Ascleta'rio
an astrologer and mathematician in the time of Domitian. On one occasion he was brought before the emperor for some offence. Domitian tried to put the knowledge of the astro loger to the test, and asked him what kind o death he was to die, whereupon Ascletario answered, " I know that I shall soon be torn to pieces by the dogs." To prevent the realisation of this assertion, Domitian ordered him to be put to death immediately, and to be buried. When his body lay on the funeral pile, a vehement wind arose, which carried the body from the pile, and some dogs, which had been near, immediately began devouring the half-roasted body. Domitian, on being informed of this, is said to have been more moved and perplexed than he had ever been before.
This tale, which is related in all its sinmplicity by Suetonius (
Domit. 15), is much distorted in the accounts which Cedrenus, Constantine Manasses, and Glycas give of it.
[
L.S]
