[107] Why do the Romans call the Dionysiac artists[249] histriones [250]?
Is it for the reason that Cluvius Rufus[251] has recorded? For he states that in very ancient times, in the consulship of Gaius Sulpicius and Licinius Stolo,[252] a pestilential disease arose in Rome and destroyed to a man all persons appearing on the stage. Accordingly, at the request of the Romans, there came many excellent artists from Etruria, of whom the first in repute and the one who for the longest time enjoyed success in their theatres, was named Hister: and therefore ali actors are named histriones from him.