Cassius Dio, Roman Histories  39.37.1-38.6   (ca. A.D. 220): 37.1: The consuls, accordingly had these measures passed, and next they laid heavier penalties upon those offering bribes, as if their own offense were any less because they had secured their office by force instead of by money. 2. They even undertook to curtail personal expenditures, which had increased to an enormous extent, although they themselves went to every length of luxury and indulgence; but they were prevented by this very circumstance from enacting the law. 3. For Hortensius, one of the men fondest of expensive living, by reviewing the great size of the city and praising the costliness of their homes as well as their generosity toward others, thus making use of their own mode of life to support his arguments, persuaded them to give up their intention. 4. They were brought to shame by his opposition and also shrank from appearing to debar others through jealousy from privileges that they themselves enjoyed; and so they voluntarily withdrew their motion. 38.1 During those same days, Pompeius dedicated the theater in which we take pride even at the present time. In it he provided an entertainment consisting of music and gymnastic contests, and in the Circus a horse-race and the slaughter of many wild beasts of all kinds. 2. Indeed, five hundred lions were used up in five days, and eighteen elephants fought against men in heavy armour. Some of these beasts were killed at the same time and others a little latter. 3. For some of them, contrary to Pompeius' wish, were pitied by the people, when, after being wounded, and ceasing to fight, they walked about with their trunks raised toward heaven, lamenting so bitterly as to give rise to the report that they did so not by mere chance, but were crying out against the oaths in which they had trusted when they crossed over from Africa, and were calling upon Heaven to avenge them. 4. For it is said that they would not set foot upon ships before they received a pledge under oath from their drivers that they should suffer no harm. Whether this is really so or not I do not know; 5. for some in time past have further declared that in addition to understanding the language of their native country, they also comprehend what is going on in the sky, so that at the time of the new moon, before that luminary comes within the gaze of men, they reach running water and there perform a kind of purification of themselves. 6. These things I have heard; I have heard also that this theater was not erected by Pompeius, but by one Demetrius, a freedman of his, with the money he had gained while making campaigns with the general. Most justly, therefore, did he give his master's name to the structure, so that Pompeius might not incur needless reproach because of the fact that his freedman had collected money enough to suffice for so huge an expenditure.  (E. Cary, trans.)