[358] In the
evocation
of the dead, Book XI of the Odyssey.
Aristophanes
[351] i. e. the _supremacy_ of Greece, the real object of the war.
[352] Prometheus had stolen the fire from the gods to gratify mankind.
[353] A celebrated misanthrope, contemporary to Aristophanes. Hating the
society of men, he had only a single friend, Apimantus, to whom he was
attached, because of their similarity of character; he also liked
Alcibiades, because he foresaw that this young man would be the ruin of
his country.
[354] The Canephori were young maidens, chosen from the first families of
the city, who carried baskets wreathed with myrtle at the feast of
Athene, while at those of Bacchus and Demeter they appeared with gilded
baskets. --The daughters of 'Metics,' or resident aliens, walked behind
them, carrying an umbrella and a stool.
[355] According to Ctesias, the Sciapodes were a people who dwelt on the
borders of the Atlantic. Their feet were larger than the rest of their
bodies, and to shield themselves from the sun's rays they held up one of
their feet as an umbrella. --By giving the Socratic philosophers the name
of Sciapodes here ([Greek: _podes_], feet, and [Greek: _skia_], shadow)
Aristophanes wishes to convey that they are walking in the dark and
busying themselves with the greatest nonsense.
[356] This Pisander was a notorious coward; for this reason the poet
jestingly supposes that he had lost his soul, the seat of courage.
[357] A [Greek: para prosdokian], considering the shape and height of the
camel, which can certainly not be included in the list of _small_
victims, e. g. the sheep and the goat.
[358] In the evocation of the dead, Book XI of the Odyssey.
[359] Chaerephon was given this same title by the Herald earlier in this
comedy. --Aristophanes supposes him to have come from hell because he is
lean and pallid.
[360] Posidon appears on the stage accompanied by Heracles and a
Triballian god.
[361] An Athenian general. --Neptune is trying to give Triballus some
notions of elegance and good behaviour.
[362] Aristophanes supposes that democracy is in the ascendant in Olympus
as it is in Athens.
[363] He is addressing his servant, Manes.
[364] Heracles softens at sight of the food. --Heracles is the glutton of
the comic poets.
[365] He pretends not to have seen them at first, being so much engaged
with his cookery.
[366] He pretends to forget the presence of the ambassadors.
[367] Posidon jestingly swears by himself.
[368] The barbarian god utters some gibberish which Pisthetaerus
interprets into consent.
[369] Heracles, the god of strength, was far from being remarkable in the
way of cleverness.
[370] This was Athenian law.
