[37] The
strategi
were the heads of the military forces.
Aristophanes
[28] The Athenian citizens were divided into four classes--the
Pentacosiomedimni, who possessed five hundred minae; the Knights, who had
three hundred and were obliged to maintain a charger (hence their name);
the Zeugitae and the Thetes. In Athens, the Knights never had the high
consideration and the share in the magistracy which they enjoyed at Rome.
[29] It is said that Aristophanes played the part of Cleon himself, as no
one dared to assume the role. (_See_ Introduction. )
[30] They were two leaders of the knightly order.
[31] The famous whirlpool, near Sicily.
[32] Eucrates, the oakum-seller, already mentioned, when the object of a
riot, took refuge in a mill and there hid himself in a sack of bran.
[33] The chief Athenian tribunal only next in dignity to the Areopagus;
it generally consisted of two hundred members; it tried civil cases of
the greatest importance and some crimes beyond the competence of other
courts, e. g. rape, adultery, extortion. The sittings were in the open
air, hence the name ([Greek: _Elios], the sun).
[34] The Heliasts' salary. (_See_ above. )
[35] Tributary to Athens; Olynthus and Potidaea were the chief towns of
this important Peninsula.
[36] Meaning he frightens him with the menace of judicial prosecution
forces him to purchase silence.
[37] The strategi were the heads of the military forces.
[38] They presided at the Public Assemblies; they were also empowered to
try the most important cases.
[39] An allusion to Cleon's former calling.
[40] A country deme of Attica.
[41] Archeptolemus, a resident alien, who lived in Piraeus. He had loaded
Athens with gifts and was nevertheless maltreated by Cleon.
[42] This was easier than against a citizen because of the inferiority,
in which the pride of the Athenian held those born on other soil.
[43] When drunk he conceives himself rich and the man to buy up the rich
silver mines of Laurium, in south-east Attica.
[44] The Chorus throws itself between Cleon and Agoracritus to protect
the latter.
[45] An iron collar, an instrument of torture and of punishment.
[46] A disease among swine.
[47] Cleon wanted the Spartans to purchase the prisoners of Sphacteria
from him.
[48] With piss--the result of his drunken habits.
[49] A tragic poet, apparently proverbial for feebleness of style.
[50] Beginning of a song of Simonides.
[51] A miser.
