Roman Charity

Since the time of Rome, dozens if not hundreds of paintings, carvings and sculptures have been inspired by the story of Cimon and Pero. Today we enjoy these works of art, but who was Cimon and Pero, and what was their story?

The following excerpt is the English translation of the original Latin text, as recorded by the Roman historian, Valerius Maximus, in his work titled "Memorable Doings And Sayings Of Ancient Romans", written during the reign of Tiberius, (A.D. 14 - 37). Translation by D. R. Shackleton Bailey, (1917 - 2005)

The Story That Inspired Roman Charity

From The
"Memorable Doings And Sayings Of Ancient Romans"
Book IV: "Of Piety Towards Parents And Brothers And Country"
Recorded by Valerius Maximus (20 B.C. - 50 A.D.)

A Praetor had handed over a woman of free birth found guilty at his tribunal of a capitol crime to the Triumvir to be executed in prison. Received there, the head Warder had pity on her and did not strangle her immediately. He even allowed her daughter to visit her, but only after she had been thoroughly searched to make sure she was not bringing in any food, in the expectation that the prisoner would die of starvation.

But after a number of days had passed, he asked himself what could be sustaining her so long. Observing the daughter more closely, he noticed her putting out her breast and relieving her mother's hunger with the succour of her own milk.

This novel and remarkable spectacle was reported by him to the Triumvir, by the Triumvir to the Praetor, by the Praetor to the board of judges; as a result the woman's sentence was remitted.

Whither does Piety not penetrate, what does she not devise? In prison she found a new way to save her mother. For what so extraordinary, so unheard of, as for a mother to be nourished by her daughter's breasts? This might be thought to be against nature, if to love parents were not Nature's first law.

Let the same be predicated concerning the piety of Pero, whose father Myco was in a like sorry plight and equally under prison guard. A man in extreme old age, she put him like a baby to her breast and fed him.

Men's eyes are riveted in amazement when they see the painting of this act and renew the features of this long bygone incident in astonishment at the spectacle now before them, believing in those silent outlines of limbs they see living and breathing bodies. This must needs happen to the mind also, admonished to remember things long past as though they were recent by painting, which is considerably more effective than literary memorials.

Neither shall I wrap you in silence, Cimon, who did not hesitate to buy burial for your father with voluntary chains. For although later it was your fortune to turn out a very great citizen and general, you gained considerably more glory in the prison than in the senate house. Other virtues only earn much admiration, but piety also earns love and a great deal of it.

Back To Top

Page 1 of 1