Gaius Petronius Arbiter (ca. 27–66 AD), a Roman courtier during the reign of Emperor Nero and the author of “Satyricon
”, was once invited to attend a large banquet in the imperial palace.
”, was once invited to attend a large banquet in the imperial palace. All kinds of delicacies were served at the banquet and, by Nero’s order, the tables were decorated with naked virgins – more than a hundred of them.
When Petronius arrived, the emperor immediately sent a servant to ask him about his opinion regarding banquet’s decoration.
Petronius replied: “Tell your Emperor that a hundred naked girls are not as hundred times more exciting than a girl we cry for”.
