LIFE OF APULEIUS

if she married elsewhere. She therefore suffered herself to be betrothed to Sicinius Clarus, described by Apuleius as a boorish and decrepit old man, but put off her marriage until her father-in-law's death relieved her from all embarrassment.¹ Pontianus and Pudens succeeded to the property, and Pudentilla felt herself free to take a husband of her own choice.² She wrote to Pontianus, who was pursuing his studies at Rome,³ to inform him of her intentions. Pontianus was disturbed by the news. The property left to himself and Pudens by their grandfather was small, and all his expectations of wealth depended on the ultimate inheritance of his mother's fortune, no inconsiderable sum (4,000,000 sesterces).⁴ He was therefore most anxious that his mother should marry an honest man, who might reasonably be expected to treat his stepsons fairly, and with this in view he hastened from Rome to his native town. At this point Apuleius was detained at Oea. Pontianus saw in him a heaven-sent stepfather, and it was with this in mind that he called on Apuleius. He did not declare his intentions at once. He contented himself with dissuading Apuleius from pursuing his journey till the next winter came round, and persuaded him to come and stay at his mother's house.⁵ Apuleius accepted the offer and their old intimacy revived. At last a suitable occasion offered for the declaration of Pontianus' wishes. Apuleius had given a public lecture at Oea. His audience broke into frenzied applause and begged Apuleius to become a citizen of their town. When the audience were gone, Pontianus took Apuleius aside, and saying that the popular enthusiasm was a sign from heaven, entreated him to marry Pudentilla.⁶ After much

¹ Apol. 68. Pontianus was thus left his brother's guardian.
² Apol. 69. She was moved to do so not only by the loneliness of her life, but by ill health and medical advice.
³ Apol. 69.
⁴ Apol. 71. Of this sum she actually owed a considerable amount to her sons, though they had no security for it, relying, naturally enough, on her word alone.
⁵ Apol. 72, 3.       ⁶ Apol. 73.