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41a. 



THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY 

rOUNDED BY JAMES LOEB, LL.D. 

EDITED BY 
fT. E. PAGE, C.H., LITT.D. 

+ E. CAPPS, PH.D., LL.D. t W. H. D. ROUSE, litt.d. 

L. A. POST, l.h.d. E. H. WARMINGTON, m.a., f.r.hist.soc. 



LUCIAN 
VI 




LUCIAN 

WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY 

K. KILBURN 

ASSISTANT MASTER, RAYNES PARK COUNTY 
GRAMMAR SCHOOL 



IN EIGHT VOLUMES 
VI 




LONDON 

WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD 

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 

HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS 



@ The President and Fellows of Harvard College 1 959 



Printed in Grrat Britain 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

PRKFACE Vii 

LIST OF LUCIAN'S WORKS ix 

HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 1 

THE DIPSADS 75 

SATURNALIA 87 

HERODOTUS OB AETION 141 

ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 153 

A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN GREETING 171 

APOLOGY FOR THE ' SALARIED POSTS IN GREAT HOUSES ' 191 

HARMONIDES 215 

A CONVERSATION WITH HESIOD 227 

THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 239 

HERMOTIMUS OR CONCERNING THE SECTS .... 259 

TO ONE WHO SAID, ' YOU'RE A PROMETHEUS IN WORDS* 417 

THE SHIP OR THE WISHES 429 

INDEX 489 



PREFACE 

The new Teubner edition of these pieces has still 
not appeared and there is no adequate critical 
edition. In establishing a text I have had access to 
photostats of Vaticanus 90 (F) and Parisinus 2957 (N). 

The trustees of the Loeb Classical Library have 
kindly passed on to me the unfinished preparatory 
work done for this volume by Professors Harmon and 
Rouse. I have used some of this material as a check 
and have occasionally adopted an expression from 
one or other of my predecessors. 

I should like to thank especially Professor W. A. 
Laidlaw of Queen Mary College, University of 
London, who has checked the translation of most of 
the work ; I have used several of his suggestions and 
am grateful for his help and encouragement. 



vn 



LIST OF LUCIAN'S WORKS 

SHOWING THEIR DIVISION INTO VOLUMES 
IN THIS EDITION 

Volume I 

Phalaris I and II — Hippias or the Bath — Dionysus — 
Heracles — Amber or The Swans — The Fly — Nigrinus — 
Demonax — The Hall — My Native Land — Octogenarians — A 
True Story I and II — Slander — The Consonants at Law — The 
Carousal or The Lapiths. 

Volume II 

The Downward Journey or The Tyrant — Zeus Catechized 
— Zeus Rants — The Dream or The Cock — Prometheus — 
Icaromenippus or The Sky-man — Timon or The Misanthrope 
— Charon or The Inspector — Philosophies for Sale. 

Volume III 

The Dead Come to Life or The Fisherman — The Double 
Indictment or Trials by Jury — On Sacrifices — The Ignorant 
Book Collector — The Dream or Lucian's Career — The Parasite 
— The Lover of Lies — The Judgement of the Goddesses — On 
Salaried Posts in Great Houses. 

Volume IV 

Anacharsis or Athletics — Menippus or The Descent into 
Hades — On Fimerals — A Professor of Public Speaking — 
Alexander the False Prophet — Essays in Portraiture — Essays 
in Portraiture Defended — The Goddess of Surrye. 

ix 



LIST OF LUCIAN'S WORKS 

Volume V 

The Passing of Peregrinus — The Runaways — Toxaris or 
Friendship — The Dance — Lexiphanes — The Eunuch — Astro- 
logy — The Mistaken Critic — The Parliament of the Gods — 
The Tyrannicide — Disowned. 

Volume VI 

Historia — Dipsades — Saturnalia — Herodotus — Zeuxis — Pro 
Lapsu — Apologia — Harmonides — Hesiodus — Scytha — Hermo- 
timus — Prometheus Es — Navigium. 

Volume VII 
Dialogues of the Dead — Dialogues of the Sea-Gods — 
Dialogues of the Gods (exc. Deorum Judicium cf. Vol. Ill) — 
Dialogues of the Courtesans. 

Volume VIII 

Soloecista — Lucius or the Ass — Amores — Halcyon — Demos- 
thenes — Podagra — Ocypus — Cyniscus — Philopatris — Chari- 
demus — Nero. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

The Parthian War here referred to was that of a.d. 162-165 
against Vologesus III. He defeated the Romans at Elegeia 
in 162, destroying the Roman legion ; the Roman commander 
Severianus was killed in the fighting. However, he was 
driven back from the Syrian border by Lucius Verus. Avidius 
Cassius destroyed Babylon and Ctesiphon, and Statins Priscus 
took Artaxata, the Parthian capital. Lucian criticises the 
flock of petty historians who had rushed to chronicle the war. 
The work is ostensibly a letter to Philo, of whom nothing 
further is known, and was written before the end of the war — 
Lucian looks forward to the triumph still to be celebrated 
(ch. 31). 



VOL. VI. 



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rovs TToXXovg Kal dvaardvras varepov is rrjv 
rpaywhiav TrapoXiadaiveiv y iirl ttoXv ipL<f)t,Xoxct)- 

2 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

They say, my dear Philo, that in the reign of King 
Lysimachus the people of Abdera were smitten by 
an epidemic. These were its symptoms : at first 
every one of them fell ill of a fever, violent and 
obstinate right from the start; about the seventh 
day it was broken, in some cases by a copious flow 
of blood from the nostrils, in others by heavy sweat- 
ing ; but their minds were left in a ridiculous state ; 
they all went mad with tragedy, shouting iambics 
and creating a din; and they mostly sang solos 
from Euripides' "Andromeda," ^ rendering Perseus' 
speech in song ; the city was full of these seventh- 
day tragedians, all pale and thin, roaring, 

" Love, you tyrant of gods and men " 

and the rest in a loud voice, hour after hour, day after 
day, until winter and a severe cold spell stopped their 
noise. Archelaiis the actor seems to me to blame for 
such goings on. He was popular then, and in the 
middle of summer in the blazing heat had played the 
"Andromeda" for them, so that most of them brought 
their fever away from the theatre with them, and 
later when they left their beds relapsed into tragedy ; 

1 Or " sang as a solo Andromeda's part in Euripides' play." 
^ /xe'Aet y : fiepei j8. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

povarjs TTJg 'Ai^Spo/xeSa? rfj livrjixri avrcjv /cat tov 
Yiepaecos ert avv rfj MeSoucny rr^v iKacrrov 
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VTTOiKoSopLWV TOV T€iXOVg, 6 Sc eTToX^lV V7TOGT7]pi- 

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aVTOS €/CuAt€ TOV 7TL0OV, €V (L €TVyX(lV€V OLKWV , 

ai^co /cat KaTco tov K.pavelov. /cat tlvos tcov 
avvrjdijjv €popL€vov, Tt raura vrotets", a) Atoyeves"; 
KuAtco, €^17, /cayo) toi^ ttlQov, cos pirj puovos dpyeZv 
SoKOLTjv €v ToaovTOis €pyal^op.evoLs . 
1 A saying of Heraclitus. 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

the " Andromeda " kept haunting their memory, 
and his Perseus with Medusa's head still flitted 
round everyone's brain. 

To make as they say a comparison, that Abderite 
complaint has now taken hold of most of the literary 
world. They don't act tragedy — they would be less 
out of their wits if they were in the grip of other 
men's verses, not shoddy ones at that. No, ever since 
the present situation arose — the war against the bar- 
barians, the disaster in Armenia and the run of 
victories — every single person is writing history ; nay 
more, they are all Thucydideses, Herodotuses and 
Xenophons to us, and very true, it seems, is the saying 
that " War is the father of all things " ^ since at one 
stroke it has begotten so many historians. 

As I saw and heard all this, friend, I was reminded 
of the story of the man of Sinope. When Philip was 
said to be already on the march, all the Corinthians 
were astir and busy, preparing weapons, bringing up 
stones, underpinning the wall, shoring up a battle- 
ment and doing various other useful jobs. Diogenes 
saw this, and as he had nothing to do — nobody made 
any use of him — he belted up his philosopher's cloak 
and very busily by himself rolled the crock in which, 
as it happens, he was living up and down Cornel Hill. 
When one of his friends asked : " Why are you 
doing that, Diogenes? " he rephed: "I'm rolling 
the crock so as not to be thought the one idle man in 
the midst of all these workers." 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

4 Kavros" ovv, c5 OtAcuv, co? [mt] fjiovog d(f)wvos 
eiTjv €v ovroj 7roXv(f>cx)vco rep Kaupcp /xt^S* a>GTT€p 
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ypd<f>€iv ovSe Trpd^ecs avrds Ste^teVat — ovx ovrcos 
pbeyaXoroXpios iycxi, p.iqhe rovro Selcrrjs irepl ifjiov. 
otSa yap, '^Xlkos 6 KLvSwoSy el Kara rcbv irerpcov 
KvXioi TLSy Kol fxaXuara olov rovfjLov rovro mdaK- 
viov ouSe rrdw Kaprepcog KeKepafJuevfJuevov. SeijaeL 
yap avrLKa fidXa rrpog puKpov rt Xidihiov rrpoa- 
Trraiaavra cruXXiyetv rd oorpaKa. 

Tt ovv eyvojorcLL fjLOL kol 7t6j9 dcr^aAcDs' fxede^co 
rod TToXefjLov, avros e^co ^eXovs ccrrcos", iyo) aoi 
(f>pd(7w. " rovrov {xev Kairvov kol Kvpuaros'^ Kal 
(fypovrihcxjv, ocrat rep avyypa(f)€L evetoLV, dve^oj 
ifjiavrov €v ttolcov. TrapalvecrLV Se riva puKpdv /cat 
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ju-tas", el Kal fjurj rrjs eTnypa^rjSi aKpio ye ra> 
haKrvXcp rov tttjXov 7Tpooaipdp.evos > 

5 KatVot ouSe TrapaiveoecD? ol ttoXXol Setv olovrai 
o(f>Lcnv ^ errl ro TrpdyjjLa, ov fxaXXov t) rex^r]? rwos 
eirl ro ^aSi^eLv rj jSAeVeti' ij eadleLV, dXXd Trdvu 
paarov /cat Trpoxetpov /cat ajravrog elvai Icrropiav 
avyypdijjai, jjv ng eppirjvevaai ro eTveXBov SvvrjraL. 
ro Se oladd ttov /cat auro?, co eralpe, (hs ov rcov 
evfieraxeiplcrrcjov ovSe paOvpLcos crvvreOrjvaL hvvapie- 
vojv rovr eoriv, oAA', el n ev Xoyois /cat oAAo, 
TToAA'^? ttJ? ^povrihos Se6p,evov, tJv ng, co? d 

^ woT€ add. Fritzsche. 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

So in my own case, Philo, to avoid being the only 
mute in such a polyphonic time, pushed about open- 
mouthed without a word like an extra in a comedy, 
I thought it a good idea to roll my barrel as best 
I could; not to produce a history or even merely 
chronicle the events — I'm not so bold as that: don't 
be afraid that I should go that far. I know the 
danger of rolling it over rocks, particularly a poorly 
baked little barrel like mine. Just as soon as it 
hits against a tiny piece of stone we shall have to 
pick up the pieces. 

I shall tell you then what I have decided to do and 
how I shall take part in the war in safety, keeping well 
out of range myself. " From your spray and surge " ^ 
and all the cares that attend the writer of history I 
shall keep myself aloof and rightly so. In fact, I shall 
offer a little advice and these few precepts to 
historians, so that I may share in the erection of their 
building, if not the inscription on it, by putting at 
any rate my finger-tip on the mortar. 

Yet most of them think they don't even need 
advice for the job any more than they need a set of 
rules for walking or seeing or eating ; no, they think it 
is perfectly simple and easy to write history and that 
anyone can do it if only he can put what comes to him 
into words. As to that, I'm sure you know as well 
as I do, my dear friend, that history is not one of those 
things that can be put in hand without effort and can 
be put together lazily, but is something which needs, 
if anything does in literature, a great deal of thought 

1 Homer, Od. xii, 198, describing the whirlpool of 
Charybdis. 

^ 7rapaLV€aea)s ol ttoXXoI heZv oiovTai a<^taiv j3 ; TtapaLveaoi 
TToAAoi heZvoi 0VT€S (f>r]aLv {a(f>iaLV E) y. 

7 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

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/xcv yap alpeloQai, rd 8e ^evyeiv 8t8a(7/cet, ^epe 
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€i)^i) dyoucD^S" — dpxTJv re olav avrcp dpKreov /cat 
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/cat ocja 7TapaSpap,€LV dp,€Lvov /cat ottcu? eppb-qvevoai 
avrd /cat GvvappiOGai. 

Taura /xev /cat to. rotavra vorepov. vvv 8e ras" 

^ fiavia av eir} 17 Fritzsche : fiavla Kal cXttls T : fi ft ye 
iXiris N. 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

if it is to be what Thucydides calls " a possession for 
evermore." Now I know that I shall not convert 
very many: some indeed will think me a great 
nuisance, particularly anyone whose history is 
already finished and has already been displayed in 
public. And if in addition he was applauded by his 
audience it would be madness to expect his sort to 
remodel or rewrite any part of what has once been 
ratified and lodged, as it were, in the royal palace. 
Nevertheless it is as well to address my remarks to 
them also so that if ever another war comes along, 
whether Celts against Getans or Indians against 
Bactrians (no one would dare to fight us — we've 
beaten everybody already), they may write better 
by applying this yard-stick if they think it accurate ; 
if they don't, then they must use the same rule to 
do their measuring as now. The doctor will not be 
greatly annoyed if every man of Abdera ^ plays the 
" Andromeda " and is happy to do it. 

Advice works in two ways : it teaches us to choose 
this and avoid that. So first let us say what the 
writer of history has to avoid, from what contamina- 
tions he must in particular be free ; then what 
means he must use in order not to lose the right 
road that carries him straight ahead — I mean how 
to begin, how to arrange his material, the proper 
proportions for each part, what to leave out, what to 
develop, what it is better to handle cursorily, and 
how to put the facts into words and fit them together. 

These and kindred matters will come later. But 
1 The Abderites were proverbially simpletons. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

KaKias TJbrj etTrojjjLev, OTToaai rots ^avXcjs ovy- 
ypd(f)OVOLv irapaKoXovdovGLv. a jxev ovv kolvcl 
TTavTCJV Xoyoiv iarlv dfjLapr'qfjLara ev re (fxxjvfj /cat 
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re dv CLT) e-neXOelv Kal rrjs TrapovGTjs virodioeios 

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dva7T€rd(jris rd cora. ovk aKaipov hk [xera^v /cat 
d7TOfivr]iJiov€VGai evia TrapaSelyfiaros cVc/ca rajv 
tJSt] ovrcjs cruyyeypaiJLjjLevajv. 

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imaKOTrriacopiev dfieX-qaavreg ydp ol ttoXXol 
avrojv rod loropeZv rd yeyevrjfjLeva rots' eiraivois 
dpxpvrojv /cat arparrjycov evhiarpipovuiv rovs fiev 
oIkcLovs is vijjos olpovres ^ rovs TToXefjiLovs 8e 
vepa rod fierpLov Karappiirrovres dyvoovvres <x)S 
ov arevw rco lodpLO) hLoapiorai /cat StaTeTet;^tcrTat 7] 
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larpcov TTalBes (f>aoL rrjv rpax^lav Trapahi^aaOai 
dv ri is avrrjv Kararrodiv. 

8 "Ert dyvoelv iolKaaiv ol roiovroi cLs rroLTjrLKTJs 

^ After tSiov MSS have kolvo. ydp, ws €(f>T]v, dTravrcov XoycDV 
icrrlv dpfxariJixaTa €v re (f>o)vij Kal dpfxovla : Rudolphus 
seel. 

lO 



/Or 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 



now let us mention the vices which follow on the 
heels of shoddy historians. To recount the faults of 
diction, style, meaning and other marks of bad 
workmanship which are common to all literary 
genres would take a long time and not be peculiar to 
our present enquiry. But as to faults in historical 
writing, you will probably find by observation that 
they are of the same sort as I have noticed in many 
attendances at readings, especially if you open your 
ears to everyone. But it will not be out of place in 
the meantime to recall by way of example some of 
the histories already written in this faulty manner. 
^ To begin with, let us look at this for a serious fault : 
most of them neglect to record the events and spend 
their time lauding rulers and generals, extolling their 
own to the skies and slandering the enemy's beyond 
all reserve ; they do not realise that the dividing 
line and frontier between history and panegyric is 
not a narrow isthmus but rather a mighty wall ; as 
musicians say, they are two diapasons apart — if 
indeed the encomiast's sole concern is to praise and 
please in any way he can the one he praises, and if 
he can achieve his aim by lying, little will he care ! 
But history cannot admit a lie, even a tiny one, any 
more than the windpipe, as sons of doctors say, can 
tolerate anything entering it in swallowing. 

Again, such writers seem unaware that history has 

2 atpovre? N; <f>€povT€S other MSS. 
aKcupov other MSS. 

II 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

fi€v Kal 7TO 17} jjbdrcjv (xAAat V7TOG)(^6(J€ls kol Kavoves 
tSiOLy loropias hk aAAot. €KeZ fxev yap aKparos ^ 7} 
iXcvdcpca Kal v6p,os efs" — to ho^av rat TTOLTjrrj. 
evOeos yap Kal kgltoxos ck MovacoVy kov lttttcov 
VTTOTTrepoiv apfia iI,€v^aa9aL ideXr], kolv €(j)* vSaros 
dXXovs ^ in dvdepLKCDV aKpcov devaopiivovg 
dvapLpd(j7]Taiy (f)d6vos ouSets" ovSe oirorav 6 Zeu? 
avTOJV diTO pads oeipds dvaairdaas alwpfj 6p,ov 
yrjv KoX ddXarraVy hehiaai p.rj dTroppayelarqg 
€K€Lvrjs avvrpi^fj rd irdvra Kareve^^devra. dXXd 
Kav 'AyapuefJLVova CTratyecrat OeXwaiv, ovSels 6 
KojXvcrojv Alt fxev avrov opuoLOv elvai t7]v K€<f)aXr]v 
Kal rd opLpbara, ro oripvov 8e rep dheX^cp avrov 
Tw YlooeihcbvL y T7]v he ^cjvqv rep "ApeUy Kal 
oXojg GvvOerov c/c TTdvrojv Oecov yevioOai Set rov 
'Arpicos Kal 'AepoTTrjS' ov ydp iKavog 6 Zeu? 
ovSe 6 TloaeiScov oi)8e o "Apr^s pLOvos €Kaaros 
dvairXrjpujGaL to KdXXos avTOV, rj loTOpia hk rjv 
TLva KoXaKeiav TotavTrju TTpooXdprjy tl dXXo -^ 
7T€^'^ Tt? TroLTjTLKTj yiyvcTat, rrjs pieyaXo<j)Oivias 

pL€V iK€LVY]S ioT€pr]pi€irr] , TTjV XoLTTTjV 8e T€paT€LaV 

yvpLvrjv Tcjv pidrpajv Kal Sl* avTO €7narr]piOT€pav 
CKcfyalvovaa ; pueya tolvvv — pidXXov he VTreppueya 
TOVTO KaKov — et puTj elheirj tls ')(^u)piil,€iv to, laToplag 
Kal Td TTOL-qriKrjg y dXX* eVetcrayot ttJ loTopia ra 
TTis €T€pa9 KopipcopaTa — Tov pvdov Kal TO iyKcopLLOV 
Kal rd^ €v TOVTOLS vrrep^oXds — axxTrep dv et rts" 
ddXrjTTjv Tojv Kaprepdjv tovtojv Kal KopLtSfj tt/oi- 
vivoyv dXovpyioL Trepi^dXoi Kal tco dXXcp Koopap tco 
€TaipLKcp Kal (j>VKiov ivrpl^oL Kal tpLpLvOiov ra> 

^ aKparos Solanus : aKpar-qg MSS. 



now TO WRITE HISTORY 

aims and rules different from poetry and poems. In 
the case of the latter, liberty is absolute and there is 
one law — the will of the poet. Inspired and possessed 
by the Muses as he is, even if he wants to harness 
winged horses to a chariot, even if he sets others to ' 
run over water or the tops of flowers,^ nobody gets 
annoyed ; not even when their Zeus swings land and 
sea together suspended from a single cord ^ are 
they afraid it will break and everything fall and 
smash. If they want to praise Agamemnon there 
is no one to prevent his having a head and eyes like 
Zeus, a chest like Zeus' brother Poseidon, and a belt 
like Ares,^ and in general the son of Atreus and 
Aerope must be a compound of all the gods for not 
Zeus nor Poseidon nor Ares alone is adequate to give 
the fullness of his beauty. But if history introduces 
flattery of that sort, what else does it become but a 
sort of prose-poetry, lacking indeed the high style of 
poetry, but showing the rest of poetry's sorcery 
without metre, and for that reason in a more con- 
spicuous way ? So it is a great deal — all too great a 
fault — not to know how to keep the attributes of 
-+) history and poetry separate, and to bring poetry's / 
embellishments into history — myth arulxulogy^and 
the exaggeration of both : it is as if you were to 
dress one of our tough, rugged athletes in a purple 
dress and the rest of the paraphernalia of a pretty 
light-o'-love and daub and paint his face. Heavens ! 

1 Homer, II. xx, 226, 4. 

2 Homer, 11. viii, 248, 8. 

3 Homer, 11. ii, 478, 4. 

13 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TTpocTcoTTcp . 'Hpa/cAet? (x)s KarayeXaGTov avrov 
OLTTepydaaLT* ^ alaxvvag rw Koafxip c/cctVoj. 
9 Kat ov Tovro (l>r)iJLL, cos" ovxl Kal iiraivereov iv 
loTopia €viore. aAA' €v Kaipw rep rrpocn^KovTi 

€TTa.lV€T€OV KOI p,€TpOV €TTaKTeOV T(X> TTpdypiaTL, TO 

pur) iiraxdes rots varepov dvayvcxyoopievois avrd, 
Kal oXojs TTpos rd eireira Kavoviareov rd rotaura, 
dnep puLKpov vorepov iinhei^opLev , 

"Ocrot 8e olovrai KaXws Statpetv els Svo ttjv 
LGroplav, els to repirvov Kal ;)^/)7jcrtjU,oy, /cat hid 
rovTO eiGTTOiovGi Kal TO iyKcopLLOv is avTTjv (hs 
repiTvdv Kal ev^paivov rovs evrvyxdvovras , opas 
odov rdXrjdovs TjpLaprrjKaGL ; rrpajTOV puev Ki^SijXcp 
rfj hiaipeoei ;)^pcujLtevof ev ydp epyov laropLas Kal 
reXos, TO XPV^''H'0^» onep eK rod dXr^Oovs pLovov 
avvdyerai. rd repirvov he dpLeivov pLev el Kal 
avro TTapaKoXovdrjoeiev — cjarrep Kal KdXXos ddXrjrfj' 
el he piTi, ovhev KOjXvGei d(f)* ^HpaKXeovs yeveoOai 
^LKoarparov rov 'lotSoTOU, yevvdhav dvra Kal rcov 
dvraycvvLGrdjv eKarepcov dXKipLcorepov, el avros 
puev ataxt'CyTOS ocfydrjvai etrj rrjv oijjiv, ^AXkolos he 6 
KaXds 6 yiiXrjCJLOs dvrayojvi^oiro avrco, Kal 
epcofxevos, a)S <f)acn, rov ^LKOorpdrov (x>v. Kal 
roivvv T) loropia, el puev dXXays ro repirvov rrapepLTTO- 
pevaairoy ttoXXovs dv rovs epacrrds ^ eTnaTrdaatro , 
dxp'' S' ai^ Kal pLovov exj) to thiov evreXes — Xeyoj 
he rrjv rrjs dX-qdelas hi]Xcx)(7LV — , oXlyov rov KdXXovs 
^povrieZ. 
10 "Etc KaKelvo elireZv d^iov on ovhe repirvov ev 



* ampyaaaiT' av Fritzsche. 

"^ ipaaras a few inferior MSS : ipydras j9y. 



14 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

how ridiculous you would make him look, shaming 
him with all that decoration. 

I do not say that there is no room for occasional 
praise in history. But it must be given at the proper 
time and kept within reasonable limits to avoid dis- 
pleasing future readers. In general such matters 
should be controlled with a view to what posterity 
demands ; I shall treat of them a little later. 

Now some think they can make a satisfactory dis- 
tinction in history between what gives pleasure and 
what is useful, and for this reason work eulogy inio- 
it as giving pleasure and enjoyment to its readers; 
but do you see how far they are from the truth ? In 
the first place, the distinction they draw is false : 
history has one task and one eiid7:::what is useful — , 
and that.comes from truth alone. As foiTwhat gives 
pleasure, it is certainly better if it is there incidentally 
— like good looks in an athlete ; but if it isn't there, 
there is still nothing to prevent Nicostratus, the son 
of Isidotus, a true blue and a stouter fellow than 
either of his rivals, from becoming " a successor of 
Heracles " ^ though he be ugly to look at, while his 
opponent is Alcaeus of Miletus, the handsome fellow 
who, they say, was loved by Nicostratus. So it is with 
history — if she were to make the mistake of dealing 
in pleasure as well she would attract a host of lovers, 
but as long as she keeps only what is hers alone in 
all its fullness — I mean the publication of the 
truth — she will give little thought to beauty. 

Moreover, this too is worth saying: in history 

^ A title or quasi-title awarded for victory in both wrestling 
and the pancratium on the same day. Nicostratus was the 
seventh to do this (Pausanias, V, 21, 9-18). The young Quin- 
tilian saw him in his old age about a.d. 50 (Quint. II. 8, 14). 

15 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

avrfj ro Kofjuihrj jxvdcjSes /cat to tcov eTraivoiv 
fjidXiara TTpoaavres Trap' eKarepov rots d/cououcrtv, 
7]v /XT7 Tov crvp<j>€r6v /cat rov ttoXvv Stjixov eTTivofj^, 
dXXa Tovs St/caorrt/ccus' /cat vrj Ata GVKO(jiavrLKa)S 
TTpoacTL ye oiKpoaaofievovs, ovs ovk dv n XdBoi 
TrapahpafjioVf o^vrepov p,€v rov "Apyov opcbvras 
/cat TTavraxodev rod crco/Ltaros", dpyvpafJLOL^iKCjg he 
rcjv XeyofiivcDV c/cacrra i^erdCovras, (l)s rd, p,ev 
7rapa/ce/co/x/xeVa evBv9 diroppiTTreiVy TrapaSe^^eadac 
he rd SoKLjxa /cat ewofxa /cat dKpi^rj rov tvttov, 
irpos ovs dTTOpXeTTOvra XPV oruyypa^etv, rcov Se 
dXXcov oXiyov ^povril^eLVy Kav hiappayojaiv CTrat- 
vovvTes. riv he d/jueXijorag eKeivcjv rjhvvrjs rrepa rod 
pierpiov ttjv loropLav fivdoig /cat eiraivois /cat rrj 
dXXrj OojTrela, rd)(LaT* dv ofiotav avrrjv e^epydaato 
Tip ev Avhia 'Hpa/cAet. ecopa/ceVat ydp oe ttov 
eiKog yeypafjLfJLevov, rij ^OpL^dXrj hovXevovra, ndw 
dXXoKOTOv GKevTjv eaKevaapievoVf eKelvrjv p,ev rov 
Xeovra avrov 7repLPepXr]fxevr)v /cat rd ^vXov ev rrj 
;^etjOt e^pvaaVy ojs *H/3a/cAea hr^dev ovaav, avrov he 
ev KpoKOjraJ /cat Tropt^vpihi epia ^alvovra /cat 
TTaiOfJLevov vtto rrjg 'OjLt^aAi^? rep oavhaXicp. /cat 
rd deap.a atCT;^tcrTOP', d(f)ear(jj(ja rj eGdrjs rov 
adypiaros /cat pirj TTpooL^dvovaa /cat rov deov rd 
dvhpcjheg dcrx'^P'OVcus Karad7]Xvv6p,evov. 
11 Kat ol jJLev TToXXol tcrajs /cat ravrd gov eiraiveGov- 
rat, ol dXiyoi he eKelvoi d)v gv Kara^poveZs /xoAa 
'qhv /cat €S" Kopov yeXdGovrac, dpojvres rd dGVfi(f)vXov 
/cat dvdppuoGrov /cat hvGKoXXiqrov rov TTpdy pharos . 
eKdorov ydp hr] thidv ri KaXov eoriv' el he rovro 
evaXXd^eias f d/caAAc? rd avrd irapd rrjv XPV^''^ 
yiyverai. ccD Xeyeiv on ol enaLvoi ivl p,€v lgcjs 
i6 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

complete fiction and praise that is heavily biased on 
one side does not even give pleasure to an audience, 
if you leave out the common rabble and take note of 
those who will listen in the spirit of judges and in- 
deed of fault-finders as well. Nothing will get past 
their scrutiny: their eyes are keener than Argus's 
and all over their body; they test each expression 
like a money-changer, rejecting at once what is false 
but accepting current coin that is legal tender and 
correctly minted. These are the people to keep in 
mind when you write history; do not give the 
slightest thought to the rest even if they burst 
themselves with applauding. But if you neglect 
I " them and sweeten your history beyond reason 
"fij/ with stories and eulogies and the other kinds of 
If flattery, you will make it like Heracles in Lydia. 
You have probably seen pictures of him as slave 
to Omphale, dressed in a most outlandish way: 
Omphale is wearing his lion's skin and carrying his 
club in her hand, as if she were Heracles for 
certain, while he has on a saffron and purple gown 
and is carding wool and getting rapped with Om- 
phale's sandal. It's a shocking spectacle: the 
clothing hangs off his body and is ill-fitting, and his 
divine masculinity is disgracefully femim'sed. 

The majority will possibly applaud you for this, but 
those few whom you despise will laugh delightedly 
till they are sated when they see the incongruity, 
lack of proportion, and loose structure of the work, for 
each part has its own peculiar beauty and if you alter 
that you make it ugly and futile. I need not say that 

17 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

repTTVoiy rip iiraivovyievcp, roL<s Se oAAot? inaxd^^S, 
Kal ixaXiora riv V7T€p(f)V€L9 rag vnep^oXas €)(OJcnv, 
olovs avTovs ol ttoXXoI aTrepya^ovrat, tt^v evvoiav 
rrjv TTapa tcx)v irraivovpiivcov drfpcjixevoi /cat 
ivhiarpipovres ctXP'' '^^^ rrdui TTpo^avi] Tr]v KoXa- 
Keiav i^epydaaGdai. ovSe yap Kara rexvrjv avro 
Spdv loaoiv ovS^ ivLorKidCovGL rrjv OajTrelav, dAA* 
efxireoovres ddpoa Trdvra /cat dirWava /cat yvjjLvd 
12 Steftacrtv. "Q.ot^ ovSe rvy)(dvovoiv ov pLdXiara 
€<j)UvTaL' OL yap iiraivoijpievoi, npos avrcov p^LorovGi 
pidXXov /cat d7TO(jTpe(j)OVTai cus" /cdAa/ca?, ev ttolovv- 
res, /cat /xaAtcrTa -^i^ dvhpcoheis rds yvcLpias cocrtv. 

*'Q.G7T€p ^AXe^avSpog ^ApLorropovXov fiovofxax^av 
ypdijjavros ^AXe^dvSpov Kal Ucopov,^ /cat dvayvov- 
Tos avTO) rovro fidXiara to x^P^o^ t"??? ypacfyrjs — 
(pero yap ;!^apt€to-^at rd /xeytara rep jSacrtAet 
iTTLifjevSoficvos dpiOT€Las rivds avrcp /cat ai^aTrAar- 
Tojv €pya jjLel^co rrjs dX-qBeias — Xa^cjv ro ^l^Xlov — 
7TXeovT€S 8e irvyxcivov iv rip TTorajjicp rep 'YSdaTqr) 
— cppLifjev inl K€cl)aXr)v is ro vhcjp ineLTTcov, Kat 
G€ 8e ovrcjs ixprjv, co 'A/Dtcrro^ouAe, roiavra 
V7T€p ipLOV p^ovopuaxovvra /cat iXe<f)avras cVt d/coy- 
ricp (f)ov€vovra. /cat e/xeAAc ye ovnxjs dyavaKrij- 
G€iv 6 * AXi^avhpos , OS ye ovhe rr^v rod dpxi-- 
r€Krovos roXpav rjV€GX€ro, vnoGxop^evov rov 
''A6a)v eiKova TTOirjGeiv avrou /cat peraKOGp.'^GCLv 
ro opos €s 6p.oi,6r7]ra rod jSacrtAeo)?, dAAd /cdAa/ca 
evdvs imyvovs rov dvdpojrrov ovKer ouS' is rd 
dXXa ofjLOLOJS ixp'^TO. 

* Madvig added * AXe^avBpos : u>av€p * Apiaro^ovXov p.. ypdipav- 
Tos N; (1). ^Apiaro^ovXos p.. ypdif/as E*Q: wunep . . . ypdipavrog 
om. TEK 

l8 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

eulogies may be pleasing to one man, him who is 
praised, and annoying to others, especially if they 
contain monstrous overstatements, the kind that 
most people make when they seek favour from those 
who are praised, persisting until they have made their 
flattery obvious to everyone. They do not know how 
to do it with any skill nor do they cover up their 
obsequiousness ; no, they rush at it laying it all on 
thick, so implausible and so naive. So they do not 
get what they want most: those they praise hate 
them the more and turn their backs on them as 
toadies, and rightly so, especially if they are manly in 
spirit. 

That is what happened to Aristobulus when he 
wrote of the single combat between Alexander and 
Porus ; he read this particular passage in his work to 
Alexander thinking to give great pleasure to the 
King by ascribing falsely to him certain deeds of 
valour and inventing achievements too great to be 
true. They happened to be sailing on the River 
Hydaspes at the time, and Alexander took the book 
and threw it straight into the water with the remark : 
" You deserve the same treatment, Aristobulus, for 
fighting single-handed duels for my sake like that and 
killing elephants with one throw of the javelin." 
Indeed it was certain that Alexander would be angry 
at such a thing — he had not put up with the effrontery 
of the engineer who had promised to fashion Athos 
into his portrait and shape the mountain to the King's 
likeness. Alexander at once realised that the man 
was a flatterer and had no longer employed him. 

19 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

13 Uov roivvv TO repTrvov iv tovtols, c/ctos" et fji'q 
TLS KOfJLiSfj dvoTjTOS eLT] COS ;)^atpe6v ra roiavra 
€7TaLvovfjL€vos <Lv TTapcL TToSas ol eXey^oi ; woirep 
ol apiOp^OL rcov dvOpcoTrajv, /cat pLaXiord ye ra 
yvvaia tols ypa<^€voi TrapaKeXevofxeva (Ls KoXXlaras 
avrds ypd<^€iv. otovrai yap dp,€ivov e^eiv ttjv 
oij/LVf T]V 6 ypa(f)€vs avTots ipvdrjpid re ttXcIov 
irravdicrr) /cat to XevKov iyKaTafjil^r) ttoXv t(x> 
^app^dKcp. 

ToiovToi Tcjv cruyypa(j)6vTO}v ol ttoXXol €lgl to 
TTjpbepov /cat TO tStov /cat to ;)^petaj8es' o Tt dv Ik 
TTJs loTOpias cAmcrcuot OepanevovTes, ovs pLLoeladaL 
KaXojg etx^v, is fJLev to irapov /coAa/ca? TrpoSrJAous" 
/cat dTe^vovs ovTas, is tovttlov 8e vttotttov tols 
VTTeppoXaXs ttjv oXtjv Trpayp^areiav dnocfyalvovTas . 
el Se TLS TrdvTws to Tepirvov rjyelTai KaTapue- 
puxdcLi' Sftv Tjj laTopia Trdcrr), oAAa a gvv aXr^deia 
TepTTvd ioTLv iv Tois dXXoLS KdXXeoL Tov Xoyov, cjv 
dpLeXrjaavTes ol ttoXXol Ta pbrjhev TrpocyqKOVTa 
iireiaKVKXovaiv . 

14 *Eyco 8* ovv /cat hiiqyriGopiat, OTTOCta fjuepbinj puai 
evayxos iv 'Icovta crvyypa(f)eojv tlvcov, /cat ^7 Ata 
iv *Axcua 7Tpcp7]v dKovaas tov avTOV tovtov 
TToXepLov hiriyovpiev(x)v. /cat irpos XaptVcDV pLrjSels 
dmcrT'qarj tols XexdrjaopLevois' otl yap dXrjOij iaTiv 
Kav iTTCDpLoodpbrjv, el daTelov rfv opKov ivTidevai 
crvyypdpLpLaTL. els p>ev tls avTibv drro yiovcrtov 
evdvs TJp^aTO rrapaKoXcbv Tas Oeds GVve(f)diffaadaL 
TOV uvyypdpipLaTos . 6 pas cos ipipeXrjs rj dp^rj /cat 
TrepL TToSa tjj loTopia ^ /cat toj tolovtco etSet tojv 
Xoycov vpeTTOvaa; elra puKpov vno^ds 'A^tAAet 
puev TOV TjpLeTepov dp^ovTa et/caC^, SepoLTTj 8e tov 
20 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

Where then is the pleasure in this, unless a man is 
so utterly stupid as to enjoy praise that can be proved 
groundless there and then ? Take the case of the 
ugly men and women, particularly women, who ask 
the painter to make them as beautiful as possible, 
thinking they will be better looking if the painter 
bedecks them with a richer red and mixes plenty of 
white into his pigment. 

Most of our historians today are like that, courting 
private whim and the profit they expect from their 
history. One might well loathe them as blatant 
flatterers of no ability in their own time, while to 
posterity they make the whole business of written 
history suspect by their exaggerations. If anyone 
supposes that giving pleasure has to be mixed into 
all historical writing, there are other refinements of 
style that combine pleasure with truth. The run of 
historians neglect these and pile up tasteless in- 
congruities one upon the other. 

Well then, I'll tell you what I remember hearing 
some historians say recently in Ionia, and indeed 
only the other day in Achaia, when they were 
describing this very war. And in the name of the 
Graces let no one disbelieve what I am going to say. 
I would swear to its veracity — if it were in good taste 
to attach an affidavit to an essay. One of them 
began straightway "with the Muses, summoning the 
goddesses to help him with his work. You see how 
appropriate this opening was, how apt for historical 
writing, how suited to this type of book ! Then a 
little further on he compared our general to Achilles, 
and the Persian King to Thersites, not understand- 

* rij loTopia Aldinus : ij laropia MSS. 



â– ^ ^'"^Jt 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

T(x)v Xiepocjjv ^aaiXea, ovk elBoJS on 6 'A;)(tAA€us" 
djjielvojv riv avro), el "EtKTOpa fxaXXov rj OepcTiTi^v 
Kadripeit /cat €t TTpoaOc fxev e^€vyev iadXog rt?, 

i8la)K€ Se fjLiv /xey* dfjLCLVOJV. 

€?t' iTTTJyev virep avrov ri eyKajpnov, /cat w£ d^ios 
ctrj (TvyypanpaL rds TTpd^eis ovrio XajjLTTpds ovcras. 
"qSyj Se Kartajv iTTT^vet /cat ttjv TrarptSa ttjv MtAi^rov, 
TTpoaridels <1)S dfxeivov ttoloZ rovro rod 'O/xrypou 
fjLTjSev fxvriadevTOs Trjg irarpihos. etr irrl reAct 
Tov (f)poLjjLLOv VTnGXV^LTO Siappi^Sr^v /cat aa(f)a)S, 
im pLelCov [xev atpeiv rd rj/jLerepa, rovs ^ap^dpovs 
8e KararroXejJL'^aciv /cat avros, ws dv Svvrjrai. /cat 
'^p^aro ye rrj^ Icrropias ovrcog, atria a/xa ty^s tov 
TToXefJLOV dpx^S hte^Lcov " *0 yap pnapajraros /cat 
KdKLora dTToXovjxevos OvoXoyeGoos TJp^aro TToXep^elv 
t atTtav rotavde. 
15 OuTOS" /Lt€v TOiavra. erepos 8e 0ou/cu8t8ou 
^rjXcoTTjs a/cpo?, oto? cu /xaAa to) dp^ervno) 
elKacrfjievos, /cat t")^!^ dp)(rjv cog eKeivos ovv rip 
iavrov ovofxari rjp^aTO, x^P^^^'^drriv dp^cov diraachv 
/cat dvflov TOV 'Arrt/cou drroTTviovoav . 6 pa ydp' 
" Kp€7T€pJ]0S KaXTTOVpVLavos ^ YiopiTrrjLovTToXlTrjg 
(jvveypaifje tov rroXepiOV tojv Ilapdvalcov /cat 
'Pco/xatcoi', cus" eiToXip/qoav irpos oAAi^Aoi;?, dp^dfxe- 
vos €vdv9 crvviGTafxevov y c5ctt€ jLtera ye TouavTrjv 
dpx'^v Tt av crot ra AotTra Xiyoipn — oiroZa iv 
*A/)jLt€vta eB-qfjLTjyoprjGev tov KepKvpalov avTOV 
pT^Topa 7rapaGTr]Gdjji€vos , rj olov NtCTt^i^vots- Xol{jl6v 

^ Kp€TT€pr]OS KaXiTOVpviavos edd. : KpeTreprjos KaXnovpiavos T 
Kp€7T€pios KapiTovpiavos N. 

22 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

ing that Achilles would have been a better name for 
him if he was killing a Hector rather than a Thersites 
and if a hero fled before, 

" and one far greater pursued him." ^ 

Then he brought in a bit of praise on his own account, 
telling how worthy he was to record such outstanding 
deeds. Now he was on his way home and praising his 
native Miletus, adding that this was an improvement 
on Homer, who had not mentioned his native land at 
all. Then at the end of this introduction he made a 
clear and explicit promise to glorify the achievements 
of our side and beat down the barbarians on his own 
with all his might. Then he began his narrative by 
relating the causes of the war in this way : " That 
cursed scoundrel Vologesus began the war for the 
following reason." 

So much for him. Another, a keen emulator 
of Thucydides, modelling himself closely on his 
original, like him began with his own name — the 
most graceful of all beginnings, redolent of Attic 
thyme. Listen: ** Crepereius Calpurnianus of Pom- 
peiopolis wrote the history of the war between the 
Parthians and the Romans beginning at its very 
outset."^ After a beginning like that why should 
I tell you the rest — the sort of speech he made in 
Armenia (he brought in the Corcyrean orator ^ in 
person for that) or what sort of plague he brought 
down on the people of Nisibis who declined to take 

^ Homer, II. xxii, 158. The quotation is not quite accurate. 

2 An adaptation of the opening sentence of Thucydides' 
History. 

^ I.e., he took the speech from Thucydides I, 32, where the 
Corcyrean delegation addresses the Athenian assembly. 

23 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Tols fJir] TO, *Pa)fxaia)v alpovyiivois k7rf\ya.y€V irapa 
GovKvSlSov p^pr^aa/xevos' oXov aphrjv TrXrjv jjlovov 
rod HeXaayLKov Kal rojv rei^dv TOiv jjLaKpcov, iv 
ols ol Tore XoLfxaj^avres ^Kiqaav ; ra S' oAAa /cat 
CLTTO KldiOTrias rip^aro, ws rore^ Kal is Alyvirrov 
KarepT] /cat is rrjv ^acnXiajs yrjv Tr]v ttoXXtJv, /cat 
iv iK€Lvr) ye efxeuvev €v ttolcvv. iyoj yovv daTTTOvra 
€Tt avrov KaraXiTTchv rovs adXiovs 'AOrjvalovs iv 
Ntcrt)3t dTTrjXdov OLKpi^aJs etScos" /cat ocra direXOovros 
ipelv efieXXev. /cat yap av /cat tovto CTrtet/ccDs" 
TToXv vvv cart, to oleadai tovt etvai rolg Sovkv- 
StSou ioLKora Xiyeiv, et oXiyov ivrpii/jas ra avrov 
iK€LVOV XeyoL rt?.^ vrj Ata KOLKelvo oXiyov helv 
TTapeXiTTOv 6 yap avros ovtos cruyypaj>evs TToAAd 
/cat rcjv ottXcov /cat rcov fjbrjxO'VrjfjLdTajv co? 
*Pco/xatot aura 6vop,dII,ovGiv ovtojs dviypaipev, /cat 
rdcfypov cu? iKelvoL /cat yi<f)vpav /cat ra rotaura. 
/cat /xot iwoTjGov r)XiKov to d^lcofia rrj? laropias 
/cat cu? 0ou/cu8t8i7 TTpiiTOV, /icrafu roii' *ATTt/ccov 
ovofjidrajv rd 'IraAtcort/ca ravra iyKeladai, oianep 
TTjv 7Top<j)vpav iinKoapLOVvra /cat ifjUTTpeTTOVTa /cat 
TTCirTcus' GvvdSovra. 
16 "AAAos" 8e Tts" auTcui' ^ VTTOfxirqp^a ra>v yeyovoTCUV 
yvfjbvov avvayaycjv iv ypa^fj KopLihrj ttcCov /cat 
XaixaLTTeres, olov /cat orparLcoTrjs av tl? rd Kad* 
rjfiipav V7Toypa<f)6fi€VOS cruvedrjKev ^ rcKrajv rj 
KdTT-qXos TLS avfjLTTepLvoGrwv rij arpaTia. ttXt^v 

^ w<; Tore Fritzsche : utare MSS. 

* After ris, MSS have fUKpa pdnia otto}S kul avros av <j>aiiqs ov 
hi avTTjv : seel. Dindorf. L. A. Post suggests ivrplipas (for 
evrpeipas) . . . ovbcv 'Attikov (or ov 8i' 'Attiktjs) for ov 8i* 

aVTTjV. 

24 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

the Roman side (he lifted that from Thucydides in 
its entirety except just for the Pelasgicum and the 
Long Walls where those who had at that time caught 
the plague had settled.^)? Then again it even 
" began in Ethiopia," as in Thucydides, then 
" descended into Egypt " and " the vast territory 
of the great King," where it stayed — and a good 
thing too ! For my part I left him still burying 
his wretched Athenians at Nisibis and went away 
knowing just what he was going to say after I 
had gone. But this is quite a fashion just now, to 
suppose that you're following Thucydides' style if 
you alter what he says a little and write that. 
Oh, here is a point I almost left out: this same 
historian has called many arms and war-engines by 
their Latin names, as well as the words for ditch, 
bridge and so on. Imagine please the high quality 
of his history and how it suits Thucydides to have 
these Italic words mixed up >vith the Attic, adding a 
distinctive touch of colour like the toga's purple 
stripe — a perfect match ! 

Another of them has compiled a bare record of the 
events and set it down on paper, completely prosaic 
and ordinary, such as a soldier or artisan or pedlar 
following the army might have put together as a diary 

^ Thuc. II, 47-54. References to Athenian topography were 
omitted. 



^ avTcx>v edd. : avrw N: avrco V. 

25 



I 'â–  ^-^/w;>*f-^ IfOylj^lf^^ 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

aAAa ix€Tpicx)r€p6s ye 6 ISLCjrrjg ovros rjvf avros 
[xev avTLKa S-^Aos" cov ofos" rjv, dWco Se tlvl ^apUvTL 
/cat Svvr]GO[jL€va) Loropiav jjuerax^ipLcraGdat TrpoTTC- 
TTOvrjKcos. rovro fjiovov fjrLaadfJLr]v avTOV, on 
ovTOJS iTTeypai/je rd ^L^Xla rpayiKajrepov r) Kara 
TTjV Tcjv crvyypaixfJLdrojv tvx^v — " KaAAt/xo/3<^oi; 
larpov TTJs rojv Kovro^opcxiv eKrrjs loropiwv 
YiapdiKihVy^ KOL VTreyeypaTTTO eKdarr) 6 dpcdpLos. 
/cat VT] Ata /cat to TrpooLfiLov VTrepi/jvxpov iTTOLTjoev 
OVTOJS ovvayaycjv ocKelov elvai laTpo) loTopiav 
ovyypdcjiCLV, €t ye 6 ^AGKXrjmos fJL€V 'AttoXXojvos 
vlos, ^AttoXXojv Se Movonr]y€Tr]£ /cat TTaGrjs Trat- 
Seta? dpx(^v' /cat ort dp^dfxevos iv ttj *Ia8t 
ypd<f)€iv ovK ot8a o rt So^av aurt/ca jjudXa eirl ttjv 
â–  KOLvr)V jjLeTTjXdeVy lr]TpLK7]v ^ fjuev Xiywv /cat Trelprjv 
/cat oKoaa /cat vovgol, to, S' aAAa ojLtoStatra rot? 
TToXXoLS /cat Ta TrAetcrra ota e/c TpLobov.^ 
17 Et 8c /x€ 8€t ^ /cat ao(j)ov dvhpos fJivrjadrjvaf., to 
jxev ovofxa iv d(j)aveZ Keiadoj, ttjv yvcojxrjv 8e ipoj 
/cat TO, 7Tpcpr)v iv Kopivdo) ovyypdjXjxaTa, KpeiTTO) 
irda-qs eATTtSo?. ev dpxfj P'^v ydp evOvg iv ttj 

7rpCL)T7) TOV TTpOOipioV TTepLoScp GVV7]pcOTrjO'€ TOVS 

dvayLvcvGKovTas Xoyov Trdvaocfjov Sct^at GTrevSojv, 
ws povci) dv Tip GO(f)cp TTpeTTOL LGToptav Gvyypd(f)€LV . 
ctra /xera ptKpov aAAo? GvXXoycGpos, etra aAAo?- 
/cat oXo)s iv diravTi GX'ripo.Ti GVV7]pa)Tr)TO avTW to 
TrpoolpLiov. TO TTJs /coAa/cctas" i? Kopov, /cat ra 
iyKwpaa ^opTLKa /cat Kop^chfj j360jLtoAo;^t/ca, ou/c 
acruAAoytcrra /xeVrot, aAAa GVV7]po)T7]p€va KaKelva. 



^ l7}TpLKT]v Solanus : larpiiajv T: larpciTjv N. 



26 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

of daily events. However, this amateur was not so 
bad — it was quite obvious at the beginning what he 
was, and his work has cleared the ground for some 
future historian of taste and ability. The only fault / 
I found was this : his headings were too pompous 
for the place his books can hold — " Callimorphus, 
surgeon of the Sixth Lancers, History of the Parthian 
War, Book so-and-so " — there followed the number 
of each book. Another thing, his preface was far 
too frigid : he put it like this ; it was proper for a 
surgeon to write history, since Asclepius was the 
son of Apollo and Apollo was leader of the Muses 
and lord of all culture ; also because, after begin- 
ning in Ionic, for some reason I can't fathom he 
suddenly changed to the vernacular, using indeed the 
Ionic forms of" medicine," "attempt," " how many," 
" diseases," but taking the rest from the language 
of everyday, most of it street-corner talk. 

If I have to mention a philosopher let his name 
remain unknown. I shall speak only of his general 
views and his recent writings in Corinth. They went 
beyond all expectation. Right at the beginning in 
the first sentence of his introduction he used dialectic 
on his readers in his eagerness to show off a very 
clever argument. This was to the effect that only 
the philosopher was fit to write history. Then a 
little later came one syllogism, then another. In 
short his introduction was sheer dialectic in every 
figure of the syllogism. His flattery was nauseating : 
his eulogies were vulgar and downright low; even 
they were syllogistic and dialectical in form. I 
certainly thought it in poor taste and not at all 

5 )Li€ Set NE: /xcA« r. 

27 



-»./», 



V' V^^^t^-^vA^M ' ^'^^j 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Kal firjv KOLKeZvo (f)opriK6v eSo^ev fxoi /cat '^Kiara 
oo(f)Cx) dvSpl /cat TTCxjyojVL ttoXlo) /cat ^adel TTpeirov, 
TO iv Tip TTpooipLicp ctVetv, COS" i^aiperov rovro 
€^€L 6 TjfjLerepos apxcov, ov ye ra? Trpd^eis /cat 
<^LX6oo(f>oi rjSr] ovyypd(f)€Lv d^LOvaiv. to yap tolov- 
Tov, €i7T€p dpa, r)p,LV eSet /caraAtTretv Xoyl^eoOaL 
'5 avTOV etVetv. 

18 Kat firjv ouS' c/cetVov oglov dfjLvrip.ovfJGaL, os 
TOidvSe dpx^jy '^p^aro* " ''E/);!(o^at ipecov Trepi 
*PcopLaLCx)v /cat Uepaewv,^^ /cat puKpov vGTepov 
" eh€€ yap Yiipcn^OL yevladai /ca/cois"/' Kal rrdXiv 
" tJi/ ^Ocrporjg, tov ol "EAAi^ye? ^O^vporjv owfidov- 
GLV,** /cat aAAa ttoAAo. rotaura. opas ; opLOios 
avTOS €Keivcp Trap* ooov 6 fJLCV QovKvSiSr), ovTog 
8e 'HpoSdroj eu fidXa icuKet. 

19 *'AAAos' Tts" dotSt/xos" eVt Aoycuv Swdfjiei SovKySlSr] 
Kal avTos op^oios r] oXlycp d/xetVcov aurou, Trdaas 
TToActs" /cat TrdvTa opr) Kal TreSta /cat Trora/xous" 
epfirjvevaas rrpos to aa(j)€OTaTOv /cat caxvpoTaTOV, 
d)S <^€TO. TO 8e es" €.)(Bp(jjv K€(f)aXds 6 dAe^t/ca/cos" 
Tpeijj€i€' TOoavTT] ijjvxpor7]s ivrjv virkp ttjv 
KacTTTta/CT^v ')(i6va /cat tov /cpucrraAAov rov KeArt/cov. 
oj yow do'77ts' 7] TOV avTOKpdTopos oXo) jStjSAtO) 
pLoyig i^iqpfjLTjvevdrj avTcp, Kal Topycbv inl tov 
6pi(j>aXov Kal ol 6(f>daXpLol avTrj? €/c Kvavov Kat 
XevKov Kal p,eXavos Kal ^covr] ipioeihr]? Kal hpd- 
KOVT€S iXiKrjSov Kal pooTpv)(7]^ov. 7] (lev yap 
OvoXoyeacrov dva^vpls ^ 6 p^aAtvo? tov lttttov, 
'Hpd/cActs-, oo-at fxvpidSeg iirajv €KaoTOV tovtojv, 
Kal Ota rfv r) *Oopoou Kopur], hiaveovTO? tov 
TlyprjTa, Kal is olov dvTpov /care^uye, klttov Kal 
pivppivris Kal hd<f)in]s is TavTO ovpiTTe<j>VK6TOJV /cat 

28 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

becoming a philosopher and a long, grey beard to 
say, as he did in his introduction, that it will be a 
special distinction of our commander that even 
philosophers think fit to recount his deeds. Such a 
comment he should have left for us, if anybody, to 
think of and not made it himself. 

Again it would not be right to omit the one who 
began as follows : " I come to speak of Romans and 
Persians," and a little later said : " The Persians 
were foredoomed to come to grief," and again: " It 
was Osroes, whom the Greeks call Oxyrhoes " and 
many more things of this sort, all in Ionic. Do you 
see ? He was like Crepereius, only Crepereius was 
a wonderful copy of Thucydides, this man of 
Herodotus. 

Another, renowned for his powerful eloquence, was 
also like Thucydides or a little better. He described 
all cities, mountains, plains, and rivers in the most 
detailed and striking way, as he thought. May the 
Averter of Evil turn his detail and vigour against the 
enemy, so much frigidity was there in it, worse than 
Caspian snow and Celtic ice ! For example, he only 
just got through his descriptionof the emperor's shield 
in a whole book, with its Gorgon on the boss, her 
eyes of blue, white, and black, her girdle like the 
rainbow, the ringlets and curls of her serpents. The 
trousers of Vologesus and the bit of his horse — 
Heavens ! how many thousands of words on each, and 
his descriptions of Osroes' hair as he swam across the 
Tigris, and the cave where he fled for safety, with its 
jungle of ivy, myrrh, and laurel making it completely 

29 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

GvaKLov OLKpt^aJg ttolovvtcov avro. GKonei cLs 
dvayKata rfj laropta ravra, Kal (Lv av€V ovk dv 

20 'Ytto yap dudeveias rrjs iv tols p^pi^ort/xots- rj 
dyvoias tojv XcKrecov ctti rds roiavras rcov 
Xcoplcov Kal dvrpojv €K<f)pdG€is rpiTTOvraiy Kal 
OTTorav €9 TToAAa Kal jxeydXa rrpdypLara ifiTreaajGLv 
eoLKaoiv OLKerr] veoirXovrco dprc KXr^povopiriuavTi 
Tov SeoTTTOTOV, OS ovre ttjv iadijra otSev cos XPV 
TTepL^aXeadai ovre SecTTVTJGai Kara vopiov, dAA* 
€p.Trr]hrjoas , rroXXdKis opvldcjjv Kal Gvelajv Kal 
Xaycpcjv TTpoKeLfjidvojv, VTrepepLTrLTrXaraL ervovs ti,v6s 
t) rapixovs €Gr dv Siappayfj €Gdio)v. ovtos 8* 
ovv ov TTpoeiTTOV Kol TpavfJLara ovveypaijjev Trdvu 
drridava Kal Oavdrovs oXXokotovs , <1)S €ls SdKTvXov 
TOV TToSos TOV fidyav TpojOecs tls aurt/ca erc- 

X€VTrjG€y Kal cLs efl^OT^GaVTOS fJLOVOV YlpCGKOV TOV 

GTpaTTjyov CTTTa Kal clkogl TCtJv TToXepLLOJV e^edavov. 
€Tt he Kal iv to) tcov veKpcov dpiBpiw tovto fxev 
Kal Trapd ra yeypapbfieva iv Tals tcov dpxdvTcov 
iTTLGToXais iipevGaTO' iirl yap YiVpwTTCx) tcov jxev 
TToXejjLLCjDV diTodavelv {ivpidSas CTrra Kal TpidKovTa 
Kal €^ Tjpos Tols SiaKOGLOLS, 'Pco/xatcDV 8e p.6vovs 
hvo Kal TpavfiaTias yeveodai ivvia. TavTa ovk 
olha et Tts" dv ev c/ypovojv dvdoxoLTO. 

21 Kat JJLTjV KdKelvO XcKTCOV ov pUKpOV dv VTTO 

yap TOV KOfjLiSfj ^Attlkos etvaL Kal diTOKeKaOdpdai 

TTjV <f)OJVrjV is TO dKpLp€GTaTOV rj^LOJOeV OVTOS Kal 

Ta ovopiaTa ju-eraTrotT^crat ra *P(x)p,aLcov Kal /Ltera- 
y pdi/f ai is to 'KXXtjvlkov, cos Kpovtov puev TiaTovpvivov 
Xiyecv, <t>p6vTiv hi tov (^povTcova, TuTdvLov hi tov 
Ttrtavoi^ Kal aAAa TroAAoi yeXoLOTcpa. ert o avTos 
3° 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

dark. Think how essential this is to history : with- 
out it we should not have known what happened 
there ! 

Because of weakness in matters of importance or 
ignorance of what to say, they turn to this sort of 
description of scenery and caves ; when they chance 
on a host of great doings they are like a newly-rich 
servant who has just inherited his master's fortune: 
he knows neither how to dress nor how to take his 
meal in the proper way : no, he plunges in, when 
for instance birds and pork and hares are put 
before him, stuffing himself with a soup or kippers 
until he bursts from eating. Well, this man I men- 
tioned described incredible wounds and monstrous 
deaths, how one man was wounded in the big toe and 
died on the spot, and how Priscus the general j ust gave 
a shout and twenty-seven of the enemy fell dead. 
And in the number slain he even contradicted the 
officers' despatches with his false figures : at Europus, 
he said, the enemy lost 70,236 killed, while the Romans 
lost just two and had nine wounded. I do not think 
anyone in his senses would accept that. 

There is another not unimportant matter : because 
he is an out-and-out Atticist and has purified his 
speech down to the last syllable, he thought fit to 
change the Latin names and use Greek forms — 
Kronios for Saturninus, Phrontis for Fronto, Titanios 
for Titianus, and others much more ridiculous. 



^ 60V av€v ovK av iJSet/icv Fritzsche : om. av N; ws ovk dvcv 

31 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ovTOS 7T€pl TTJs Ht€V7]pLavov reXcvTTJs cypaipev ws 
ol fxev ctAAot airavres i^r^TTaTqvrai OLOfievoL ^l<f)€L 
redvdvai avroVy aTToBdvoL 8e o dvr]p gltlcjv 
dTTOG')(6pi€vos' rovTov yap avrw dXvTToraTOv Sofat 
rov ddvaroVy ovk elhchs otl to fiev irddos iKelvo 
Trdv TpLwv olpLai r^fiepchv iydverOy dTToairoi hk /cat 
€£ e^hopLrfv hiapKovoLv ol ttoAAoi — e/cros" €t firj 

TOvd* VTToXdpOL Tt?, (1)S ^Oop6r]S ^ elaT-qKCL 7T€pL- 

jjLevwv, €GT dv ^€VT)pLav6s Xificp dTToXrjraiy /cat 
8ta TOVTO OVK eirrjye Sta ttJ? ejSSd/xrys'. 

22 Tous" §€ /cat TTOirjTLKOLS ovofiaGLVy c5 /caAe OtAcui^, 
€1/ LGTopia xP^H'^^ovSf TTOv S* at' rt? ^etT^, rou? 
Aeyoi^ra?, " iXeXi^e fxev 77 p.iqxo.vriy to TeZ^os 8c 
Trecjov jJicydXwg iSovTrrjae** /cat TraAtv ev €T€pcp 
fie pel TTJs KaXijg tcjropta?, " "ESecrcra /xcp' 87) ovtcd 
Tots" OTrXoLg TTepLeafiapayeLTO /cat oto^os rjv /cat 
Kova^os diravTa €Kelva *' /cat " o GTpaTTjyos 
ifxepp.TJpiCev co TpOTTCo fidXiGTa TTpoGaydyoi Trpos 
TO TCLXOS** €?Ta /xera^u ovtcos €VTeXrj ovofiaTa 
/cat SrjixoTLKa /cat 7rTai;^t/cd TroAAa TTapeve^epVGTO — 

TO " €7r€GT€iX€V 6 GTpaTOTTehdpX^S Tip KVpLO),^* 

/cat " ot GTpaTLCJTau 'qyopal^ov ra iyxprjCovTa ** 
/cat " ^817 XeXovfievoL Trepl avrovg eyiyvovTO ** /cat 
ra Totaura* cScrrc to Trpdy pia cot/co? ctvat TpaywSco 

TOV €T€pOV pi€V TToSa €77* ipL^dTOV Vl/jTjXoV CTTt- 

j8ej5i7/coTt, OdTepov he GavhdXco V7roSeSep,evcp. 

23 Kat /Ltiyi' /cat aAAous" tSot? ai^ Ta /xei^ TrpooipLia 
Xapnpd /cat TpaytKa /cat €t? VTreppoXrju puaKpd 
Gvyypd(f)OVTas , a>S" cATTtcrat davpiaGTa rjXuKa to. 
fxeTa TavTa TrdvTOJS dKOVGeGdai, to aco/xa 8e auTO 
TO T-^j LGTopiag pLiKpov TL /Cat dycwcs" CTrayayovTas" 

^ *0ap6r]s N: 'Oaporjs ris T. 
32 



7' 



? 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

Again, concerning the death of Severianus, this same 
man wrote that all the others had been deceived in 
supposing he perished by the sword — he died by 
fasting because he thought this the most painless 
way of dying. He was unaware that the whole 
business only took, say, three days while those who 
keep away from food generally last a week — unless 
one assumes that Osroes was standing about wait- 
ing for Severianus to die from hunger and for that 
reason did not attack during the week. 

And where, my dear Philo, are we to put those 
who use poetic words in their history, who say " The 
siege-engine whirled, the wall fell with a big thud," 
and again in another part of this fine work, " Edessa 
thus was girt with the crash of arms and all was 
clangour and alarum," and " the general mused 
how best to attack the wall."^ Then in the middle 
of this sort of thing he stuffed a lot of words that 
were cheap, vulgar, and mean — " the prefect sent 
His Majesty a despatch " and " the soldiers got 
themselves the necessaries " and " by now they'd 
had their baths and were hanging about " and so 
on. It's as if a tragic actor had mounted a high buskin 
on one foot and had a sandal tied under the other. 

Again, you may see others writing introductions 
that are brilliant, dramatic, and excessively long, so 
that you expect what follows to be marvellous to hear, 
but for the body of their history they bring on some- 
thing so tiny and so undistinguished that it re- 

^ These writers use words with a poetical tradition from 
Homer, Hesiod and other poets. 

33 

VOL. VI. C 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

COS" Kal rovTO ioLKevau TratStoj, et ttov "Epcora 
ctSe? TTaL^ovray TTpoGcoTreZov 'HpaxrAeous' Trdfjifxeya 
7} Ttrai^os" TrepLKeifJievov. evdvs yovv ol OLKovaavTes 
€771^6 eyyovr at avToZs ro "Q.Sivev opos. 

^pr] Se ofjLtat {jltj ovtojs, aAA* ojjLOca ra Trdvra Kal 
ojjLoxpoa elvat, Kal cruvabov rfj K€<f)aXfj ro dXXo uajpua, 
(1)S fJir] xP^^o^^ M^^ "^^ Kpdvos €17], dcjpa^ he iravv 
yeXolos €K paKOJV TTodev r] €K Seppidrajv aarrpajv 
GvyKeKarrvfjievog Kal rj dcTTrts" olavtvr] Kal ;!^otpti^ 
7r€pl rats' KvrjpiaLs. IhoLs yap av d^dovovs tolov- 
Tovs Gvyypa(f)€as , rod *Po8ta)v koXoctgov rrjv 
K€(j)aXr]v vavcoSeL aajpuari eTTiriBevras' dXXovs av 
epLTTaXiv dK€(f)aXa rd oojjxara elctdyovras — dirpooi- 
p,iaora Kal evdvs eVt rcov TTpayixdrajv ol Kal 
TTpoaeraipi^ovrai rov Zevocfxjjvra ovrojs dp^dfievov, 
" Aapelov Kal YlapvcrdnSos TralSes y iyvovr ai 
Suo/* Kal dXXovs ra)V TraXaiojv, ovk etSores" cus" 
8um/xet rivd Trpooipad ccrrt XeXrjOora rovs ttoXXovs, 
cos eV oAAots" Sel^ofiev. 
24 KatVot ravra Trdvra (fyoprjrd ert, ocra iq ^Pl^'^~ 
velas "^ TT^s" aAAi^s" SLard^eojs dpbaprrjpiard iariv' 
ro 8e Kal irapd rovs roirovs avrovs t/jevSeaOai 
Ol) Trapacrdyyas pLovov dXXd Kal araOpiOvs oXovs, 
rivi rcjjv KaXcov €olk€v ; els yovv ovrcj padvpLOJS 
ovvriyaye rd Trpay/xara, ovre Ttvpo) rivl ivrvx^jv 
ovre ro XeyopLevov Br) rovro rcov iirl Kovpeico ^ rd 
roiavra puvdoXoyovvrcjjv dKovoaSy oiore rrepl ^vpu)- 
7TOV Xeyojv ovrcos €<^'^y " 'H 8e EupcuTTOS" /cetrat 
p,kv iv rfj MecroTrora/xta aradpLovs hvo rov Yiixjypd- 

^ ratv €7tI Kovpiio) Fritzsche : rcDt eVI KOvpLon. V: tcDv cVi 
Kovpeiwv N. * 

34 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

sembles a child, some Cupid ^ — you may have seen 
one playing and putting on a huge mask of Heracles 
or a Titan. The audience there and then are calling 
out to them " a mountain was in labour." 

In my opinion the right way to do it is not like 
this : there must be a general uniformity, a unity of 
colour, and the body must be in proportion with the 
head, so that when you get a golden helmet the breast- 
plate is not a silly patchwork of rags or rotten hides 
with a wicker-work shield and pigskin greaves. You 
can see plenty of writers like that, who put the head 
of the Colossus of Rhodes on the body of a dwarf. 
Then again others produce bodies without any heads — 
works lacking an introduction that begin at once 
with the narrative ; in support they quote Xenophon, 
where he begins " Darius and Parysatis had two 
sons," 2 and other old writers, not knowing that there 
are such things as virtual prefaces ^ unrecognised 
by most people; we shall demonstrate this else- 
where. 

Yet we can put up with all these things as far as 
they are faults of expression and arrangement of 
material ; but to misplace localities even, not just by 
parasangs but by whole days' marches, what fineness 
of style does that resemble ? One man, for example, 
who had never met a Syrian nor even heard as they say 
" barber-shop gossip " about such things, assembled 
his facts so carelessly that when speaking of Europus 
he said: " Europus is situated in Mesopotamia, two 
days' journey from the Euphrates ; it was colonised 



k 



^ Little slave-boys were called " Cupids.' 

2 The opening of the Anabasis. 

^ I.e., prefaces by function not by form. 



^ 



35 






THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Tov drrexovda, aTTCpKLcrav Se avrrjv 'EScaCTatot." 
Kal ovSe rovTO a7Texpy]<y^v avrco, dAAa /cat rriv 
efxrjv TTarptSa ra Sa/Aoaara 6 avrog ev rep avro) 
^L^Xicp apdp,€vos 6 yevvalos avrfj d/cpoTToAet /cat 
rei-)(€GL p,eTedriK€V is rrjv MecjOTroTajLttav, co? 
TTepippeladai avrrjv V'n dp.^oripoiv rdv TTorajjLOJv, 
eKarepcvdev iv XP^ TrapafieLpopLevcov /cat jjlovov- 
ovx'' Tou Tei-)(ovs ifjavovrojv. to 8e /cat yeXolov et 
CTOt vvv, c5 OtAcoi^, OLTToXoyoiiJLrjv (JL)S ov Hapdvalajv 
oi)8e Mecro770Ta/xtTi7S" orot eyo), ot /xc (f)€pa)v 6 
davfiaGTos Gvyypacf)€vs diTipKLoe. 

25 Nt7 Ata /cd/ceti^o Kopahfi indavov Trepl rod 
Ttevrjpiavov 6 avros ovrog etnev €.7TopiOoa.pi€vos , rj 
pLTjv aKOVGal TLvog T(x}v €^ avTOV TOV epyov Sta^u- 
yovTOJV ovT€ yap ^i(j)€L ideXfjoau avTov OLTroOaveLV 
ovT€ (f>apixdKov TTLelv ovT€ Ppo^ov dj/racr^at dAAct 
Ttj'a OdvaTOV evrtvo'^crat TpayiKov /cat ttj ToXpLrj 
^evL^ovTa' Tvx^^y P'^v yap avTOv e^ovTa TrapLpLeyidy) 
c/CTTCtJ/xara udAtva Trjs KaXXiGTT]? vdXov, irrel Sc 
TrdvTOJS diroOaveLV eyvojGTO, /card^avra rov pueytG- 

TOV TCx)V GKV^CJV €vl TiOV OpaVGpdTOJV XPV^^^^^'' 

€L9 TTjV G(f)ayr)v iuTep,6vTa ttj vdXcp tov Xaipiov. 
ovTiDS ov ^i^ihioVy ov Xoyxdpiov evpev ca? dvSpeios 

26 y€ avTcp /cat rjpajLKOs 6 OdvaTOS yevoiTO. Etr* 
€77€t8i7 (dovKvhi^r]<s CTrtrd^toi/ rtva etTre rots' 

TT/DCOTOt? TOV TToXcpLOV €K€LVOV V€KpOLg /Cat aVTO? 

rjyqGaTO XPW^'' ^vretTreti^ tco SeuT^ptavoJ. dnaGL 
yap avTols TTpog tov ovSev auTLOv tcov iv ^Appevla 
KaKCJv TOV QovKvhihiqv T) d/xtAAa. Odipas ovv tov 
'Lev7]pLav6v [xeyaXoTTpeTTcog dvajStjSdCerat iirl tov 
- Td<j)OV *A(f)pdvi6v TLva StAcoi^a eKaTOVTapxov dv- 
ray(x)viGT7]v YiepiKXiovs os rotaura /cat TOoavTa 

36 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

by men of Edessa." ^ Even this was not enough for 
him : my own birthplace, Samosata, this fine writer 
in the same book Ufted, acropoHs, walls and all, and 
transplanted to Mesopotamia, so as to surround it 
by both rivers, which passed close to it on either side 
and almost touched the walls. How ridiculous, Philo, 
if I were now to argue a proof with you that I am 
not a Parthian or from Mesopotamia, where this 
wonderful historian has taken and transplanted 
me! 

By Zeus, that, too, is a highly plausible story the 
same fellow told about Severianus, taking his oath 
that he heard it from a man who had survived this 
very action : he said that Severianus did not want to 
die by the sword nor take poison nor hang himself, 
but thought of a dramatic death, strange and novel 
in its boldness : he happened to have huge drink- 
ing-glasses of the finest crystal, and when he had 
decided to die at all costs he broke the largest of 
the bowls and used one of the pieces to kill him- 
self by cutting his throat with the glass. As if 
there were no dagger, no javelin to be found to 
bring him a manly and heroic death! Then since 
Thucydides made a funeral speech over the first 
to die in that famous war ^ he thought he too ought to 
make a speech over Severianus. For all of them 
vie with Thucydides, who was in no way responsible 
for our troubles in Armenia. So after burying 
Severianus in magnificent style he makes a cen- 
turion, an Afranius Silo, mount the tomb as a rival to 
Pericles ; his rhetoric was so strange and so ex- 

^ Europus was actually situated on the Euphrates itself, on 
the farther shore from Mesopotamia. 
2 The Peloponnesjaij War. Tbuo. II, 34-36. 

37 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

eTTepp-i-jTopevaev avrco cocrre fie vq rag Xaptra? 
TToAAa Trdvv SaKpvcrat vtto rod yeXcorog Kal 
fidXiara OTTore 6 pTJrcop 6 ^ K(j>p6vLos irrl rcAct rod 
Xoyov haKpvcov afxa gvv olpuDyfj TT^pnradel c/xc/xi/t^to 
Ta)v TToXvreXibv €K€lvojv heiirvcov Kal TTpOTTocreajv, 
elra iTrddrjKev Alavreiov nva rrjv Kopcoviha' 
a7Ta(jdp,evos yap to ^i<f>os, €vy€va>s irdw /cat ujs 
^A<f)pdvLOV eiKos TjVy TrdvTCjv opcovrojv d'nia<j>a^€v 
iavrov ctti rep rd<f)a) — ovk dvd^iog cov fid rov 'Evua- 
Xlov 7Tp6 TToXXov aTTodavelv el roiavra epprjropevev. 
Kal TOVTO €(f)7] IBovras rovs irapovras diravTag 
OavfjidGaL Kal virepeiTaivioai rov *A(f>pdvLov. iyd) 
8e Kal rd oAAa fiev avrov KareyiyvayoKOv pLOVo- 

VOVxl C^jJLCOV Kal XoTrdbcDV p.€piV7]p,€VOV Kal CTTtSa- 

KpvovTOS rfj rajv TrXaKovvrcov funjp.rj, rovro §€ 
pidXiara fjTtacrdiJLrjv, on {jltj tov avyypa^la Kal 
hibdcTKaXov tov hpdpLaros 7rpoa7TOG(f)d^ag diredavc. 
27 noAAous" 8e Kal dXXovg opioiovs tovtois e^cov 
aoLy (L cratpe, KarapidpLijaaodaL, oXiycov ofjLw^ 
eTTLpLvrjcrdels inl ttjv CTcpav U7ro(T;^€0'tv rjSr] /xcreAeu- 
aopuaiy TTjv GvpLpovXrjv ottcjs dv dpueLvov Gvyypd<f>OL 
TLS. ctcrl ydp rtves", ot Ta /xeyaAa /xev twv 7T€- 
7TpaypL€va)v Kal d^iopLvrjpLovevTa irapaXeiiTOVcriv r) 
TTapadeovGLV, vtto 8e Ihioyreias Kal aTreipoKaXias 
Kal dyvoias tcov XeKTCCov rj GLCOTrrjTecov Ta pn- 
KporaTa irdw Xunapajs Kal <J)iXo7t6v(x)s ippu-qvevovatv 
ipL^pahvvovTeg, ojaircp dv €i tls tov Alos tov €V 

*0XvpL7TLa TO pL€V oXoV /CaAAo? TOGOVTO Kal TOLOVTO 

ov pLT) pXiiTOi pLTjhe eTTaivoit] /xr^Se rot? ovk elhoaiv 

€^7]yOLTO, TOV VTTOTTohlOV §€ TO T€ €v9vepyks Kal TO 

€v^€GTOv davpLd^oL Kal TTJs KprjTuSos TO evpvdpLoVf 
Kal TavTa frdvo /xcra ttoAA'^? (fypovrtSos^ Steftcov. 

â– 38 



-A^ 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

aggerated that by the Graces I just cried and cried 
with laughing, especially when this orator Afranius 
at the end of his speech wept and with doleful 
lamentation reminded us of those expensive dinners 
and pledges ! His last flourish was after Ajax : he 
drew his sword and with true nobility, as was proper 
for an Afranius, slew himself on the tomb in the sight 
of all — by the God of Havoc he deserved to die long 
before for making such a speech. All the onlookers, 
he said, when they saw this were amazed and 
praised Afranius to the skies. For my part I voted 
against him on every count for just stopping short 
of recalling the soups and shell-fish and weeping 
over the memory of the pancakes, but I blamed 
him most for dying without first cutting the throat 
of the historian who staged the show. 

I could count off many more writers like these, 
my friend, but I shall name just a few before turning , 
to my other undertaking, my advice how to write 
history better. There are some who leave out or 
skate over the important and interesting events, and 
from lack of education, taste, and knowledge of what 
to mention and what to ignore dwell very fully and 
laboriously on the most insignificant happenings; 
this is like failing to observe and praise and describe 
for those who do not know it the entire grandeur and iS 

supreme quality of the Zeus at Olympia, and instead 
admiring the " good workmanship " and " good 
finish " of the footstool and the " good proportions " "^ 

of the base, and developing all this with great x 

concern. 

39 



> 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 
28 Kyoj yovv rJKovcrd rivos ttjv fxkv iir* Eu/acoTTOJ 

fJLOLXW ^^ ^^^' oAot? €7TTa €7T€(JL TTapaSpafJiOVTOS, 

€iKO(JL he fierpa rj en TrXeioj vharos avaXojKoros 
is ifjv)(pav Kal ovSev r^pXv Trpocn^Kovcrav SuijyrjGLV 
COS" Maupos" TL£ LTnrevs Maucra/cas' Tovvopua vtto 
Slijjovs TrXavcopievos dva ra op-q KaraXd^oL Hvpovg 
TLvds Tcjjv dypoLKCJV dpLGTov TTapariOepLevovs koI 
OTL rd puev TTpcora eKeZvoi <f)0^7]delev avrov, elra 
jjLevTOL fiadovres wg rcjv <J)l\o)v etrj KareSe^avro 
Kal eldTiaaav' koI ydp riva TV)(elv avrcov (XTToSeSi^- 
jjurjKora /cat avrov is Tr]v rcov ^lavpoiv, dheX^ov 
avrcp iv rij yfj orparevop^evov. p,vdoi to pierd 
Tovro puaKpol Kal Sn]y7]GeLs (1)£ dr^pdoreiev avros iv 
rfj M.avpovGLa Kal cos lSol tovs iXe(f)avras ttoXXovs 
iv Tcp avro) (7vvvep,opievovs Kal cos vtto Xeovros 
dXiyov helv Kara^pajdeiy] Kal 'qXcKOvs 1%^^^ iirpiaTO 
iv KatCTa/)€ta. /cat o davpaaros (Jvyypa<j>evs ducts' 
rds ^ iv FiVpcoTTU) yiyvopuevas G(f>ayds roaavras 
Kal iTTcXdcreLs Kal Gnovhds dvayKaias Kal (jyvXaKds 
Kal dvTL^vXaKds dxpi' paOelas eoTrepas i(j)eiOTrjKeL 
opcov MaXx^cova rov 'Zivpov iv Kataapeta GKdpovs 
TTapupeyedeis d^iovs (Lvovpevov. el 8e pr) vv^ 
KareXapev, rdx dv ^ Kal avveSeLTTvei pier avrov 
rjSrj rcbv OKapojv iaKevaapevcov. dnep el pLrj 
iveyeypairro iiripeXoiS rfj tcrropta, peydXa dv 
rjpbeLs rjyvorjKores rjpev, Kal rj 1^7] pla *Pojpaiois 
d<f)6pr]ros el Mauaa/ca? o Maupo? Siifjcov p.rj 
evpev TTielv dAA' dhenrvos iTravrjXOev iirl ro arparo- 
TTehov. /catVot Trocra dAAa paKpcp avayKaiorepa 
eKCJv iycj vvv vapLrjpL. <x)S Kal avXrjrpls "^Kev iK 
rjjs ttXt^glov Koypurjs avroZs Kal d)S Scopa dAAi^Aots' 
dvreBocrav, 6 Mavpos p-^v rco MaA;(ta>n Xoyxrjv, 6 
40 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

For instance, I myself heard a man cover the Battle 
of Europus in less than seven complete lines, but he 
spent twenty or even more measures of the water-clock 
on a frigid description that was of no interest to us of 
how a Moorish horseman, Mausacas by name, was 
wandering over the mountains because he was thirsty 
and found some Syrian country-folk setting out their 
lunch ; at first they were afraid of him, but then when 
they found he was one of their friends they welcomed 
him and gave him food ; for one of them happened 
to have been abroad and visited Mauretania, as a 
brother of his was campaigning in that country. 
Long stories and digressions followed as to how he 
had gone hunting in Mauretania and how he had 
seen many elephants grazing together at one spot 
and how he was almost eaten by a lion and how big 
the fish were he bought in Caesarea. And our 
famous historian forgot the great killings, charges, 
imposed truces, guards, and counter-guards at Euro- 
pus, and until late evening stood watching Malchion 
the Syrian buying huge wrasses cheap in Caesarea. If 
night had not come down he might have dined with 
him when the wrasses were cooked. If this had not 
been painstakingly included in the history we should 
have missed some important details and it would 
have been an intolerable loss to the Romans if 
Mausacas, the Moor, had not found a drink when he 
was thirsty but returned to the camp supperless. 
Yet how much else far more essential am I willingly 
leaving out at this point ! How a flute-girl came to 
them from the neighbouring village, how they ex- 
changed gifts, the Moor giving to Malchion a spear 

^ a<f>€ls ras N; i<f>iaTa.s T. 

' rapf* dv Schaefer : rdxa MSS, 

41 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

he TO) M-avoraKa TTopTrqv, kol aAAa ttoAAci roiavra 
TTJs eV Eu/JcoTTO) IJiOLXV^ avTOL St) ra KecfxiXaca. 
roiydproi eiKorcos av ns eiTTOi rovs tolovtov9 ro 
[xev poSov avTO fir] jSAeVetv, ra? OLKavOas 8e avrov 
ras" Trapa ttjv pi^av cLKpu^aJg €7710 kott€lv. 
29 "KXKos, CO OtAojv, jLtaAa /cat ovros yeXotos, ovSe 
Tov erepov noha e/c Koptvdov TTCJTTore Trpope^-qKcbs 
oifS* axpi' Keyxpe<^^' aTToh-qpL-qGas y ovtl ye llvplav 
Tj ^KppLeviav IhojVy c5Se rjp^aTO — pLefjLvrjp^aL yap — 
" ^Q.ra 6(f)daXp,cov aTncrrorepa. ypd(f>cj roivvv a 
elhov, ovx a oJ/couCTa." /cat ovtojs d/cptjScus" diravra 
icopaKCL ware rovs SpaKovrag €<f)r] rcov Uapdvaiajv 
(ar]p,€Lov 8e TrXijdovg rovro avroXs — ^;^tAtous' yap 
otjLtat d hpaKcov dyei) Il,(x)VTas SpaKOvrag TrajLt/xeyc- 
dcLs etvai yewcofjievovs iv rfj YlepGiSi puKpov virkp 
TY]v 'IjSryptav, Tovrovs 8e reco? /xev evrt kovtCjv 
fjLeydXojv e/cSeSe/xeVous" iifjrjXovs alcopeludai /cat 
TToppojdev eTreXavvovrajv Seos" ifXTTOieiv, ev aura) 
8e TOJ epyo) CTretSai^ djLtou cocrt ^ Auaai^e? avrovs 
€7ra(f)Ld(n rots TToAc/xtots" dpLeXei ttoXXovs rojv 
Jipieripoyv ovru) KaraTTodrjvat /cat oAAous" irepioTrei- 
padevrojv avrols aTTOTTVLyrjvaL /cat GvyKXaodrjvar 
ravra 8e €^€orojs opdv avroSy iv d(j<j)aXei fievroi 
drro SevSpov viltrjXov rroLOvpievos rr]v o-kottt^v. /cat 
€V y€ eiroi-qoe p.r) opLoore x^PV^^^ '^^^^ drjploig, 
iirel ovK av rjpLels ovroj OavpLaarov ovyypa(j>ea 
vvv €LXopi€v /cat ttTTo p^ct/jos" avrov pieydXa /cat 
XapLTTpd iv rep TroXepLco rovrco ipyaadpLevov /cat 
yap iKLvSvvevoe ttoAAo, /cat irpcoOr] rrepl Hovpav, 
diTO rov Kpavetov SrjXov on jSaStCcov eirl rrjv Aep- 
vav. /cat ravra KopLvdiOJV dKovovrcjv dveyiyvoi- 

* <5ori Cobet : tcacn MSS {^votQi V). 
4? 



f^ 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

and he giving Mausacas a buckle, and many other 
similar incidents, the high-spots of the Battle of 
Europus ! To sum up, one might rightly say~that 
suchrnpeople do not look at the rose itself, but 
accurately observe its thorns that grow along the 
stem. 

Another man, my dear Philo, is also quite ridicu- 
lous : he had never set a foot outside Corinth nor even 
left home for Cenchreae ; he had certainly not seen ^'^^ 
Syria or Armenia ; yet he began as I recall as follows : '^''"'^ 



•^^ 



"Ears are less trustworthy than eyes. I write then ^ ^ 

what I have seen, not what I have heard." And he 

has seen everything so keenly that he said that the 

serpents of the Parthians (this is a banner they use 

to indicate number — a serpent precedes, I think, a 

thousand men), he said that they were alive and of 

enormous size ; that they are born in Persia a little 

way beyond Iberia; that they are bound to long ^ 

poles and, raised on high, create terror while the 

Parthians are coming on from a distance; that in 

the encounter itself at close quarters they are freed 

and sent against the enemy; that in fact they 

had swallowed many of our men in this way and 

coiled themselves around others and suffocated and 

crushed them. He himself had been an eyewitness 

of this, he said, making his observations, however, 

in safety from a tall tree. He was quite right in 

not meeting the beasts at close quarters: we 

should not now have such an excellent historian, 

who off-hand did great and glorious deeds in this 

war ; for he faced many a battle and was wounded 

near Sura, obviously in a walk from Cornel Hill 

to Lerna. He read all this to an audience of 

Corinthians who knew for a fact that he had not 

43 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

GKev Tcov OLKpL^cb? elSoTCov on [JLT^Se Kara tol^ov 
yeypa/x/xeVov TroXefiov ecopa/cet. oAA' ovSe oirXa 
€KeZv6s ye ^Set ovhe fJbrjxairqfjLara old iariv ovhe 
rd^ecjjv r^ KaraXox^uyiCJV ovo/xara. Trdvv yovv 
eixeXev avrco irXayiav fxev (jidXayya rrjv eirl Kepojs^ 
€ttI K€pa)S 8e Xeyetv to eirl /xercurroi; ^ dyeiv. 

30 Ets" 8e TLs ^iXriGTOs aTravra i^ ^PXH^ ^^ rdXos 
rd 7T€7Tpay[jL€va oaa iv 'A/3/xeyta, ooa eV Yivpia, 
ocra €v MecroTTorajLtta, rd errl rep TiyprjrL, rd iv 
Mi^Sta, 7T€vraKooioLS ovh^ oXols eVecrt TrepiXa^cbv 
Gvverpujje Kal rovro TTOLiJGag loropiav ovyye- 
ypa^ivai (fyrjcrt. rrjv puevroi iTrLypa(f)'^v oXlyov beXv 
fiaKporepav rod ^l^Xlov erreypaiffev, " *AvTto;3^tavoi; 
rov ^AttoXXwvos UpovLKov " — SoXl^ov ydp ttov 
ot/iat iv rraial v€ViK7)K€V — " rcjv iv 'AppLevla /cat 
MeaoTTorafjLLa /cat iv Mrj^LO. vvv 'Pco/xatots* rrpaxOiv- 
ra)v d(j)'ijyr)aL9 y 

31 "HSr] 8' iyo) nvog Kal rd fxeXXovra <jvyy€ypa(f>6- 
ros TJKOvaa, Kal rrjv XyjipLv rr)V OvoXoyeaoov /cat 
Tr]V ^Oapoov u<l)ayrjv — ojs Trapa^Xrjd-qcrerai rw 
XeovTL, Kal inl rrdoi rov rpLTTodrjrov r^plv dplapL^ov. 
ovro) pbavrLKcos a/xa €x<Jt)v eanevSev tJBt) rrpos ro 
reXos rijs ypa(f)rJ9. dXXd Kal ttoXlv 7J8rj iv rfj 
MeaoTTorafJiLa coKLae fieyddeL re pueyionqv Kal /caAAet 
KaXXiarrjv. en jxevroi iTnaKorrel Kal Sia^ovXeverai 
etre Nt/catav avrr]v dno rijs VLK-qs XPV dvopid!l,€odai 
€tT€ *0p,6voiav elre ¥,lp7]vlav. Kal rovro fiev en 
CLKpurov Kal dvcjwpiO<s r^piZv r) KaXr] ttoAi? iKelvj] 
Xrjpov TToXXov Kal Kopv^r)? (Tvyypa(f)LKrjs yifxovora. 

^ 0oAayya Trjv im K^pats Fritzsch©: ttjv <fxiXayya cttI Kcpws 
MSS. 

* fiercaiTOV N; tottov T, 

•44 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

even seen a battle painted on a wall. In fact he 
had no knowledge of what weapons or engines were 
like or of the words " regiments " or ** muster-rolls." 
A lot he cared if he spoke of a movement in 
column as a transverse battle-line and a frontal 
movement in line as a movement in column ! 

One fine historian compressed all that had hap- 
pened from beginning to end in Armenia, Syria, 
Mesopotamia, by the Tigris, in Media into less than 
five hundred lines, incomplete at that, and after this 
says he has composed a history. Yet the title that he 
attached to it is almost longer than the book : "A 
description of recent exploits of Romans in Armenia, 
Mesopotamia, and Media, by Antiochianus the victor 
sacred to Apollo " — I suppose he has once been winner 
in the long foot race in the boys* competition. 
^ I have heard of one who even included the future 
in his history : the capture of Vologesus, the killing 
of Osroes — how he was going to be thrown to the 
lions and, to cap everything, the triumph we have long- 
ed for so much — , in such a prophetic state was he as 
he hastened to the end of his composition. Why he 
even founded a city in Mesopotamia, outstanding in 
size, and of unsurpassed beauty. He is still con- 
sidering and taking thought, however, whether he 
should call it Nicaea, after the victory, or Concord or 
Peacetown. It is still undecided and we have no 
name for that beautiful city full of copious nonsense 
and historical drivel. He has promised to write of 

45 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TO. 8* iv ^IvhoZs TTpaxdrjaofJieva U7recr;^eTO rjSr] 
ypdifjeiv Kal rov rrepLTrXovv rrj? e^io daXdrTr^s — Kal 
ov^ VTToayjE.GLs ravTa fiovov, dXXd Kal to TrpooLfiLov 
rrjs ^IvSiKTJs rjSrj GwreraKrai, Kal to TpiTov ray/xa 
Kal ol KcArot Kal Mavpojv fiolpa oXlyr] avv Kaa- 
aicp 7Ta.vT€s ovtol iTrepaiajdiqcjav tov *\vh6v Trora- 

piOV. 6 Tt he Kal TTpd^OVGLV 7] TTCJS Sc^OVTaL TTjV 

TOiv iKe^dvTUiv cWAaatv, ovk els ptaKpav rjpuv 6 
davpiaoTOS crvyypacfievs diro MouCt/JtSos" '^ avr* 
^O^vSpaKcov eTTKJTeXel. 

32 ToiavTa ttoXXol vtto drraihevoias Xrjpovcrt, to, pLev 
d^iopaTa ovT€ opajvres ovt el pXeTTOiev /car* 
d^iav elireZv hvvdpievoi, eTTivoovvreg he Kal dva- 
vXdTTOVTeg 6 rt Kev ctt* dKaipipiav yXoiooav, 
<j)aoiv, eXdrj, Kal eirl tco dpidpLco tcov ^l^Xlojv eTt 
aepLVVvopLevoc Kal /xaAtcrra enl Tats einypa^als , 
Kal yap av Kal avrat TrayyeXoLOL- ^^ tov helvos 
WapOLKcjv VLKuJv Toadhe " • Kal av' " Ilap^tSos" 
TTpaJTOv, hevTepov **, cu? 'At^iSo? S-^Aoi^ otl. dXXog 
doTeLOTepov vapd ttoXv — dveyvcov ydp — " Arjpir^TpLov 
SayoAacrcrecos' HapOovLKLKa *' ** ^ ovh* cu? evyeXojTi 
TTOiTjoaodaL Kal emoKCj^ai ra? loToplag ovtcj 
fCoAa? ovGag, oAAa tov xPV^^H'OV eveKa. ws ootls 
dv raura Kal ra rotaura <f>evyr) ttoXv pLepos yjhr] is 
TO opdojs Gvyypd^eiv ovtos TrpoeiXri^ev,^ pLoXXov 
he oXiyajv crt TrpocrSetrat, et ye dArjOes eKetvo 
(fyrjGLv T) hiaXeKTiKij ws tcjv dpueGCJV r) daTepov 
dpGLS ro eTepov TrdvTOJS dvTeLGdyec. 

33 Kat 817 TO x^ptov GOL, </iatT7 tls dv, dKpLpws 
dvaKeKddapTai Kal at re aKavOai OTTOGai -^oav Kal 

^ O comments " cAAetVct rt ". 
* TTpo€lXr]<f>€ Fritzsche : 7Tpoa€iXr)<f>€v MSS. 
46 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

future happenings in India and the circumnavigation 
of the outer sea — and this is not just a promise ; the 
introduction to his " Indian History " is already done, 
and the Third Legion, the Celts, and a small detach- 
ment of Moors have all crossed the River Indus with 
Cassius. What they are going to do and how they 
will receive the charge of the elephants, our wonder- 
ful historian will tell us before very long by letter 
from Muziris^ or the Oxydraci. 

This is the sort of nonsense they talk in floods 
through their lack of schooling. They neither see 
what is worth looking at nor, if they did see it, have 
they the ability to give it suitable expression. They 
invent and manufacture whatever " comes to the tip 
of an unlucky tongue," as they say, and pride them- 
selves in the number of their books and in particular 
on the titles, which again are completely ridiculous 
" So-and-so's Parthian victories in so many books " 
and again: " Parthis I and II," like " Atthis ' 
of course. Someone else did it much more stylishly — 
I have read it myself — " The Parthonicica of 
Demetrius of Sagalassus " . . .^ not to make fun 
of them and pour scorn on histories so fine but with 
a practical end in view. For whoever avoids these 
faults and their like has already mastered a great 
part of what makes correct historical writing, or, 
rather, needs but little more, if logic is right when it 
says that to abolish one of two direct opposites is to 
establish the other instead. 

Well now, someone will say, you have carefully 
cleared your ground and cut out all the thorns and 

^ Mangalore (Cranganore ?) 

2 There is a gap in the MSS here. 

47 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

pdroL eKKeKOfifievaL eloL, ra Se rail' oAAcui' ipeiina 
'qSrj eK7T€(j)6prjTai,, Kal et rt, rpaxv, tJSyj /cat rovro 
Xelov ioTTLv, ware OLKoSofxeL n tJStj /cat avros 0)S 
Sel^rjs ovK dvarpeiJjaL fxovov to tcov oAAcov yevvdSas 
d)v aAAa rt /cat avros iTnvoijoaL Se^iov /cat o 
ouSet? dv, oAA' ovB* 6 McofioSt iiojp/qGaadai 
hvvairo . 

34 Oi7^t ToLvuv Tov dpLGTa loropiav avyypd^ovra 
hvo fxev ravra Kopvcfyaiorara OLKodev €)(OVTa 
T^/cetv, Gvveoiv re ttoXltlkt^v /cat hvvapav ipjxrjvev- 
TLKrjV, TTjv fiev dSiSaKTOv TL rrjs cf^vaecos Sojpov, rj 
SvvafjLLS Se TToXXfj rfj acr/CT^cret /cat ovv€)(^eZ tco 
TTOvcp /cat t,ri\cp ro)v dpxo.io)V TrpoayeyevrjfjbdvTj 
eoroj. ravra /xev ovv dr€)(ya /cat ovSev ifjuov 
GVfxpovXov heofieva' ov yap avverovs /cat o^eis 
dTTO<f)aiv€LV rovs pLTj TTapd rrjg (f)va€OJS roLovrovs 
^jjol rovro rjfjuv ro ^l^Xlov. lirel ttoXXov, p,dXXov 
Se rov TTavros dv ^ tjv d^iov, ct {xeraTrXdcraL /cat fxera- 
KOopLTJaai ra rrjXiKavra 'f]hvvaro 7] e/c fioXv^Sov 
XpvGov d7TO<f)'fjvaL '^ dpyvpov €/c Kaaoiripov "q diro 
Â¥l6vo)vos TiropiJLov rj diro Accorpo^tSou MlXcjva 
i^epydoaoGai. 

35 'AAAa TTOU TO T^s" re')(y7]s /cat to t^s* avp,povXrjs 

XpT^GLjJLOV ; OVK 6? TTOLrjGLV rcbv TTpOGOVrOJVf oAA* €9 

XprJGiv avrcjv rr]v vpoGrJKOVGav. otov Tt d/xcAct 
/cat "I/c/cos" /<:at 'HpoSt/co? /cat ©ccot' /cat €t Tt? 
oAAoS" yvpbvaGrris viroG^oivro dv gol ov rov ^ 
YlepSiKKav TrapaXa^ovre? — el Srj ovrog CGriv o 
rrjs pLTirpvids ipaodels /cat 8ta ravra Kar€GKX'r]Kcos t 

^ So Fritzsche : av appears after ttoAAou in N and is omit- 
ted in y. 

48 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

brambles, and all the debris has been carried away 
and all the rough places are now smooth, so now build 
something yourself to show you are good not only at 
overturning other peoples' edifices but at thinking out 
something clever yourself which no one, not even 
Momus,^ could censure. 

I maintain then that the best writer of history 
comes ready equipped with these two supreme quali- 
ties: political understanding and power of expression ; 
the former is an unteachable gift of nature, while 
power of expression may come through a deal of 
practice, continual toil, and imitation of the ancients. 
These then need no guiding rules and I have no "freed 
to advise on them; my book does not promise to 
make people understanding and quick who are not so 
by nature. It would be worth a good deal — every- 
thing rather — if it could remodel and transform things 
to that extent, or make gold out of lead or silver from 
tin, or manufacture a Titormus from a Conon or a Milo 
from a Leotrophides.^ 

Then where is technique and advice helpful ? Not 
for the creation but for the appropriate employment 
of qualities. For instance, Iccus, Herodicus, Theon, 
and the other trainers would not promise you to take 
on Perdiccas — if indeed he and not Antiochus, the 

1 Momus was a literary personification of fault-finding — he 
appears in Lucian's Zevs Rants, Loeb, vol. ii, p. 119. 

2 Conon and Leotrophides were little men, Titormus and 
Milo of great size and strength. 

' ov Tov Bekker : tovtov FN. 

49 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

dAAa firj ^AvTLoxos 6 rod SeAcu/coi; ^ — a7TO<j>aiv€t,v 
^OXvfiTTLOVLKTjv Kal GcaycVct to) Qaaicp ri IloAu- 
hd^avri rep TtKorovaGalo) dvrlTraXov, oAAa rrfv 
SoOelcrav VTToOeaiv eixjyvd rrpos V7toSo)(7jv rrjg 
yvfivaoTLKTJs TTapd ttoXv dfjielvoj dTTO(f)aiveiv fMerd 
TTJs" Tcxvrjs. ware diTearo} /cat rjfjLCvv ro €7Ti<j)dovov 
rovro rijs V7tog)(€G€C09 cl rexyrjv ^a/xev i<f>^ ovroj 
jjL€ydX(x> Kal p^oAcTTo) ro) TTpdyfiart €Vp7]K€vaL' ov 
yap ovTLvovv irapaiXa^ovres dTTO^aiveiv cruyypa<f>€a 
<f>aiJL€v, aAAa rep <f>vo€L avvercp Kal dpiara irpos 
Xoyovg rjaKTjfjLevcp VTTohei^eiv ohovs rivas dpddg 
(€1 St) roiavrai <j>aivovrai) at? ;^pa»/i.€vo? ddrrov 
dv Kal evjxapearepov reXeaetev d^pt ^ irpds rdv 

36 OKOTTOV. Kairoi ov yap dv ^airjs dnpoGSeij rov 
(TVV€r6v elvai rrjs ri^vrfS Kal StSacr/caAia? (Lv dyvoel' 
CTTcl Kav cKLddpL^c fjLTj piadd)v Kal rjvXcL Kal ndvra 
dv TjTTLGraro. vvv hk fjurj fxadajv ovk dv ri avrwv 
X^LpovpyijaeLcv, vnoSei^avros Se rivos paard re 
dv fiddoL Kal €v fierax^tpicraLro i<f>* avrov. 

37 Kat roLWV Kal 'qpuv roiovros Tt? 6 fJLaOrjrrjs vvv 
TTapahehooBcD — crvveZvai re Kal elireZv ovk dyewrjSt 
dAA* d^v hehopKOJS, olos Kal Trpdy/xacrt ;^p7y(7aCT^at 
dv el eTTirpaireir), Kal yvcofi-qv arpartojrLKijv dAAct 
jjLerd ttJ? TToXirLKrj^ Kal epLTTeiplav arparrjyLKTjv 
c^etv, Kal VT) Aia Kat ev urparoTrehcp yeyovojs TTore 
Kal yvpLva^opievovs r^ rarrofievovg arpartcoras 
eojpaKd)^ Kal dirXa elhu)S Kal firjxciVTJiJLara, en he ^ 
Kal Tt em Kepcos Kal ri eirl fiercoTTOV, ttcjs ol Xoxoi, 
TTcos OL LTTTrels Kal TToOev Kal Tt e^eXavveiv rt ire- 



* Geist: after SeAei/^oi; MSS have HTparoviKqs tKeivrjs. 

* Lang : MSS have Kal after axpt- 

* €Tt S^ Burmeister: ma MSS. 



50 



r 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

son of Seleucus, is the one who fell in love with his 
stepmother and wasted away because of it — and 
make him an Olympic victor, a rival to Theagenes 
the Thasian, or Polydamas of Scotussa, but only that 
if they were given a subject inclined by nature to 
receive athletic training they would by their tech- 
nique make him much better. So let me too not 
suffer this reproach when I make my promise and say 
that I have discovered a technique in a matter so 
important and so difficult, for I do not promise to 
take on anyone you like and make him an historian ; 
no, merely to demonstrate to a man who is intelligent 
by nature and well trained in expressing himself 
certain direct routes (if indeed that is what they 
appear to be) which if he will use them will help him 
more quickly and more easily to the attainment of 
his goal. You would not say that the intelligent 
man has no need of technique and instruction where 
he is ignorant — ^otherwise he would play the lyre, 
blow the pipe, and understand everything without 
learning. As it is, he could not do any of this \N'ithout 
first learning, and with someone to guide him he >vill 
learn most easily and perform them well for himself. 
So give us now a student of this kind — not without 
ability to understand and express himself, keen- 
sighted, one who could handle affairs if they were 
turned over to him, a man with the mind of a soldier 
combined with that of a good citizen, and a knowledge 
of generalship ; yes, and one who has at some time 
been in a camp and has seen soldiers exercising or 
drilling and knows of arms and engines ; again, let 
him know what " in column," what " in line " mean, 
how the companies of infantry, how the cavalry, are 
manoeuvred, the meaning of " deploy " and " in- 

51 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

pieXavvetVy /cat oXcus ov tcjv KaroiKihicxyv ns ovh^ 
otos TTLoreveiv fxovov tols dxrayyeAAoucrti^. 
38 MaAtcrra Se Kal irpo rcov Trdvrwv eXevdcpos 
earoj ty]v yvayfjLTjv Kal fx-qre (^ojSeto-^cu firj^eva jJL'qTe 
iXTTLCcro) fJLrjSev, inel ofjLOLog earai rocs (f)avXoLS 
SiKaaTalg rrpog X^P'^ V "^P^s" a7Ti-)(deLav irrl fiLadcp 
SlkolCovglv. oAAa firj /xeAera; avrcp fx-^re OiAittttos" 

€KK€KOpifJi€VOS TOV 6(f)daX[JL6v VTTO *AaT€pOS TOV 

Afi<f)LTroXLrov TOV TO^OTOV iv ^OXvvdo), dXXa 
roLOVTOS olos ^v heLxOTJacrau' jxi^t el ^ AXi^avhpos 
avLacrerai inl ttj KActVou G(f)ayfj wficog iv rep 
ovpiTToaicp y€vop,€.vr)y ct Ga(f)OJS dvaypd(f)OLTO' ou8e 
KXeoiv avrov ^o^TJaet fieya ev rij iKKXr]GLa 
SvvdpLcvos Kal Karexojv to ^rjfia, (hg fJLTj elTrelv on 
oXedpLos Kal pxiviKos dvQpcoTTOS ovTOS jjv ovhk r) 
ovp^iraGa ttoXis tcov * Adrjvatcjv , rjv rd ev HcKeXla 
KaKa LGTopfj Kal rrjv ^'qpioodivovs XrjiJjLV Kal t7)V 
Nt/ctou reXevrrjv Kal w? ihiijjojv Kal otov to vSwp 
€7nvov Kal ojs i(f>ov€vovTO TTLVovreg ol ttoXXol. 
rjyqoerai ydp — oirep hiKaiorarov — vtt* ovhevds rGiv 
vovv exdvrojv avrog e^cLv rrjv alriav r^v rd hvGTVX^s 
ri dvoririDS yeyeinqpilva d>s iirpd^Oy] SLrjyfJTat, — ov 
ydp 7TOir)Tr]s avrcjv dXXd fJLrjvvTT]? rjv. a>Gr€ koLv 
KaTavavjiaxiJ^vrai rore ovk €K€.Zvos 6 KaraSvcDV 

€GtI KaV <j)€VyCx)GlV OVK €K€lVOS 6 Sl(JL)KCOV, €/CT0? 

€1 fJLT] ev^aGOai Seov TrapeXnrev .^ iirei tol ye el 
anDTTrjGas avrd r^ rrpos rovvavriov elrrchv €7ravop6co- 
GaGdai eSvvaro, paorov -^v evl KaXdp,ip XeTrrw rdv 
SovkvSlStjv dvarpeipau p,ev rd ev rals *E7rt7roAat? 
TTapareLXicrjjLa, KarahvGai Sc rr^v '^pfioKpdrovs 
Tpiripi) Kal TOV Kardparov TvXlttttov hiaTreZpaL 

^ 7rap4}iiT€v Solanus : fxi] n iTap4\nT€v fi: TrapdXnrov T. 
52 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

vest ", in short not a stay-at-home or one who must 
rely on what people tell him. 

Above all and before everything else, let his mind 
be free, let him fear no one and expect nothing, or 
else he will be like a bad judge who sells his verdict to 
curry favour or gratify hatred. He must not be con- 
cerned that Philip has had his eye put out by Aster 
of Amphipolis, the archer at Olynthus — he must 
show him exactly as he was. Nor must he mind if 
Alexander is going to be angry when he gives a clear 
account of the cruel murder of Clitus at the banquet. 
Neither will Cleon with his great power in the 
assembly and his mastery of the platform frighten 
him from saying that he was murderous and lunatic : 
nor even the entire city of the Athenians if he records 
the disaster of Sicily, the capture of Demosthenes, 
and the death of Nicias, the thirst of the troops, the 
sort of water they drank, and how most of them were 
slain as they drank it. For he will think quite 
rightly that no man of sense will blame him if he 
gives an account of unlucky or stupid actions — he 
has not been responsible for them, he has merely 
told the tale. So that if they are ever defeated in a 
sea-fight it is not he who sank them and if they run 
away it is not he who drives them on, unless he neg- 
lected to say a prayer when he ought. Surely if by 
ignoring them or reversing them he could set them 
right, it would have been very easy for Thucydides 
with one insubstantial pen to overturn the counter- 
wall at Epipolae, and sink the trireme of Hermo- 
crates, to transfix that cursed man Gylippus in the 

53 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

fJLera^v dTTOT€L)(^LCovra Kal aTTOTaj>pevovTa ras 
ohovs Kal reXos Su/oa/cocrtous' fiev is ras At^oro/xtas" 
ifjuPaXelv, rovs Sc ^Adrjvalovs TrepiTrXclv St/ceAtW 
Kal 'IraAtW jxera tojv Trpwrcov rov *AA/ctj3taSou 
iXniSajv. oAA' of/xat ra fiev 7Tpa)(divra ovhk 
KAco^co ai^ crt avaKXcjaeiev ovhk "Arponos /xera- 

39 .rpej/rete . Tou 817 avyypa(f>€a}s epyov ev — cLs iTrpaxdrj 

eLTTeXv. rovTO 8* ovk dv SvvaLTO dxpf' d.v iq <f)0^7JraL 
*ApTa$€p^7]v larpos avrov cjv iq iXnlCT) KavSvv 
.7rop<f)vpovv Kal orpeTrrov ;;^/)i»crouv Kal lttttov tcov 
^LGalojv Xr]ip€(jdaL fiiadov rCov ev rfj ypa(f)fj 
iiraivcov. dAA' ov "Eevocfxiov avTO Troi'qcrei, St/caios" 
(jvyypa<f)€vs , ovbe QovKybiS-qs. dXXd kolv Ihia 
fiiGTJ TLvas TToXv dvayKaioTGpov rjyqcrcraL to kolvov 
Kal Tqv dXiqdeiav 7T€pl irXeiovos TrotTycrerat r^s- 
€-)(dpaSi Kav (fx-Xfj ofiois ovk dc^eferat dpLaprd- 

VOVTOS. 

40 ^Ev yap, (1)S €<f)r]v, rovro lBlov loropias, Kal /jlovt) 
dvreov rfj dX-qdeca, et rt? loropiav ypdipcov tot, 
rojv 8e diXXojv dndm-wv dfjLeX'qreov avrcp, Kal oXcos 
TTTJx^^ ^^S" Kal fiirpov dKpi^is, dTTopXevcLv fxr] ct? 
rous" vvv dKovovras dAA* cts" roifs fxcrd ravra 
cruveaofxevovs rot? crvyypdpLpiaaiv . el be ro irapav- 
Tt/ca Tt? depancvoL, rrjg rwv KoXaK€v6vrajv fxepiSos 
eLKorws dv vofxtadeLrj, ou? TrdAat rj loropia Kal i^ 
dp)(rjs €vdv9 dTrecrrpaTTTO, ov /jlclov t] KojjLfJLOJTtKrjv 
7) yvp^vaoTLKT]. ^AXe^dvSpov yovv Kal rovro 
dTrojJLvqfjLovevovGLV 09 *H Scots' dv, €<f)r], TTpos oXiyov 
dve^LOVv, CO *0n7crtVptT€,^ dTrodavojv co? /xd^ot/xt 
oTT(DS ravra ol dvOpwnoL rore dvayiyvwaKovatv . 

^ *OyrjaiKpir€ Solanus : -Kparti MSS. 

54 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

act of blocking the roads with walls and ditches, and 
finally to throw the Syracusans into the stone- 
quarries while the Athenians sailed round Sicily and 
Italy as Alcibiades had first hoped. No, when what 
is done is done I fancy that even Clotho could not un- 
spin their destiny or Atropus change their course.^ The 
historian's sole task is to tell the tale as it happened. 
This he cannot do as long as he is afraid of Artax- 
erxes when he is his physician or hopes to get a purple 
cufta,^ a gold necklet, and a Nisaean horse as a re- 
ward for the eulogies in his work.^ No Xenophon 
(a just historian), no Thucydides ^\ill do that. On the 
contrary, even if he personally hates certain people he 
will think the public interest far more binding, and re- 
gard truth as worth more than enmity, and if he has a 
friend he will nevertheless not spare him if he errs. 

This, as I have said, is the one thing peculiar to 
history, and only to Truth must sacrifice be made. 
When a man is going to write history, everything 
else he must ignore. In short, the one standard, the 
one yardstick is to keep in view not your present 
audience but those who will meet your work hereafter. 
Whoever serves the present will rightly be counted 
a flatterer — a person on whom historj^ long ago right 
from the beginning has turned its back, as much as 
has physical culture on the art of make-up. For 
example they record this remark of Alexander's: 
" I should be glad, Onesicritus," he said, " to come 
back to life for a little while after my death to dis- 

1 Clotho and Atropus were Fates. Clotho ("Spinster") spun 
the thread of life, Atropus (" Nevertum ") severed it. There is 
a play on the names in the Greek. 

2 A Median garment with sleeves. 

^ Referring to Ctesias of Cnidus. He spent seventeen 
years at court and wrote a history of Persia. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

el Se vvv avra eiraLvovcrL kol darTrdCovTai y fxrj 
davfjidcrrj?- otovrat yap ov fJUKpo) tlvl Ta> SeXean 
Tovrcp dvacrTTaGCLv eKaaros ttjv Trap* rjfjLOJv evvotav. 
*0ixrjpoi yovvy Kacrot, TVpos to jjLvdcoSc? rd irXeLGTa 
ovyy€ypa(f)6ri virkp rod 'A;^tAAea>?, tJSt^ kol ttlgt- 
€V€LV TLve? VTrdyovraLy fxovov tovto elg dTToSet^iv 
rrjs dXrjdelag jjueya reKp/rjpiov ridep^voL on fjurj 
irepl C^VTos eypa(f)€V' ov yap evpiuKovGiv ovrivos 
€V€Ka ii/jevber dv. 

41 TotouTO? ovv fjLOL 6 Gvyypa(f)€vs earcj — d(f>o^o£, 
dSeKaaroSy iXevdepos, TTapprjGiag /cat dXrjdeias 
<^iXos, d)S d Kajp^iKos (f)r]GL, rd GVKa GVKa, rrjv 
GKd(f>r)v Se oKdcf>7]v ovojjidGcov, ov jjLLGei ouSe (^iXia 

TL ^ VefJLCDV OvSe <f)€LS6fJL€VO£ ^ t} iXeoJV rj alG)(Vv6fJi€' 

V09 rq SvGCJTTOvixevos , lgos St/cacrrr^S", evvovs aTraGLV 
dxpf' Tov jjUTj darepcp tl dTTOveXfjiaL TrXelov rod 
SeovTo?, feVo? iv rot? jS/jSAtot? /cat aTToAts-, avro- 
vopLoSt d^aGiXevros , ov ri rchhe 'q rcphe 8o^et Aoyt- 
^djLt€vos", dAAa rl TreVpa/crat Xeycov. 

42 *0 S* ovv (dovKvhihrjs €v /xaAa rovr ivojjLoOerrjGev 
/cat hicKpivev dperrjv /cat /ca/ctav Gvyypa<f)LK'qv, 
opcov /xaAtara davfial^oiJievov rov 'lipoSorov d-^^pi 
rod /cat Moucras" KXrjdTJvai avrov rd jSt^Ata. 
KTrjfxd re ^ ydp <f)7]OL fidXXov is det Gvyypd(f>€iv 
rjirep €9 ro irapov dycovcGfia, /cat fxr) ro fivdaJSes 
d(77rdCccr^at dAAct rrjv dX-qdeiav ru)v yeyemqfjLevcDV 
dTToXeiTTeiv tols VGrcpov. /cat ivdyei ro xPV^f'H'OV 
/cat o reXos dv rts" €v (f)povdjv vrroOoiro LGropLas, 
(Ls €L TTore /cat aunts' rd ofjuoua KaraXd^oL, exotev, 

1 Tl add. Fritzsche. 

' t{>€i86fi€vos NQE: ifuXovfievos TF. 

» KTfjfia T€ Solanus : Krqfiara MSS, 

56 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

cover how men read these present events then. 
If now they praise and welcome them do not be sur- 
prised : they think, every one of them, that this is a 
fine bait to catch my goodwill." Homer indeed in 
general tended towards the mythical in his account of 
Achilles, yet some nowadays are inclined to believe 
him ; they cite as important evidence of his truthful- 
ness the single fact that he did not write about him 
during his lifetime : they cannot find any motive for 
lying. 

That, then, is the sort of man the historian should 
be : fearless, incorruptible, free, a friend of free 
expression and the truth, intent, as the comic poet^ 
says, on calling a fig a fig and a trough a trough, giv- 
ing nothing to hatred or to friendship, sparing no one, 
showing neither pity nor shame nor obsequiousness, 
an impartial judge, well disposed to all men up to the 
point of not giving one side more than its due, in his 
books a stranger and a man without a country, inde- 
pendent, subject to no sovereign, not reckoning what 
this or that man will think, but stating the facts. 

Thucydides laid down this law very well : he dis- 
tinguished virtue and vice in historical writing, when 
he saw Herodotus greatly admired to the point where 
his books were named after the Muses. For Thucy- 
dides says that he is writing a possession for ever- 
more rather than a prize-essay for the occasion, that 
he does not welcome fiction but is leaving to posterity 
the true account of what happened. He brings in, 
too, the question of usefulness and what is, surely, the 
purpose of sound history : that if ever again men 
find themselves in a hke situation they may be 

^ Aristophanes, on the dubious authority of Tzetzes (see 
Kock, Comic, Qraw. Fragm, III, p. 451). 

57 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

<f>r]Gi, Trpog ra TrpoyeypafifjLeva diropXeTTOvrcs €V 

43 Kat Tr]v fiev yvcjfirjv rouLvrrjv €\a>v 6 Gvyypa<f>€vs 
rjK€Taj fjLOL, rrjv 8c <l>a)vrjv /cat rrjv ttJs* ipjxr^veias 
l(T-)(vv, rrjv fjL€v G<f>ohpav €Keivr]v /cat Kapxapov /cat 
cruv€xr} rals TrepLoSoig /cat dyKvXrjv rat? inLX^Lp-q- 
ueai. /cat rrjv dXXrjv ttjs prjropelas SeLvonqra fjLT) 
/co/xtSiJ r€d7]ypL€vos OLpx^crdo} Trj^ ypa<f)r\<s, oAA* €1/317- 
VLK(x)T€pov Sta/cet/xcvos". /cat o fxev vovg gvotolxos 
^aru) /cat ttvkvos, r) Acftj 8e aa<j>r]s Koi ttoXltik'^, 
Ota eTTtcny/xdraTa St^Aow to vttokclijlcvov. 

44 *n? ya/3 tt} yvwfJLr] rod crvyypcufyiws gkoitovs 
VTredcficda Trapprjaiav /cat oAT^^etav, ovrco Sc /ecu 
T17 <f)a}vfj avrov €?? o/cottos" d TTpcoros, aa<f>ws 
SrjXojGaL /cat ^nxvoTara €fjL<f>avLGai to Trpdyfia, fJi'qre 
dnopp-qroLS /cat e^co ttoltov 6v6p,aoL pLTfre toXs 
dyopaiois rovrois koL KajrqXLKol^, aXX* co? fjL€v 
Tovg 7roXXov9 avvelvaiy tovs Sc TrcTratScu/xcVous' 
iiraivioai. /cat pir^v /cat crx'qP'aat, KCKoap.Tqado) 
dvcTraxO^GL /cat to di'CTrtTTjSfUTOV fidXiGra exovGiv, 
iiTcl T0I9 KaTr]pTvp,ivois tcjv C<J^ixa)v ioiKoras 
dTro(j)aLV€L tov9 Adyoys". 

45 Kat 7) p,€V yVCjp.J) KOLV(OV€LTCO /Cat TTpoGaTrrcGdw 
TL /cat TTOL-qrLKTJg nap* ogov jjLeyaXiqyopog /cat 
SLrjppLcmj /cat €K€Lvnrj, /cat fxdXiGd onorav Trapard- 
^€GL /cat p,dxo.is /cat vavp,ax^aLg GVfjLTrXeKrjrai' 
Sei^oct yap TdTC iTOiiqriKov rivog dvepuov CTTOupta- 
00VT09 Tct d/cciTta /cat ox>v8toto-orT09 viprjXrjv /cat 
€7r' aKpcov ru)v Kvp^drcov t^v vavv. rj Acft? Sc 
d/xco? €7rt y^s" p€p7jK€Ta), ro) [xeu /cdAAct /cat to) 
fjLeyiOcL TU)v XeyopLevcjv Gvve'naipop.iin] /cat co? 
€vi /LtdAtoTa opLoiovfievrj, fcvtfovoa Se /xt^S' UTrep 
S8 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

able, he says, from a consideration of the records of 
the past to handle rightly what now confronts them. 

That then is the sort of mind the historian should 
have, please, when he comes along. Now as to his 
language and power of expression, he need not show 
at the beginning of his work a well-whetted profi- 
ciency in that vehement, incisive style that you know, 
packed with periods, and intricate with logical reason- 
ing or other features of clever rhetoric. No, his tone 
should be more pacific, his thought coherent and well- 
knit, his language exact and statesmanlike, of a kind 
to set forth the subject with the utmost clarity and 
accuracy. 

For just as we set free expression and truth- 
fulness as the target for the historian's mind, so for 
his language this should be the first aim : to set forth 
the matter exactly and to expound it as lucidly as 
possible, using neither unknown or out-of-the-way 
words nor that vulgar language of the market-place, 
but such as ordinary folk may understand and the 
educated commend. Then, let figures adorn the 
work that give no offence and in particular appear 
unlaboured ; otherwise he makes language seem like 
highly-seasoned sauces. 

Let his mind have a touch and share of poetry, 
since that too is lofty and sublime, especially when he 
has to do with battle arrays, with land and sea fights ; 
for then he will have need of a wind of poetry to fill 
his sails and help carry his ship along, high on the 
crest of the waves. Let his diction nevertheless keep 
its feet on the ground, rising with the beauty and 
greatness of his subjects and as far as possible re- 
sembling them, but without becoming more un- 

* woai one late MS : 7r6X€m{v) other MSS. 

•59 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Tov Kaipov ivdovGLOjua. Kivhvvcjv yap avrfj rore 
o fjudyiGTOs •"■ TTapaKLvrjaaL /cat KarcvexOrjpciL is tov 
rrjs TTOLrjTLKTJg Kopv^avra, axrrc fidXiGra 7T€lgt€ov 
Tr]viKavTa ra> ;!^aAtvai /cat aco<f)poinr]T€ov, etSora? 

COS" L7T7TOTV(j>ia TLS Kol €V AoyOt? TTOidoS OV JJLLKpOV 

yiyverai. dfjucivov ovv €</>* lttttov oxovfievrj t6t€ 
rfj yva)jjLr) ttjv ipjjurjveLav TreCfj ovpLTrapaOelv, 
ix^p-ivriv rod €(j}L7nriov (hs fir) ciTroActTrotTo ttJ? 
<f>opds. 

46 Kat fXTjv KOL cruvdrjKrj ruiv ovofidrajv evKpdrcp 
KOL /xeoTy ;^pT7(7T€oi^, o\jT€ dyov d(f)L(7Tdvra /cat 
aTTaprwvra — rpa)(v ydp — ovre pvd/jLcp irap oKiyov 

iliS OL TToAAot OVVaTTTOVTa' TO fxkv ydp €7TaLTLOV, 

TO Se dr^Ses" rot? d/cououcrt. 

47 Td 8c rrpdyfiara avrd ovx co? €Tu;^e ovvaKriov, 
dAAd <f>iXo7r6v(x}s /cat raXatTrwpcos TroAAd/cts" TTcpl 
ra)v avrcbv dvaKplvavra, /cat fjLdXiorra pikv rrapovra 
/cat i(j)opa>VTa, el 8e /litJ, rot? dSeKaarorepov 
€^iqyovp,€voig TTpocrexovra /cat ovs elKdaeiev dv ns 
TJKLGra TTpos X^P^^ V dTTCxOeiav dc^atpr^cretv ^ 
7rpoadrio€Lv rols yeyovooiv. KdvravOa rjSrj /cat 
otoxo.gtik6s tls /cat avvderiKos rod TTidavcoripov 

48 earoj. /cat CTrctSdv ddpoLcnr) diravra -^ rd TrAetcrra, 
TrpuJra pLCV viropArqiid rt Gvinx^aiveroi avrcov /cat 
Gcjfia TTOieiro) d/caAAe? crt /cat dSidpOpcurov ctra 
iTTidels rT]v rd^iv eTrayero) ro /cdAAos" /cat ;^/>coi^i;Ta» 
ttJ Acfct /cat Gx^jfJiCLrLCeraj ^ /cat pvOfMiCero). 

49 Kat oAco? ioLKerco rore rep rod *Opirjpov Att d/jrt 
/I6V TT^v Tcui^ IttttottoXwv SprjKcov yfjv opcjvriy dpri 

^ Kivhvvoiv . . . o /ityioTo? Fritzsche : Kivhvvoiv . . . ft^Yiorov 
T: KivBvyov . . . ^Uyia-rov N: Kiv§vwy . . . pe'yioroy U, 

6o 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

familiar or carried away than the occasion warrants. 
For then its greatest risk is that of going mad and 
being swept down into poetry's wild enthusiasm, so 
that at such times above all he must obey the curb 
and show prudence, in the knowledge that a stallion's 
pride in literature as in life is no trifling ailment. It 
is better, then, that when his mind is on horseback 
his exposition should go on foot, running alongside 
and holding the saddle-cloth, so as not to be left 
behind. 

Again, in putting words together one should cul- 
tivate a well-tempered moderation, without ex- 
cessive separation or detachment — for that is harsh — 
and not, as most people, almost link them by means 
of rhythm; the latter deserves our censure, the 
former is unpleasant to the audience. 

As to the facts themselves, he should not assemble 
them at random, but only after much laborious and 
painstaking investigation. He should for preference 
be an eyewitness, but, if not, listen to those who tell 
the more impartial story, those whom one would 
suppose least likely to subtract from the facts or add 
to them out of favour or malice. When this happens 
let him show shrewdness and skill in putting together 
the more credible story. When he has collected all 
or most of the facts let him first make them into a 
series of notes, a body of material as yet 'with no 
beauty or continuity. Then, after arranging them 
into order, let him give it beauty and enhance it with 
the charms of expression, figure, and rhythm. 

In brief let him be then like Homer's Zeus, looking 
now at the land of the horse-rearing Thracians, now at 

^ axT^iJ-oLTi^iTU} Solanus : ^p-qfian^dTO) MSS. 

6i 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

8e TTjv Mvocov — /caret ravra ^ yap /cat avros 
dpn jjbev TO. 'Pco/iatcuv tStct opdroj /cat SrjXovTOj 
ripXv Ota i(f>aLV€TO avrcp dcf)* vt/jrjXov opcovri, dpri 
he rd IlepcrcDv, etr' a/x^dre/oa et fjid^oivro. /cat 
€1/ auTT^ he rfj irapard^ei firj npos ev fJLepos opdroj 
fji-qhe is eva iTnrea ^ ire^ov — et /xi) Bpao-tSa? rt? 
etT] TTpOTTqhojv 7) /^rjfjLoadevT]? dvaKOTrrcov ttjv 
CTTtjSaGTtv aAAa ^ e? rous- arparrjyovs /xev rd 
Trpiora, /cat €t rt TrapeKeXevoavro , KaKelvo a/cr^/cov- 
cr^CD, /cat OTTCJS Koi ffrivi yvcofir) /cat eTTivoia 
era^av. eTreihdv he dvapux^cjOL, kolvtj eoTOj rj 
dea, /cat ^vyocrrarctTco rdre wanep ev rpvrdvr^ rd 
yiyvofieva /cat avvhtcoKeTOJ /cat crvpi<f)evyeTCx). /cat 
TT-ao-t Tourots" fierpov cVeWco, jLtT7 €? Kopov fjbrjhe 
direipoKdXcjs fi-qhe veapojs, dXXd pahlcjs aTTO- 
Xveadoj' /cat CTTTjo-a? evravdd ttov ravra eV 
eKelva fjuerapaLvera), 'qv KareTreiyr)' elra inavLrcj 
Xvdeist oTTorav eKelva KaXfj' /cat TTpds" Trdvra 
airevheroj /cat a>? Swardr ojxoxpoveLroj /cat fiera- 
irereadcx) drr* ^Apfxevtas fJiev et? MTyStai^, eKeWev he 
poL^T^fxan evl elg ^l^-qpiav, elra els 'IraAtav, <hs 
p/Tjhevos Kaipov diroXeLTroLro. 
50 MoAtcrra he Karorrrpcp eoiKvlav TrapaaxicjOa) rrjv 
yvcop.iqv ddoXio /cat GrLXirvo) /cat dKpi^el ro Kevrpov 
/cat OTTO las dv he^rjr at rds fxop<f)ds rdjv epycov 
roiavra /cat heiKvurco avrd, hidarpo(j)OV he r^ 
irapdxpovv ^ erepoax'qP'Ov pLTjhev. ov ydp cjairep 
ol piqropes ^ ypd<j)OVOLv, dXXd rd fxev X€xQr]o6pieva 
ear IV /cat elpiqaerai' TreirpaKrai ydp TJhrj' hel he 



^ Tavra early editions : ravra MSS. 
* oAAa add. Fritzsche. 



62 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

the Mysians' country ^ — in the same way let him look 
now at the Roman side in his own way and tell us 
how he saw it from on high, now at the Persian side, 
then at both sides, if the battle is joined. In the en- 
gagement itself let him not look at a single part or a 
single cavalryman or foot soldier — unless it be a 
Brasidas leaping forward or a Demosthenes beating 
off his attempt to land ^ ; but first, the generals (and he 
should have listened to any exhortations of theirs), 
the plan, method, and purpose of their battle array. 
When the battle is joined he should look at both sides 
and weigh the events as it were in a balance, joining 
in both pursuit and flight. All this should be in 
moderation, avoiding excess, bad taste, and impetu- 
osity; he should preserve an easy detachment: let 
him call a halt here and move over there if necessary, 
then free himself and return if events there summon 
him; let him hurry everywhere, follow a chrono- 
logical arrangement as far as he can, and fly from 
Armenia to Media, from there with a single scurry 
of wings to Iberia,^ then to Italy, to avoid missing any 
critical situation. 

Above all, let him bring a mind like a mirror, clear, 
gleaming-bright, accurately centred, displaying the 
shape of things just as he receives them, free from dis- 
tortion, false colouring, and misrepresentation. His 
! concern is different from that of the orators — what his- 
; torians have to relate is fact and will speak for itself, 
for it has already happened : what is required is ar^ 

1 Homer, II. xiii, 4-5. 

2 During the Athenian occupation of Pylos, 425 B.C. 
(Thuc. IV, 11-12). 

^ Georgia, not Spain. 

^ ol pi^Topes Fritzsche : rots- p-qropai MSS, 

63 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 
TO^at /cat elirelv avrd. uiore ov rt eLTrcoaL ^t^ttjtcov 

aVTols oAA' OTTOiS €L7Ta)GLV. oAcDS" §€, VOfJLLGT€OV 

Tov laropiav cruyypd(f)Ovra OetSta XPW^'' V Hpaft- 
TcAct €oiKevai ri 'AA/cajLteVct ^ toj aAAoj eKelvcjv— 
ovhe yap ouS* €K€ivoi ^pvaov ^ dpyvpov "q cAc^ai^a 
■^ Tr]v dXXrjv vX-qv iTrolovv, oAA' rj pikv V7rfjp)(€ Kal 
TrpovTre^e^Xrjro 'HAetcov ^ *A9rjvaLajv rj ^Apyelcjv 
7r€7ropi,G[jL€va)V, ol 8e eTrXarrov jjlovov Kal €7TpLov 
TOV cAc^avra Kal e^eov Kal ckoXXcov Kal ippvOfii^ov 
Kal eTTrjvdil^ov ro) XP^^^> '<^ctt rovro rjv rj r^^yq 
avroLS ig Seov olKOvopurjoaaOaL r-qv vXtjv. 

51 ToiovTO h-q Tt Kal ro rod avyypa^iojs epyov — 
els KoXov hLaSeodai rd TreTrpaypueva Kal €tV SvvapLLV 
ivapydarara imhel^aL avrd. Kal orav ris aKpo- 
ixjp,€vo? otqrai pLerd ravra opdv rd XeyopLeva 
Kal pLerd rovro irTawfj, rorc Srj rorc dirqK pi^cor ai 
Kal rov OLK€Lov €7raLvov d7r€LXT]<t>€ ro €pyov rco rijs 
laropias OetSta. 

52 Wdvrcjjv Sc rjhrj napcdKevaGpLevajv Kal drrpo' 
oipiiacrrov p,€V rrorc rroi/qa^rai rrjv dpxqv, oirorav 
puY] irdvv Kar€7T€Lyrj ro rrpdypLa TrpoStOLK-qaa- 
aOai ri iv rat rrpootpLLay hvvdpiCL 8e Kal rore 
<f>poi,p,La) ;^p7jor€Tat ro) dnoGOiJMvvrL rrepl roiv 
X^Kricjjv. 

53 'OTTorav hk /cat ^poipudl^rjrai, drrd hvoiv puovov 
dp^€rai, ou;^ wairep ol pTJropes dno rptcDv, aAAa 
TO ttJ? eifvolag rrapelg rrpoGoxrjv Kal evpiddeiav 
€V7rop'qG€L rot? aKovovGi. rrpooi^ovoi piev yap 
avra> rjv Sel^r) cos" rrcpl pLeydXcjv r) dvayKalojv rj 
oIkclwv "q XPV^^P'^^ ip€L. evpLaOrj he Kal uacfyq rd 
varepa TTOtiqcreL rds alrias TrpoeKriOeiievof: /cat 

54 7T€pLopL^ojv rd Ke^dXaia rwv yeyevqpievojv . roiov- 

64 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

rangement and exposition. So they must look not for 
what to say but how to say it. In brief, we must con- 
sider thatthe writer of history should be like Phidias or 
Praxiteles or Alcamenes or one of the other sculptors 
— they certainly never manufactured their own gold or 
silver or ivory or their other material; no, their ^> 
material was before them, put into their hands by /Cjjs« 
Eleans or Athenians or Argives, and they confined ^> %. 
themselves to fashioning it, sawing the ivory, polish- '^'. 
ing, glueing, aligning it, setting it off with the gold, 
and their art lay in handling their material properly. 

The task of the historian is similar : to give a fine 
arrangement to events and illuminate them as vividly 
as possible. And when a man who has heard him 
thinks thereafter that he is actually seeing what is 
being described and then praises him — then it is 
that the work of our Phidias of history is perfect and 
has received its proper praise. 

After all his preparations are made he will some- 
times begin without a preface, when the subject 
matter requires no preliminary exposition. But even 
then he will use a virtual preface to clarify what he is 
going to say. 

Whenever he does use a preface, he will make two 
points only, not three like the orators. He will omit 
the appeal for a favourable hearing and give his audi- ^^ 
ence what A^dll interest and instruct them. For they ^ ^ 
will give him their attention if he shows that what he 
is going to say will be important, essential, personal, 
or useful. He will make what is to come easy to 
understand and quite clear, if he sets forth the causes 

65 

VOL. VI. D 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

rot? TTpooiyiiois ol apiaroL tojv <jvyypa<f>€ajv 
ixpTJcravro' ^HpoSorog /xeV, cos" fJL'^ ra yevofieva 
i^LTTjXa Tw XP^^V ycKT^Tat, fjLeydXa /cat davp^aara 
ovra /cat ravra vt/cas" 'EAAT^j^i/cd? S-qXovvra /cat 
Tjrras pappapiKas' GovKvSiSrjg Se, p,iyav re /cat 
auTOS" iXTTLGas eaeodai /cat a^toAoydSraTov /cat 
pL€L^a) T(x)V TTpoyeyevrjp^evcov eKelvov rov TroXcpLOV 
/cat yap 7ra6rjpLara iv avrco p,€ydXa ^vvc^t) ye- 
veodai. 

55 Mcra 8e to TrpooipLtov, dvdXoyov rots TTpdyp^aaw 
rj fjL7]Kvv6p,€vov 'iq Ppaxvv6p,€vov, €va(f)rjs re ^ /cat 
€vdyojyos earco rj iirl ttjv hiriyr]Giv /xerajSacrtS'. 
dirav yap drex^co^ to AotTTOv owpua rij? loropias 
SLijyrjGLs /xa/cpa iariv. wore raXs t^? SLrjyqaecxJS 
dperaZs KaraK€KOGp,ijad(x), Xelcos re /cat 6p,aXcos 
TTpo'Covaa /cat avrrj ofiolojs a>UT€ pur) vpovx^Lv pirjSe 
KOiXaivecrdai' CTictTa to (ja<f>€s iTTavOelraj, rfj re 
Xe^ei,^ (hs e(j)7]v, p.ep.-qx'^^y'^vov /cat ttJ crvpuTrepL- 
nXoK-fj TOJV TrpaypLdrcDV. dnoXura yap /cat evreXij 
TrdvTa TTOtrJo-et, /cat to TTpcoTOv e^epyaadpievos 
€77a^€t TO SevTepov exdpievov avrov /cat aAuacctiS" 
TpOTTOV (jvvTjppLoapLevov CO? /Lti7 8ta/ce/co<^^at /LtT^Sc 
StTyyTjo-ets" TToAAa? €?t'at aAATjAat? Trapa/cct/AcVas', 
dAA* act to) TTpcoTU) TO SevTepov ^ p,rj yeiTVidv 
pLovoVy dXXd /cat Kowcjvelv /cat dvaKeKpdodai Kara 
ra d/cpa. 

56 Tdxo9 em Trdai ;^/37yo't/xov, /cat pidXiara el p,r) 
aTTOpia TOJV XeKrecov etrj- /cat rovro 7Topit,eadai 
Xpr) pLT) Tooovrov diro rcov ovopidrixyv ri prjpdrcov 
oaov diTo rcov rrpaypidrcjv — Xeycu Se, el rrapaBeois 

1 T€ Schaefer : 8c N; om. T. 
66 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

and outlines the main events. The best historians 
have written prefaces of this sort: Herodotus, writ- 
ing history to preserve events from time's decay, 
great and glorious as they were, telling of Greek 
victories and barbarian defeat ; Thucydides too, with 
his expectation that the war would be great, more 
memorable, and more important than any that had 
gone before ; and in fact the sufferings in that war 
were considerable. 

After the preface, long or short in proportion to its 
subject matter, let the transition to the narrative be 
gentle and easy. For all the body of the history is 
simply a long narrative. So let it be adorned with the 
virtues proper to narrative, progressing smoothly, 
evenly and consistently, free from humps and hollows. 
Then let its clarity be limpid, achieved, as I have said, 
both by diction and the interweaving of the matter. 
For he will make everything distinct and complete, 
and when he has finished the first topic he will in- 
troduce the second, fastened to it and linked with it 
like a chain, to avoid breaks and a multiplicity of dis- 
jointed narratives; no, always the first and second 
topics must not merely be neighbours but have 
common matter and overlap. 

Rapidity is everywhere useful, especially if there is 
no lack of material ; and one must look to the subject 
matter to provide this rather than to the words and 
phrases — I mean, if you run quickly over small and 

* TT) re Ae'fet, cos MSS but rf} re Semico? T: re om. N. 
' Tu) Trpatrco to Sevrepov Fritzsche : to ttdwtov tw SeuTtpo) 
MSS. 

67 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

jJL€v TO. jJLiKpa Koi tJttov OLvayKOLa, XeyoLs Sc 
LKavcjg TO, [xeydXa' /xaAAov 8e /cat TTapaXenrreov 
TToAAa. ovSe yap '^v iorias rovs ^iXovs /cat iravra 
fj 7TapecrK€vaap,eva, Sta tovto ev piiooLs roZs ttc/x- 
jxacnv /cat rots' opveois /cat XoTrdai rocraurats- /cat 
ovulv aypioig /cat Aayojot? /cat vnoyaorpLOLS /cat 
GaTTepSrjv ivdijcreLs /cat erp'os' ort /ca/ceti^o rrapea- 
KcvaarOy diMeXrjoreis 8e rcDv evreXearepcov. 
57 MaAtara Se Gio^povr^riov iv rals rcov opajv 7) 
rei^cjv ^ TrorafjLoJv ipfx-qveiaLs d)s firj SvvajxLv 
Xoycov dneLpoKaXcog rrapeTTiheiKWudai SoKOirjs /cat 
ro oavrov hpdv irapels ttjv laropiaVy dXX oXiyov 
TTpoGailsdp.€vos Tov ;\;/3i7(7tjLLOu /cat cra(f)ovs €V€Ka 
fiera^TJar) iKcjyvywv tov l^ov tov ev tu) TTpdyjJiaTL 
/cat TTjV TOLQVTTjv diraoav Xtx^elav, olov opas ^ 
/cat "OpL-qpos 6 ^ fjL€yaX6(j)pojv TTOieZ' /catrot voirjTrjs 
(x)v Trapadel tov TdvToXov /cat tov ^l^iova /cat tov 
Tltvov /cat TOV9 dXXovs. el Se Ylapdevios rj 
^v(j)opLOiv T] KaAAt/xa;^o? eXeyev, TToootg dv oiei 
erreai to vhcap dxpt- Trpog to ;^etAos' tov TavTdXov 
TJyayev efra ttogols dv 'IftWa c/cuAtcre. jxaXXov Se 
6 SovKvSlSrjs avTog oXlya T(p tolovtco etSet tov 
Xoyov xPV^^H'^^os GKeipaL ottco? evOvg d^to-rarat ^ 
pLTjxoLvrjfjLa eppLTjvevGag^ rj TToXiopKias G^'^p^o. hrfXajGas 
dvayKOLOV /cat ;(p£ta>8e? 01^ i} 'ETrtTToAcuv ^ Gx^jpLa 
7) ^vpaKOGLOJV AtjLteVa. orav /xei^ ydp roi^ XoLp,6v 
StrjyrJTat /cat /xa/cpos" eti'at SoKjj, gv rd irpdypiaTa 
evvorjGov etarrj yap ovtcd to Tdxo? /cat cu? (f>€vyov- 
TOS" dp,<x}£ emXapi^dveTai avTOV ret yeyevrjpeva 
TToXXd OVTa. 

^ opas Jacobitz : opgj rt MSS. 

68 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

less essential things, while giving adequate treatment 
to matters of importance ; indeed, a great deal should 
even be omitted. When you feast your friends and 
all is ready you do not for that reason in the middle 
of all your pastries, fowl, oysters, wild boars, hare, 
and choice fish cutlets, serve up salt fish and pease- 
porridge because, that, too, is at hand — you will 
ignore the humbler fare. 

You need especial discretion in descriptions of 
mountains, fortifications, and rivers, to avoid the 
appearance of a tasteless display of your word-power 
and of indulging your own interests at the expense of 
the history ; you will touch on them lightly for the 
sake of expediency or clarity, then change the sub- 
ject, avoiding the limed twig set there and all 
temptation of this sort, as you see Homer doing in 
his greatness of mind : poet though he is he runs by 
Tantalus, and Ixion and Tityus and the rest. But if 
Parthenius or Euphorion or Callimachus were the 
narrator, think how many words he could have used 
to carry the water to Tantalus' lips ! How many to set 
Ixion whirling! Take Thucydides himself: he 
makes little use of this sort of writing, and see how 
quickly he gets away when he has been describing 
an engine or explaining a necessary and useful plan 
of investment, or the plan of Epipolae, or the harbour 
of Syracuse. When he appears long-winded in his 
account of the plague just think of the facts and you 
will realise his rapidity and how the pressure of 
events holds him as he tries to get away. 



* oF and edd. : ws other MSS. 

3 ^ 'Ett. Gesner and Hemsterhuys : tjv Iti TroXecov T (sic) : rj 
eri. TToXcios N: rj In TroXecov other MSS. (some omit rj). 



69 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

58 *Hy Se ttotc /cat Xoyovs ipovvrd rt,va Seijar) ela- 
dyeiv, /xaAtorra /xcv ioLKora rw rrpoaajTrco kol tco 
TTpdyfiari otKela Xeyeadw, eneira (hs aa^iarara 
KOL ravra. ttXtjv i^elrai gol totc /cat p7]rop€vaai 
/cat imhel^ai ttjv tcjv Xoyojv SeLvoTTjra. 

5^ "EiTraivoL p,€v yap rj ifjoyoL vdvu TTC^etcr/LteVot /cat 

7T€pl€OK€pipL€VOL KOI dGVKO<f)dvTr]rOl, /Cat /XCTCl 

dnoheL^cajv /cat Ta^^t? /cat p,r) a/catpot, CTTCt cfoi 
Tou SiKaGTqpLOV €K€Lvot ^loiv, Kal Trjv avrrjv 
SeoTTOfiTTO) alrlav cfct? ^iXaTrexdrnxovajs Karrjyo' 
povvTL rcjjv ttXcIgtcov /cat hiarpL^rjv noLovpLevu) to 
7Tpdyp,a (1)S KaTqyopeiv fiaXXov -^ laropelv rd 
7T€7rpayp,€va, 

60 Kat jjLrjv /cat fivdog et rig TrapefineGOL, Ac/ctco? 
fliv, OV fJLTjV TTLGTOjreos TrdvTcos, aAA €V pLeGO) 
dereog rols ottojs dv iOeXcoGLv CLKdGOVGi Trepi 
avTov' Gv 8' d/ctVSuvos" /cat rrpos ovSercpov intp- 
p€7T€Gr€pog. 

61 To 8' oAoV €K€iVOV /LtOt pLCpLVTJGO TToAAct/CtS' yCtp 

Tovro cpw — /cat /xi^ Trpos" to irapov p,6vov opcov 
ypd<l>€ ws ol vvv inaLveGovral g€ Kat Ttp^rjGovGLV, 
aXXd Tov GvpLiravTos alcovog €CTTo;)^acr/xeVo9 TTpos 
Tovs €7T€LTa /xoAAov Gvyypa(f)€ /cat Trap* iKeivcov 
drraLTei tov puGdov ttjs ypa^rfs, d)S XeyrjTaL nepi 
GOV, " iKelvos ficvTOL cXcvdepos dvrjp tJv /cat 
TTappTjGias pieGTOS,^ ovhkv ovtc /coAa/ccurt/cov ovt€ 
hovXoTTp€TT€s oXX aArJ^cta cVt Trdcrt.** tout', €t 

Ga)<j>pOVOLT] Tt?, UTTCp TTCtOra? TO,? J'W cATTtSa? ^€tTO 

av, ouTco? dAtyo;(;povtoi;9 ovGas. 

62 'Opas" TOP' KvtStoi^ €K€ivov apx^'TeKTOva otov 
€7T0LrjG€v; OLKoSopL-qoas ydp tov cvrt T^ Octpo) 

^ fitaros FGH» edd. : fua^ds FN and others. 
70 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

If a person has to be introduced to make a speech, 

1 1 above all let his language suit his person and his 

pi \ subject, and next let these also be as clear as possible. 

It is then, however, that you can play the orator and 

show your eloquence. 

Eulogy and censure will be careful and considered, 
free from slander, supported by evidence, cursory, 
and not inopportune, for those involved are not in 
court, and you will receive the same censure as 

ts Theopompus, who impeached nearly everybody in a 
(^^quarrelsome spirit and made a business of it, to the 
extent that he was a prosecutor rather than a recorder 
of events. 

Again, if a myth comes along you must tell it but 
not believe it entirely ; no, make it known for your 
audience to make of it what they will — you run no 
risk and lean to neither side. 

In general please remember this — I shall repeat it 
time and again — : do not write with your eye just on 
the present, to win praise and honour from your con- 
temporaries ; aim at eternity and prefer to write for 
posterity : present your bill for your book to them, 
so that it may be said of you : " He was a free man, 
full of frankness, with no adulation or servility any- 
where, but everywhere truthfulness." That, if a 
man were sensible, he would value above all present 
hopes, ephemeral as they are. 

Do you know what the Cnidian architect did.-* 
He built the tower on Pharos, the mightiest and most 

71 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TTVpyov, [xdyiarov Kal KaXXicrrov epycov dTrdvrwv, 
(1)9 TWpcrevoLro 0,77' avrov roXs vaurtAAo/xeVots" €7rt 
TToAu ttJ? daXdrrrjg /cat fxrj Karacfyepoivro is rrjv 
UapaLTOvlav, 7Tay)(aXe7TOv , cSs" <j)acnv, ovoav Kal 
d^VKTOv ^ et ns ijXTreaoL is rd epfxara. ot/coSo/xT^cjas 
ovv TO epyov evSodev pikv Kara tCjv Xldcov to avrov 
ovofjua iTreypai/jev, iTTiXp^croLS Se rirdvcp Kal im- 
KaXvi/jas iTTeypaipe rovvofxa rov t6t€ ^auiXevovros , 
elhcjs, OTTep Kal iyivero, rrdvv oXiyov )(p6vov 
(jvv€KTTeaovpL€va fxev rco p^pta/xart rd ypa/x/xara 
iKcjiairquoyievov Be, " Tia)GTparos ^€^i(j>dvovs Kvt- 
hios Oeols GojrrjpcrLV vrrep rcov TrXojL^opLevwv .** 
ovTcos oz)S' iK€Lvos is Tov Tore Kaipov ovBi rov 
avrov pLov rov oXiyov icopa, dAA' etV rov vvv Kal 
rov det, d;^t dv icrn^Kj) 6 TWpyos Kal fiivrj avrov 
7) rexvr]. 
63 X/317 roLwv Kal ttjv laroptav ovroj ypd<j)€aOaL 
ovv rep dXrjdeX jJidXXov irpos rrjv piiXXovaav eATrtSa 
rjiTcp ovv KoXaKeia rrpos ro rjSv rols vvv iiraivovpii- 
voLS. ovros croL Kavojv Kal orddpLrj loropias 
hiKaias. Kal et pukv aradp,i^aovrai nves avrfj, 
€v dv cxpi Kal els Beov rjfxlv yiypairrai' el he /xt}, 
KeKvXiGrai 6 ttlOos iv Kpai/eioj. 

^ d<f>vKTov Solanus : d<f)evKTov MSS. 



72 



HOW TO WRITE HISTORY 

beautiful work of all, that a beacon-light might shine 
from it for sailors far over the sea and that they might 
not be driven on to Paraetonia, said to be a very- 
difficult coast with no escape if you hit the reefs. 
After he had built the work he wrote his name on the 
masonry inside, covered it with gypsum, and having 
hidden it inscribed the name of the reigning king. He 
knew, as actually happened, that in a very short time 
the letters would fall away with the plaster and there 
would be revealed : " Sostratus of Cnidos, the son of 
Dexiphanes, to the Divine Saviours, for the sake of 
them that sail at sea." Thus, not even he had regard 
for the immediate moment or his own brief life-time : 
he looked to our day and eternity, as long as the 
tower shall stand and his skill abide. 

History then should be written in that spirit, with 
truthfulness and an eye to future expectations rather 
than with adulation and a view to the pleasure of 
present praise. There is your rule and standard for 
impartial history. If there will be some to use this 
standard it will be well and I have written to some 
purpose. If not, well I have rolled my crock on Cornel 
HiUIi 

^ See pages 4-5. 



73 



THE DIPSADS 

A description of some curious fauna of the Libyan desert 
leads to flattery. The piece is introductory. 



nEPI TQN AIYAAQN 

1 TtJs" At^vrjg to, vona i/jdfJijjLOS iarlv ^adela Kal 
yfj SiaKCKavfievT], €p7]iJLOS inl ttoXv, aKpi^ws 
aKapTTOS, TTeSivr) dnaGa, ov yXorjV ov iroav ov 
<f>vr6v ovx vSwp e-)(ovaa, ^ €t ttov apa iv kolXols 
avvedTTjKos verov oXiyov XeliJjavoVy Trap^i) /cat rovro 
/cat hvacjhes, ovhk ttolvu Snpa>vrL avOpwiTcp TTorLjiov. 
doiKTjrog yovv ian 8ta ravra' t] ttcos yd.p dv 
OLKOLTO dvripiepos ovrco /cat ir)pd /cat d<f>opos ovaa 
/cat TToXXw TO) avxfjLcp TTLC^oiJLevrj ; /cat to OoXttos 
8e avTO /cat o dr^p KOfjLLhfj Trvpajhr^s /cat <f)Xoy€p69 
(jjv /cat 7] ipdfjLfjLos VTTCpC^ovGa rravreXcbs d^aTOv 
rrjv x<^p^^ tl6t]gl. 

2 TapdfjLavTcg [jlovol TTpoaoiKoi ovrcs, evcrraXes 
Kal Kov(f)OV edvos, dvOpajvot GKiqvLTai, diTO O'qpas 
rd TToXXd ^ojVTCS, ivlore ovroi ia^dXXovcn drjpdcrov- 
r€£ dfx<f>L rponds rds ;^et/i.6/)tm9 /xaAtara, vcravra 
rov Oedv rrjp-qaavreg, onore ro ttoXv tov /cau/xaro? 
apeadelr) /cat r) ipdixfiog voTtadeLrj /cat djX7]y€7rrj 
pard yivoLTO. 7) dijpa he iariv ovcov re rcov 
dyplojv /cat arpovdcov rwv p,eydXajv ;(a/Ltat rourcov 
/cat TTiBriKcov fidXiara Kal iX€()>dvTa}v ivlore' ravra 
ydp fjiova 8ta/)/cet Trpog ro Sli/jos Kal dve-)(€rai inl 
TToXv raXaLTTCopovjJLeva vird ttoXXco Kal ofct to) 
rjXLCi). Kal o/xa»? ol Tapdfjiavreg €7r€t8av to, crtrta 
KaravaXcocrajGLV drrep eyovres d(f)LKovro, dTreXav- 

VOVGLV OTTtCrCO €v6v£ SeStOTCS" fir] a(f)LGLV Tj ijjdlXfJLO? 

76 



THE DIPSADS 

The south of Libya is deep sand and parched 
earth, desert for the most part, completely infertile, 
all flat land, devoid of green shoots and grass and 
growing things and water, except perhaps for a 
standing pool left by the rain — and this is turbid and 
stinking, unfit even for a very thirsty man to drink. 
For this reason the country is uninhabited — for who 
could live in a land so wild, arid, and barren, op- 
pressed by continual drought ? The very heat of the 
sun, the downright fiery hotness of the air, and the 
temperature of the seething sand make the country 
completely inaccessible. 

Only the Garamantes live near by — a slim, agile 
race, tent-dwellers, living for the most part by 
hunting. They sometimes cross into the country on 
hunting forays, generally about the time of the 
winter solstice, after waiting for rain, when most of 
the heat has abated and the sand, now damp, can 
be trodden after a fashion. They hunt for wild asses 
and the ostrich, monkeys a great deal, and an occa- 
sional elephant. Only these animals can stand the 
thirst and endure for long periods the pressure of the 
ffreat fierceness of the sun. Nevertheless, as soon as 
the Garamantes exhaust the food they have brought 
>vith them they drive for home, for fear that the sand 

77 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ava^Aeyetaa Sva^aros Kal aTTopos yevrjraL, etrU 
aiairep ivros dpKvojv Xr](f)devT€s Kal avrol olttoXcov- 
rat fxera rijg ay pas. a^VKra yap ecrrtv r^v 6 
riXios dvaGTTaaag rrjv LKfidSa Kal rd^^Lara ^rjpdvag 
TTjv •)((x>pav VTTep^car), dKp,aioTepav t7)v dKTLva 
TTpocrpaXwv are irpos rrjv vorlba TraparedrjyfjLdvrjv 
Tpo^-q yap avn] rep TTvpt. 
3 Katrot ravra Trdvra oiToaa elTTOV — ro OdXiros, 
TO hiijjoSi y] eprjjXLa, to purjBev ^x^iv €K ttjs yfjs 
Xapelv — rJTTOv Vjjuv Svax^prj elvai Sofet tov Xex^f]- 
aofxevoVy Kal St* o (f)€VKT€a TrdvTOJS rj X^P^ iKelvrj. 
epTrera yap TTOiKiXa /xeye^et t€ /Lteytara /cat 
TrX'qOeL TrdpiTToXXa Kal ras" piop(f)ds dXXoKOTa Kal 
TOV lov dixaxoL eTrtve/xerat ttjv yrjv, ra jxev VTTO^pv- 
Xt'CL, <j)CoX€VOVTa ev ixvx^ t"^? i/jdjipLOV, ra 8e dvoj 
eTTLTToXdCovTa — <f)vaaXoL Kal dcrTrtSes" Kal ep^tSi'at 
Kal K€pd(TTaL Kal povTTp-qGTeis Kal dKovTLai Kal 
dp,(j)ioPaivai Kal SpdKOVTeg Kal CTKopTTLcuv yevog 
SiTTOVf TO fjiev eTcpov CTTLyeLou TL Kal Trel^oVy 
VTTepjxeya Kal voXvGcfyovSvXov , OaTcpov Se Ivaipiov 
Kal TTTqvov, vfievoTTTepov 8e ota rat? dKpiai ^ Kal 
rerrtft Kal vvKTepicri ra Trrcpd. rotaura opvea 
rroXXd eTTLTreTOfxeva ovk evTrpoGLTOv direpydi^eTai 

TTjV ALpV7]V €K€LVr]V. 

4: To 8e St) ndi'Tcov ipTreTwv SeivoTaTOU cop tj 
iljdfjLfjLOs Tpe<f)€L rj Sn/jdg icTLv, 6(f>Ls ov Trdvv [xeyas, 
€;\;tSi7^ opLOLOs, TO Srjyp,a ^iaios, tov lov Trax^S, 
oSwa? /xer dXrjKTOVs indycDV evOvs' €KKaL€L re 
yap Kal crq7T€L Kal n Lfiirpacrd at iroiel, Kal ^oajaiv 
wGTTep €v TTvpa KeLfievot.. TO Be fidXioTa fcara- 

^ oLKpiai Boohart : iKTiai MSS. 
78 



THE DIPSADS 

may heat up again and become difficult and impassable 
and they and their spoil perish together as though 
caught in a trap. There is certainly no escape if the 
sun draws off the moisture and becomes excessively 
hot — it soon parches the land. Its rays are made 
keener by the wet and are all the more intense, wet- 
ness being fuel to the fire. 

Yet all the points I have mentioned — the heat, 
the lack of water, the desert, the infertility — will 
seem to you less unbearable than what I am going to 
describe, something that makes that country to be 
completely avoided. Crawlers of many kinds, of 
enormous size and in vast numbers, monstrous in 
shape and deadly poisonous, live in the country. 
Some of them live underground hiding in holes in 
the sand; others crawl on the surface — puflP-adders, 
asps, vipers, horned snakes, ox-beetles, darters, 
double-ended snakes, pythons, and two kinds of 
scorpions — a big multi-jointed one that crawls on the 
ground, and a winged one that flies, though its wings 
are of membrane like those of locusts, cicadas, and 
bats. The number of these flying, winged creatures 
make that part of Libya difficult of access. 

But the most terrible reptile of all that the sand 
breeds is the dipsad, a snake not particularly big, 
resembling a viper. Its bite is strong and its 
poison is thick, causing immediate and lasting pain. 
It bums and corrodes and sets on fire and its 
victims scream as if lying on a pyre. But what is 

79 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TTOvovv Kal KaraTpv^ov avrovs €K€lv6 ccrrtv, 
o^wvufiov TTO-dog ra> epTrcrio. Supcjai yap els 
vnepPoXijw, Kal to Trapaho^orarov ^ oacpvep dv 
TTLVwGif roaovTO) fidXXov opiyovrai rov ttotov' Kal 
7] €7ndvjxia ttoXv ttX^ov CTTtTCtVcrat avrols. oi58' 
dv o^eaeids ttotc to Bli/jos, ou8* iqv tov NetAov 
avTov Tf TOV "laTpov oXov €K7n€Lv Trapdaxyjs, dXXd 
7Tpoo€KKava€La9 ^ irrdpSajv ttjv vooov, wairep dv ct 

5 TLS iXaio) TTvp KaTaa^ewvoi. Xeyovatv laTpwv 
TTolhes iK€LV7jv TTjv aiTiav etvaL, na^vv tov lov 
ovra €7T€iTa Scvofievov tco ttotco o^vklvtjtov 
ylyvcaOai, vypOTepov ws to clkos KadiaTdp,€vov 
Kal inl ttXclgtov S lax^ 6 fxevov. 

6 *Eyco iJL€v ovv ovScva tovto TTcnovdoTa ctSov, 
pLTjSe, CO deol, thoLfJLL ovTO) KoXa^ofievov dvdpcoTrov, 
oAA' ovSe €7T€Pr)v T^s" AtjSurys" to Trapdnav €V 
TTOUov, €7TLypap,p,a hi rt rJKOvaa, o /xot tiov 
€Talpwv T(,9 eXeyev avTos €ttI (tti^Xtjs dveyvwKevai, 
dvhpos ovTOJS diTodavovTOS . €K Kl^v7)s i(f>y) d-TTLlOV 
is AlyVTTTOV TTapd ttjv pieydXrjv ILvpTiv noLeludaL 
TTjv TTopelav ov yap elvai dXXojs. evda Srj ra^oj 
ivTVxelv TTapd tt7V 7)'i6va in* avTtp tu) AcAua/xart, 
/cat onjXrjv itfyeaTavai SrjXovaav tov oXidpov tov 
TpOTTOV K€KoXd<f)dat, ydp iiT* avTjj dvOpojirov p,iv 
TLva olov TOV Tai^aAoi' ypd<f)OVGiv iv Xifivrj iorrajTa 
Kal dpvofxevov TOV vSaTos, cos ttlol bijdev, to 
Br^piov he — Tr]V SupdSa — ifi7T€(f>VK6s avTco TTcpLCG- 
TTeipdadat, tco irohi, Kal Tivas yvvoLKas vSpocfyopov- 
oas dfjLa TroAAas" KaTa)(€Xv to vhcop avTOV' rrXiqaiov 
he cod KeloOai ola tcov OTpovOcJjv iKelvcjjv ovs €<f)7)v 

* irpoacKKavofias L. A. Post ; -npoatKKavatLs MSS. 

8o 



THE DIPSADS ^ 

particularly wearing and exhausting is indicated by 
the reptile's name.^ Its victims suffer agonies of 
thirst, and, strangest of all, the more they drink the 
greater is their craving for water — their longing 
increases enormously. It is impossible ever to quench 
their thirst. Even if you gave them the Nile itself or 
the whole Ister to drink, you would only add to the 
burning by watering the disease — like trying to 
quench a fire with oil. The doctors say that this is 
because the thick poison flows more easily when 
wetted by drinking and becomes more liquid, naturally 
enough, and so spreads over a greater area. 

I myself never saw anyone so affected and I pray 
I may never see a human being tormented in this 
way ; but then I have never set foot in Libya, I am 
glad to say. I have heard of an inscription which 
one of my friends said he himself had read on the 
tombstone of a man who had died in this way. He 
said that on a journey from Libya to Egypt his route 
passed the great Syrtis gulf, the only way he could 
go. There on the shore right by the water's edge he 
found a grave with a stone on it revealing the manner 
of death. There was a man carved on it looking 
like Tantalus in the paintings, standing in a lake and 
scooping up water, obviously to drink it, with the ani- 
mal, a dipsad, wound round his foot clinging tight ; a 
number of women were fetching water and pouring it 
over him together. Nearby lay eggs of the ostriches 

* Dipsad means " the thirst-causing one." 

8i 



^ THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Orjpdv rovs Tapafiavras' y€yp(i<f>dai 8c rrpos 
TOVTriypafifxa — ov ')(€ipov hk /cat avro elirelv, 

Tota TTadovT otfjuat Kal TdvraXov aWorros lov 
fjLTjSapLa KOifjLTJcraL Sn/taXdr^v oSvvrjv, 

Kai AavaoLO Kopas roZov ^ ttlOov ovk dvaTrXTJaaL 
alkv irravrXovaas v8po(f)6pcp Kajxaro). 

€Ti Kal oAAa errq rerrapd cgtl rrcpl rojv wcjv, kol 
(Ls dvaLpovfJLevos avrd iS'^)(dr}, dXX* ovKeri jxe- 
pLvrjfxat iKeivojv. 

7 XuAAcyouCTt he dpa rd (hd /cat iaTTOvSaKauL irepl 
avrd OL Trc/otot/cot, ov)( cos <j)ayelv fxovov, dXXd /cat 
aK€V€(TL ^^pa/vrat Keva>oavr€s /cat e/CTrcujLtara ttolovv- 
rat 0.77' ax)T(x)v ov ydp exovau Kepafxevetv 8ta ro 
ijjdfJLfJLOV etvai 7r]v yrjv. el 8e /cat fieydXa evpedeirj, 
/cat TTtAot ylyvovTai 8vo €k rod cpov iKdorov to 
ydp 7)iJLLTO[jLOv iKarepov dTTOXpojv rfj K€(f)aXfj ttlXos 

8 iariv. cKel tolvuv Xox^jctlv at Sn/jdSes rrapd ra 
(hd, /cat €TT€ihdv TTpoaeXdrj 6 dvdpcxjTTOS, €k ttjs 
ifjdjjLfjLOV i^epTTVGaaat SdKvovoL rov /ca/coSat/xora* 
o 8e TrdG^eL €K€Lva rd fxcKpov efXTTpoodev elpiqfiiva 
TTivwv act /cat fidXXov Sufiojv /cat TninrXdpievos 
ovhiiTore. 

9 TauTt ov fxd Ata TTpog Nt/cav8pov rov TTOLrjrrjv 
(fjLXorLfjLovjJLevos Ste^rjXdov, ovS^ ottcos Vfiels pidBoire 
<1)S OVK dfieXes yeyevqrai fxoL (f>va€L£ rcov AipVKcov 
epTTerojv etSeVat. larpcov ydp dv fidXXov 6 eiraivos 
etrj, 0T9 dvdyKT] elhevai ravra wg /cat dpivvaoOai 
avrd fjLerd rrjs rdx^s €xol€v. dXXd fiot Bokco — 
Kal TTpos (f>iXiov fJLT) SvGX€pdv7]r€ rrjv et/cdva 
dr]pi(x>hr] ovuav — ofiOLOv ri Kal avrog TraOetv irpos 

82 



THE DIPSADS 

which I said the Garamantes hunted. There was also 
the inscription, which I may as well add : 

Such were the sufferings, methinks, of Tantalus too, 
Never to still hot venom's racking thirst, 
Such the jar Danaid maids ne'er filled. 
Though ever drawing water with unending toil of 
carrying. 

There are four more lines about the eggs and how he 
was bitten as he took them, but I can no longer re- 
member them. 

The neighbouring tribes collect these eggs and 
prize them, not only for eating. They use the empty 
shells for utensils and make cups from them (they 
cannot work in earthenware because the earth is 
all sand). Any big egg they come across is made 
into two caps, either half being big enough to fit a 
man's head. It is there then that the dipsads lie in 
wait hard by the eggs. When someone approaches 
they creep out of the sand and bite the poor fellow. 
Then follow the torments I mentioned just now — 
continual drinking, increasing thirst without relief. 

It is certainly not to rival Nicander the poet ^ that I 
have given these details, nor to let you see that I have 
not neglected the natural history of the reptiles of 
Libya. Doctors would win more approbation for 
this — they have to know these things so that they can 
use their skill to resist the disease. No, I think I feel 
towards you — in the name of friendship do not resent 
the comparison from animals — as those who are 

^ Nicander's poem, Theriaca, is an account of snakes and 
other poisonous creatures and gives remedies for their bites. 

^ Kal Aavaolo Kopas rolov edd. : ras "rov MSS. 

83 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Vfid^ olov eKelvoL TrdaxovGi Trpos ro ttotov oi 
Sr)xO€VT€S VTTO rrjg Stj/raSos". oaco yap dv iirl 
TrXdov irapioj is vp,ds, roGovrcp pidXXov opdyofxai, 
rod TTpdyfjiaros, /cat to Sli/jos dcr^erov UTre/c/caterat 
/xot, /cat eot/ca ovhi* ifjLTrXiqaeGOal 7tot€ rod tolovtov 
TTOTOV. fidXa €lk6tcds. ttov yap dv ovto) 8t€tSet 
T€ /cat Kadapo) vSaTL €VTVxoLp,i; cSare avyyvcjTe 
€t S'q)^d€L9 /cat avTos n^v ifw)(r)v r^hioTCp tovto) /cat 
vyLeLVOTaTCp tco Si^y/xart ep,(f>opovp,ai ;^av86i^, 

VTTodels TW KpOVVCp TTjV K€(f)aX'qV, €t17 fJLOVOV flTJ 

CTTtAtTTCtv TO. Trap* vjjicov iiTLppiovTa /xT^Se -xyd^loav 
TTjv GTTOvSrjv Tjjs aKpodoecos Kex^^voTa €tl /cat 
SnjjcjVTa /caraAtTrety a>S" hli/jovg ye evcKa tovjjlov 
TTpos VfJLas ovbev dv c/ca>Au€ Triveiv del' Kara yap 
Tov cro(l)6v UXdroiva, Kopos ovhels tojv koXcov. 



84 



THE DIPSADS 

bitten by the dipsad feel towards drinking: the 
oftener I appear before you the more I long to do so ; 
thirst unquenchable inflames me and I think I shall 
never be sated with such drink. How could it be 
otherwise ? Where else could I find water so trans- 
parent and pure ? Forgive me then if my soul too 
has been bitten with this most sweet and health-giving 
bite and I dip my head into the spring and take my 
fill with open mouth. I only pray that your flowing 
streams may never fail nor your ready, eager listening 
ever be spilt me while I am still agape and still athirst. 
As far as my thirst goes, my thirst for you, nothing 
could stop me drinking for ever. As the wise Plato 
says, there is never too much of what is fine. 



85 



SATURNALIA 

A dialogue between Cronus and Lucian in the guise of Priest 
of Cronus leads to the giving of laws to govern conduct at the 
Saturnalia, Cronus's own festival. Subsequent correspond- 
ence between Cronus and Lucian and Cronus and the Rich 
clears up some points of a practical nature. 



TA nP02 KPONON 

lEPETE 

1 '^Q. Kp6v€, crv yap eoiKag oipx^LV to ye vvv elvai 
Kal Gol redvraL Kal KeKaXXUprjraL Trap* rjfjiwVy tl 
dv /x-oAtcrra inl rcov Upcov alrijaag Aaj3ot/Ltt 'napa 
gov; 

KPONOi: 

TovTO fiev avTov ere KaXd>9 ex^t, iaK€(f)6aL o tl 
GOL cvKTeov,^ el pLT) Kal fjLavTLV a/xa ideXeug etvai 
TOP dpxovTa, ctSeVat tl gol '^Slov alTclv. eyoj 8e 
ra yc SvvaTa ovk dvavevGcu irpos ttjv ev)(r)v. 

lEPETE 

'AAAa rrdXaL eGKefjLjJiaL. ipco yap ra KOLvd TavTL 
Kal Trpox^Lpa — ttXovtov Kal XP^^^^ ttoXvv /cat 
dypdjv ^ ScGTTOTrjv etvaL Kal dvSpaTroSa noXXd 
K€KTrJG9aL Kal €G97JTa9 evavdelg Kal /xaAa/cas" Kal 
dpyvpov Kal eAe^avra Kal ra aAAa oirooa TLjXLa. 

TOVTOJV OVVy <L dpLGT€ Kp6v€, StSoU p,OL, d)S TL KaL 

avTov diToXavGaL ttjs Grjg dpx^js /xt^Sc dfioLpov 
etvaL p,6vov avTOV Std TravTog tov ^lov. 

KPONOE 

2 *Opas; ov /car' ifxe tovto 7JT7]Gas. ov yap 
ijjLov SLavefieLV ret TOLavTa. a)GT€ firj dxOov, el 
dTVX''^cr^i'0'9 aifTcov, dAA' atret Trapd tov Aid?, 

^ €VKT€ov T: fVKTaiov other MSS. 
2 aypaiv Courier : dvSpcDv MSS. 

88 



A CONVERSATION WITH CRONUS 



PRIEST 



Cronus, you seem to be king just now, and it is you 
to whom we have offered sacrifices and we have re- 
ceived favourable omens. Now, what precise return 
for these rites would you give me if I asked ? 



CRONUS 

In this case the proper procedure is for you to have 
made your own decision what to pray for, unless you 
expect your king to be a diviner as well and know 
what request would please you. As far as lies 
within my power I shall not deny your prayer. 

PRIEST 

My decision was made a long time ago. I shall 
ask for the usual, obvious things — wealth, a lot of 
gold, to be lord of an estate, to own many slaves, 
clothing, bright-coloured and soft, silver, ivory, and 
everything else that is worth something. Grant me 
some part of this, my dearest Cronus, so that I too 
may profit from your reign, and may not spend my 
whole life as the only one who gets no benefit. 

CRONUS 

There! That request is beyond me. It is not 
mine to distribute things of that sort. So don't be 
discontented if you don't get them, but ask Zeus 

89 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

OTTorav els eKelvov rj dpx^ TrepiiXOr] ixer oXiyov. 
iyw S* €7Tt prjroLS TrapaXajji^dva) rrjv Svvacrreiav. 
€7rrd fJLev rjpLepcov rj Trdora ^aoiXeLa, koI riv eKirpo- 
deGfxos tovtcjov yevcofiaiy tStajn^s" evOvs elpLi /cat 
7TOV Tov TToXXov S'j^fjLov €1?. €v aurats" §€ Tat? 
eTTrd (TTTOvSaLOV fiev ovSev ouSc dyopalov BioiK'q- 
oaoOai jjlol crvy/cep^copT^rat, ttlv€LV he koI fxeOveLV 
/cat jSoav /cat nai^eLV /cat Kvpeveiv /cat dp^ovras 
Kadiordvai ^ /cat rovs oiKeras evoj^^elv /cat yvfjuvov 
aSeiv /cat Kporelv VTrorpepLovra, eviore he /cat c? 
vhojp ijjvxpov €7tI Ke<j)aXrjv wOelodai du^oXcp Kexpi-cr- 
fxevov TO TrpoaojTTOv, ravra e^eZrai /xot TTOielv. rd 
jxeydXa he cKeXva, tov ttXovtov /cat ro -)(pvaioVf 6 
T^evs hiahihojaiv ols dv edeXrj. 

lEPETE 

3 'AAA* ouS' eKetvoSy w Kpove, pahlajg /cat 
TTpox^lpaJS. ey<h y* ovv tJBtj dTTiqyopevKa alrcjv 
pLeydXrj ttj (fywvfjy 6 8* ovk CTratet to Trapairav, 
oAAa Tr]v alyiha eTTiaeicov /cat rdv Kepavvov eira- 
vareiv6p.evos hpifiv evopcov eKirX-qTret rovs evoyX- 
ovvras. rjv he irore /cat eTTLvevcrrj rivl /cat TrAoucrtov 
TTOLTJ, TToXv TO dKpiTOv ivTavda, /Cat Tous" dya^ous" 
eviore /cat avverovs d(f)els 6 he irapiTTOvjjpois re /cat 
avoT^TOts" dvhpdai TTeptx^i rdv ttXovtov, /Ltao-Ttytats" 
Tj dvhpoyuvois ToZs TrXeioTois avTcov. ttXtjv Ta ye 
aol hward ideXoj elhevai TtVa TavTa €gtlv. 

KP0N02 

4 Ov fiLKpd oXojs ovhe TravTairaoLV evKaTa^povrfTa 
(jjs Trpos TTjv hvvap.Lv e^erdl^eodai rijs avp.7Tdarjg 
dpxrjs — et p^rj aol ye puKpdv hoKel to vikov Kv^evovTa 

90 



SATURNALIA 

when the sovereignty comes round to him, as it will 
do presently. I take over the kingship on set terms. 
My entire reign is for seven days ; the moment this 
period is over I am a private citizen and, I suppose, 
one of the common herd. But during the seven days 
I have agreed to conduct no business whatever, not 
even in the market. What I may do is drink and be 
drunk, shout, play games and dice, appoint masters of 
the revels, feast the servants, sing stark naked, clap 
and shake, and sometimes even get pushed head-first 
into cold water with my face smeared with soot. 
Such great gifts as wealth and gold Zeus distributes 
to whomsoever he pleases. 

PRIEST 

But even Zeus, Cronus, is not ready or open- 
handed in his gifts. At any rate I've shouted for 
them till I'm worn out, yet he doesn't listen at all. 
No, he shakes his aegis and brandishes his thunder- 
bolt with a fierce stare and terrifies those who bother 
him. If ever he does nod assent to anyone and make 
him rich, there is a great lack of discrimination about 
it. He sometimes passes over the good and wise and 
lavishes riches on wicked and stupid people, most of 
them criminals and effeminates. But the things you 
can do — these are what I want to know. 

CRONUS 

They are not entirely of no importance or alto- 
gether contemptible when judged in relation to the 
power of my entire empire — unless you think it 

* Kadiaravai. Hakn : Kadiardv F : Kadiaraadat FN. 

91 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

/cat rots' aAAots" c? rrjv fiovdSa KvXiofjLevov rod 
Kv^ov Gol rrjv i^dba virepdvoi det (j>aiv€(jBai. 
TToAAot yovv is Kopov diTO rod tolovtov CTTcatrt- 
aavrOf ols tAcco? /cat <f>op6s 6 kv^os eTTLvevcrcL' ol 
8c €/X7raAty yvfivol i^emj^avro avvrpi^evros avrols 

TOV OKd<f>OVS TTCpL OVTOJ fJilKpix} Cp/XttTt TOJ KV^Cp. 

/cat pLTjv /cat 7TL€lv is TO rjBLcrrov /cat wSiKcLrcpov 
oAAou Sd^at aaat ^ cv to) avp,7TOGicp /cat Sta/covou- 
fjLevojv Tovs [JL€V dXXovs is to vScup ip.7r€G€lv — 
TOVTO yap roimiripLiov ttjs olSc^lov Sta/covta? — oe 
8c dvaKTjpvxBrjvai, koXXlvlkov /cat rdOXa ^ip€adaL 
TOV dXXdvra — opas rjXtKOV to dyadov ; crt /cat 
^aotAca p.6vov i<f>^ aTrdvTwv ycviaOai Tip daTpaydXcp 
KpaTTjoavTa, ws /xt^tc €7rtTa;(^ctr^9 ycAota iiriTdy- 
pxLTa /cat airro? CTrtTarrcti/ c^ot?, to) /xcy ala)^p6v 
Tt TTcpt auTou dvaporjaaL, Ta> he. yvfjivov opx^aaadai 
/cat dpdp.€vov ^ ttjv avXrjTpiSa Tpls ttju oiKiav ttc- 
pieXOeZv — 77C09 oi);^t /cat raura 8ciy/LtaTa /xcyaAoSoj- 
ptW T^? ip-rjs; ct 8e TO ^17 dXrjdrj fjLJjhe ^ipaiov 
ylyvecrdai, ttjv TOLaurr^v jSaotActai^ amaoct, dyvcopiov 
TTOtT^o-ct? dpoii' azVoj' c/xc tov TauTO hiavip^ovra 
oXiyoxpoi'Lov T7]v dp)(riv e^ovTa. tovtojv 8* ovv d 
/Ltot 8uvara 8oi;p'at, tcov TreTTcov, tov apx^i^v, tov 
aSctv /cat Tcuj' a KaT7jpi,6pL'qadp,r)v, dappwv atTCt, 
ci)? c/iou Trpo? ovSev S€Si,^op,€vov ac Tjj alyiSi, /cat 
TO) K€pavva>. 

lEPETE 
'AAA*, W TlTdvOJV dpLGT€f TCJV p,eV TOIOVTIDV Ol) 

8co/j,at, Gv hk dXX iK€Lv6 /xot aTTOKpivaL, o /xoAtora 
inodovv ct8cVat, /cat /xot t]v cittt^s" auTo, iKavrjv 

^ iaai one late MS. : ifia other MSS. 
92 



SATURNALIA 

trivial to win at dice, and when others are rolling 
singles always to be turning up sixes yourself. At 
any rate many men have got themselves more than 
enough to eat in this sort of way, men to whom the die 
will give a gracious and generous nod. Then again, 
there are those who have swum out to safety without 
a stitch of clothing when their ship has foundered 
on the die's tiny reef. Again, to drink the most 
delightful drinks, to be acclaimed a better singer in 
your cups than the next man, to see the others who 
serve at table with you thrown into the water as the 
penalty for their clumsy service while you are pro- 
claimed victor and win the sausage as prize — do you 
see what a blessing that is ? Again, to become sole 
king of all with a win at the knuckle-bones, so that you 
not only escape silly orders but can give them yourself, 
telling one man to shout out something disgraceful 
about himself, another to dance naked, pick up the 
flute-girl, and carry her three times round the house 
• — surely this is proof of my generosity ? And if you 
criticise this kingdom as not real or lasting you will 
be unreasonable when you know that I myself who 
dispense these blessings have the sovereignty for 
only a short time. So do not hesitate to ask for any 
of these things which I can give you: gaming, 
lordship of the feast, singing and all that I have 
enumerated, in the assurance that I shall not in any 
circumstances frighten you with the aegis and the 
thunderbolt. 

PRIEST 

Why, best of Titans, I need nothing like that. 
But answer me this — I have longed to know, and 

* ifoi dpcLfievov N; Trapa/xevov T. 

93 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

€G€i TTjv dfjiOL^rjv OLTToSeSajKajs dvTL TTJs dvdiaSy 

Koi TTpOS TO XoiTTOV d^LTUli GOL TOL XP^^' 
KPONOL 

'Epcora fJLOvov. dTTOKpLvodfiat ydp^ riv ctSo)? 
t6x<*}. 

lEPETS 
To ii€V TTpcoTOV €K€LVO, €1 dXrjdrj TauTct eariv 
d 7T€pl GOV dKovofiev, (Ls KarriGdies rd yewcofieva 
VTTO TTJs 'Peas', iK€Lin] 8e vcjieXoixivr] rov Ata 
XiSov V7ToPaXXofJL€vr] dvrl rov Pp€(f)Ovg e8co/ce gol 
KaraTTielVy 6 Se els rjXiKtav d<j>iK6iJLevos c^TJAaoe g€ 
TTJs dpx^js TToAe/xoj KparriGaSy elra is rov Tdprapov 
cj)€pojv cvejSaAe jreSiJGas avrov re /cat to o-u/x/xap^t- 
Kov diraVf ottogov jxerd gov Traperdrrero . 

KPONOE 

Et ixrj lopTrjVf J) ovTOSi TjyofjLev /cat {xedvetv 
i(f)€Lro /cat XoihopeiGOai ^ roZs Seo-Trorat? iir* 
i^ovGias, €yvoJS dv ws 6pyi^€Gdai yovv e^etrat 
)LLOt, TOiavra ipajrijoag, ovk alBeGdels ttoXlov 
ovro) /cat TTpeG^VTrjv deov. 

lEPETE 

Kayo) ravra, co l^pove, ov Trap ifiavrov (fyrjjJLL, 
oAA' 'Ho-toSo? /cat *'0[xr]pos, okvco yap Xiyeiv on 
/cat ot aAAot drravTes dvdpcuTTOL a^^eSov ravra 

TrCTTLGTCVKaGt TTCpl GOV. 

KP0N02 

6 Otet yap rov TTOip.iva €K€lvov, rov dXa^ova, 
vyids Tt TTcpl €p,ov ctScVat; a/coTret Se ovtcds. 

^ XoiBopetadai N: ScopeiaOai T. 

94 



SATURNALIA 

if you tell me it will be an adequate return for the 
sacrifice and I release you from future debts. 

CRONUS 

Just ask what you want. I shall answer* if I 
happen to know. 

PRIEST 

This first : whether what we often hear about you 
is true, that you ate up Rhea's children, but she put 
Zeus out of the way, substituting a stone for you to 
swallow down instead of the child ; then, when he 
grew up, he beat you in war and drove you from the 
sovereignty ; he took you to Tartarus, put fetters on 
you and all the allies who sided with you, and threw 
you in. 

CRONUS 

If it were not festival-time, my man, and if you 
weren't allowed to get drunk and cheek your masters 
with impunity, you would have found out that I'm 
allowed to be angry at any rate — asking such 
questions and showing no respect for a grey-haired 
old god like me ! 

PRIEST 

Now I don't say this on my own, Cronus. Hesiod 
and Homer say so; I'm not sure that I should tell 
you that the rest of mankind too believes pretty much 
the same about you. 

CRONUS 

Do you imagine that that shepherd, that impostor, 
has any sound knowledge of me ? Look at it this 

95 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

€CT^' OGTL9 avdpOJTTOS (oV yap deOV €p6)) V7T0[X€L- 

V€L€V av Ikcjv avTOS KaTa<l>ay€Lv ra reKva, el ^ /lit} 
Tts" Svearr]? wv dcre^el aSeXcfyco TrepiTreacbv 7Jg9l€ ; 
Kal el Tovro jJLavelr], ttws dyvoT^aei Xidov dvrl 
pp€(f)ovs eGdicoVy el jxtj dvdXyrjrog eij] rovs ohovras ,* 
dAA* oijre eVoAe/LtTjcra/xev ovre 6 Zeus' j8ta ttJv 
dp)(rjv, eKovros he fjLOV vapaSovrog avrcp /cat 
VTTeKordvTos y dp-)(ei.^ on fiev yap ovre TreTreSrjfjLaL 
ovre ev rep Taprdpco elfxl, Kal avro? opag olpuai el 
jjLT) rv<l)X6s a)G7Tep "Ojxrjpos el. 

lEPETE 

7 Tt 7Tadd)v Sc, CO Kpove, d<f)rJKas rrjv dp^-^v ; 

KPONOE 
*Eyc6 GOL <f>pdG(x). ro p.ev oXov, yepcuv tJStj Kal 
TToSaypog vtto rov ^povov wv. hio Kal TreTreSrJGdaL 
jie ol TToXXol eiKaGav. ov yap rjSvvdfJLrjv ScapKelv 
TTpog ovrco tto^tjv rrjv dSiKLav rcjv vvv, dAA* del 
dvadelv ehei dvco Kal Kara) rov Kepavvov SLrjpfxevov 
rovs €7n6pKov9 ^ lepoGvXovs ri ^laiovs Kara<j)Xe- 
yovra, Kal ro Trpdyfia Trdw epycoSes "^v Kal 
veavLKov. e^eGnjv ovv ev ttolojv rep Att. Kal 
aAAoiS" he KaXctJS e)(eiv ehoKet [xol hiaveifiavra rols 
naiGlv ovGL rrjv dp)(rjv avrov evw^^eiGdai ra 
TToXXd i(f)* y]GV)(^ias ovre rols ev^opievoLS XPVH'^' 
rl^ovra ovre vtto rcbv rdvavria alrovvrcjv evoxXov- 
fxevov ovre ^povrojvra rq dGrpdirrovra ^ ;^dAa(^av 

^ « n'q Tt? 0. tJv da€^€i dBeX<f>cp TTfpLTreawv rjaOie Kal tovto y'av 
(trj X B: ct . . . tJv daejSei TTepincawv ko-v tovto y' dv flrj N. 
€1 ... ^v dae^fia dB€X<f>a> (aSeA^oiv A Q) TrepiTreacov 
eia9i€ Koi TOVTO fiaviCi] TACl : H. d>v Jacobitz : Kal €i Mras. 

96 



SATURNALIA 

way : would any man (I will not say god) put up with 
eating his own children of his own free will, unless he 
were some Thyestes fallen foul of an impious brother ? 
Suppose he were as mad as this ; then how would he 
fail to recognise he was eating a stone and not a 
child, unless he had no feeling in his teeth? No, 
there was no fighting, nor does Zeus rule his empire 
by force ; I handed it to him and abdicated quite 
voluntarily. That I am neither in chains nor in 
Tartarus I suppose you see for yourself, unless you 
are as blind as Homer. 

PRIEST 

Why ever did you let the sovereignty go, Cronus ? 

CRONUS 

I will tell you. In brief it was because I was 
old and gouty owing to my years. That is why 
people suppose that I had been put into chains. I 
hadn't the strength to deal with all the injustice of the 
present generation, but I had to run up and down with 
my thunderbolt at the ready, setting fire to perjurers, 
temple-robbers, or men of violence; the whole 
business was very strenuous and needed a young 
man's energy. So I abdicated, thank goodness, in 
favour of Zeus. Besides, I thought it a good idea to 
divide the kingdom between my sons, and for myself 
to spend most of my time in quiet enjoyment of the 
good things of life, not engaged with people making 
vows or annoyed by those who make contradictory 
requests, neither thundering nor lightening nor 

^ Trjv apxrjv . . o.px^'- T: rrjv dpxfjv a<j)€iXeTO . . . apxciv N. 

97 

VOL. VI. E 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ivlore pd)Oi€LV dvayKa^ofievov dX\d TTpeo^vriKov 
riva Tovrov rjhiaTov ^iov hidyoj il^oiporepov ttLvwv 
TO v€KTapy Tch 'laTreroi kol rot? aAAots" rot? 
TjXLKLwraig TrpoopivOoXoyayv' 6 8e dp-)(€i fivpla 
exojv TTpdyfiara. irX-qv dXiyas ravrag -qpiipas €(/>' 
ols €L7TOV VTTC^eXeadaL fJLOi cSofe /cat dvaXafx^dvo) 
TTjv dpx'ijv, cos V7TopLvriGaLp,i rovs dvdpcoTrovs olos 
rjv 6 €7T* ifxov ^los, OTTore dairopa /cat dm^pora 
Trdvra i(l)V€ro avrols, ov ardxv^s, aAA' €TOip,os 
dpros Kal Kpea eor/ceuacr/xeVa, K'at o olvos eppei 
TTorapirjhov /cat Trqyal fieXiTos /cat yaAa/cros" 
aya^ot yap -^crav /cat ;^/)ucrot aTravres. avrr] fioL 
Tj alria rij? oXiyoxpovLov ravrrjs SuvacrTetas", Kal 
8ta Tovro diravTaxov Kporos /cat (hhrf /cat TratSta 
/cat tcroTt/xta Traat /cat hovXois Kal iXevdepoLS. 
ovhels yap iir* ifiov BovXos ifv. 

lEPETE 

8 'Eya> 8e, cL Kpove, Kal rovro eiKaCov to ^ ctV 
Tou? hovXovs Kal rrehorpi^as ^ <j>iXdvd poiirov €K 

rod pLvdoV €K€LVOV 7TOL€LV 0€ TLfJLCOVra TOVS TOL 

opiOLa TrdoxovraSf are kol avrov hovXevovra, 
p,€p.V7]pi€VOV TTJg TTeSr)? . 

KPONOL 

Oif Travarj yap roiavra Xrjpcjv; 

lEPETE 

Eu Aeyets", /cat iravcrop^ai. TrXrjv en fxoL Kal 
TOvro diTOKpivai. ro Trerreveiv avvqdes rjv tols 

CTTt GOV dvdpdiTTOlS ; 

1 TO add Jacobitz. 

98 



SATURNALIA 

having to throw hail occasionally. No, I live this 
pleasant life of an old man, drinking stiff nectar and 
chatting with lapetus and my other cronies, and 
Zeus is king with all the worry. Nevertheless I 
thought it best to filch these few days on the terms 
I mentioned, and I take over the sovereignty again 
to remind mankind what life was like under me, when 
everything grew for them without sowing and with- 
out ploughing — not ears of wheat, but loaves ready- 
baked and meats ready-cooked. Wine flowed like a 
river, and there were springs of honey and milk ; for 
everyone was good, pure gold. This is the reason 
for my short-lived dominion, and why everywhere 
there is clapping and singing and playing games, and 
everyone, slave and free man, is held as good as his 
neighbour. There was no slavery, you see, in my 
time. 

PRIEST 

Well, Cronus, I had assumed from the story that 
this humanity you showed to slaves and those in 
chains was to do honour to men whose sufferings had 
been like your own, since you yourself had been a 
slave and you were remembering your chains. 

CRONUS 

Oh, stop that silly talk. 

PRIEST 

You are right. I will stop. But answer me 
another question. Was it customary for men to 
gamble in your time ? 

2 TTcSoTpijSas two late MSS. : TratSorplj^as other MSS. 

99 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

KPONOi: 
Kat /xaAa, ov jjltjv Trepl raXdvrojv ye /cat yLvpidhojv 

a)G7T€p Vjxlv, dXXd 7T€pl KapVOJV rO (JbdyLGTOV, (hs 

fiT] dvidodai riTT7]divTa firjSe SaKpveiv del duirov 
ovra fiovov tcjv dXXcov. 

lEPETL 

Ei5 ye eKeZvoi iTOLOvvres. virep rivos yap dv 
/cat eirerrevov avrol oXoxpvcroi ovres ; (hs eycoye 
/cat jjLera^v Xeyovros gov roiovSe ri evevorjaa' et 
Tts" €va rcov dvSpiov eKeivcjv ra)V p^pucrr^Aarajv es 
Tov Tjiierepov rovrov fiiov dyaycjv ehei^e rols 
TToXXoZs, Ota eiradev dv 6 ^ ddXios vtt* avrcov ; 
hieaTrdaavTO yap dv avrov ev ofS' otl einhpapiovTes 
woTTep TOV Ilev^ea at MauvdSes ^ at Oparrat tov 
'Op^ca ^ TOV A/cratcova at Kvves, Trepl tov 
l^ieiCov drreveyKaadaL to puepos vpog diXXijXovg 
eKaoTOS dpiiXX(jjp,evoi, ot ye ouSe eopTd^ovTeg efco 
TOV <f)LXoKepSovs eloLV, dXXd irpoaohov ol ttoXXoI 
7re7T0Lr)VTaL TTfV eopTi^v. cfra ot puev dnep^ovTai 
Xr]OTevovTes ev tco ovpiTToaLcp tov? ^iXovSy ol Se 
ooi re AotSopowrat, ovhev Seov, /cat tov? kv^ovs ^ 
owTpi^ovaiv dvauTLovs ovTas avTols cov eKovTes 

9 7TOLOVGLV. aTttp etTTC /XOt Kal To8e* Tt Soy TTOTe 

dppos ovTOj deo? wv Kal yepcov eTTiXe^dfievos to 
dTepireGTaTOV , oiroTe tj )(^Ld)V €7re;^£t ra ndvTa Kal 
6 poppas TToXvs Kal ovbev o tl ov iTemriyev vtto tov 
Kpvovs Kal ra hevhpa irjpd Kal yvfxvd Kal dcfivXXa 
Kal OL XeLjJLCoves dp.op<j)OL Kal dinqvOr^KOTes Kal ol 
dvOpcoTTOL e7TLKeKV(f)6T€S woTTep OL Trdvv yeyqpaKo- 

T€S, dyi<j)l TTjV Kdp,LVOV ol TToXXoLf T7]VLKaVTa 
ICX> 



SATURNALIA 

CRONUS 

Certainly. But not for talents and thousands of 
drachmas as you do. No, nuts were the highest 
stake. Then there was no heart-break if a man was 
beaten, or floods of tears because he alone had lost 
the price of a meal. 

PRIEST 

How wise they were ! What could their stakes be 
when they were pure gold themselves? But while 
you were talking I thought of something : suppose 
one of your men of beaten gold had been brought 
into our world for everyone to see, what a bad time 
the poor wretch would have had at people's hands ! 
They would have certainly rushed at him and torn him 
limb from limb, as the Maenads tore Pentheus, the 
Thracians Orpheus, and the dogs Actaeon, vying 
with each other to carry off the biggest piece. Not 
even at festival-time are they free from greed for 
gain. Indeed most of them have made your festival 
a source of revenue. Some of them go off and rob 
their friends at the banquet ; others revile you when 
they ought not and smash the dice, which are cer- 
tainly not responsible for what they do of their own 
free will. But tell me this as well : why, when you 
are such a soft-living god and old at that, have you 
chosen the most unpleasant time of the year, when 
the snow covers everything, the North wind is strong, 
everything is frozen, trees are withered and bare and 
leafless, fields are ugly and without bloom, and men 
are bent like old, old men, most of them hard by the 

^ o add. Jacobitz. * icujSepvouy F. 

Id 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ioprd^eis ; ov yap Trpea^vrLKos ye o Katpos ovhe 

KPONOi: 
HoAAci /x€ avaKpiv€LS, co ovros, rjSrj Triveiv hiov. 
TraprjpTjaaL yovv jjlov xpovov rrjs ioprrjs ovk oXlyov 
ov TTOLW avayKola p,oi ravra 7rpoG(f)iXoao(f)Ci)v. 
a)orr€ vvv pikv d<f)€S avrd. euco;;^<j6/x€^a Se rjSr] /cat 
Kporajfiev /cat eVt rfj eXevOepia -^817 ^cjjjlcv, etra 
TTcrrcvajficv is to dpxcuov iirl Kapvojv /cat jSao-tAeas" 
•)(€iporova)p.€v /cat ireidapxoJixev avrols. ovroj yap 
dv rrjv Trapoip^iav cVaAr^^eucjat/Ltt, -q <f>7]aL TroAt/XTratSaj 
rovs yepovras yiyveoOai. 

lEPETi: 

'AAAa /X17 Suyatro Scipatv Tneiv, cS Kpdve, otoj 
/X7y ravra d Xeycis rjSda. wore Trivwyiev. LKavd 
yap dnoKeKpLGaL Kal rd Trpojra. /cat jLtot 80/ca) 
ypaipdpLevos els ^l^Xlov ravnjv rjpLwv rrjv gvvov- 
alav a re avros rjpcvrrjaa /cat <tu npos ravra 
IXecJS dneKpLvoj nape^etv dvayvdjvai rcov <l>iXiov, 
daoi y enaKovaaL rcjv gojv Xoycjv d^LOL, 

KPONOSOAaN 

10 TaSc XeyeL KpovoaoXojv lepevs Kal 7rpo<f)'qr7]s 
rov Kpovov /cat vojjLoderrjs rdv d[L^\ rrjv eopr-qv. 

*^A fJLev rovs Trevrjras XPV '^oielv, avrols eKeivoLs 
eirepL^a dXXo Pl^XCov, eyypdi/jas, Kal ev otS* ort 
ciMfievovat. /cd/cetvot rols vofjLOLS, t] aurt/ca evo^oi 
eaovrai rols inLripLLOis, a Kara rd)v direidovvTuyv 
p,eydXa cjptcrrat.. 

102 



SATURNALIA 

stove? The season is not good for the old or for 
lovers of easy living. 

CRONUS 

You are asking me a lot of questions, my man, 
when I ought to be already drinking. In fact you've 
robbed me of quite a bit of my festival with all these 
completely unnecessary speculations. So let them 
be for now and let us enjoy ourselves, clap hands, 
and live on freedom's terms at this festival-time. 
Then let's dice in the old way for nuts, vote for our 
kings and obey them. So I will prove the truth of 
the proverb which says that for old men there comes 
a second childhood. 

PRIEST 

Well, Cronus, never may anyone who doesn't 
approve of what you say be able to get a drink when 
he is thirsty ! Then let us drink ! Your first answer 
was quite enough. I think I shall write down this 
conversation of ours in a book, both what I asked and 
what you so kindly answered, and I'll give it to my 
friends to read, at any rate those who deserve to 
hear what you have said. 

CRONOSOLON 

Thus says Cronosolon,^ priest and prophet of 
Cronus, and giver of laws for his festival. 

What the poor must do I have written in another 
book and sent to them, and I am well assured thai 
they will abide by the laws, or else they will at once 
be liable to the severe penalties appointed for dis- 
obedience. 

1 Named after Solon, lawgiver of Athens. 

103 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

'Y/xcts" Se, CO ttXovglol, opdre tt&s firj napa- 
i^ofjL'qcrrjre /xi^Se TrapaKovorrjre rcovSe rdv Trpoaray- 
fidrcov. COS" Gems' dv ovtoj pur] 7TOt.rjcrr], terra) ovros 
ovK epLOV vopioOerov dpLeX^acov oAA els tov 
Kpovov avroVy 6s /x£ TTpoetXero vopLodeTTJaai is 
TTjv ioprrjv ovk ovap eTnards, oAAa Trpcprjv iyprjyo- 
port €vapyr)S crvyyevopLevos. "^v 8c ov 7T€S'qT7]S 
ouSc avxP'OV TrXeojs, otov avrov ol Cci>ypcL(/>ot Trapd 
rojv Xrjpajv tu)V TroLTjrcov Trapahe^dp^cvoL cttlSclkvuv- 
raif oAAa rrjv p,€v dprrqv elx^v irdw red-qyp^evrjv. 
rd S' oAAa ^atSpos" re "^v koI Kaprepos Kal 
paaiXiKcos iveoKevaaro. pLop(f)7jv pL€v roioG^e axfydrj 
fioL, d Se efTTC, vdw BeoiriaLa kol ravra, vpoeLprj- 
adai vplv a^ta. 
11 'IScov ydp pL€ GKvdpcjTTOv, CTTt ovwoLas j8a8tfovra, 
Ci)(J7T€p cLKos "^v dcov, cyvoj avTLKa rrjv aiTiav 
rrjs XvTTTjs ris iari /xot, /cat (hs rrjv ireviav 
hv(r)(€paivoipii ov /caret Tr)V wpav pLOVOx^rcDV 
/cat ydp Kpvos /cat poppas ttoXvs /cat KpvcrraXXot. 
/cat -x^LCJv iyd) 8e rJKLora €7r€<f>pdyp,r]v irpds avrd' 
oAA* OTt /cat TTJs iopTYJs Trdvu rrXrjoui^ovarqs 
ioypcjv Tovs P'Cv dXXovs TrapaoKcva^opLcvovs ottcos 
dvocooL /cat evoyxriooivraiy ijjLavra} Se ov vdvu 
eoprdcnpia ovra. /cat 8rj TrpoacXdwv OTnode /cat 
Tov (Ltos fiov Xap6p,€vos /cat 8tac7et(7as', axjirep 
/xot TTpoGireXdt.eiv ^ etojOe, Tt raura, €^17, cS 
KpovoaoXwVf dvux)pL€va) eoLKas ; Ov ydp d^LOv, 
€<f>r}v, (X) SeGTTora, drav Karapdrovs fiev /cat 
p,Lapovs dvdpcoTTOvs VTrepirXovTOVvras /cat puovovs 
rpv(j)U)vras opcS, avros Se /cat oAAot avxvol ra>v 
7T€iTaih€vp,€vo}v diTOpLa /cat dfirj^avLa avveapicv; 
dXX* ovSe (7U, cj 8ec77roTa, OcXcls iravaai ravra /cat 
X04 



SATURNALIA 

But you who are rich, see that you do not trans- 
gress the law or hear these commands amiss. Who-' 
ever acts otherwise, let him know that it is not I, the 
lawgiver, whom he slights, but he does injury to 
Cronus himself, who has appointed me lawgiver of 
his festival, appearing before me in no dream, but 
conversing with me in bodily shape the other day 
when I was fully awake. He was not in fetters, nor 
was he shabby, as the painters show him, follow- 
ing the ravings of the poets. No, he had his sickle 
full-whetted ; he was all radiance and strength, 
and his garb was that of a king. Such was his 
appearance when he was seen by me. What he said 
equally showed his divinity and may be told you by 
way of preface. 

Seeing me morose and walking deep in thought, 
he knew at once, as became a god, the reason for my 
grief, namely that I was cross because of my poverty, 
having but a single cloak, not enough for the season ; 
for it was cold with a strong north-wind, ice and snow, 
and I had little defence against these things ; and 
then since the festival was almost at hand, I saw other 
people getting ready their sacrifices and feasts, and 
I had little that makes for festival-time. Well, he 
came up from behind, took me by the ear, and shook 
me (his usual way of accosting me), and said : ** Why 
are you looking so dovmhearted, Cronosolon? " 
" Haven't I every reason, master, when I see dis- 
gusting and filthy rogues unbelievably rich and 
alone leading a comfortable life, while I and many 
another educated man know poverty and despair 
as companions? But even you, master, won't put 
a stop to these things and make a more equitable 

^ TrpooTreAo^eiv Guyet : â– npoaciKd^etv MSS. 

105 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

jjLeraKOGfjLrJGaL rrpog to iGoyLoipov. Ta jxev aAAa, 
6^17, ov pdSiov dXXdrreLv onoaa €K KXcodovs /cat 
Tojv dXXojv M-Oipcov TTaax^re, a Se iari rrjs ioprrjsy 
€TTavop9wao[xai vpuv rr)v ireviav. rj 8e eiravopOioais 
yjSe eorcj' Wiy cS l^povocroXcov , koL ypdi/jov jjuol 

VOfJLOVS TLvdg, d XP'^ 7TpdTT€LV €V TTJ iopTjj , chs fJUT) 

Kad* avroifs ol ttXovglol ioprd^oieVy Koivojvolev 
he vpuv TOJV dyadojv. AAA' ovk otSa, €(f)7]v. 

12 'Eyco, rj 8* 69, StSafo/xat o-e* /cara dp^dpuevos ebi- 
Ba(TK€v. efra iTreihrj TrdvTa TjTTLdTdpLrjv, Kat €t7r€ 
avTOLS, ^cfyq, otl riv pLrj tovto ttoicogl, purj ^ fidTTju 
iyoj TTjv dpTrqv TavTqv o^etav 7r€pL(j)€po}, iq yeXolog 
dv etrjv tov puev Trarepa c/crojatav TreTTOLrjKw? tov 
Ovpavov, TOV9 8e ttXovcjlovs purj €vvovx^C<^^» ottogol 
dv TTapavofJi'qaojGLVy ojs dyelpoiev Tfj purjTpl gvv 
avXoL9 Kal TvpLTrdvoL^ ^dKrjXoL y€v6pL€VOL. TavTa 
r)7r€tXr)G€V. cucrrc /caAajs" €;(€t ■vpXv pbrj napa^aLveLv 
Tovs deopLOvs. 

1. NOMOI npnTOi 

13 MrjSeva piTjSev /xi^re dyopalov pnqTe Ihiov TTpdT- 
T€t.v ivTOS TTJs eopTTJs 7] oGa is TracStav /cat Tpv(f)r]v 
/cat OvpLTjhlav' oipOTTOLol piovoi /cat TrepLpLaTovpyol 
evepyol ecrrojcrav. 

'IcjoTtjLita TrdoLv €Gtoj /cat SovXoig /cat iXevOepois 
/cat TTevrjGL /cat ttXovglols. 

^Opyit^Gdai 7} dyavaKT€LV ^ drreLXeZv purjBevl 

egCGTOJ . 

AoyLGpLovs TTapd tojv eTTipLeXovpiivojv Kpovloig 
XapLpdveiv pirjSk tovto i^eoTOj. 

1 fi-fj add. Solanus. 
106 



SATURNALIA 

arrangement." " Generally speaking," he said, 
" it's not easy to change the lot that Clotho and the 
other Fates assign you, but as far as the needs of the 
festival go I shall set your poverty right. This is how 
I shall do it : go, Cronosolon, and write me laws on 
conduct during the festival, so that the rich may not 
keep private festival but share their good things with 
you." " I do not know the laws," I said. " I will 
instruct you," said he, and he set to. Then, when 
I had learnt them all, he said, " And tell them that if 
they are disobedient it's not for nothing that I carry 
this sharp sickle here — I should be a fool to have 
castrated my own father, Uranus, and yet not make 
eunuchs of the rich who break my laws, making themi 
servants of the Great Mother ^ and collectors for her, 
complete with flutes and cymbals." That was his 
threat. So you had better not transgress his or- 
dinances. 

1. FIRST LAWS 
No one is to do any business, public or private, 
during the festival, except what pertains to sport, 
luxurious living and entertainment: cooks and 
confectioners alone shall work. 

Let every man be treated equal, slave and freeman, 
poor and rich. 

No one may be ill-tempered or cross or threaten 
anybody. 

No one may audit accounts during the festival of 
Cronus. 

» Cybele. 

107 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

MTySetS" rov dpyvpov tj rrjv iodrjra cfera^eraj 
jjLT^he avaypa^lro) iv rfj ioprfj fjurjSe yvfivaCeadcu 
K.povLOLS pLTjhe Xoyovs ddKelv -^ eTnheiKvvGdai, 
TrXriv €L TLves doreloL koI ^atSpot cr/ccDja/xa koL 
TTaihidv €pi(j)aivovTes . 

2. NOMOI AEYTEPOI 
14: Yipo TToXKov rrjg eoprrjs ol ttXovoiol ypa(f)6vro)V 
jiev- is TTivoLKiov Ikolotov rwv ^i\ix)v rovvofia, 
ixovrojv Se /cat dpyvpLov eroipLOV ogov tcov /car* 
€TOS TTpooiovTCOV TO Sc/caTOV /Cat iadrjra rrjs ovGrjg 
TTjV TrepLTTrjv /cat 0(717 rraxyrepa -^ /car* avrovs 
KarauKevrj, /cat tcov dpyvpcov ovk oXiya. ravra 
jjLev TTpox^t'PCi' eoTTOj. 

T^ 8e 7Tp6 rrjs iopTTJg Kaddpoiov fxeu rt nepL- 
<f)€peG9co /cat VTT* avTCtjv i^eXavveadoj e/c rrjs ot/cta? 
fxiKpoXoyia /cat (fyiXapyvpua /cat ^iXoKephia /cat oaa 
Toiavra dXXa avvoLKa rols TrXeiaroLS avrcov. 

'ETretSav Sc Kadapdv rr^v ot/ctav i^epydacjovrai, 
dvovrojv Att ttAoutoSott; /cat *^pP'fj SwropL /cat 
'ATToAAcavt fieyaXoSwpcp . 

Etra TTept SelX-qv oifjlav dvayivayaKeadoj p.kv 

15 Gcf)LGi TO (J)lXlk6v €K€LV0 TTlvdKlOV. KaTaV€L[JLavr€9 

Se aurot /car' d^iav iKdarco irplv tJXlov SvvaL 
TTefjLTTOvrwv rots ^tAots". ot Be dTroKoyii^ovTes /xiy 
TrXelovs rpicbv r^ rerrdpajv, ot, TnorToraroL tojv 
OLKerojVy TJSrj TrpeajSurat . iyypai/jdadco 8e is ypap,- 

fxdrLOV 6 TL TO TTejJLTTOfieVOV /cat OGOV, COS fXT) 

dyi(j)6r€poi VTTOTrrevoLev rovs SiaKOfjiL^ovras . avrot 
Se ot OLKeraL fxtav /cuAt/ca eKaaros inovres dirorpe- 
XOVTCJV, diraiTOVVToyv 8c firjSev rrXiov. Tot? TrcTTat- 

108 



SATURNALIA 

No one may inspect or list his silver or clothing 
during the festival, nor take part in athletics, nor 
practise public-speaking, nor deliver lectures, except 
wits and jolly fellows purveying jokes and entertain- 
ment. 

2. SECOND LAWS 

Long before the festival the rich shall >vrite on a 
tablet the name of each of their friends, and shall 
hold in readiness the cash value of a tenth of their 
yearly income, any surplus clothing they possess, 
furniture too crude for them, and a good proportion 
of their silver. They shall keep this ready at hand. 

On the day before the festival a purificatory sacri- 
fice shall be carried round, and they shall purge their 
houses of meanness, avarice, greed, and all such vices 
that dwell with most of them. 

When they have purified the house, they shall 
sacrifice to Zeus the Giver of Wealth, Hermes the 
Bestower, and Apollo of the Great Gifts. 

Then in the late afternoon, that list of friends shall 
be read to them. They shall divide the gifts accord- 
ing to each man's worth, and before sunset send them 
to their friends. The bearers shall not exceed three 
or four, the most trustworthy of their servants, well 
advanced in years. The nature and quantity of 
what is sent shall be written on a slip, that neither 
party may suspect the bearers. Each servant shall 
drink one cup and then run off and make no more 
demands. To men of letters double quantities shall 

109 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

SeujLtcvotS" SiTrXdaLa irdvra rrefjiTreadoj' d^iov yap 
hiixoipiras elvai. rd Se inl rots' hcjpoLs Xeyojxeva 
CO? /xcrptcarara /cat oAtytcrra ccjtco. irraxdes 
he fjir^Sels pu'qhkv avveTnarreXXerct) firjSe eTraweira} 
rd TrefXTTOfieva. 

YlXovGLos ttXovglo) ^t^Scv TTe/xTTCTcu /XT^Sc iartdTco 
l^povLOLs 6 ttXovglos tov laoTLfjLov. rdJv els to 
7r€iJL<f)d7JvaL TTpox^ipi'CTOevTWV ^vXaacriado) fxrjSev 
fiTjSe jxerdvoLa ctVtra) irrl rfj Scoped . 

Et Tts" TTepvoLv aTroSrjficov 8t* avro dfioLpo? 
KareaTTj, aTT-oAa/xjSaveroi KaKclva. 

AiaXvovTixJU Se ot TrAouo-tot /cat XP^^ vnep rwv 
<f>iX(i)v rdJv irevriTOJV /cat rd ivoiKioVy olrives dv 
KoX rovro 6<j)€iXovr€s KarapaXelv fxrj €xojgl. /cat 
oAcD?, TTpd TToXXov fieXdroj avrols etScVat otou 
fidXiorra Sdomai. 
16 ^ArreGroi 8e /cat rcbv Xapi^avovrojv /x€/xj/rt/xotpta, 
/cat TO TrefJLcfydev ottoZov dv tJ, jiteya SoKelro). otvov 
dp,(f)Opevs ri Xayojs t) o/)i'ts 7ra;^eta Kpop'icoi^ ScD/Joi^ 
/Lti7 SoKeLroj, jxrjSe rd? KpovLKd? hcuped? els yeXwra 
<f>eperojGav. 

*AvrL'7TejJi7Teraj 8c o irevqs rep ttXovgIo) 6 fiev 
TTCTratSeu/LteVos' ^ipXiov rwv naXaicoVy et Tt €V(t>r)pLov 
/cat ovfjLTTorLKov, ^ avrov Gvyypafijxa ottoIov dv 
hvvrjrai,, koX rovro XapL^avero) 6 ttXovglos ttow 
^atSpoi rep TTpoGcoTTCp /cat Xa^chv dvayLvojGKeroj 
evdvs. ''Hv 8e dTrojdrjrai iq aTroppLi/jr) , tGrcu rfj rij? 
dpmqs dTTeiXfi evoxos a>v, Kdv Trepupr} doa expTJv. 
ol 8e aAAot ot jiev Gre(f)dvovSf ol 8e Xi^avojrov 
XdvSpovg TTefJLrrovrojv. 

*Hv 8e TrevTjs eGOijra rj dpyvpov t) xP'^^^^ Trapd 
rrjv SvvapLLV Tre/x^iy ttXovglcp, rd p,ev 7Tep,(j)dev eoroj 
no 



SATURNALIA 

be sent; they deserve a double share. The mes- 
sages with the gifts shall be as modest and brief as 
possible. No one shall send an odious message with 
them, or cry up what is sent. 

Rich man shall not send to rich man or at Cronus 's 
festival entertain anyone of equal standing. He 
shall keep nothing of what is already prepared for 
sending, nor change his mind about a gift. 

Anyone who the year before missed his share 
through absence shall be given it now as an extra 
gift. 

The rich shall pay debts for their impecunious 
friends (including their rent if they owe this too and 
cannot pay). In general they shall make it their 
business to know long beforehand what is their 
greatest need. 

Those who receive shall not complain, but think 
the gift, whatever it is, generous. A jar of wine, a 
hare, or a plump bird shall not be reckoned a gift for 
Cronus's festival, nor shall Cronian gifts be laughed at. 

In return the poor scholar shall send the rich man 
any pleasant, convivial, old book he may have, or a 
work of his own, the best he can. The rich man shall 
receive this gift with a glad countenance and then 
read it at once. If he rejects it or throws it away, 
he shall know that he is liable to what the sickle 
threatens, even if what he sends is adequate. The 
other poor recipients shall send garlands of flowers 
or grains of frankincense. 

If a poor man sends clothing or silver or gold be- 
yond his means to a rich man, his gift shall be de- 

III 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

SrjfioGLOv Kal KaraiTpaBev ifjLpaXXeoOoj elg rov 
OrjGavpov rov K/dovou, o 8e Treirqg is ttjv vcrrepaiav 
7rX7]'yag irapa rod ttXovulov Xajju^auerco rep vdpdrjKi 
els ras p^ei/oa? ovk iXdrrovs hiaKOGLCOV /cat irevr-q- 
Kovra, 

3. NOMOI STMEOTIKOI 

17 Aoveadai /xev oirorav to gtoix'^iov i^dirovv rj, 
rd 8e TTpo rov Xovrpov Kdpva /cat Treoool earoicrav. 

KaraKetada) ottov av rvxjj eKaarog. d^twpLa 
"q yevos ri rrXovros oXiyov cruvreXeiroi is TTpo- 
vofX'qv. 

Otyou rov avrov Triveiv diravras^ iJLrjS* earo) 
7rp6<j)aGLS rep vXovalcp rj arofidxov t) /cc^oAtJs" 
oSvvT), (x)S p^ovov St' avrrjv Triveiv rov Kpeirrovos . 

yioipa Kp€ix)v /car* ^ loov aTracnv. ol Sta/covot 
Trpos X^P''^ p^rjhevl p/t]hev, oAAa p/qhe ^pahvvircoaav 
pLTjhi 7rapa7T€p,7r€Gdojaav eorr av avroXs ^OKrj, 
OTTooa XPV dTToefyepeiv. /xrySe rep pL€v /xcyoAa, rep 
Sc Kop^iSfj pLLKpd TTaparLOiadoj, /xr^Se rep p.ev 6 
firjpos, rep Se rj yvdOos cruos", oAA' loorrjs €7rt 
TrdaLV. 

18 *0 olvoxoos o^v heSopKerejj iK irepiexjirrls is 
eKaarov, /cat eXarrov is rov SeaTTorrjv, /cat ctt' 
o^vrepov aKovirejj, /cat kvXlkcs iravrolai. /cat 
i^earex) 7Tap€X€LV, rjv rLS iOiXr), (j>iXor'qGLav . 
rrdvres Trdcrt TrpoTnverexJGav, t^v idiXex)Gi, irpoTTiovros 
rod ttXovglov. p,rj iirdvayKes eGreo 7tIv€lv, tJv ns 
pjTj Svvrjrai. 

'Es" ro GvpnTOGiov p^ijre 6px'ri(Jr7]v p,7]r€ KudapLG- 

^ Kar Schaefer : koL V: om. N. 
112 



SATURNALIA 

clared public property and sold, the money going into 
the treasury of Cronus ; and the poor man on the 
next day shall receive from the rich man strokes on 
his hands with a cane to the number of not less than 
two hundred and fifty. 



3. LAWS FOR BANQUETS 

The time for bathing shall be when the shadow of 
the sundial is six feet long; before the bath there 
shall be nuts and gaming. 

Each man shall take the couch where he happens 
to be. Rank, family, or wealth shall have little in- 
fluence on privilege. 

All shall drink the same wine, and neither stomach 
trouble nor headache shall give the rich man an 
excuse for being the only one to drink the better 
quality. 

All shall have their meat on equal terms. The 
waiters shall not show favour to anyone, but shall 
neither be too slow nor be dismissed until the guests 
choose what they are to take home. Neither are 
large portions to be placed before one and tiny ones 
before another, nor a ham for one and a pig's jaw for 
another — all must be treated equally. 

The man who pours the wine shall keep a sharp 
eye on each guest from a vantage-point ; he shall pay 
less attention to his master, and his ears shall be 
sharper than usual. The cups shall be of all kinds. It 
shall be permissible to pass a loving-cup, if desired. 
Everyone shall drink to everyone else, if desired, 
when the rich man has set the example. No one 
shall be made to drink if he cannot. 

It shall not be permissible for anyone who wishes it 

"3 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

rrjv avToifs ayeiv apri fiavOdvovra ^ i^ioroj, jjv ns 

S/cctj/x/x.aros' fJidrpov cctto) to oXvttov cttI rrdaiv. 

lierTevercDGav €7tI Kapvojv. rjv rig in apyvpLco 
TTerrevar}, aairos c? 'rqv varepalav €Graj. 

Kat jLtcvercu /cat aTrtrco eKaaros, oirorav povX-qraL. 

'Ettciv he roifs OLKeras 6 ttXovglos €vajxfj> ^^^i" 
KovovvTCJV Kal ol (jyiXoL crifv avrw. 

Tov9 vofjLovs Tovrovs eKaarov tojv ttXovglcov 
iyypdiljavTa is x^^^W ^'^Xrjv €;^etv iv ixeaairdra) 
TTJs avXrjs, Kal dvayivojaKiroj . Set 8c elhivai on 
ear* av avrrj r) gttJXt] p^ivri^ ovre Xifios ovre 
Aot/xos" ovr€ TTvpKaXd ovre dXXo ;^aAe7roi' ovhev 

€tCr€t(TtV €L9 TTjV OLKLaV aVTOiS . rqv 8e 7TOT€ OTTCp 

IMTj yivoiTO — Kadatpcdfj, aTTorpOTraiov ola TreiGOvrai. 

EniSTOAAI KPONIKAI 

1. Ern KPONai xaipein 

19 *Ey€ypa^€tv jjuev tJStj gol koL TTporcpov St^AcSi/ iv 

oh ctrjV Kol d)9 VTTO TVeviaS KLvbvveVOLfJLl pLOVOS 

dpiOLpos elvaL ttJj ioprrjs, 7]v iTnjyyeXKa?, crt Kal 
rovTO TTpoodels — piep,vrjp,ai ydp — aXoyatrarov elvai 
rovs pi€V TjpLCov vnepTrXovTCiv Kal Tpv(f>dv ov 
KOivcovovvrag ojv ^xovgl rots TrevcGripoLg, rovs 8e 
XipLcp hia(j>9€ipeGdaL , Kal ravra Kpovlcuv iveGTwrcov. 

CTTCt 8e pLOl Tore OuScV dvT€7T€GT€LXag, rjy7)GdpLrjv 

8etv avdis dvaixvrJGal g€ tcov avrcov. ixPV^ 7^9 

G€, CO dpLGTC KpOVCy TO dvLGOV TOVTO d^^XoVja KOL 

rd dyadd is ro piCGOv aTraot Karadivra irrcLra 

^ L. A. Post proposes <(aAA')> dpn fMavdavovra. 
"4 



SATURNALIA 

to introduce into the banquet a dancer or lyre- 
player who is still learning. 

Jesting shall be limited in all cases to what is 
inoffensive. 

All gambling shall be for nuts. If anyone gambles 
for money he shall go without food for the next 
day. 

Each guest shall stay and go as he likes. 

When a rich man gives a banquet to his servants, 
his friends shall aid him in waiting on them. 

Every rich man shall inscribe these laws on a slab 
of bronze and keep it in the centre of his hall, and 
read them. And it must be realised that as long as 
this slab shall last neither famine nor plague nor 
fire nor any other harm shall come to their house. 
May it never be taken down ! For if it is, Heaven 
avert what is in store for them ! 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH CRONUS 

1. MYSELF TO CRONUS— GREETINGS! 
I wrote to you earlier telling you what my position 
was and how my poverty made it likely that I alone 
should have no share in the festival which you pro- 
claimed, adding this, I remember, that it was most un- 
reasonable for some of us to have too much wealth and 
live in luxury and not share what they have with those 
who are poorer than they while others are dying of 
hunger, and that too when the festival of Cronus is 
near. Since you sent no reply then, I have thought 
it necessary to remind you of it again. You ought, 
my dear Cronus, to have abolished this inequality, 
made the good things accessible to everyone, and 

"5 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

KeXeveiv ioprdCeiv. cog 8e vvv exojJLev, ixvpfjuiq^ 7) 
KafjLiqXos, d)9 T) 7Tapoi[jLLa (l)'qGL. fjidXXov 8e rpayiKov 
V7TOKpLTr]v iworjcrov darepco /xev rolv TTohoiv icf)* 
viJjrjXov ^e^rjKoray oloi elon rpayiKol €/xjSarat, o 8* 
erepos avvTTohrjTOS eorco. el roivvv jSaSi^ot ovrojs 
e-)(ajv, opas on avayKaZov avrw dpn pikv infjr]Xcp, 
dpTL he raTTeivw yeveadat, KaO^ oirorepov dv rroha 
TTpopaivr). roaovrov Kav rep pico rjp,cov to dvLGov 
Kal OL fxev VTTohrjadpLevoL epL^drag ty]S tvx'tjS 
Xoprjyovarjs evrpaycohovoiv r]pu,Vy ol ttoXXol 8e 
TTe^fj Kal xP'p.ai ^ahi^opiev hwdp^evoi dv, ev ladi, 
pLT} x^Zpov avTOJV VTTOKpiveodai /cat hia^aiveiv , el 
res Kal r)p,ds eveoKevaoe TTapairXr^oiojs eKeivois. 
20 KatVot aKovu) rcov iroi-qrcjv Xeyovroiv co? to 
TToXaiov ov Toiavra tjv toZs dvOpwirot? rd TTpay/xara 
GOV en piOvapxovvTOS y oAA' rj p.ev yfj doiropos 
Kal dvripoTOS e(j>vev avroZs rd dyaOd, SeZTTVOv 
eroip^ov eKaaro) eg Kopov, Trora/xot 8e ol fxev 
olvov, ol Se ydXa, elal he ot Kal fieXi eppeov. to 
8e ixeyLOTOVy avTOVs eKeivovs <j)aol tovs dvOpwirovs 
XpvGOVs elvai, ireviav he pirjhe to Trapdirav avToZs 
TrX-qoLa^eLV. rjp^eZs 8e avTol p,ev ovhe fioXv^Sos dv 
elKOTCJS SoKolrjiJLev, dAA* et tl Kal tovtov aTLpLOTe- 
pov, 7) Tpo(f)rj 8e pLerd ttovcov toZs TrAetcrrots", 'T) 
TTevca 8e Kal diropia Kal dpLrj^avLa Kal to ot/xo6 /cat 
TO TTodev dv pLOi yevoLTO Kal w ttjs tvx^S TroAAa 
TOiavTa TTapd yovv rjpZv toZs Trevrjai. 

Kal TjTTOv dvy ev lgOl, rjVLCjpeda dv en avToZs, 
el pLT) TOVS irXovoiovs ecopcopiev TOoavTTj evhaipiovia 
avvovTaSy ol togovtov puev xP^^^^y togovtov he 
dpyvpov eyKXeiGdp,evoL, eGdrjrag he ocra? exovTes, 
dvhpaTToha he Kal C^vyrj Kal GWoiKiag Kal dypovs, 
116 



SATURNALIA 

then bid the festival begin. As we now are it is a 
case of " ant or camel ", as the saying has it.^ Better 
still, imagine a tragic actor with one foot on some- 
thing high, like a tragic buskin, and let the other be 
unshod. Now if anyone were to walk like this you 
can see he would have to be up in the air at one 
moment and down again at the next according to 
whichever foot he is putting forward. Inequality in 
human life is the same : some put on the buskins 
which our producer Luck supplies and strut the 
human stage, but the rank and file of us go unshod 
on the earth below, though we could play a part and 
stride the boards no worse than they, you may be 
sure, if anyone had decked us out like them. 

Indeed I hear the poets saying that things were 
not like that in old times when you were still lord. 
No, the earth produced its good things for the folk 
without sowing and without ploughing, an ample 
meal ready to each man's hand; the rivers flowed 
some with wine, some with milk, and others again 
with honey. And, above all, they say the men 
themselves were gold and poverty was nowhere near. 
As for us, we could not even be thought of as lead, 
but something meaner, if such there be ; and for 
most of us food is won with toil; and poverty, 
want, and helplessness, and "alas!", and "how 
can I get it ? ", and "oh, what bad luck ! " and such 
exclamations are plentiful, at least among us poor. 

We should be less distressed about it, you may be 
sure, if we did not see the rich living in such bliss, 
who, though they have such gold, such silver in their 
safes, though they have all that clothing and own 
slaves and carriage-horses and tenements and farms, 

1 i.e. there are only the very rich or the very poor. 

117 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Tra/xTToAAa Se ravra eAcacrra KCKTqiJievoL ovx oTTOiS 
fjLerehoGav rjyuv irore avrojv, dAA' ovSe rrpoa^XeiTeiv 

21 Tovs TToXXovs a^iovoL. ravra. rjixdg /xoAtcrra diro- 
TTvlyei, o) Kpove, Kal d(f)6pr]rov -qyovfjueda ro TTpdyixa, 
rov iJL€V i(l>* aXovpylScov KaraK€LfjL€vov roaovroLs 
dyadoZs ivrpv(f)dv ipvyydvovra /cat vrro rcjv avvov- 
rojv €v8aLixovLl^6fJL€vov del ioprd^ovra, ifxe 8e Kal 
rovs opLOLovs oveLpOTToXelv y et nodev d^oXol reaaapes 
yevoLvro, cos" e-)(OLpL€V dprcuv yovv rj d\(f>ir(x)v 
ipLTTeTrX-qafJievoL KadcvSeiv Kapbapiov r^ Ovfiov 'q 
KpoiMfxvov €7nrp(x)yovr€S . r) roivvv ravra y co Kpove, 
diXXdrr€Lv Kal pLeranoLeLV is ro laoSlaLrov, rj ro 
vararoVy avrovs y€ €K€lvovs KcXeveiv rovg ttXov- 
aiovs jMr) fxovovs drroXaveiv rcov dyadcov, dXXd dwo 
fieSlpLvcov roaovr cjv ;(puo-tou p^otVt/ca ye rjpLcov 
Trdvrwv KaraaKeSdaaL, dno Se IpLariojv oaa kov 
VTTO cnqrcbv hiaPpiodevra ovk dv avrovs dvidcreie' 
ravra yovv Trdvrws dTToXXvfxeva Kal vno rod 
Xpovov SLa(f)dapr)a6fieva rjfjuv Sovuai TrepL^aXeoOai 
fjLoXXov -^ ev rals Koirais Kal Kiarais evpwrL 
7ToXXa> Karaaarrfjvai. 

22 Kcu fJLTjv Kal SetTTVi'Cetv eKaarov dpri piev 
reauapaSt dpri he nevre rcov Treini^rwv 7TapaXap,pd- 
vovraSi /lit) p,evroL is rov vvv rpoirov rcov SeLTTVojVy 
oAA' is ro Srjp^orLKcorepov , cu? ctt' icrqs /x€T€;^€tv 
diravTas Kal p,rj rov p^ev ip,<j>opeLo6at, rwv oipcuv 
Kal rov OLKenqv TrepipLeveiv ear air a, ear* dv 
dTrayopevGT] iadlcov, icj)* rjp,ds Se iXdovra, en 
rrapaoKeva^opievojv d)S eTTi^dXoLpev rrjv ^eipa, 
7rapap,€L^ea6aL Sel^avra p,6vov rrjv XoTrdSa iq 
ocrov iarl rod TrXaKovvros ro Xoittov pLT)he 
iaKopLLodevros vos hiavep^ovra rco p,ev SeanorT] 
Il8 



SATURNALIA 

each and all in large numbers, not only have never 
shared them with us, but never deign even to notice 
ordinary people. This is what sticks in our throats 
most of all, Cronus, and we think it an intolerable 
thing for such a man to lie in his purple clothes 
and gorge himself on all these good things, belching, 
receiving his guest's congratulations, and feasting 
without a break, while I and my sort dream where 
we can get four obols to be able to sleep after a fill of 
bread or barley, with cress or thyme or onion as a 
relish. So either, Cronus, change the situation and 
give us instead of our present lot an equal share in 
life, or, at the very least, bid these rich men stop their 
solitary enjoyment of the good things and out of all 
their bushels of gold throw down a measure for us 
all, and out of their clothing give us what would be 
no loss to them even if it were eaten by moths — it 
will be completely destroyed and ruined by time in 
any case — , and tell them to give it us to wear before 
letting it rot in their boxes and chests with mould 
everywhere. 

Tell them, moreover, to invite the poor to dinner, 
taking in four or five at a time, not as they do nowa- 
days though, but in a more democratic fashion, all 
having an equal share, not one man stuffing himself 
with dainties with the servant standing waiting for him 
to eat himself to exhaustion, then when this servant 
comes to us he passes on while we are still getting 
ready to put out our hand, only letting us glimpse the 
platter or the remnants of the cake. And tell him not 
to give a whole half of the pig when it's brought in, and 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TTaparidevai to rjixLTOfXOV oXov gvv rfj K€(f)aXfj, 
rols 8e oAAots" ogtcl (jyepeiv ey/ce/caAu/x/xeW. 
TTpoenreZv he /cat rols olvoxoois {Jlt] irepifjieveLv , 
ear av errraKLS alrTJarj melv rjixojv eKaoros, oAAa 
rjv aTTa^ KeXevarj, avriKa ey^iaL koI avahovvai 
fjLeydXrjv /cuAt/ca ijjLTrXrjGafjLevovs axjirep rip SeaTTorr]. 
/cat Tov ohov 8e avrov Trdai rols avfXTTorais €va 
/cat rov avTOV etvat — ■^ ttov yap yeypd<f)da.i rovrov 
TOV vofxov, TOV fiev dvdoafJLLov piedvGKeoOai^ ifiol 
Se VTTO TOV yAeu/cous" hiapp-qyvvadaL ttjv yaa- 
Tepa ; 
23 ''Hv raura iTravopdcLar^s /cat fieTaKOGfjuTJar]? , co 
Kpove, pLOv fjiev rov ^lov, ioprrjv Se rrjv ioprrjv 
€(727 7T€7T0Lr]K(x)S, €t 8e fjLrj , eKelvoL pikv iopraCovrcju, 
ij/xets" Se Kadehovp^eda evxopbevoL, cTrctSav Xovodpie- 
voi '^KCDGL, rov TTolSa jLtev avrois dvarpeipavra rov 
dpu(j>op€.a /card^at, rov p,dyeipov 8e rov ^wp,6v 
KVLaojGaL /cat €7riXa96p,€vov ro rdpu^os /xev es" rrjv 
(f)aK'fjv ^ ip^^aXelv ^ rrjv Kvva Se TrapeidTreaovcrav 
rov T€ dXXdvra oXov /cara<^ayetv, rrepl rdXXa rwv 
oifjOTTOLOJV i)(6vra)v, /cat rov TrXaKovvros ro rjp^Ldv 
TOV Se vv /cat rov €Xa(j>ov /cat rd SeA<^a/cta /xerafu 
07TT(x)p,eva TO opLOLov TTOielv, ovep *'Op,'qpos Trepl 
rcov *HAtou Poiov <f)r]oi, — p^dXXov Se p,r] epireiv 
pLovoVy dXX* dvaTrqhijaavra (j)€vy€LV els ro opog 
avrols oj3eAot?* /cat rds opveis Sc rets 7ra;^etas", 
KairoL dirrepovs rjSrj ovaas /cat ccr/cevacr/xeVa?, 
dvarrrapiivas ot^ea^at /cat ravras, d)s p-r} pLovoL 
dnoXavoiev avrcov. 

^ (fyaKTjv one late MS. : K€(f>aXrjv other MSS. 
2 After (fjL^aXelv MSS. read roiv IxOvujv (F om. tcDv): del. 
Guyet. 

120 



SATURNALIA 

the head as well, to his master, bringing the others 
bones covered over. And tell the wine-servers not to 
wait for each of us to ask seven times for a drink but 
on one request to pour it out and hand it to us at once, 
filling a great cup as they do for their master. And 
let the wine be one and the same for all the guests — 
where is it laid down that he should get drunk on 
wine with a fine bouquet while I must burst my belly 
on new stuff? 

If you correct and adjust this, Cronus, you will 
have made living really living and your festival a real 
festival. If not, let them have their festival, and we 
shall sit on our haunches praying that when they have 
come from the bath the boy will turn up the wine-jar 
and break it over them, that the cook will burn the 
soup and in a fit of absent-mindedness put the fish 
in the pudding, and that the dog will rush in and eat 
up all the sausage, while the scullions are busy with 
the other preparations, and half the cake as well ; 
that while the pork and the venison and the sucking- 
pigs are being cooked they may do what Homer 
says Helius's cattle did^*^ — or rather not only just 
crawl, but jump up and rush to the mountain, spits 
and all ; and that their plump birds, although already 
plucked and prepared for serving, should take wing 
and go off likewise, so that they may not enjoy them 
by themselves. 

1 Homer, Od. xii, 396. 

121 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

24 "0 Se 817 /LtaAtCTTa dv avrovg dvida€i€y to ^ikv 
^pvGLOv jjLvpjjLrjKas TLva^ OLOvs rovs ^IvSlkovs dvo- 
pvTTOvrag €K T(x)v Orjaavpiov €K(f)€p€Lv vvKTCop is 
ro SrjiMOGLOV Tr]v ioOrjra Se oXiycjpia tcjv 
CTTt/xcAi^TaJv KoaKLVY]S6v hearer pvirqaS ai vtto twv 
^eXrLGTWv jxvwv, ws Gayrjirqs dvwevTiKTJs fxrjSev 
hia(j>ep€iv' TTOiSas 8e avrcov rovs (Lpalovs /cat 
Kop.riTa.Sy ovs ^YaKLvdovs rj 'A;^tAAcas' ^ NapKia- 
aovs 6vop,dl^ovGty /xera^u opiyovras G(f)LGL to €k~ 
7TCx)p,a (f)aXaKpovs ylyveaO at VTroppeovorrjs ttjs Kop^rjs 
Kal TTOjycjJva <f>v€Lv o^vVy olol claiv iv tols Koypup- 
hiais ol a<f>r)vo7Ta)yajv€s y Kal to ^ irapd toZs KpoTd- 
<l>OLS ndw XduLOv Kal Kdpra eKKevTovVy to pLera^v 
he XeZov Koi yvp,v6v elvai. Tavra Kal ttXclw 
TOVTCOV cv^aipLcd^ dvy €t pLT] OeXcjoL TO dyav 
<f>iXavTOV TOVT d<f>ivT€S is to kolvov 7tXovt€lv Kal 
/LicraStSovat rjpuv twv /xcrptcuv. 



2. KP0N02 EMOI TQI TIMIQTATQI XAIPEIN 

25 Tt Tavra XrjpeiSy a> ovtos, ipLol nepl tcov Trapov- 
Tiov eTnareXXwv Kal dvaSaGp,6v tojv dyaOajv ttolclv 
KeXevcjv ; to Se eTepov dv €117, tov vvv dp)(ovTOS. 
davpAl^oj yap el p,6vos twv aTrdvTwv dyvwaoets (hs 
iyoj pikv TToAat paoiXevs o)v TrcVau/xat rots' iraial 
Stavet/xa? t7]v dp)(rjvy 6 Sc Ztus" pidXiGTa tcjv 
TOLOVTCov CTTt/LtcAetrat. Tct he r)p,eT€pa TavTa p^expf- 
TTeTTCJv Kal KpoTOV Kol (pSrjs Kal pLe6r)Sy Kal tovto 
oil TrXeov rjp,€p6jv eiTTd. cocttc Trepl tojv p,ei!l,6vojv 
d (fyqs — d^eXelv to dvi.Gov kol iK ttjs opLolas ^ 

* TO add. Schmieder. 
122 



SATURNALIA 

This in particular will cause them trouble : we shall 
pray for their gold to be dug up from its hiding- 
places by ants like those of India and carried off by 
night to the public treasury ; and that their clothing 
through neglect of those in charge should be riddled 
like a sieve by those fine creatures the mice, to be just 
like a tunny net; and that their pretty, long-haired 
pages whom they call Hyacinth or Achilles or Narcis- 
sus, just as they are handing them the cup should go 
bald and have their hair fall out and sprout a pointed 
beard, like the wedge-shaped beards in the comedy, 
and have the part around their temples become very 
hairy and exceedingly prickly, and the area between 
them smooth and bare. All this and more we shall 
pray for if they will not give up their excessive selfish- 
ness and keep their wealth for everybody's good and 
give us a moderate share. 



2. CRONUS TO HIS VERY DEAR ME— 
GREETINGS ! 

Why do you talk this nonsense, my man, sending 
me letters about the way things are and telling me to 
make a redistribution of property ? That task would 
belong to someone else, your present ruler. I'm sur- 
prised that you are the only one who doesn't know 
that I stopped being king a long time ago when I 
apportioned my sovereignty to my sons, and that 
such things are Zeus's special concern. This rule of 
mine doesn't go beyond dicing, hand-clapping, 
singing, and getting drunk, and then it's for no 
longer than seven days. So, as to the more import- 
ant matters you mention — removing inequality and 

123 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TreveadaL 'q TrXovreZv aTroLvras — o Zeu? av xprjfjLarL- 

G€L€V VfJUV. 

Et Sc TL TCOV iK T7J9 eOpTf)S dStfCOtTO TIS "T] 

TrXeoveKTOLTO, ijjLOV dv ctr) St/ca^ctJ/. /cat tTTtcrreAAcej 
Se Tols TrXovoiois rrepl tcjv SetWcov /cat rov 
â– )(oiviKos rod ;^pucrtou /cat rcDv iaOijrcov, d)s /cat 
v/xti^ 7T€fjL7TOL€v €S" TT^i' ioprrjv. St/cttttt yctp ravra 
/cat a^ta aurous" Troielv, cos" ^are, €t /xtJ rt cuAoyov 

26 €KeZvoi TTpos ravra Aeyetv exctJGLV. ro Se oXov, 
tare ol Trdvrjres VfJL€LS i^rjiTanqixivoi /cat ou/c opdcbs 
bo^dCovres vepl rwv ttXovglcov, ol ye TraycfSat/u-ova? 
avrovs oleade elvat /cat jjlovovs tjSvv nva ^lovv 
rov ^Lov, on SenrveLv re TToXvreXwg eariv avrois 
/cat pLcdvoKeadaL otvov rjSeo? /cat iraiolv wpaioLS 
/cat yvvai^lv opuXelv /cat iadrjat fxaXaKaXg p^p^Jo-^at. 
ro 8e 7raia> dyvo6tT€ oTTOtoi^ ioriv. at t€ ydp 
(jypovrlbes at Trept toutcdv ov /xt/cpat, oAA* dvdyKT] 
iTTaypvTTvelv eKdarois, iir} ri 6 oIkovo^los jSAa/ceuaas" 
^ V(f)€X6pi€VOS Xddrjy fiTj 6 oho^ o^vvOfj, firj 6 crlros 
^Oeipl C^orrj, iq 6 Xr)arrjs v^iXrir ai rd €/C7rco/xara, 
pur) TTLcrrevarr) rols GVKO(j)dvraLS 6 Srjpiog Xeyovau 
rvpawelv avrov edeXeiv. ravra Se Trdvra ovhk 
ro TToXXoorov dv etrj piipos rwv dvLOJvrajv avrovs. 
€L yovv rjTTLGraorde rovg ^o^ovs koX rds pi€pipwas 
as €')(OVOiVf Trdw dv vpXv <f>evKriov 6 nXovros 

27 eSofev. inet roi otet /x€ avrov ovrojs dv irore ko~ 
pvpavridaat, o)? el koXov rjv ro TrXovrelv /cat 
^aaiXeveiv y d^evra dv avrd /cat 7rapa)(^ajp'qoavra 
dXXoLS Kadrjodav ISiajrevovra /cat dvexeodai vtt* 
dXXo) rarropLevov ; dAAct rd TToXXd ravra elScoSt 
d roLs ttXovgIols /cat dpxovGi TTpoaelvai dvdyKrj, 
dcjyrJKa rr)v apx^jv ev ttolcov. 

124 



SATURNALIA 

all being poor or rich together — Zeus might deal with 
you. 

But any injustice or selfishness in the festival it 
would be for me to judge. In fact I am sending to 
the rich about the dinners and the measure of gold 
and the clothing, telling them to send you some for 
the festival. It is just and proper for them to do this, 
as you say, unless they can bring some reasonable 
argument against it. But in general you must 
realise that you poor people have been deceived and 
have a false view of the rich. You think that they 
are completely happy and they alone live a life that's 
pleasant, because they can have expensive dinners, 
get drunk on sweet wine, mix with pretty boys and 
women, and wear soft clothing. You have no idea 
what the truth of it is. In the first place these 
things bring no little worry : they are compelled 
to keep a watchful eye on every detail so that the 
steward doesn't get away with any carelessness or 
theft, that the wine doesn't go sour, that the corn 
isn't swarming with weevils, that a burglar doesn't 
steal the drinking-cups, or the people believe the 
rabble-rousers when they say the rich man wants 
to be a tyrant. All these things, moreover, would 
not make up the tiniest fraction of their troubles. If 
you had only known the fears and worries they have, 
you would have thought wealth something to be 
avoided at all costs. Do you really think that if 
wealth and kingship were a fine thing I should have 
been mad enough to let them go and hand them over 
to others, to sit quietly in private life and put up with 
orders from another ? No, I knew about all this host 
of troubles which rich men and rulers have to endure, 
and I gave up my empire, and a good thing too. 

125 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

28 Kat yap a vvv CTTorvtco Trpo? /xc, cos" rovg fjuev 
vojv Koi TrXaKovvTCDV ifjLcfyopovfjLevovs ^ iv rrj ioprij, 
aKetfjai ottolo, icrrt,. irpos /xev yap to irapov rjSv 
/cat ovK avtapov lgcds eKarepov avrcov, irpos Se 
Tct ^ /xera ravra epuraXiv avaarpicjieraL to Trpaypua. 
€?Ta vp,€Zs /xev ovt€ Kap-q^apovvTes avaoTaL7]T av 
€s TTjv voTepaiav waircp eKeZvoi vtto ttjs fMedrjs 
ovT€ VTTO TTJs dyav TrXrjafxovrjs SvoivSes rt /cat 
KawcjSicrTepov ipvyydvovTes' ol Sc tovtojv re 
CLTToXavovGL Kol TO TToXv tt}? wktos ^ TTaiolv rf 
yvvai^lv Tj 07T0)S dv 6 Tpdyos KeXevrj ovvava(j)VpivT€s 
ri (f>d6rjv 7] 7Tepnrv€vp,oviav ri vhepov ov ;^aA€7rais" 
GvveXi^avTO €/c ttjs ttoAAt}? Tpv<f>rj^. ^ Ttva dv 
avTwv paSlcos Setfat Swato [xr] irdproj^ (hxpov 
ovTa TToXv TO V€Kpa)Ses €/Lt</>atVoi^Ta ; rtVa Se cs" 
yfjpag d^LKopLevov tols ovtov irooivy aXXd firj 
<j>opdhriv €Trl TCTTapCDV oxovfievov, oXoxpvaov p,€v 
rd c^cu, KaTdppa(f>ov he rd evSov, woTrep at 
rpayiKoi iadTJTes €K paKwv irdw evTeXiov croy- 
K€KaTTvpL€vaL ; ^ vixelg he lxOvcjv puev dyevaroL 
/cat duLTOL, TTohdypas 8e ri TTepnrvevpiovias ovx 
opdO^ ort /cat tovtcxjv direipoi ioTe, 7] et tl /car* 
aXXrjv TLvd atriav (7t»/xj3atVet ; KaiTOi ou8' avToZs 
c/cetVots" T^Su * ioTLV avTo Kad* rjiJLepav /cat ire pa tov 
Kopov iadUiv tovtojv, dXXd tSot? dv avTOvs ovtuj 
XaxdvcDV /cat Bvpuov opeyofievovs ivlore, cjoirep 
ovhk GV Tcov Xayojitjv /cat vcbv. 

29 *Eai Xeyecv doa oAAa Xvirel avTOVs — vlog d/coAaa- 

TOS 7] yVVTj TOV OLK€TOV ipOJGa Tj €pCOp,€VOS TVpOS 

dvdyKrjv [jloXXov 'q npog rjSovrjv avvcov. /cat oAcd? 

^ After €fi<f>opovij,€vovs Aldinus has vfids Se KapBafiov ^ Ovfiov 
^ Kpojijxvov tTTLTpcoyovras €v T^ ioprfj. 

126 



SATURNALIA 

Take the noisy complaints you made to me just 
now, that they gorged on pork and cakes in the feast- 
ing — what do they amount to ? Both of them are 
perhaps sweet and not disagreeable for the moment, 
but in the aftermath the matter is turned right 
round. Then, whereas you will get up on the next 
day without the headache their drinking gives them 
and the foul, smoky belching from over-fullness, they 
not only have the pleasure of all this but having 
spent most of the night in debauchery with boys or 
women or in any way their lechery takes them, with- 
out difficulty they pick up consumption or pneu- 
monia or dropsy from their excessive indulgence. 
Again, would you find it easy to point out one of 
them who was not absolutely pale, looking very much 
like death ? Or one who reached old age on his own 
feet and not carried on four men's backs, all gold on 
the outside, but with his inside cobbled Uke the 
costumes in tragedy, patched up out of quite worth- 
less rags ? You paupers never taste or feed on fish, 
true enough, but don't you see that you've no ac- 
quaintance with gout or pneumonia either, or of any- 
thing else that they catch for some other reason? 
Yet even they themselves don't find it pleasant eating 
this food every day beyond what they want of these 
dishes ; no, you'll see them sometimes with a better 
appetite for vegetables and thyme than even you 
have for hare and pork. 

I say nothing of the other things that worry them — 
a licentious son, a wife in love with a servant, a loved 
one who yields because he has to and not because he 

^ TTpos Sc ra Halm : ws Se MSS. 

^ QvyKeKaTTVfievaL Solanus : cruyK€KOfifif vai MSS. 

* ijSy Guyet : In MSS. 

127 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TToAAa iariv aTrep u/xet? dyvoovvres rov ^pVGOv 
opdre avTcov jxovov /cat rr^v TTopcfyvpav, /cat tJv 
tSrjre ttotc e^eXavvovrag iirl XevKov C^vyovs, 
K€X'^yo.T€ /cat TTpooKvveZre. el 8e VTTepeojpdre 
avTCJV /cat KaTecfypoveZre /cat /XT^re €7T€GTpe(j)ead€ 
TTpos TTjv dpyvpdv dpjxdixa^av pu'qTe puera^v StoAt- 
yo/xeVcov els rov iv rep SaKTuXCo) apLapaySov d^eca- 
pdre /cat tcup' Ip^aricov TrapaTrropievoL to pLoXaKov 
idavpudCere, oAA' eldre /ca^' iavrovs ttXovt€lv, ev 
tare, avrol icj)^ u/xas" tdvres" eheovro ovvhenrvelv , 
ws einhei^aivTo vpXv rds /cAtVas" /cat ra? rpaTre^as 
/cat ret e/CTraj/xara, cSv ouSei' o^eAos", et dpdprvpos 
30 17 /croons' €117. ra yc rot TrAeto-ra evpoire dv 

aVTOVS VpLOJV €V€Ka KTCOpLeVOVS, OVX OTTCJS avTol 

Xp'rjcrojvraL, dAA' ottojs vpuels Oavpidl^oLTe. 

Taura vpuds irapapvOovpiai elhdis rov piov 
CKdrepoVf /cat dftov eoprdt,€iv ivdvpuovpievovs on 
pier* oXiyov dnavrag Sei^crct (XTTteVat €/c tou ^lov 
KdKeivovs rov rrXovrov /cat u/xas" T17V Treviav 
d<j>evras. ttXtjv eTTLcrreXco ye avrols cjairep vireo- 
Xop'T^v, /cat oiS* OTt ou/c oXtyajpijaovGL rcov epiojv 
ypapupidrajv. 

3. KPONOS T0I2 nAOTEIOIS XAIPEIN 

31 Ot Trevrjres evay^ps eTteardXKaoi pboi atrtcu/xcvot 
vp,ds pLT] pLeraSihovai, o^lglv u)v e^ere, /cat ro puev 
6X0V Tj^Lovv pie KOLvd irdai TTOielv rdyaOd /cat to 
puepos eKaarov avrcjv e^eiv. hiKCLiov yap elvaL 
laorip,iav KadeGrrjKevai /cat pur) rep puev nXeov, rep 
Se /XT^S* oAoJS" pLerelvai rcov rjSecjjv. eyd) Se rrepl 
pL€v Tovrojv e<l>r]v dpueivov GKe^jjaoOai rov Ala, irepl 

128 



SATURNALIA 

wants. Altogether there's a great deal you don't 
know of — you only see their gold and purple, 
and whenever you see them riding out behind a white 
team you gape and do obeisance to them. Now if 
you ignored and despised them and neither turned 
to look at their silver carriage nor during conversation 
glanced at the emerald in their ring and touched their 
dress in admiration at its softness, but let them be rich 
for themselves alone, you may be quite sure they 
would come to you of their own accord and beg you 
to dine with them so that they might show you their 
couches and tables and cups, which are no use if 
people don't see that they're yours. In fact most of 
what they have you would find they get on your 
account, not for their own use, but to impress you 
poor people. 

This, then, is the advice I give you, knowing both 
ways of life as I do. And it is right that during the 
festival you should remember that after a little time 
you must all depart from life, the rich giving up their 
wealth and you your poverty. But I shall write to 
them as I promised and I know they will not despise 
my words. 

3. CRONUS TO THE RICH— GREETINGS ! 

The poor have recently written me complaining 
that you don't let them share what you have, and, to 
be brief, they asked me to make the good things 
common to all and let everyone have his bit. It Avas 
right, they said, for there to be equality and not for 
one man to have too much of what is pleasing while 
another goes without altogether. I replied that 
Zeus would see to that better than I, but with regard 

129 

VOL. VI. F 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

8e Toiv rrapovrcjv kol cSv dStK-ctcr^at coovro Kara 
rrjv ioprrjv iwpcov irr* ifie Kad'^KOvaav ttjv KpCaLV, 
Kal v7r€ax6[X7]v ypd^eiv irpos vfids. 

"Eart Se direp ol^lovgl ravra pberpia, wg ifJLol 
cSofc. TTOJg ydp, </>a(7t, piyovvres togovtco Kpvei 
Kal At/xoi €-)(6p,evoi TTpoaeri ioprdCoLpiev dv ; et 
roiwv iOeXoLjJLL KaKctvovs /X€Te;^etv rijs ioprTJs, 
CKeXevov /xe dvayKdoai vfidg iad'^Tajv re cuv €;^€r€ 
pLeroBovvaL avrolg, et rives irepLrral /cat TvaxvrepaL 
'q Ka6* VfJids, Kal rod ;^/)i>(7tou oXlyov einGrd^ai 
avrois. el yap ravra, (f>a(JL, TTOtT^crerc, fxrjSe ^ 
dpL(f)LG^r)reLV vplv en rcov dyaOcov eirl rov Atds", el 
8c jLtT^, aTTeiXovGL TTpoGKaXeaaadat. eirl rov dvaSao- 
p,6v, 67r€t8ai/ TO TTpcjrov 8tW? o Tievs npodfj. 
ravrd eariv ov Trdw ;^aA€7ra vplv dno roaovrojv 
d KaXojg TTOLOvvres ex^re. 
32 Nt] Ata Kal rwv heiTTVOJV irepiy (Lg cruvheLTrvolev 
vpuv — Kal rovro TrpooOelvaL rj^lovv rij eTTioroXfj, 
wg vvv ye povovg vp,ds rpv(l)dv CTn/cActaa/xcVou? 
rag dvpag, el 8e TTore KdKeivoiV rivdg earidv 8ta 
piaKpov edeXTjoere, irXeov rod ev<f)paivovrog eveZvai 
ro dviapov rep heiwcp, Kal rd TToXXd c^* v^pei 
avrcjjv yiyveodai — olov eKelvo rd pLTj rov avrov 
otvov GvpLTTLveLV, 'Hpa/cAct?, (Lg dveXevdepov. Kal 
KarayLyvwGKeLV avrcjv eKeivwv d^LOV, on prj 
piera^v dvaordvreg oixovrau oXov vpuv ro Gvpu- 
TTOGiov KaraXiTTOvreg . aAA* ovhe eg Kopov opuog 
<f)aGl TTiveiv. rovg ydp olvoxdovg vpa>v ojonep 
rovg ^OSvGaewg eralpovg Krjpw ^e^vordai rd (Lra. 
rd pev ydp dXXa ovrojg alaxpd eonv, wore okvco 
XeyeiVy a irepl rrjg voprjg rcov Kpecjv alncovrai Kal 

^ fiTjBe Jacobitz : /xt^c MSS. 
130 



SATURNALIA 

to the present and the injustices they suppose they 
suffer at festival- time I saw that here judgment was 
in my hands. I promised to write to you. 

Now these requests seem to me to be reasonable. 
" How," they say, " can we, shivering in this ex- 
treme cold and in the grip of famine, keep festival 
as well ? " So if I wanted them too to share in the 
festival, they bade me compel you to give them a 
share of any clothing you have above your needs or 
any too coarse for you, and to sprinkle on them a 
little of your gold. If you do that, they say, they 
will not even argue with you before Zeus any more 
about your possessions. Otherwise they threaten a 
summons for redistribution of property just as soon 
as Zeus begins his cases. These things are not at 
all difficult for you to grant out of all that you are 
rightly blessed with. 

Oh yes, the dinners and their dining with you — 
they asked me to add this to my letter, that at 
present you gorge alone behind locked doors, and, if 
ever at long intervals you are veiling to entertain 
any of them, there is more annoyance than good 
cheer in the dinner, and most of what happens is 
done to hurt them — that business of not drinking the 
same wine as you, for instance — goodness ! how un- 
generous that is! They themselves might well be 
condemned for not getting up and going during the 
proceedings and leaving the banquet entirely to you. 
But they say that even so they do not drink their 
fill, for your cup-bearers, like Odysseus 's com- 
panions,^ have had their ears stuffed with wax. The 
rest is so disgraceful that I hesitate to mention their 
complaints of the way the meat is apportioned and 

1 Homer, Od. xii, 173 flF. 

131 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TCtiv hiaKovcjv, vjJLLV fxev TrapeoTcaTOiV ear* dv 
V7T€p€fi(f)oprjdrjr€, €K€lvovs 8e Trapad eovrcov, /cat 
oAAa TToAAa TOLavra jjUKpoTrpeTrfj /cat 'qKiara 
iXevOepoLg irpeTTOvra. ro yovv -^Slgtov /cat ovfino- 
riKo)T€pov 7) laoTipLia icTTL, /cat o laohaLTTjs ^ rovrov 
€V€Ka rjyeLraL vpuv rcov ox'/x77ocrta»v, cus" to laov 

33 *OpdT€ ovv OTTcos ^rjK€Ti UjLtas" atTtctcrcorrat, oAAd 
TLfxriGCJGi /cat ^iXrjGcoGi rojv oXiycjv tovtojv 
ficraXafjiPdvovres' wv vpuv fxcv rq SaTTavrj dve- 
TraladrjTOS, €K€lvols Se iv Katpo) Trjs xpcta? r) 
Socrts' dcLfivr^arog . dXXojg t€ ou8* dv OLKecv 
SvvaLade ras" voXcig fii) ovxl xal TremJTWv Gvp.- 
7ToXiTevoji€.vo)v Kol jxvpia TTpos TTjv evSaLjxovLav 
vpXv (TVvreXovvTCjjv , ovh* dv expire rovs Oavpidl^ov- 
ras vp,<jjv Tov ttXovtov, rjv fiovoi /cat tSta /cat vtto 
GKOTO) TTXovTrJTC. ISeTOjaav ovv TToXXol /cat Oavfjua- 
udTCjaav vpLwv tov dpyvpov /cat ra? Tpairdl^as /cat 

TTpOTTiVOVTCOV (f>LXoT7](JLa? , jJLCTa^V TTLVOVTCg TTCpi- 

OKOTTeiTOioav TO €K7ra)[xa /cat to ^dpos tcrTOjaav 
avTol Sta^aorracravTe? /cat tt}? laTOplas to d/cptjSes" 
/cat ^ TOV xp^f^ov oao9y o? iiravdeL Tjj Texvrj. irpos 
yap Ta> XPV^'^^^^ '^^^ <f>iXav6pojTrovs dKOvetv /cat 
TOV <j>8ov€Lodai. V7T* avTOJV €^(jj yevrjoeoBe. tCs ydp 

dv <f)doV^G€L€ TCp KOLVCOVOVVTL /Cat SlSoVTL TUJV 

li€TpLU)V ; TtV 8' ovK dv ev^aiTO els to fnJKiarov 
StajStcDvat avTOV drroXavovTa twv dyadojv ; ws 8e 
vvv ex^TCy djxdpTvpos jjuev r) evSaLfJLOVta, eTri^Oovos 

34 he 6 TrXovTOSy dr)hr)g he 6 ^ios. ovhe ydp ovhe 
ofJLOicJS rjhv, of/Ltat, pLovov c/XTrtVAacr^at, ujoirep 
Tovs Xeovrds <f>aGi /cat tovs pLOviovg tojv Xvkojv, 

* laoBairqs Gesner ; laoSialrTjs MSS. 
132 



SATURNALIA 

how the servants stand beside you until you are full 
to bursting, but run past them. There are many 
more like complaints of meanness, complaints that 
bring little credit to gentlemen. In fact the pleas- 
antest thing, more in keeping with conviviality, is 
equality, and a controller of the feast presides over 
your banquets just so that all can have an equal 
share. 

See to it then that they don't accuse you any more, 
but respect and like you for their share in these few 
things ; the expense is nothing to you, but they will 
never forget that you gave in time of need. Besides, 
you could not even live in your cities if the poor were 
not your fellow-citizens and did not contribute in 
thousands of ways to your happiness; and you 
would have no one to admire your wealth if you 
were rich in isolation, privately, and in obscurity. 
So let many see and admire your silver and your 
tables, and when you are pledging friendship let 
them, while they are drinking, examine the cup and 
estimate the weight themselves, determine the ac- 
curacy of the story told on it and the amount of gold 
that adorns the work. For as well as being called 
good and kindly you will stop being envied by them. 
For who would envy the man who goes shares and 
gives what is fair ? And who would not pray for him 
to live as long as possible in the enjoyment of his bless- 
ings ? As you are now, your happiness has no wit- 
ness, your riches are begrudged you, and your life 
is unpleasant. It certainly cannot, I am sure, be 
as pleasant to have your fill by yourselves, as they 
say lions and lone wolves do, as to mix with clever 

2 Kai add. Guyet. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Kol avvovrag Se^tot? dvSpdai, Koi irdvra x'^P^^^^^o.l 
ireipcjiievoig, 61 Trpcora [juev ov koj^ov kol d^covov 
TO GviiTTooLov idoovGiv elvai, oAA* €V [JLvdoLg 
avfiTroTLKOLg Kal GKcoixfxaaLv dveTraxdlai koL <J>lXo- 
<j)poovvais TToiKiXais avvioovrai, olai SiarpLpal 
T^Sto-rat, <^tAat jxev Alovvgo) /cat * A<f)poSLTr) , ^LXai 
he Xaptcjtv, CTretra 8c irpos diravras is rrjv 
varepaiav SLTjyovpievoL vfxajv ttjv Se^Lorrjra (f>i\€L- 
adai irapaaKivdaovai. ravra ttoXXov TTpLaaOai 

35 *E7r6t epriGopiai u/xa?, 6t jjlvovtcs ol TrevrjTCS 
jSaSt'Cotey — VTrodcopLeda yap ovtojs — ovk dv vfidg 
7jVLaa€v OVK exovras ols CTxtSctf ata^c rds aXovpy^ls 
iadrjras Kal rwv dKoXovOovvrcjv to ttXtjOos ^ rcov 
SaKrvXiajv to jxeyedog ; €cx} Xiyctv cos Kal cm^ovXas 
Kal jjLLcrr) rrapd ru)v TTev^rojv dvayKalov iyyiyveaOai 
TTpos VfJidg, T^v p,6voL Tpv(f>dv ideXrjre. a fxev yap 
€v^aodai Kad* vfJLwv ciTretAouatv, dTTorpoiraia, p,r]he 
yivoiro els dvdyKrjv avroifs Karaarrjvat, rrjs cv^rj?. 
€7rel ovre dXXdvrcuv yevaeade ovre nXaKovvros r] 
€t Tt Xeiipavov Trjs kvvos, rj cf)aK'fj Se vfilv oaTrepSyju 
ivrerriKOTa e^ct, vs Se /cat cAa^os" OTTTcoficvoL 
pLcra^v hpaapLov ^ovXevaovoiv €k tov OTrravelov 
€? TO opoSt Kal opvLs j/fi^-Ta KaTaTeivaaai diTTepoi 
Kal avTai Trap* avTovs tovs TrevrjTas c/CTreTTyo-oj/TOt. 
TO 8e pblyioTOV, ol wpaioTaTOL tcjv olvo^oajv 
<f)aXaKpol €v d/cap€t tou xP^^^^ ^H'^^ yevrjaovTai, 
inl KaTcayoTi /cat Taihra Tcp dii<f)op€l. 

Yipos Tdhe povXeveaOe d Kal ttj iopTTJ TTpcTTOVTa 
yivoiT dv /cat vpXv do^aAeoTaTa, /cat €TTLKOV(j>il^€T€ 
TToXXrjv ttJv ^ nevlav avTols dir* oXiyov TcAccr/xaTO? 

<l>iXoVS ov piepLTTTOVS €^OVT€9. 

134 



SATURNALIA 

fellows and those who try in every way to please. 
In the first place they will not allow your banquet 
to be deaf and dumb. No, their company means 
convivial stories, harmless jests, and all sorts of ex- 
pressions of friendship ; these are the pleasantest 
sorts of pastimes, dear to Dionysus and Aphrodite, 
dear too to the Graces. Then they will talk to every- 
one next day of your sociability and get you liked. 
And this is rightly worth a great deal. 

I will ask you something. Let us suppose the poor 
went about with their eyes shut ; wouldn't you be 
cross when you had no one to show your purple 
clothes, your thronging attendants, the size of your 
rings ? I leave aside the plots, the hatred you must 
stir up in the poor against you if you choose to 
enjoy your luxury alone. Terrible are the curses 
they threaten to utter against you. May they never 
be constrained to utter them! For then you will 
taste neither sausages nor cakes, except what the 
dog may have left, your lentil-soup will have salt- 
fish dissolved in it, your boar and deer while they're 
being roasted will plan escape from the oven to the 
hills, and your birds, wingless though they be, — shoo 
there! — they will be flying at full stretch to the 
homes of the selfsame poor. And worst of all, the 
prettiest of your wine-servers will turn bald all at 
once, and that after breaking your jar. 

Well, then, make plans that befit the festival and 
are safest for you. Lighten their great poverty for 
them, and at slight cost you will find friends who are 
far from despicable. 



^ TT7V add. Jacobitz. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

4. 01 IIAOTSIOI TQI KPONQI XAIPEIN 

36 Ilpos" yap ak olei fiovov vtto tG}v ttcvt^twv 
ravra yeypd<f>Sai, co Ys.p6v€, oi)-)(l 8e /cat o Zcus" 
'^hrj €KK€K(x)<j)'t)raL irpos avrcov dva^oayvrajv Kal 
avrd St) ravra rov dva^aafiov d^iovvrcuv yeveadaL 
Kal alri(x)p.ivo}V r'qv re elfiapfievr^v d)s dvtaov rrjv 

VOjJLTjV 7T€7T0Lr]IJL€Vr]V KOL rjfJids OTt /XT^ScVOS' aUTOt? 

/Li,€Ta8tSdvat d^covfiev ; oAA* othev €Kelvos, are 
Zcy? wv. Trap oUrriaiv rj alria, koX Swx rovro 
7rapaKOV€L avrdjv rd ttoAAci. gol Sc o/xcos" drroXo- 
yrjaofjieda, CTTctVc/) dpx€LS y€ vvv rjfjLOJV. 

*H/a€t9 fiev yap aTravra irpo 6<l)9aX(jLa>v AajSovre? 
a y€ypa(f>as, cis" koAov eTTLKOvpclv dno ttoXXcjv roXs 
8€op,€VOL9 Kal COS" 178101' GvvclvaL Kal avvevajx^^f^^o,'' 
Totg TTevT]aiVy del ht.€r€Xovp,€v ovrco TToiovvres 
to-oStatrot KadeardJreSi (hs dv jxrjSe rov GVvSairrjv 

37 avrov alridaaoOai ri. ol 8c oXiyojv iv dpxij 
^elaOai ^oKovres, iTreiSi^TTep dna^ avrol^ dvcTTC- 
rdoapi€v rds dvpaSt ovk dvUaav oAAa ctt* oAAot? 
alrovvres' €t 8c p,rj rravra evdvs fjLrjhe irpos enos 
XaiJLpdvoLev, opyfj koI pXao^ koL Trpox^tpoi at 
pXaG(f>r]p,LaL. Kav ct ri iTTHpevSoiuro tjixlv, dXX* 
ol y€ dKOvovres inlarevov dv co? dKpL^cog elSoGLV 
€K rod avyyeyovevai. ware. hvoZv ddrcpov^ rj p/q 
hihovra i^Opov elvau ndvrojs c8et rj irdvra rrpo'CepLe- 
vov avriKa pdXa neveadaL Kal ratv alrovvrojv Kal 

38 avrov cfi^at. koX rd pev dXXa perpia' iv he rols 
SctTjrotS" auTOt? dpeXrjGavres rod ipTTLTrXacrOai Kal 
yacrrpLl^ead ai Kal avroi, eirethdv irXeZov rod 

136 



SATURNALIA 

4. THE RICH TO CRONUS— GREETINGS ! 

Do you really think that you are the only one 
written to by the poor in this vein, Cronus? Isn't 
Zeus already quite deaf from the din of their de- 
mands for just that, a redistribution of wealth, and 
of their charges against fate for inequality in distri- 
bution and against us for not considering giving 
them any share ? But he, being Zeus, knows who 
is to blame, and for that reason takes no notice of 
most of their complaints. Nevertheless we shall 
defend ourselves to you, since you are our lord at 
present. 

We for our part have set before us all you have 
written — that it was a fine thing to succour the needy 
out of our plenty, and that it was more agreeable to 
mix and feast with the poor. This is what we always 
used to do, putting ourselves on an equal footing with 
them so that not even our guest himself could find 
anything to complain of. Now in the beginning they 
said that they asked for very little, but once we had 
opened our doors to them they never stopped making 
demand after demand ; and if they didn't get it all 
immediately and on demand then there was bad tem- 
per and ill-feeling, and maledictions came readily 
enough. And if they told a lie about us then those 
who heard them believed them, for they supposed 
their knowledge to be accurate because they had 
been with us. So we had the choice either not to 
give and inevitably be their enemies or to throw 
everything away and be straightway very poor and 
enter the ranks of the beggars ourselves. Now all 
the rest isn't so bad compared with these very dinners 
you mention. For themselves they do not care so 
much about filling their bellies, but when they've 

137 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

LKavov i^TTLiooiVy r) TratSo? copatov [xera^v avaSov- 
ros TO eKTTCjjyia. evu^av rrjv x^^P^ V TToJO^f^Kfj ^ 
yafxcTYJ yvvaiKL €7T€x^^pr)<yav. elra Kareixeaavres 

rOV GVIX7TOGLOV C? TTjV VGTCpaLaV XoiSopOVVrai rj{JLlV 

KareXdovres, o)9 €bi\jjr]Gav koI (1)S At/xoi avvfjaav 
8n7you/xevot. /cat €t gol ravra Karai/jevSeGdai 
avTCov hoKovfjLev, rov vfjuerepov Trapdairov dvap,- 
vrqoOiqTi Tov *l^LOva, os" d^LCxjOels kolvtjs rpaTTeCr]?, 
d^LWjjLa €.x<J^v laov vpZv, rrj "Hpa fjuedvodel? 
€7r€;^€tp€t o yewalos. 
39 Taur' ccrrt Kal rd roiavra, V(j> ix>v rjficls 
iPovXcvadjjLeda rrpos to Xoittov aa^aActa? r^s" ij/^tc- 
repas" €V€K€V pLrqKen iTTL^arov avrols TTOielv Tr)V 
oIkLciv. €t hk €ttI gov GvvdoLVTO fxerplojv SeijoeGdai, 
wGTTep vvv <f>aGL, jxrjBev he v^pLoriKov ev rols 
GvpLTTOGiois €pydG€Gdai, KOLvojvovvrcov rjpXv Kal 
GVvSei^TTvovvTOJV TvxJ} TTJ dyadfj . Kal twv IfiarLCDV, 

(hg GV K€XeV€L9, 7T€fJnltOfJL€V Kal TOV XP^^^OV OTTOGOV 

olov T€ Kal TTpOGha7TairqGopL€V y Kal oAco? ovhkv 
iXXeLipoixev. Kal avrol Se d^c/xep'ot rod Kara 
r€xvr]v ofjLLXelv r)pXv <j)iXoL dvrl KoXdKOiv /cat 
TTapao IT CDV eGTOJGav. (hs r)p,ds ye ovSev dv 
atTtaaato KdKeivcov rd heoi^ra rroielv edeXovrojv. 



138 



SATURNALIA 

drunk more than enough they either nudge the hand 
of a pretty page when he gives the cup back to them 
or make attempts on your mistress or your wedded 
wife. Then, after being sick all over the dining-room, 
next day back at home they abuse us, saying that 
they were thirsty and well acquainted with starvation. 
If you think these are lies we are telling against them, 
remember your own parasite, Ixion, who was granted 
a place at the common board and enjoyed equality 
of rank with you, the gods. Yet he, fine fellow that 
he was, got drunk and made attempts on Hera. 

It's this sort of thing that makes us determine not 
to let them in the house again, for our own safety's 
sake. But if they were to make an agreement with 
you to be moderate in their demands, as they now 
say they are, and refrain from bad behaviour during 
banquets, then let them join us and dine with us, 
and good luck to them ! Furthermore we shall send 
some of our clothing, as you direct, and spend as 
much gold as we can as well, and altogether we shan't 
be found wanting in anything. And let them in their 
turn cease to be artful in their dealings with us and 
be friends instead of toadies and spongers. You 
will find no fault in us if they will do what they 
ought. 



139 



HERODOTUS OR AETION 

An introduction delivered before a Macedonian audience. 
The central theme is the description of a painting by Action, 
a contemporary of Alexander the Great. 



HP0A0T02 H AETIQN 

1 *Â¥ipoS6rov eWe fjuev Kal ra oAAa /xt/XTycraCT^at Sv- 
varov rjv. ov Trdvra (fyrjixl oaa vpoGrjif avTcp 
(fjLeiCov yap evx"^^ tovto ye) dXXa Kav ev ck tojv 
OLTravrcov — olov 7) /caAAos" tojv Xoycjv 7] dpp,oviav 
avrGiV y] to oiKelov rfj 'I to via Kal 7TpoG(f>V€S "^ tt}? 
yva)p.7]s TO TTcpiTTOV Tj oua iivpla KaXd CKelvos 
djxa Trdvra ayXXa^ajv c;^€i TTcpa rij? ctV filfjurjOLV 
cATTtSo?. a Sc €7rOL7]a€V €7TL TOL£ GvyypdfjLfiaaiv 
Kol COST TToAAoU d^L09 TOLS "EAAl^OrtV dlTadlV €V 

ppax^l Karearri,^ Kal iyco Kal av Kal oAAo? dv 
jXLfJLiqcraLfJLeda. 

IlXevaas yap oiKodev €k rrj? Kapta? evOv rrjs 
*EAAa8os" iuKOTreiTO irpog iavrov ottcjjs dv rdxtcrra 
Kal dirpaypLovloraTa €7TLGr]pLog Kal TTCpiPorjros 
yevoLTo Kal avrog Kal ra Gvyypap,pLdr la. ro fxev 
ovv TTcpivoGrovvra vvv fiev *A6r]vaLOL9, vvv Sc 
VLopLvdioLS dvayLva)GK€Lv T] *Apy€LOL9 T] AaKeSatpLo- 
viois €v rip jxepei, ipycoScg Kal [xaKpov rjyelro 
elvaL Kal rpLprjv ov fJLLKpdv iv rco roiovrip eGCGdai. 
ovKovv rj^iov SuaGTrdv ro npaypLa ouSe Kara 
hiaip€GLV ovrcx) Kar oXiyov dyelpeuv Kal GvXXeycLV ^ 
rrjv yvdJGLVy ine^ovXeve 8c, ct SwaToi^ ctT], dOpoovs 
7T0V Xa^CLV rovs "KXXrjva^ diravras. ivLGrarai ovv 

^ So Burmeister : ws rroXXaxtJ^s rols 'EX. . . . Kar4<rrq T^ : 
yvcopifios in marg. after ^pa^el T*; ws 7roAAax<3? rots *EA. ci/ 
Ppaxft Kar4ai~q N. 

142 



HERODOTUS OR AETION 

I WISH it were possible to imitate Herodotus 's 
other qualities too. I do not mean all and everyone 
(this would be too much to pray for) but just one of 
them — whether the beauty of his diction, the careful 
arrangement of his words, the aptness of his native 
Ionic, his extraordinary power of thought, or the 
countless jewels which he has wrought into a unity 
beyond hope of imitation. But where you and I and 
everyone else can imitate him is in what he did with 
his composition and in the speed with which he 
became an established man of repute throughout 
the whole Greek world. 

As soon as he sailed from his home in Caria straight 
for Greece, he bethought himself of the quickest 
and least troublesome path to fame and a reputation 
for both himself and his works. To travel round 
reading his works, now in Athens, now in Corinth 
or Argos or Lacedaemon in turn, he thought a long 
and tedious undertaking that would waste much 
time. The division of his task and the consequent 
delay in the gradual acquisition of a reputation did 
not appeal to him, and he formed the plan I suppose 
of winning the hearts of all the Greeks at once if he 

^ So Graevius : dyetpcjv koI avWeycov MSS. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

'OAu/iTTta TO, fxeydXa, kol 6 ^UpoSoros toiJt* 
e/cetvo 7]K€LV ol vofMLGas rov Kaipov, ov /xaAtcrra 
iyXix^TO, TrXijdovGav rrjp-^aas Trjv Travrjyvpiv^ 
OLTTavraxoOev TJhr] rcov dplarajv avveiXeypiivcjVy 
TrapcXdcjv €s rov OTTiGdohopiOv ov dearrjv, aXX 
dycjvLarrjV ^OXvp,7TLCov rrapelyev iavrov ahoiv rds 
luropias kol k7]X6jv tous" rrapovras, d^pt- rod Kal 
Movoa? KXrjdijvaL rds ^l^Xovs avrov, iwea Kal 
avrds ovaas. 

2 "HSr; ovv diravres avrov TJScGav ttoXXw puciXXov 
t) Toifs ^OXvjjLniovLKag avrov^. /cat ovk eariv 
OGTL^ dvrjKoog -^v rod *Hpo8oTOi» ovo/JLaros — ol fjL€V 
avTOL dKovGavres iv '0Au/x7n'a, ol Se rcDi^ €k t^s" 
rravTjyvpeoJS rjKovrojv 7TVv9av6pi€VOL' kol €t ttov 
ye <f>av€Lrj jjLovoVy iheiKwro dv rep SaKrvXco, Ovros 
€K€Lvos *H/)d8oT09 €GTLv 6 Tcts" fidxas Ta? YlcpGLKas 
'laorrt Gvyy€ypa(f)(x)S , 6 ra? vtKas rjixcov vpLV^Ga?. 
TOiavra €Kelvos direXavoe tojv loropLcov, iv pad 
Gvvohcp TTdvhrjfxov riva Kal Koivr^v i/j'fj(f)OV ttjs 
'EAAaSo? Xa^cbv Kal duaKTjpvxdels ovx v^' ci^os 
/xd Ata Kr^pvKos, oAA* ev aTrdGj) TToAet, odev 
€KaGTOS rjv rwv TravrjyvpLGTwv. 

3 "Orrep vorepov KaravorjoavTes , €7rLrop,6v riva 
ravTTjv oSov cs" yvojGiv, 'iTrTria? t€ d imxcopLo^ 
avrwv Go<f)LGT7]s Kal YipoSiKos 6 Ketos" /cat 
*Ava^Lp,€inrjs 6 Xto? /cat ritDAos" d ^ KKpayavrlvos 
Kal dXXoL Gvx^ol Xoyovs eXeyov del Kal avrol rrpos 
Trjv TTamjyvpLv, d(f)* (Lv yvwpLfxoL cV Ppaxel iyiyvov- 

TO. 

4 Kat Tt GOl TOVS TToXaiOVS €K€LVOVS XcyOJ GO<f)l' 

Grds /cat Gvyypa<j>ia<s Kal Xoyoypd<f)OV? ottov rd 
reXevrala ravra Kal 'Acrtcom ^aat tov l^(jjypd<f>ov 
144 



HERODOTUS OR AETION 

could. The great Olympian games were at hand, 
and Herodotus thought this the opportunity he had 
been hoping for. He waited for a packed audience 
to assemble, one containing the most eminent men 
from all Greece ; he appeared in the temple chamber, 
presenting himself as a competitor for an Olympic 
honour, not as a spectator ; then he recited his 
Histories and so bewitched his audience that his books 
were called after the Muses, for they too were nine 
in number. 

By this time he was much better known than the 
Olympic victors themselves. There was no one who 
had not heard the name of Herodotus — some at 
Olympia itself, others from those who brought the 
story back from the festival. He had only to appear 
and he was pointed out: " That is that Herodotus 
who wrote the tale of the Persian Wars in Ionic and 
celebrated our victories." Such were the fruits of 
his Histories. In a single meeting he won the 
universal approbation of all Greece and his name 
was proclaimed not indeed just by one herald 
but in every city that had sent spectators to the 
festival. 

The lesson was learnt. This was the short-cut to 
glory. Hippias the sophist was a native of the place, 
and he and Prodicus from Ceos and Anaximenes from 
Chios and Polus from Acragas and scores of others 
always gave their recitations in person before the as- 
sembled spectators and by this means soon won repu- 
tations. 

But why need I mention those old sophists, his- 
torians, and chroniclers when there is the recent 
story of Action the painter who showed off his 



145 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

crvyypdifjavTa rov 'Pco^dvrjs koI 'AAefavSpou ydfiov 
els ^OXvfjLTTLav Kal avrov dyayovra ttjv €t/cova 
eTTihei^aGBai, ware Wpo^evihav 'EAAavoSt/o^v t6t€ 
ovra Tjadevra rfj rex^ yajx^pov TrotTyaacr^at rov 
^Aerlajva ; 
5 Kat Tt TO davfjLa ivrjv rfj ypacj)'^ avrov, rjpcro 
Tts", CO? rov ^EiXXavohiKTjV 8t' avro ovk C7rt;^copta> 
to) 'Aertcovt crvva^aa^at rrjs dvyarpos rov ydfiov ; 
eanv r) €lkwv iv 'IraAta, Kaycj etSov c5<tt€ Kal aol 
dv elrreLV exoipa. OdXajios ian TrepLKaXXrjs Kal 
kXlvtj wiX(t>LKt], Kal Tj 'Pco^dvT] Kdd-qr ai irdyKoXov 
n XPVH'^ napdevov is yr\v opcoaa, alhovpievT) 
earcbra rov ^AXe^avSpov. "Epcorcs" Sc rives p-ci- 
hicovres' 6 fiev Karoinv €(f>€aro)S dirdyei rT)s 
K€(f)aXrjs rr)v KaXvnrpav Kal hecKwai rep wp^cfylcp 
rrjv 'Pco^dvrjVf 6 be ris /xaAa SovXlkcjs d^atpeZ ro 
oavhdXiov €K rov ttoSos" ojs KaraKXivoiro tJStj, 
dXXos rijs x^ayi8o? rov ^AXe^dvhpov CTretAT^/x/xeVos", 
"Kpcos Kal ovros, eA/cet avrov rrpos rrjv 'Poj^dvTjv 
irdw ptalajs eTnair oj puevos . 6 ^aoiXevs hk avros 
pL€v Gr€<f)av6v riva dpiyei rfj Traihi, lidpo^os Se 
Kal wp^ayojyos *Y{<f)aiari(DV GvpLTrdpeart 8aSa 
KaLop,€V7jv e\iov, pcipaKLcp rrdw <l)paup errepei- 
hopevos — *Yp€vaLos olpai iarcv (ov yap iireylypa- 
TTro rovvopa). irepojdv 8e rrjs ecKovos oAAot 
"Kpojres TralCovGLV iv rols ottXols rov ^AXe^dvSpov, 
hvo pkv rrjv Xoyx'T^v avrov <f)epovr€S, puLpovpevoi 
rovs dxdo<f)6povs orrore hoKov (j>ipovres ^apolvro' 
oAAot 8e Svo €va nvd iirl rrjs daTTiSos KaraKeipe- 
vovy ^aaiXia hrjdev Kal avrov, avpovaiv rchv 
oxdvojv rijs daTTiSos iTretXrjppivof els Sk Sr) is 
rov dojpaKa iaeXdojv virriov Keipevov Aop^cDvTt 
146 



HERODOTUS OR AETION 

picture of The Marriage of Roxana and Alexander at 
Olympia ? Proxenides, one of the chief judges there 
at that time, was delighted with his talent and made 
Action his son-in-law. 

You may well wonder at the quality of his work that 
induced a chief judge of the games to give his 
daughter in marriage to a stranger like Action. The 
picture is actually in Italy; I have seen it myself 
and can describe it to you. The scene is a very 
beautiful chamber, and in it there is a bridal couch 
with Roxana, a very lovely maiden, sitting upon it, 
her eyes cast do\^Ti in modesty, for Alexander is 
standing there. There are smiling Cupids: one is 
standing behind her removing the veil from her head 
and showing Roxana to her husband ; another like a 
true servant is taking the sandal off her foot, already 
preparing her for bed; a third Cupid has hold of 
Alexander's cloak and is pulling him with all his 
might towards Roxana. The king himself is hold- 
ing out a garland to the maiden and their best man 
and helper, Hephaestion, is there with a blazing 
torch in his hand, leaning on a very handsome youth 
— I think he is Hymenaeus ^ (his name is not in- 
scribed). On the other side of the picture are more 
Cupids playing among Alexander's armour ; ^ two of 
them are carrying his spear, pretending to be labour- 
ers burdened under a beam ; two others are dragging 
a third, their king no doubt, on the shield, holding it 
by the handgrips ; another has gone inside the corslet, 
which is lying breast-up on the ground — he seems to 



1 God of marriages. 

2 Botticelli copied this motif in his Mars and Venus in the 
National Gallery, London. 

147 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

€OiK€V, 60S" (f>O^T]G€L€V aVTOVS , OTTOTC /CttT* aVTOV 

yivoivTO avpovres. 

6 Ov TratSta 8e oAAco? ravrd eariv ovSe ir^pi^ip- 
yaorai iv avrols 6 'Aertcov, dAAa St^Aoi rov 
^AXe^dvSpov Kal rov is rd TToAe/xt/co, epayra, /cat 
on djxa Kal ^Pco^ai^s" yjpci Kal rcov orrXcov ovk 
iTTeXeXrjarro . TrXrjv oAA* -fj ye €lk<jju avrrj Kal 
aXXcos yaixn^Xiov ri irrl rrjs aXiqOeias 8te(^n7 
exovcra, TrpofjuviqaaiJievrj rep AericovL ttjv rov 
Y[po^€vihov dvyaripa. Kal aTrfjXde yqpias Kal 
avTOSy irdpepyov rcov *AX€^dvSpov ydfiajv, vtto 
vuiJL(f)ayojycp rep ^aoiXel, jxiadov et/cacr/xeVou yap,ov 
TipoaXa^cov dX'qd'fj ydfxov. 

7 *H/3o8oTOS' fiev ovv (€TTdv€ip,i ydp in iKelvov) 
LKavrjv r(x)v *0Au/X7rt60V Tr)v TravijyvpLv rjyelro Kal 
(jvyypa(j)ia davpaorov Set^at rols "EAA^^crt rd'S 
*EAAi7vtKa9 vLKas SteftoKra,^ co? iKelvos Stc^rjXdev. 
iyoj 8e — Kal rrpos OtAtou p-q p€ Kopv^am-Lav 
VTToXd^Tjre /xT^Se rapid ctVaCetv roXg iK^ivov, ?Aea>? 
o dvr]p — dAAa rovro ye 6p,oiov Trad^Zv <f)7]p,L avrcp. 
ore ydp ro irpairov iTreS-qprjoa rfj MaKeSovla, 
irpos ipavrov iaKonovv 6 rt pLOL ■)(^p7]ar€OV ra> 
TTpdypari. Kal 6 pL€V epcos ovros tJv diracnv vpXv 
yvwodrjvai Kal on vXeLorrois MaKcSovcov Setfat 
rapid' ro 8e avrov irepiiovra rr^viKavra rov erovs 
(jvyyiyveadaL rfj ttoX^l eKdarr) ovk evpape? i<^ai- 
vero, €t Se rrjprioaipii rrivhe vpicov rrjv avvoSov, 
€Lra TTapeXdcjv is piicrov Setfat/xt rov Aoyov, ig 
hiov ovnos d7ro^r](jeodai poi rd rrjs eu;^-/}?. 

8 AvroL re ovv rjSrj avveXrjXvdare , 6 n irep 6(f)eXos 
i^ eKdorrjs TToXecus, avro Srj ro Ke^dXaiov anavrajv 
MaKeSovcjv, Kal viroSexerat ttoXls rj dpiurq ovaa 
148 



HERODOTUS OR AETION 

be lying in ambush to frighten the others when they 
drag the shield past him. 

All this is not needless triviality and a waste of 
labour. Action is calling attention to Alexander's 
other love — War — , implying that in his love of 
Roxana he did not forget his armour. A further 
point about the picture itself is that it had a real 
matrimonial significance of quite a different sort — it 
courted Proxenides' daughter for Action! So as a 
by-product of his Alexander's Wedding he came away 
with a wife himself and the King for best-man. His 
reward for his marriage of the imagination was a 
real-life marriage of his own. 

Herodotus then (to return to him) thought the 
Olympic festival a suitable shop-window for showing 
the Greeks such a wonderful historian of the Greek 
victories as himself. As for me — and in the name of 
the God of Friendship do not think me mad or that 
I am comparing my works to his, bless him — I de- 
clare that my case and his are alike. When I first 
came to live in Macedonia, I wondered what should 
be policy. My dearest wish was to become known 
to you all and to show off my works to as many in 
Macedonia as I could ; but to go round visiting each 
city in person at that time of the year seemed an 
arduous undertaking, whereas I thought that if I 
took the occasion of this present festival of your 
nation and made my appearance and gave my lec- 
ture then, my prayers must surely be answered. 

Here you are then gathered together, the cream 
of every city, the very epitome of all Macedonia, in 
the country's finest city, so different, thank good- 

1 So Marcilius and Solanus : MSS. om. vUas : Sci^at tois 
EAATyvi/cas bie^iovras T. 

149 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ov Kara HCaav [xa At' ouSc rrjv kcWl arevoxcoplav 
/cat GKrjvas /cat KaXv^as koX Trvtyos" ol re av 
TravTjyvpiaTal ov crvp(f)€rioSr]£ 6)(Xo9, ddX'qTOJV 
fjbdXXov (jyLXoOedjJLOves, ^v Trapepycp ol noXXol rov 
*H/)o8oTOv TL9ep,€V0Ly oAAtt pTQTopcov r€ /Cat avyypa- 
<j)i(jjv /cat Go<j)iaTa)v ol So/ct/xcorarot — oaov ov 
fjLLKpov rjSrj, puY] TOVjjLov rrapd ttoXv ivSeearepov 
^atvryrat tojv ^OXvjjlttlcuv. dXX* rjv fiev u/xct? 
IloXvSdiJLavTi '5 TXavKO) -iq MtAcovt TrapadecjprJTe 
pie, KopLL^fj vpZv Sofct) Bpaavs dvOpojTros elvat, rjv 
Se TToXv €K€Lvojv dTTayayouTcg ttjv pLvijfjirjv irr* 
ipuavTov pLovov diTohvaavTeg iSrjrc, rd^* dv ov 
vdw pLaGTLycQGLpLos vpuv Sd^atjLtt. COS" €V ye 
t7)Xlkovtcp crraSto) iKavov ipuol yovv /cat rovro. 



150 



HERODOTUS OR AETION 

ness, from Pisa with its lack of space, its tents and 
huts, its stifling heat; nor is my audience a vulgar 
mob more keen on seeing athletics, most of them 
thinking Herodotus of secondary importance. No, 
there are the finest orators, historians, and rhetori- 
cians — no small matter indeed that my arena should 
not seem far inferior to Olympia. Compare me 
with Polydamas, Glaucus, and Milo, and I know that 
you will judge me imprudent. But remember them 
less and strip me and look at me as I am, and then 
perhaps you will not find me altogether deserving of 
the whip. My arena being what it is, I should not 
find even this judgment unsatisfactory. 



151 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

An introduction, as appears from the last paragraph. A 
disquisition on novelty serves to introduce accounts of a 
painting by Zeuxis (fl. c. 400 B.C.) and the ' Elephant Battle ' 
between Antiochus Soter and the Galatian invaders of Asia 
Minor (276 B.C.). 



ZEYEI2 H ANTIOX02 

1 "^vayxos iyo) /xev Vfuv Set^a? rov Xoyov dTrrjeiv 
ot/caSc, TrpoGLovreg 8e /xot tcqv oLKrjKoorojv ttoXXoI 
(KcoXvei yap ovSev otjxai kol ra roiavra irpos 
^iXovs tJSt] ovrag u/xa? XeycLv) — 7TpOGi6vr€S ovv 
iSe^LOVVTO /cat Oav^dCovGcv icpKcoav. im ttoXv 
yovv irapoyLapTOvmes aXXos dXXodev i^ocDV Kal 
€7TT^vovv d-xpi' rod ^ Kal epvOpidv pie, pLTj dpa 
irdpLTToXv TTJs d^ias rojv eiraivcov dTToXeLTTOipLrjv. 
TO 8* ovv K€(f)dLXaLov avroLs tovto rjv, Kal Travres" 
ev Kal TO avro CTrccrTy/xatVoi/ro, rrjv yvayprjv rcjv 
GvyypapLpdrcov ^evrjv ovaav Kal ttoXvv iv avrfj tov 
V€a>T€piop6v. pidXXov 8e avrd elircLV dpcivov direp 
€K€LvoL €7r€(f)d€yyovro' ^ " "O rrjs KaLvorrjTOS' 
'H/aa/cActs', T^S" Trapaho^oXoyias . evprixp-vos dv- 
dpcoTTOs. ovhev dv rtg etTTOt rijs einvoLas veapcore- 
pov.^* ol pkv roiavra TToXXd eXeyov, cos iK€KLvrjvro 
BrjXaSrj vtto rrjs dKpodaecos. ^ rtVa yap dv alriav 
et^ov i/jevSeaOaL Kal KoXaKevetv rd roiavra ^ivov 
dvdpojTTOVy ov irdw ttoXXtjs avrols (fypovrlSog d^iov 
rd dXXa; 

2 UXrjv €/xe ye (elpijaeraL ydp) ov pberpiois rjvia 6 
erraivos avrcJov, Kal eTreihrj irore direXOovrajv /car* 
Cfiavrov iyevop.'qv CKelva ivevoovv ovkovv rovro 
jjLovov x^piev rots ipuoZs eveortVy on fir) avvt^dr] 
/XT^Se Kard ro kolvov ^ahit,ei rots aAAots", 6vop,drojv 
Se dpa KoXdjv iv avrols Kal rrpos rov dp^cuov 

154 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

Recently I was on my way home after lecturing 
to you, when a number of my recent audience met 
me (I see no objection to telling you a story like this 
now that you and I are friends) — they met me, then, 
and after greeting me gave some indication of ap- 
proval. They accompanied me for some distance, 
vying in noisy praise until I blushed for shame at the 
thought that I fell far short of their praises. The 
substance of their approbation, which all alike 
emphasised, was the strangeness of the thought in 
my composition and the degree of freshness it dis- 
played. It would be better to quote verbatim: 
" What novelty ! What marvellous paradoxes ! How 
inventive he is ! The freshness of thought is beyond 
compare ! " They continued in this strain. They 
had clearly been taken with the lecture — I don't sup- 
pose they could have any reason for telUng lies and 
flattering a stranger as they did, one who had no 
other reason for claiming their attention. 

To be honest, however, their praise caused me con- 
siderable annoyance, and when they had gone and 
I was left alone, I reflected as follows: " So this is 
the only attraction in my writings, that they are un- 
conventional and keep off the beaten track, while 
good vocabulary, conformity to the ancient canon, 

^ Tov Jacobs and Schaefer : irov MSS. 
* i'n€<f>d. Fritzsche : dnetftd. MSS. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

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7) ■)(apiros 'AttiactJ? r^ apyiovias r^ T€)(yrjs rrj? €<f>* 
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aaadai. 6 "Levels eKeivos dpiGTOs ypa<f)eo)v yevofie- 
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TTOKevTavpo) 8t8u/Lta> Kofjuhfj vrjTTLOj. Trjs eiKovos 
TavTTjs dvTLypa(f)6s cart vvv ^Kd-qvqoL irpos avTrjv 



156 



1 /le'v Tt Fritzsche : /xeVroi MSS. 

2 oySe Jacobitz : cure MSS. 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

penetration of intellect, power of perception, Attic 
grace, good construction, general competence, per- 
haps have no place in my work. Otherwise they 
would not have ignored these qualities and praised 
only the novel and strange element in my style. I, 
fool that I was, had thought when they rose in appro- 
bation that perhaps this particular feature too had 
some attraction for them — I remembered the truth of 
Homer's remark ^ that the new song takes the fancy 
of an audience ; but I did not think to attribute so 
much — indeed all of it — to novelty, but supposed 
novelty to be a kind of additional ornament making 
some contribution indeed to the approbation of my 
work, the audience's real praise and commendation, 
however, going to those other qualities. As a result 
my elation overstepped its bounds — to think I nearly 
believed them when they called me unique and in a 
class apart in Greece and other flatteries of this kind. 
In the words of the proverb, my treasure turned out 
ashes, and their approval is not much different from 
that which they would give a conjurer. 

I want to give you an example from a painter. 
Zeuxis, that pre-eminent artist, avoided painting 
popular and hackneyed themes as far as he could (I 
mean heroes, gods, wars) ; he was always aiming at 
novelty, and whenever he thought up something 
unheard-of and strange he showed the precision of his 
craftsmanship by depicting it. Among the bold in- 
novations of this Zeuxis was his painting of a female 
Hippocentaur, one moreover that was feeding twin 
Hippocentaur children, no more than babies. There 
is a copy of this picture now at Athens made with 
1 Od. 1, 352. 
' oh-os Hartmann : ainos MSS. (om. Bodl.). 

157 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

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ctra nepl MoAeav of/xat KaraSvarjs ttjs oA/caSo? 
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olov €7tI rrXevpdv KeLfiemrjs, oAA* o fiev d/cAaCovrt 
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epLrraXvu CTravtCTTarat /cat tov ehd(f)Ovs dvTiXap,- 
pdveTai, OLOL eloLV Ittttoi rr^ipajyievoi dvaTrqhdv. 
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yvvaiKelov fiaoTov, to 8' eTepov €k ttjs Ittttov 
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eLKovos olov dno tlvos GKOTrfjs '\TnroKevTavp6s ris, 
dvrjp iKelvTjs hrjXahr] ttjs rd Ppecfyrj dfjL(f)OTepco6ev 
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vosy oAA* is pieoov tov ittttov, XeovTos GKvp,vov 
dvexojv Tjj he^ia Kal vrrep eavTOV alojpcjv, ws 
hehl^aiTO crvv Traihia ra ^pe<f)rj, 

^ €TT€yrjy€pTaL Jacobitz : iircyeiyfpTai. Bodl. : (Trqyfprai MSS. 
[iTT€iy€prai 1 T] 

158 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

strict accuracy from the original. Sulla, the Roman 
commander, was said to have sent off the original 
with his other trophies to Italy, but I suppose the 
ship then sank off Malea ^ with the loss of all its cargo, 
including the painting. However that may be, I 
saw the copy of the painting and will describe it to 
you as far as I can, though I am certainly no artist. 
I remember it quite well, as I saw it not long ago in 
the house of a painter in Athens. The intense ad- 
miration I felt at the time for the craftsmanship 
will perhaps help me in my endeavour to give you a 
full description. 

The Centaur herself is depicted lying on fresh 
young grass with all the horse part of her on the 
ground. Her feet are stretched behind her. The 
human part is slightly raised up on her elbows. Her 
fore-feet are not now stretched out, as you might 
expect with one lying on her side ; one foot is bent 
with the hoof drawn under like one who kneels, 
while the other on the other hand is beginning to 
straighten and is taking a grip on the ground, as is 
the case with horses striving to spring up. She holds 
one of her offspring aloft in her arms, giving it the 
breast in human fashion ; the other she suckles from 
her mare's teat like an animal. Towards the top of 
the picture, apparently on some vantage point, is a 
Hippocentaur, clearly the husband of her who is feed- 
ing her children in two ways. He is leaning down 
and laughing. He is not completely visible, but only 
to a point halfway down his horse body. He holds 
aloft in his right hand a lion's whelp, suspending it 
above his head to frighten the children in his fun. 

* Cape Malea, in the southern Peloponnese. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

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TTOLTJaaadai /cat cr/ctaaat c? Seov /cat rod pucyedovs 
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laoTTjTa /cat app,oviav—ypa<j>i(x)v TratSe? iiraivovvTCJV , 
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^ So Rothstein : dAAa koX Kad* erepov tov avdpwTTov koX 
e^dpas avTOV tovs ci/xous tVi TrXelarov MSS.: lttttov ao^apov 
dypiov KOfiiSfj Xdaiov rrj X^^^'^V <^'''€pvov re Kal wfiovs Bodl. 

160 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

The other qualities, not completely discernible by 
the eye of an amateur like myself, nevertheless dis- 
play the whole power of his craftsmanship — such 
things as precision of line, accuracy in the blending 
of colours, taste in application of the paint, correct 
use of shadow, good perspective, proportion, and 
symmetry. But let the sons of artists appreciate 
these points, men who make it their business to 
know them. For my part I praised Zeuxis for this 
in particular, that in one and the same subject he has 
shown his extraordinary craftsmanship in so many 
ways. His husband is completely frightening and 
absolutely wild ; he has a proud mane, being almost 
completely covered in hair — not only the horse part 
of him but his human chest as well and especially 
his shoulders, and his glance, although he is laugh- 
ing, is altogether savage, wild, and of the hills. 

Such then is the husband. The horse part of the 
female he made is most beautiful, with a strong re- 
semblance to Thessahan fillies when they are still 
untamed and virgin. The top half is that of a very 
beautiful woman, apart from the ears, which alone 
of her features are those of a satyr. The union and 
junction of bodies whereby the horse part is fused 
with the woman part and joined to it is effected by 
a gradual change, with no abrupt transition; the 
eye, as it moves gradually from one to the other, is 
quite deceived by the subtle change. In the case 
of the young, their babyhood is wild and already 
fearsome in its gentleness — I thought this a wonder- 
ful touch. I admired too the very babylike way in 

2 re Fritzsche : ye MSS. 

^ ev to) vqvio) Granovius : ev rwv vrjTricov MSS. 

i6i 

VOL. VI. G 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

fidXa Trpos rov GKVfjivov rod Xeovros avajSAeTTOUcri, 
fjuera^v ttJ? OrjXrj? eKarepo? irraX-qfJiiJievoL ev XP^ 
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ra)v epyoiv rj rrjg VTroOeaecos /catvoro/xta. 

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^ ayvcjTa oSaav Fritzsche : ^rrov ert ovaav FXM : riyvori- 
fi€v7]v odaav N. 

162 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

which both young were looking up at the Hon cub as 
they sucked at the nipple, holding close and nestling 
against their mother. 

Zeuxis thought that this picture would send his 
viewers into raptures over his skill when they saw it. 
They certainly applauded it — what else could they 
do when they met a sight so lovely to gaze upon? 
But everyone's warmest praise went to the points they 
praised in me too just recently ; it was the strange- 
ness of the idea, and the freshness of the sentiment 
of the work, quite unprecedented, that struck them. 
So when Zeuxis saw that the novelty of the subject 
was taking their attention and distracting them from 
the technique of the work, and that the accuracy 
of detail was taking second place, he said to his 
pupil: "Come on, Micio, cover up the picture and 
all of you pick it up and take it home. These spec- 
tators are praising only the mere clay of my work, but 
as to the effects of light, they do not worry much 
whether they are beautiful and skilfully executed, 
and the novelty of the subject goes for more than the 
accuracy of its parts." 

That is what Zeuxis said, not without some feeling 
perhaps. Antiochus — the one called the Saviour — 
is said to have had a similar experience in the battle 
against the Galatians. If you agree I'll tell you this 
story too. He knew that they were bold fighters 
and saw that there were many of them, and that 
their phalanx was compact and firm, with their 
bronze-clad warriors in the van and heavy-armed 
troops in the rear to a depth of twenty-four ranks, 
and that on either flank there were 20,000 cavalry, 

^ T(x>v Se av (f>(x)Tcov V: rcov 8'e0* otco N. 

163 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

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rerpLyorcov TJKOvaav /cat rovs oBovras etSov 
dTToariXPovras eTnorjpiorepov cos dv e/c p^eXavos 
164 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

while in the centre were eighty scythed chariots and 
twice as many two-horse chariots ready to make a 
sally. Antiochus then thought little of his chances 
of defeating such an invincible array. His own force 
had been hurriedly prepared and was not impressive 
or strong enough for the engagement. He had 
very few men, mostly targeteers and light-armed 
troops — light infantry made up over half of his 
force. Consequently he thought it prudent to 
make an immediate truce and to come to some 
honourable arrangement for putting an end to the 
war. 

He had with him, however, Theodotas of Rhodes, 
a fine soldier and skilful tactician, and this man's 
presence restored his confidence. Now Antiochus 
had sixteen elephants, and Theodotas told him to 
keep them hidden as much as possible so they 
should not be seen towering above the troops ; on 
the signal for battle just when the fighting was to 
start and the troops to come to grips and the enemy's 
cavalry charged, the Galatians would open their 
phalanx and stand aside to let the chariots through ; 
at that moment a group of four elephants should be 
sent against the cavalry on either flank, the remaining 
eight attacking the scythed and two-horse chariots. 
Such a movement, said Theodotas, would frighten 
their horses and turn them back in flight against the 
Galatian ranks. So it turned out. Neither the Gala- 
tians themselves nor their horses had previously 
seen an elephant and they were so confused by 
the unexpected sight that, while the beasts were still 
a long way off and they could only hear the trumpet, 
ing and see their tusks gleaming all the more brightly 
against their bodies dark all over and their trunli 

'6s 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

rod TiavTOS crojiiaros kol rds" TTpovoyiaias (hs is 
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ol IJL€V TTeCol 7T€pL7T€Lp6fJL€VOL VTT* oAAtJAcOV Tots' 

hopariois koL GvpLTTaro-ujievoL vtto tcov LTnreojv cos 
€Lxov efXTT^oovrcjv €77* avrovs, ra dpfiara 8e, dva- 
OTpei/javra Kal ravra efjuTraXiv els rovs oIk€lovs, 
ovK dvaijjiojrl hi€(j>ipeTo iv avrols, oAAd ro rod 
^OjjLTJpov, " hi(j)poi S* dveKvpLpaXiailov y ol lttttoi 
8* CTTetVep dira^ rr\s is ro evdv oSov aTrerpeTrovro 
OVK dvaaxofJievoL rcov iX€(f)dvTO)v , rovs iin^dr as 
dTTOpaXovres " /cetV ox^a KpordXi^ov ** rifivovres 
V7j Ala Kal ScaLpovinrcs roXs Sperrdvois €t Tildas' rd)v 
(fylXcov KaraXdpOL€v. ttoXXol Se cos iv rapd^co 
rooovrcp KareXajjLpdvovro . eliTovro Se Kal ol iXi- 
<j)avres crvpiTrarovur^s Kal dvappnrrovvres rals 
TTpovopLalais is vt/jos Kal avvapTrdCovres Kal rols 
oSoucrt 7repi7Telpovr€S , Kal riXos ovrot Kara Kpdros 
TTapaSiSoaGL rep ^Kvrioxip ttjv vlktjv. 

11 01 TaXdrau he ol fiev ireOvriKeoav , iroXXov rov 
<f>6vov yevojxevov , ol §€ ^d^vres iXapi^dvovro , ttXtjv 
Trdw oXlyoL ottoool €cf)9aoav els ra oprj dva(f)vy6v- 
res, ol M.aKeS6ves Se ogol uvv ^Avnoxfp rjoav, 
iiraioyvi^ov Kal Trpoaiovres oAAo? aAAa;^d^ei^ dve- 
how rov pacrtXea KaXXlvLKov dva^ocovres. 6 Sc 
Kal haKpvaas, d)S <f>aGLVy AloxwcofieOa, €<f)rj, c5 
GrpariojraL, ols ye r) GcorrjpLa iv e/c/catSe/ca 
rovroLs drjplois iyevero' ojs el p/rj ro Kaivov rov 
6edp,aros i^eTrXrj^e rovs 7roXep,LOVs, rl dv r]p.eLS 
rjpLev TTpos avrovs ; eiri re ro) rpoTraicp KeXevei 
aXXo p/qheVy iXe<f)avra 8e piovov iyKoXdifsai. 

12 "Q.pa rolwv pie GKonelv p/rj Kal rovpLov 6p,OLOV ^ 
166 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

raised like hooks, they turned and fled in a disorderly 
rout before they were within bowshot. Their in- 
fantry were impaled on each other's spears and 
trampled underfoot as they were, by the cavalry, 
which came riding into them. The chariots too turned 
back against their own men and broke their ranks, 
not without bloodshed — in the words of Homer " the 
chariots clattered as they overturned." ^ Once the 
horses had veered from their straight course in their 
fear of the elephants, they threw off their drivers 
and the " empty chariots rattled on," ^ actually 
tearing and cutting with their scythes any of their 
own men in their path. Many men were caught since 
there was utter confusion. The elephants followed, 
trampling on them, tossing them aloft in their trunks, 
snatching and piercing them with their tusks, and in 
the end these animals had presented Antiochus with 
an overwhelming victory. 

The Galatians lost many killed in the great 
slaughter. The rest were taken prisoner, except for 
a very few who escaped to the mountains in time. 
Antiochus's Macedonian contingent raised the Paean 
and gathering round him crowned him " king of 
glorious victory " with acclamation. Antiochus is 
said to have wept as he addressed his troops. 
" Men," he said, " we owe our lives to these sixteen 
animals; so let us rather feel shame. For if the 
strangeness of what they saw had not thrown the 
enemy into confusion, what should we have been 
compared with them? " Then he ordered them to 
decorate the trophy with a carved elephant and 
nothing else. 

It is time for me to consider whether my army is 

1 Homer, //. xvi, 379. 2 Homer, II, xi, 160. 

167 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Ta> ^AvTLoxco ra fi€v oAAa ovk a^iov jLta;^s',^ 
iXecjyavres Se tlv€S Kal ^iva yLOp^oXvKeia Trpos rovs 
opcjvras Kal davfjLaroTToda oXXcjjs' e/cetva yovv 
€TraivovGt, 7rdvr€s, ols 8c iyo) CTTCTTot^etv, ov irdw 
ravra iv Xoyo) nap* avrols eorLv^ oAA* ort p,€v 
drjXeia ^ImroKCvravpog yeypajJLiidvr] , rovro fiovov 
iKTrXijrrovraL Kal wairep earC, Kaivov Kal repdarLOV 
So/cet ainoLS. ra 8e oAAa fjLarrjv dpa rw ZevftSt 
TreTTOLrjrai ; oAA' ou jjLd-njv — ypa(f)LKol yap Vficls 
Kal p,€rd rex^^s CKaora opdre. €L7) pLOVov afta 
rod dcdrpov heLKvveiv, 

* ra fi€v . . fJidxv^ <5™' TOC* : to. fi€v a^ia fidxrjs NXM; 
a^iov Mras. 



i68 



ZEUXIS OR ANTIOCHUS 

like that of Antiochus — in general inadequate for the 
fight, but with some elephants, some queer hobgob- 
lins to see, and some conjuring tricks. It is these 
qualities at any rate that everyone praises. The 
things I had confidence in are of no account at all 
to them. They marvel only because a female Hip- 
pocentaur has been painted, and they think it novel 
and portentous, as indeed it is. The rest of Zeuxis's 
work was wasted, I suppose. But no, not wasted — 
you are real artists and examine each detail with 
craftsmen's eyes. My only hope is that my show 
may be worthy of its audience. 



169 



.^.1 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE 
IN GREETING 

An apology to a patron for a slip of the tongue gives an 
opportunity for a disquisition on the three forms of greeting : 
"Joy to you," "Health to you," and "Do well." For 
Lucian's sensitivity to niceties of diction see The Mistaken 
Critic {Loeb, vol. V, pp. 371 ff., with Harmon's introduction). 



YHEP TOY EN TH nP02ArOPEY2EI 
nTAI2MAT02 

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peiav Sta^uyetv, ttoXv Se ^aXeTTcvrepov airoXoyiav 
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d/x(^OTepa vvv ipbol avfJLPe^rjKCVf o£ a(f)iK6p,€.vos 
irapa ae, (hs rrpoGciTTOLfJiL ro iojOivov, Seov Trjv 
crvm^drj ravrrjv (f)covrjv d(f>€LvaL /cat ')(aipeLv KeXeveiv, 
iyo) Se o ^pvaov^ irnXaOofievos vytatVctv crc 
ri^iovv, €V(j)T]iJiOv [JL€V /cat rovro, ovk iv Kaipcp 8e 
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ct/cos", ot Se Xrjpelv V(f>* iJAt/cta?, ot Se ;^^eo-ti^s' 
KpaLTTaXrjs dvajjueGTOv en t^ovro fxe efvat, et /cat 
OTt fidXiora gv iineiKcJjs TjveyKas ro yeyovo? ovS* 
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vdw dvi(pp,7]v €7tI rip Trrato-jLtart /xt^S' dcfyopTjrov 
rjyoljjLTjVy €t 7rp€G^vrr)s dvrjp togovtov d7Teo<j)dXr]v 
rod KoXojs e-)(ovros iiri roaovrcov ixaprvpcov. 
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els ovrcos eu^T^/xov €V)(7]v oXiadovarjs . 
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€vr€V^ea6ai cpfirjv rep 7rpopXijp,arLt TTpo'Covrt, hk 
172 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN 
GREETING 

It is difficult for a mortal to avoid the caprice of 
some power on high, but it is much more difficult to 
find a defence for a silly slip sent by some such 
heavenly power. Both of these misfortunes have 
now happened to me. When I came to you to give 
you the morning greeting, I ought to have used the 
usual expression " Joy to you," but like a golden 
ass I blundered and said " Health to you," a pleas- 
ant enough greeting, but not suitable — it is not for 
the morning. As soon as I had said it I was all 
sixes and sevens. I began to sweat and went pink. 
Some of the company thought it a slip — naturally 
enough ; others thought that I had become a fool in 
my old age, or that it was a hangover from yester- 
day's drinking. You took it very well, though — not 
a trace of a smile to mark my slip of the tongue. So 
I thought it a good idea to write something to comfort 
myself, so as not to be too upset over my slip, or 
think it intolerable if I, an old man, had fallen so 
far from what was proper before so many witnesses. 
I don't think an apology was necessary for a tongue 
that slipped into a wish so pleasant. 

When I began to write, I thought that I was taking 
on an impossible task, but as I went on I found 



^73 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TToAAa 7Tpov(f>dvr) ra Ae/crca. ov firjv nporepov ipoj 
avrd, riv pur] Trepl rod ')(aip€iv avrov /cat rod ev 
TTpdrreLV /cat rod vytatVetv TrpoetTra) rd euKora. 

To /xev Srj x^ip€iv apxala /xev r) irpooayopevoiSy 
ov p/TjV iojOivrj pLOVov ovSe vtto ttjv Trpcorrjv 
€VT€V^LV, oAAa /cat TTpojTOV pL€v tSovTC? dXXqXovs 
eXeyov avro, ws to 

X^^P*t <^ Svvdara rrjaSe yrjs Tipwdias. 

/cat pL€rd TO SetTTVov is Xoyovs tJ^t] Trapoiviovs 
rpevopLevoL, d)s ro 

Xo-^P** ^Axt'Xev, Sairos p-ev itcrr)^ ovk CTrtSeuet?, 

'OSucrcrcus' ovorc rrjv iTrearaXpLdvrjv Trpea^elav 
avrcp ipprjTopcvev. /cat rjSrj aTTLovres nap* dXXr]~ 

XOJV, COS" TO 

XCL^p€T*, iyoj S* vpupLV deos dpuppoTOS, ovKen 
OmrjTos. 

t8to9 Se Kaipos ovhels direvevipLriro rfj TTpoap-qaeL, 
ovSe (Ls vvv pLOvos 6 €a)Biv6s» ottov ye /cat iirl ru)v 
aTTaiaiajv /cat dTrevKrordrayv opLOJS ixpd^^^o avTrj, 
cos 6 Tov EvptTTtSou HoXvveiKTjs tJSt] reXevTcov rov 
^iov, 

KoX ;^ai!p€r*, 7)^7] yap /xc TrepupdXXeL g kotos. 

/cat ov pLovov (j)LXo<f)pocnjv7]s avToZs rjv tovto 
avpLpoXov, dXXd /cat direxOeLas /cat tov pu-qKeTL 
XprjoeaOaL dXX^XoLS. to yovv puaKpd ;j^at/)etv 
(f>pdoraL TO p,r]K€Tt, <l>povTi€LV SrjXoL. 

1 Homer, //. ix, 225. 
174 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN GREETING 

plenty to say. But before I tell you this, let me 
say a few suitable words about these greetings ** Joy 
to you," " Do well," and " Health to you." 

" Joy to you " is the ancient greeting, not how- 
ever confined to the morning or to the first meeting, 
but they used it whenever they first caught sight of 
one another, as in 

** Joy to you, you lord of this Tirynthian land," 

and after dinner when they were ready to talk over 
their wine, as in 

'* Joy to you, Achilles, there is no lack 
Of meat for all alike." ^ 

when Odysseus was declaring to him his embassy's 
mission. They used it also when they took their 
leave, as in 

** Joy to you ! No longer mortal know me now. 
To you a god divine." ^ 

This greeting was not reserved for a special time, as 
now only for morning. Indeed even on the most 
unwelcome and inauspicious occasions they used it 
nevertheless, as in Euripides when Polynices at the 
end of his life says 

" Joy to you ! For now does darkness gird me 
round." ^ 

It was not just a sign for them of friendly feeling, 
but also of dislike and final parting. For example, 
to bid "Joy to it and a long one " meant that they 
washed their hands of it. 



A verse of Empedocles. 
Euripides, Phoenissae, 1453. 



175 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

3 IlpwTOS 8' avro OtAtTTTrtSr^s- o rjixcpoSpojJLijcras 
Xiyerai oltto MapaOiovos dyyi^ojv rriv vlktjv 
elireiv rrpos rovs dp)(OVTas Kad'qpLevovs koL 7T€(f)pov- 
riKoras virkp rov reXovs rrjs fJ-d-XV^* Xatpere, 
VLKCJfjLev, /cat tovto cittcov avvaTTodavelv rfj dyyeXla 
/cat TO) "XP-ipeiv cruveKTn'evaai. iv iTnorroXrj? Se 
dpxxi KAecuv o *Adr]vaLos hripLayixyyos diro 2^a/c- 
Tr)plas TTpcbrov X'^^P^^^ TTpovdrjKev euayyeAtCo/x€vo? 

TTjV vLk7]V Tr]V €KeW€V Kol TTjV TOJV UTTapTLaTCOV 

dXcDGLv. /cat ofxws ye ^ fxer €K€lvov 6 Nt/cta? oltto 

St/CcAtaS" €7TL(JT€XXajV €V TO) dpXCL^Cp TU)V €.TnOToXlX}V 

8t€/x€tv€v diT* auTcDv dp^dfievog ra)v Trpayfidrcov. 

4 *AAA* o davpuaaros YlXdrcDV, dvrjp d^LOTTtaros 
vopLoOdrrjg rcuv tolovtojv, to puev ;)(at/)etv /ceAcuetv 
/cat Trdw dTTohoKipidCeL cLg px>xdy]pov ov /cat ovbev 
aTTOvSalov €iJL(f)aLVOv, to 8* cu TrpdTTetv dvr avTov 
eladycL co? kolvov atofjiaTog t€ /cat ^vxyjs ev 
hiaKeLpLevojv avpL^oXov, /cat iiTLGTeXXcov ye Tat 
^lowGLOi atrtdrat ai^roi^, ort Trotoir €9 toi/ 
'ATToAAoi ;i^atpetv toi' ^coi' irpoaelTTev <hs dvd^iov 
Tov Hvdlov /cat ou;;^ ottcos 6eoi<s, oAA' oi)S' dvdpo)- 
TTOts" 8e^tots' TrpeTTOv. 

5 *0 /xeV y€ deoTTeoLos YivOayopas , el /cat pLYjSev 
avTOS ISlov TjiMv KaToXLTTeZv Twv avTov rj^Lcoaev, 
oaov 'O/ccAAoj 2 TO) Acu/cavo) /cat ^Apxvra /cat rot? 
oAAotS' 6pLtX7]TaLS avTOv TeKpLalpeordai, ovTe to 
XO.ipeLv ovTe to ev irpdTTeiv 7Tpovypa(f)eVy oAA' dno 
tov vyiaiveiv dpxeodai eKeXevev. diravTes yovv ol 
diT* avTOv oAATjAots" eTTLGTeXXovTes onoTe GTTOvSalov 

^ Kal ofKDS ye Seager : Kal oXms Kal T: Kai oXcos Kai yc N: 
Kai oXws ye A. 

176 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN GREETING 

Philippides, the one who acted as courier, is said 
to have used it first in our sense when he brought 
the news of victory from Marathon and addressed 
the magistrates in session when they were anxious 
how the battle had ended; "Joy to you, we've 
won," he said, and there and then he died, breath- 
ing his last breath with that "Joy to you." Cleon 
the Athenian demagogue also began his letter from 
Sphacteria with " Joy to you," when he gave the 
good news of the victory there and the capture of 
the Spartiates.^ However after him Nicias in his 
despatches from Sicily followed the old practice and 
began right away with the matter in hand. 

The admirable Plato himself, a most sound 
authority on such matters, altogether rejected the 
use of "Joy to you " as bad and pointless. He sub- 
stitutes " Do well," which implies a good state of 
both body and soul. In a letter to Dionysius ^ he 
censures him for greeting Apollo with " Joy to you " 
in his poem to the god; it is unworthy of the 
Pythian, he says, and not even for men of taste is it 
becoming, let alone gods. V 

The divine Pythagoras chose not to leave us any- 
thing of his own, but if we may judge by Ocellus 
the Leucanian and Archytas and his other disciples, 
he did not prefix " Joy to you " or " Do well," but 
told them to begin with " Health to you." At any 
rate all his school in serious letters to each other be- 
gan straightway with " Health to you," as a greet- 

1 424 B.C., during the Peloponnesian War. 

2 Ep. Ill, 315B. 

2 '0/f<AAa) two late MSS. and Aldinus : o/ctAw Q : 6k4kX<d 
other MSS.' (oWVAo; V). 

177 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Tt ypd(j)Oi€v vyiaiveiv evOv? iv dpxfj TrapCKeXcvovro 
COS Kal avTO if^vxf} t€ Kal crco^art dpyLohnxyrarov 
Kol GVvoXojs diravra Tre pee iXrjcfyo? TavdpcjTTOV 
dyadd, Kal ro ye rpiirXovv avrols rpiyojvov to hi 
diXXriXiov TO TTevTdypafJLfJLOV, <L ovfji^oXa) TTpos rous" 
o/xoSof ous" €-)(p(x)VTOy vyUia irpog avTcov (LvofjidCeTO, 
Kal oXcjs TjyovvTO tco pikv vyiaiveiv to ev TTpdTTCtv 
Kal TO ■)(aipeiv ^ ctvat, ovtc Se to) €u irpdTTeiv ovt€ 
TO) ;^at/3eti' TrdvTOJS Kal to vyiaiveiv. elol he ol 
Kal Tr)v TeTpaKTVv, tov fieycorTov opKov avTcov, 
7) Tov evTeXrj avTols dpidpiov diroTeXei^^ rjhrj ^ 
Kal vyieiag dpx^v eKoXeoav. cLv Kal OtAoAaos" 

€CrTt. 

6 Kal TL GOL Toijg TraXaious Xeyco, ottov Kal 
*Fi7TLKOvpos dvrjp Trdvv â– )(aipajv to) ;^atpeti/ /cat ttjv 
Tjhovrjv TTpo aTrdm-cov alpovpievos ev rat? gttov- 
haiOTepais eiriaToXals (elal he avrat oXlyai) Kal 
€v Tat? TTpos Tovs (f)LXTdTovs /xctAtcTTa vyiatveLV 
€v9vs ev dpxfj TjpoGTdTTei; ttoXv h* dv Kal ev ttj 
Tpaycphla Kal ev ttJ dpxo.ia Kcop^cohia evpois to 
vyiaCveLV irpuiTOV evdvs Xeyojxevov. to puev yap 

ovXe T€ Kol pAXa x^^P^ 

aa<l>d>s TrpoTeTayfjLevov tov p^atpeti^ to vyiaiveiv 
ep^et. o he " hXe^ts, 

o) hea7To6\ vyiaiv* , d)S XP^^''^^ eXijXvdas' 

6 he *Axcu6s, 

rjKa) TTeTrpaycJS heivd, av 8' vyiaive /xot* 



1 TO €u . . . xatp"" one late MS. : other MSS. om. 
* dTroTcAci Marcilius : airoTeX^tv MSS. 



178 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN GREETING 

ing most suitable for both body and soul, encom- 
passing all human goods. Indeed the Pentagram, 
the triple intersecting triangle which they used as a 
symbol of their sect, they called " Health." In 
short they thought that health included doing well 
and joy, but that the converse did not altogether 
hold. Some of them called the Quaternion,^ their 
most solemn oath, which made for them the perfect 
number, the Beginning of Health. Philolaus, for 
example. 

But why quote the ancients when there is Epicurus ? 
He certainly enjoyed joy, and chose Pleasure as the 
chief good. In his more serious letters (there are 
not many of these) and in those to his dearest friends 
he generally began straightway with " Health to 
you." In tragedy too and in Old Comedy you will 
often find " Health " said straightway first. The 
greeting 

" Good health and joy be yours " ^ 
clearly puts health before joy. Alexis says 

" Good health, my lord ! At long last you are 
here," 

and Achaeus 

" I come in dreadful case, but health I wish to 
you," 

^ The sum of the first four integers, i.e. 

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10. 
« Homer, Od. xxiv, 402. 



' rihri Marcilius : ol 8c MSS. 

179 



â– ry^/[lT' THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Kal 6 OiAtJ/uov, 

aLTcb 8' vyCeiav TTpwrov, elr evirpa^iav, 
rpirov he ^aipeiv, elr 6(j)€LXeLv fju-qSevi. 

6 fxev yap ro (jkoXlov ypanpas, ov /cat UXdrojv 
piefjLirqraLy ri Kal ovro? (fyrjaiv ; 'YyiatVctv jxev 
apiGTOVy ro hevrepov koXov yeveadai, rpirov 8e 
TrXovrcLV, rov ^aipav 8e ro Trapairav ovk i^mjaOr), 
Lva GOL fjLT] ^ ro yvcDpipMrrarov €K€ivo Kal ttclol Sta 
aropLaros Xiycu, 

vyt€ta, TTpeo^iara /xa/capcuv, /xera aev vaioip.1 ro 

XeLTTopLevov 
fiords. 

c5oT€ €t TTpea^iorT] icrrlv vyUia, Kal ro epyov 
avr7J£ ro vyiaLveiv TvporaKriov rojv aAAcov dyadcjv. 

7 Mvpla Sc Kal dXXa €K re ttoit^tcDv /cat avyypa- 
if>€Oiv KoX ^iXo<j6(f)(x)v /caraSet^at ooi e^ojv, npo- 
ripujjvroiv ro vyiaiveiVy rovro [lev TrapairrjaopiaL, 
(1)S put] els direLpoKaXlav rivd peipaKUjoSr] eKirem) 
pLOL ro crvyypapLpa Kal KLvhwevcupuev dXXw t^Aoj 
eKKpoveiv rov rjXov, oXlya he ooi rijs dpxalag 
laroplas oiroaa p,epvrjpbaL ot/ceta rw napovri 
TTpocrypdi/jai /caAai? ^X^'^ vireXa^ov. 

8 "Ore * AXe^avhpog rrjv ev ^laao) pd')(7]v dycuviel- 
adai epieXXev, ws ^vpevrjg 6 KapScavos ^ ev rfj 
irpos 'AvrtVarpov emoroXfj Xeyei, ecodev elcreXOcbv 
els TTjV GKrjvrjv avrov 6 'Hcj^aiorlajv, eXr eiriXadope- 
vos elre rapaxOels cjOTrep eyoj etre Kal deov nvos 
rovro KaravayKdaavros , ravrov epuol e<f>r), 'Yytatve, 
jSaatAei;, Kaipos TJhrj Trapardrreodai. rapaxOevrcov 

1 fiTj add. Fritzsche. 
|3o 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN GREETING 

and Philemon 

** First I beg good health, and second doing well, 
Thirdly to have joy, and last to owe no debts." 

What does the writer of that drinking-song which 
Plato mentions say ^ ? " Good health is best, then 
good looks, third wealth," and he never mentions joy 
at all. I need hardly mention that most familiar 
piece of all which everybody quotes, 

" I'd live with thee, O Health, chief of the gods 
Through all the mortal Ufe that's left to me." ^ 

Then if health is the chief of the gods, her work — the 
enjoyment of good health — is to be preferred to other 
blessings. 

I could show you thousands of other passages in the 
poets and historians and philosophers which put 
health first, but I shall beg to be excused, or my 
writing will be guilty of the bad taste of an adolescent, 
and only knock one nail out with another. But a 
few things from ancient history I remember are to 
the point, and I may as well add them for you. 

Just before the Battle of Issus, as Eumenes of 
Cardia says in his letter to Antipater, Hephaestion 
came early into Alexander's tent. He blundered or 
was confused (as I was) or was driven to it by some 
god when he gave my greeting : " Health to yoii, 
king," he said, ** it is already time to set the battle- 

1 Plato, GorgiaSy 7. The scolium is quoted in full by 
Athenaeus, Deipn., xv, 40. 

* Attributed to Ariphron of Sicyon, Ath., Deipn., xv, 63. 

- KapStavos Solanus : Sa/>8tawj MSS. ;vA/^ 

l8l 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

he rcov TTapovTOiv npo? ro Trapdho^ov rrjs TTpoaayo- 
pevGeoJS Kol rod *H<^atcrTtcovo? oXlyou Selv vn 
alSovs €K9av6vTOS , ^AXe^avSpos, Ac;)^o/xai, elne, 
TTjv KXrjhova. to yap ocjovs iiravri^eiv diro rrjs 

H'^XV^ V^V i^°^ V7T€(7X'y]TaL. 

9 *AurLoxos Se o Gcorrjp ore rols TaXdrais crvvd- 
Tvreiv c/LteAAev, eSo^ev ovap iTnardvra ol tov 
'AAc^avSpov KeXeveiv avvdr^pLa irpo ttjs jJidx'^S 
TrapaSovvaL rfj arparia ro vyiaiveiv, /cat vtto 
rovrcp rep ^ avvdripiari rrjv davp.aarrjv €K€Lvr]v 
VLKTjv ivLKTjaev. 

10 Kat nroAe/xato? Se o Adyov ScAeu/coj imareX- 
Xojv aa<f)ajs dveorpetjje rrjv rd^iv iv dpxjj jJiev ttjs 
imaroXrjs vyiaiveiv avrov TTpooeLircov, inl riXei 
Se dvrl rod ippcbodai, VTToypdijsas ro xaipeiv, ws 
ALOvua6Sa)p09 6 rd^ eTnorroXas avrov crvvayayayv 

11 "A^iov hk KoX Yivppov rov ^Yiireipajrov fivrjadij' 
vai, dvhpos fJLerd ^ AXi^avhpov rd hevrepa iv 
arpariqyiaLS iveyKap^ivov Kal puvpias rporrds rrjs 
rvxy]S iveyKovrog. ovros roivvv del OeoXg evxdfjie- 
vos Kal dvcov Kal dvandels ovheTTwirore -^ vlktiv r^ 
PacrtXeiag d^icupia p,ell,ov ri evKXeiav ri rrXovrov 
VTrep^oXrjv TJrrjae Trap* avrcov, oAA' ev rovro 
rjvx^rOj vyiaiveiv, (hs ear dv rovr exj]» paSlojs 
avro) rwv dXXcov 7rpoayevr]Gop,evix)v. Kal dptarra 
ot/xat €<f)p6v€i, XoyL^6pbevo£ on ovSev o^eXos rdv 
aTrdvrcjv dyaOdjv, ear dv rov vyiaivew p,6vov drrfj. 

12 Nat, (f>rjaLV ns, dXXd vvv eKdarov Kaipds tSto? 
ixj)^ rjpLcov aTToSeSet/crat,^ cry Se rovrov evaXXd^as, 
el Kal p/qhev dXXo ea(j)dXris,^ o/xcos" rep St/cata> 
Xoycp ovK dv efo) et-qs rov rjpLapr7]Kevat., wairep 
i8a 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN GREETING 

line." The others present were upset by the strange 
address, and Hephaestion almost died for shame. 
But Alexander said, " I accept the omen. It has 
now promised us a safe return from the battle." 

When Antiochus Soter was about to engage the 
Galatians, he dreamed he saw Alexander standing by 
him, who told him to give the army the password 
" Health " before the battle, and under that word he 
won his amazing victory. 

Ptolemy, the son of Lagos, when writing to 
Seleucus clearly reversed the usual order by putting 
" Health to you " at the beginning of his letter, and 
at the end "Joy to you " instead of wishing him 
strength. Dionysodorus who collected his letters 
tells us this. 

Then Pyrrhus of Epirus also is worthy of mention. 
As a general he was second only to Alexander and 
endured a myriad changes of fortune. In all his 
prayers to the gods and sacrifices and offerings he 
never asked them for victory or increased kingly 
dignity or glory or excessive wealth ; his prayer was 
for this thing alone — good health ; he was sure that 
if he had this he would easily get all the rest. I think 
he was right when he considered that all the bless- 
ings in the world are worth nothing when health is 
the one thing he hasn't got. 

Yes, someone will say, we have assigned the 
proper time for each phrase, but you have switched 
it ; and even if you have done nothing else wrong, 
you have still in all justice made a slip ; you've put a 

1 rw add. Cobet. 

2 dTToSe'Set/crai rdxa av €177-77 ''■*^- ov be . . . N. f^J 

3 iacfxxXrjs Bekker : f(f>rj(Tda MSS. 

183 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

av €i Tts" 7r€pl T7J KviqfjLr] to Kpdvog t) Trepl rfj 
K€(f)aXfj ras /cj/ry/xtSas" imS'^GaLTO. AAA*, (L jSeA- 
Ttcrre, (f>atrjv dv Kayo) npo? avrov, clkotu)? dv 
ravra eXeyeg, ct rt? oAco? /catpos" rjv vyteia^ fxr] 
Seo/xev'os", vvv 8e /cat ecuOev Kal pbearovcrr]? rjfjiepag 
/cat mjKTCop del to vytatvoy di^ay/catov, /cat /xa- 
Atora rot? dp)^ov(7t, /cat ttoAAo. TrpdrrovGLv vjjuv, 
OGO) /cat 7r/)6? rd TroAAd 8et(7^€ rou acofxaros. en 
Se o /xer X^^P^ clirajv fiovov evcfy-^fio) rfj dpxfj 
ixpTJcroLTOy /cat €gtlv €vxj} to Trpdy/xa, o Se vyial- 
V€LV TrapaKeXcvofjLevos /cat ;)^p7^(JtjU.oy rt 8/>a /cat 
VTTOjJLLfjLV^OKeL Tcjv TTpos TO vyiaLveiv (JVVT€XoVVrO}V , 
/cat ou OT;i^eu;(eTat fiovov oAAd /cat napayyeXXet. 

13 Tt 8*; oi5;(t /cat ev to) tcDv cvtoAoji/ pi^XCcp, o del 
irapd jSacrtAccu? Xap,^dv€T€, rovro irpwrov vjjuv iari 
TrapdyycXfxa, ttjs vyiela^ tt}? Vfierepag avrcuv 
impLcXeLGdai ; /cat /xoA* ct/corco?* ouSei' ydp dv 
€t7j 6(f)€Xog VfjLCJV TTpos Ttt oAAa /XT] OUT6U 8ta/cet/xe- 
vojv. dAAd /cat Vfieis avroi, et tl Kdyd) ttjs 
'Pcu/xatcov <f)OJvrjs cVatico, tou? Trpooayopevovras 
dvTihe^LOvpi.€voi rep rrjs vytetas" ot^d/xaTt TroAAd/ctj 
djLtetjScCT^e. 

14 Kat ravra irdvra clttov ov^ cl»S" c/c Trpovoias 
d<f)€Xd)v pL€v ro ;(;at/»€tv, iTnrrjSevoas 8e di^' 
auTOU ctTreti' to uytatVctv, dAA* a>9 rovro puev 
d/coiv TTodwv — 7] yeAotb? y* dv tJi/ ^evi^cov /cat tou? 

15 Kaipovs rcov 7TpoGayop€va€0)v ivaXXdrrcuv. x^P''^ 
he d/xoAoydi TOt? Oeois, on /xot to G(f>dXpLa els 
dXXo fjLaKpcp aiGLcorcpov Trepierpdirrj /cat els ro 
dpL€Lvov TTapajXiadoVf /cat Td;;^a rr^s 'Yyteta? -^ 
'Aor/cArjTTtou auTOU eTmrvoia rovr enpdxdr] 8t* 
€/xou aot TO uytatVctv v7nax}'ovpL4vov' eirel eycoye 
184 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN GREETING 

helmet on your shins and greaves on your head. Oh, 
yes, my good sir, I would answer, that would be 
reasonable if there were any time at all when health 
wasn't needed; as it is you always need health — 
morning, noon, and night — , especially you magis- 
trates and busy men who depend so much on your 
bodily vigour. " Joy to you " is only an auspicious 
beginning, a prayer in fact. " Health to you " is 
positive and useful ; it reminds you of what makes 
for good health ; it is a warning as well as a prayer. 
Now in the book of instructions you always get from 
the emperor, isn't the first injunction to you to take 
care of your health ? And rightly so. You would 
not be of much use otherwise. Indeed you your- 
selves, if I know any Latin, also often return the 
word " Health " ^ when you shake hands. 

In saying all this I did not want deliberately to 
discard " Joy to you " and put " Health " in its 
place ; this was an accident — it would be ridiculous for 
me to sui*prise you all by changing the usual times of 
the greetings. I am grateful to heaven that my slip 
was a switch into something much more auspicious 
and slid into something better. Perhaps the god- 
dess Health or Asclepius himself inspired me on pur- 
pose to promise you health through me. I could 
certainly never have done it without a god's inter- 

1 In Latin " Salve." 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TTiOS dp avTO €7Tadov dv€V deov fjLrjSenw rrporepov 
€v TCp fJLaKpcp jSto) rapa)(d€ls ofioLov ; 

16 Et ^ Set /cat dvdpcoTTLVTjv nvd virkp rod yeyovoros 
diToXoylav eiTreLV, ovSev ^evov, el ttolw eaTrouSa/cco? 
CTTt TOt? apLOTOis VTTo GOV yvcopL^cadaL CK rrjs 
dyav €7ndvpilas ^Is Tovvavriov Siarapaxdcls evi- 
irecrov. rd^o. S' dv riva iKTrXij^eie rcov /car' 
opdov XoyLcrfJLOJV ^ /cat orparicorcov ttXtjOos, cov ol 
p,€v TTpoojdovvreSy ol he €v rfj rci^et rrj? rrpoaayo- 

17 pevaeoj? ixrj p,evovT€s. ov S' eu otS* on Kav ol 
dXXoL €tV dvoiav ri aTratSeucrtW r] napacftpoovvrjv 
dva(f)ip(jJOLV TO TTpdyjjLa, alSovs avro ovpL^oXov /cat 
d<f)€X€Las iTTOiTjcrco /cat i/ruxrjs fMTjSev dyopaXov /cat 
€vr€xvov ixovoT)?' cos to ye ndvu OappaXeov iv 
Toig TOLOvroig ov Troppw dpaavTr)rog /cat dvaiaxw- 
Tta9 ecrriv. /cat e/xotye eir] firjSev jiev tolovto 
a^aXXeoOai, el he crvfipal-q, irpos ev(f)r]p,Lav avro 
TpeTrecrdaL. 

18 'E77t yovv rov Trpcorov He^aarov Kal TotovSc 
Tt Xeyerai yeveaOai' 6 puev €tvx€ hiK-qv rivd 
St/cao-a? opdcbs Kal dnoXvGas cy/cA-j^/iaTO? rov 
fxeylarov aSt/ccus" avKocfiavTovixevov dvOpwrrov, 6 
8e X^/>tv ofjLoXoyojv jxeydXr) rfj (fyojvfj, ^dpiv olBd 
aoLy €(f)7], Jj avTOKpdrop, otl KaKios Kal dSt/cco? 
cSt/caaas" /cat rcov nepl He^aarov dyavaKTqadvrayv 
/cat hiaoTrdGaodai rov dvOpconov edeXovrcov^ 11 aw- 
oaade ;!^aA€7ratVovT€9, eKeZvos e(f>7]- ov yap ttjv 
yXcorrav avrov, aXXd ttjv yvcojjLTjv e^erd^eiv 

d^LOV. €K€LVOS jLtCV OVTCJSy OV 8' CtTC TrjV yVCJfJLTjV 

^ rwv . . . XoyiayLCov Sommerbrodt : twv . . . XoyiayLOV F; 
rriv . . . Xoyiafxov N: rrjs Xoyiafxwv (? sic) E. 

186 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN GREETING 

vention, when I was never confused like this before 
in a long life. 

But, if I must make a human apology for what has 
happened, there is nothing strange, if a fervent 
desire for your good opinion in all that is best was too 
strong and in my utter confusion I stumbled into 
the opposite effect. A man might also be startled 
away from proper deliberation by the crowd of 
soldiers pushing their way to the front or not wait- 
ing their turn in presenting their petitions. But I 
know that you at any rate have taken the affair as 
a sign of modesty and simplicity and a mind un- 
debased and unsophisticated, even if the others re- 
ferred it to ignorance or bad training or idiocy. 
Excessive boldness in such matters is not far off 
audacity and shamelessness. May I never make 
such a slip, or, if I do, may I happen on some lucky 
phrase ! 

Indeed they say that something like this happened 
to the first Augustus. It happened that he had 
decided a certain case correctly and acquitted a 
defendant who had been unjustly prosecuted on a 
most serious charge. The man acknowledged his 
gratitude in a loud voice : " Thank you, Emperor, 
for your bad and unjust judgment! " Augustus's 
courtiers were furious and would have torn him to 
pieces, but the emperor said, " Calm your anger. It 
is his meaning, not his words, that you must con- 
sider." That was his answer, but if you look at my 

187 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

OKei/jaLo, Trdvv evvow €vprJG€Ls, etre r7)v yXcorrav, 
€V(f)riiJLos Kal avrrj. 
19 "YiOiKa S* ivravda TJhr) yevofievos eiKOTWs dXXo 

K€vaL, (x)S rrjv diroXoylav TavTr]v avyypd^aijxi. 
Kal €17) y€, <L ^CXrare ^AaKXrjTne, tolovtov 
(f>airfjvaL Tov Xoyov, ws fir) aTToXoyiav, dXX 
CTTtSct^cco? d(f>opii7)v elvai hoKetv. 



i88 



A SLIP OF THE TONGUE IN GREETING 

meaning, the intention, you'll see, was good ; if at 
my words, they too were auspicious. 

Having now reached this point, I think I may 
reasonably be afraid of something else : some may 
think the slip deliberate, a pretext for writing this 
defence. May my composition, dearest Asclepius, 
be such that all may see it as a starting point of a 
display, not as a defence. 



189 



APOLOGY FOR THE 

"SALARIED POSTS IN GREAT 

HOUSES" 

Lucian, now in an administrative position in the Civil 
Service in Egypt, defends himself against the charge of 
hypocrisy. His earlier essay {Loeb, vol. Ill, pp. 411 ff.) had 
attacked the life of educated men who took paid employment 
in the houses of the rich. 



AnoAoriA 

1 HoAou CTKOTTU) TTpos ijxavrov y a» KoXe Hapivc, 
arivd aoL cIkos eTreXdelv clttclv avayvovri rjfiojv to 
TTcpt Tcov inl fiLadu) ovvovr cjv ^i^Xiov on fjL€V 
yap ovK dyeXacjTL Sicfi^ct? avro Kal ttolvv /xot 
TTpohrjXov. d 8e pLera^v Kal €ttI ttoloiv vtto gov 
iXeyero, ravra vvv €<f)appL6rr€iv Crjroj rots dvey- 
vwapiivoLS. €t roivuv pur] KaKos iyd) /xarrt/c/Jv, 
hoKOi pLOL dKOV€iv GOV XdyovTOS' Efra tls avros 
ravra yeypacfxljs Kal Kar^yopiav ovro) Sclvtjv Kara, 
rov roLovrov ^lov Slc^cXOwv, eneira Trdin-cov 
€KXad6p,€vos , oGrpdKOVy <f)y]oi, pLerancGovrog €Kcov 
iavrov <j>€pa)v €9 SovXetav ovrco 7r€pL(f)avrj Kal 
TrepL^Xenrov €VG€G€lk€v ; ttogoi MiSat Kal KpocGOL 
Kal liaKrcjXol oXol pLeriireiGav avrov d(f>€lvaL pL€V 
T^v €K TTaihoiv ^IXriv Kal Gvvrpo^ov iXevOeplav, 
TTpos avrcp 8e -^8?^ ru> AlaKip y€v6pi€vov Kal 
pLOVovov)(l rov erepov TroSa iv rep TTOpOpbeicp 
exovra 7Tap€X€tv iavrov eXKCGdai Kal GvpeGdau ^ 
Kaddnep VTTO kXolw rivL )(pvGa> rov au;^eVa SeOevra ; 
old €GrL rwv rpv(f>(x)vrcov ttXovglojv rd G^iyyia Kal 
rd KovpdXXia; ttoXXtj yovv rj hiacfxjjvla rod vvv 
plov TTpos ro Gvyypaptpia Kal ro dvco rovs TTorapiovs 

1 4>4p€odai, N. 
192 



APOLOGY FOR THE "SALARIED 
POSTS IN GREAT HOUSES" 

I HAVE long been wondering, my dear Sabinus, 
what it probably occurred to you to say now that 
you have read my essay on " Salaried Posts in Great 
Houses." It is quite certain that you had a good 
laugh when you read it ; but I am trying now to fit 
the detailed and general comments you made to the 
text. If I am any good at divination, I think I can 
hear you saying: "To think that anyone could 
write that and work up such a devastating indictment 
against that sort of life, then, when the die falls the 
other way up, completely forget it and himself of his 
own free will rush headlong into a slavery so manifest 
and conspicuous ! How many Midases and Croesuses 
and whole Pactoluses have persuaded him to throw 
away his liberty, the object of his care and com- 
panion of his nurture since childhood? Already 
within sight of Aeacus himself, viith one foot almost 
in the ferry-boat he lets himself be dragged and 
pulled along as though by a golden collar fastened 
round his throat ! ^ What bracelets and necklaces 
the idle rich must have ! There is much inconsistency 
here between his present life and his essay — ' rivers 



^ See On Sal. Posts., Loeb, vol. iii, 7. 



VOL. VI. H 



193 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

XO)p€LV Kol dv€aTpd<f)daL rd Trdvra /cat TroAti'yScti^ 
TTpog TO x^^pov Tovr dv €17] ov^ virkp 'EAei^s" /xa 
At* ouS* VTTep T(x)V €77* *IAta» yevofMevcjoy, dAA* ^pyco 
dvarpeTTOfjuevajv tcjv Xoycov KaXcjs Trporepov elpij- 
adai hoKovvTiov . 

2 Tavra puev TTpog iavrov co? to €lk6s AcAc/crat 
ooL. €7ra^€ts" Sc LGOJS /cat Trpoj aiVrov c/ie ^vyi^ov- 
Xr\v Tiva roiavTTjv ovk aKaipov, oAAd (f)i\LKr]v /cat 
otoj ooi XPV^'^^ '^^^^ <f>LXoo6<l>a) dvSpl TrpdnovGav. 
iqv iikv ovv /car* d^iav virohvs to gov TTpoGConov 
VTTOKpivojjxai, €v dv r)iiLV e^oi /cat rcb Aoyico 
dvGopLev €t Se /jLijy dAAd crv TTpoGd-qoeLs rd 
ivhcovra. wpa roiwv fieraGKevdGavr as rjjJLds rrjV 

GKTjVriV €jj,€ fJLCV GKDTTaV KOL dv€X€G6a(, T€p,v6pi€VOV 

/cat Kai6p,€vov, el Scot, ctti GCJTqpia, g€ S* CTrtTrdr- 
T€LV Tcov <f>apfidKCJV /cat TTjv GfiiXrjv d/xa Trpox^tpov 
exovra /cat to KavrqpLov hidTTVpov. /cat 87) 
irapaXa^div rrjv p-qTpav gv ravra irpos /x€ d 
HapLvos rjSr] Aeyct?. 

3 IldAat /xcV, 60 (f>iX6Tr]g, ws ct/cds", evhoKipLrjral 
GOL rovTL TO GvyypafjLjjLa /cat ev ttoAAoj ttAt^^cc 
heix^iv, (hs ol Tore aKpoaodfjievoL hirjyovvro, /cat 
i8ta napd rots 7T€7Tai,hevpievois ottogol Ofju-Xeiv 
avrco /cat 8td ;(ctpd? c;^€tv rj^icuGav. tj re ydp rcov 
X6ya)v TTapaGKevT] ov (jLefiTTrrj /cat rj LGropia ttoXXtj 
/cat ejXTTeLpia tcov TrpayfiaTCov /cat oTt c/caoTa 
Ga(f)OJs iXeyero, /cat, to jjueyiGTov, otl xPV^^H-^ 
TTaGLv rjv /cat /xdAtaTa TOt? TrcTratScu/xeVots", cos" )u,t7 
VTT* dyvotas" a^d? auTOu? ct? SouActav virdyoiev. 
enel 8e aot /xcTcSofc ^eXrioj Tavra etvat ^ rrjv fxev 

1 So Fritzsche : efrnt Kal MSS. 
194 



APOLOGY 

flowing uphill ' and ' the world upside down * and 
' recantation for the worse,' not for a Helen indeed, 
or what happened at Troy ; ^ no, here in very fact 
are your words turned upside down, although they 
seemed well enough before." 

That's what you said to yourself, I've no doubt. 
Perhaps you will offer me some such advice, not 
untimely, but friendly, and becoming to an honest 
philosopher like yourself. If I put your mask on 
and answer properly, all will be well for us, and we 
shall sacrifice to the God of Reason. If not, well, 
you will add what is lacking. Well then it is time 
for us to change the scene ; I must keep quiet and 
endure your cutting and cautery if need be for 
survival's sake; you must apply the ointment and 
at the same time have the knife ready and the 
cauterising iron red-hot. Now you, Sabinus, take 
the word and thus you now address me : 

" My dear friend, your essay, as is right, has long 
been admired, both before a great crowd at its first 
appearance, as those who then heard it told me, and 
privately among educated people who have not hesi- 
tated to use and handle it. The style could not be 
censured, its content was ample and showed a 
knowledge of the world ; it was clear in detail and, 
most important of all, it was useful for everybody 
and particularly for the educated, to save them 
falling into servitude through ignorance. Now all 
is changed ; this course seems better to you, to bid 

^ The poet Stesichorus recanted his attack on Helen of 
Troy. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

iXcvdeplav [xaKpa ;\;ai/Detv idv, ^rjXcjaai Se ro 
dyevveGrarov eKelvo lajjL^elov 

oTTov TO KepBos, TTapa <f>VGLv SovXevreoVy 

opa 07T0JS firjScls ert aKovoerai gov dvayivcjGKOV- 
ros avTO, oAAa /XT^Se oAAoj TrapaGxrjs rcjv tov 
TTOpovra GOV ^iov opojvrcjv eTreXdelv ra yeypapL- 
/xeVa, €VXOv Se *Kpixfj ru) xl^ovicp kol tcov aKr^KO- 
OTCJV TTporepov 7roXXr)v X'qdrjv /caraa/ccSaaat, -^ 

8of €19 TOV rod KopLvdiOV fJLvdoV ^ TL 7T€1T0v6€Vai, 

Kara Gavrov 6 BcAAcpo^ovTTy? y€ypa<f>a)s to 
^l^Xlov. fia yap rov AC ov^ opoj rrfv diroXoyiav 
7]TLg av evirpoGCJTTos croi yivono irpos rovs 
KarTjyopovvrag, /cat jLcoAtCTTa, ^v gvv yeXcori avro 

TTOLOJGLV €7TaLVOVVT€S fieV TO, ycypapL/JLCVa /cat TTjV 

€v avTols eXevdeplav, avrov Se rov Gvyypa(jila 

hovXevovra opchvres /cat eKovra vrroridevra tov 

4 aup^cVa Tcp ^vyw. ovk direLKOTa y ovv Xiyoi€.v av, 

el Xiyoiev tJtol dXXov tov yeuvatov dvSpo? etvaL to 

^L^XlOV /cat G€ TOV KoXoLOV dXXoTpiOL? TTT€pOi^ 

dydXXcGdai' rj etnep gov Igtiv, 6p.oid gc tco 
HaXaidcp 7T0L€LV, OS" TTiKpoTaTov Kara fjLotxcov dels 
TOLs KpoTOJVLaTaLs vofiov /cat davfiaCofievos in* 
avTCo fierd puKpov avTOS idXcj fjLOLX^vojv tov 
aSeA^ou T7]v yvvalKa. Trepl TioSa tolwv /cat ak 
TOV ^dXaidov eKetvov elvai (fyalr) rig dv fxaXXov 

8e TToXv fl€TpLCL)T€pOS €K€lvOS , epCxJTL fxkv oAoUS", 

COS" €<f)aGK€v diToXoyovpevog , Ikcov he pudXa evifjvxcos 
is TO TTvp dXXofxevos, /catVot eXeovvTOiv avTov rjSr] 
KpOTCOvLaTOJV /cat ivSiSovTOiv (l)vy€LV, el jSouAotTo. 
TO 8e GOV ov rrapd puKpov aToncoTepov, dKpi^ovvTOS 
196 



APOLOGY 

freedom good-bye for ever, and to follow that sordid 
verse 

* Where gain is, be a slave beyond your nature.' 

Take care no one hears you reading it again ; keep 
written copies out of the way of anyone who sees 
your present life, and pray Hermes down below to 
sprinkle plenty of Lethe on those who have already 
heard it. Otherwise you will be like the man in the 
Corinthian story, a Bellerophon who wrote the book 
against yourself.^ Indeed I don't see what answer 
you can make to give you a good face before your 
accusers, especially if they are laughing at you and 
praise the essay and its freedom while they see the 
writer himself enslaved and willingly putting his neck 
under the yoke. It would be reasonable enough, at 
least, if they said that someone else was the noble 
author, and you were a jackdaw strutting in borrowed 
plumes ; or, if it is yours, that you were another 
Salaethus who made a most severe law against 
adultery at Croton and was admired for it, but shortly 
afterwards was himself caught seducing his brother's 
wife. It would be said that you were exactly that 
Salaethus — no, he was much more restrained than 
you; love caught him, as he said in his defence, 
and he jumped readily and bravely into the fire, 
although the people of Croton now pitied him and 
granted him exile if he preferred. But your case is 
much more shocking ; you gave a precise description 

^ Bellerophon carried a letter requesting his execution. 
Horn., 11. vi, 155 sqq. 



So T: roi . . . [jLvdov ravrov ti N. 

197 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

fi€v iv Tois XoyoLS rr)v rod roiovrov ptov SovXorrpe- 
7T€Lav Kal Komiyopovvros €t ns ets" ttXovgiov twos 
ifi7T€Gcov Kal Kad^ip^as eavrov dvexoiro jjuvpla 
ra Svax^PV Tracr^i^ajv /cat noicoVy iv y^po. 8c 
vordro) Kal gx€B6v tJSt] virkp rov ovhov ovtojs 
dyevvrj Xarpelav iTravrjprjfjLevov Kal [iovovov)(l Kal 
€fnTO[jL7T€vovros avrfj. oaco yovv TrddLV ^ CTncn^/id- 
repos elvai SoKeZs, togovto) KarayeXaaTorcpos av 
So^ctas" elvau dvTicjxjJvovvTOS rod vvv piov toj 
pvpXlo). 

KatVot ri, Set hxllvyjv inl oe Kanqyoptav C^rctv 
fierd TTjv Oavfiaarrjv rpaycohiav Xiyovoav 

pbLGOJ ao(f)L(jrrjv , ocms ovx o-vrcp €ro(f)6s ; 

ovK dTTOpijcrovGL Se ol Karriyopovvres Kal oAAcuv 
Trapahetyp^drcov inl ae, oAA' ol fxev rots rpayiKols 
VTTOKpLralg CLKdaovoLv, ot inl puev rrJ9 GKTjvrjg 
^AyapLcpLVCov eKaoros avrojv ^ Kpewv tj avrog 
'Hpa/cArJ? CLGLVy e^o) Se IlaiAos" ^ ^ Apiarohrnios 
drrodepievoi ra TTpoooiirela yiyvovrai VTropnaOot, 
rpaycphovvres , eKTriirrovres Kal ovpLrrofievoL, cviore 
8c Kal fjLaoriyoviJievol nveg avrcov, cos dv rw 
dear pa) Soktj. dXXot Se ro rod indriKov TreirovOevai. 
a€ <j>riaovGiv ov J^eondrpa rfj ndw (f)aal yeveadai' 
€K€LVov yap hihaxOivTa reco? /xcv 6 px^loO at irdw 
KOGfjLLCos Kal ifjbjjLeXajg Kal inl ttoXv davfjLdCeaOai 
pbivovra iv rw GX'^P'O.ri Kal ro TTpenov ^vXdrrovra 
Kal rots aSovGL Kal avXovai GvyKtvovfJievov ufxevaiov, 
CTTCt 8e elhev iG^dha ofjLtat r^ dp.vyhaXov noppoj 
KeifjLevrjv, jxaKpa ;!^atpctv (fipdoavra rols avXols 
Kal pvdfJiOLS Kal opx'^jJiaGL GvvapTrdGavra Kararpco- 

198 



APOLOGY 

\n your essay of the slavishness of a life of that sort 
and added your condemnation of the thousand u^- 
pleasant things a man suffered and did once he fell 
into a rich man's power and put himself in chains, 
yet in extreme old age you chose such an ignoble 
service when you were almost over the threshold 
into death, and furthermore you all but plumed 
yourself on entering that service. At any rate the 
more distinguished a person everyone thinks you, 
the more ridiculous you will seem if your present life 
contradicts your essay. 

** However, why need I look for a new charge 
against you when that splendid tragedy says : 

* I hate a wiseacre who's not wise for himself.' 

Your accusers will find plenty more examples to 
quote against you. Some will compare you to 
tragic actors, on stage each an Agamemnon, Creon, 
or Heracles himself, but with their masks off a 
Polus or Aristodemus, playing a part for money, 
hissed and whistled off the stage, and sometimes 
some of them are flogged, if the audience wishes. 
Others will say you are like the monkey which 
they say the famous Cleopatra owned; it was 
trained to dance most elegantly and in time, and 
was much adnciired as it kept up a part, behaving 
in a seemly fashion as it accompanied the singers 
and flautists of the bridal procession. But when he 
saw a fig, I suppose, or an almond some way off on the 
ground, then good-bye to flutes and rhythms and 



^ TToiaiv M : (f>daiv or (f>aatv other MSS. 

199 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ycLV, aTTOppiilsavray fidXXov 8c cruvrplipavra ro 
vpoacoTTOV. Kal av rotvuVy (t>aL€v dv, ovx VTTOKpcTqs, 
dXXa 7roi7jrr]9 tcjv KoXXiaraJv Kal vojioOinqs 
yevoficvog vtto ta';^a8os' ravrqal 7Tapa(l>av€L(Trjg 

6 rjXeyxOrjg TrCdrjKog cov Kal an aKpov ^^lXovs 
<j)i\oao<f)WV Kal erepa jjl€v Kevdcov ivl ^pcCTtV, oAAa 
8e Xeycov co? elKorojs av nva inl crov ctTretv on 
a Xiyeis Kal €(f)* oh iTraivelcfOaL dftots", ;^€tA€a 
piiv GOV iSlrjveVy V7T€pa)7]v he avxP'^crav /caroAe- 
Xonrev, roiyapovv irapa TTohas evdvs eriaas Slktjv, 
7rpo7T€Ta>s puev Opaawdpevos npos rag dvd pixyiTOJV 
XP^lag, p,€ra puKpov 8e p,ovovovxl vtto Krjpv^LV 
i^op^oordp-evos rrjv iXevOeplav. Kal c<x)K€1 tj ^ASpda- 
T€ta t6t€ KaroTTiv €cj)eGr(x)Gd aoL €v8oKLp,ovvrL icf)* 
ofs" KarrjyopcLS rwv aXXoju, KarayeXdv ws av dcos 
clhvXa rrjv p^eXXovodv gol €? ret 6p,oia pcTaPoXrjv 
Kal on ovK els rov koXttov irrvGag TTporepov 
rj^lovg KaTrjyopelv roiv 8ta TTOiKiXas rtvas" r-oxo-S 
TOiavra TTpdrreiv V7Top,€v6vTOJv. €l yovv vttoOolto 
TL9 rep Xoyip rov ALGx^vr)v p.€rd rj]v Kara rod Tt- 
pidpxov Kariqyopiav avrov aXcovai Kal (j>wpa6rjvai 

7 TO, o/xota ndGxovra, ttogov dv otet irapd rcov 
opwvrcov yeveodac rov ycAcora, €t TLp,apxov p,€V 
7]v6vv€v €ttI rolg KaO^ (jjpav r)p,aprT)p,evoL£, avros 
8e yepojv TJSr) roiavra els eavrov TvapevopLei ; ro 
8* oXov eKeivcp rw (f)appaK07Ta)Xr} eoLKas os 
dTTOK7]pvrro}v ^rjxos <f)dppiaKov Kal avriKa Kara- 
TTavGeiv rovs irdoxovras V7nGxvovp.evos avrog pce- 
ra^v GTTci)p,evos vtto ^t^X^^ e^aivero. 

1 Horn., 11. ix, 313. « Homer, II. xxiii, 495. 

' Nemesis. 

200 



APOLOGY 

dances ! he grabbed and ate it up after pulling off his 
mask and even tearing it up. You then, they would say, 
were not a mere actor, but a poet of the noblest senti- 
ments and a lawgiver ; but when this fig appeared you 
were shown up a monkey, with philosophy on your 
lips, * hiding one thing in your heart, while saying 
another.* ^ So it may be fairly said against you that 
what you say and the matters for which you ask 
to be praised ' wet your lips, but leave the palate 
dry.' 2 So retribution has followed close. You 
rushed headlong to attack human needs, then a little 
later forswore your freedom in what was almost a 
public proclamation. If Adrasteia ^ stood behind you 
when your accusations were winning your reputation, 
she must have laughed, knowing as a god would what 
a turncoat you were going to be ; you couldn't have 
spat in your bosom,* she would think, before thinking 
fit to accuse those who were driven to do this sort of 
thing by fortune's fickleness. Suppose for argu- 
ment's sake that after Aeschines had made his 
accusation against Timarchus he had been caught 
doing just the same, in the very act, don't you think 
those who saw it would have roared with laughter at 
this fellow who censured Timarchus for the sins of 
youth, and committed the same crimes himself in his 
old age?^ In short you seem just like that drug- 
seller who was advertising cough medicine and 
promising immediate relief to sufferers, while he 
himself was racked by a cough as he talked for all 
to see." 

* To avert nemesis. 

^ Aeschines was impeached by Timarchus, and brought a 
countercharge of debauchery against him. This made it 
illegal for Timarchus to undertake any prosecution. 

201 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

8 Tavra fxev Kal ra roiavra ttoXXo. €T€pa etnoi 
Tis av oto9 (TV KarTjyopajv iv ovrcjg ayi(j>i\a(j>€l rfj 
VTTodeoei Kal yiAjpias tcls d(f)opp,a£ TrapexojJi^vrj . 
iyo) Se tJSt] okotto) 'qvTLva Kal T/octTTCO/xat npog rrfv 
dnoXoyiav. dpd (jlol Kpdriarov, ideXoKaK-rjaavra 
Kal ra vcora iTnorpiijjavra Kal dhLKelv ovk 
dpvovfjL€vov inl rrjv kolvtjv eKcivrjv dnoXoyLav 
Kara<j)vyeiv y — Xiycj hk rrjv Tvx^v Kal Motpav /cat 
^lfjiapiJidvr)v — Kal TTapatreLadaL GvyyvcjfJLrjv €X€('V 
fxot, Toifs €TnTLpL(jjvras ctSora? d>s ovh^vos rjjJLel^ 
KvpLOL, dAA* V7t6 tlvos KpetTTOVos, fidXXov 8e fXLag 
TU)v 7rpo€Lpr]iJ,€VCOv dyofxeda ovx €k6vt€£, dXX 
dvairioi iravTaTraaiv 6vt€s (Lv dv Xeyajfiev rj 
TTOLOjjJLev; ^ iq rovro fx€v KopuSfj lSlcotlkou, Kal 
ou8' dv (TV fJL€, (L (fyiXoTqSi dvdaxpio TOLavn]V 
dnoXoylav TTpoicrxdfievov Kal crum^yopov rov "Ofirj- 
pov TTapaXapL^dvovra Kal rd €K€lvov ein] paipo)- 
hovvra, 

Molpav 8* ovTwd <f)rjfii ire^vypiivov efipLevai dv- 
hpcov ^ 



• yeivopbdvip i7T€vr)az AtVoj, ore pnv t€K€ fX'qTqp. 
9 Et Se Tovrov d^els rov Xoyov ojs ov iraw 

d^LOTTLGTOV €K€.lvO XeyOijXL, [JLT]T€ VTTO ;(p7]/XaTC0V 

ix'qre vtt* dXXrjg tlvos iXTTibos roiavriqs heXeaodels 

VTTOGTTJvaL TTjV TTapOVGaV GVVOVGLaV^ aAAtt TrjV 

Gvv€GLV Kal dvSpeiav Kal fjLeyaXovoiav rov dvSpos 
BavpidGas iOeXrJGat KOLvcoviJGaL TTpd^ecjv rw 
TOLOVTO), BeSoLKa jjLrj Trpos rrj i7TL<t>€pofjL€vri Ka- 
T7]yopia KoXaK€ias alriav ^ TTpoGXa^d)V K^ra 

202 



APOLOGY 

'Yhis and a lot more of the sort could be said 
by a prosecutor like you in a case with such scope 
and countless opportunities for criticism. But now 
I am wondering to what defence I should turn. 
Is it best to play the coward, turn my back, and 
admit my wrong-doing, taking refuge in the universal 
defence. Fortune, Fate, Destiny ? Shall I ask pardon 
from my critics, who know that we have no control 
and are driven by a mightier power, especially one 
of those just mentioned ? Shall I say we do not 
wish it, but have no responsibility at all for what we 
say or do ? Surely this is a very vulgar excuse, and, 
miy good friend, you would not let me use any such 
defence or call in Homer as an advocate and chant 
his: 

" No man, say I, ever escaped Fate." ^ 

and again, 

" Spun the thread at his birth, the day his mother 
bore him." ^ 

But if I abandoned this argument as quite uncon- 
vincing and said this that I was not hooked by money 
or any such expectation when I formed the present 
association, but that I admired my patron's intelli- 
gence and courage and elevation of thought and 
wished to share the fortunes of such a man, I fear that 
besides the accusation being brought against me I 

1 Homer, II. vi, 488. 2 Homer, 11. xx, 128. 



^ So r^ : om, c5v T^: a av A. â– ^ tt. N. 
2 So F and Homer : dv8pa>v ttvai other MSS. 
' So F : vpos . . . aiTiav om. T: BeBoiKa /X17 koI ravra 
fXeyxioitai irpoaXa^wy N. 

203 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

evpiGKOJfjLaL TJXcpy (fyaoLv, CKKpovajv rov rjXoVf /cat 
fxei^ovL ye rov GfjaKporepov, oorcp /coAa/ccta ra>v 
dXXojv dnoivTCOv KaKcov ro SovXoTTpeTTeararov elvai 
— Kal ravrj) x^tpLarov — vevoijuarai. 

10 Tt ovv oAAo, €t fiijre ravra pLii^re iKclva Acyetv 
So/cet, VTToXoLTTOV ioTiv Tj ojJLoXoyetv jjLTjSe €v vytes 
elTTelv €X€Lv; fxia fioL taajg €K€Lvr] dyKvpa in 
dppoxo9, oSvpeadat to yrjpas Kal ttjv vogov /cat 
/xera tovtcxjv ttjv ireviav Trdvra iroielv Kal Tracr^^ctv 
avaireidovoav dj<^ €K(f>vyoi ns avrrjv. /cat ev rco 
roLovTO) ovK aKaipov lacos Kal rrjv rov EuptTrtSov 
MrjSeiav TrapaKaXioai TrapeXdovaav eliTelv vnep 
ifjiov €K€Lva rd la/ijScta puKpov avrd TTapcpS-qaacrav 

Kal fxavdavo) jxev ova Spav jjieXXaj /ca/ca, 

7T€via 8c KpCLOOCOV rWV ipLCJV ^OvXcVfJLaTCOV. 

TO [JL€V yap Tov SeoyviSos koLv iyoj jjlt) Xeyoj, ris 
OVK otSci^, OVK aTTa^Lovvros Kal e? ^aOvKt^rca 
TTovrov a(f)ds avrovs pLTrrelv Kal Kara KprjjjLvcov 
rjXtpdrcov, ct ye ^ fieXXei ris ovTOjg aTToSpdoeoOat, 
TTjv TTeviav ; 

11 Taura pikv elvai hoKel d ns dv co? iv roiovrcp 
aTToXoyqaaodaL e-)(oi, ov irdvv evTrpoaojirov eKaarov 
avTcov. av 8e /xot ddppei, c5 iraZpe, cos ovSevl 
TOVTOJV ifjLov xPV^ofievov. jjLT) yap roaovros TTore 
Xifios KaraXd^oL to "Apyos cos ttjv Kf AAapajStv ^ 
aTTeipeiv eTTixeLpelv ov^i* rjjjieLS ovtco TrevrjTes ev- 
Xoyov dnoXoylas cos vtto diropias rd rotaura 
Kp7]a(f>vyeTa irpos ttjv KaTrjyoplav Ci^relv. dXXd 
fjLOL eKelvo ewo-qcrovt cos TrdfXTToXv Sta^epet, is 

1 So Fritzsche : Kp. ye rjX. ei /zeAAei MSS. (jne'AAoi F). 

2 KuAAa/jajSiv Graevius : oKuXXapa^C-qv FN. 
204 



APOLOGY 

may be accused of flattery, and find myself knocking 
out a nail with a nail, as they say, and a small one 
with a big one at that, since flattery is considered the 
most servile — and therefore the worst — of all the 
vices. 

Well then, if I am pleased with neither line of 
defence, am I driven to agree or to confess that I have 
no honourable argument? Perhaps I have still one 
anchor left on board, to complain of old age and dis- 
ease and poverty as well, which persuades one to do 
or endure anything to get away from it. In such a 
case perhaps it is not untimely to call on Euripides* 
Medea to come and say in my defence those iambic 
lines, parodied a little : 

" I know the evil that I'm going to do. 
But poverty is stronger than my plans." ^ 

I do not quote the Theognis passage, but everybody 
knows it, where he thinks it not improper for men to 
throw themselves from lofty crags into the deep 
yawning sea with its monsters, if one can escape 
poverty in that way.^ 

Such are the pleas one might bring in defence in 
such a case as this, none of them pretty. But don't 
be afraid, my friend, I'm not going to use any of them. 
May there never be such a famine at Argos that they 
try to sow the gymnasium at Cyllarabis, and may I 
never be so destitute of a reasonable defence that in 
my need I look for refuges of this sort against the 
accusation. But reaUse this: there is a very great 

^ Euripides, Medea, 1078, with " passion " for " poverty." 
2 Theognis, 173-178 {Loeh ed. J. M. Edwards, Elegy and 
Iambus, 1). 

205 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

OLKLav TLvos ttXovolov VTrofxiadov TTapeXdovra 
hovXev^iv Kol av€-)(€odai oaa fioi ^'qaiv ro ^l^Xlov, 
iq SrjiJioula. Trpdrrovrd tl tcov kolvcov Kal is 
Svvafitv TToXirevofxevov iirl rovro) Trapd ^aoiXiojs 
IJiL(jdo(f)op€Lv. StcA^cuv St] Kal tSio, Karadels c/care- 
pov (tk6tt€1' evpr]0€i<s yap to tcov pLOvaiKcov Srj 
Tovro, St? 8ta TTaacbv to TTpdyfia, Kal togovtov 
eoLKoras oAAtJAoi? rovs ^lovs, ooov fjLoXvpSos 
dpyvpci) Kal )^aXK6s ;^pi;cra) Kal dvcpiwvr] poScp Kal 
dvdpojTTcp iriQrjKos. pnodos p,€v yap KOLKel Kavravda 
Kal TO VTT* dXXw rdrreodaL, to 8e Trpdyfxa TrapLTToX- 
Xrjv e;^ct rrjv Sta^covtW. €/cet /xev yap SovXela 
aacfyrjs Kal ov ttoXv tcov dpyvpcoviJTajv Kal olKorpi- 

^OJV hia^lpoVGLV ol €7tI Tip TOlOVTCp elcTLOVT^S , ol 

Se rd KOLvd Sta ;;^€tpos' l^ovr^s Kal TroXecrt, Kal 
eOveaiv oXols cr<f)ds avrovs XPV^^H'^^^ napexovres 
ovK dv eLKOTOJ? €K piovov Tov pLcadov SLa^dXXoLvro 
Kal is opLOLorrjra Kal Koivwviav rijs Karr^yoplas 
KadiXKoiVTO' inel ovk dv (t>ddvoi tls dndaas 
dvaipcjv rds roiavras Trpooraalas, Kal ovt€ ol 
Toaavra ^ eOvrj iinrpoTrevovTes ovd* ol rds TToXets 
dppLorrovres ovd* ol ras <f>dXayyas 7] arpaToncSa 
oXa iyx^tpiCopLevoL 6p6ws ttol'^o-ovolv incl Kal 
pLLodos avTCJV TO) cpyo) TrpooeoTLV. dXX ovk d<f)* 
ivos, olpLaiy XPV dvaTp€7T€iv rd irdvra ovh* 
laoripLLav rwv pLLado<f)opovvra)v KaBiardvai. 
12 To he dXov ov rovs pacrdapvovvras aTravras iyd) 
^avXcp picp avvelvai €(f>a(JKOv, dAAd tous" iv rats 
oiKLais inl Trpo(f)dG€L TraiSevcreaJs SovXcvovras 
a>Kr€Lpov. rovrl 8e, w iralpe, ro rjpirepov 
rrpdypia TTavrdrraoLV irepoZov ioriVy et ye rd p,ev 
OLKOL tcort/xa rjpuv, hr]p,o(7La Se rrjs pLeylarrjs 
206 



APOLOGY 

difference between entering a rich man's house as a 
hireling, where one is a slave and endures what my 
essay describes, and entering public service, where 
one administers affairs as well as possible and is paid 
by the Emperor for doing it. Consider every detail 
and examine it for yourself. You will find the 
two lives two octaves apart, to use a musical phrase, 
and as like each other as lead and silver, bronze and 
gold, anemone and rose, monkey and man. You are 
paid in both cases and are under a master's orders, 
but there is a world of difference. In the one case 
the slavery is obvious, and those who enter on these 
conditions are not much different from slaves, 
whether bought or bred at home, while those who 
handle public business and make themselves of 
service to states and whole provinces cannot rightly be 
criticised merely because they are paid, or be 
brought down to the same level of general denuncia- 
tion. Otherwise you must post-haste abolish all 
offices of this kind : neither administrators of all the 
provinces nor governors of cities nor commanders of 
corps or whole armies will please since they are paid 
for their work. No, you must not, I fancy, overturn 
everything because of an isolated example, or lump 
all wage-earners together. 

In short I did not say that all wage-earners lived 
a mean and petty existence: no, it was those in 
private houses who endured slavery under the pretext 
of education that I pitied. My present situation, my 
friend, is altogether different. My private standing 
is not reduced, and in public life I take a share and 



^ ToaavTa Fritzsche : Totaura MSS. 

207 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

apx'TJ? KOLvcovovjjLCV Kal TO iiipos ovvhiarrpdrroiiev . 
eyajy* ovv, €t cr/ce^aio, Sd^atjLt' av gov ov to 
ajJiLKpoTarov rrj^ AlyvTrrias ravrrjs o.px'rj? iyKcx^t- 
piodaiy ras St/cas" etVayetv Kal rd^iv avrais rrjv 
TTpoariKovaav iiriTid evai /cat rayv TTparropLevajv Kal 
Xcyojjievcov dira^airavToyv VTTopvrujiara ypd^eoBai 
Kal rag re prjropeLag rcov StKaLoXoyovvrcDv 
pvdfjLiCeLV Kal ras rov dpxovros yvcjaeis TTpos ro 
oa^iararov dfia Kal aKpi^eurarov avv 7tlgt€c rrj 
fieyLGrr] SLa(f)vXdrr€LV Kal TrapaSiSovat hiqfJLoaia 
TTpos rov del xP^vov dTTO KeiGo puevas , Kal 6 pnaOos 
ovK ISicurLKos, oAAct TTapd rov jSaatAecu?, ov 
GfjLLKpos ov8e ovros, dXXd TToXvrdiXavros ' Kal rd 
perd ravra 8e ov <f)avXaL eXnlSes, el rd euKora 
yiyvoiro, aXXd eOvos eTnrparrrjvai ij rivas oAAas" 
TTpd^eis PaGiXucds. 
13 'E^eAct) yovv €K irepirrov ;^pT7crd/Ltevos' rr\ nap- 
prjGLa Kal opooe ;^ci>p7y(7as' ru) e7n<f)epopevcp eyKX'q- 
pari Kad^ virep^oXr^v diroXoyrioaoO ai, Kal 817 ^17^1 
aoL prjheva p-qhev dpiadl iroieiv, ovh^ av rovs ra peyi- 
Gra TTpdrrovras elTrrjs, ottov p,7]Se ^aoiXevs avros 
dpiGdos eGTLv. ov <j>6povs Xeyo) ovSe Saa/xous", 
OTTOGOi TTapd rcjv dpxopLeviov CTTeretoL (l)OLr(x)Giv , 
oAA* eon paGiXel puGOos pueycGros eTTaivoi Kal rj 
TTapd TTOLGLv cw/cActa Kal ro eTrl rats evepyeoLais 
TrpoGKvveLGOav, Kal eiKoves Se Kal veo) Kal repevT], 
oTTOoa TTapd rwv dpxopuevcjv exovGL, pnoBol /cat 
ravrd eiGiv vTTep rwv (fypovriScov Kal TTpovoias, 
Tjv eK(j)epovrai rrpoGKOTTOvvres del rd Koivd /cat 
peXrlcx) TTOiovvres. cos ^rj piKpd peydXois et/caCctv, 
r)v eOeXrjs dp^dpevos a,7ro rrjs rov Gcopov KopV(j)'fjs 
e(j)* eKaGrov rovrojv dcj)* cov GvyKeirai Karapal- 
208 



APOLOGY 

play my part in the mightiest of empires. If you 
consider the matter you will realise that my personal 
responsibility in this administration of Egypt is not 
the least important — the initiation of court-cases and 
their arrangement, the recording of all that is done 
and said, guiding counsel in their speeches, keeping 
the clearest and most accurate copy of the president's 
decisions in all faithfulness and putting them on public 
record to be preserved for all time; and my salary 
not from any private person, but from the emperor, 
and it is no small one at that, many talents in fact. 
For the future I have no small hopes, if what is likely 
comes about — the supervision of a province or some 
other imperial service. 

So I am walling to be bolder than I need be, to close 
with the charge against me, and to advance beyond 
defence. Moreover I say to you that no one does any- 
thing without pay, not even if you instance those at 
the head of things, for not even the emperor himself 
is unpaid. I do not mean tributes and taxes that 
come in every year from his subjects ; no, the king's 
most important reward is praise, universal fame, 
reverence for his benefactions, statues and temples 
and shrines bestowed on him by his subjects — all 
these are payment for the thought and care which 
such men evidence in their continual watch over the 
common weal and its improvement. To compare 
small vdth great, if you will begin at the top of the 
heap and descend to each of its component parts, you 

209 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

v€iv, 6ijj€L OTL fieyedei /cat afiLKporrjTL 8ttiAAaTTO/x€v 
Twv aKpordrajVy ra 8' aAAa iJLLado<f>6poi o/xotcos" 

14 Et fjL€V ovv Tovrov ireOcLKeiv rov vofiov firjScva 
jjLTjhev TTpdrreiVf €vo-)(os dv ^Ikotcjs iboKOVV rfj 

.rrapavopiia.f el Se rovro fiev ovSajjLov rov pL^Xlov 
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elvai, ri dv oAAo €? heov avrcp ;)^/)a)TO, t) <^lXois 
avpLTTovcjv TTpos rd jScArtCTra Kdv rw jxeao) vTraL- 
Bpios TTclpav avrov SlSovs ottcjs €;)(€t ttlgtccos kol 
ctttouStJ? Kal €vvoias TTpos rd €y/<:e;^€t/>to"/xcVa, <x)S 
firj rd ^OfJLTjpLKov c/ccuo " ircLaiov dyOos dpovprjs '* 

15 ITpo Se rcL)v oXcjv [icfivrjadai, XPV "^ovs €774Tt/Lia>K- 
ra? on ov ao(j>a> ovri jjlol — €l StJ rt? Kal aAAo? 
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TToXXov Srjpiov, X6yov£ fxev doKijoavri, Kal rd 
fidrpui €7TaLvovp.€vcp iiT* avrolst TTpds hk Tqv 
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dvLacrdaC p.oi d^iov, on pLr^Se dXXcp iycj yovv 
€vr€rv)(7]Ka rrjv rov ao<f)ov VTroox^aLV dTroTrXrj- 
povvn. crov fidvroL kol davfidaaLp,* dv iinnpLayvros 
fjLOV ru) vuvl pi(^, et ye e7nninp7]s , ov npo noXXov 
rjSeis inl pT^ropiKrj 87^/xoata /xeytWas" pLLodocjyopds 
€V€yKdp,€voVy OTTore /caret ^eai^ rov ianeplov 
^Q.K€avov Kal rr)v KeXnKrjv d/xa iniajv evirv^es 
rjfjuv roL9 fieyaXofiLodoL? rdv ao<f)Lcrra)v ivapidfiov' 

fl€VOL9. 

Tavrd aoiy cL iralpc, /catrot iv fivplats rats 

^ Homer, II. xviii, 104. 
210 



APOLOGY 

will see that we differ from those at the top in size, 
but that in other respects we are all wage-earners 
alike. 

Now if I had laid down a law that no one must do 
any work, I would rightly be thought guilty of break- 
ing it ; but if this was nowhere said in my essay, but 
rather that a good man ought to be active, how better 
could he employ himself than to work with his friends 
for the best ends and in full view under the open sky 
to let his loyalty, seriousness of purpose, and good 
will in his undertakings be put to the test, so that he 
may not be " a useless burden to the earth " ^ in 
Homer's words ? 

Above all, those who censure me must remember 
that it is not a wise man — if such there be anywhere 
— whom they will censure but one from the common 
people, one who has trained himself in words and re- 
ceived moderate praise for them, but one completely 
unpractised in that acme of the virtues that the cream 
of men display. And surely I ought not to be grieved 
even on this account, for I at any rate have met no 
other who fulfilled the promise of wisdom. However 
I should be surprised if you were to condemn me for 
my present life — you knew me long ago when I was 
commanding the highest fees for the public practice 
of rhetoric, at the time when you went to see the 
Western Ocean and the lands of the Celts and met 
me : my fees were as high as those of any professor. 

This then, my friend, is the defence which I offer 

2X1 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

daxoXlaLS (vv ofiojs dTTeXoyrjodjjLrjv, ovk iv Trapepyco 
defjicvos rrjv Xcuktjv Trapd crov /cat nXTJpr] (jlol 
€V€)(9rji'ai' €7ret Trpos ye rovs dXXovs, kov awdfia 
Trdvreg KarrjyopojGLi', LKavov dv €lt] jjlol to ov 
<j>povris 'IttttokXclSt]. 



212 



APOLOGY 

to you, busy though I am with countless tasks, 
thinking it of prime importance to secure my full 
acquittal at your hands. As for the rest, even if they 
all condemn me unanimously, I shall be content to 
quote " HippocUdes doesn't care." ^ 

1 A proverb from the story in Herodotus, vi, 127-129. 



213 



HARMONIDES 

An appeal to a patron for support. The story of Harr 
monides and Timotheus gives point to the inevitable flattery. 



APM0NIAH2; 

1 * ApixovlStjs 6 avXrjTTjS TJpeTo ttotc Tijjiodeov 
StSctCT/caAov avTov ovra, Eittc /xot, €^17, a> Tijjiodee, 
TTCUS" av €v8o^o£ yevoipLiqv iirl rfj rex^r) ; Kal Tt 
TTOiovvra eiGovrai fic ol "EAAr^t'cs" airavr^'s ; ra 
liev yap oAAa €v ttolcov iSiSd^o) jie rjSrj, appiooaodai 
Tov avXov is TO aKpipks Kal ifXTTvelv €? Tqv 
yXajoGiSa Actttov tl Kal ipufieXes Kal vnopaXXew 

ToifS SaKTvXoVS €Va<j}(x)S VTTO TTVKVTj TTJ apo€L Kal 

decrei Kal ^alveiv iv pvdfjLW Kal crvfjLcfycxJva elvai ^ ra 
fjLcXrj npos rov ^opov Kal tt]5 app,ovias eKaaTqs 
SLaxf>vXdrr€Lv to ISlov, rijs ^pvylov to evOeov, 
rijg Avhlov to Ba/c;)^t/cdi', ttjs Acuptou to ocfxvov, 
TTJs ^IcovLKijs TO yXa<j)vp6v. ravra jxev ovv TrdvTa 
€Kpi€p,d6y)Ka Trapd gov' tol jieyLOTa Se Kal <Lv 
€V€Ka cVe^u/xT^oa ttjs avXrjTLKTJs , ovx opa> ttqjs o.v 
an avTTJg /xot TrpoayevoLTO , tj Sd^a rj irapd tcjv 
TToXXcjv Kal TO €7TLcrqfjLov eluat, iv ttXiJOcgl Kal Set- 
KwoBaL rep SaKTvXcp, Kal rjv ttov (fyavw, evdvg 
€'niOTpi<f>€G6 ai Trdvras ct? €/x€ Kal Xiy^iv Tovvopua, 

OVTOS ApfJLOvlSrjS €K€Lv6s €GTLV 6 dpLGTOS avXrjTI^S , 
a>GTT€p OT€ Kal GV, CO Tt/xd^€e, TO TTpCJTOV iXOoiV 

OLKodev €K BotojTta? V7Tr)vXr]Gag rfj YlavSiovlSL Kal 

€VLK7]GaS ^ €V Tip AlaVTL Tip C/X/XaVft, TOV 6p,COVV- 
/XOU ^ OOt TTOLTJGaVTOS TO pLcXo? , OuSctS" rjv 0£ 

^ elvai Macleod : tlvai MSS. 
2l6 



HARMONIDES 

Harmonides the pipe-player once asked Timo- 
theus, who was his teacher. " Tell me, Tlmotheus, 
how can I become famous in the art ? What must I 
do to become known to all the Greek world? You 
have already (and I thank you) taught me the rest of 
the art : I mean, to tune the pipe accurately, to blow 
lightly and harmoniously into the mouthpiece, to 
fit the fingers with easy touch to the full rise and fall 
of the music, to step in rhythm, to direct the music 
harmoniously in the direction of the dancers, and to 
master the peculiarities of each mode — the frenzy of 
the Phrygian, the excitement of the Lydian, the 
dignity of the Dorian, the elegance of the Ionian. 
All this I have learnt from you. But the most 
important matter — the reason for my interest in the 
art of pipe-playing — I don't see how pipe-playing 
will ever bring me to it. I mean universal fame, 
being noticed in a crowd, being pointed at, and on 
putting in an appearance anywhere having everyone 
turn towards me and say my name, ' That is Harm- 
onides the outstanding piper ' ; just as when you too, 
Timotheus, first left your home in Boeotia and 
accompanied the Daughter of Pandion and won the 
victory in the Ajax Mad, playing the music your 
namesake had written for you, every single person 

* ivlicqaas Jens : viicqaas MSS : V17 Ai* â– ^aas L. A. Post. 
' OfuovvfMov Manilius : ofiann^fwv MSS. 

217 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

rjyvocL rovvofjua, Ttfjiodeov €k Srj^ojv. dAA' evOa 
dv Kal vvv (j)avfjs, GwOiovuiv enl ae irdvres 
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avTO dv€v TOV evho^ov elvai St* auro ovk dv 
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x'cjv. ovhev yap 6<j)€.Xo^ drroppTJrov, (f)aal, Kal 
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avrrjs. 
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/XeV OVTCDCTL TTCO? €9 TCt ttAtJ^t] TTaplOJV iTTlSeLKVVfXe- 

V09 ideXoLS TTopi^eudaiy fiaKpov dv ydvoLTO, Kal 
ovSe ovTOJS aTTavres elaovrai ae. ttov yap dv 
evpeOcLT] t) dearpov t] ordBuyv ovtoj fieya, iv (p 
ndoLv avXrjoets rots "EiXXrjGcv ; cos Se Troto^cras 
yvcuadTJar) avrols Kal cttI to irepag dcjii^r) ttjs 
€V)(fj?, iyd) Kal TOVTO VTrodrjOopiai croi- av yap 
avXei p,€v Kal 77/30? to. BioTpa ivloTe, arap oXiyov 
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paoTa €7tI TTjv Sd^av dyovaa '^Se ioTLV. el yap 
€7nX€^djjL€vo9 Tcov iv Tjj *EAAa8t Toifs dpiaTovs Kal 
oXiyovs avTcov ouol Kopv^aloi Kal dvapb<j)iX6ycx)s 
davfxaoTol Kal €tt* a/A^ore/Da ttlotol, el tovtols, 
(j)r)fjLl, eTTihel^aio ra auArJjLtara Kal ovtol eiraLveaov- 
218 



HARMONIDES 

knew your name, Timotheus of Thebes. Whenever 
you appear there now, everyone flocks round you like 
birds around an owl. This was my reason for wanting 
to become a pipe-player and undertaking the hard 
training. I shouldn't consider taking up pipe-playing 
for its own sake without its attendant reputation, 
and if I were to remain in obscurity. No, not even 
if I were to be an unknown Marsyas or Olympus. 
It's no use, they say, if musical skill is to be secret 
and kept hidden. But teach me this as well, how to 
do some good to myself as well as our art and I shall 
feel doubly grateful to you — for the pipe-playing and, 
most important of all, for the glory it confers." 

Timotheus replied, " You must reaUse, Har- 
monides, that it is no small thing that you're in love 
With — praise and reputation, distinction and being 
known to the public — , but if this is what you want — to 
be able to go into crowds in this way and to be pointed 
out — , it will be a long business, and not even then will 
you be known to everyone. Where would you find 
a theatre or stadium big enough to play to all the 
Greeks ? But I'll suggest a way of becoming known 
to them and attaining your hopes in all their full- 
ness : play the pipe sometimes in theatres as well 
yet taite but little notice of the crowd. This is 
the easiest short cut to a reputation. For if you 
choose only the best of Greece and of these just the 
few at the top, men of undisputed genius and reliable 
judgment, if, I say, you show off your pipe-pieces to 
them and they praise you, then you can think your- 

2if9 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

rat ae, aTracrw "EAAt^oi vo/At^€ tJStj yeyevfjadac 
yva)pLfjL09 €v ovTO) ^pa)(€L. Kol TO TTpdyjxa opa 
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fjiov ovra, tL aoi Set tcjv TroAAcuy, 61 ye Travrois 
(XKoXovdrjaovoL roXg ajjLCLVov KpZvai hwapievoLS ; 
6 yap roL ttoXvs ovtos Xccos, avroi p,kv ayvoovoi 
ra peXricjy pdvavaoi, 6vt€S ol ttoXXol avrcov, 
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pLT) av dXoycos iTraivedrjvat. rovrov ware eiraivl- 
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ol pikv TToAAot dearal laaoL ^ KporrjaaL Trore Kal 
avpLGat, KplvovGL 8e eTrra t^ ttcWc ^ ogoi StJ. 
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avXcp Kal doT€<j)dv(x}TOS iv ttj GKr/vrj aTridave to 
avTo Kal TrpwTOV Kal vararov avXrioas iv rols 
Alovuglols. 

*0 fievTOL rod Tip^oddov Xoyos ovk auAi^rats" 
ovSe *AppLovlSrj pLovov elprJGdal puot 8o/c€t, dAAa 
iraGiv OGOL So^rjg opiyovrai Sr^/xoatov rt €7nh€LKVv- 
pi€voL, rod TTapd ru)v 7toXX(x>v inalvov SeopevoL. 
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/cat orcp TTLGrevGovGLv ol oAAot /cat os dvrl Trdvrojv 
dpK€G€L€v av. ovrco Se apa gv epeXXes rjplv 
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dperrjs dndGrjs, 6 yvcopucvv, <f)aGL, Kal 6 opdos 
Kavojv rcjv roiovrcov. €t Se gol 8ct^at/xt rd/xd 

220 



HARMONIDES 

self a man of repute in the eyes of all the Greeks after 
this short trial. Do you see what my plan does for 
you ? Suppose that those whom everyone knows and 
admires recognise that you are a piper of ability, then 
you can ignore the crowd — they will always follow 
men of superior judgment. This great mass doesn't 
recognise quality for itself — most of them are low, 
vulgar fellows — but when acclaim is won from men 
of standing, they all believe it is due and reasonable, 
and they too will acclaim. The truth, you see, is that 
even when watching competitions plenty of specta- 
tors know how to clap at the end and hiss, but judg- 
ment is the prerogative of the odd half dozen." 

Harmonides did not have time to carry out these 
instructions. The story goes that during his first 
attempt at winning the pipe competition, his com- 
petitive blowing was so keen that he blew his last 
breath on his pipe and died on the stage uncrowned : 
his one Dionysiac performance was his first and his 
last. 

It seems to me that Timotheus's principle applies 
not only to pipe-playing and Harmonides but to all 
those who look for fame by making a public exhibi- 
tion of themselves, aiming at the applause of the 
crowd. Take my own case. When I was con- 
templating something similar for myself and was look- 
ing for the quickest means of acquiring a general 
reputation, I took Timotheus's advice. I looked for 
the best man in the city, the one everybody else 
would believe, the one who would suffice for all. You 
alone could reasonably be seen as the man, you the 
sum of all excellence, the measure, as they say, and 
model of accuracy in all such matters. To show you 

^ taaai one late MSS. : eiVi(v) other MSS. 

221 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Kal Gv iTTaivecrevag avrd — €117 yap ovro) <j)avrio€- 
adai — , Kal Srj inl iripas tJkclv fxe rrjg cAttiSo? iv 
fiia ^ri<j)cp ras aTrdoas Xa^ovra. 1^ riva yap av 
7Tp6 GOV iXojjLevos ovxl TrapaTTaUtv av SiKaLcos 
vopLiGdeiqv ; cjgt€ Xoyo) fxev c^' ivos dvSpos 
dvappLifjopev rov kv^ov, to S* dXr^Oes cjGirep av 
el Tovs aTTavrayoBev dvOpcoTTOvg GvyKaXeoas is 
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fJLLaV ilj'fj(f)OV <j)€p6vTCOV, €K€tVOL pLOVOV CKaTCpOS 

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SoKeLTCx) . 

4 Kat yap ovSe eKetvo /xot iKavov, el ttoXXoI 
edavpaGav npoTepov, el evSo^og rjSr] eyo), el 

^ H€ €v Jacobitz : pikv T : /ne other MSS. 
2 ye Fritzsche : tc MSS. 
222 



HARMONIDES 

my work and for you to give it your praise — if only 
that could be! — then indeed would I have attained 
the fullness of my desire, winning the votes of all 
through that of you alone. Whom could I prefer to 
you without being rightly considered out of my wits ? 
It could be said that I would be staking everything on 
one man, but in reality it is as if I had assembled the 
whole population in one theatre as audience for my 
words. For the plain fact is that by yourself you 
would be a better judge than the whole assembly 
taken singly or together. Now the kings of Sparta 
alone had two votes each, the rest had one : but you 
carry the weight of ephors and council as well, and 
in short in the field of culture you have a block vote 
that outvotes all. Most important of all you always 
hold the casting vote that secures an acquittal. This 
gives me courage at the present time, for I might 
well be nervous — my presumption is so great. There 
is in all truth an additional reason for my confidence : 
my interests are not altogether alien to you, inas- 
miuch as I am a native of a city that has often been a 
beneficiary of your good will, both in specific acts of 
kindness and generally in company with the rest of 
the nation. So if at the present time the voting is 
going against me in the count and the favourable 
votes are in a minority, like Athena give your casting- 
vote ^ and make up the deficiency in your own person, 
and let the credit be yours for setting the matter 
right. 

It is not enough for me that many may have ex- 
pressed admiration before, that I may have some 

^ Orestes was acquitted by Athena's casting vote; see 
Aeschylus, Eumenides. 

223 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

€7rai>vovvrai irpos twv aKovadvrojv ol Aoyot. 
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^TTOV <f>o^€p6v Tip 'OAu/XTTta TO. /LtcyoAa veVlKTlKOTl. 



224 



HARMONIDES 

reputation already, that my works are praised 
by those who have heard them — all this is empty 
show, as they say, a mere shadow of approval. 
Now the truth will appear ; this is the strict measure 
of my work. There will henceforth be no doubt, no 
hesitation. I must be judged now either supreme in 
the field of literature, for this is your verdict, or of all 
men — but I must utter no word of ill omen now that 
I am entering on such a mighty contest. Heaven 
grant me your approval and confirmation of my 
reputation! Then for the future I shall face the 
world with a brave heart. Any other stadium al- 
ready holds less terror for the man who has won the 
great prizes of Olympia. 



225 

VOL. VI. I 



A CONVERSATION WITH HESIOD 

Lycinus attacks Hesiod, and through him all poets who 
make similar claims, for claiming to prophesy the future. 



DIAAOrOS nPOD H2I0A0N 

ATKINOL 

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rov IloAuctSov ri Kal Oivea fiipLrjadp^evos ot fjurjSe 
rrapd Movcrojv rovrov rv^ovr^s opuo? TrpoedeaTTtCov 

Kal OVK CJKVOVV Xpdv TOLS SeOfJLCVOLS. 

2 "iQcTTC dvdyKT) <jol rcov rpicjv rovrcjv alriijjv pna 
ye Trdvrcjs ivex^ddaL' 7] ydp iipevGO), el Kal TTiKpov 
228 



A CONVERSATION WITH HESIOD 

LYCINUS 

That you are the best of poets, Hesiod, and that 
Muses gave you this honour along with the laurel, 
you yourself prove from your poetry, where all is 
inspired and stately, and we believe it's true. But 
one thing puzzles us. You claim on your own behalf 
that you had received that divine song from heaven 
so that you might sing the praises of the past and 
prophesy the future. Now the one task you ac- 
complished fully enough in your account of the 
birth of the gods up to those primeval beings Chaos, 
Earth, Heaven, and Love ; again you told of virtu- 
ous women and gave advice to farmers — what the 
Pleiades mean, the right times for ploughing, reaping, 
sailing, and all the rest. But your second intention, 
far more useful to life and more akin to divine gifts — 
prophecy of the future I mean — , you did not even 
begin. No, you let the whole subject be forgotten 
and nowhere in your poetry have you followed the 
example of Calchas or Telemus or Polyidus or even 
Phineus, who did not even receive this gift from Muses 
but prophesied all the same and never hesitated to 
give oracles to those who asked. 

So you must be assuredly liable to one of these 
three charges: either you were lying, to put it 

229 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

clrreiv, cos VTroaxofxevajv ooi tojv Movaojv /cat ra 
fxeXXovra npoXeyetv Syvaadar iq at fiev e^oaav 
wairep VTrecrxovro, crv 8c vtto <f>d6vov aTTOKpv7Tr€is 
Koi VTTO koXttov (f>vXdTT€LS TTjv Sojpeav ov /LteraSt- 
Sovs avrrjs rols h^ojxevois' "§ yeypanrai. jiev ooi 
Koi rocavTa ttoAAci, ovSerrco Se aurd rep plo) 
TTapahihdiKas ovk olSa els ov Kaipov nva aXXov 
rafiievofieuos ty]v p^p^ati^ avrayv. €K€ivo pukv yap 
ovhk ToA/iTycrat/x' av etTrelv, (Ls at Moucat 8vo gov 
7Tap€^€LV VTToo')(op,€vai TO fxkv e8oCTav, €^ 7]p,L(J€iaS 
he dveKaXecravTO rrjv vttoctxcglv — Xeyo) be rrjv rcbv 
fieXXovTCUv yvcjGiv — /cat ravra irporepav avTrjv ev 

3 Tip eirei vneGx^jfJievaL. Tavra ovv Trapd rivos 
dXXov, 'HatoSc, 7) Trap* avrov gov p,ddoL rig dv ; 
TTpeiTOi yap dv, cjonep ol deol " hwrrjpes edcov " 
ctcrtV, ovTOJ he /cat vpXv, rois (j>iXoLS /cat p,ad7]rais 
avrcjVt fjLerd TrdGrjs dXr^delas e^-qyeiGdai irepl (Lv 
LGre /cat XveLV rjjjuv rds d-nopias. 

HEIOAOE 

4 'EWjv /xcV jLtot, <L PeXriGre, pahtav diroKpiGiv 
dnoKpLveGdaL gol irepl d-ndvTWV, otl pbrjhev eoriv 
Twv eppai/jcpSrjfjievcov vtt* ep,ov Ihiov epLov, dXXd 
Ta>v MovGcbv, /cat exp^jv G€ irap' eKeivwv rovs 
XoyiGp^oifs rcov re elprjfjLevojv /cat rcov TrapaXeXeip,- 
fjLevcDv diraLreLv. eyoj he vrrep p,ev wv tSta 
rjTrLGrdfjLrjv — Xeyoj he rod vefxeiv /cat TTOip.aiveiv 
/cat e^eXavveiv Kal ^hdXXecv /cat rcov dXXojv ooa 
iroLfjLevojv epya /cat /xa^Ty/xara — St/cato? dv etiqv 
dnoXoyeLGdaL' at deal he rds avrcov hcopeds ols 
T€ dv edeXoiGi /cat €<^' ogov dv otojvrai KoXajs 
e^eiv iierahihoaGiv. 

2130 



A CONVERSATION WITH HESIOD 

harshly, when you said that the Muses promised you 
power to foretell the future ; or they kept their pro- 
mise, but out of spite you are keeping their gift 
hidden in your pocket and not sharing it with those 
who ask; or you have written a great deal on the 
subject, but not yet given it to the outside world, 
preserving its use for some or other special occasion. 
I wouldn't dare say this, that the Muses promised you 
two things and gave you one, breaking half their 
promise — knowledge of the future I mean — especially 
when they promised this first in your work. Who 
but you yourself could tell us this, Hesiod ? As the 
gods are " givers of goods," ^ so it is proper for 
you poets, their friends and disciples, to expound in 
all sincerity the knowledge you have and free us 
from our perplexity. 

HESIOD 

My fine friend, there is an easy answer to it all. I 
could say that nothing that I composed belonged to 
me personally, but to the Muses, and you should have 
asked them for an account of what was put in and 
what left out. But for what I knew for myself — 
tending, herding, driving, milking, and the other 
practices and lore of shepherds — I would be rightly 
accountable; but the goddesses give their gifts to 
whom they will and for as long as they think it proper. 

1 Homer, Od, viii, 326. 

331 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

5 "OfJLOJS 8e OVK aTTOprjOO) TTpOS (T€ /^at TTOirjTLKTJS 

aiToXoylas .^ ov yap, OLjjLaL, XPV "^^P^ '^<^^ ttoltjtojv 
is TO XeTTTOTarov aKpi^oXoyovpLevovs airairelv 
Kara avXXaPrjv eKaGTrjv ivreXrj Trdvrojs ra elprjixdva, 
Kav et TL iv ra> rijs Tronjaecos hpoficp rrapappvev 
Xddr], TTiKpcjs rovro i^erdCcti', oAA* elBevau ore 
TToXXd rifJL€LS Kal ra>v fxdrpctjv evcKa /cat rrjs 
€v<j)OiVLas incfjLpdXXoiJLev' rd 8c Kal ro enos aino 
TToXXdKLS Acta ovra ovk otS' ott-cos" Trapehe^aro. 
ai) Se TO jjidyLarov ojv exofJiev dyaOcov d(f>aLp'fj 
rifjuds — Xeyo) Se ttjv iXcvdeplav Kal rrjv iv rep 
7TOL€Lv i^ovaiavy Kal rd fxev dXXa ov^ opag ooa 
Tr\s TTOirjuews KaXd, GKLV^aXdpLOVs 8e Kal aKdvdas 
TLvds €KXlyeL£ Kal AajSa? ttj cruKo^avTia ^r]T€ls. 
oAA* ov fjLovos ravra aif ovSe Kar ip^ov pLOvov, 
dXXd TToXXol Kal dXXoL rd rod opiordxvov rod 
ipiov *Op.'qpov KaTaKVL^ovGi XcTrrd ovtcj KopaSfj 
5 Kal pudXiGTa puKpd drra Sl€^l6vt€£. el Se /cat 
XpT) opLoae ;^a)p7yCTavTa rfj alria rrju dpOordTTjv 
aTToXoyiav aTroXoyrjaaadat,, dvdyvwdi, a> ovros, rd 
"Epya piov Kal rds 'H/xcpa?. €1077 ydp oaa iv rep 
TTOLT^pLarL rovrcp piavriKWS dpua Kal 7Tpo(f>rjrLK6j9 
77 pored eaTTLcrraC pLOu rds aTTO^daeis TrpoSrjXovvra 
rcjv re opdcos Kal Kard Kaipov irparropbevcjov Kal 
ra>v 7TapaXeXeipLp.eva)v rds ^rip,ias. Kal rd 

otaet? 8* iv <f)opp,(p, Travpot Se ae drjijaovrai, 

Kal irdXiv oaa dyaOd Trepiearai rots opOajs yea)p- 
yovcTLV ;^pT7(Tt/xajTaTT] dv ^ r(p j9ta> puavrLKT) 
vopLL^Oiro . 

1 aTToAoyio? y; aarvXaylas p. 
232 



A CONVERSATION WITH HESIOD 

Nevertheless I shall not fail to defend my poetry 
against you. It is not, I think, proper to examine 
poetry in minute detail, nor to demand complete 
perfection down to every syllable of what is said, nor 
again to criticise bitterly any unconscious oversight 
in the flow of the composition. No, you must realise 
that we include much for the sake of both metre and 
euphony, and often the verse itself has somehow let 
in some things, they fit so smoothly. But you are 
robbing us of our greatest possession — I mean free- 
dom and poetic licence. You are blind to the other 
beauties of poetry, and pick out a few splinters and 
thorns and seek out handles for captious criticism. 
You are not alone in this, nor am I the only victim. 
Many others pick the poetry of my fellow-craftsman 
Homer utterly to pieces, pointing out similar niggling 
details, the merest trifles. Well, if I have to come to 
grips with the charge, and make a clear-cut defence, 
read my Works and Days, my man. You will see how 
much, like a real seer and prophet, I foretold in that 
poem, predicting the outcome of right and timely 
action and the penalties of neglect. Remember my 

" you will carry it in a basket, and few there'll be 
to admire " ^ 

and again the blessings that follow right farming — this 

should be thought a prophecy most useful for living. 

^ Works and Days, 482 ; i.e., " your harvest will be poor." 

« avDindorf; cvMSS. 

233 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOS 

7 TouTO fJL€V ovVy J) Oavixaare 'HcrtoSe, /cat ndw 
•jTOifievLKov €tp7]raL aoL, koL iTTaXrjdcvcLv eot/ca? t7]v 
Tijjv MouCToDv €7TL7Tvoiav ^ avTOS ouS' 0,770 AoyctcT^at 
virkp rcov iircov Swafxevos , rjfjLelg Se ov ravTrjv 
rrjv ixavriKTjv rrapa gov /cat tojv Movaiov 7T€pi€fX€- 
vopL€v inel rd ye rotaura ttoXv ^ jjLavTLKcorepoi, 
vpL(x)v ol yecopyoi, koI dpiara pLavrevoaivr av 
rjijuv 7T€pl avrojv — on voravro? fiev rov deov 
evOaXrj earai rd Spdyfjuara, rjv Se avxp^o? ivLXd^r) 
/cat Su/jijaajaLv at dpovpai, ovheixia p.Tjxo-vrj ixrj 
ovxl XijjLov inaKoXovdrjcrai rep hiiffei avrcjv /cat 
ort ov fjLeaovvros depovs XPV dpovv, rj ovk dv tl 
6(j)€Xos yevoiTO eiKfj €/c;^v^eWa>v rcjv GTrepp.drwv 
ouSe dpidv x^^uypov crt rov urdxvv, rj K€v6v 
evpedrjoeadai rov Kapnov. ov fjirjv ouS* eKelvo 
jxavreias Sctrat, co? ^v fir) KoXvi/jrj^ rd arrippiara 
/cat depdrrajv paKcXXrjv exojv CTrt^o/wJ ^ rrj? yrjs 
avroLS, KaranrijoeraL rd opvca /cat Trpo/carcSetrat 
rr)v drraoav rov dlpovs iXnlSa. 

8 Ta ydp roiavra. rrapaiveaeis fxev /cat VTTodrJKag 
Xiycxjv OVK dv ns dpiaprdvoi, pLavriKrjg 8e TrdpiroXv 
drroheiv /xot So/c€t, -^s" to epyov rd dSrjXa /cat 
ovSapirj ovSapLOJS (f>av€pd Trpoytyvdjo/cetv — wanep 
TO rep MtVcot rrpO€L7T€iv on iv rw rov pilXiros 
rrldip 6 TTols earai * avrcp dTTOiTerrviyp.evog, /cat 
TO TotS" *A;)^atots" 7rpopLr)vvGaL rrjs 'AttoAAcovos" 
opyrJ9 rrjv alriav /cat Ta> Se/cctTO) €T€t dXdjGeaBai 
rd "lAtov. ravra ydp r] pLavriKi^. enel /cat Ta 
roiavra el ns avrfj dvanOetr], ovk dv (l>6dvoL 



^ imTTVoiav N; imvoiav TA. 

2 TToXXoi r. 



234 



A CONVERSATION WITH HESIOD 

LYCINUS 

In that, my admirable Hesiod, there speaks the 
true shepherd ; you seem to be truly inspired by the 
Muses, when you yourself cannot even make a 
defence of your verse. But this is not the prophecy 
we expected from you and the Muses. In that sort 
of thing the farmers are much better prophets than 
you poets. They can foretell such things excellently 
to us: for instance, that after rain the crops will 
flourish, while in. the time of drought when the fields 
are thirsty, you can do nothing to prevent famine 
following their thirst; that you must not plough in 
the middle of summer ; that it is no good scattering 
seed at random or cutting the corn when it is still 
green, or you will find the ear empty. Nor is there 
any need whatever to prophesy this, that unless you 
cover up the seed and your man pulls soil over with 
a hoe, down will fly the birds and eat up all your 
summer's hope in advance. 

One could not go wrong in giving such precepts 
and admonitions, but they seem to me very far from 
prophecy. Prophecy's task is to know in advance 
what is unknown and altogether beyond perception 
— for example, to foretell to Minos that his son ^ will 
be smothered in the jar of honey, and forewarn the 
Achaeans of the reason for Apollo's anger and that 
Troy will be captured in the tenth year. That is 
prophecy. If such things as you mention are to 

1 Glaucus. See Graves, The, Greek Myths, vol. I, p. 304 
(Penguin Books Ltd.). 



* KaXvtfnf}s (sic.) . . . iirufHypolr} FN : iin<f>op'Q Dindorf. 

* iariv FA. 



^Sf 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

KOLfjik yidvriv Xeyojv. Trpoepo) yap koI TrpodeaTnco 
Kal dv€V KaoraXias /cat Sdcjivrjs Kal rpiTToSos 
AeXcfjLKOv on dv yvfjuvo? rod Kpvovs TTcpLvocrrfj rt?, 
vovTOS TTpooin ^ ;)^aAa(^a)rTOS' rov deov, rjiTLaXos 
ov [XLKpos eTTtTreo-ctrat rep roLovrco, Kal, to ert ye 
rovrov p^avriKcorepov, on Kal depp^r] perd ravra 
(hs ro cIkos iTTLyevqcrerai' Kal oAAa noXXd 
roiavra Jjv yeXoXov dv etrj pepvfjadai, 
9 *'Q.Gr€ rds pcv roiavras diToXoyias Kal pavrclas 
d(f>€s. €K€Lvo Se o €Lp7]Kas €v dp^fj, tcrojs TTapa- 
8e;\;€<7^at d^tov, (Ls ovSev rj^eiada rdjv Xeyopivojv, 
oAAa ns epTTvoia Saipovvos ivenoUt, aoi rd /xcrpa, 
ov ndw ovSe iKeivrj ^i^aios ovaa' ov ydp dv rd 
pkv cTrereAet rcjv vnecrxy} pevojv, rd 8* dreXij 
dTTeXipLTTavev . 



236 



A CONVERSATION WITH HESIOD 

be ascribed to it, I too must be called a prophet 
without a moment's delay. Even without Castalia 
and the laurel and the Delphic tripod, I will foretell 
and predict that if a man walks about naked in time 
of frost, with rain and hail falling as well, he will catch 
a chill and not a slight one, and, what is even more 
prophetic, a fever will in all probability follow; and 
so on — it would be ridiculous to mention all that I 
could foretell. 

Then away with such pleas and prophecies ! But 
that point you made at the beginning, perhaps that 
can be admitted, that you knew nothing of what you 
said ; it was some divine inspiration filled you with 
your verses, and not so very reliable at that, or it 
would not have kept part of what it promised and 
left the rest unfulfilled. 



237 



THE SCYTHIAN 
OR THE CONSUL 

Lucian, now in Macedonia, appeals to a father and son for 
their patronage and, as in Harmonides, tells a traditional story 
to point the flattery. For another story of Anacharsis the 
Scythian see his Anacharsis {Loeb, vol. IV, pp. 1 fif.). 



2KY®H2: H nP05EN02 

Ov TTpCJTOS ^ *AvdxapGLS a(f)LK€TO €K HiKvOtaS 

^Ad-qva^c TraiSelas CTn^u/xta t^s" 'EAAT^yt/c^s", dAAd 
Kal To^aptg irpo avrov, ao<f>6s fJiev /cat <f)LX6KaXos 
dvrjp Kal iTTLrrjheviJLdrojv <j)i\op,ad'ri£ rwv dpioriov, 
OLKoi 8c ov rod ^aaiXclov yivovs wv ov^k rwv 
7TLXo(f>optKajv, dX\d TiKvOojv rcjv TToXkcjv Kal 
hrjfioTLKcoy, oloi elcn rtap avTols ol oKraTToSe? 
Ka\oviJL€vot.y Tovro Be iari, 8vo pocbv hcGTTorrjv el- 
vat Kal dp,d^i)s pLids. ovros 6 To^apis ovhe 
dTrfjXdev €Tt OTTLoro} €? lliKvdas, oAA* *AdijvrjOLV 
diridavev, koI /xct' ov ttoXv Kal rjpoj? cSo^ev Kal 
evrefivovoLv avrco ScVo* *larpcp ol ^AdrjvacoL' 
TOvro yap rovvofia rjpajg yevofievog ineKTqaaro . 
Tr}v S* alriav ttJ? iircjDwpiias Kal dvd^ orov eg rovg 
TJpcoag KarcXeyr] Kal rcov *AorKXrj7TLaSdjv^ els 
eSo^cv, ov x^tpoi' 1(70)9 SLrjynaacTdaL, cos jjcdd-qre 
ov TtKvdaLg fjLovov €7n)(a)pLov ov dTradavarl^eiv Kal 
7T€fi7T€iv napd rov XdpxtX^LV, dXXd Kal *Adr)vaLOis 
i^etvav deoTTOLelv tovs TiKvOas €ttI rijs 'EAAaSo?. 
Kara tov Xoifiov rov fjueyav eSo^ev 'q ^ Ap^t-TeXovs 
yvvri^ ^ Apeoirayirov dvSpoSj iTnurdvra ol rov 

* vp&Tos edd. : irporrov MSS. 



* Literally "those who wear the wtAoy," or felt cap, a mark 
of rank among the Scythians. 

240 



THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 

Anacharsis was not the first to come from Scythia 
to Athens out of a longing for Greek culture. Before 
him there was Toxaris, a wise man, who loved beauty 
and was eager in pursuit of the best styles of living. 
At home he was not a member of the royal family or 
of the aristocracy ^ ; he belonged to the general run 
of the people — called " eight feet " in Scythia, 
meaning the owner of two oxen and a cart. This 
Toxaris never went back to Scythia, but died in 
Athens, where not long after his death he came to be 
considered a hero, and the Athenians sacrifice to him 
as " The Foreign Physician " — this was the name 
they gave him when they made him a hero. The 
reason for this designation, and the events which 
brought about his enrolment among the heroes, and 
his reputation as one of the sons of Asclepius are per- 
haps worth relating. Then you may see that to confer 
immortality on someone and send him to Zamolxis ^ 
is a custom not of the Scythians only — it is also 
possible for Athenians to deify Scythians in Greece. 

At the time of the great plague ^ the wife of 
Archetiles the Areopagite dreamed that the Scythian 

* The Thracian Getae regarded Zamolxis (or Zalmoxis) as the 
only true god ; they believed in the immortality of the soul and 
looked on death as " going to Zamolxis.*' See Herodotus iv, 94, 
and Harmon's note, vol. V, pp. 430 f. 

3 430-429 B.C. 

Hi 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TiKvdrjv KeXevaai elirelv ^AdrjvaioLS on Travaovrai, 
rcb XoLficp e-)(6^€VOi, riv rovs orevojTTOVs olvco 
TToAAy paivcxiUL. Tovro crux^oLKig yevofievov — ov 
yap rjjjLeXrjcrav ol 'AdrjvaloL aKovaavres — eVauae 
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TTOvripovs 6 olvos o^ioas rfj oSfjufj, etre oAAo n 
ttXcov €lS(l)9 6 TJpojs 6 To^apLs, are larpiKos coVy 
crvvePovXevaev. 6 8' ovv iikjOos Trjs Idaews €tl 
Kal vvv dirohihorai avrcp XevKos lttttos KaraOvofie- 
vos iirl rep puvrip^ariy oOev eSet^cv rj Aetp^aLvdrrj 
TTpoaeXdovra avrov evreiXaadai eKelva rd irepl rod 
olvov Kal cvpedrj kclOl 6 Tdfapt? redapbp^evos rfj 
T€ €7nypa(f)fj yvcocrdels, et /cat /xt^ Tracra ert ec^atVero, 
Kal jjuaXiGra, on inl rfj GrrjXr] ^KvOrjg dvrjp 
iyKCKoXairro, rfj Xaud puev ro^ov ex^ov €vr€rapilvov , 
rfj Sefta 8e ^LpXiOV, co? iSoKei. en Kal vvu lSols 
dv avrov virep rfp^iav Kal ro ro^ov oXov Kal ro 
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ttXt^u aXX* eareirrai ye det, Kai ^aoL irvperaivovrds 
nvas rjbrj ireTravaQai dir^ avrov, Kal /xd rov 
At' ovSev aTTLarov, os oXrjv TTore Idoaro ty]v 
ttoXlv. 
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jjiev en 6 To^apis, 6 *Avdxo,paLs Se dpn Kara- 
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yva)p.r)V, iravra dyvocjv, ijjo^oheris irpos rd iroXXd, 
ovK excov 6 n p^pT^cratTO eavrcp- Kal ydp crvvUi 



242 



THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 

Toxaris stood by her side and bade her tell the 
Athenians that they would be released from the grip 
of the plague if they sprinkled their alleyways 
liberally with wine. The Athenians took notice of 
what she told them and carried out frequent 
sprinklings with the result that the plague stopped — 
the smell of the wine may have dispersed some noxious 
vapours, or the hero Toxaris, being a medical man, 
may have had some other special knowledge when he 
gave his advice. In any case to this day payment 
for his cure is still offered to him — a white horse, 
sacrificed on his tomb. Dimaenete said he came from 
there when he gave her the instructions about the 
wine, and Toxaris was found buried there, being 
recognised by the inscription, though it was no 
longer all visible, and more especially by a carving of 
a Scythian on the pillar; in the figure's left hand was 
a strung bow, in his right what looked like a book; 
even now you may still see more than half of it, 
including all the bow and the book; the upper half 
of the pillar including the face has been worn away 
in the course of time ; it is situated not far from the 
Dipylon, on the left as you go towards the Academy ; 
the mound is quite small and the pillar lies on the 
ground; nevertheless it is always garlanded and the 
story is that the hero has cured several sufferers from 
fevers — this is not surprising indeed since he once 
cured the whole city. 

My reason for mentioning the story was this: 
Toxaris was still alive when Anacharsis, who had 
recently put in at Piraeus, went up to Athens. A 
stranger and a foreigner he experienced considerable 
confusion of mind, for everything was strange and 
there were the many sounds which frightened him; 

24S 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

KarayeXcLfievos vtto twv opojvTcov eirl rfj GKeufj, 
Kal ojxoyXiooaov ovhiva evpioKev, kol oAcu? 
jU.eT£/xeAcv avrco tJStj ttjs oSov, Kal iSeSoKro ISovra 
jjLovov ras" ^Adijvas ctti TToha evdv^ ottloo} ')(^ujpelv 
Kal ttXolo) imPavra TrXetv avBts €7rl BocrTTopou, 
odev ov TToXXrj ejjLcXXev avrco oBos €U€odai ot/caSc 
€s YtKvdas. ovTCos exovTL ro) *Ara;(a/)(7tSt evrvyxo.- 
V€L haipLCJV TLs ayaBos cos" aXiqOcjs 6 To^apis '^^t] 
iv TCp KcpajjiCLKCp. Kal to fjuev rrpchrov rj gtoXtj 
avTov €7T€O7TdoaT0 TTarpLcorLS ouCTa, elra fjuevroL 
ov -xP-XeTTCos ejjLeXXe Kal avrov yvcoaeaOaL rov 
*AvdxcipOLV are yivovs rov hoKipLCjrdrov ovra /cat 
€v rots TTpojTOis YiKvdiov. 6 'Am;^a/5orts' hk iroQev 
av €K€ivov eyvoj ofxoedvfj ovra, 'ElAAi^vtcrTt iaraXfxe- 

VOV, iv XP^ K€Kapfl€V0V ^ TO y€U€iOV, d^COGTOV, 

doiSrjpov, TjSi-] arojfjivXov, avrcov rcbv ^Kttikcov 
eva Tojv avroxdouojv ; ovtoj pL^reTreTToi-qro vtto 
rov xpo^o^- 
4 *AAAa Tofapt? ^Kvdiarl TTpoaenroiv avrov, Ov 
av, €(l>r], ^Avdxctpcri'^ cov rvyxdveis 6 AavKerov ; 
iSdKpvGcv V(f>* TjSovrjg 6 * Avdxo.pcrt'^ , otl Kal 
oiJLocfxjovov €vpriK€L rivd, Kal rovrov elSora ooris 
^v iv HKvdaiSy Kal rjpero, 2v 8e irodev otada 
rjjjbds, tS ^€V€ ; Kal auros", C(/>i7, iKeWev elpLL nap* 
vpxov, To^apis rovvofjua, ov rcbv i7TL<f>avcov, ware 
Kal iyvwo 6 ai av ool Kar avro. Moiv, ecjif], ov 6 
To^apLs el 7T€pl ov iych rjKovaa co? ns To^apus 
epcxtri rrjs ^EAAaSos" dnoXiTTchv Kal yvvauKa iv 
TtKvdla Kal TTaihia veoyvd olxoiro is ^Adrivas Kal 
vvv hiarpi^oL KeWi nixc/jixevog vtto rcov dpiarcov ; 
'Eycu, €(^17, iKelvos et/xt, €t ris Kapuov Xoyos ert 
Trap* vyilv. Ovkovv, "^ S* os 6 *AvdxapOLg, jxadrjrrjv 
244 



THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 

he did not know what to do with himself; he saw that 
people who saw him laughed at his dress ; he met no 
one who spoke his language, and altogether he was 
already sorry he had made the trip. He decided just 
to see Athens and then immediately to retrace his 
steps and embark for the voyage back to the Bosporus, 
from where his journey home to Scythia would be 
quite short. While Anacharsis was in this frame of 
mind a good angel appeared to him when he was 
already in the Ceramicus, in fact it was Toxaris. 
Toxaris had been first attracted by the familiar cut of 
his Scythian dress and then was bound to recognise 
Anacharsis himself quite easily as he was of very noble 
stock and one of the leading men of Scythia. But 
Anacharsis had no means of recognising Toxaris as a 
fellow-countryman, with his Greek garb, his shaven 
chin, his lack of belt or sword, his fluency of speech — 
one of the real Attic aborigines ; so much had time 
changed him. 

Toxaris addressed him in Scythian. " Are you not 
perchance Anacharsis the son of Daucetas } " he 
asked. Anacharsis wept for joy at having found one 
who spoke his tongue and knew who he was back 
home in Scythia. " How is it that you know me, my 
friend?" he asked. "I myself am from your 
country. My name is Toxaris; no aristocrat, so 
you wouldn't recognise it." " Surely you're not the 
same Toxaris as the one who, as I heard, out of love 
for Greece left his wife and young children in Scythia 
and went to Athens and now spends his life there 
honoured by the men of rank ? " "I am that man," 
he said, " if there is still some word of me at home." 
" Well," said Anacharsis, " you may know that I am 

* So E : €v X' K, vneivprjfievov T: vrre^vpi^fievov (om. iv X' k.) N. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

GOV laOi lie yeyevrjixevov Kal Ct^Acuttjv tov cpcjTos 
ov rjpdadrjs, ISelv t7]v *EAAa8a, /cat Kara ye rrjv 
efjLTTOpLav Tavrrjv aTTohiqiLrjaas. tJkoj ool jjuvpla 
Tradcbv ev rols 3ta pueaov edveoiv, /cat el ye fxr) 
aol evervxov, eyvojGro tJSt} irplv rjXiov Swat, 
OTTLGOJ avdcs enl vavv /carteVat* ovrcos ererapayp/qv 
^eva. /cat ayvcoara rravra opcov. dAAa rrpos 
^Aklvolkov /cat Za/xoA^tSos', ratv rrarpcpajv rjpXv 
decoVf cnj p,e, c5 To^apt, TrapaXa^cov ^evdyT]aov 
/cat Sel^ov rd /coAAtara tojv ^Adijvr^oiv, etra Kal 
TO, ev rfj dXXrj *EAAaSt, v6p,oiv re rovs dpiorovs 
/cat dvhpcjv rovs PeXrlaTovs /cat '^drj /cat Travrjyv- 
peis /cat pLOv avrcbv /cat iroXireiav, hi direp cru re 
Kayoj piera oe roaavrrjv 686v '^Kop,€u, /cat pLT) 
irepuSrjg ddearov avrajv dvacrrpeipovra. 
5 TouTO piev, €(f>7] 6 Tofapt?, -qKLara epconKov 
etprjKa^, eirl rds Ovpas aura? eXOovra oixeodai 
diTiovra. ttXtjv dAAct ddppec. gv yap dv, cos" <f>'^9, 
dneXdoLS ovS* dv d<f>eL7j ae pahicjs 'q TrdAts" ovx 
OVTOJS oXiya rd deXyqrpa e^ei rrpos rovs ^eVouj, 
oAAa jLtoAa eTnXruJjerai aov, (hs p.'qre yvvaiKos en 
pLrJTe TTaihixJV, el crot -^St^ etVt, pLepLvrjadat. cos 8' 
av rdx^'Crra rrduav tSot? t^v ttoXiv Tr)V rwv 
* Kdi)vcx)v ,^ pLoXXov he Tqv 'EAAaSa 6Xr)v /cat to. 
*EAAi]i^a>v /caAa, eyd) VTroOriuopLai ool, eari ao<f>6s 
dvqp evravBa, eTnxcopios piev, dTroS-qpLrjaas Se 
/xaAa TToAAa eg re 'Aatav /cat €$• Alyunrov /cat rots: 
dpioTOLS Tcov dvdp(x)TT(x)v ovyyevopbevos, rd dXXa 
ov rwv TrXovGLcov, dXXd /cat KopaSfj nevr)?. difjei 
yepovra ovrco Sr]pLorLKdjg earaXpLevov. ttXtjv Sta 

^ rqv TCOV *A9. Kilbum : r^v 'A^. TM : ttoAiv tcDv *Ad. 
other MSS. 

246- 



THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 

a disciple and a convert to your longing to see Greece. 
This was why I left home and came on this journey. 
My adventures among the peoples on the way have 
been past telling, and if I had not met you I should 
have gone back again to my ship before sunset as I 
had decided ; I have been in such a state of con- 
fusion, with everything so strange and novel to my 
eyes. Now by our native gods Acinaces ^ and 
Zamolxis I ask you, Toxaris, to take me with you 
and be my guide and show me the best of what there 
is in Athens and then in the rest of Greece — their 
finest laws, their greatest men, their customs, assem- 
blies, their way of life, their constitution. It was to 
see all this that you, and I after you, made our long 
journey. Do not let me go back without seeing it 
all." 

" Your words," said Toxaris, " betray little affec- 
tion if you mean to come to the very doors and then 
go back again. Cheer up now! You won't go 
away, in the way you suggest, and the city will not 
readily let you go : she has more charms than that 
to captivate the stranger. She will grip your heart 
so tightly that you will not remember wife or children, 
if you have any, any more. Now I'll show you the 
quickest way of seeing the whole city of Athens and 
more — all Greece and the glories of the Greek nation. 
There is a certain wise man in Athens. He is Athenian 
by birth but has travelled abroad widely to Asia and 
Egypt and has mixed with the cream of mankind. 
But for all that he is not one of the rich ; actually he 
is quite poor. You'll see he is an old man dressed in 
very humble fashion. Nevertheless he is held in 
great honour for his wisdom and other qualities. As 

^ The Persian sword. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ye TTjV ao<f)lav /cat ttjv dXXrjv dperrjv rrdw tljjlcjglv 
avTov, a)(JT€ Kal vojjLoOirrj -x^pcjjvTcii rrpog rrjv 
TToXtrelav Kal ol^lovgl Kara rd €K€lvov TrpoardypLara 
pLOvv. el rovTov (fyiXov Krrioaio /cat piddoLS olos 
dvrip early Trdaav vofxi^e ttjv 'EAAa8a ev avrco 
exeiv Kal ro Ke(f)dXaiov rjS-q dv elSevat tcov TrjSe 
dyaOcjv ws ovk eornv 6 tl dv pLeiCov goi koXov 
XOLpLGaaOat SvvaipLrjv tj Gvari^Ga? eKeivco. 
6 Mt) roivvv p^eXXajpev, e^r], cS Tofapt, o ^Kvdxo-p- 
Gig, oAAa /x€ Xa^cbv dye Trap* avrov. drdp eKelvo 
ScSta, pur^ SvGTTpoGoSos Kal ev Trapepyco Orfrai gov 
Trjv evrev^iv ttjv virkp rjp^ojv. Ez)<^7y/xet, 7^ S' 6s, 
eKeivco ra pueyiGra ;^a/3t€to-^at pioi Sokcj d(j)oppLrjv 
7rapaGxd>v ttjs eg ^evov dvSpa evnouas. enov 
pLovov eiGT) yap ogt] TTpds rov aeviov rj alSojs Kal 
7j dXXr] eiTieiKeia Kal xP^^'tot7]S. pidXXov Se Kara 
SaipLova ovros avrog rjpiv TrpoGeiGiv, 6 eirl gvv~ 
voias, 6 XaXcov eavrco. Kal dpia irpoGenrdiv rov 
SoAojya, Tovro goi, e<f)7], Bcopov pieyiGrov 'qKCj 
7 dya)v, ^evov dvSpa (f>iXias Seopievov. ^Kvdrjs Se 
eGri rojv Trap* rjpuv evrrarpiScov, Kal opLcos rd/cct 
Trdvra dcfyels -qKei GweGopievos vpiiv Kal rd koX- 
Xiara oi/jopievos rrjs 'EAAaSoj, Kdyd) eTrlropiov riva 
ravnqv e^evpov avrcp, ottcds paGra Kal avros 
p,ddoi Trdvra Kal yvoypipios yevoiro roZs dpiGrois' 
rovro 8' '^v goI rrpoGayayeiv avrov. el roiwv eycj 
HoXojva oiSa, ovroj rroii^Geis Kal TTpo^evrfGeis 
avrov KOI TToXirrjv yv^Giov d7TO<j)avels rrjs *EAAa- 
Sos". Kal onep goi e(f>rjv puKpov epurpoGOev, oj 
^AvdxoLpcri, Trdvra ecopaKas rjSr] TioXcova Ihwv 
rovro at 'A^-^vat, rovro rj 'EAAas" ovKeri ^evos 
Gv ye, Trdvres ^ gz iGaGi, iravres Ge ^iXovai. 
248 



THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 

a result they employ him to frame laws for the govern- 
ment of the city and are resolved to live in accordance 
with his ordinances. Make him your friend, get to 
know what sort of man he is, and you will find all 
Greece in him, and know already the sum of her 
glories. I could do you no greater favour than to 
introduce you to him." 

" Let us not delay then, Toxaris," said Anacharsis, 
" take me with you to him, though I'm afraid of one 
thing, that he may be difficult to approach and not 
consider your representations on my behalf as of any 
importance." " Hush now," replied Toxaris, " I 
fancy I shall be showing him a great kindness by 
giving him the chance to show good-mil to a stranger. 
You just follow on. You'll see his reverence for 
Zeus the God of Strangers as well as his general 
goodness and kindness. Well, that's a piece of luck ! 
Here he is coming in our direction, that fellow deep 
in thought, the one muttering to himself." He 
addressed Solon at once : "I've come," he said, " with 
the greatest of gifts for you, a stranger in need of your 
friendship. He is one of our Scythian nobility, but 
that hasn't prevented him from leaving all his pos- 
sessions there to visit you men of Greece and to see 
the fairest things that Greece can offer. I've dis- 
covered a short way of enabling him to see everything 
easily in person and to become known to the cream 
of your nation : this was to bring him to you. If I 
know Solon, you'll do this and look after him and 
make him a true son of Greece. Anacharsis, as I told 
you just now, having seen Solon you have seen every- 
thing; here is Athens, here is Greece; you're no 
longer a stranger, everybody knows you, everybody 

^ (TV y€, TTOivres Fritzsche ; ovfivavres MSS. 

249 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TqXiKovrov ecrrt to Kara tov Trpea^vrrjv rovrov. 
aTTavrcov eTriXrjcrrj tcjv iv ^Kvdla crvvcbv avrcb. 
€;^€t9 rrjg aTTohiqixias ra ddXa, rod epcoros ro 
reXos. ovros ooi 6 ^^XXiqvLKos Kavcov, rovro 
Sclyfjia rrj? ^iXoao(j)ias ttJ? 'ArTt/c^?. ovrto roiwv 
yiyvcDGKZ ojs evhaiixoviararos U)v, os crvvicrrj 
SoAcuvt KOI (f)iXc^ XPWV ct^T-^' 

8 MaKpov av elr] hiiqyrioaodai, ottws fJiev 'qcrOrj 6 
SoAcuv rep Swpcpy oTa Se elTrev, ws Se to Aoittov 
crvvfjaav, 6 puev TraiBevajv /cat SiSdaKOJV ra koX- 
Xiara, 6 HoXcov, /cat (f)iXov dTraoL ttolCjv rov 

AvdxoLpori'V /cat Trpoadycov rots 'EAAt^vcov KaXols 
/cat TTavra rpoirov iinpieXovpL^vos , ottojs iJStcTra 
SiarpLi/irj ^ iv rij *EAAaSt, d 8e rediqircbs rr)v 
Go^iav avrov /cat fJLTjSe rov erepov iroSa ckwv 
elvai aTToXcnrofievos . cos yovv vneor^ero avroj 6 
Tdfapt?, €^ evos dvSpos rov H,6Xa)vos drravra 
eyvoj €v aKapel /cat ttolglv ^v yvajpipLOS /cat ircfidro 
St* iK€Lvov. ov yap puKpov tJi/ SoAcop' CTratvcDv, 
oAA* ol dvdpcjTTOL /cat rovro cos vofxoderr) iireidovro 
/cat €<j>iXovv ovs €K€lvos SoKLfidCoL /cat eTTLarevov 
dplarovs dvSpas elvai. rd reXevrala /cat ipuvrjOrj 
fiovos pappdpcov ^AvdxapGLSy Sr)iJL07Toi.r]ros yevojxz- 
voSi €t xp'^ Qeo^evcp TTiareveiv /cat rovro loropovvri 
7T€pi avrov ' /cat ovk av ovSe dvearpei/jev otpbai is 
^KvdaSy et fXTj HoXcov diridavev. 

9 BovXeade ovv inaydyco rjSr] rep pivdcp ro riXos, 
cos pri aK€(f)aXos rrepivoaroiq ; copa yovv etSeVat 
ovTivos fJLOL €LV€Ka 6 ^AvdxapuLs €/c YiKvdias /cat 
To^apLs rd vvv is Ma/ce8ovtav rJKerov en /cat 
SdAcova yepovra dvhpa iTTayofjuevco ^AOrjvTjdev. 

1 Siarpitf/Tj Graevins : SiaTrpeipr) N : BiaTrpeifiti T. 
250 



THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 

loves you. Such is the quahty of this old man. In 
his company you will forget everything you left in 
Scythia. Here is the reward of your voyaging abroad, 
the end of your passionate longing. Here for you is 
the measure of Greece, here a specimen of Attic philo- 
sophy. Just realise how blessed you are to meet 
Solon, and to meet him as a friend." 

It would be a long business to tell how Solon was 
pleased by the gift, what he said, and how they kept 
company afterwards, Solon, the educator, instilling 
the noblest lessons, making Anacharsis friends with 
everyone, introducing him to the noblest Greeks, and 
looking after him in every way, so that his time in 
Greece might pass most pleasantly, and Anacharsis, 
in admiration of Solon's wisdom, unwilling to leave 
his side for a moment. So just as Toxaris had 
promised him, from one person, Solon, he quickly 
learnt everything, became known to everyone, and 
won respect through him. For Solon's praise carried 
no small weight, and in this too men obeyed him 
as a lawgiver, and they made friends with those to 
whom he showed respect, accepting them as men of 
worth. In the end, if we are to believe Theoxenus, 
who tells this story as well about him, Anacharsis 
alone of barbarians was even initiated into the 
mysteries after being made an Athenian citizen ; nor 
I fancy would he have returned to Scythia, had not 
Solon died. 

Would you like me to complete my story so that it 
should not roam about in a headless condition ? It's 
high time to find out what Anacharsis and Toxaris 
from Scythia are still doing here at this time in 
Macedon bringing old Solon with them from Athens. 



^51 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

(1)7] fil St) ofJLOLov ri KoX ouTos TTaOetv rw ^Avaxdp- 
glSl — /cat rrpos Xaptrcuv firj vefjiecrqcrrjre fxoL ttjs 
€lk6vo9, el PaGiXiKcp avhpl ijxavrov et/caora* 
pdppapos fjiev yap KOLKelvog /cat ovSev rt ^aiiqs av 
rovs ILvpovs rjixdg (jyavXorepov? cfvat rcjv TiKvOcjv. 
drap ovSe /caret to j3acrtAt/cov elcnroioj rdjxd €S Trjv 
ofJLOLorrjTa, /car' c/cctva Si. ore yap Trpcorov 
CTreSi^/XT^cra vjjlojv rrj TrdAet, i^errXdyqv fjuev evdvs 
ISojv TO fjLcyedos /cat to /caAAos' /cat tcjv €/x7roAt- 
Tevojjidvcjjv TO ttXtjOos /cat ttju aX\r)v SvvafXLV /cat 
Xaix7Tp6T7)Ta Trdaav, cScrre €ttI ttoXv iTeBrjireiv 
TTpos TavTa /cat ovk i^'qpKovv tw ^au/xart, otov tl 

/cat O VTjGLCOTTjS €K€LV0S V€aVLGKOS €TT€TT6vdzi TTpOS 

TTjV Tov MevcAaou ot/ctav. /cat cficXXov ovtoj 
Stare^Tycrccr^at tt)^ yvcofJLTjv IScbv rroXtv dKfjLdCovoav 
dKp^jj ToaavTTj /cat /caret rov TTOLrjTTjv €Kelvov 

dvQovaav dyaOois Trdaiv ols OdXXei TroAt?, 

1Q OvTO) Sr) €)(aiV iGKOTTOVfJLTJV TJhT] 7T€pl TOiV 

TTpaKTeojv, /cat to p.€V Set^at rcDv Xoycov vpuv 
TrdXaL cSeSo/cro. rtdt yap av oXXols ISct^a 
GLCOTrrj TTapohevoas Tr]XiKavTr]v ttoXlv ; i^'qTovv 
ydpy ouSe dTTOKpvijjofJLai TdXrjdeg, otrtve? ot Trpov^ov- 
T€£ €L€v /cat ols dv TLS TTpodcXOcjv /Cat €.7Tiypa- 
ipdijuevog TTpooTdTas avvayoiVKJTaZs XP^'^^ Trpos ra 
oAa. ivTavOd p,OL ovx cfs", (LoTrep tco 'Ava;^a/)o-t8t, 
/cat ouros" j3apj3a/)OS", o Tofapts", oAAct ttoXXol, 
fxaXXov 8e TTcivres" ra aura jxovov ov Tats ^ avTaZs 
cruXXapais eXeyov co fcVe, 77oAAot puev /cat oAAot 
Xpr](TTol /cat Sc^tot am n^v ttoXlv, /cat ou/c ai' 
aAAa;^d^t togovtovs evpois avSpas dyaOovSt Svo 
Se jjidXidTd icTTOV 'qpXv dvSpe d/Jtaro), yevei fiev 
252 



THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 

Well, my own situation is like that of Anacharsis — and 
please do not resent my likening myself to a man of 
regal stature, for he too was a barbarian, and no one 
could say that we Syrians are inferior to Scythians. 
It isn't on grounds of royalty that I compare my 
situation with his, but rather because we are both 
barbarians. For when I first came to live in your 
city, I was utterly terrified as soon as I saw its size, 
its beauty, its high population, its power and general 
splendour. For a long time I was struck with wonder 
at these things and could not take in the spectacle — 
just as when the young man from the islands ^ came 
to the house of Menelaus. How could I help feeling 
like this when I saw the city at such a peak of 
excellence and, as the poet says, 

" Blossoming with all good things whereby a city 
flourisheth." 

In this plight then I was already considering what 
steps I should take next. I had some time since 
decided to show you something of my oratory, for 
who else would deserve it if I had passed by such a 
city in silence? To tell the truth, I enquired who 
were the leading citizens and who might be approach- 
ed and enlisted as patrons and general supporters. 
My case was better than that of Anacharsis — he had 
but one patron, Toxaris, and that one a barbarian, 
while I have many, and what is more they have all 
told me the same thing in about the same words: 
" There are many good and knowledgeable persons in 
our city, friend — nowhere else will you find such 
quality — , but we have two men of outstanding merit, 
^ Telemachus : Homer, OdAy^ 71. 
^ rats add. Jacobitz. 

253 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Kal d^tcu/xart ttoXv TTpov^ovre OLTTavrcov, TratScta 
8c Kal Xoyojv Swdfjuet rfj ^ArrLKJj Se/ca8t. Trapa^dX- 
AotS" d.v. 7) 8e irapd rod hr^iov evvoia irdw 
ipcorLKT] rrpos aurou?, koX tovtl yiyverai, 6 tl av 
ovroL ideXajGLv. ideXovGL yap 6 tl av dpiorrov t^ 
rfj TToXeL. TTjv fiev yap xPV^'^^'^'t^^ f^^l t"^v npos 
rov9 ^evovs (jiLXavdpWTTLav Kal ro iv fieycdcL 

TOOOVTCp dv€7TL(f)doVOV Kal TO pL€T €VVOLag alSeGLfXOV 

Kal TO rrpaov Kal to €V7rp6oohov avTos av oAAot? 
hi7]yr)craio Tretpadels puKpov voTepov. 
11 Kat COS" pLoXXov davjjidarrjs, fjutds Kal tt}? avTrjs 

OLKLaS ioTOV, VLOS Kal TTaTTlpy 6 fJLeV, €L TLVa 

SoAcova rj ITept/cAea ^ *ApLorT€iSr)v eTTLVoels, 6 Se 
vlos Kal ocfyOels fiev avTLKa evra^crat ^ ac, ovto) 
pueyas cgtI Kal /caAos" dppevojTrqv Tiva ttjv cvfxop- 
<l>Lav' €1 he Kal <f)dey^aiTO fiovov, olx'qcreTai 0€ 
diTO Twv WTCJV dvahr]odp,€vo£ , ToaavTrjv *A<f)po- 

SlTTJV €7tI Tjj yX(X)TT7J 6 VCaVLOKOS €;^€t. tJ yi TOL 

TToAt? dnaGa Ke^rivoTes avTOV dKovovaLV, oiroTav 
hr]p,riyopriocx)V TrapdXdr), ottolov <j>aGL tovs t6t€ 
*Adr]vaLovs TTpos tov tov KXclvIov 7T€TTOvdivai, 
Trap oaov toZs puev ovk els p^aKpdv /iere/x-eAr^crc 
TOV epcDTOSy ov rjpdaOrjoav tov *AA/<:tj3taSou, tov- 
tov Se 7) ttoXls ov <f>LX€L fxovov, dXXd Kal alheladai 
T^hf] d^Lol, Kal 6Xw£ €V TOVTO rjfuv Sr}p.6aLov 
dyadov €gtlv Kal pidya o^eAos" dnaGLv, dvrjp ovtos» 
el 817 avTos T€ Kal 6 TraTrjp avTOv Be^aivTo ore /cat 
<f>iXov TTOLTjaaiVTO t TTaaav c^et? Tr]v ttoXlv, Kal 
€7no€Zaai xp^ "^v ^ X^^P^» '^ovto povov, Kal ovk€t 
€v8otao-t/xa ret ad. raura vy) tov A" drravres 

1 eValcrai Valcken and Dobree : dirdieTai MSS. 
* Xpri Tqv FN : xPl^"~n^ ^ ^- 

254 



THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 

pre-eminent in birth and reputation, and in culture 
and oratorical power comparable to the Ten Attic 
Orators. They enjoy the devoted respect of the 
people, and their word is law. They wish whatever 
is best for the city. Their goodness, their kindness 
towards strangers, their freedom from censure, 
eminent though they be, their kindly courtesy, their 
gentleness and ease of access, these qualities you 
yourself will tell to others when you have presently 
made trial of them. 

" To excite your wonder still more, they belong to 
one and the same household. They are in fact 
father and son. The father you may imagine to be 
a Solon, a Pericles, or an Aristides, while the son 
will win your heart as soon as you see him, so tall is 
he and handsome with his manly grace ; and let him 
but speak and he will leave you with your ears 
enchained, such charm is there in the young man's 
tongue. Whenever he comes forward to speak in 
public the entire city listen to him open-mouthed — 
it is the story of the Athenians and the son of Clinias 
over again with this difference : the Athenians quite 
soon repented of their affection for Alcibiades, while 
here there is not only love for the young man but a 
ready reverence already and in short the well-being 
and happiness of our state are summed up in this one 
man. If he and his father were to take you in and 
make you their friend, then the whole city is yours. 
Let them but lift a finger and any doubts you may 
have will be no more." This by Zeus (if I must 



255 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

eXeyov (el xp^ '^^^ opKov indyeLV rep Xoyo)), /cat 
fjLOt. TJSrj 7r€LpojfJL€va) TO TToXXoGTOv Tcov TTpoaovrcDv 
€lp7)K€vaL eSo^av.^ " ovx eSpa? roiwv ouS* dfi^o- 
Xds epyov** co? o Kctds" (fyrjaiv, dXXd XPV '^dvra 
p,€V KoXojv KLV€iv, TTOLVTa §€ TTpOLTTeLv Kal Xeyew, 

(Ls (f)lXoL rjjMV TOLOVTOL yCVOLVTO' TjV ydp TOVTO 

VTrdp^T], evSta navra Kal nXovg ovpios Kal 
XeiOKvp^ajv Tj OdXarra Kal 6 XifJLrjv ttXtjolov. 

1 ISo^av Graevius : cSo^a MSS. 



256 



THE SCYTHIAN OR THE CONSUL 

swear to it) is what all told me, and by my experience 
already it is clear that they told me but a fraction of 
the truth. " Then sit no more and brook no more 
delay," as the Ceian ^ says. No, I must pull every 
rope, do and say everything to make such men my 
friends ; if that is once attained, then ahead there is 
nothing but calm weather, a fair wind, a sea barely 
rippling, and a harbour near at hand. 

1 Bacchylides. Edmonds, Lyra Qraeca, iii, p. 123. 



257 

VOL. VI. K 



HERMOTIMUS OR CONCERNING 
THE SECTS 

Lucian's longest work and his most sustained attack on the 
philosophical schools. Hermotimus, a keen pupil of the 
Stoic school, is put through the mill of a Socratic inquisition 
on the subject of his motives and expectations in attending 
the school. The Sceptic wins and Hermotimus resolves to 
put aside his philosophical pretensions and enjoy the best 
way of living — that of the ordinary man. 

Although on the whole an interesting presentation of the 
Sceptic's skill at undermining the structure of philosophical 
idealism, the flow of the dialogue is marred for the modem 
reader by passages where the obvious is laboured at inordinate 
length. 

For Lucian's respect for the life of the ordinary man see also 
his Menippus {Loeb, vol. IV, pp. 71 fiF.). 



EPMOTIM05: H HEPI AIPEIEON 

ATKINOE 

1 "OdoVf (X) *Kpix6rLiJL€y Tco jStjSAtoj Kal rfj rov 
jSaStcr/Ltaros" GTTOvSfj reK^JLrjpaadai, irapa rov StSaor- 
KoXov €TT€Lyoyi.iv(xi eot/ca?. ivevoeis yovv rt fjuera^v 
TTpo'icjv Koi ra X^^l St^aoAcue? rjpdfia vttotov- 

SopV^COV Kal TOV X^^P^ ^^^ KOLKCtae p,€T€<f>€p€S 
WG7T€p TLVa pTJOlV €771 iaVTOV StaTt^C/Ltet'OS', 

ipcoTTjfxa S'q n tcjv ayKvXcov crvvTLdelg rj OKeixp^a, 
oocjyiariKov dva<f)povTLl^ajv, co? /xrySe 6Sa> ^aSiCcov 
axoXrjv dyoig, oAA* ivcpyog cti^? del GTrovSaiov 

Tt TTpaTTlOV KoX O TTpO oSoV CTOl ylvOlT dv €S TCt 

fxadijixaTa. 

EPMOTIMOL 

N17 At*, c5 AvKLve, TOLOVTO Ti' Trjv ydp x^''iw 
ovvovoiav kol d elrre npog rjjjLd?, dveTTefXTTa^ojirjv 
eiTicov rfj P'VTJfJL'l) c/cacrra. XPV ^^ /XT^SeVa Kaipov 
otjJLat rrapiivai ctSdras' dXrjdeg ov to vtto tov 
Vicpov larpov elpripiivoVy ojs dpa " ^pax^S fx^v 6 
pLOS, [JLaKpTj Se rj rix^-^* KalroL €K€lvos laTpiKrjs 
7T€pL ravT eXeyev, evfjLadearepov npayfjiaros' 
<f)LXo(JO(f>La 8e Kal fxaKpcp tco xpovw dvecfyiKTog, rjv 
fjLT} TTaw TL9 iypiqyopcos aTevks del Kal yopyov 
dTTOpXeTTTj e? avTi]v, Kal to KLvSvvcvfxa ov rrepl 
fiLKptov — ^ dOXiov elvai iv Tip noXXco tcov lSlojtcjv 

^ Hippocrates. 
260 



HERMOTIMUS OR CONCERNING 
THE SECTS 



LYCINUS 



To judge from your book, Hermotimus, and the 
speed of your walk, you seem to be hurrying to your 
teacher. You were certainly thinking something 
over as you went along; you were twitching your 
lips and muttering quietly, waving your hand this 
way and that as though you were arranging a speech 
to yourself, composing one of your crooked problems 
or thinking out some sophistical question ; even when 
you are walking along you must not take it easy, but 
be always busy at some serious matter which is likely 
to help your studies. 



HERMOTIMUS 

Yes, certainly, that is about it, Lycinus; I was 
going over yesterday's lecture and what he said to 
us, running through the points in my mind. We 
must, I think, never lose an opportunity, for we know 
the truth of what the Coan Doctor ^ said: " Life is 
short, but Art is long." He was speaking of medi- 
cine of course, which is easier to learn ; philosophy 
is unattainable even over a long period, unless you 
are very much awake all the time and keep a stem 
eye on her. The venture is for no mere trifle — 
whether to perish miserably in the vulgar rabble of 

261 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

(TVp<f>€Tco 7TapcL7To\6yL€VK)v I] cuSttt/xoi^aat ^lKooo- 
(fyquavra. 

ATKINOS 

Ta jJLev a^Aa, <L *Kpix6TLiJi€, davfiaGLa 'qXiKa 
€iprqKas. otfjual ye jxrjv ov Troppcj ce etvai avrojv, 
€L ye xp^ ^t/cciCcti^ rat re XP^^V ottogov ^lAocro^cr? 
Kal Trpoaeri rco ttovco olov fioL ov p.erpiov €k 
TToAAoi; '^Srj ex^Lv SoKels. el yap rt /xc/xi^/xat, 
axeSov eiKOGLv errj ravrd eariv d^* ov ae ovhev 
oAAo TTOiovvra ecLpaKa, i^ napa rovs StSaaKaXovs 
<j>oir(jL)vra koL (hs ro ttoXv is ^i^Xiov €7TLKeKV<f>6Ta 
Kal VTTOfjLVTJfjLara rcov gvvovgiCjv aTToypacjyopievov, 
(hxpov del VTTO (l)povTL8a)v /cat ro awfia KareaKXrj- 
Kora. hoKels he pLoc dAA* ovSe ovap irore dvievai 
oeavrov, ovrcog oXos et ev rep TrpdypLari. ravr* 
ovv GKOTTovp,evcp pLOL (f)aLV7) ovK €? puaKpav eTTlXlj- 
tfjeGdai Tris cuSat/xovias", el ye pLrj XeXrjdag TjpLag 
Kal TToAat avTTJ gvvcjv. 

EPMOTIMOS 

YloSev, <x) AuKtve, o? vvv dpxopiaL TrapaKvirreLv 
eg TTjv ohov; r) 8' ^Aperr] rrdw TTOppco Kara rov 
*HcrioSov OLKel Kal eoTLv 6 olpios ctt' avrr^v ptaKpos 
re Kal opOios Kal rp7]xvs, ISpajra ovk oXiyov excov 
rots oSoLTTopoLS . 

ATKINOS 

Ovx iKavd ovv ISpayral gol, <L ^lEippLoripLe, Kal 
whoLTToprjrai, ; 

EPMOTIMOE 
Ov, (fyrjpLL' ovSev yap dv ^ eKwXve pue iravev- 
haipiova elvai errl rip aKpcp yevopevov . ro 8c vvv 
dpxdpeda ert, c5 AvKue. 
262 



HERMOTIMUS 

the common herd or to find happiness through philo- 
sophy. 

LYCINUS 

That is a very wonderful prize, Hermotimus, and I 
fancy you are near winning it, to judge by the time 
you spend on your philosophical studies and also the 
considerable energy you seem to have devoted for so 
long. If I remember, it must be nigh on twenty 
years that I have seen you doing nothing but going 
to the teachers, and usually bent over a book and 
writing notes on the lectures, always pale and wasted 
with studying. I suppose even your dreams give 
you no rest, you are so wrapped up in it. So, when 
I consider this, I feel that you will not be long in 
reaching happiness, unless it has been your com- 
panion for years and we have missed seeing it. 

HERMOTIMUS 

How can that be, Lycinus? I am just beginning 
to get a glimpse of my way there. Virtue, says 
Hesiod,^ lives far away, and the path to her is long and 
steep and rough, with plenty of sweat for travellers. 

LYCINUS 

Have you not sweated and travelled enough, 
Hermotimus ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

No, I tell you. I couldn't be other than perfectly 
happy if I were at the top. At this moment I am 
still beginning, Lycinus. 

^ Hesiod, Works and Days, 289. 

^ av add. Belinus. 

263 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOE 

3 'AAAa Tijv ye apx^jv 6 avTOS ovros *Horto8o9 
TJfjLLcrv rod navrog €<f>7j elvai, ware Kara /xccn^v 
rrjv dvoSov rjSrj Xeyovres elvai ae ovk dv d^idp- 
roLjxev. 

EPMOTIMOS 

OvheiTO) ovhe rovro. TrdpLTToXv yap dv r^plv 
rjiwcrro. 

ATKINOL 

*AAAa TTOv yap ae ^cu/xev rijs oSov rvyxdveiv 
ovra; 

EPMOTIMOE 

'El' rfj VTTOjpela Karco crt, d) AvKLve, dpri npo- 
palvetv pLaCofMevov. oXiGdrjpd Se Kal rpax^la /cat 
Set X^^P^ opeyovros. 

ATKINOS: 

OvKovv 6 hihdoKoKo's (JOi rovro lkovos TTOiijaaL 
dvcjdev €K rov aKpov Kaddnep 6 rov '0/xr}pou 
Zcj)? XP^^^ riva aeLpdv Kadielg rovs avrov 
Xoyovg, vcj)* cov ue dvaaira Sr]Xa!8r} Kal dvaKOV^il!,ei. 
rrpos avrov re Kal rrjv dperrjv avrog rrpo ttoXXov 
dvaPep7]K(x)S. 

EPMOTIMOE 

Auto €<^T7CT^a, a> AvKLve, ro yiyvofievov . ogov 
yovv en eKeLVco TrdXai dveoTrdapL-qv dv ^ Kal crvvfjv 
aurots". ro 8' ifiov ert ivSel. 

ATKINOi: 

4 *AAAa dappelv XPV '^^^ dvfjLov ex^t^v dyaOov is 
ro reXos rrjg oSou opcovra Kal rrjv dvco evhaijioviav , 

^ av Fritzsche : avco MSS. 
264 



HERMOTIMUS 



LYCINUS 



But this same Hesiod says that the beginning is 
half-way there,^ so that we should not wrong you if 
we said that you were half-way up. 

HERMOTIMUS 

No, not even that yet. That would be a great 
achievement. 

LYCINUS 

Well, where on the road may we put you ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Still down in the foothills, Lycinus, though lately 
struggling on. It is slippery and rough and needs a 
hand to help. 

LYCINUS 

Your teacher can do that : he can let down his 
own teaching from the top like Zeus's golden rope in 
Homer,2 and clearly pull and lift you up to himself 
and Virtue. He made the climb long ago. 

HERMOTIMUS 

That is just what happens, Lycinus. As far as he 
is concerned I should have been pulled up long ago 
and been in their company. But my share still falls 
short. 

LYCINUS 

Be brave now and keep cheerful. Look to the end 
of the journey and the happiness up there, especially 



^ Hesiod, Works and Days, 40. 
* Homer, II. viii, 19. 



265 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

Kal ixaXtara €K€lvov ^v^TTpodvixovixevov. TrXrjv 
oAAa Tiva aoi iXnlSa VTTO(f)aiv€i cos ^rj Trdre 
dvapr]GOfJi€va) ; ct? vecora etKal^eu €7rt to aKpov 
eoeaOai cj€, olov /xera ra jjLvarrjpLa ra aAAa rj 
Ylavadijvaia ; 

EPMOTIMOS 

'OAtyov (f)ri?, a) Av/ctvc. 

ATKINOE 
'AAA* is TTjv i^rjs oAu/XTrtaSa; 

EPMOTIMOE 
Kat Tovro oXlyov cos npos dperrjs doK-qaiv Kal 
cdSaifiovlas kttjglv. 

ATKINOE 
Mcra Svo jxev Srj oXvfJiTndhas irdvrcos ; rj ttoA- 
Arjy y* dv Vficov paOvpiiav Karayvoir) ns €t /xt^S* €v 
TOOovTcp ^povo) SvvaGde, doov rpis cltto npaKXeicov 
UT-qXcov els *Iv8ou? direXdelv ctr* eiTaveXdeiv pdSiov, 
el Kal fiTj evdeXav /xryS* del j3a8tCot tls, oAA' €i/ 
TOtS" 8ta fiecrov edveoL TrepiTrXavojyievos. Kairoi 
TToacp TLvl jSouAet vi/jr]Xorepav Kal XuGGorepav ^ 
dcofjiev elvai rrjv aKpav, c^' 9^^ ^A''''*' ''? 'Apcr?) 
OLKel, TTJs ^Aopvov eKeiv-qSy rjv evros oXlycov 
rjfjLepcov ^AXe^avSpos Kara Kpdros elXeu ; 

EPMOTIMOi; 

Oi)8ey ofjiOLOv, w AvKive, oz58' earc to TTpdypia 
roLovTOv olov (TV eLKdCets, cu? oAtyoj XP^^^ 
Karepyacrdrjvai Kal dXcovai, ou8' dv fxvpioL 'AAe- 
favSpot TTpoor^dXXcoGLV. errel vroAAot av ot avtovTes' 
rjaav. vvv 8e evdpxovrai /xev oi)/<: oAtyot ixaXa 

266 



HERMOTIMUS 

since he is as keen as you are. But when does he 
suggest you may hope to come up ? Did he suggest 
next year to reach the top — after the other Mysteries, 
say, or the Panathenaea ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Too soon, Lycinus. 

LYCINUS 

Next Olympiad, then ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Too soon again for a training in virtue and the 
winning of happiness. 

LYCINUS 

After two Olympiads, surely ? Or shall we accuse 
you of excessive sloth, if you cannot succeed in all 
that time? You could easily make three journeys 
from Gibraltar to India and back in that time, even 
if you did not go straight without breaking your 
journey, but made excursions occasionally to visit the 
nations on the way. But this summit where your 
Virtue lives — how much higher and smoother are we 
to put it than Aornos which Alexander stormed in a 
few days ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Nothing like, Lycinus, Your comparison is wrong ; 
it cannot be won or captured in a short time, even if 
innumerable Alexanders attack it. Many would 
climb it, if it could. As it is, a fair number make a 
very strong beginning and travel part of the way, 

^ ^aaorepav E H F^ : Biaaorepav F^N. 

267 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 



» ^ 



€ppa)fi€vojs Kai 7rpoG€pxovTaL cttl iroaoVy ot /li€V ctti 
TTaw oXiyoVy ol 8e ctti ttXIov' €TT€Lhav 8e Kara 
fjLearjv rrjv 686v yivcovrai ttoXXols tol9 airopois Kai 
hvo-)(€pioLV iyrvyxo-vovres dTToSvanerovai re /cat 
avaarp€(f>ovaiv aadpLaivovres Kai thpcbri peofJLei^OL, 
ov (f)€povT€9 rov Kaifxarov. ogoi 8* ai' €tV rlXos 
SLaKaprcp-qacocrLV ovtol irpos to aKpov a^iKvovvrai 
Koi TO (itt' €K€lvov evSaLjxovovGLv davpidaiov TLva 

pLOV TOU XOLTTOV pL0VVT€£ , oloV pLVpp,7]Kag dnO TOV 

vipovs €TnaKOTTOvvT€.9 rtva? tovs aXXovs. 

ATKINOE 

IlaTrat, c5 *E/3/xdrt/i€, -qXcKOvg rjfids d7ro(l>aiv€ig 
ovhe Kara tovs Wvyp,aiovs €K€lvovs, oAAa ;^a/xat- 

7T€T€i9 TTaVTOLTTaOlV ^ €V XPV '^^ VV^ ' ^^/COTCO? 

vifjrjXd yap rjBir] <f)pov€iS Kai dvcodev r)p,€ls Sr) 6 
Gvp(j)€T6s KOI OGOI xP-fxal ip^ofxevoi €op,ev, p^CTa 
TU)V dccjv Kai vpids Trpooev^6p,€9a VTrepv€(f)iXovs 
y€vop€vovs Kai dveXdom-as ol TToAat crTreuSerc. 

EPMOTIMOi: 

Et yap yevoiTO Kai dveXBelVj o) AvKive. oAAa 
rrdp,7roXv to Xolttov, 

ATKINOE 

G "O/xcos" ovK ecfyqada ottouov, ws XP^^V ^^P*-" 
Xa^elv. 

EPMOTIMOE 

Ou8* avTOS yap olBa, a) Avklv€, rdKpt^eg. 
eLKd^oj p,€VTOL ov TrXeLOJ Tojv eiKOGLv ircov eo^odai, 
p^eO* a TTavTCOS ttov e-nl Tcp aKpcp €a6p,eda. 
268 



HERMOTIMUS 

some very little, some more ; but when they get half- 
way and meet plenty of difficulties and snags, they 
lose heart and turn back, gasping for breath and 
dripping with sweat ; the hardships are too much for 
them. But all who endure to the end arrive at the 
top, and from then on are happy having a wonderful 
time for the rest of their life, from their heights 
seeing the rest of mankind as ants. 

LYCINUS 

Goodness, Hermotimus! How small you make 
us, not as big as pygmies ! Utter groundlings crawl- 
ing over the earth's surface. It's not surprising — 
your mind is already away up above ; and we, the 
whole trashy lot of us ground-crawlers, will pray to 
you along with the gods, when you get above the 
clouds and reach the heights to which you have been 
hastening for so long. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Oh, may I really get up there, Lycinus! But a 
great deal remains to be done. 

LYCINUS 

But you have not said how long, to give it a date. 

HERMOTIMUS 

I don't know myself exactly, Lycinus. Not more 
than twenty years at a guess. After that I shall 
surely be on the top. 

^ XaixanT€T€LS TtavraTTaai N : X°/^<^^ TravrdTraaiv G : X°/*"^ 
â– ndvra Tra^eiv other MSS. 

269 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOS 

'Hpa/cAct?, TToXif Acyets". 

EPM0TIM02 

Kat yap irepl /xcyoAcov, <L AvKLV€y ol ttovoi, 

ATKINOS 
TovTO ixkv LGC09 dXrjdeg. vrrep Se rcov eiKoonv 
irojv on ^Lworr) roaavra TTorepov 6 SlSolgkoXos gov 
Kadvireox^TO , ou fjLovov ao<^6s, dAAa kol fxavriKos 
wv 7] )(pr)Gp,oX6yos ng 7) ocrot ras XoASatcov 
jjLedoSovg cVto-ravrat ; (fyaol yovv ctScVat ra 
TOLavra. ov yap Srj ae ye €lk6s €7tI tco d87JAa>, 
el ^Lcocrrj /xep^pt npog rrjv aperrfv^ roorovrovs 
TTOvovg dvex^crdai /cat raXanrajpelv vvKTOjp /cat p,e6* 
7]p.epav ovK elbora el ae TrX-qoiov tJSt] rod aKpov 
yevofjuevov to -x^pecov eTnorav /caracTTrdcret Xa^opievov 
rov TToSos e^ dreXovs Trjs eA77tSos". 

EPM0TIM02 

"Anaye. hvG(f>7]pa yap ravra, co Avklvc. dAA' 
etr] piOJvaL chs piav yovv 'qpepav evSaupovqao) 
00^69 yevopevos . 

ATKINOi: 

Kat LKavq GOL dvrl rojv togovtcjjv Kapdrcov rj 
jLtta rjpepa; 

EPMOTIMO2 
*E/xot pev /cat dKapiolov ottogov iKavov. 

ATKINOE 

7 Td §€ St) dvoj oTt evhaipova /cat roiavra (hs 
Trdvra XPW viropelvai St* aurd vodev €)(eLS 
€t8eVat; ou yap Srj avros tto) dveXijXvdas . 
270 



HEKMOTIMUS 

LYCINUS 

Good Heavens ! As long as that ! 

HERMOTIMUS 

Yes, Lycinus ; my struggles are for great prizes. 

LYCINUS 

Perhaps so. But those twenty years — has your 
teacher promised you that length of life ? If he has 
he must be more than a wise man — a prophet, or an 
oracle-monger, or an expert in Chaldean lore, as 
well — they say that they know this sort of thing. 
For, if it is not certain that you will live to reach 
Virtue, it is quite unreasonable to take all this 
trouble and wear yourself out night and day, not 
knowing whether Fate as you near the top will come 
and pull you down by the foot with your hopes un- 
fulfilled. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Away with you! That, Lycinus, is blasphemy. 
May I live to enjoy happiness through wisdom for 
just one day! 

LYCINUS 

Would that repay you for all your labours — just 
one day ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

For me even a moment is enough. 

LYCINUS 

How can you know that up there there is a happi- 
ness and the like worth enduring everything to 
attain ? You yourself have not yet been up there, 
I suppose ? 

271 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOL 

'AAAo. rep StSacr/caAoj Tnarevco Xeyovri, 6 8e 
Trdvu olSev are aKporaros rjSr] a>v. 

ATKINOE 

"EAcye 8e TTpog Oecov iroia ra Trepl avrcjv t) rlva 
TTjv evhaifioviav elvai rrjv eKel; rj ttov tlvo. ttXov- 
rov /cat ho^av Koi r^hovas dwTTeppXijTOVs ; 

EPMOTIMOi: 
Eu^ry/x€t, J) iraipe. oi58ev yap iarL ravra TTpos 
Tov €V rij dp€rfj ^iov. 

ATKINOi; 

'AAAa riva (f>r)al rdyadd €t jxr) ravra e^eLv npos 
TO reXos rijs dcrK'qoecas iXdovra? ; 

EPM0TIM02 
Hocfylav /cat dvhpelav /cat ro KaXov avro /cat ro 
SiKaiov /cat TO Trdvra eTrlaracrdai j3ej3atco? 7T€7T€ig- 
fxevov f) e/cacrra cx^'- TrXovrovs 8e /cat Sd^a? /cat 
r}Sovds Kal oaa rod awfjLaros ravra Trdvra Kdrw 
atf>€LK€v ^ Kal aTTohvodiievos dvepx^rai, a>a7r€p 
<f>aol rov *H/)a/cAea iv rij Otrj) KaraKavOivra 
deov yeveoOai' /cat yap €K€lvos diro^aXibv ottooov 
dvdpcx)TT€iov et;^€ irapd rrjg yLrjrpos Kal Kadapov re 
Kal dKTjparov (fyepcjv ro Oelov dviirraro is roifs 
deovs hi€VKpiv7]d€v VTTO rov TTUpos. Kal ovroL hrj 

VTTO <j)lXoCTO(f>LaS a)07T€p VTTO TtVO? TTVpOS OLTTavra 

ravra TrepiaipeOevres d rolg oAAot? davpiaard 
€lvai SoK€L ovK opdcos ^o^d^ovGLVy dveXdovrcs em 
TO aKpov evSaipovovoL rrXovrov Kal So^rjs Kal 

^ d(f>€7K€v Mras : d(f>rjiK€vl T : d^€is G : d(j>r}K€{v) other MSS. 
272 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 

I believe what my teacher says. He is already 
right at the top and knows very well. 

LYCINUS 

What in Heaven's name did he say about condi- 
tions there ? What did he say this happiness there 
was ? Some sort of riches, I suppose, and glory, and 
pleasures beyond compare ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Hush, friend ! These have nothing to do with the 
life in Virtue. 

LYCINUS 

If not these then, what does he say are the good 
things which those who complete their training will 
get? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Wisdom, courage, beauty itself, justice itself, the 
sure certainty of knowing everything as it really is. 
Riches and glories and pleasures and bodily things 
are all stripped off the climber and left down below 
before he makes his ascent. Think of the story of 
Heracles when he was burned and deified on Mount 
Oeta : he threw off the mortal part of him that came 
from his mother and flew up to heaven, taking the 
pure and unpolluted divine part with him, the part 
that the fire had separated off. So philosophy like a 
fire strips our climbers of all these things that the 
rest of mankind wrongly admires ; they climb to the 
top and are happy ; they never even remember 

273 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TjhovaJv dAA* ovSe ju-€/xn7/xeVot en, KarayeXcovrcs 
§€ rcov olofjievojv ravra etvai. 

ATKINOL 

8 N17 Tov 'Hpa/cAca, a> 'Ep/xdrt/xc, rov ev Otrrj 
avSpeXa /cat euSat/xova Aeyet? Trcpt avrojv. ttXtjv 
oAAa ToSc /xot €L7r€, Kal Karipxovrai irore €k rijs 
aKpas (rjv c^cArJaoxjt^ XPV^^H'^^^^ '^^'-^ Kara) d 
KaraXeXoLTraaLV ; rj dvdyKr] dna^ dveXdovrag 
avrovs ixiveiv koI cruv€ivai rij dpcrfj ttXovtov Kal 
So^Tjs Kal TjSovojv KaraycXcovras ; 

EPMOTIMOL 

Ov fJLOVOV TOVTO, CO AvKLvc, oAA' o? dv dno- 
reXeadfj Trpos dperrjv ovre opyfj ovre <f)6pa) ovr 
eTTidvpLLais 6 roiovTOS dv hovXevoi ^ ovhk XvttoIto 
ovhk dXcjs Trddos €tl tolovtov nddoL dv. 

ATKINOE 
Kat fJLTjv €L ye fxe Set jJLrjSkv oKv-qoavra ctVctv 
TaXr)d€s — ciAA' €v<j)r]fi€LV XPV olfxai pLTjSe oacov 
elvat, ^ €^€rd^€LV to, vtto tojv GO<f>a)v yiyvofxeva. 

EPMOTIMOE 

MrjSafxcjs, oAA* €t7rc o tl Kal Xiyeis. 

ATKINOL 

"Opay 60 iraZp€, (hg eyojye Kal irdw okvo). 

EPMOTIMOS 

'AAAa 117] oKvei, <L yewaU, TTpos ye jjlovov cfxe 
XiycDv. 

1 SouAeuoi Guyet : SouAeu'aot G : SouAcvctt; M : hovXevrj other 

MSS. 

274 



HERMOTIMUS 

wealth and glory and pleasures any more, and they 
laugh at those who believe them to be real. 

LYCINUS 

By Heracles on Oeta, Hermotimus, you tell a 
brave and happy tale about them ! But tell me this : 
do they ever come down from their hill-top (if that 
is their wish), to make use of what they have left 
down here below? Or must they stay there once 
they are up and live in Virtue's company, laughing 
at wealth and glory and pleasures ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

That is not all, Lycinus. A man who is perfected 
in Virtue can never be a slave to anger or fear or 
lusts ; he will not know grief and in short he will not 
experience feelings of this sort any longer. 

LYCINUS 

Well, if I must speak the truth without fear — but 
I had better keep quiet, I suppose ; it would not be 
pious to question what wise men do. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Not at all. Please say what you mean. 

LYCINUS 

Look, friend, how afraid I am ! 

HERMOTIMUS 

Don't be afraid, good Lycinus. You are speaking 
to me alone. 



2 tJ r : elvai N. 



275 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKIN02 
9 Ta jxev roivvv oAAa, d) *Ep/xoTt)Lt€, Scr^yovfjieva) 
croL irapeLTToynqv /cat iiriorevov ovrcos €.-)(eiv, GO(f)OVs 
T€ yiyv€odai aurous" kol avhpeiovs kol hiKaiovs 
Kol ra oAAa- /cat ttcos €K7]\ovpLT)v irpos tov Xoyov. 
OTTore 8e /cat ttAoutou €(f)r^G6a Karac^povelv G<j)ds 
/cat 80^17? /cat r^hovcjv /cat /ii^rc opyH^eudai pLTjre 
XvTTelodai, TTOLW ivravda (fxovco yap iGfiev) 
i7T€Grrjv dvapLvrjadels a TTpayqv efSov TTOiovvra — 
jSouAct <^(x) TtVa; ri iKavov /cat av€V rov ovofiaros ; 

EPMOTIMOS 

MTySa/xcas", oAAa /cat rovro elire oarts "^u. 

ATKINOE 

AtSaa/coAos" auro? outos" o ao? — dv^p ra t€ 
oAAa atSou? aftos" /cat yipojv rjSr) is to vararov. 

EPMOTIMOL 

Tt o^v St) inoUi; 

ATKINOL 
Tov ^€VOV olcrda rov * H paKXccorrjv os €K ttoXXov 
avv€^i\oa6(j>€i avTo) fJLaOrjrrjs a>v, rov ^avdoVy rov 

epLGTLKOV ; 

EPMOTIMOE 

OfSa ov Xdyecs' Atcov avrip rovvojxa. 

ATKINOE 

'E/c€tvov avrov, CTrct rov (jllgOov olpi^ai fxr] 
arrehihov Kara Kcupov, aTnjyaye irapa rov dpxovra 
evayxos Trepideis y€ avrco dolpLdrtov irepl rov 

276 



HERMOTIMUS 



LYCINUS 



Well, I followed and believed most of what you 
said, Hermotimus, that they become wise and brave 
and just and so on ; in a way your description held me 
in a sort of spell. But when you said they despised 
riches and glory and pleasures and were not angry 
or grieved, there (we are alone) I came to a stop. 
I remembered something I saw a certain person doing 
the other day — shall I name him ? Or is it enough 
to leave him anonymous ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Not at all. Please tell me who he was. 

LYCINUS 

This very teacher of yours — in general he deserves 
respect and is now quite old. 

HERMOTIMUS 

What was he doing ? 

LYCINUS 

You know the stranger from Heraclea who has 
studied philosophy under him a long time, the one 
M ith yellow hair, a quarrelsome fellow ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

I know the man you mean. He's called Dion. 

LYCINUS 

That is the man. Well ! it seems he didn't pay his 
fee on time, and the other day your teacher in a 
temper pulled the man's cloak round his neck and 

277 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

rpdxr)Xov /cat €j8oa /cat fhpyO^^ro^ /cat €t ^it] rwv 
avvrjOojv rivks iv iieao) yevofievoL d(f)€LXovro tov 
veavioKov €/c rcjv ^^ipiov avTov, ev todi irpoa^vs 
dv d-nerpayev avrov rrjv plva 6 yepcov, ovrcos 
Tjyava/cTct. 

EPMOTIMOS 

10 Ilovr]p6g yap €K€lvos del /cat dyvcofjucov, cu 
AvKLve, Tiepl rds dirohooeis' inel rovs ye dXXovs 
ots SavctCct TToAAou? orra? ovSev tolovto tto) 
hiarldeiKev. aTToStSoaort yap avro) Kara Kaipov 

rovs TOKOVS. 

ATKINOS 

Tt 8€, dv fXTj dTTohihcoaLV, CO jxaKdpLC, fxeXcL ri 
avrcp KadapQivTL rjSrj vtto ^iXoao^ias /cat {jlt^kctl 
rix)v €v rfj OtTT7 /caToAcAet/x/LtcVcov Beofievu); 

EPMOTIMOE 

Otet yap on eavrov X^P'^ €/c€tvo? Trc/ot rd 
roiavra ianovSaKev ; oAA' cdrtv' avrcp iraihia 
v€oyvd wv KTiherai /X17 €V dnopia /carajStcoCTOKTt. 

ATKIN02 

Acov, cS 'EpjLtdrt/xc, dvayayeti^ /cd/ccti^a €7Tt Ti7y 
d/3€T7jv, CO? (TUvei;8at/xovot€V avro) ttXovtov Kara^po- 
vovvres. 

EPMOTIMO2 

11 Ov axoXrj fjLOL, w AvkIvc, rrepl rovrojv StaAeyc- 
o-^at aoL- (TTTevScj yap 17817 dKpodaaodai avrov ^ fir] 
/cat Xddoj reXdcos drroXei^deis . 

278 



HERMOTIMUS 

shouted and dragged him off to the magistrate. If 
some friends of the young fellow had not come 
between them and pulled him from his grasp, the 
old man would certainly have taken hold of him and 
bitten his nose off, he was so angry. 

HERMOTIMUS 

That fellow has always been a senseless rogue 
when it comes to paying his debts, Lycinus. My 
master has never yet treated any of the others to 
whom he lends money like that and there are many 
of them. But they pay the interest on time. 

LYCINUS 

And if they don't, my dear Hermotimus ? Does 
it matter, when he is now already purified by 
philosophy and no longer needs what he has left 
behind on Oeta ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Do you think it is for himself that he has made 
this fuss? No, he has young children and he is 
concerned lest they spend their lives in want. 

LYCINUS 

He ought, Hermotimus, to lead them too up the 
path to Virtue, so that they can despise wealth and 
be happy with him. 

HERMOTIMUS 

I haven't time, Lycinus, to talk with you about 
this ; I'm in a hurry to hear his lecture, or I may be 
left completely behind before I know it. 

279 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOS 

Qdpp€L, (LyaOi. to T^fjiepov yap CKex^tpLa 
CTn^yycArat. cScrre iyw d<f>Lr]fjLl aoi ogov ert to 

XOLITOV TTJS ohoV, 

EPMOTIMOi: 

ATKINOE 

"Oti €v Ta> TrapovTL ovk dv tSot? auToi', ct yc 
Xprj Tnareveiv rep npoypafifiarL. ttivolkiov yap ri 
eKpcfiaTO VTTep rov twXcovos /xcyaAots" ypdiMfiacrL 
Xeyov ** Tijfiepov ov ovp.(f>i\oao^€lv .^^ iXiy^ro hk 
Trap* ^VKpdr€L rep Trdw SctTn^cra? X^^^ yeviOXia 
dvyarpos iaricjvri TToXXd re orufKfiLXoaocfyfJGaL iv 
rep crvfiTTOcrla) /cat TTpos KvdvSrjpiov rov cV tou 
YlcpLTrdrov Trapo^vvdrjvaL ri /cat diJ,(f>LG^r)rrjaaL 
avrcp 7T€pl (Lv €K€LvoL elwdaGLv dvriXeyeiv rols drro 
rijs ^rodg. vtto re ovv r^? Kpavyrjs TTomjpojg rrjv 
Ke(f)aXrjv SiareOrjvaL /cat ISpdjaai fidXa iroXXd c? 
ixeaas vvKras dnoradeicrqg , cu? t^act, rrjg crvvov- 
atag. dfia Se /cat neTTcoKeL olfiaL irXeov rov 
LKavov rojv TrapovrcDV wg eiKos (fyiXorrioias Trpom- 
vovrayv /cat ehehenrvriKei rrXeov -q Kara yepovra- 
uiore dvaarpeipas rjp^eae re ws e^aoKov noXXd Kal 
fjiovov dpidfjicp TTapaXa^cbv rd Kpea onoaa rw 
TratSt KaroTTLV earwri vrapaSeSaj/cct /cat o-qfirj- 
vdpevos emfJLeXcJS ro dn* eKeivov KaOevhei fMiqheva 
elahexeoBai napayy etXa?. ravra Se MtSa rJKOvcra 
rod olKerov avrov Stryyou/xeVou Tto^t rojv fjLadrjrojv, 
OL /cat auTot dveorpe^ov pidXa ttoXXol. 

280 



HERMOTIMUS 

LYCINUS 

Cheer up, old man ! A truce has been proclaimed 
today. I can save you what still remains of your 
journey. 

HERMOTIMUS 

What do you mean ? 

LYCINUS 

That you won't find him now, if we can believe the 
notice ; a little board was hanging on the gate with 
" No Philosophy Lecture Today " on it in large 
letters. They said that he had dinner yesterday 
at the house of the great Eucrates, who was throwing 
a party for his daughter's birthday. He talked a lot 
of philosophy during the party and grew cross with 
Euthydemus the Peripatetic, disputing their usual 
arguments against the Stoics. The party, they say, 
stretched out till midnight and the din brought on a 
wretched headache and made him sweat a good deal. 
At the same time he had drunk too much, I fancy, in 
the general toasting and had dined too well for his 
age ; so when he got back home, it was said, he was 
very sick. He waited only to count carefully and 
lock up the pieces of meat he had given to the 
servant who had stood behind him at table, and has 
been sleeping ever since, having given orders to let 
no one in. I heard his servant Midas telling this 
to some of his pupils who were themselves just 
coining away, quite a crowd. 

281 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOS 

]2 *^Kpdrr]G€ 8e rrorepos, c5 AvKive^ 6 StSaor/caAos" 
T) 6 EivdvSrjixos ; et rt Kal roiovrov cAcyev o 
MtSaj. 

ATKINOL 

Ta fjbev TTpcjrd <f>aaLVy c5 ^^pfjLOTLjjLe, dyp^co/xoAa 
G<f)laL yevioBai, to 8* ouv reAo? tt/? vlkt]? Kad* 
Vfids iyevero Kal irapd ttoXv 6 TTpea^vrrjs vnepecrx^. 
Tov yovv ^vdvSrjfjLOV ovSe dvaipuxiri (fyacrcv aTreXdelv, 
dXXd rpavfjia Trafifxeyede^ e^ovra €v rfj K€(f)aXfj. 
CTTCt yap dXaCojv rjv Kal iXeyKruKos Kal TTeldeaOaL 
ovK rjdeXev ouSe Trapelx^ paSiov avrov iXdyx^crdau, 
6 SiSacr/caAos" crov 6 ^iXrioros ov cf^e oKV(j>ov 
NcCTTo/Detov TLva KaTa(f)€p€i avrov TrXrjGLOv Kara- 
K€Lp,ivoVf Kal OVTCOS iKpdrrjG€V. 



EPMOTIMOS 

Eu ye. ov yap dXXojs ^XPW '^pos rovs pir) 
ideXovras clkcw tols KpeirroGiv. 

ATKINOS 

Tavrl pueVy o) 'Ep/xdrt/xe, ttow evXoya. t) tl 
yap TTadojv ^vdvSr)pLOS dvhpa yepovra Trapcj^vveu 
dopyqrov Kal dvpiov Kpeirrova, GKV<f)OV ovto) 
13 ^apvv iv rfj x^'-P^ exovra ; aAAa, GXoXrjv yap 
dyop,€v, ri ov SL'r]yfj pLOL iraipcp ovri ov rpoTTOV 
wppL'^drjg TO TTpwrov (^iXoGO^elVy ws Kal avros, el 
hvvarov eriy GVvohonTopoiiqv vpXv to diTO rovSe 
dp^dpuevos. ov yap diroKXeiGere pie Sr]XaBr] <f)iXoL 
ovres. 
282 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 

Who won the argument, Lycinus, my teacher or 
Euthydemus? Did Midas say anything to this 
effect ? 

LYCINUS 

At first, it seems, they were level, but in the end 
victory was on the side of you Stoics, and the old man 
was well in front. At any rate they say that Euthy- 
demus didn't get away unscathed: he was badly 
wounded in the head. You see he was pretentious 
and argumentative and wouldn't be convinced and 
didn't show himself ready to take criticism, so your 
excellent teacher hit him with a cup as big as 
Nestor's ^ which he had in his hand (he was lying 
quite near him), and so he won. 



HERMOTIMUS 

Well done! That's just how to treat those who 
won't give way to their betters ! 



LYCINUS 

Very reasonable, Hermotimus. What possessed 
Euthydemus to irritate an old man so placid and a 
master of his temper, who had such a heavy cup in 
his hand ? But now we have time to spare why don't 
you tell a friend how you first took up philosophy ? 
I myself, if it is still possible, could then begin there 
and join you all on the road. You are my friends 
and of course won't shut me out. 

1 For Nestor's cup, see Homer, II. xi, 636. 

283 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOE 
Et yap ideXqoeiaSy (x) Au/ctve* oijiei ev ppax^i 
oaov hioioeis ra>v dXXcov. TralSas cu ladi olrjcrr] 
airavras d>s rrpos C7C, tooovtov VTrep^povriGeis 
avTos. 

ATKINOS 

*\Kav6vf €t pi€ra eiKoaiv errj yeveaOaL otos re 

€L7)V ^ TOLOVrOS ofo? (TV VVV. 

EPMOTIMOL 
A/xcAct. /cat avTOS Kara arc ycyovwg rjp^dfJLrjv 
<f>LXoao(f>€LV T€TrapaKovTOvr7]9 ax^^oi^ — onoaa otfiai 
crv VVV yeyovag. 

ATKINOi: 

Toaavra yap, w 'KppLOTifjLe. ware ttjv avrr^v 
dye Xa^ajv /cd/xc — hiKaiov yap. /cat irpcjrov ye. 
jjLOL rovTO €t77€' 8lSot€ dvTLXiy€i.v TOt? fiavddvovaLV 
rjv TL jjLT) opdcos Xiyeadai SoKrj avrols, rj ovk €(f>Ler€ 
Tovro ToZs v€coT€poLs ; 

EPMOTIMOE 

Ov irdw. (TV he, rjv rt ^ovXrj, ipcora /xerafi) 
/cat dvTiXeye. paov yap dv ovtcj \iddois. 

AYKINOi: 

Ev ye — VT) Tov *Kpfi7Jv, (L *KpiJL6TLiJLe, avrov ov 

14 eTTCovupLos CUV rvyxdvecg. drdp elve jjlol, puta rt? 

oSos" eGTLV T) €7tI ^iXooo<f)iav dyovaa 'q rcov 

l!iT(x)LKa)v vpLCJV ; rj dXr^drj eyoj tjkovov cog /cat 

dXXoL TToXXoi, nves elaiv ; 

^ yevfadai oios re eivv Mras : yivolu-qv G C : yiviadai other 

MSS. 

284 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 

I wish you would, Lycinus ! You will soon see 
how much better you will be than the rest of mankind. 
Children you will think them all, mere children 
compared with you with your intellect so superior. 

LYCINUS 

Good enough, if after twenty years I could be as 
you are now. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Don't worry. I myself was about your age when 
I began to study philosophy, about forty — as old as 
you are now I imagine. 

LYCINUS 

Exactly that, Hermotimus. So take and lead me 
too along the same path — that would be only right. 
First of all tell me this : do you allow learners to 
argue if they disagree with something, or is this 
not allowed to the young ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

No, it is not allowed at all. But you, if you like, 
may ask questions and make criticisms as we go 
along. You will learn more easily that way. 

LYCINUS 

Good, Hermotimus — by Hermes who gives you 
your name. Now tell me, is there one way only to 
philosophy, the one you Stoics follow ? I have heard 
there are many other schools as well. Is that right ? 

285 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOL 

MctAa TToAAot — UepLTTarrjTLKol Kal 'ETrt/coupctot 
Kal ol rov YlXdrcDva €7nypa(f)6fJi€voi, Kal av 
^loylvovs oAAot rivks Kal ^ Avriodivovs ^7]\o)Tal 
Kal ol aiTO rov Ilvdayopov Kal crt TrAetous". 

ATKINOL 

^AXrjOrj ravra' ttoAAoi yap eiVt. irorcpov StJ, 
w 'FipfJLOTLiJLe, ra avra ovtol Xeyovatv t) bi,d<j>opa; 

EPMOTIMOE 

Kai irdw hid<j>opa. 

ATKIN02 

To he y€ aXrjdes olfxat irdvrcjs ttov €v rjv avrwv, 
oAA* ov navra hLd<j)Opd ye oma. 

EPMOTIMOS 
Yidvv [xev ovv. 

ATKINOi: 
15 "I^t hrj, w <J>i\6t7]s» diTOKpLvai jjlol' rw rorc 
TTiorevaas ro Trpcjrov onore rjcLs <j>LXoao(f>'qacov 
7ToXXa)V GO I Ovpcov dva7T€7rTaiJi€va)v irapels av rds 
oAAa? els T7]v Tcov Srcot/ccDi^ -^Kes Kal St' €K€Lvr]s 
rj^LOVS €7tI Trjv dpeirrjv eiGiivai ws Srj fiovrjs 
aXrjdovs ovGTjs Kal rrjv evdeZav eTnheiKvvovaiqs , 
TCOV 8* oAAcov els rv<f)Xd Kal dve^oSa <j)epovawv ; 
rivi ravT ereKpiaipov rore ; Kal p.ij pLOi rov vvv 
hr) rovTOV aeavrov ewoet, rov etre rjpLcro<t>ov elre 
ao<j)6v 7]Sr) ra ^eXria) Kplvetv virep rovs ttoXXovs 
rjjjids Svvdp^evoVy dXXd ovrcos diroKpivai ottolos 
Tore rjada ISitorrjs Kal Kara tov vvv epie. 
286 



HERMOTIMUS 



HERMOTIMUS 



Very many — the Peripatetics, Epicureans, those 
who take Plato as their patron, others also, the 
devotees of Diogenes and Antisthenes, Pythagoreans, 
and more besides. 



LYCINUS 



True, there are many. Is what they say the same, 
Hermotimus, or different ? 



HERMOTIMUS 

Quite different. 

LYCINUS 

At all events, one of their systems, I suppose, is 
true ? They can't all be true if they differ. 



HERMOTIMUS 

No, they can't. 

LYCINUS 

Now be a true friend and tell me this : when you 
first set out to study philosophy, many doors were 
open to you ; you passed by the others and came to 
the Stoic door; you deigned to enter through that 
door on the way to Virtue, thinking it the only true 
one which revealed the straight path ; the rest led 
into blind alleys. Now what was your reason for 
this? What at that time made you certain? 
Please do not think of yourself as you are now, for, 
half-wise or wise, you can now make better judgments 
than most of us. Answer as the layman you then 
were and I am now. 

287 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOE 

Ov avvLTjiJiL 6 TL aoL rovTO ^ovXerai, cS KvkIv€. 

ATKINOi: 
Kat /XT^v ov TTOLVU dyKvXov rjpofji'qv. ttoXXcov yap 
ovTcov <f)LXoa6(f)OJV t olov IlXdrojvos Kal ^ApiaroTe- 
Xovs Kal * AvTiodivovs kol tcov vfierepwv rrpoyovcov, 

rod XpUCTtTTTTOU Kal TLtJvCjJVOS Kal T(X)V dXXcOV OGOl 

ctatv, TO) Gv 7naT€vaa^ tovs fiev dXXovs etas, cf 
diTdvTOJV Se npoeXofjLevos direp TTporjprjoai,, d^totj 
Kara ravra ^lXogo^^Iv ; dpa Kal ok wGTrep rov 
y^aip€<f)wvra 6 WvOios i^CTreixi/jeu irrl rd Y^rcj'iKcjv 
apLorovs eg aTravrcav TTpoaenrcjv ; €uo9 yo.p avrw 
aXXov eV* aAAo clbos ^j>iXooo<j>ias TTporpcncLv rrjv 
dpfiorrovaav olfxai eKdarip ctSort. 

EPMOTIMOi; 
*AAA* ovSev roLovrov, co AvkIv€, ovSe rjpofJLrjv 
7T€pL y€ rovrojv rov deov. 

ATKINOE 
Tlorepov ovK d^iov 0€Las ovyL^ovXias rjyovfievog 
avro T] iKai'6? a>oi» avrog elvai iXeodat ro ^cXriov 
Kard oavrov dv€v rod deov ; 

EPMOTIMOE 

"Q.LfiTjv yap. 

ATKINOi: 

16 OvKovv Kal rffidg 8t8a(7/cot? dv rovro irpwrov, 
OTTCos SLayvojoreov rjfJLiv evOvs iv dpxjj, TtV r) dpioTt) 
<f)iXooo<f)La iorl Kal rj dX-qdeuovoa Kal rjv dv res 
eXoLro TTapels rd? dXXag. 

288 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 

I don't see your point, Lycinus. 

LYCINUS 

My question was not very complicated really. 
There have been many philosophers — Plato, Aris- 
totle, Antisthenes, and your own predecessors, 
Chrysippus, Zeno, and the rest. Now, what per- 
suaded you to leave the rest alone and choose to base 
your studies on the particular one you did? Did 
Apollo send you back from Delphi, like Chaerephon,^ 
with his word that the Stoic school was best of all 
and you should go there ? He has a habit of sending 
different people to different philosophies ; he knows 
the one that suits each person best, I suppose. 

HERMOTIMUS 

It wasn't like that, Lycinus. I never even asked 
Apollo about it. 

LYCINUS 

' Did you think it not worth consulting the god 
about, or did you think you could make the better 
choice on your own without his help ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

I did think so. 

LYCINUS 

Well then, please teach me this first, how, right at 
the beginning, we can distinguish the best, the true 
philosophy, the one we must choose, leaving aside 
the others. 

^ Chaerephon asked the oracle who was the wisest mortal 
and he was directed to Socrates. 

289 
VOL. VI. L 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOS 
'Eyc6 GOL (fypaGO). icopcov rovs ttXclgtovs in* 
avTTjv opfxcovras ware etKa^ov d/xetVa> etvai avTqv. 

ATKINOL 
Tlooo) TLvl nXcLOvg rcov ^KTTiKovpcicov 'q IlAa- 
TOJVLKOJV Tj HepLTTarrjriKiov ; ripidpLrjaag yap avTovs 
SrjXaSrj Kaddnep iv rals x^iporoviais . 

EPMOTIMOS 

'AAA' ovK rjpldfirjGa eycoye, euKaCov Sc. 

ATKINOi: 

*Q.g OVK ideXeus StSafat /x€ oAA' c^aTrara?, o? 
nepl Twv TOLOVTOJV etVacr/xo) ^i^s" kol ttXtJOcl KplvaL 
dTTOKpvTJTOfievos Xeyeiv irpos /xe raX-qOes. 

EPMOTIMOL 

Ov pLOVOV TOVTO, O) AvkIv€ , oAAct KOL tJkOVOV 

CLTTavTajv XeyovTcov a»S" ol pikv ^^LinKovpeioi yXvKv- 
dvp,OL /cat <f)LX'qSovol €LGLV, OL YiepLTrarrjTLKol Se 

(jilXoirXoVTOL Kol ipLOTLKOL TLV€S , OL llXaTCDVLKol Sc 

r€rv<j>ix}vraL /cat (f)LX6ho^OL eloL, TTCpl Se rojv 
Htcolkcov ttoXXol €<j)a(jKov OTL dvhpcoSeLS /cat Trdvra 
yLyvaxTKOVGLv /cat otl 6 ravrrjv Icbv rrjv ohov 
fMovog jSaatAeus", p,6vos rrXovGLog, pLOVog GO(f>6s /cat 
GvvoXcJS diravTa. 

ATKINOi: 

17 "EAcyov he ravra npos Ge dXXoL SrjXaSrj Trepl 
avTiov. ov yap Srj €K€lvol£ dv avrols ivLGrevGag 
erraLvovGL rd avrchv. 

290 



HERMOTIMUS 



HERMOTIMUS 



I will tell you. I saw that most people took to 
this one, so I guessed it was the best. 

LYCINUS 

How many more Stoics are there than Epicureans 
or Platonists or Peripatetics ? You obviously took 
a count of them as in a show of hands. 

HERMOTIMUS 

I didn't count. I made an estimate. 

LYCINUS 

So you are not prepared to teach me. You are 
cheating when you tell me you decide such a matter 
by guesswork and weight of numbers. You're hiding 
the truth from me. 

HERMOTIMUS 

It wasn't just that, Lycinus. I also heard every- 
body saying that the Epicureans were sensual and 
lovers of pleasure, that the Peripatetics loved riches 
and wrangling, and that the Platonists were puffed up 
and loved glory. But a lot of people said that the 
Stoics were manly and understood everything and 
that the man who went this way was the only king, 
the only rich man, the only wise man, and everything 
rolled into one. 

LYCINUS 

These were obviously other people's opinions on 
the schools. You wouldn't have simply believed the 
respective adherents when they praised their own 
schools. 

291 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOi: 

OvSafioj^y oAAa ol oAAot eAcyov. 
ATKINOS 

Ol fJLev Srj dvrlho^oL ovk eXeyov (hs to €lk6s.^ 

EPMOTIMOE 

Ov yap. 

ATKINOS 

Ot S* dpa tStcorat ravra iXeyov. 

EPMOTIMOE 

Kat jLtaAa. 

ATKINOL 

'Opas" OTTOJ? avdug i^anarag fxe Kal ov Aeyet? 
raXr^des. oAA* otct Ma/^ytrT^ StaAcyeo-^at rti^t, cos" 
TTiorevoai on *Ep/LtoTtjLtos', dn7p crwcro?, eri] tot€ 
ycyoi^cos" TerrapaKovra, 7T€pl (f>LXooo^ias Kal ^tAo- 
Gocfycjov dvSpojv rotS" tStcuratS" iirioTevo^v kol /card 
rd VTT* €K€LV(x}v XeyofjLcva crrotetro tt^v' alpeaiv tcjv 
KpeiTTovojv. d^ujj ov yap Tnarevoal ooi ^ roiav" 
ra Xdyovri, 

EPMOTIMOZ: 

18 'AAA' otada, o) AvKtve, ov^l tols aXXoug jjlovov 
€7TLOT€Vov oXXcL Kal €p,avT(h . icopojv ydp avrovs 
KocrixLOJ? paSlCovras, dva^e^Xiqpievovs cvaraXws, 
(f>povri^ovTas del, dppcvconovs , €v XP^ Kovptas 
rovs TrXeicrrovs, ovSev d^pov ovh^ av Trdvv ig ro 
dSid(j)opov VTrepeKTrlnrov cog eKTrXrjKrov elvai Kal 

^ After cos TO eiKos MSS. have ovroi 8e -^aav ol ra dXXa 
<f>LXoao<f>ovvre£ : del. Solanus. 

* So Fritzsche : KpciTTOvoiv d^icov. ov ydp Tnanvaai aoi 
{â– marevaaL ti G) MSS. 

292 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 

Certainly not; these were other people's opinions. 

LYCINUS 

Not their rivals' opinions, I suppose ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

No. 

LYCINUS 

Laymen's opinions ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Yes. 

LYCINUS 

You see how once again you are cheating me and 
not telling the truth. You think you are talking with 
some Margites ^ who is ready to beUeve that Hermo- 
timus, an intelligent man forty years of age, on 
philosophy and philosophers believed the opinions 
of laymen and made his choice of the better creed 
accordingly. I refuse to believe you when you say 
things like that. 

HERMOTIMUS 

But you know, Lycinus, I did rely on myself as 
well as others. I used to see the Stoics walking with 
dignity, decently dressed, always thoughtful, manly 
in looks, most of them close-cropped; there was 
nothing effeminate, none of that exaggerated in- 
difference which stamps the genuine crazy Cynic. 

^ A proverbial fool, the hero of a comic epic attributed to 
Homer. 

293 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

KVVLKOV drexi^c^s, aXX* inl rod fjueaov Karacmjixa- 
TOS", o Srj apiGTOV diTavTes elvai ^aaiv. 

ATKINOi; 

'^Ap* ovv KaKCLva cfSc? TTOLovvras avrovs d 
fjLLKpo) npoadev eXcyov avros ecopa/ceVat rov aov 
SiSaGKoXov, 60 *EipiJL6rL[X€, TTpdrrovra; olov Sav€L- 
Covras xal djraLTOvvTas Tn/cpcos" Kal ^iXoveiKcos 
ndvu ipiCovras iv reus ^vvovoiais /cat ra oAAa ocra 
iTTLScLKWvraL ; rj rovrojv oXiyov croc fxcXei, d\pL 
dv €VGraXrjg rj dva^oXrj Kal 6 moyoov ^aOvs /cat 
€v XP^ V Kovpd; /cat npos to Xolttov dpa c;]^a>/>tev 
TOVTOvl Kavova /cat arddfi-qv dKptprj rcvv tolovtojv, 
COS" 'Ep/ioTt/xo? <l>y)criy Kal XP^ ^^^ ax'^P'drcov Kal 
^ahiGfxdrcjv /cat Kovpds 8taytyvcoo"/C€tv rous" dpia- 
Tovs, 09 8* dv fir] €XJ} ravra jJLrjhe aKvdpojiTOS 2J 
/cat (jypovTLOTiKos TO TrpoaojTTOV, dTTohoKipbaarios 
19 /cat dTTopXrjreos ; oAA' opa /xt) /cat TauTa, ciS 
*E/5jLtoTt/x€, nalCeis irpos /x€ Treipwfjievos €t c^avra- 

TCOfJLCVOS aVVLTjfJLI,, 

EPMOTIMOE 

Ata Tt TOUT* €(f>r]Gda; 

ATKINOS 

"OTt, ojyade, dvSpLavrajv TavT7]v i^eraaiv Xiyets 
TTjv dno ra>v ax^jfJidrcov. Trapd ttoXv yovv €/c€tvot 
€VGXT]P'OV€ar€poL Kal rds dva^oXd? KOGpacorcpoL, 
OetStou Ttvos" "^ 'AA/ca/xeVof? 7) Mupcovos" TTpo? to 
evpLop^orarov eiKaaavrog. el Se /cat oTt /xoAtCTTa 
;^p')7 reKjjLaipeGdaL roXs tolovtols, tl dv rrddoL Tt?, 
€t TV(f)X6s d)v iTTidvfioL'q cf)LXoGO(f)eLV ; rw Stayvoi 
TOi' TTjv dfiecvco TrpoalpcGLV Trporjprjfievov ovre 
CTp^/xa ouT€ paSiGfia opdv Sum/xcro?; 
294 



HERMOTIMUS 

They seemed in a state of moderation and everyone 
says that is best. 

LYCINUS 

Did you see them behaving also as I said just now 
I saw your master behaving, Hermotimus ? I mean 
lending money and making bitter demands to be 
repaid, quarrelsome and most contentious in con- 
versations and generally behaving themselves as they 
usually do ? Or is this of little importance to you, so 
long as the dress is decent, the beard long, and the 
hair close-cropped ? Then this is to be our strict rule 
and law for the future in these matters according to 
Hermotimus : we are to distinguish the best men by 
their appearance, their walk, and their hair, and who- 
soever has not these signs and does not look sulky and 
meditative is to be spurned and rejected! You're 
surely making fun of me, Hermotimus ; you're trying 
to see if I can spot the catch. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Why do you say that ? 

LYCINUS 

Because, my dear friend, this test of yours from 
appearances is for statues. They at any rate are 
much more prepossessing and comely in their dress, 
if a Phidias or Alcamenes or Myron has made them 
in the most handsome style. But if these are the 
surest, critical tests, what would a blind man do if 
he wanted to take up philosophy? How does he 
recognise the one who has made the better choice — 
he can see neither bearing nor gait ? 

295 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOE 
'AAA* efJLOLyc ov irpos TU<f)Xovs 6 Aoyos", cS AvKive, 
oifBe fjLOi /LtcAct rcjv roLovrojv. 

ATKINOL 

'E;^/>7jv /xcV, cS ^T]GT€y KOLvov TL TO yvcopLajjLa 
etvai Tcjv OVTO) fjueydXajv /cat aTracrt ^^/ar^crt/xcoj^. 

TrAl^r €t So/CCt, Ot /X€l^ €^OJ rjfJLlv ^L\oGO<t>iaS fJLCVeTO)- 

aav ol TV<f>\oiy iTTeiirep yirfik opcbai — /catrot 
dvayKOLOV rjv toZs tolovtois fJudXiara ^i\oao<j)€LV 

WS {XT) TTaVV dxdoLVTO €77t TtJ (TV fJL(f>0 pd . OL §€ 

817 pXenovrcg Kav Trdvu o^vhcpKelg coat ri dv 
hvvaivTO avviheZv rcov ttjs ^v)(rj? dno yc ttjs 
20 €^cjjd€v raimy? Trc/jtjSoArJ? ; o Se jSouAo/iat ctVctv 
TOtdi^Se iarlv ov^ on ttj? yvcoixrjs rcjv dvhpCjv 
epcjTi TTpocrrjeLs avrols /cat rj^tovs dfjL€LVO}v yiyveoOcu 
is rd TTJg yvcjpurjs ; 

EPMOTIMOE 

Kat /LtoAa. 

ATKINOX: 

riois" ovv olov T€ cot T^v d^* c5i/ €<j)riada €K€iva)v 
Twv yvcjjpiop,dr(x)v Siopdv rov opdcos ^iXoao^ovvra 
r) /xtJ ; ou yap </>tA€t ra roiavra ovtoj Sta^atVco-^at, 
dAA* eoTLV dTTopprjra /cat ci' d^avet /cet/x€va, Aoyots" 
/cat crwoucrtats" dt'aSet/ci/u/xct'a /cat epyoLs toZs 
ofJLOLOLS 6ip€ /xoAt?. o youv McD/xos" d/C7J/coa? of/xai 
dnva JiridoaTO rov *Y{<f)ai(jrov' el 8e /xi^, dAAct vw 
d/coi»€. ^T^crt ydp o fxvOos ipioai *A6r)vdv /cat 
IloorctSctiya /cat "H^atarov evrexvias Trepc, /cat roi/ 
/Ltev IloorctSai ravpov dvaTrXdaav, ttjv *Ad7]vdv Sc 
OLKLav iTTLVOTJaaiy 6 "H^atcTTOS" Sc dvdpcjTTOv dpa 
296 



HERMOTIMUS 



HERMOTIMUS 



My argument is not addressed to the blind, 
Lycinus, and I have no interest in them. 

LYCINUS 

But, my good sir, there should be some accepted 
criterion in matters so important and valuable to 
everyone. However, if you prefer, let the bhnd keep 
clear of philosophy since they cannot see — yet they 
of all people really should take up philosophy : then 
they would not be completely overwhelmed by their 
misfortune. Well then, those who can see : however 
sharp-sighted they may be, what can they detect of 
the qualities of the soul from this outer covering? 
What I wish to say is this : was it not love of the 
mind of these men that attracted you to them, and 
didn't you expect to be improved in your mental 
powers ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Most certainly. 

LYCINUS 

Then how could you distinguish the true philo- 
sopher from the false by the marks you mentioned ? 
Such things are not usually shown in that way ; they 
are secret and not visible, showing themselves in con- 
versation and discussion and corresponding action, 
and then only with difficulty and after a long period. 
You have heard, I suppose, what faults Momus found 
in Hephaestus; if not I'll tell you. The story goes 
that Athena, Poseidon, and Hephaestus were quarrel- 
ling over which of them was the best artist. Poseidon 
modelled a bull, Athena designed a house, while 
Hephaestus, it seems, put together a man. When 

297 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

(TVV€(JTriaaro y kol ineLTrcp inl rov Mcofiov "^kov 
6v7T€p SiKaGTrjv TTpoelXovTOy deaadpLe^'og €K€lvos 
eKaarov ro epyov, tojv fiev dXXojv driva riridaaro 
TTepiTTOV dv etr) Xeyecv, Itti rod dvdpwirov 8e rovro 
ifxefjufjaro Kal rov dp^treKrova iveTrXri^e rov 
"H^atcrrov Stdrt p/r) /cat dvpihas iTToirfoev avrcp 
Kara ro orepvov, (hs dvaTTeraadeLGoJv yvo}pip,a 
yiyveodaL diraaiv a jSouAerat /cat €ttivo€1 /cat et ^ 
ijjevherai tj dXrjdevei. €K€ivos p,€v ovv are dp^^Xvcor- 
rcjv ovroj irepl rcjv dvOpcLiroiv hi€vo€lro, av Se 
vrrep rov AvyKea rjijuv SeSopKag /cat opag rd 
evSov d)S eoLK€ 8td rov aripvov /cat dvecoKral gol 
rd irdvra, (hs elSevau p^rj p,6vov d ^ovXerai /cat a 
yiyvcjoKei eKacrrog dXXd /cat irorepos a/xetVcov tj 
X^ipo)v. 

EPMOTIMOi: 
UalC^tS, <h AvKLve. iyoj 8e Kard deov elX6pL7)V 
21 /cat ov p,€rap,iX€i pLOi rrjs alpiueojs. LKavov Sc 
rovro npds yovv e/xe. 

ATKINOS 

"O/Lto)? ovK dv ctTTOts", c5 iralpc, /cat npog c/xe, 

oAAa 7T€pL6l/j€L p,€ 7Tapa7ToX6p,€VOV €V To) TToXXo) 

(7vp<j)€ra) ; 

EPMOTIMOE 
Ovhkv ydp GOL dp€GK€L d)V dv eLTTO). 

ATKINOE 
OvKy cLyaOiy dXX ov^kv ideXeug elrrelv ottolov 
dv jLtot dpeGeiev. eirel 8* ovv gv €K<hv dTTOKpvTrrrj 

/cat <f)9oV€L9 TJpXv (1)9 pLT] €^ LGOV yCVOLpeOd GOL 

(f>LXoGO(f)i]Gavr€9 , iydj TreipdGopiai ottojs dv olds 
298 



HERMOTIMUS 

they came to Momus, whom they had appointed 
judge, he examined the work of each. What faults 
he found in the other two we need not say, but his 
criticism of the man and his reproof of the craftsman, 
Hephaestus, was this : he had not made windows in 
his chest which could be opened to let everyone see 
his desires and thoughts and if he were lying or telling 
the truth. Momus, of course, being shortsighted, 
held such notions about men, but you have better 
sight than Lynceus and, it seems, see through the 
chest to what is inside, and everything is revealed to 
you, and you know not only what each man wants and 
thinks, but also who is better or worse. 

HERMOTIMUS 

You are joking, Lycinus. I chose with God's help 
and I have no regrets. I at any rate am satisfied. 

LYCINUS 

But will you not tell me too, my friend ? Or will 
you leave me rotting among the vulgar rabble ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Nothing I say pleases you. 

LYCINUS 

Not so, my good sir; you refuse to say anything 
to please me. So, since you are deliberately keeping 
me in the dark and you grudge me the chance of 
becoming as good a philosopher as you are, I shall 

1 « Solanus from one late MS. : ^ other MSS. 

299 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

T€ o) Kar eyiavrov i^evpelv rrjv OLKpi^rj irepl 
rovTWV Kpioiv Kal rrjv dcr^aAccrraTTyv aipeuiv. 
aKove he Kal crv, el povXei. 



EPMOTIMOL 

'AAAd jSouAo/xat, c5 AvKLve. Lcrcos yap tl yvco- 
pijjLOv epels. 

ATKINOL 
S/coTTet 817 Kal jXTj KarayeXdcrrjs , el TravTaTraaLV 
ISlcjotlkcos dva^7]rco avro- dvdyKT] yap ourcos", 
€7Tel 1X7] Gv edeXei? oa^eorepou elirelv elhojs 
dfJLeivov. 
22 "Ecrrco 817 jjLOL tj piev dperrj roLovhe tl olov ttoXis 
Tt? evhaipuovas e^ovaa rovs epLiroXirevopievovs ((h<s 
(fiairi dv 6 hihdcjKaXos 6 aos eKeWev vodev d^ty/xe- 
V09), aocf)OVS is TO dKporaroVt dvSpelovs drravras, 
SiKalovs, ao}<f)povaSi oXiyov decjv 0,77-08 eovras". 
Ota 8e TToXXd yiyverai "nap r^plv — dpTTat,6vT<jiiv Kal 
^laCop^evajv Kal TrXeoi^eKTOvvrcov — ovSev dv t8ot?, 
(f)a(JLV, ev eKelvr) rfj TToXeL roXp^iopuevov , dXXd ev 
elprjvT] Kal 6p,ovoia ^vpLTroXirevovrai, pidX elKorcos' 
d yap €v rals dXXais TvoXecnv otpuaL rag ardaeis Kal 
<j)iXoveiKLas eyeipei Kal a>v eveKa eTTL^ovXevovGiv 
oAAtJAoi?, ravra Trdvra €K7roSa)V eanv e/cetVotS". 
ov yap ovre ^pvcFLOV en ovre rjSovds ovre Solas' 
opcocnv d)S huacjiepeaBai rrepl avrcov, dXXd TrdXai 
rrjs TToXecDS i^eXrjXdKaaiv avrd ovk dvayKala 
rjyr)adpLevoL ^vpLTroXLTeveadai. axrre yaXrjvov riva 
Kal TTavevhaipLOva ^lov ^lovctlv ^vv evvopaa /cat 
laoTTjTL Kal eXevdepia Kal rois dXXois dyadoZso 
300 



HERMOTIMUS 

try as well as I can to find out for myself the true test 
for these matters and the safest choice to make. 
Now please listen to me. 

HERMOTIMUS 

I am willing, Lycinus. Perhaps you will say some- 
thing important. 

LYCINUS 

Then give me your attention and don't mock me 
if my investigation is altogether that of a layman ; 
it can't be helped when you will not explain more 
precisely although you know better. 

Virtue then seems to me like a city whose in- 
habitants are happy (as your teacher, who has come 
from there, wherever it may be, would say), outstand- 
ing in their wisdom, all of them brave, just, prudent, 
almost gods. All those things that you find here — 
robbery, violence, cheating — they say you would find 
none of them ventured in that city; no, they live 
together in peace and harmony naturally enough ; 
for what, I suppose, in other cities produces strife and 
discord, plot and counter-plot, is entirely absent. 
They do not any longer look on gold, pleasures, or 
glory as things to quarrel about — they drove them 
from the city long ago, thinking them unnecessary to 
their common life. So they live a calm and perfectly 
happy life with good government, equality, freedom, 
and the other blessings. 

301 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOL 

23 Tt ovv, (L AvKLve; ovk a^iov dnavrag €7ndv^€Lv 
TToXlras yiyv€odaL rijs roLavrrjs TroXccog /xtJtc 
KOLfxaTOV VTToXoyi^oiJLevovs Tov €v rfj 68co JJLt^Te 
TTpos TO fjL'^Kos TOV XP^^^^ OLTTayopevovTag , €t 
fxeXXovGLv d(f)LK6iJL€V0L iyypacfy^GCCjO ai /cat avrol 
/cat fiede^eiv ttjs iToXireias ; 

ATKINOi: 

Nt^ Ata, o) *KppL6ri,^€f TTCLVTCJV /xoAtorra CTrt 
TOVTO) OTTOvhaariov y tcjv 8e aXXwv dfJLeX'qTeov , /cat 
/xtJtc irarpihos ttJ? evravda einXaji^avoixevjis 
TToXvv TTOLcladai Xoyov pLrjTe TraiScvv -^ yovecov 
oTip eiGLV €7TLKare)(6vTajv /cat KXavdfJLvpL^ojJLevojv 
€77t/cAdcr^at, aAAa /xoAtcrra jJLev KaKeivovs irapa- 
KaXelv CTTL Tqv avrrjv oSov, ct 8c fxr) ideXoiev 7] 
fXT] SwatvTO, d'TTOG€iodp,€vov avTOVs xojpelv evBv 
ttJs" TTavevhaipiOvos iK€Lvr]£ noXecos /cat avro dirop- 
pLipavra to Ipbdnov et rovrov CTTCtATy/x/xeVot /care- 
pvKOL€v, €GGVfi€vov €Kel(7€ — ov ydp 8eos" firj G€ TtS" 
dTTOKXelcrr] /cat yvfxvov €K€xg€ rJKovra, 

24 *'HSt7 ya/o ttotc /cat oAAorc npea^vTov dvSpos 
TJKovcra Sie^LovTOS ottws rd €K€Z Trpdyfiara e;j^ot, 

/cat /i,€ 7TpOVTp€7T€V €7T€a6aL ol TTpOS TTjV TToXlV 

7]yrjU€odai ydp avTOS koX iXBovra iyypdi/jeiv /cat 
(fyvXerrjv TTOLrjaeadai /cat <f)paTpias /xeraScocrctv ttJ? 
avrov, cos jJLerd irdvTwv evhaipLOVoi-qv . " dAA' 
€ya> ov Tndofirjv ** tJtt* dvota? /cat veorrjros tot€, 
7r/)o 7T€VT€Kaih€Ka ox^^ov irdjv tocjs ydp dv 
avrd T^hif] dfjL(f)l rd TrpodareLa /cat Trpos rats' 
TTuAats" -i^i^. eAeye 8' ow Trept ttJ? TroAeo^S", et ye 
jjL€fjLV7]iJLaL, dXXa re 77oAAd /cat 817 /cat ^ rd8e, 069 
302 



HERMOTIMUS 



HERMOTIMUS 



Well then, Lycinus, isn't it right for everyone to 
long for citizenship of a city like that, and neither to 
think of the toils of the journey nor give up because 
of the time it takes, if once they get there they too 
are going to be enrolled as citizens and share in the 
city's life? 

LYCINUS 

Yes, indeed, Hermotimus, this we must strive for 
above everything, and all else we must ignore. If 
our native country here lays claim to us, we must take 
scant notice, and if any children or parents we may 
have cling to us weeping, we shall not give way. 
No, first and foremost we shall urge them to follow 
the same road. If they will not, or cannot, we must 
shake them off and make straight for that all-happy 
city, throwing off our very cloak should they hold on 
to it to drag us back as we hurry there — for there is no 
fear of being shut out, even if you come there naked. 

On another occasion before this I have heard an 
old man telling how things were there and urging 
me to follow him to the city ; he would guide me 
himself and enrol me on my arrival, make me a 
fellow-tribesman and let me share his clan, so that 
I might be happy with all the others. " But I would 
not listen " ^ at that time through folly and youth 
(it was about fifteen years ago) ; perhaps by now I 
should have been in the very suburbs, even by the 
gates. He told me much about the city, if I remem- 
ber, and in particular this, that all the inhabitants 

1 A verse quotation. 
^ Koi 817 /cat Schaefer : Kal tjSt] /cat MSS. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

^VfjL7ravT€S fJL€V eTTTJXvSeg /cat |eVot etev, avdiyevr]s 
hk ovhe ets", dAAa koL ^ap^dpovs ipLTToXireveoOaL 
TToAAous" Kal SovXov^ /cat dyiopjyovs /cat puKpovs 
/cat TT€V7]Tas, /cat oAoj? /xere;\;etp' r^S" TidAeco? rov 
^ovX6fji€Vov' Tov yap St) vojjlov avrols ovk airo 
TLfx-qixdrajv TTOieloOai Tr]v €yypa<f>j)v ovh arro 
o-)(r]ixdTU)v ri pieyedovs 7] koXXovs ou8' a-TTO yevovs 
TOV TUiv ^ XapLTTpcov €K TTpoyovwv, oXXo. TavTa 
pL€v ovbe vopLiC^adai. Trap' avrols, diroxp^v 8* 
€KdoTix} TTpos TO ttoXlttjv yevioQai Gvveaiv /cat 
eTTidvpLLav rCiV KaXdv Kal ttovov /cat to Xnrapes 
/cat TO pLTj ivSovvai pLrjSe pLaXaKLodTJuai TroAAot? 
TOtS" Svax^p^crt' Kara rrju oSov ivrvyxdvovra, (1)5 
OGTL9 dv ravra cVtSet^T^rat /cat Sie^eXOrj TTopcuo/xc- 
vos dxpt- TTpos TYjv ttoXlv, avTLKa pidXa ttoXlttjv 
ovra rovTOV oans dv fj /cat looripLOV airaaL' ro 
8e ;^et/)Coy ^ Kpelrrajv rj evTrarpih-qs "») dyewris rj 
SovXos Tj iXevdepos ouSe oXojs etvac rj Xeycadau Iv 
T7J TToXev. 

EPMOTIMOE 

25 *Opas, a> Au/ctve, co? ov pidnf^v ovSe Trepl 
pLLKpwv KdpLvoj 7toXlt7]S €TnQvpi(x)v y€vio9 ai /cat 
avros ovTOJ KaXrjs /cat cuSat/xovos" noXecos ; 

ATKINOS 

Kat yap avros, c5 *E/)jLtort/xe, rcov avrcov ooi 
ipoj /cat OVK €GTiv 6 Tt dv pLOi irpo rovrojv ev^aipuqv 
yeviaOai. el puev ovv ttXtjolov "^v t) ttoXls /cat 
(f>avepd IheZv aTracrt, TraAat dv, ev todt, p^rjSev 
ivSoidaas aurog ^etv is avrrjv Kal eTToXLrevopLrjv 

dv €/C TTOXXOV, CTTCt Si, <I)S VpL€LS (f>aT€, OV TC Kat 

'HatoSos" o paijjcphos, Tvdvv TToppoj aTTcpKLaraL, 
304 



HERMOTIMUS 

were aliens and foreigners, not one was a native ; 
there were even many barbarians among the citizens, 
as well as slaves, cripples, dwarfs, and paupers — in a 
word anyone who wanted to take part in the city; 
for property, apparel, height, good looks, family, 
brilliant ancestry, were not required by law for en- 
rolment ; on the contrary, they gave no place in their 
customs to them ; no, intelligence, a desire for what 
is good, industry, perseverance, a refusal to give in or 
be weakened by the many hardships encountered on 
the way, were enough for a man to become a citizen ; 
whoever showed these qualities and kept on going all 
the way to the city was a citizen there and then equal 
to them all ; inferior or superior, noble or common, 
bond or free, simply did not exist and were not 
mentioned in the city. 

HERMOTIMUS 

You see then, Lycinus, that my labour is not in 
vain or for trifles, if I desire to be myself a' citizen of 
a city so fair and happy. 

LYCINUS 

Yes, Hermotimus, and I myself am in love with the 
same things and there is nothing I would pray for 
more. If the city had been near at hand and visible 
to everyone, you can be sure that long since, without a 
moment's hesitation, I myself should have entered in 
and been a citizen this long time, but, since, as you 
say, you and the poet Hesiod, it has been built at a very 

^ Tov rcjv Xafiirpiov Fritzsche : outcu Xafinpov T : ovBe 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

avayKTj ^rjreiu oSov re rrjv dyovaav en avrrju Kal 
TjyejjLova rov apiOTOV. r^ ovk oiei ov ^(p'fjvaL ovroj 

7TOL€LV ; 

EPMOTIMOS 

Kat TTws av dXXcos eXdoL tls ; 

ATKINOS 
OvKOvv ooov jjiev inl rep ^ V7naxv€LGdaL Kal 
(f)daK€LV elhivaL ttoXXtj d^dovia rcov '^yrjaofievcov . 
TToAAot yap eroLfMOL Trapeordcnv avroxOoves €Kel9ev 
eKaaros elvai Xeyovres. 686s y€ fjLrjv ov jiia Kal 
Tj avTTj <l>aiv€rai oAAa TroAAat Kal hid^opoi Kal 
ovhev oAAT^AatS" o/xotat- tj p,ev yap iirl rd icTrepLa, 
T) 8e inl rrjv ecu (f)€p€Lv eoiKev, r) Se tl9 €7tI rds" 

dpKTOVS, Kal oXXt] €vdu TTJg fiedTjjJL^pLaS, Kal T) 

fiev Sid XeipLciivcov Kal (f)VTCov Kal OKids evvhpos 
Kal rjSela ovSev dyrirvirov tj hva^arov e^ovaa, rj 
Se TTerpcoSrjs Kal Tpa;^eta ttoXvv tJXlov Kal Sli/jos 
Kai KdfJLafov TTpo<f)aivovoa. Kal djicos avrai Trdoai 
TTpos TTjv 7r6XLV dycLv Xiyovrai filav ovaav is rd 
ivavTicjTara reXevrwaaL. 
26 "Kvda 87J jjLOL Kal rj Trdoa diropia iarlv. i(f)^ 
Tjv ydp av eXdw avrwv, dvrjp Kard rrjv dpxrjv rrjs 
drpaiTOV iKdarrjs ^ icfyeorrcbs ev rfj etcrdSo; fidXa 
TLs a^to77to-TOS' opeyeL re rrjv X^^P^ '^^'' TTporpeireL 
Kara rrjv avrov dinivaL, Xeycov eKauros avrwv 
lx6vos rrjv evdeZav elhivai rovs S' oAAous' TrXavdudai 
puTjTe avTOVs iXiqXvd6ras fJLtjre dXXoLs rjyrjaaoOaL 
Svva{jL€VOLS dKoXovdinGavras . Kav irrl top ttXtiglov 
a(pLKOjpLaL, KaK€LVOs ra ojxoia VTncrp^veirat Tvepi 

^ So Fritzsche : aov fiev eVt to FN : oaov fikv eVi to Seager. 
2 iKaoTTjs Jensius : eKaoTos MSS. 
306 



HERMOTIMUS 

great distance, we must look for the path that leads 
there and the best guide to follow. Don't you 
agree that we must do this ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

How else could one go there ? 

LYCINUS 

Well, as regards making promises and saying that 
they know, there are plenty of would-be guides. 
Many are standing ready, each one saying he is a 
native of that city. But no one and the same road is 
to be seen. There are many different ones not at all 
like each other: one seems to lead to the west, 
another to the east, another to the north, a fourth 
straight towards the south; one goes through 
meadows and gardens and shady spots — a well- 
watered, pleasant road with nothing to block the 
way or make hard-going; another is rocky and 
rough, promising much sun and thirst and ex- 
haustion. Nevertheless all these roads are said to 
lead to the city, although there is but one city, while 
they have their ends in the opposite parts of the 
globe. 

All my difficulty lies here. For, whichever of 
them I approach, a man who stands at the beginning 
of each path at the entrance, a very trustworthy 
person, stretches out his hand, and urges me to go 
off along his road, and each one of them says that he 
alone knows the direct route and that the others are 
astray, since they have neither gone there them- 
selves nor followed others able to lead them. If 
I go to his neighbour, he makes similar promises 

307 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

TTJg avrov oSou /cat roifs oAAous' /ca/ct^€t, /cat o 
Trap' auTOi^ o/xotcus" /cat efijs" aTravre?. to re 
Toivuv ttXtjOos tcjv ohchv /cat to dvofjLoiov avrwv 
ov fMerpLCDS rapdrret jLt€ /cat aTTopeZv TTOLeX, /cat 
fidXiorra ol TjyefjLove^ VTrephiareLvofievoL /cat to, 
cavTOJV €KaaroL eiraivovvTes . ov ydp otSa rjvriva 
TpaTrofJLCvos iq ro) pudiXXov avrwv dKoXovOrjaas 
acjuKoipL'qv dv irpos rrfv ttoXlv, 

EPMOTIMOE 

27 'AAA* iyoi G€ dTToXvao) ttj? diropias. rots ydp 

TTpOOjSoLTTOprjKOOLV, (L AvKLV€, TTlGTeVGaS OVK dv 

a<f)aX€Lr)s. 

ATKINOE 

Ttcrt Acyets"; rot? /caret rroiav ohov iXdovoLv ; 

'q TtVt rajv rjyefxovojv dKoXovdrjaaaiv ; aunts' ydp 

rjixXv TO avTO dvopov iv diXXr) p,op(f)fj dva<j>aiveTai 

dnd Tuyv TrpayfidTCuv cttl tovs dvSpa? fxeTeXrjXvdos. 

EPMOTIMOi: 

Hdjs TovTo (f>'qs ; 

ATKINOE 

"Ort o fjL€v Tr)v YlXaTCovog TpaTro/jLCvo? /cat 
GWoSoLTTopT^aa^ p,eT avTov €Kelvrjv iTraivioeTai 
hrjXov OTL, 6 8e ty^v 'E7rt/coupou, €K€iv7]v, /cat 
aAAos' aAAi^r, av 8e Tr]v vpueTepau. ^ ttws ydp, w 
'EipfjuoTLfxc ; ovx ovTCjjg ; 

EPM0TIM02 

nco? ydp ov ; 

ATKINOS 
Ou Toivvv direXvads /xe T-r]s dnopias, oAA* ert 
OfJLOLOjg dyvoco tco {xaXXov XPV T^torcuaat twv 
308 



HERMOTIMUS 

about his own road and vilifies the others. The man 
next to him acts similarly, and so do they all in turn. 
The number of roads, then, and the differences 
between them, and especially the way the guides 
over-strain themselves, each sect praising its own, 
worries me immoderately and makes me uncertain. 
I don't know which way to turn or which one to 
follow to reach the city. 

HERMOTIMUS 

I will free you from your uncertainty. Trust 
those who have made the journey before, Lycinus, 
and you cannot go wrong. 

LYCINUS 

Whom do you mean ? Which road did they go ? 
Which of the guides did they follow? The same 
uncertainty appears to us in another guise shifting 
from events to persons. 

HERMOTIMUS 

What do you mean ? 

LYCINUS 

That the man who took Plato's path and had him 
for travelling-companion will obviously praise Plato's 
route, and so with Epicurus 's and the rest and you 
with yours. What about it, Hermotimus? Is that 
not so ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Of course. 

LYCINUS 

Then you have not freed me from my uncertainty. 
I am just as much in the dark which of the travellers 

309 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ohoiTTopuiv. opcb yap eKaorov avrcov /cat avTov 
Tov rjyefjLova /xtas" TreTretpa/xeVov /cat iK€Lvr)v 
eiraivovvra /cat Xiyovra co? avrj] fiovr] ayec eVt 
rrjv TToXiv. ov fjuevroL exco etSeVat €t dXi^drj (jyrjGLv. 
aAA' ort fjL€V d(f)LKTaL rrpog n reXos /cat et8e rtt^a 
TToAtv Scjogcju avrw loojs, €t 8e iKeivrjv elhev rfv 
^xprjv €v fj €7TLdviJL0VfjL€v iyo) re /cat av TToXirevoaa- 
6aiy 7} 8eov ^ etV Kd/oti^^ov iXOelv, 6 S* ct? Ba^Sf Acuva 
a<j)iK6ix€vos oierai l^opivdov ccopa/ceVat, ciSt^Aov 
e/xot yo£»j/ ert — ou ya/3 Travrcos" o rti^a TroAtv tScov 
Koptv^ov elheVy et ye ou /xoi'Ty TroAt? cgtIv tj 
KopLvdos. o 8e 87) fjidXiora etV diropiav /xe 
Kadiar-qGLVy eKelvo €(jtiv — to et8eVat ort Traaa 
dvayK-q p,iav efrat rT^v aXrfOrj oSov /cat yap t^ 
Kdptv^os" jLtta eVrtV, at 8' aAAat iravraxooe fiaXXov 
^ etV Kd/Jtv^ov dyovoiv, ct /xtJ rts" ourcu a(f)68pa 
TrapaTratet co? oi€adai /cat tt^v et? *Y7T€p^opeovg /cat 
r)7v etV 'Ii^8ou? ayouorav ct? Koptv^ov areAAett'. 

EPMOTIMOS 

Kat TTcDs" otdi' re, cS Au/ctve; olAAt; yap dAAa;^dcre 
ayet. 

ATKIN02 
28 OvKovv, (L KaXe ^EipfjbortiJLe, ov puKpds 8et 
povXrjs inl rrjv alpeaiv rcbv ohcjv re /cat -qyepiovwVy 
ovhe Tovro Srj ro tov Adyou TTOnjaofxev — ei^^a ai^ 
TjiJidg ol TToSeg (f)€pcoaLv, e/cetae dvLficv eVet 
Ai^aojLtev ovTOJS dvrl ttjs etV Kdptv^oi' dyova-qs rrjv 
€7tI Ba^vXdjvos Tq Ba/crpa>v aTrtdt'res' . ovSe yap 
ovS^ eKelvo KaXcos e;\;et ttj tvxJ] eTT-trpeVetv cos 
rdxa dv rrjv dplarrjv iXofievovs, et /cat dv€V 

1 rj hiov Solanus : ^8ea>s MSS. 
310 



HERMOTIMUS 

to trust. For I see that each of them and the guide 
himself have tried only one way, and he praises that 
one and says that it alone leads to the city. But I 
cannot know whether he is speaking the truth. That 
he has reached some destination and has seen some city 
or other, I will perhaps grant him. But whether he 
has seen the one he should have seen (that in which 
you and I want to live) or whether, when he should 
have gone to Corinth, he has arrived at Babylon and 
thinks he has seen Corinth, I still do not know — cer- 
tainly not everyone who has seen a city has seen 
Corinth, if Corinth is not the only city. What par- 
ticularly makes me uncertain is this — my knowing 
that only one road can possibly be the right one. 
Only one road is the Corinth road, and the other roads 
lead anywhere except to Corinth, unless a man is 
so much out of his wits as to think that both the 
road to the Hyperboreans and the road to India lead 
to Corinth. 

HERMOTIMUS 

How could that be, Lycinus ? Different roads lead 
to different places. 

LYCINUS 

Well then, my dear Hermotimus, no little de- 
liberation is needed when we choose roads and guides, 
and we shall not act according to the saying and go 
off wherever our feet take us ; in that way we shall 
be going off on the road to Babylon or Bactra in- 
stead of the road to Corinth without realising it. It 
is by no means sound to trust to fortune and hope we 
shall perhaps take the best road, if we start out on 

3" 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

i^erdaecDS opfXTJaaifxev iirl fxlav rcov 6Sa)v tjvtl- 
vaovv. Svvarov fxev yap /cac rovro yeveadai, /cat 
torco? TTore iyivero /cat ev rep fxaKpo) )(p6vcp' 
rjfxd? 8e ye irepl rcov ovrco fieydXojv ovk ot/xat 
Selv irapa^oXcDs avappLTTTetv ovSe is arevov 
KOfJuSfj /cara/cActetv rrjv iXTTiSa inl pmos, (1)S 17 
TrapoLfxta (fjrjGLy rov Alyalov 7} rov *16vlov StaTrAeu- 
crat deXovraSy ore ovhk atrtacrat/xe^* av evXoyoiS 
TTjv rvx^Vy €L ro^evovaa /cat oLKovrL^ovaa jxr) 
TrdvTCJS €rvx€ rdXqdovs evos ovros ev p,vpioLs rols 
ipevSeauVy orrep ovSe rep *Op,r]pLKcp ro^orrj VTrrjp^cv, 
OS Seov TTjv TTcAetaSa /cararo^eucrat, o Se tt)v 
pufipivdov everefjiev 6 TevKpos olpLai. dAAa Trapa 
TToXv €/c€tvo evXoycjrepov rcov ttoXXcov rpcodrjoeadai 
/cat 7T€pL7T€G€LadaL rcp ro^€vp,arL iXTvil^eiv r] Trdvrcos 
€K€Lvo ro €v €^ oLTTavrcov. 6 8e KLvSvvos on ov 
piiKpos, ct dvrl rrjs ctt* evdv dyovcrqs is rcov 
7T€7TXav7]fj,€vcov /xtav dyvoovvr€s ip^TTeaotpLev, iXnl- 
Covres dpL€Lvov acpijoreadaL rrjv rv)(rjv virkp rjpLWV, 
€LKa^€LV olpuaL. ovSe yap dvaarpiijjat, en /cat 
dvaGcodijvaL ottlgco pcihtov, t^v dira^ imhcp ns 
avrov rfj rrveovcrr] ^ rd aTToyeia XvGdp^evos, dXXd 
avayKT) iv rcp TreXdyet Sta^epea^at vavncovra cos 
ro TToXv /cat ScStora /cat Kaprj^apovvra vtto rod 
GoXoVy Siov i^ ^PXV^ TTplv iKirXevGai dva^dvra 
irrl GKOTTTjv riva GKe^aodai €t i7TL(f>op6v iGri /cat 
ovpiov ro TTvevpa rols J^optvdovSe StaTrAcuaat 
idiXovGL, /cat VT] Ata Kv^epvqrrjv eva rov dpiGrov 
€/cAe^aCT^at /cat vavv evirayq olav Stap/ceWt irpos 
r7]XiKovrov KXvhcova. 

^ TTveovoT) Solanus : TrXeovcn} MSS. 



HERMOTIMUS 

one or the other without enquiry. It is possible for 
even that to happen, and perhaps at some period of 
time's long history it has already happened; but in 
a matter of such importance I think we ought not to 
run such a reckless risk or confine hope entirely 
within narrow bounds, ready as the proverb says to 
sail the Aegean or Ionian seas on a mat; then we 
should have no right to accuse fortune, if with her 
arrows and spears she did not altogether hit the one 
thing that is true among the many that are not. 
Even Homer's archer did not succeed in that — when 
he should have shot the dove he cut the string; 
Teucer I think it was.^ No, there was much more 
reason to expect one of the many others to be 
wounded and fall foul of the arrow than that par- 
ticular one out of them all. The risk is not slight, if 
in ignorance we rush into one of the by-ways instead 
of the straight route in the hope that fortune will 
make a better choice on our behalf — I think you see 
that. For still to turn round and come back again 
in safety is no easy matter once a man casts off his 
mooring lines and surrenders himself to the wind; 
he must be tossed about on the sea, usually sick and 
frightened and with a bad head from the swell, 
whereas he ought in the first place, before he sailed 
out, to have climbed up to some look-out and seen 
whether the wind was fair and favourable for those 
who wanted to sail over to Corinth, and indeed he 
ought to have selected the very best navigator and 
a sound ship able to withstand such a heavy sea. 
1 Homer, 11. xxiii, 867. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOS 

29 Ovro) ye a/xetvov, w Au/ctvc, Trapa ttoXv. ttXtjv 
otSd ye on airavras iv kvkXco TrepLeXdwv ovk 
dXXovg av evpois ovre rjyefxovag apueivovs ovre 
Kv^epvTjTas ipLTTeiporipovs rcJov UrojiKajVy /cat 'qv 
ideX'qGT]? ye d(f)LK€GdaL TTore ets" rrjv K.6pLvdov, 

€K€LVOLS et/jT) KaTOL TOL \pV(JL7T7TOV /Cttt Zi'qVOJVOS 

txyy] TTpoXcjv, oXXois 8e ahvvarov. 

ATKINOE 

*Opas rovro cos" kolvov, cj *Ep/xoTtju,e, etprjKa? ; 
eLTTOL yap dv avro kol 6 rw IlAaTCDi^t ^vvohonropcjv 

Kol 6 ^KTTLKOVpCp €Tr6fJL€VO? Kal ol oAAot, /XI7 CIV 

iXdelu pL€ els ttjv KopLvdov el pur) pueO^ iavrov, 
eKaaros. cocrre ^ Trdcn TTtcrreuetv XPV (oTrep 
yeXoiorarov ) y r) dTTiareiv opLolws. puaKpcp yap 
da^oAeWarov ro roiovrov d^p^ dv evpcopuev rov 

30 'ETret ^epe, €6 Kaddirep vvv e^oi, dyvoojv en 
dans e^ aTrdvrwv earlv 6 dXrjdevwv, eXoLpurjv rd 
vpierepa aol TTiarevoaSy dvhpl ^t'Aoj, drdp p,6va 
ye rd rcov Titco'Ckcov elSon /cat pulav oSov oSoLTTopi^- 
uavn ravrrjv eireira dewv ns dva^icovaL TTOirjcreLe 
HXdrcjJva /cat Yivdayopav /cat * ApLcrroreXrjv /cat 
rovs dXXovs, ol Se TrepLcrravres epcjjrcpev pie 7] 
Kal vTj At' is SiKaGTijpiov dyayovres v^pecus 
eKaoTOS SiKdCoLVTO XeyovreSy *0. ^eXnare AvKlve, 
Tt TTaOcjv t) rivi TTore Tnarevoas ^pvaLTTiTov Kal 
IL'qvixiva TrpoerLpLTjaas rjpicoVy irpeo^vrepajv ovtojv 
irapd TToXvy x^^^ '^^^ 7rpa)r]v yevopuevovs, pLrjre 
Xoyov pueraSovs rjpuv pbTjre Treipadels dXojs (Lv 

^ So Fritzsche : raX-qBil imi.axi'oviievov (om. v-max- ^) MSS. 



HERMOTIMUS 



HERMOTIMUS 



That is the better way, Lycinus, by far. Yet I 
know that if you made a round tour of them all you 
would find no others who were better pilots or more 
experienced navigators than the Stoics ; and, if you 
want to reach Corinth some day, you will follow them, 
treading the tracks of Chrysippus and Zeno. No 
other way is possible. 

LYCINUS 

Do you see, Hermotimus, how universal is that 
assertion you have made? Plato's fellow-traveller, 
Epicurus 's follower, and the rest of them, would say 
the same, every one of them, that I could not go to 
Corinth without his company. So I must either 
believe them all alike (which is ridiculous) or dis- 
believe them all alike. The latter is by far the 
safest course until we discover the true one. 

Come now, suppose that I, just as I am, still 
ignorant which of them all has the truth, should 
choose your way, putting my trust in you, a friend, 
but one who knows only the way of the Stoics and 
has travelled by this road alone ; then suppose one 
of the gods brought Plato, Pythagoras, Aristotle, and 
the rest, back to life, and they stood round me and 
put questions to me, or even, by Zeus, brought me 
into court and sued me each and every one of them 
for maltreatment, saying : ** My good Lycinus, what 
was the matter with you? Who persuaded you to 
give Chrysippus and Zeno preference over us, who 
are older by far than they? They were born only 
yesterday, or the day before, and you have given us 
no chance to speak, and you have put nothing of 
what we say to the test." Supposing they said this, 

315 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

<j)a^iv ; el ravra Xeyoiev tl av drroKpLvalfMr^v 
avTOLs ; "^ €^apK€G€L jjLOL oiv elircx} on ^EtpfiorLfio) 
€7r€LGdr]v <j)iXcp avhpi; oAAd ^aZev av, otS' on, 

*H/X€tS", c5 AvKlv€y OVK LGfJL€V TOV ^KpflOnjJLOV 

Tovrov ocrns irori ionv ovBe iKelvos rjfxd^. caare 
OVK ixpyjv aTTOLvrajv KarayiyvojGKeiv ovhk ip-^pirjv 
rjfjLCJv Karahiairdv avhpl TnarevGavra puiav ohov 

€V <f)LXoOO(f}ia KOL OuSc TaVT7)V iCTCJS OLKpiPaJS 

KaravoTjcravn . ol Se ye vo/Jioderat, c5 AvKLve, 
ovx ovTCo TTpoGrdrrovGL rots SiKaoraLS TroLelv 
ovSe rod erepov pcev OLKOveLv, rov 8e erepov ovk 
edv XeyeLv virep eavrov d olerai ^v/JLcfyepeiv, dAA' 
djLtotcos" dp.<j)OLV aKpodadai, cus" pdov dvre^erd^ovTes 
Tovs Xoyovg evpLGKOiev rdXyjOrj re Kal i/jevhrj, Kal 
rjv ye p,r) ovrco TTOicjaiv e(j)ievai SlSojulv 6 vopios 
els erepov hiKaorrjpiov . 
31 Toiavra drra etVos" epelv avrovs. -^ rax* dv 
ns avrcov Kal Trpoaepoiro /xe, EtVe jitot, Xeycjv, 
w AvKlve, et ns Aldioip p^rfheTTOJiTore dXXovs 
dvdpcx)7Tovs lS(x)Vy oloL TjfJLeLS eGfiev, Sid ro jxtj 
dTToSeBrjixr^KevaL ro Trapdirav, ev nvi cruAAdyoj 
rcjv AWlottcov Sua)(vpL^oLro Kal Xeyoi fjnqhapLoOi 
rrjs yijs dvdpa)7TOVs etvat XevKovs t) ^avdovs fJirjSe 
dXXo n ^ fieXavas, dpa TTiorevoir dv vtt* avrcov; 
rj €1770 1 ns dv Trpos avrov rcov Trpeor^vrepojv 
AWlottwv, Hi) Se St) TTodev ravra, cS Opacrvrare, 
otada; ov yap dTTeSijiXTjoas Trap* rjp.cov owSa/xdcje 
ovhe elSes vr) Ata rd Trapd roXs dXXois orrold eon. 
<j>ai7]v dv eycoye hiKaia epajTrjaac rov Trpeo^vrrjv. 
rj TTCos CO *Eipfi6nfjie, avfjLpovXeveLs ; 



316 



HERMOTIMUS 

how could I answer them ? Or will it be enough if I 
say that I was persuaded by Hermotimus, a friend 
of mine? Their answer I know would be: " We, 
Lycinus, do not know this Hermotimus, whoever he 
is, and he does not know us either. So you had no 
right to condemn us all and give a judgment in 
default against us through relying on a man who is 
acquainted with only one way in philosophy, and 
even that perhaps not fully. Lawgivers, Lycinus, 
do not instruct judges to adopt this procedure, or to 
give one party a hearing and not allow the other to 
speak on its own behalf what it thinks is to its own 
advantage. No, they say that both sides must be 
given an equal hearing, so that by comparing the 
opposing arguments they may be assisted in dis- 
covering the true and the false, and if they do not 
adopt this procedure the law allows an appeal to 
another court." 

Such or something like it is the argument they 
would use. Or one of them perhaps would even put 
an additional question to me : " Tell me this, 
Lycinus : suppose an Ethiopian, a man who had 
never seen other men like us, because he had never 
been abroad at all, should state and assert in some 
assembly of the Ethiopians that nowhere in the 
world were there any men white or yellow or of any 
other colour than black, would he be believed by 
them ? Or would one of the older Ethiopians say to 
him : * Come now, you are very bold. How do you 
know this ? You have never left us to go anywhere 
else, and indeed you have never seen what things are 
like among other peoples? * " I for my part would 
say that the old man had asked a fair question. 
Or what do you advise, Hermotimus ? 

317 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOS 

OvTOJ. hiKaiorara yap iTnTrXrj^aL Sokcl fioL. 
ATKINOS 

Kat yap epLoiye, c5 'Ep/xort/xe. aAAa ro fJLera 
TOVTO ovkIt olha €L ofJLOLOJS Kal aol 8o^ct. ifJLol 
fiev yap /cat rovro rrdvv Sok€l. 

EPMOTIMOL 
To 7TOLOV ; 

ATKINOE 

32 'ETra^et SrjXaSrj 6 dvrjp Kal (jyTjcrei Trpos p,e cuSc 
TTOJS, ^AvdXoyov ToiwVy cS AvKlve, Keiodcxj rt? 
r)puv rd Htcjj'Ckcjv jxova ctSco?, Kaddirep 6 od? 
<f)iXos ovrog 6 'KpfjLOTLfJLOS, a77o8i7jLtrycras" Se jxr^heTro)- 
TTore fi'qre e? HXdrcovos pL'^re rrapd rov ^EiTTCKOvpov 
fx-qre oXcos Trap* oAAov rivd. el roivvv XeyoL /xr^Sev 
ovTO) KaXov elvai fJbrjS* dX7]d€s rrapd rols ttoAAoI?, 
ofa rd rrj? Sroas" ecrrt Kal d iKeivrj (fyrjalv, ovk dv 
€vX6ya)9 Opaovg eli^ac So^eiev ooi nepl TravrcDV 
dTTO^aLvofxevos , Kal ravra iv etSoj?, ovheTTCJirore 
€^ AWiOTTLag Tov erepov TroSa TrpoeXdwv ; ri 
^ovXeL dTTOKplvcofjiaL avTO) ; 

EPMOTIMOS 
To dXrjdeGrarov €KeZvo STyAaSry, on r)jjL€L? rd 
[xev ^rcoLKdjv Kal rrdvv iKjjLavddvopiev cLs dv Kard 
ravra ^iXooo(f)€Zv d^iovvres, ovk dyvoovjjLev Sc 
Kal rd VTTO rcov aAAcov Xeyofieva. 6 ydp SiSao/caAos' 
KdK€Lva fJLera^v SU^eLcn rrpos rjpids Kal dvarp€7T€i 
y€ avrd tt pood els avros. 

318 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 

I agree. His rebuke seems to me very just. 

LYCINUS 

To me as well, Hermotimus. But I do not know 
that you will similarly agree with what follows. To 
me this too seems to be very just. 

HERMOTIMUS 

What? 

LYCINUS 

The fellow will certainly go on and say to me some- 
thing like this : " Let us make a comparison, Lycinus, 
and posit a man who knows only the Stoic tenets, 
like this friend of yours, Hermotimus ; he has never 
gone abroad to Plato's country or stayed with 
Epicurus or in short with anyone else. Now, if he 
said that there was nothing in these many lands as 
beautiful or as true as the tenets and assertions of 
Stoicism, would you not with good reason think him 
bold in giving his opinion on all, and that when he 
knows only one, and has never put one foot outside 
Ethiopia? " What answer do you think I should 
give him ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

This very true one, of course : that we do learn 
Stoicism very thoroughly indeed, since we think fit 
to pursue this branch of philosophy, but we are not 
unacquainted with what the others say. For our 
teacher explains all that to us as he goes along, and 
knocks it down with his own comments. 

319 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOS 

33 *H vo/xtCetS" ivravda GLcuTrqucaOaL rjfuv tovs 

ajLK^t rov HXdrcova /cat Ilvdayopav koI ^YiTTiKovpov 

/cat Tovs aXXovSy ovxl §€ dvayeXdaavras dv eLTrelv 

irpos 6/xe, Ota Troiel, cL Avklvc, 6 iraipog gov 6 

^EipfJUOTLflOS ; d^Lol TOLS aVTtSl/COt? 7T€pL rjfJbOJV 

TTiureveiv /cat otcrat roiavra elvaL rd rjfxercpa 

OTToXa dv iK€LVOL ^OiOlV 7] OVK CtSoTC? ^ KpVTTTOpie- 

voi rdXrjdes ; ovkovv tJv rtva /cat rdJv ddXrjrojv 
lSt] daKovpievov 7Tp6 rod dycovos XaKTiCovra et? 
Tov depa tj ttv^ K€vr)v 7rXr]yi^v rtva Karacfyepovra 
(x)S rov dvrayojvLarTjv SijOev TTalovra, evdvs 
dvaKTjpv^eL avrov dycovodeTqs cov (Ls dpuaxdv riva 
ri €K€Lva pL€V otT^aerat pdhia elvai /cat docfxiXrj rd 
veavievpLara ovSevdg dvraipopiivov avro), Tr]v 8e 
VLKTiv nqvLKavra Kpiveodai onorav Karayajvla-qraL 
TOV dvTLTToXov avTov /Cat KpanjoT) 6 S* dTTayopevarj y 
dXXcjs 8e ov ; pur) roiwv pur^he 'FtppLonpLos d^* 
Siv dv ol 8t8aor/caAot avrov aKLapbaxdjcn Trpos" 
rjpudg dTTOvras oUcrOoj Kparelv avrovs t] rd rjpierepa 
roiavra elvau cu? dvarpeneodaL paSiOJS. €7rct ro 
roLovrov dpuoiov dv etrj rolg ra>v irai^iajv otKoSopL'q- 
pLaoLv d KaraoKevdaavres €K€ivoi daOevrj €v9vs 
dvarp€7TOV(JLv, iq /cat vrj Ata rots' ro^eveiv /xcActoj- 
Giv, oi Kdp(f>r] TLvd avvhijaavres , CTretra cttI 
Kovrov vq^avreg ov noppo) TTpoSepievoL aroxd^ovrai 
d(f>L€vr€S, /cat r)V rvxcocrc irore /cat hiaireipcooL rd 
Kdp(f)r) dv€Kpayov evdvg wg ri pidya TroLrjoavres , 
el Siei^eXrjXvdev avroZs ro jSeAo? 8ta rojv (fypvydvojv. 
oAA' ov IlepaaL ye ovroj ttolovglv ovSe HkvOcov 
oGOi ro^oraiy oAAa Trpcbrov puev avrol KLvovpuevoi 
d(j>* LTTTTCOV ojg ro TToXv ro^evovGLV, €7T€Lra Se /cat 
320 



HERMOTIMUS 



LYCINUS 



Well, do you suppose that at this point the ad- 
herents of Plato and Pythagoras and Epicurus and 
the rest will keep quiet, and not laugh out loud and 
say to me : " What is your friend Hermotimus doing, 
Lycinus? He thinks it right to believe what our 
opponents say about us, and supposes our views to 
be whatever they say they are, although they either 
are ignorant of the truth or conceal it. So, if he 
sees some athlete training before his match, kick- 
ing into the air, or punching at empty space as 
though he were striking his opponent, he will, if he 
is referee, straightway proclaim him as unbeatable, 
will he ? Or will he consider these romps easy and 
devoid of risk when he has no antagonist, and 
adjudge him the winner only when he has overcome 
and beaten his opponent in the flesh and the latter 
gives in, and not othervdse ? So do not let Hermo- 
timus suppose from the shadow-boxing his teachers 
practise against us in our absence that they are 
strong or that our tenets are such as can be easily 
overthrown. For such a fabrication would be like 
the houses which children make : they have built 
them weak in structure and knock them over at once ; 
or again indeed like men practising archery who make 
bundles of twigs, then fix them up on a pole which 
they set up at no great distance in front of them, and 
taking aim let fly. If ever they score a hit and 
pierce the twigs, they at once give a shout as though 
they have done something great, because their shaft 
has gone right through their collection of sticks. But 
this is not what the Persians do nor the Scythian 
archers. No, in the first place they themselves are 
usually on moving horses when they shoot, and 

321 

VOL. VI. M 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ra TO^evojieva KLveiGdai a^iovaiv ovx iarajra ovBe 
Trepifievovra to ^eXos cot av ifXTTearj, dXXa 
StaStSpacr/covra cLg evi jLtaAccrra. drjpia yi rot (h^ 
TO TToXv Kararo^evovcri, /cat opvidcov evioi Tvy)(a- 
vovoLV. riv he vore /cat eVt okottov Ser) TreipaO'fjvaL 
rod rovov rrjg TrX-qyfjs, ^vXov avrirvTrov r^ OLGTrlSa 

(LfJLO^OLVTjV 7Tpo6ipi€VOl SieXaVVOVCTLV, /cat OVTCJS 

TTiarevovoiv kolv 8t' ottXojv U(f>LGL ;)^6t)p7}o-at rovs 
oIgtovs. ctVe TOLvvVy c5 AvKLve, Trap* rjpLOJV 
'Ep^ort/xo) ort ol St8acr/caAot airov (f)pvy ava 
TTpodejjLevoL Kararo^evovoLV, etrd ^acrti^ dvSpcjv 
ajTrXiapiivcov /ce/cparTy/ceVat, /cat elKovas tjjjlojv 
ypaipapuevoL 7tvkt€vovgl Trpos €/C€tVa?, /cat Kpart]- 
oavr€s ct>? TO €lk6s rjjJLCJV KpaTetv otovrat. dXXd 
<f)aLr]iJL€V dv e/cacrros' Trpos avTOVS ra tov 'A^tAAccos" 
€/c€tya, a ^T^ct Trcpt rou "E/CTopos", ort 

ou yap ipLTJg Kopvdos Xevaorovai plItwttov. 

ravTa fJLev ol ^vfxrravTes iv tco p,epet e/cacrros'. 
34 *0 UXdTOJV 8* dv fioL So/C€t /cat SLrjynjaaadai tl 
Tcjv €K St/ccAta? COS" av etSco? ra TrAetara' roi 
yap HvpaKOvatip TeXojvl <^aat 8t>craj8e? ctrat to 
OTopua /cat tovto €ttI ttoXv 8taAa^etv a?)Tov 07386^0? 
ToAjLtcovTO? iXiyx^^v rvpawov dvSpa, p^^XP^ ^'^ 
TLva yvvoLKa ^evqv GVvevexd^iGav avTCo ToXp.ijoaL 
/cat €L7T€LV OTTCDS ^xoL. TOV Se TTapd TTjv ywttt/ca 
iXOovra ttjv iavTov 6pyit,€o9ai otl ovk ipLijvvGe 
Trpos avTov elSvla /xaAtcrra t7]v SvaajSlav, ttjv Se 
TTapaiTelodai avyyvajpuqv ^x^lv avTTJ- virep yap 
TOV pLTj TreTreLpdadaL dXXov dvSpo? /X7^8e opLLXrjcraL 
ttXt^olov OLTjOrjvaL drraoi toIs dvhpdoL tolovto tl 
diTOTTveZv TOV GTopLaTos. /cat o ^EippLOTLpios Toiya- 
322 



HERMOTIMUS 

secondly, they think that the targets should be 
moving too, not stationary and waiting for the impact 
of the shafts, but running about as fast as possible. 
They generally use wild animals as their targets, and 
some of them hit birds. If ever they want to test 
the impact of the shot on the target, they set up a 
hard- wood board or a raw-hide shield to pierce, and 
in that way they gain confidence that their arrows 
can even penetrate armour. So tell Hermotimus from 
us, Lycinus, that his teachers are setting up collec- 
tions of sticks to shoot at and then saying that they 
have bested armed men ; and that they are sparring 
with painted dummies which look like us, and when, 
as is natural, they have had the better of them they 
think they have the better of us. To them each of 
us would quote the words of Achilles about Hector : 

' My helmet's front they do not see.' " ^ 

This is what they all say, each in his turn. 

Plato, I fancy, would add one of those stories from 
Sicily (he knows most of them) : Gelo of Syracuse is 
said to have had bad breath and to have been for a long 
time ignorant of the fact as no one dared to criticise a 
tyrant, until a certain foreign woman with whom he 
had to do dared to tell him how it was. He went to 
his wife in a rage because she had not told him, al- 
though she of all people knew of the bad odour. She 
begged him to pardon her, for, never having had 
experience of another man or having been at close 
quarters with one, she supposed that the mouths of 
all men had breath like that. " So, Hermotimus," 

^ Homer, II. xvi, 70. 

323 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

povv are fxovois rots' Srcul'/cot? ^vvcjv, ^aiq av 6 
nAarcui^, eiKOTCjJS ayvoeZ oiroia rcjv oAAcdv to. gto- 
fjLard ioTTLV. o/xota S' av /cat yipvonmos eliroi ri 
en TiAetct) rovrcvVy etnep Xlttojv avrov aKpirov eirl 
TO, YiXdrcovos opfitjaaLfiL TTLGrevcras rivl tCjv pLovcp 
riAaroivt (hfjLLXrjKOTOJv. ivi re \6ycp fuveAcov 
<f>r]iJLL, dxpf' oiv dSr]Xov fj ris dXrjd'qs icrn TTpoaipeuis 
€v ^tAoCTo^ta, jxriheixiav alpeZaOai. v^pis yap eg 
rds aAAas" to tolovtov. 

EPMOTIMOS 

35 ^Q. AvKLve, TTpos rrjs 'Eortas", YiXdrcjjva jxkv /cat 
* ApLGTOTeXrjv /cat ^FiTTLKOvpov /cat Toifs dXXovs 
drpefxeZv idaojpiev' ov yap /car' CjLte dvraycovi^eodai 
avTols. vd) Se, ey<x> re /cat ov, €^* rjfxcov avrcjv 
efcraocu/xev, et tolovtov ioTL to (f)iXooo<j>ias 
Trpdyfia olov iyd) (f)r][jiL avTO etvat. At^toTra? 8e 
y€ -^ TTjv TeXoivo? yvvauKa tl ehei KaXeZv €k 
TiVpaKovoojv €77-t Tov Xoyov ; 

ATKINOS 

'AAA' eKeZvoL fiev dirLTOJoav iKnoScvv, et oot 

SoKOUOt TTCpLTTol €LVaL TTpOS TOV AoyOl^. OV Se 

Xiye tJSt). davfiaoTov ydp tl epeZv eoLKas. 

EPMOTIMOL 

Ao/c€t jLtot, d) AvkZv€, /cat ndvv SvvaTov etvaL 
pLova ra tcov Srcot/coiv iKfjiaOovTa elSevaL rdX-qOes 

dvO TOVTiOV, KOV /Xt) TCt TiOV oXXcJV €7T€^eXdrj TLS 

€Kpiavddvojv e/caora. ourcoot 8e OKorreL' rjv tls 
Xeyrj irpos oe p.6vov tovto to? at Suo SuaSe? tov 
T€TTapa dpLdpbov aTTOTeXovoLVy dpa Be'qoeL rrepL- 

324 



HERMOTIMUS 

Plato might say, ** since he mixes only with Stoics, 
naturally does not know what other people's mouths 
are like." Chrysippus could say the same or go 
even further, if I were to leave him unexamined and 
go over to Platonism, relying on one of those who had 
conversed with Plato alone. In short, then, I say 
that, as long as it is uncertain which creed of philo- 
sophy is true, choose none. For choice of one would 
be misconduct towards the others. 

HERMOTIMUS 

In Hestia's name, Lycinus, let us leave Plato and 
Aristotle and Epicurus and the others undisturbed, 
for I am no match for them. Let us, you and me, 
enquire into it by ourselves, whether the pursuit of 
philosophy is as I say it is. As for Ethiopians and 
Gelo's wife, why did you have to call her from i 
Syracuse into the discussion? 

LYCINUS 

Why, let them take themselves off, if they seem 
to you to be superfluous to the discussion. You do 
the talking now. You look as though you are going 
to say something wonderful. 

HERMOTIMUS 

It seems to me quite possible, Lycinus, by thorough 
study of the Stoic doctrines alone, to know the truth 
from them, even if one does not pursue those of the 
others and make a thorough study of them in detail. 
Look at it this way : if someone tells you merely that 
two twos make the number four, will you have to go 
about questioning all the other mathematicians to 

325 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

lovra a€ irvvddveaOai rcov oAAcov oaoL dpLdfJLrjTLKol 
fiij TLS dpa €Lr] Trevre rj eTrrd Xeycuv avrds etvai ; 
rj avTLKa clSei-qs dv on 6 dvrjp dXrjdrj Aeyet; 

ATKINOE 

AvrUa, c5 'Ep/xdrt/xc. 

EPMOTIMOE 

Tt TTor' ovv dSvvarov elval aoi So/cet, ivrvy- 
Xdvovrd riva fiovoLS rots ^tcj'Ckols Xeyovcrt rdXrjdrj 
TTeldeodaL re avrols Kal firjKerL Seta^at rcov 
dXXojv ctSdra ws ovk dv ttotc rd rerrapa nevre 
ycVoiTO, ovS* dv fjLVpLOi. UXdrojves rj HvOayopai 
Xiyoicriv ; 

ATKINOS 

36 Ovhkv TTpds €TTos, c5 'Ep/xoTt/x-e. rd ydp ofjuoXo- 
yovfJLeva rot? dpL^io^rirovpiivois ctVafet?, rrdfiTToXv 
avTCJV Siacfyepovra. rj ri dv ^airj? ; eoriv cLtlvl 
ivrervxrjKag Xeyovn rdg Svo SuaSa? avvreO^iaas 
rov eTrrd ^ evScKa dptdfiov dTToreXetv ; 

EPMOTIMOi: 

Ovk eyojye. rj jxalvoiT dv 6 [xrj rerrapa ff/x- 
paCv€LV Xeycjv. 

ATKINOE 

Tt 8e, ivrervxrjKag TTwrrore (Kat rrpos Xa- 
pLrcxiv 7T€Lpco dXrjdeveLv) TircoiKcp rivi Kal ^^ttikov- 
peto) fJLr] hLa(j)€pop,€VOLS rrepl dpxrjs rj reXovs ; 

EPMOTIMOL 

OvSafidjs . 
326 



HERMOTIMUS 

see if there may not perhaps be one of them who 
makes it five or seven ? Or would you know at once 
that this man is speaking the truth ? 

LYCINUS 

At once, Hermotimus. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Why then does it seem to you to be impossible for 
a man when he meets only Stoics who speak the truth 
to believe them and have no further need of the 
others in his knowledge that four could never be five, 
even if thousands of Platos and Pythagorases say so ? 

LYCINUS 

That is not to the point at all, Hermotimus. You 
are comparing what is admitted to what is in dispute, 
although they differ enormously. Or what would you 
say? Have you met anyone who says that by 
putting together two twos he makes the number 
seven or eleven ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Not I. But anyone would be mad who said the 
answer was not four. 

LYCINUS 

Well then, have you ever met (and by the Graces 
try to be truthful) any Stoic and Epicurean who did 
not differ about principles and ends ? 



HERMOTIMUS 

In no way. 



327 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOE 

"Opa Toivvv fjL'q ttcLs /x€ TrapaXoylCrj , co yewate, 
/cat ravra <j)iXov ovra. ^rjTOVvrcov yap rfp^ajv oltl- 
veg dXrjdevovcjLv iv (^LXooo<f>ia, av rovro TrpoapTrdoag 
cScu/ca? <f)€pcx)v Tols YiTCj'iKolg Xiyojv (hs ovtol 
€L(JLV ol ra his hvo rerrapa rt^eWcs", oircp dSrjXov 
€t ovTCos ^x^t'- <f>cu€v yap av ol 'ETTt/coupetot rj 
YlXarcovLKol acfyds fxev ovtoj ^vvriBivai, vpuds 8e 
7T€VT€ rj krtTd Xeyeiv avrd. -^ ov SokovgI ool 
Tovro 7roL€LV OTTorav vpueZs puev p,6vov to /coAov 
dyadov rjyrjcrOe elvai, ol 'ETTt/coupetot he to rjSv ; 
/cat OTav VfJLels XeyrjTe crco/xara elvai aTravra, o 
riAarcov Sc vojjll^tj /cat dawpLaTov tl iv tols 
ovGLV etvai; oAA' direp ecfyrjv, TrXeoveKTiKOJS rrdw 
TO dp(j)LC7PrjTOvpi€vov GvXXa^cov (1)S dva/x(^t- 
Xoyojs lSlov tojv Yitojlkcov SlSws avTols ^X^^^* 
/catVot dvTLXap^avopbevojv rcot' dXXa)v /cat Xeyov- 
TCDV avT(x)V TOVTO etvai, evda Srj Kploecos /xaAtcrra 
of/xat Set. av puev ovv 7Tp6hr]Xov yevrjTaL tovto 
COS Srcot/coJv €OTL povcjv TO, Sis hvo TCTTapa 
rjyeLodaLf cjpa oicoTrdv tols oAAots". dxpi' S* dv 
avTOV TovTov TTepL SLapudxojVTaL, TrdvTCov opolws 
aKovoTeov rj ctScVat ort Trpds X^P^^ St/ca^€tv 
S6^op,€v. 

EPMOTIMOi: 
37 Ou /XOt SoK€LS, CO AVKLV€, ^VVLEVaL TTCOS jSouAojLtat 



ATKINOE 

OvKovv oa^ioTepov XPV ^^y^^^ ^^ eTcpolov t: 

dXXd p,rj TOLOVTOV (f)T^a€LS. 

328 



HERMOTIMUS 

LYCINUS 

Make sure then that you are not somehow cheating 
me, my good sir, and that though I am your friend. 
For, while we are enquiring who has the truth in 
philosophy, you have prematurely seized on the 
answer and taken it and assigned it to the Stoics, 
when you say that they are the ones who make twice 
two equal four, although it is not clear that this is so. 
For the Epicureans and the Platonists would say that 
they get this result, while you Stoics call it five or 
seven. Or do you not think that this is what they are 
doing when you think that only the beautiful is good, 
while the Epicureans say it is pleasure ? And when 
you say that all things are corporeal, while Plato 
thinks that there is an incorporeal element in what 
exists ? No, as I said, you very arrogantly lay hold 
of the bone of contention as being the undisputed 
property of the Stoics, and give it to them to possess ; 
and yet, when the others are asserting rival claims 
and saying that it is theirs, then, I think, there 
is every need for a judgment. If it becomes quite 
clear then that it is the privilege of the Stoics alone 
to think that twice two are four, it is time for the 
rest to be quiet. But as long as they contest this very 
claim, we must give a hearing to all alike, or realise 
that we shall be thought to be giving a biased judg- 
ment. 

HERMOTIMUS 

It seems to me, Lycinus, that you do not under- 
stand what I mean. 

LYCINUS 

Then you must speak more clearly, if your argu- 
ment is to be different from what I say. 

329 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOL 

EtcT27 avTLKa olov n Xeyoj. dcofiev yap rtvag 
Svo iaeXrjXvdcvaL eg ro * AaKXr^Tnelov ^ is rod 
Alovvgov to UpoVf elra [xevroL (f)LdXrjv nva r<x>v 
lepcov aTToXcoXevai. Serjaet StJ ttov aix(f)OTepovs 
€pevvr]dr\vai avrovs onorepog vtto koXttov ex^t- ttjv 
^laXqv. 

ATKINOE 

Kat /xaAa. 

EPMOTIMOS 

rli;^€t 0€ Travrojs o erepos. 

ATKINOE 

licks' yap ov, ct ye dnoXcoXev ; 

EPMOTIMOE 
OvKovv dv Trapd rco Trporepco €Vpr)s auri^v, 
ovKeri Tov erepov aTToSucrets". npoSrjXov yap cos 

OUK €X€l. 

ATKINOL 

II poSrjXov ydp. 

EPMOTIMOi: 

Kat et ye /jltj evpoijiev ev rep tov TTporepov 
koXtto) 6 erepos Trdvrojs eY€t, /cat ovSev epevvqs 
ovoe ovTOJs oet. 

ATKINOS 
EPMOTIMOE 

Kat rjfjLeXs roivvv el evpoipLev rjS-q Trapd tols 
HtcdlkoIs TTjv (fiidXriv, ovKen epevvdv rovs dXXovs 

330 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 

You will learn at once what I mean. Let us 
suppose that two persons have entered the Ascle- 
pieum or the sanctuary of Dionysus, and that 
subsequently one of the sacred chalices is missing. 
It will without doubt be necessary to search both of 
them to find out which one of the two has the chalice 
in his clothing. 

LYCINUS 

Very true. 

HERMOTIMUS 

One of them surely has it. 

LYCINUS 

Of course, if it has disappeared. 

HERMOTIMUS 

And if you discover it on the first, you will not strip 
the other. It will be quite clear that he has not got 
it. 

LYCINUS 

Quite clear. 

HERMOTIMUS 

And if we were not to find it in the first one's 
clothing, the second man surely has it, and there is 
in this case too no need of a search. 

LYCINUS 

Yes, he has it. 

HERMOTIMUS 

So too in our case. Suppose we find the chalice 
already in the hands of the Stoics, we shall not bother 
to search the others, since we have what we have 

331 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

a^icoaofji€v exovres o TToXai i^rjrovixev. rq rivos 
yap dv eVe/ca ert /ca/xvot/xev ; 

ATKINOL 
38 OuScVOS", €L ye €VpOLT€ Kal €Vp6vT€9 e^OLTC 

ctSeVat CO? EKetvo rjv ro aTToAcuAo?, rf oXcos yvaypipiov 
vpxv €L7] TO dvddrjfjLa. vvv he, cS eralpe, TrpojTOV 
fiev ov Svo elalv ol TrapeXdovres is rov vewv, ws 
avayKolov elvai rov erepov avroZv rd cfxlypia €X€LV, 
dXXd fjLoXa TToXXoL TLV€9, cfxtt Kal TO dTToXofxevov 
avTO dSr]Xov 6 tl ttotc cgtlv, etre <f)LdXr] rt? -^ 
GKv<f)OS Tf OT€cf)avos. OGOL yovv UpeiSy aXXos oAAo 
elvai Xiyovoiv Kal ovhe irepl ttJ? vXr)s avTrjs 
ofjLoXoyovacVy dXX* ol fiev ^P-Xkov, ol 8e dpyvpov, 
ol Se xp^^oVy ol 8e Kaaairepov etvat avTo cfydaKov- 
GLv. dvdyK-q toLwv diravTas aTToSucrat Tovg elaeX- 
OovTas, 6t jSouAct evpelv to dTToXcoXos. Kal yap 
dv TTapd Tip TTpcoTcp evdvs evprjs <f)LdXT]v xp^^^» 

€TL /cat TOVS dXXoVS OOL d7ToSvT€OV. 
EPMOTIMOE 

Ata TL, (L AvKLve; 

ATKINOL 
"Otl dSrjXov €L ^idXrj to dvoXopievov rjv. el 8c 
Kal TOVTo VTTO iTavTCov opLoXoyTjOeLTj , aAA' ovTL ye 
Xpvarjv diravTes ^aGLv etvat ttjv (jyidX-qv. el he 
/cat /xaAtcrra yvayptpLov yevoiTO c6? (jyidXr] aTToAotro 
XpvGTJ, Kal av rrapd Tcp irpcLTCo evpois <}>idXit)v 
XpvG'rjv, ovhe ovtoj Travarj hiepevvcopevog rous" 
ctAAous" ov ydp St^Aoj^ ttov el avTrj rjv r) tov deov. 
Tj ovK olei TToAAa? (jiLoXas elvai xP^^dg ; 

332 



HERMOTIMUS 

been looking for for a long time. Why should we 
trouble further ? 

LYCINUS 

There is no reason, if you really find it and once 
having found it you can know that that is what was 
missing, or if you can with certainty recognise the 
sacred object. But in this case, my friend, those 
first of all who go into the temple are not two, so 
that one of the two must have the loot, but very 
many ; and secondly just what the missing object is 
is not clear — whether it is a chalice or a cup or a 
garland. All the priests give different accounts of it 
and do not agree even about the very stuff it is made 
of: some say it is of copper, others of silver, others of 
gold, yet others of tin. So you must strip all the 
visitors, if you want to find the missing article. For, 
if you find a golden chalice straightway on the first, 
you must nevertheless strip the others as well. 

HERMOTIMUS 

WTiy, Lycinus? 

LYCINUS 

Because it is not clear that it was a chalice that was 
missing. And even if this be admitted by everyone, 
then they do not all agree that the chalice is golden. 
And if it is well known that a gold cup is missing, and 
you find a gold cup on the first man, you would not 
even so refrain from searching the rest — it would not 
be clear I suppose whether that was the one belong- 
ing to the god. Or do you not think that there are 
many chalices made of gold ? 

3$3 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOS 
"Kycoye. 

ATKINOS 

Aeijcret Srj €ttI Trdvras teVat ipevvcovra /cat ra 

Trap* c/cacrro) evpedevra iravra els fxeoov Karadivra 

eLKd^eiv 6 TL TTore avrcbv TTpiiroi dv delou KTrjfxa 

oleodai. 

39 Ka6 ydp av to rr)v TTO^rjv aTTopiav nape^^opLCVov 

TOVrO €GTLVy OTL €.KaGTOS TCJV d7roSv6r]GOp,€VWV 

ex^L Tt Trdvrajs, 6 pL€v UKVcfyov, 6 he <l)LdXr]v, 6 8e 
GT€(f)avoVf Kal 6 pikv €k x^Xkov, 6 Sc c/c p^pucrou, 
o 8e dpyvpov. el he o e;^et, rovro lepov €gtlv, 
ovSeTTCo hrjXov. irdoa tolwv dvdyKTj diropeZv 
dvTLva lepoGvXov elirrjs, ottov ye /cat et rrdvres rd 
OjLtota et^ov dSrjXov rjv /cat ovrtog ogtls 6 rd rod 
deov v(f)'rjp7]iJLevos — eGri ydp /cat tStcort/ca e)(eiv. 
TO 8' atrtov tt}? dyvoias ev €gtiv o?/xat to dveiriy- 
pa(f)ov etvat rrjv dTToXop,ev7]v (fyidX-qv (dcofjiev ydp 
<f)LdXrjv diroXajXevai) , co? el ye eTreyeypaiTTO rod 
deov TO 6vop,a t^ tov dvadevTOS "^Jttov dv eKapivopiev 
/cat eupovTes ttjv iinyeypapipLevrjv eireTTavpied* dv 
diTohvovTes /cat evo^XovvTes tovs dXXovs. olpLai 
he G€f CO 'Ep/xoTt/x,€, /cat dywvas rjhrj yvpuvLKOvs 
ecjpaKevai TroAAa/cts". 

EPM0TIM02 

Kat dpdcjs ot€t. TToXXaKLs ydp /cat TroXXaxodi. 

ATKINOL 
'H ovv 7TOT€ /cat napd tov9 dOXodeTug avTOVS 
eKade^ov ; 

334 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 



Y^s, of course. 



You will have to go to everyone in your search, 
put together all that you find on each, and guess 
which one is likely to be the property of the god. 

For this is where your great difficulty lies : each 
of those whom you will strip has surely something — 
one a cup, another a chalice, another a garland, and 
each of these may be of bronze, gold, or silver. And 
it is still not clear whether that which each man has 
is the holy object. So you have every reason to 
hesitate about whom to accuse of temple-robbery. 
In this case, even if all had similar objects, even so it 
would be uncertain who had stolen the property of 
the god — for these articles may be private property 
too. The sole reason for our ignorance, I suppose, 
is that the missing chalice has no inscription (assum- 
ing that it is a chalice), since if it had been inscribed 
with the name of the god or the person who had made 
the dedication we should have had less difficulty, 
and when we had found the inscribed chalice we 
should stop stripping and troubling the others. I 
think, Hermotimus, that you have often watched 
athletic contests ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

You think rightly. Many a time, In many places. 

LYCINUS 

Now, have you ever sat near the judges them- 
selves ? 

335 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOS 

N17 Ala, evayxo? 'OAu/XTztacriv inl ra Aatct tcjv 
*KXXavoSiKa>v, EuavSptSou rod ^HXelov deav yioi 
TTpoKaraXa^ovTOS iv rols iavrov TToXirais' iireSv- 
fjLOVv yap lyyvdev airavra opdv ra irapa roZs 
'EAAavoSt/cat? ytyvo/x€va. 

ATKINOi: 

Otcj^a ovv Kal rovro, ttvjs KXiqpovaiv ovriva 
wrivL XPV T^ctActtcti^ "^ TrayKpaTid^eLV ; 

EPMOTIMOS 

OrSa yap. 

ATKINOE 
OvKovv av ^ dfxcLvov crv ctTTOt? cos" iyyvdev IScov. 

EPMOTIMOE 

40 To fxev TToXaiov inl 'Hpa/cAcous' dycovoderovvrog 
<l)vXXa hd<j>vqs . . . 

ATKINOi: 

Ml} /xot ra TToXai, cS *Ep/xort/i€, a 8e cfSc? 
iyyvdev, cKctva Acyc. 

EPMOTIMOS 
KaATn? dpyvpd irpoKeirai Upd rod Oeov. is 
raxrrqv €p,^aXXovrai KXrjpOL fiLKpol, oaov hrj 
KvapLiaZoi rd pueyedos, CTrtyeypa/XjueVot . €yypd(f)€- 
rai he c? hvo pikv dX<f>a €v iKarepo), e? Svo 8e to 
jS^Jra, Kal is dXXovs hvo to ya/x/xa Kal i^rjs Kara 
rd avrd, iqv irXeiovs ol d6Xr]Tal cogl, Svo del 
KXrjpoL TO avro ypdp,pLa e^ovres. TrpoaeXdwv 8rj 
Tojv dOXrjTCov eKaaros 7rpoGev^dp,evos rco Ad 
^ av add. Jacobitz. 



HERMOTIMUS 



HERMOTIMUS 



Yes, indeed. Recently at Olympia I sat to the 
left of the National Judges. Euandridas of Elis 
reserved me a seat among his fellow-citizens, for I 
wanted to see everything that happened among the 
judges from near at hand. 

LYCINUS 

Well, do you know this too — how they draw lots 
for the pairs in the wrestling or the pancratium ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Yes, I know. 

LYCINUS 

Then, since you have seen it from near at hand, 
you could give a better account of it than I. 

HERMOTIMUS 

In former times, when Heracles was judge, bay- 
leaves . . . 

LYCINUS 

Don't tell me about former times, Hermotimus, 
but what you saw from near at hand. 

HERMOTIMUS 

A silver urn dedicated to the god is placed before 
them. Into this are thrown small lots, the size of 
beans, with letters on them. Two are marked alpha, 
two beta, two gamma, and so on in the same way, if 
there are more competitors, two lots always having 
the same letter. Each of the competitors comes up, 
offers a prayer to Zeus, puts his hand into the urn, 

337 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

KaBels TTjv X^^P^ ^^ '^W Kf^^'^^v avaaira tcjv 
KXripcov €va Kal /x€t' iKetvov erepos, Kal irapeurajs 
lJiaGTiyo(f)6pos eKaGTCp dve;^et avrov rrjv X^^P^ °^ 
TTapexojv avayvcbvai 6 tl to ypd(Xjxa €gtlv o 
avlairaKev. aTrdvrcjv 8e 1)67] ixovrojv 6 oXv- 
rdpxr)? ot/xat -^ rcov 'EAAavoStAccov avrcov els 
(ovkItl yap rovro fxefxvrjfJLai) Trepuojv irnGKOTrel 

TOVS kXtjPOVS iv KVkXo) €GTCl)TCOV Kal OVTCDS TOV 

fxev TO dX(f)a exovra to) to €Tepov dX<f)a dvecTTTaKOTL 
TTaXaUiv rj TrayKpaTtd^eiv avvdnTeL, tov he to 
prJTa Tcp TO piJTa op^oiois /cat tovs aXXovs tovs 
6p,oypdfjLp.ovs KaTOL ravra. ovro) pbeVy riv aprtot 
(Lglv ol dycjvLGTaiy olov ^ okto) ri T€TTap€S 7] Scu- 
Se/ca, Tjv 8e TrepLTTol, irivTe iiTTa ivvea, ypa/x/xa rt 
TTepiTTOv €vi kXtJpco €yypa(f)€v au/xjSaAAerat avTols, 
dvTiypa(f)OV dXXo ovk ^xov. os 8' dv tovto 
dvacnrdcrr] i(f)€Sp€V€L Trepipiivojv €Gt dv €K€lvol 
dyioviGOJVTai' ov yap ex^i to avrtypa/x/xa. Kal 

eOTL tovto ov /JLLKpd Ti9 CVTUXLO- TOV ddXr]TOV, TO 

pLeXXetv dKp,rJTa Tolg K€Kp,7]K6(Ti ovp,TT€Geio9ai. 

ATKINOS 
41 "^X OLTpe/JLas. tovtov yap iSeopLrjv juaAtcrra. 
ovKovv evvea ovTes dveoTrdKaoiv duavTes Kal 
exovGL TOV9 kXtjpovs. TT€pucov St) ( ^ovXop,ai yap 
G€. *YiXXavohiKriv dvTl OeaTOV TTOirJGai) eTTiGKOTreZs 
ra ypdjJL/jLaTa, Kal ov irpOTepov olpiai p,ddois dv 
6gtl9 6 ecfjeSpog €gtiv, r^v purj inl rrdvTas eXdrj? 
Kal GvCev^r)9 avTovs. 

EPMOTIMOL 

Ilajs", c5 AvKLve, tovto (j)ris ; 
* olov j3, oAov y. 

338 



HERMOTIMUS 

and picks up one of the lots. After him another does 
the same. A policeman stands by each one and holds 
his hand, not letting him read what the letter is which 
he has drawn. When all now have their own, the 
chief police officer, I think it is, or one of the National 
Judges themselves (I don't remember now) goes 
round the competitors, who are standing in a circle, 
and inspects their lots. In this way he matches one 
who has alpha to the one who has drawn the other 
alpha for the wrestling or the pancratium. Similarly 
he matches the two betas, and the others with the 
same letter in the same way. This is what he does if 
the contestants are even in number — eight or four or 
twelve, for instance — but if they are odd — five or 
seven or nine — he throws in with the rest a lot 
marked with an odd letter which has no duplicate. 
Whoever draws this is given a bye and stands out 
until the rest have competed, for he has no corre- 
sponding letter. This is no small boon to the com- 
petitor — the opportunity to come fresh against tired 
opponents. 

LYCINUS 

Stop there. This is just what I wanted. Now, 
suppose they are nine in number and they have all 
drawn and are holding their lots. You go round (I 
want to make you a National Judge instead of a 
spectator) and inspect the letters. I fancy you will 
not learn in advance who has been given a bye, unless 
you go to every one of them and pair them. 

HERMOTIMUS 

What do you mean by this, Lycinus ? 

339 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOi: 

^ASvvarov ianv evdvs evpelv ro ypa/Xjita e/cctvo 
TO SrjXovv Tov €(f)ehpov, t) to fikv ypa/x/xa 'iGOis av 
€vpoL9y ov fJLTjv €LGr] y€ €L eKelvos iarLV ov yap 
TTpoeiprjTat on ro K ^ ro M rj to 1 iorlv ro 
X^Lporovovv rov €(f)€Spov. aAA' eTTechav ra> A 
ivTUXJ}?, Carets rov ro erepov A exovra /cat 
€Vpojv €K€Lvovs fi€V tJSt] Gvvel^€v^as , evrvx<J^v hk 
avdvs rep pTJra ro erepov ^rjra ottov iarlv C^rei?, 
TO dvrLTTaXov ra> evpedevn, /cat €7tI Trdvrcov 

OJJLOLOJS, d-Xpi' d-V €K€Zv6s OOL 7Tepl\€L(f)drj 6 TO 

jjLovov ypdjjLfJLa ex^JV ro dvavrayajviarov , 
EPMOTIMOL 

42 Tt 8' €t €Keivo) Trpcoro) ^ Sevrdpu) ivrvxoLS,^ ri 
TTOiijorevs ; 

ATKINOE 
Ov fJiev ovv, oAAa orv 6 *EAAavoSt/CT7? iOeXco 
etScVat o Tt /cat irpd^eis, TTorepov auTt/ca ipeXs drL 
ovros €Griv 6 ecfyeSpog, 7] SeTjoret iirl ndvras iv 
kvkXo) iXdovra ISelv ct ttov avrcp ypdiJLp,a opuoLov 
iariv ; a»? €t ye pbrj roifs Trdvrcov KXijpovs tSot? 
ovK dv piddoLS rov e^ebpov. 

EPMOTIMOS 
Kat p^rjvy o) AvKLve, pabicjs dv pudBoLpiL. errl 
yovv rcx)V evvea ^v ro E evpoj irpcorov tj Sevrepov, 
ot8a oTt e(f)e8pos 6 rovro exojv earl. 

ATKINOL 

Xlo)?, c5 '^ppLoripie ; 

^ ivrvxoLs Belinus : evTvxj)? MSS. 
349 



HERMOTIMUS 

LYCINUS 

It is impossible immediately to find that letter 
which gives you the bye, or perhaps you could find the 
letter, but you will certainly not know if it is that one, 
for there is no prior declaration of kappa or mu or 
iota as the letter which chooses the bye. When you 
find alpha, you look for the competitor who has the 
other alpha, and, when you find him, you have 
already paired them. Then again, when you come 
on beta, you look for the other beta, the counterpart 
of the one you have found, and so with all of them, 
until you are left with the competitor who has the 
only letter that has no counterpart. 

HERMOTIMUS 

What if you come on this one first or second, what 
will you do ? 

LYCINUS 

It is not what / shall do. You are the National 
Judge, and I want to know what you will do. Will 
you say at once that this man is given a bye, or will 
you have to go round them all, to see whether there 
is somewhere a corresponding letter ? If you did not 
look at the lots of everyone, you would not discover 
who had the bye. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Oh, I should know quite easily, Lycinus. In the 
case of nine competitors, if I find epsilon first or 
second, I know that the one holding this lot is the 
one who has the bye. 

LYCINUS 

How, Hermotimus? 

34r 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOL 

OvTOJS' TO A Svo avTOJv e^ovoLV Kal to B 

OflOLCOS SvO, TWV XoLTTCJV §€ T€TTdp(X}V OVTCOV ol 

fjLev TO r, OL 8e TO A TrdvTOjg dveoTraKaoiv Kal 
dvriXojTai rjhr] is tovs ddXrjTOLS oktoj ovTas ra 
T€TTapa ypdfjLfJLaTa. hrjXov ovv otl fiovov dv 
ovTOJ TrepiTTOV etrj to c^tJ? ypa/x/xa to E, Kal 6 
tovto dv€a7TaK(jl)S €(l>€Sp6s icTTL. 

ATKINOE 
UoTcpoi^ iiraiveoit) ctc, c5 'Ep/iOTt/xc, Tr\s crvvi- 
aecjs, T] deXecs dvT€i7rco ra y* ipuol hoKovvTa 
OTTota dv fj; 

EPMOTIMOE 

Nt7 Ata. hiaTTopo) piivTOi o tl dv evXoyov 
dvr€L7r€LV exoLS irpos to tolovtov. 

ATKINOE 

43 2u fJLev yap ws efij? Trdvrajv ypacfyofxevcov 
ypafjLfjidTOjv elp7]KaSy olov irpajTov tov A, SevTcpov 
Se TOV B Kal KaTa ttjv Td^LV, dxpi dv is €V avTCJV 
TcXevTrjar) 6 dpidfios tCjv ddXrjTcbv Kal 8t8a>/xt 
(JOL ^OXvfjLTTLaoiv OVTOJ ylyveadaL. tl Si, €l 
i^€X6vT€S aTdKTOiS 7rivT€ ypdpLfxaTa i^ aTrdvTOJV, 

TO X Kal TO S Kal TO Z Kal TO K Kal TO 0, Ta 

jjLev dXXa T€TTapa StTrAa inl to>v KXrjpcav tcjv 
OKTW ypd(f)OLix€V, TO Se Z fiovov €.ttI tov evaTOV, 
o Sr) Kal Sr)Xovv epueXXev rjfXLV tov €(f)€Spov, tl 
7roLrj(j€LS TTpcjTOV €vpdjv TO Z ,* TO) SLayvwajj 
€(f)€hpov dvTa TOV exovTa avTo, ^v pnq cttl iravTas 
iXddjv €vp7)S ovSev avTW GvpL<f)OJvovv ; ov yap 
€lx€S axTTTcp vvv TTJ Td^€L avTcov TeKpLaLpcadaL. 

342 



HERMOTIMUS 



HERMOTIMUS 



In this way : two have alpha, and similarly two 
have beta. Of the remaining four, two have surely 
drawn gamma and two delta, and four letters have 
already been used up for eight competitors. So it 
is clear that only the next letter, epsilon, could be 
odd, and he who has drawn this one gets the bye. 

LYCINUS 

Shall I praise you for your intelligence, or would 
you like me to explain the different view I have of 
the matter? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Certainly. But I fail to see what reasonable 
answer you can give to such an argument. 

LYCINUS 

You have spoken as if the letters are definitely 
written in order — I mean alpha first, beta second, 
and so on through the alphabet, until the number 
of competitors is completed at one of them. I grant 
that this is so at Olympia. But suppose we choose 
five letters completely at random — chi, sigma, zeta, 
kappa, and theta — and we write four of these twice 
on eight lots, but the zeta only on the ninth, which 
is going to show us the bye. What will you do if you 
find the zeta first ? How can you pick out the com- 
petitor who holds it as the man for the bye, without 
going to all the others and finding no letter to corre- 
spond to it ? You cannot, as you were just now, be 
sure from the alphabetical order. 

343 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOS 

L^vciaTTOKpLTOv TOVTO ipcords. 

ATKINOS 

44 *I8oi) Sr) Kal irepcos to avro iTTLGKOTrrjaov . ri 
yap el jJu-qSe ypapipiaTa ypd(f)OLfi€v iirl tojv KXijpojv 
dXXd TLva Gr]fjL€La /cat ')(apaKTi]pas y ola ttoAAo- 
AlyvTTTLOL ypd(f)OV(TLV dvTL rcjv ypapLpidrojv — 
KvvoK€^dXovs rivdg /cat XeovroKe^dXovs dvOpo}- 
TTOVs ; Tj €K€Lva p,€V idcTcop^cu, iTTeiTTep oAAo/cora 
corrt. (f>^p€ Sc rd {jLOVoeihij /cat ctTrAa eTnypdiftcopLev 
COS OLov re ct/cacravrcs' dvOpoiirovs eirl hvolv 
KXripoLVy hvo Ittttovs €7tI bvoLV Kal dXeKTpvovag 
Bvo /cat Kvvas Svo, rw he evdrco Xecov earaj 
TovirioTjixov. Tjv roivvv ro) Xeovro<f)6p(x) rovro) 
KXr^pcp ev dpxfj ^utvxJ)?* irodev e^eis elirelv on 
ovrog eorriv 6 rov e(j>ehpov TTOicoVy rjv jxtj Trapa- 
decjpi^Grjg dnavrag eTncbv et ris /cat oAAo? Xeovra 

EPMOTIMOi; 

OvK e^co 6 TL GOL aTTo/cptVco/xat, (L AvKlve. 

ATKINOi; 

45 Et/coTO)?- ovhe yap evTrpoaojirov ovSev. ware 
i^u edeXajfiev ^ rov exovra rrjv lepdv (f)LdXr)v 
evpeZv r^ rov e(f)eSpov rj rov dpiara rjyrjGOfievov 
rjfjLLV eg ttjv ttoXlv eKetvrjv rrjv J^opLvdov, eirl 
Trdvras dvay/catcos" d(f)i^6yLeda /cat e^erdoopiev 
CLKpays TTeipcopLevoL /cat dTTohvovres /cat Trapadeoj- 
povvreg. [jloXls yap dv ovtoj rdXrjdeg eKfjLddoip.ev. 
/cat €t ye ns p^eXXoL GvpL^ovXos /xot dftoTrtorro? 
eGeoBai <j>iXoGO<^Las Trepi -qvTLva (j^iXoGOi^riTeov , 

344 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 

What you ask is difficult to answer. 

LYCINUS 

Come now, look at the same question in another 
way. Suppose we wrote no letters on the lots, but 
signs and symbols, such as the many that the 
Egyptians use instead of letters — ^dog- and lion- 
headed men. What then ? No, let us not use them, 
queer creatures that they are. No, let us write down 
simple, uniform symbols with as good a likeness as 
we can: human beings on two lots, two horses for 
another two, two cocks and two dogs, and for the 
ninth let the picture be a lion. Now, if at the begin- 
ning we find this lot with the picture of a lion, how 
will you be able to say that this is the one that gives 
the bye, unless you go to them all and compare 
whether another also has a lion ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

I can give you no answer, Lycjnus. 

LYCINUS 

Of course not ; there is no plausible answer. So, 
if we wish to find either the man who has the sacred 
chalice or the bye or the man who will best lead us 
to that city of Corinth, we shall of necessity go to 
everyone and make our research, trying them care- 
fully, and stripping and comparing. And it will be 
only with difficulty that we shall find the truth by 
this means,' and if anyone is likely to give me trust- 
worthy advice on which philosophy to pursue, only 

345 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ovros av etrj jjlovos 6 ret vtto Tracrcov avrcov 
Xeyofxeva elScos, ol 8' aAAot drcAet?, koI ovk dv 
TTLcrrevaaLfiL avroZs, ear dv /cat /xtas" aireiparoi 
(Lgl — rdxcL yap dv rj dpiarrj eKeivr) etr]. ov yap 
Srj €L TLS irapaoTqodjJLevos KaXov dv9pco7TOV XeyoL 
rovTOV elvai koXXiotov dvOpwircov aTravrcov, ttl- 
arevoaLjjLev dv ^ avrco, riv fjuT] ctStD/xcv on Trdvras 
dvdpcjTTOVS €a)paK€V. LGOjg fxkv yap /cat ovros 
KoXos, et 8e Trdvrcov /caAAtcTros" ovk dv €;^ot 
elSevat fxr] lSojv dnavras. 'qfjuels Se ovk avro 
fjLovov KaXov, dAAa rov KaXXlarov Seoficda' /cat 
^v (XT] rovro evpajfiev, ovhev rjfXLV irXeov TTenpaxdaL 
iqyrjGOfieda. ov yap dyamjaofjiev oTTOicpS'qTTore 
KaXat €vrv)(dvr€s , dXX €K€lvo rd aKporarov 
^-qrovpiev /caAAo?, direp dvdyKT] ev elvai^ 

EPMOTIMOE 
46 'AXr]drj. 

AYKINOi: 

Tt ovv ; ^x^LS fioL riva ctVetv aTrdcnqs oSov 
7T€TTeLpapL€vov €v ^iXoGo^ia /cat OS rd re vtto 
Uvdayopov /cat IlXdrcovos /cat * ApicrroreXovs /cat 
^pvoLTTTTOV /cttt ^FiTTLKovpov /cttt rojv dXXojv Xeyo- 
fieva elSws reXevrcbv filav etXero e^ diraowv 
6hu)v dXrjOTJ re So/ct/xacras" /cat Trelpa [ladcov cos 
p,6v7) dyei evdv rrjs euSat/xorta? ; el ydp riva 
roLovrov evpoifjuev, vavaopbeda 7rpdyp,ara exovres. 

EPMOTIMOE 

Ov pdSiOV, cL AvKLve, roLovrov dvBpa evpeZv. 
^ av add. Jacobitz. 



HERMOTIMUS 

that man who knows what they all say will be he ; 
the rest will fall short, and I would not put my trust 
in them, as long as they are unacquainted with even 
one philosophy — that one might be the best. If 
someone were to produce a handsome man and say 
that he was the most handsome of all men, we should 
certainly not believe him, unless we knew that he 
had seen all men. This man may well be handsome, 
but whether the most handsome of all he could not 
know, since he has not seen them all. And we are 
looking, not just for something beautiful, but for 
the most beautiful ; and if we do not find it, we shall 
not think that we have made any progress. For we 
are not going to be content with any chance beauty. 
No, we are looking for the supreme beauty, and of 
that there can only be one. 

HERMOTIMUS 

True. 

LYCINUS 

Well then, can you name me a man who has tried 
every path in philosophy, who knows what Pytha- 
goras, Plato, Aristotle, Chrysippus, Epicurus, and the 
rest, say, and, finally, has chosen one path out of 
them all, has proved it genuine, and has learnt by 
experience that it alone leads straight to happiness? 
If we found such a person we should stop worrying. 

HERMOTIMUS 

It would not be easy to discover such a person. 

347 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOE 
47 Tt Sri ovv 7Tpd^oix€Vy a> 'Ep/xortjLte ; ov yap ^ 
aTTayopevriov oljxai inel [irjSevos rjyeixovos tolov- 
rov €s y€ TO irapov eviropovp^ev, dpa roSe 
Trdvrcov Kpdriorov ian /cat dcr^aAecrTarov, avrov 
€KaaTOV dp^dpuevov hid irda-qs 7TpoaLp€G€OJS x^PV^^'' 
/cat eiTiOKi^acrd ai d/cptjScus" rd vtto Trdvrajv Xeyopieva ; 

EPMOTIMOS 

"EotAcei' diTo y€ tovtcov. ttXtjv €K€lvo pur) ivav- 
TLOV fj o pLLKpa> Trpoadev cAcycs", (Ls ov pdhiov 
iTTuSovra iavrov Kal Trerdaavra ttjv odoi^rjv 
dvaSpapL€LV avdig. ttcos ydp otov re Trdoas eireX- 
Belv rds ohovs €v rij TTpcorr), (hs <t>i]5, Karaax^Or)- 
aopuevo) ; 

ATKINOi: 

'Eyco (Jot (jipdacj. to rod Srjaewg €K€lvo puLpirj- 
aopLeOa /cat Tt AtVov Trapa ttJ? rpayLKTJg ^Apidhvrjg 
Xa^ovres elaip^ev is tov Xa^vpivdov eKaoroVy <l)s 
€X€iv diTpaypLovaJS pLr]pv6pL€voL avro i^tevai. 

EPM0TIM02 
ts" av ovv rjpiv ApLaOvrj yevoir av i] irooev tov 

XlVOV €V7TOpiJGOpL€V ; 

ATKIN02 
Qdppet, (L iraXpe. Sokco ydp pLOi evprjKevai 

OVTLVOS €Xppi€VOL i^eXdoipL€V dv . 

EPMOTIMOL 
Tt ovv rovro eoriv ; 

^ ov yap a.TT. Seager ovk av an. MSS. 



HERMOTIMUS 

LYCINUS 

Then what shall we do, Hermotimus ? I do not 
think that we ought to give up because we have no 
such guide at the moment. Is it not the best and 
safest plan for everyone at the beginning to make his 
own way through every system and examine care- 
fully the doctrines of each ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

That seems to follow. But we must watch lest we 
meet this stumbling-block in what you said a little 
before. When we have once committed ourselves 
and spread the sail, it is not easy to return. How can 
we travel all the paths, if we are to be held fast in the 
first, as you say ? 

LYCINUS 

I will tell you. We will copy that stratagem of 
Theseus and take a thread from Ariadne in the play, 
and then enter every labyrinth. So, by winding it 
up we shall have no difficulty in getting out. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Then who will be our Ariadne ? And where shall 
we get our thread ? 

LYCINUS 

Never fear, my friend. I think I have discovered 
what to hold on to, if we are to get out. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Well, what? 

349 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOS 

OvK ifjiov ipaj oAAa rivo? rojv GO(f)a)v, ro " V7J(f>€ 

/cat fiefJLVTjGO aTnoreiv *'• r]v yap jjltj pablcos Tnarev- 

cofxev OLKOvovres aAAa St/cacjTtAcaJ? auro 770ta)/x€v 

aTToAtTTOvre? Kal roZs €^rJ9 Adyov, lgcjs oiv evpLapoJs 

TOVS Xa^VpLvdoVS €K(f)VyOLfX€V. 

EPMOTIMOE 

Eu Aeyets", /cat tovto TTOLajfiev. 

ATKINOL 

48 Efcp'. CTTt TtVa 817 avrcoj/ Trpcorov eXdoLfiev av ; 
Tj TOVTO fjLev ovSev Stotact; ap^api€VOL Se a^* 
OTovovv olov OLTTO Yivdayopov r^v ovtcj tvxJ], 
770(70) dv -x^povix} otd/xe^a iKfjcadelv to. Uvdayopov 
diravTa; /cat /xtJ ^ jitot cfatpet /cat ra irivTe eTrj 
€/cetva TO, tt}? GicoTrrjs' gvv 8' ow rots' ttcWc 
iKava TpLOLKOVTa otfULL, €t §€ /xtJ, dAAo, TTavTOJ? ye 

€LK0GL. 

EPMOTIMOS 

0a)/xcy ovTOJS. 

ATKINOS 

Efra c^tJs" to) YIXoltwvl OeTeov Sr]XaSr] TOoavTa 

€Tepa, €TL {JLTJV Kal ^ApLGTOTeXcL OVK iXaTTO). 
EPMOTIMOL 

Ov ydp, 

ATKINOS 

XpuCTtTTTTOi Se ye ov/cert ipT^GOfial g€ rroGa. olha 
yap TTapa gov aKovoas ort TCTTapaKOVTa fioyig 
iKavd. 

1 /xt; U : om. other MSS. 



HERMOTIMUS 



LYCINUS 

I will tell you — it is not mine, it comes from one of 
the sages : " Keep sober, and remember to dis- 
believe." For, if we are not prepared to believe 
everything we hear, but rather to act like judges and 
let the next man have his say, perhaps we may escape 
the labyrinths with ease. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Good, let us do this. 

LYCINUS 

Well then, which path should we travel first ? Or 
will this make no difference? Let us begin any- 
where — with Pythagoras, for instance. If we do 
this, how long do we suppose we shall spend in 
learning all the doctrines of Pythagoras ? Please do 
not leave out those five years of silence. Including 
the five years I suppose thirty years will be enough, 
or certainly a minimum of twenty. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Let us assume so. 

LYCINUS 

Following that, we must obviously give the same 
number to Plato, and not less to Aristotle. 

HERMOTIMUS 

No, not less. 

LYCINUS 

For Chrysippus, I shall not ask you how many. I 
know from what I have heard you say that forty will 
hardly suffice. 

351 



OvTCDS. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

EPMOTIMOS 



ATKINOE 
Etra i^TJ? ^FiTTLKOvpcp Kal rols oAAot?. (hs Se 
ov TToAAd ravra ridiq^i, eKeWev yiddois av, r]V 
evvoriGrfs oaoc oySor^Kovrovreis elal Srcol'/cot rj 
^^TTLKOvpeiOL T] IIAaTCoi't/cot ofioXoyovvTes l^y] 
TTCLvra ctSeVat ra t^S" iavrov alpeaeajs cAcacTTOS", 
COS" fJLrjSev ivhelv a(f>iGLV is ra fiadrniara. el Se 
firj, dAAd XyavcrtTTTrds' y€ /cat ^ApcGToreXrjg /cat 
HXdrcov cf)ai€v dv, /cat 7rp6 tovtojv 6 Sco/cpdrrys' 
ovSev (fyavXorepos avrcov, o? €K€Kpdy€L TTpos 
diravTas ovx ottcjjs fir} Trdvra, dAAd /xt^S' oAco? 
€tScVat Tt -^ TOVTO fiovov OTt ou/c ofSev. XoyLcrcofjieda 
ovv cf ^PXV^' ^t/co(Tt to) Hu^ayd/^a €ridep,€v, etra 
XlXdrojvi roGavd* erepa, elra e^rjs rots' dAAot?. 
TToora 817 ^ oui^ ravra avvredevra ev K€<f>aXaia) 
yivoir dvy el 8e/ca fJLovas delfxev rds alpeoeis ev 
(f)iXooo(f)ia ; 

EPMOTIMOi: 

*Y7T€p Sta/cd(7ta, (5 Af/ctvc. 

ATKINOE 

BouAct ow d^aipwixev ro reraprov, djs irev- 
n^KOvra /cat e/cardv ctt^ t/cavd efrat, -^ rd TJfXLoru 
oXov ; 

EPMOTIMOS 
49 Avrog dv elSelrjs d[xeLVov iyco Sc opcj rovro, 
on oXlyoL dv /cat ovro) Sid Traawv i^eXOoiev e/c 
yeverrjs evdvg dp^dpuevoi. 

1 877 Bekker : 8' MSS. 



Just so. 



HERMOTIMUS 

HERMOTIMUS 
LYCINUS 



Then Epicurus in his turn, and the rest. You can 
realise that I do not put these figures too high, when 
you consider the number of Stoics, Epicureans, and 
Platonists, who are octogenarians, but who admit, 
each and every one, that they do not know all the 
teachings of their own sect, so as to have a thorough 
knowledge of its doctrines. If they did not admit it, 
then Chrysippus and Aristotle and Plato would, and 
even more would Socrates, a man not one whit their 
inferior : he used to shout out to the whole world not 
only that he did not know everything, but that he knew 
absolutely nothing, or only this one thing — that he 
did not know. Let us count them up from the begin- 
ning: we gave twenty to Pythagoras, the same to 
Plato, and to all the others the same. What would 
the total be if we assume only ten philosophical sects ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

More than two hundred years, Lycinus. 

LYCINUS 

Shall we take off a quarter, and make a hundred 
and fifty years enough, or a whole half? 

HERMOTIMUS 

You would know better than I. I see this : few 
would get through them all even on this reckoning, 
if they began right from the day they were born. 

353 

VOL. VI. N 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOL 

Tt dv ^ ovv Trddoi tls, c5 'Ep/xori/xe, el roiovrov 
eon TO TTpdyfjua; rj dvarpeTrreov eKelva tol rjSr] 
cbfjLoXoyr]fjL€va — cos" ovk dv rt? eXoiro ck ttoXXcov to 
peXnarov fjurj ovxl Tretpadels dTrdvTCOv ; ws rov ye 
dvev TTeipas alpovjjLevov jxavreia jxdXXov rj Kpiaei 
ToXrjdes dvaCrjTOVvra . ovx ovtojs iXeyojxev ; 

EPMOTIMOL 

Nat'. 

ATKINOL 
riaaa roivvv dvdyKT) inl tootovtov jStcovat rjfid?, 
el fxeXXoLixev ev re alpTJaeadai drrdvrcjov Trecpadev- 
reg /cat eXofxevoL (jyiXoGo^rjoeLv /cat ^iXocTo^riaavTeg 
evSaLfxovqcreLv. irplv he ovtoj TTOirjaaL, ev UKorcp 
(j>aoLV opxpipied^ dv ols dv rv^oJiJiev TrpocrTTTaLovres 
/cat o Tt dv TTpwTOv is ras" ;\;etpa? eXOr), tovto 
etvai TO CrjTOVfjLevov VTroXapu^dvovTeg Sta to jJLrj 
elSevai roAr^^eV. et 8e /cat evpoLfiev oAAcos" /cara 
rtva dyadrjv Tv^rji^ TTepnreoovTes aural, ov^ 
e^ofiev jSejSatco? elSevau el eKeZvo eoTLV o ^rjTOVfiev , 
TToXXd ydp eoTLv o/xota avTols, XeyovTa eKaoTOv 
avTO etvai TdXrjdeaTaTOV . 

EPMOTIMOE 

50 *Q AvKLve, OVK otSa ottojs evXoya fxev So/cct? /xot 
Xeyecv, drdp — elpi^aeraL ydp TdXr)des — ov ^erptco? 
di^tas" fie Sie^Lchv aura /cat dKpi^oXoyovpievos ovhev 
heov. lacjjs Se /cat eot/ca ovk eir* dyaOco e^eXr^Xv- 
Oevai TTjixepov €k ttjs ot/ctas" /cat e^eX9<j)v evTeTV)(y]- 

1 av add. Bekker. 

354 



HERMOTIMUS 

LYCINUS 

If that is the case, Hermotimus, what can we do ? 
Must we go back on what we have already agreed — 
that no one can choose the best out of so many 
without trying them all ? We agreed that to choose 
without putting to the test was to seek the truth 
more by divination than by judgment. Is that not 
what we said ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

Yes. 

LYCINUS 

Then there is every necessity for us to live all that 
time, if we are going first to make a good choice 
when we have made trial of them all, then to practise 
philosophy after we have made our choice, and finally 
to be happy after we have practised our philosophy. 
Until we do this we shall be dancing in the dark, as 
they say, and whatever we happen to stumble on, 
and whatever comes first into our hands, we shall 
assume to be what we are after because of our 
ignorance of the truth. In any case even if by some 
good fortune we happen to fall over the truth, we 
shall not be able to know for sure if it is what we are 
after. There are many things much alike, each 
claiming to be the real truth. 

HERMOTIMUS 

I feel, Lycinus, that what you say is reasonable, 
but — and I shall be honest — you annoy me a great 
deal by this detailed examination and your un- 
necessary precision. It may be that it has done me 
no good in leaving home today and then meeting you. 

355 



51 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

K€VaL OOL, OS /X€ TTXrjGiOV tJSt] TTJ^ cATTtSoS" OVTa €LS 

OLTTopias cf>€pcov €fji^€^Xr]Kas dhvvarov airo^aivajv 
rrjs dXrjOeLas ttjv evpeaiv ircov ye rocfovroiv 
heojxevrjv, 

ATKINOi: 

OvKovv, (L iralpey ttoXv StKaiorepov fiefxcfyoLO av 
Tip TTarpt GOV M€V€Kpdr€L Kal rfj firjrpl tJtls ^ irore 
c/caActro (oif yap olSa), ^ /cat ttoXv Trporepov ttj 
(f)va€i r)p,ajv on oe fxr] Kara rov TlOcovov TToXverrj 
Kal piaKpopLov edeGav, aXXd TTepUypaifjav p,r) 
TrXela) ^LcovaL to pLi^KLcrrov ercjv €Kar6v dvdpojTTOV 
ovra. iyd) Se /Ltera oov GK€7Tr6p,€VOS evpov to €k 
Tov Xoyov diTOpdv. 

E PMOTIMOS 

OvK, dXXd vppLGTTjg del av, Kal ovk olB* 6 ri 
Tradwv pbLaelg <f)LXooo<f)Lav Kal is rovs (f>iXoao(f>ovv- 
ras dTTOOTKcoTTreLS. 

ATKINOL 
'^Q. ^^ppLOTLpLey Tjrts" fJiev rj dXijOeid iariv vpL€LS av 
dp,€Lvov elTTOire ol GO<j)oi, crv re Kal 6 BcSdaKoXos. 
iyd) 8e TO y€ rooovrov otSa, (hs ov Trdvu rjSeld 
€GTiv avTT] TOLS dKovovGLV, oAAa TTapevSoKLfjLeLraL 
VTTO TOV ifjevSovs Trapd ttoXv. evTrpoacoTroTepov 
yap €K€ivo Kal hid tovto tJSlov, tj Se are pu-qSeu 
KipSrjXov iavTjj GwecSvla jxerd TTappiqGias StoAeyc- 
rat TOLS dvdpcoTTOLS Kal Sta tovto dxdovrat avrfj. 
Ihov yi TOL, Kal gv vvv dxOj} /xot TdXrjdes i^evpovri. 

7T€pl TOVTOJV p,€Td GOV Kal hrjXoJGaVTL oloJV 

ipajjx€v iyo) re Kal gv, cos" ov ndvu paSlojv. 

^ yjri.s ^ : €t Tis y. 
35<^ 



HERMOTIMUS 

I was already near the fulfilment of my hopes, but 
you have thrown me into difficulties with your 
demonstration that the search for truth is impossible 
since it needs all those years. 



LYCINUS 

Surely it would be much fairer, my friend, to blame 
your father, Menecrates, and your mother, whatever 
her name was (I do not know) or before them our 
human natures for having made you (unlike Ti- 
thonus) of few years and short life, and for decreeing 
a hundred years as the longest life for man All I 
did was with your help to consider and discover the 
conclusions of the argument. 



HERMOTIMUS 

That is not so. You always lord it over us. I don't 
know what makes you hate philosophy and mock 
philosophers. 

LYCINUS 

What truth is, Hermotimus, you wise men can say 
better than I — you and your master I mean. For 
myself I know thus much : truth is not all pleasant to 
listen to ; in estimation it is far outfamed by false- 
hood. Falsehood presents a fairer face, and is there- 
fore more pleasant, while truth knows no deceit and 
speaks with freedom to men, and for this they take 
offence. Look at us : you now take offence with me 
for discovering the truth of these matters with your 
help and showing that what you and I are in love with 
is not easy at all. Suppose you had happened to be 

357 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

wcmep el dvSpidvros ipcjv irvyxavcs Kal a>ov 
rev^eaOai VTroXafi^dvcov dvdpojTTOV elvai, iyoj 8c 
KariSojv wg Xldog ^ ;^aA/co? clt] ifji'^vvGa npos ere 
VTT* cvvolag on dSwdrcDV ipa?, /cat rore Svorvovv 
€p,€ etvaL (pov dv oavrcp Stort <J€ ovk elcov i^aira- 
rdodat dXXoKora Kal dveXiTLara iXTTiCovra. 

EPMOTIMOE 

52 OvKOVV TOVTOf cS AvKLVe, <^7JS", COS" OV ^lXoGO<f)7)- 

T€ov rjp.LV, oAAa XPV dpyia Trapabihovras avrovs 
IBiajTas Kara^LcovaL ; 

ATKINOE 

Kat TTOV rovTO rJKovcTag ipov Xeyovrog ; cya> 
yap ovx CO? ov ^iXoao<j)7]reov <f)r]p,L, aAA' iireLTrep 
<f)iXoao<f>r]Teov o8ot t€ TroXXal elauv eirl (j>iXoao(f>iav 
€KdaT7] Kal dperrjv dyeiv (f)dGKOvoaiy rj 8' dX-qdrjg 
€v avraXs dSrjXog, dKpi^rj TTOirjoaadai rrjv hiaipeoiv . 
dhvvarov hi ye rjpXv e<f)aiveTO ttoXXujv Trporedevrcov 
eXeadai ro dpLarov el pr} enl Trdvra tot ris Treipwpie- 
vog- elrd Tvcog p.aKpd j) Trelpa w(l)9r]. av he TTwg 
d^iOLS ; aunts' yap epTJaopai — otco dv Trpcjrcp 
ivTuyris, rovTCp eipr] Kal (jvyb(f)LXoGO(f>riaeLs KdKelvos 
eppLaiov TTOLTJaeral ae; 

EPMOTIMOi; 

53 Kat ri gol dnoKpLvaLp-qv dv en, os ovre avrov 
nva Kpiveiv olov re elvai <f>'qs, 'qv prj (f>OLVLKOS errj 
piwGT) TTOvras ev kvkXco nepucov Kal TreipcLpbevos 
ovre rols TTpOTreTreLpapevoig TTiGreveiv d^iols ovre 
TOIS TToXXoiS €7TaiVOVGLV Kal piapTvpoxjGiv ; 

3S8 



HERMOTIMUS 

in love with a statue and, thinking it to be human, 
hoped to win it, and suppose I saw it was stone or 
bronze and told you out of friendship that your love 
was impossible, you would in that case too think that I 
was an enemy, because I had not let you be deceived 
when you hoped for what was monstrous and beyond 
your reach. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Then this is what you say, Lycinus, that we must 
not study philosophy, but give ourselves up to idle- 
ness and live out our lives as laymen ? 

LYCINUS 

When have you heard me say that ? What I say 
is not that we must not study philosophy, but that 
since we must, and as there are many paths to 
philosophy and each one claims that it leads to 
virtue, and the true one is not clear, we must be 
careful in our choice. But with so many before us 
we saw it was impossible to choose the best unless 
we were to visit and test every path. Then the trial 
was seen to be somewhat lengthy. Now what do 
you think? I will ask you again — will you follow 
the first guide you light on and join him in his 
study while he takes you for a lucky gift from 
heaven ? 

HERMOTIMUS 

What answer could I give you now, when you say 
that no one can judge for himself, unless he lives as 
long as a phoenix and goes the full round testing all 
the philosophers, and when you do not see fit to trust 
those who have made the test before you or the 
many who give their praise and their testimony ? 

359 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

ATKINOE 

TtVas" <^'i7S' rovs ttoXXovs elBoros /cat 7T€7T€l- 
pajxevovs airdvrcxiv ; el yap rts" tolovtos icrnv, 
LKavog €jJLOLy€ /cat ets", /cat ovKerc ttoXXwv Sei^cret. 
'â– qv Se Tovs ovK elSoras AeyT^S", ovSev tl to ttXtjQos 
avTiov TTpocrd^eral fie 7tlgt€V€lv dxpi' olv 'q fxrjSev rj 
€v elSores irepl diTdvrcjv dnocjialvojVTai. 



EPMOTIMOE 

Mouo? 8e cru rdXr)d€s /caretScs", ol Se oAAot 
dvoTjTOL aTTavres oaoi (j)iXooo<j)ovoiv. 

ATKINOS 

KaratpevSr) /xou, c5 *E/3/>toTt/x€, Xeywv cus" iyoj 
TTpoTidrjfjLL TTTj ifxavTov Twv dX\oiv r^ rdrTO) oXcos 

€V Tols CtSoOrt, /cat OX) fJLVr]lJ,OV€V€LS (Lv €(f)r]Vy OVK 

avTOS ctSeVat rdXrjdes virep tovs oAAou? Stareti^o/xc- 
vos oAAa /xcra ttclvtcdv auro dyvocti^ o/xoAoycov. 



EPMOTIMOi: 

54 'AAA', (x> AvKive, TO [lev eirl ndvTag eXdelv 
Xp'fjvai, /cat TreipadijvaL ojv (f>a(Ti /cat to firj dv 
oAAcos- eXeadai to jSeArtov rj ovtojs, evXoyov tcrcos', 
TO he TTJ TTelpa eKdoTj] ToaavTa eTTj aTToStSovat, 
TTayyeXoLOVy oyairep ovx oTov re ov citt-' oXiycuu 
KaTapiadelv Ta TrdvTO.. ifiol Se /cat Trdw pdSiov 
etvai SoKeZ to toiovtov /cat ov ttoXXtjs SLaTpLprjs 
heofxevov. ^acrt ye toi tojv TrXacrTcov rtva, OetStav 
otfJLai, owx^ fJLOvov XeovTOS ISovTa dir^ eKeivov 
dvaXeXoylodai, tjXlkos dv 6 ttols Xecov yevoiTO /car 

360 



HERMOTIMUS 



LYCINUS 



Who are these many who know and have tested 
them all ? If any such person really exists, one is 
quite enough for me, and there will be no need of 
many. But if you mean those who do not know, the 
number of them will in no way induce me to trust 
them, as long as they make declarations about all 
the systems when they know nothing or only one. 

HERMOTIMUS 

You alone have seen the truth, all the others who 
study philosophy are fools. 

LYCINUS 

You wrong me, Hermotimus, when you say that I 
somehow put myself before other people or in general 
rank myself in some way with those who know. You 
do not remember what I said. I did not maintain that 
I knew the truth more than other people. No, I 
admitted that like all men I was ignorant of it. 

HERMOTIMUS 

Well, Lycinus, the obligation to go round them all, 
making trial of what they say, and the superiority 
of this method of choosing are perhaps reasonable, 
but it is quite ridiculous to spend so many years on 
each test, as if it were not possible to get a thorough 
knowledge of the whole from a scrutiny of a small 
part. This sort of thing seems to me to be quite 
easy, needing little time. At least, they say that some 
sculptor (Phidias, I think) saw only the claw of a 
lion and from it estimated the size of the whole 
animal on the assumption that it was modelled on the 

361 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

a^iav Tov ow^os OLvaTrXaaOcLg. Kal crv Se, -fjv rig 
aoc X^^P^ iJLOVTjv avBpcjTTOV Sel^rj to aAAo crcD/xa 
KaTaKaXvijjag y clgt), olfxaL, aurt/ca on dvOpcoiTos 
ion TO KeKaXyfJUfievov , kov firj ro rrdv crcD/za lStjs. 
/cat Toiwv ra fiev KecjyaXaicoSr) (Lv a7TavT€S Xiyovai, 
paSiov Karafiadelv iv oXiyo) fjuopicp -qpuepag, to he 

V7T€paKpLp€9 TOVTO Kal fjbaKpds TTJg i^€Tda€U)S 

SeofjLCVOV ov ^ Trdw dvayKalov is rrjv atpecrtv tov 
^cXtIovos, oAA' cart Kplvai Kal an iKelvojv. 

ATKINOS 

55 IlaTrat, (L ^FtpfJuoTLfxe, ca? Icrxvpo. raura €ipr]Kas 
OLTTO Ta)V fJi€pcov ciftcDv ra oXa elSevau. KaiToi iyoj 
TO, ivavTia aKOvoag pLefivrjfjLaL cog 6 /xev to oXov 
elSojg elSelrj dv Kal to fxipos, 6 8e p,6vov to [lipog 
ovK€TV Kal TO oXov. ovTCOs Kal fxoi Tohe dnoKpLvai' 
6 OctStas" dv 7roT€ ISojv owxcl Xeovtos eyvcu dv 
OTi XeovTos ioTTLV, el pLJ] icjpaKei iroTe XeovTa 
oXov ; t) oi) dvdpwTTOV X^^P^ I8d)v eax^g dv cIttclv 
on dvdp(x)7Tov icTl pLrj TrpoTCpov elScbg /xr^Se 
iwpaKcbg dvOpcDvov ; tl aiyas ; tj jSouAct iyd) 
diTOKplvixypiai virep oov ra ye dvayKala otl ovk 
dv etx^g ; cuare KLvSvvevet 6 OctSta? dirpaKTog 
aTTeXrjXvdevai pidTr^v dvanXdaas tov XeovTa' ovhev 
yap TTpos TOV Alowgov wTTTai ^ Xeycov. ^ ncog 
TavTa iKelvoig ojLtota; ra) piev yap Oet8ta /cat aol 
ovhev dXXo tov yvcjopl^etv ra p^epr] atrtov rjv t] to 
elSevai, to oXov — dvOpojirov Xeycj Kal XeovTa- iv 

1 ov edd. : Kal MSS. 

2 oStttoi anon, conjecture : co irat MSS. 

1 I.e., irrelevant. Epigenes of Sicyon, a tragic poet, is said 
to have been upbraided by his audience for introducing into 
3^2 



HERMOTIMUS 

same scale as the claw. You too, if you were shown 
only the hand of a man, the rest of the body being 
hidden, would, I suppose, know at once that the 
hidden figure was a human being, even though you 
did not see the whole body. So in a fraction of a day 
it is easy to acquire a good knowledge of the essential 
points of all the systems, and this precise enquiry 
which calls for lengthy research is quite unnecessary 
for choosing that which is preferable. No, you can 
make a judgment from samples. 

LYCINUS 

Goodness, Hermotimus, how sure you sound when 
you affirm that you can know the whole from the 
parts! And yet I remember hearing just the 
opposite, that if you know the whole you know the 
part as well, while if you know only the part, you can- 
not then know the whole as well. Tell me this : would 
Phidias when he saw the lion's claw ever have 
known that it belonged to a lion, if he had never seen 
a whole lion ? If you saw a human hand, could you 
have said that it belonged to a man if you had not 
previously knowTi or seen a man ? Why do you not 
answer ? Am I to give the only possible answer for 
you, that you could not have said it? It looks as 
though Phidias has retired unsuccessful and has 
modelled his lion in vain ; clearly he is saying what 
has nothing to do with Dionysus ! ^ Or what com- 
parison is there? Both Phidias and you yourself 
had no other means of recognising the parts than 
your knowledge of the whole — I mean the whole man 

the worship of Dionysus themes which had nothing to do with 
the god. 

3^3 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

<f>LXoGO<f)La 8e, OLOV TTJ Htcolkojv, ttcos dv aiTO rod 
jjLepovs Kal ra Xolttol tSois ; 'q ttcos ov aTTO(j>aivoio 
(I)S KoXd; ov yap olada to oXov ov fieprj iKclvd 
iarvv. 

^" **0 8c <f>ijs, ore rd K€<j)a\aia paSiov aKovaai 
dTrddrfS <f)iXooo(f)ia9 iv oXiyco pLOpico rjpiepas (olov 
dp^ds avrojv Kal riXi] /cat rt deovs otovraL cfvat, 
Tt i/wx^jv, Kal TLves fxev acofxara Trdvra <^acrt, rtVes" 
he Kal dcrajpLara ctvat a^toucrt, Kal on. ol pukv 
rihovrjVy ol Se ro KaXov dyadov Kal €vSaip,ov 
ridevrai Kal rd roiavra) ovrojorl p.€v dKovaavrag 
dTTO<j>rivaoB ai paSuov Kal epyov ovSev etSeVat Se 
oorns 6 rdXrjd-fj Xeycuv iarlv, opa fxr] ovxl p^opuov 
iarlv rjfjLepas dXXd ttoXXojv 7]p.€pa)v SerjraL, rj ri 
ydp eKcXvoL TraBovres vnep avrcov rovroav iKarov- 
rdhas Kal ;j^tAta8as" pipXlcov eKacrroL avyyeypd<j)a-' 
GLV, COS" 7T€Laai€V ot/xat dX-qdij elvai rd oXlya 
€Keiva Kal a ooi So/cet pdhia Kal evfiadrj ; vvv 
8e pudvreojs ot/xat Se-qaci gol KdvravOa irpos rrjv 
atpeaiv rtov Kpcurrovajv, el p,T] dvexi) rr)v SiarpiPijv 
ws dKpi^cJJS eXeaOai, avros diravra Kal oXov 
eKaarov Karavo-qoas. eTTiropLOS ydp avrr) yevoir 
dv, ovK exovaa TrepnrXoKds oz)S' dva^oXds, el 
pieraareiXdp,evos rov pidvriv dKovoas rdv Ke^a" 
Xalojv dirdvrcov G<f)ayLdIl,oLo c^* eKdarois'^ diraX- 
Xd^ei ydp ae 6 Beos pivpioiv irpayp^drcuv Sel^as ev 
rep rod lepeiov TJirari driva aoi aipereov, 

57 Et 8e ^ovXei, Kal oAAo ri dirpaypioveGrepov 

VTToB-qaofiai gol, cog p,r) lepela KaraBvr)s ravrl koI 

BvaidCr)? rep ^ jLt')78e lepea nvd rwv pieyaXopiLaBcov 

TrapaKoXfiSy oAAa es KdXinv epLpaXcbv ypapipidri.a 

1 iKaoTOiS edd. : eKaanrrjs MSS. 



HERMOTIMUS 

and lion ; and in a philosophy (the Stoic, for instance) 
how can you by knowing a part see the rest as well ? 
How can you prove the rest beautiful ? You see, you 
do not know the whole of which they are parts. 

As to your contention that it is easy in a small part 
of a day to hear the essentials of all philosophies (I 
suppose you mean their principles and ends, their 
views of the gods and the soul, who say that every- 
thing is corporeal, who assert that immaterial things 
also exist, the fact that some identify " pleasure," 
others ** the beautiful " with goodness and happiness, 
and so on), after a hearing of this sort it is easy and no 
trouble to state the facts ; but to know which is the 
one that is telling the truth will surely require not 
part of a day but many days. If not, why on earth 
have they all written books by the hundreds and 
thousands on these very subjects, to prove the truth, 
I suppose, of these very parts, those few parts, which 
you think easy and soon learnt ? Here too, I fancy, 
you will have need of a prophet to help you choose 
the best, unless you spend time on accurate selection 
and make a personal and detailed study of all and 
everything. It would certainly be a short cut with 
no complications or delays if you sent for a prophet, 
listened to the essentials of them all, and sacrificed 
for each one : the god will save you a great deal of 
trouble if he reveals in the victim's liver the choice 
you must make. 

I will, if you like, suggest another, less trouble- 
some way, without this slaughter of victims or sacri- 
fice to anybody or calling in one of these expensive 
priests : put some tablets into a pitcher with the name 

* dvaid^ris Tcp Lehmann : dvoLd^rj to) N : dvaias tprjTOiv V. 



THE WORKS OF LUCIAN 

e^ovra rcov (f)LXoa6(f)a>v eKaorov rovvofia KeXeve 
TToiha — T(x)v avrj^ojv a/x^t^aA'^ riva — npooreXdovTa 
Trpos Trjv koXttiv aveXeodai 6 tl av Trpabrov vtto 
rrjv X^^P^ eXdrj ra)v ypajLt/xartcov, kol to Xoittov 
Kara rov Xa^ovra €K€lvov ogtls av fj (f>iXoa6<f)€L. 

EPMOTIMOE 

58 TavTL jiivy (1> AvKiv€y j3co/xoAo;^tK'a kol ov Kara 
a€. av §€ €tW piOL' tJSt] 7tot€ olvov iTTpLOj avTos ; 

ATKINOE 

Kat fidXa TToXXaKis, 

EPMOTIMOE 

^A/3* ovv 7T€pLi^€Ls aiTavTas â