Androclus, a Roman slave of the early part of the first century, of whom Aulus Gellius says that having fled from the tyranny of his master and been recaptured, he was sentenced to be devoured by wild beasts in the circus; but a lion which had been let loose upon him recognized him as a man who had once relieved it of a thorn in its foot, and immediately began to caress him. The emperor ordered Androclus to be pardoned, and presented with the lion, which he used afterward to lead about Koine.