Cladins Aesopus, a famous tragic actor at Rome, died at a great age about 50 B. C. He was the contemporary of Roscius, and with him the instructor of Cicero in oratory. He was accustomed to identify himself so completely with his part, that once while enacting the character of Atreus, and plotting how to avenge himself on Thyestes, he struck dead with his truncheon one of the stage attendants. He realized a large fortune by his acting, which his son squandered in extravagance and luxury.