AFER, DOMITIVS, a celebrated orator, was born at Nismes, in the reign of Tiberius, about 16 years before Christ. Having obtained the of Rome, and aspiring at higher honours, he turned his attention to the bar, and became one of the ablest pleaders of his time. Not content with the applause which he acquired by his eloquence, his ambitious mind was panting after greater advancement in the state. But finding that he was not likely to succeed by honourable means, he de based himself, by turning informer. His first victim was Claudia, the cousin of Agrippina, who had now be come obnoxious to Tiberius. By this accusation, he so ingratiated himself with the emperor, that wealth and honour were the reward of his villany. Haying now discovered a way to preferment, he persevered in his is ickedness; and the suspicions of Tiberius and his suc cessors never left him without employment. But his eagerness at one time to obtain the favour of the empe ror had nearly proved his destruction. Having erected a statue in honour of Caligula, lie mentioned by way of encomium, that the emperor had been twice consul at the age of 27. Caligula, blind to the compliment, con sidered this as a reflection upon his violation of the laws of the state, and vehemently declaimed against him in the senate. Afer, instead of replying to the emperor's speech, fell upon his knees, and begged for mercy, say ing, that he dreaded the eloquence of Caligula more than his power. This abject submission, and well-timed
compliment so pleased the emperor, that he was par doned, and immediately advanced to the consulship. When age had enervated his eloquence his ambition and avarice were still unsatiated, and disregarding the advice of Horace, Solve senescentem mature sat us e luum, ne Peccet ad cxtreinum ridendus, et 11.a ducat, he continued to plead in spite of his infirmities, which excited the derision instead of the applause of his hear ers. He is said to have died of eating to excess, at the age of 75, A. D. 59.
The abilities of Afer were of the first order, and had they been exerted in a good cause, would have entitled him to the praise and esteem of his countrymen. His eloquence is highly praised by Quinctilian, who attended his pleadings, and assiduously cultivated his friendship. But ambition was the ruling passion of his mind, and he stopped at no meanness or villany in order to gain his purpose. His talents were prostituted to support the tyranny and cruelty of men who were the scourges of his country; and his highest ambition was to obtain their favour and regard. Tacitus ?Innal. lib. iv. c. 66. lib. xvi.
c. 19. Quinctilian Inst. (p)