Today | News | Books | Recipes Adventure | Science Fiction | Ghost stories | Poetry | Children | History BookGUMENT. The _general_ subject of the book seems to be agreed upon by all commentators, though they differ as to the details. Schoenbeck says it is directed against the lusts of women; particularly the occasions where those lusts had most opportunity of being exhibited and gratified, the festivals of the Matronalia and the kindred Saturnalia. Petermann considers that it refers simply to the intercourse between husbands and wives, in which view Dousa seems to coincide. Duentzer takes a wider view, and says it refers to _all_ licentious pleasures. Van Heusde leaves the matter undecided. Gerlach coincides with the general view, but supposes that the passions and the quarrels alluded to must be referred to _slaves_, or at all events persons of the lowest station, for whom festivals, like the Sigillaria (alluded to in Fr. 4), were more particularly intended. The first two Fragments evidently refer to a matrimonial brawl. The tenth, eleventh, and twelfth refer to an unhallowed passion. The fifth, sixth, and thirteenth to the unnatural and effeminate refinements practiced by a class of persons too often referred to in Juvenal and Persius. The fifteenth, to the fastidious taste of those who professed to be judges of such matters. The connection of the seventh Fragment is uncertain, as it applies apparently to rewards for military service. 1 When he wishes to punish her for her misdeed, the fellow takes a Samian potsherd and straightway mutilates himself--[1700] 2 I said, I come to the main point; I had rather belabor my wife, grown old and mannish, than emasculate myself--[1701] 3 ... who would love you, prove himself the patron of your bloom and beauty, and promise to be your friend. 4 This is the slaves' holiday; a day which you evidently can not express in Hexameter verse.[1702] 5 I am shaved, plucked, scaled, pumice-stoned, bedecked, polished up and painted--[1703] 6 Did I ever compare this man with Apollo's favorite Hyacinthus.[1704] 7 Five spears: a light-armed skirmisher, with a belt of gold.[1705] 8 first glows like hot iron from the forge-- 9 If he moves and flattens his nostrils as a dolphin at times.[1706] 10 The one grinds, the other winnows corn as it were....[1707] 11 ... bloom and beauty, like a go-between and kind procuress.[1708] 12 like that renowned Phryne when....[1709] 13 that no dirt settle on the ear ... no vermin-- 14 ... that have no eyes, or nose.... 15 We are severe; difficult to please; fastidious as to good things. 16 17 ... and the goose's neck.[1710] 18 19 ... We murmur, are ground, sink down....[1711] 20 you whimper in the same way--[1712] 21 With such passion and hatred for him am I transported.[1713] 22 Here is Macedo if Acron is too long flaccid.[1714] FOOTNOTES: [1700] _Samos_ produced a particular kind of earth (Samia creta), peculiarly serviceable in the potter's art. Hence the earthenware of Samos acquired, even in very early ages, considerable celebrity; and the potters at Samos, as at Corinth, Athens, and Ægina, formed a considerable portion of the population. See the pun on "Vas Samium," Plaut., Bacch., II., ii., 23. Vid. Müller's Ancient Art, § 62. With the sharp fragments of the Samian potsherds, the Galli, or priests of Cybele, were accustomed to mutilate themselves. Plin., XXXV., xii., 46. Juv., vi., 513, "Mollia qui ruptâ secuit genitalia testâ." Mart, iii., Ep. lxxxi., 3. [1701] _Virosus_, φιλανδρος, "viri appetens." [1702] The Scholiast on Hor., i., Sat. v., 87, tells us that the allusion is to the festival of the Sigillaria. (Auson., Ecl. de Fer. Rom., 32, "Sacra Sigillorum nomine dicta colunt.") The Saturnalia were originally held on the 19th of December (xiv. Kal. Jan.), and lasted for one day only. They were instituted B.C. 497 (Liv., ii., 21; xxii., 1), and were intended to commemorate the golden days of Saturn, when slavery was unknown; hence slaves were waited on by their masters, who wore a short robe, called the Synthesis, for that purpose. It was a time of general festivity and rejoicing; and presents were interchanged between friends. The festival was afterward extended to three days by an edict of Julius Cæsar, which Augustus confirmed; and, commencing on the 17th, terminated on the 19th. (Macrob., Sat. i., 10.). Caligula added two more days (or one at least, Suet., Cal., 17), which custom Claudius revived when it had fallen into desuetude. Then the Sigillaria were added, so that the period of festivity was extended to seven days. Mart., xiv., Ep. 72. The Sigillaria were so called from sigillum, "a small image." (From the words of Macrobius, it seems that these sigilla were _images_ of men offered to Dis, and intended as substitutes for the _living_ sacrifices which were offered in more barbarous ages. Macrob., _u. s._) The name was applied to the little figures which were sent as presents on the occasion of this festival. These not unfrequently were confectionery or sweetmeats made in this form. Senec., Ep., xii., 3. Suet., Claud., 5. The Easter cakes in Roman Catholic countries are no doubt a remnant of this custom. (Cf. Blunt's Vestiges, p. 119.) [1703] _Pumicor._ Cf. Ov., A. Am., i., 506, "Nec tua mordaci pumice crura teras." Juv., viii., 16, "Si tenerum attritus Catinensi pumice lumbum." ix., 95, "res Mortifera est inimicus pumice lævis." The pumice-stone, particularly that found at the foot of Mount Ætna, was used to render the skin delicately smooth. Resin, and a kind of plaster made of pitch, was used to eradicate all superfluous hairs. Plin., xiv., 20; xxxv., 21. Cf. ad Juv., viii., 114, "Resinata juventus." ix., 14, "Bruttia præstabat calidi tibi fascia visci." ii., 12. Pers., iv., 36, 40, Plaut., Pseud., I., ii., 9. Mart., xiv., Ep. 205. [1704] _Hyacintho._ Cf. ad Virg., Ecl., iii., 63. Ov., Met., x., 185, _seq._ _Cortinipotens_ is an epithet of Apollo as lord of the Cortina; i. e., the egg-shaped basin on the Delphian tripod whence the oracles were echoed. Vid. Hase's Ancient Greeks, p. 144. Serv. ad Virg., Æn., iii., 92, "Mugire aditis Cortina reclusis." vi., 347, "Neque te Phœbi cortina fefellit." Suet., Aug., 52. _Contendi._ Cf. lib. i., Fr. 15. [1705] _Cinctus_ is sometimes put for a soldier. Plin., vii., Ep. 25. Juv., xvi., 48. The _Rorarii_ were light companies who advanced before the line, and began the battle with slings and stones; so called from ros. "Quod ante rorat quam pluit." Cf. Varro, L. L., vi., 3. Liv., viii., 8. The _Velites_, from vexillum. [1706] _Simat._ Cf. ad lib. v., Fr. 19. [1707] _Molere._ Hor., i., Sat. ii., 35. Auson., Epig., lxxi., 7. Theoc., iv., 58, μύλλει. Cf. lib. ix., Fr. 26. [1708] _Saga._ Tibull., i., El. v., 59, "Sagæ præcepta rapacis desere." [1709] _Phryne._ Vid. Athen., xiii., p. 591. Plin., xxxiv., 8. The name was not uncommon in the same class at Rome. Tibull., ii, El. vi., 45. Hor., Epod., xiv., 16. [1710] 16 and 17 seem hopelessly corrupt. Gerla |