As one
of the latter class, Hierocles is in haste to see this piece cut off.
of the latter class, Hierocles is in haste to see this piece cut off.
Aristophanes
[359] Before sacrificing, the officiating person asked, "_Who is here? _"
and those present answered, "_Many good men. _"
[360] The actors forming the chorus are meant here.
[361] Lysimacha is derived from [Greek: luein], to put an end to, and
[Greek: mach_e], fight.
[362] A tragic poet, reputed a great gourmand.
[363] A tragedy by Melanthius.
[364] Eels were cooked with beet. --A parody on some verses in the 'Medea'
of Melanthius.
[365] As a matter of fact, the Sicyonians, who celebrated the festival of
Peace on the sixteenth day of the month of hecatombeon (July), spilled no
blood upon her altar.
[366] A celebrated diviner, who had accompanied the Athenians on their
expedition to Sicily. Thus the War was necessary to make his calling pay
and the smoke of the sacrifice offered to Peace must therefore be
unpleasant to him.
[367] A town in Euboea on the channel which separated that island from
Thessaly.
[368] When sacrificing, the tail was cut off the victim and thrown into
the fire. From the way in which it burnt the inference was drawn as to
whether or not the sacrifice was agreeable to the deity.
[369] This was the part that belonged to the priests and diviners.
As one
of the latter class, Hierocles is in haste to see this piece cut off.
[370] The Spartans.
[371] Emphatic pathos, incomprehensible even to the diviner himself; this
is a satire on the obscure style of the oracles. Bacis was a famous
Boeotian diviner.
[372] Of course this is not a _bona fide_ quotation, but a whimsical
adaptation of various Homeric verses; the last is a coinage of his own,
and means, that he is to have no part, either in the flesh of the victim
or in the wine of the libations.
[373] Probably the Sibyl of Delphi is meant.
[374] The skin of the victim, that is to say.
[375] A temple of Euboea, close to Oreus. The servant means, "Return
where you came from. "
[376] This was the soldier's usual ration when on duty.
[377] Slaves often bore the name of the country of their birth.
[378] Because of the new colour which fear had lent his chlamys.
[379] Meaning, that he deserts his men in mid-campaign, leaving them to
look after the enemy.
[380] Ancient King of Athens. This was one of the twelve statues, on the
pedestals of which the names of the soldiers chosen for departure on
service were written. The decrees were also placarded on them.
