Res Gestae

For if anyone wore on his neck an amulet against the quartan ague or any other complaint, or was accused by the testimony of the evil-disposed of passing by a grave in the evening, on the ground that he was a dealer in poisons, or a gatherer of the horrors of tombs and the vain illusions of the ghosts that walk there, he was condemned to capital punishment and so perished.

In fact, the matter was handled exactly as if many men had importuned Claros,[*](A city of Ionia near Colophon, the seat of a famous oracle of Apollo.) the oaks of Dodona,[*](A city of Epirus, in the country of the Molossians, where there was in an oak grove a celebrated temple and oracle of Zeus.) and the once famous oracles of Delphi with regard

Therefore the palace band of courtiers, ingeniously fabricating shameful devices of flattery, declared that he would be immune to ordinary ills, loudly exclaiming that his destiny had appeared at all times powerful and effective in destroying those who made attempts against him.