XX. CAMMA1
There were in Galatia two of the most powerful
of the tetrarchs, distantly related to each other,
Sinatus and Sinorix. One of these, Sinatus, had
married a maiden, Camma by name, conspicuous for
her form and beauty, but even more admired for her
virtues. Not only was she modest and fond of her
husband, but she was also quick-witted and high-minded,
[p. 553]
and unusually dear to her inferiors by reason
of her kindness and benevolence. A thing that
brought her into greater prominence was the fact
that she was the priestess of Artemis, whom the
Galatians especially reverence, and was seen magnificently attired always in connexion with the processions and sacrifices.
So Sinorix fell in love with her, and not being
able to prevail upon her either by persuasion or
force as long as her husband lived, he committed
a horrible deed, and treacherously killed Sinatus.
Then, without allowing much time to elapse, he
commenced to woo Camma, who was spending time in
the temple and bearing Sinorix's lawless transgression in no pitiful nor abject manner, but with a
spirit that showed sense and bided its time. He was
persistent in his suit, and seemed not to be at all at
a loss for arguments that had some plausibility, to
the effect that in all other respects he had shown
himself a better man than Sinatus, and had made
away with him for love of Camma and not because
of any other nefarious intent. The woman's denials
at the first were not too peremptory, and later, little
by little, she appeared to be softened; for her relatives and friends also brought pressure to bear upon
her by way of service and favour to Sinorix, who held
such very great power, and they tried to persuade
and coerce her. Finally she yielded, and sent for
him to come to her, on the ground that the consenting
and pledging should take place in the presence of
the goddess. When he had come, she received him
kindly and, having led him to the altar, poured a
libation from a bowl, then drank a portion herself
and bade him drink the rest; it was poisoned mixture
[p. 555]
of milk and honey. When she saw that he had
drunk, she uttered a clear cry of joy, and, prostrating
herself before the goddess, said, ‘I call you to
witness, goddess most revered, that for the sake of
this day I have lived on after the murder of Sinatus,
and during all that time I have derived no comfort
from life save only the hope of justice; and now
that justice is mine, I go down to my husband. But
as for you, wickedest of all men, let your relatives
make ready a tomb instead of a bridal chamber
and a wedding.’
When the Galatian heard these words, and felt the
poison already working and creating a disturbance
in his body, he mounted a chariot as if to try shaking
and jolting as a relief, but he got out almost immediately and changed over into a litter, and in the
evening he died. Camma endured through the
night, and when she learned that he had come to his
end, she died cheerful and happy.
