Cassius Dio, Roman Histories  62.6.1-2  (ca. A.D. 220): At the close of these words he [Nero] bade him [Tiridates] ascend by the approach which had been built in front of the rostra expressly for this occasion, and when Tiridates had been made to sit beneath his feet, he placed the diadem upon his head. At this, too, there were many shouts of all sorts.  By special decree there was also a celebration in the theater. Not merely the stage but the whole interior of the theater round about had been gilded, and all the properties that were brought in it had been adorned with gold, so that people gave to the day itself the epithet "golden."  The curtains stretched overhead to keep off the sun were of purple and in the center of them was an embroidered figure of Nero driving a chariot, with golden stars gleaming about him.  (E. Cary, trans.)