Vespasian (18)

He was a great encourager of learning and the liberal arts. He first granted to the Latin and Greek professors of rhetoric the yearly stipend of a hundred thousand sesterces [*] each out of the exchequer. He also bought the freedom of superior poets and artists,[*] and gave a noble gratuity to the restorer of the Coan Venus, [*] and to another artist who repaired the Colossus. [*] Some one offering to convey some immense columns into the Capitol at a small expense by a mechanical contrivance, he rewarded him very handsomely for his invention, but would not accept his service, saying, "Suffer me to find maintenance for the poor people." [*]