Aesōpus, Clodius
A great tragic actor at Rome, a contemporary of Quintus
Roscius (q.v.), and, like him, on intimate terms with Cicero. Aesopus appeared upon
the stage for the last time at the dedication of Pompey's theatre in B.C. 55. He left a large
fortune to his son, who wasted it in luxury and dissipation, on one occasion dissolving a
pearl worth $40,000, and swallowing it, in order to outdo the famous exploit of Cleopatra.