A new general biographical dictionary Volume 2

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 Excerpt: ...to have him arrested. The praetor, sent to execute this sentence, found Asinius at table with the emperor. He was assured by Tiberius that he should remain in confinement only until himself could hear his accusers at Rome, and he never returned to the capital. Asinius was soon placed in a solitary cell, carefully watched from effecting his own destruction, and compelled to take such food, as, without satisfying hunger, would preserve life. In this miserable state he remained until death relieved him, in 33 A. D. He was allowed a burial. (See Tacit. Ann. 6, 23. Dio. 58, 3.) He left a numerous family by Vipsania; three of the sons attained to the rank of consulars. But he had further excited the hatred of Tiberius, by pretending that Drusus Nero the younger, was really the son of Vipsania and himself, before she was divorced from her first husband. Asinius Gallus published a treatise, in which he contrasted his father and M. Cicero, and gave the preference to the eloquence of the former. (See Plin. vii. 4. Quintil. xii. 1. §. 22.) The emperor Claudius thought it worthy a reply in defence of Cicero. (Sueton. in Claud. 41. A. Gellius. 17, 1.) Asinius was also the author of some epigrams. (Plin. l. c. and Burman's Anthol. Latin. 11, ep. 241. and Eckhard De Asin. Pollion. Comm. § 6921. p. 31.) ASIOLI, (Bonifazio,) a composer, was born at Correggio, about the year 1769. In 1796, or soon after, he came to London, remained some time, and then returned to Milan, and was appointed chapel master to the then king of Italy. In 1808 a new conservatory was established at Naples, to the direction of which he was appointed by the king. Gerber gives a full list of his works, amongst which are six Italian duets, 1796; and six Italian airs, in the style of canzonets, ...