024
The Wonders of Virgil
This story describes wonders built for Rome by Virgil or Virgilius, and how their treatment demonstrates the wisdom or greed of the emperor. In most versions, the description of an initial wonder – a fire that will never go out, unless a particular statue is struck, which of course happens – precedes the main story. The primary marvel is a mirror which always reflects the image of those who would harm Rome, and guided by this, the city flourishes, and the mirror itself is carefully guarded. Eventually, however, an enemy king offers a reward to any who can destroy the mirror. Two men offer to do so, and request several coffers full of gold. They secretly bury the chests of gold in Rome, then report to the emperor that they are professional treasure hunters, and prove their skill by ‘discovering’ the chests they themselves had hidden. They convince him more gold is buried beneath the mirror, and the greedy emperor tells them to dig it up anyway; the mirror is destroyed, and the people of Rome turn on the emperor, and kill him by pouring molten gold into all his orifices.
Critical Literature
No critical literature available
