Huh. The Collector is here. That should make for an…
““Huh. The Collector is here. That should make for an interesting bit of bidding.” “The Collector?” I asked. “What’s that?” “Not what. Who. His name is Pontius Aquila.” She pointed with one gnarled finger at a man with sharp features and silvering hair seated in the second row of the stands. He sat beneath a fringed shade, tended to by an oiled, muscular slave. Aquila’s robes were also fringed and banded with a purple stripe. He glared above the heads of the audience as if their presence were not worth acknowledging. “He’s a politician with a fancy title, the so-called Tribune of the Plebs, but he’s as base as they come.” She snorted. “No manners, and rich off other people’s money. But he knows a valuable piece of flesh when he sees it. And he’ll stop at nothing to add to his collection once he does. I’ve seen his bullyboys start brawls at the auctions if he’s outbid.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A corrupt official, Pontius Aquila, exploits power and wealth, treating people as objects to acquire, showing the moral decay of unchecked ambition.
In simple terms: Powerful people can become collectors of others for selfish gain.
Key Takeaway
Beware the allure of power and the objectification of others.
Themes
corruption
power
greed
morality
politics
Mood
cautionary
critical
Type
moral
political
When to use this quote
- political office
- business dealings
- social gatherings
- auction houses
Key Concepts
ethical decay
objectification
authoritarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives someone to treat others as possessions?
- How can societies prevent such exploitation?
A Different Perspective
Even powerful figures may be constrained by law or conscience.