Emperor Vespasian, often targeted by Suetonius for his habits
The Emperor Vespasian, as is well known, he was a pragmatic man and little inclined to habits and fuss.
Originally from Sabina, raised in the countryside under the guidance of his paternal grandmother, he came upon him with a practical, strong, often rude character, faithful to the type of discipline imparted to him during his childhood.
Also for this reason, unlike most wealthy Romans, did not like to use perfumes and ointments .
And, apparently, he didn't like those who, unlike him, dressed up from head to toe.
Suetonius, the most curious and gossipy historian of Ancient Rome, says that one day a fragrant young man appeared in the presence of Emperor Vespasian.
The boy wanted to thank him for appointing him prefect and evidently, by appearing to be "polished", he thought he was making a better impression.
Nothing more wrong.
Vespasian, with a frown and a stern voice, said to him: “I would have preferred you to smell like garlic”.
Not only that:he even revoked his appointment!
The anecdote is simple and, in a certain sense, even funny, as indeed those narrated by Suetonius are almost always, trivial only in appearance, as, in reality, they help us enormously to understand personality, strengths and weaknesses. of the greatest Roman politicians ( Photo from :studentitop.it).