Latin Texts & Translations

The myrtle has played ^[Note] its part, also, in the successes of war. Posthumius Tubertus, who gained a victory over the Sabines in his consulship, ^[Note] was the first person who entered the City enjoying the honour of an ovation, ^[Note] for having achieved this success with ease and without bloodshed; upon which occasion he made his entry crowned with the myrtle of Venus Victrix, and thereby rendered her tree an object of regard ^[Note] to our enemies even. Ever since this occasion, the wreath of those who have enjoyed an ovation has been made of myrtle, with the exception of M. Crassus, ^[Note] who, on his victory over the fugitive slaves and Spartacus, made his entry crowned with laurels. Massurius informs us, also, that some generals, on the occasion of a triumph even, have worn a wreath of myrtle in the triumphal car. L. Piso states that

Papirius Maso, who was the first to enjoy a triumph for a victory over the Marsi—it was on the Alban Mount ^[Note]—was in the habit of attending at the games of the Circus, wearing a wreath of myrtle: he was the maternal grandfather of the second Scipio Africanus. Marcus Valerius ^[Note] wore two wreaths, one of laurel, the other of myrtle; it was in consequence of a vow which he had made to that effect.