Marcus Ofilius Hilarus

Marcus Ofilius Hilarus was an Ancient Roman actor from the Ofilia gens whose death was remarked upon by Pliny the Elder. He expired at a birthday dinner, given by himself, so quickly and painlessly that some time elapsed before anyone discovered that he was dead. Quotes about Hilarus Cornelius Gallus, ex-praetor, and Titus Hetereius Knight of Rome died while with women; and, cases remarked on by our own generation, two members of the Order of Knights died when with the same pantomimus Mysticus, the leading beauty of the day. However, the most enviable case of a peaceful end is one recorded by our forefathers, that of Marcus Ofilius Hilarus: he was an actor in comedy, and having had a considerable success with the public on his birthday and while giving a party, when dinner was served called for a hot drink in a tankard, and at the same time picked up the mask that he had worn on that day and while gazing at it transferred the wreath from his own head to it, and in this attitude lay quite stiff without anybody noticing, until the guest on the next couch warned him that his drink was getting cold. Pliny the Elder, Natural History, VII.53 (tr. H. Rackham, 1952) External links Q141567850 Category:People from Rome