[115] The Lacedaemonian prisoners from Sphacteria, so often
referred
to.
Aristophanes
[104] This is an allusion to some extortion of Cleon's.
[105] The Greek word [Greek: d_emos] means both "The People" and fat,
grease. The pun cannot well be kept in English.
[106] A voracious bird--in allusion to Cleon's rapacity and to his
loquacity in the Assembly.
[107] The orators were fond of supporting their arguments with imaginary
oracles--and Cleon was an especial adept at this dodge.
[108] Smicythes, King of Thrace, spoken of in the oracle as a woman,
doubtless on account of his cowardice. The word pursue is here used in a
double sense, viz. in battle and in law. It is on account of this latter
meaning, that Aristophanes adds "and her spouse," because in cases in
which women were sued at law, their husbands were summoned as conjointly
liable.
[109] Because he had smashed up and turned upside down the fortunes of
Athens.
[110] The pun--rather a far-fetched one--is between the words [Greek:
D_orh_osti] (in the Dorian mode) and [Greek: d_orhon] (a bribe).
[111] A Boeotian soothsayer.
[112] A name invented by the Sausage-seller on the spur of the moment, to
cap Cleon's boast.
[113] That is, Athenian; Erectheus was an ancient mythical King of
Athens.
[114] That is, the tributes paid to Athens by the Aegaean Islands,
whether allies or subjects.
[115] The Lacedaemonian prisoners from Sphacteria, so often referred to.
[116] That is, Athenian; Cecrops was the first King of Athens, according
to the legends.
[117] There were three towns of this name in different parts of Greece.
[118] There is a pun here which it is impossible to render in English;
the Greek [Greek: Pylos](Pylos) differs by only one letter from the word
meaning a bath-tub ([Greek: Pyelos]).
[119] Cleon was reproached by his enemies with paying small attention to
the regular payment of the sailors.
[120] Another poetical term to signify Athenian; Aegeus, an ancient
mythical King of Athens, father of Theseus.
[121] Impudent as a dog and cunning as a fox.
[122] An orator and statesman of the day; practically nothing is known
about him.
[123] Another orator and statesman, accused apparently of taking bribes.
[124] As pointed out before, the orators were fond of dragging Athene
continually into their speeches.
[125] One of Cleon's proteges and flatterers. The scholiasts say he was
his secretary.
[126] Terms borrowed from the circus races.
[127] That is, at the expense of other folk.
[128] Pieces of bread, hollowed out, which were filled with mincemeat or
soup.
[129] Both Greeks and Romans drank their wine mixed with water.
