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She who later became the Empress Theodora belonged to this class, if any credit is to be given to Procopius. Nonariae She that is forbidden to appear before the ninth hour. Mimae Mime players. They were almost invariably prostitutes. Cymbalistriae Cymbal players. They were almost invariably prostitutes. Ambubiae Singing girls. They were almost invariably prostitutes. Citharistriae Harpists.
Two things marked off the Mimus from the Atellana or national farce; the players appeared without masks, and women were allowed to act. This opened the gates to licentiousness. We find from Cicero that Mimae bore a disreputable character, but from their personal charms and accomplishments often became the chosen companions of the profligate nobles of the day.
They have always existed. Horace speaks of them: Ambubaiarum collegia, pharmacopolae, mendici, mimae; and so long as society remains what it is, they will remain what they are. Beneath the obscure roof of their cavern, they are continually born again from the social ooze. They return, spectres, but always identical; only, they no longer bear the same names and they are no longer in the same skins.
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