ALITURUS or ALITYROS

ALITURUS or ALITYROS (first century), Roman actor; josephus , in his autobiography, describes him as a special favorite of the emperor Nero and of Jewish origin. He relates how, going to intercede for three priests who had been sent to Rome in bonds by Felix, procurator of Judea, on a "trifling charge," he won the friendship of the actor, who introduced him to the empress Poppaea. With her aid he secured a pardon for the priests. The Polish novelist Sienkiewicz introduced "the actor Aliturus" in his Quo Vadis as Nero's instructor in the use of gesture in oratory. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Jos, Life, 3:16.