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 See AUGUSTUS, c. xliii. The proscenium
						of the ancient theatres was a solid erection of an architectural design, not
						shifted and varied as our stage-scenes. each out of the exchequer.
					He also bought the freedom of superior poets and artists, Many eminent writers among the Romans were originally slaves, such as
						Terence and Phaedrus; and, still more, artists, physicians and artificers.
						Their talents procuring their manumission, they became the freedmen of their
						former masters. Vespasian, it appears from Suetonius, purchased the freedom
						of some persons of ability belonging to these classes. and gave a
					noble gratuity to the restorer of the Coan Venus, The Coan
						Venus was the chef d'oeuvre of Apelles, a native of the island of Cos, in
						the Archipelago, who flourished in the time of Alexander the Great. If it
						was the original painting which was now restored, it must have been well
						preserved. and to another artist who repaired the Colossus. Probably the colossal statue of Nero (see his Life, c.
						xxxi.), afterwards placed in Vespasian's amphitheatre, which derived its
						name from it. 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." The usual
						argument in all times against the introduction of machinery. See AUGUSTUS,
						c. xxix.