Vatican Museums

This inscription is engraved on the front of the base of a statue, now lost, and seemingly dedicated to L. Iulius Ursus Servianus, the political rival of M. Annius Verus, who preceded him in the conquest of the third consulate. There are those who assert that it would ironically have been Ursus himself who erected the statue, that perhaps depicted him dressed in a toga (togatus), or rather as a Roman citizen, while others believe that it was a satirical inscription by his political opponents. This is suggested by some curious expressions adopted by Ursus in speaking of himself: he is presented as the first Roman to have played with a glass ball and receiving praise in the Baths of Trajan, of Agrippa and Titus, and of Nero; he invites other players to celebrate himself, to honour his statue with gifts and libations, and to celebrate his character, described as superficial and dedicated to activities not of a serious nature; he is described as exodiarius, a “buffoon”.