Note 003 See Eutropius, x. 6 [4]. In primo Imperii tempore optimis principibus, ultimo mediis comparandus. From the ancient Greek version of Poeanius (edit. Havercamp. p. 697), I am inclined to suspect that Eutropius had originally written 'vix' mediis; and that the offensive monosyllable was dropped by the wilful inadvertency of transcribers. Aurelius Victor expresses the general opinion by a vulgar and indeed obscure proverb. 'Trachala' decem annis praestantissimus; duodecim sequentibus 'latro'; decem novissimis 'pupillus' ob immodicas profusiones. [Epit. c. 41.]

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Note to Chapter 18 of DECLINE & FALL by Gibbon