Such was the popular favor which they enjoyed, that, in a time of scarcity, when all strangers were banished from the city, the merit of contributing to the public pleasures exempted them from a law, which was strictly executed against the professors of the liberal arts.

[65] [Footnote 61: Juvenal.Satir.xi.191, &c.

The expressions of the historian Ammianus are not less strong and animated than those of the satirist and both the one and the other painted from the life.

The numbers which the great Circus was capable of receiving are taken from the original Notitioe of the city.

The differences between them prove that they did not transcribe each other; but the same may appear incredible, though the country on these occasions flocked to the city.] [Footnote 62: Sometimes indeed they composed original pieces.
Vestigia Graeca Ausi deserere et celeb rare domestica facta.
Horat.Epistol.ad Pisones, 285, and the learned, though perplexed note of Dacier, who might have allowed the name of tragedies to the Brutus and the Decius of Pacuvius, or to the Cato of Maternus.