Another Favourite Passage From Palatine

Which was the catalyst for an astounding sight. Namely that of the empress, lifting up her skirts and running full pelt for her rival.

There was much discussion later as to who won that particular bout. Statilia certainly got a good slap on Sporus before being pulled away by a combination of Phaon, her mother, an aged senator and two Praetorian guards. She sank her nails into Sporus’ arms as they dragged her off the squealing eunuch. Looking down at his blooded arm he was outraged. That bitch had attacked him in public! He complained loudly to Nero.

The emperor appeared to vacillate, caught between Statilia who was struggling with her holders and screaming every obscenity she could think of at Sporus, and the eunuch who was giving as good as he got, and being a slave had a far more colourful vocabulary than she. The emperor shot Epaphroditus a pleading look.

The secretary gestured for the soldiers to release Statilia.

Standing in front of her he told her quietly. “Empress, if you could remember you are in public.”

Statilia looked daggers at him, “Oh, I am aware of that. Remove the creature or I shall kill it.”

Epaphroditus did not doubt her sincerity. Sporus was escorted out protesting vigorously. The more outraged he became the higher his voice until only the dogs of the Palatine Hill were privy to his thoughts.