Festus
a favourite freedman aud remembrancer (
τῆς βασιλείαρ μνήμης προεστώς) of Caracalla, by whom he was buried in the Troad, with all the ceremonies observed at the obsequies of Patroclus.
According to Herodian, a report was current that he had been poisoned by the Emperor, who, being seized with the fancy of imitating Achilles, and being at a loss for a dead friend whose fate he might mourn, after the fashion of the hero, had recourse to this method of supplying the deficiency. Festus, the chamberlain of Caracalla, must have been a different personage, since he is represented by Dio Cassius as alive under Macrinus, and as taking an active part in the proceedings for setting up Elagabalus. (Herodian. 4.14 ;
D. C. 78.33.)
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W.R]