Claudius Aesopus
Claudius Aesopus was a prominent tragic actor in ancient Rome, known for his powerful performances and significant wealth. Little is documented about his early life, with some scholars speculating about his origins, suggesting he may have once been a slave or born a free Greek. By 91 BCE, Aesopus was an established actor, garnering attention for his strong voice and expressive gestures, vital for success in public speaking and theatrical performances. His career peaked in 57 BCE when he adapted his lines in plays to support the exiled Cicero, who also hired him as a tutor to enhance his oratory skills.
Aesopus accumulated substantial wealth through his acting and tutoring, reportedly amassing an estate worth 20 million sesterces at his death, a figure that illustrates his immense financial success compared to the typical Roman citizen. Despite his acclaim, he faced criticism for extravagant spending and mismanagement of his fortune, which reflected the excesses of wealth in Roman society. His legacy highlights the dual nature of actors in Rome, admired for their talents yet often viewed with disdain due to social prejudices. Aesopus's life ultimately underscores the intricate relationship between theater and politics during the Late Republic.
Subject Terms
Claudius Aesopus
Roman actor
- Born: fl. first century b.c.e.
- Birthplace: Unknown
- Died: after 55 b.c.e.
- Place of death: Unknown
As the leading tragic actor of his time, Aesopus was able to acquire a vast fortune. He was, however, considered a spendthrift and was seen by later writers as an example of the decadent lifestyle of the rich during the Late Republic.
Sources of wealth: Acting; tutoring
Bequeathal of wealth: Children
Early Life
Nothing is known of the childhood or early life of Claudius Aesopus (KLOH-dee-uhs ay-SOH-puhs). Ancient writers were concerned with his skill as an actor and his great wealth. His cognomen, Aesopus, has led some scholars to suggest that he had once been a slave. However, it is just as likely that he was born a free Greek and later attained Roman citizenship. The latter is supported in that Cicero, the Roman statesman, would hardly have spoken of Aesopus in such endearing terms had he been of servile origin.
First Ventures
Much of the information about Aesopus comes from brief accounts in the surviving writings of ancient authors, particularly those of Cicero. According to Cicero, Aesopus was an established tragic actor by 91 b.c.e. and had performed at many state-sponsored theatrical shows. Valerius Maximus states that Aesopus would observe the manners of orators in the forum in order to hone his craft. He was known not only for his strong voice but also for his use of gestures, an important element of any form of public speaking in ancient Rome. Plutarch writes that Aesopus was so passionate an actor that on one occasion he struck and killed an attendant who crossed the stage.
Mature Wealth
Aesopus attained his great wealth by performing in plays and as a hired tutor to the up-and-coming statesmen of his day. His acting career reached a high point in 57 b.c.e., when he performed in two separate plays; he modified the lines to garner praise and support for the exiled Cicero. Indeed, Cicero was one of the statesmen who hired Aesopus as a tutor in order to improve his public speaking. The latest mention of Aesopus is contained in a letter to Cicero from his friend Atticus. Atticus states that Aesopus was among the retired actors who performed at the games celebrating the opening of the Theater of Pompey in 55 b.c.e. According to the fifth century c.e. writer Macrobius, Aesopus’s estate was worth 20 million sesterces at his death. While such factors as inflation and differences in standards of living make modern dollar equivalents of ancient money untenable, it can be said that Aesopus was certainly among the wealthiest individuals of his time. To put Aesopus’s wealth in its proper context, it should be considered that in his time the property qualification for a Roman senator was 800,000 sesterces, and that a day laborer earned approximately 1,000 sesterces a year.
While admired by many for his skill as an actor and tutor, Aesopus was criticized for mismanaging his wealth. Pliny states that he showed no respect for his lavish fortune, serving up dinners worth 100,000 sesterces that featured cooked songbirds costing 6,000 sesterces each. His son, Marcus Clodius Aesopus, continued to squander the family fortune. He was said to have concocted a favorite drink by dissolving an expensive pearl in vinegar.
Legacy
While actors were generally looked down upon in Roman society, the case of Aesopus demonstrates that the very best not only were in high demand but also were able to attain great wealth, reflecting the popularity of the theater in the Late Republic. They were also sought out as tutors by those, like Cicero, who wished to become important statesmen, thus demonstrating the important reciprocal nature of acting and public speaking in Roman society. The mismanagement of his wealth, however, caused Aesopus to be criticized by his contemporaries as an example of the excesses and decadent lifestyle of the rich.
Bibliography
Cicero. Pro Sestio. Translated by Robert A. Kaster. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
Easterling, Pat, and Edith Hall. Greek and Roman Actors: Aspects of an Ancient Profession. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
Macrobius. The Saturnalia. Translated by Percival Vaughan Davies. New York: Columbia University Press, 1969.
Slater, William J., ed. Roman Theater and Society: E. Togo Salmon Papers I. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1996.