Note 243 — Chapter IV
Reading edition
Yates, p. 176. The silken flags attached to the gilt standards of the Parthians inflamed the cupidity of the army of Crassus. The conflict between them took place 54 B.C. About thirty years after this date, Roman luxury had reached its zenith—
“The insatiate Roman spreads his conquering arm O’er land and sea, where’er heaven’s light extends.” “Petronius Arbiter,” c. cxix.
After these words he says that among the richest productions of distant climes, the Seres sent their “new fleeces.”