The
_general_
subject of the book seems to be agreed upon by all
commentators, though they differ as to the details.
commentators, though they differ as to the details.
Satires
, Fr.
2.
Plin. , IX. , xv. , 17. Lucret. , ii. , 532; iv. , 192.
[1689] _Concursans. _ iv. , Fr. 17.
_Ancarius. _ The ἄγγαρος, "a mounted courier of the Persians," such
as were kept in readiness at regular stages for carrying the royal
dispatches. (Cf. Herod. , viii. , 98; iii. , 126. Xen. , Cyr. , VIII. ,
vi. , 17. Æsch. , Agam. , 282. Marco Polo describes the same institution
as existing among the Mongol Tartars. Heeren, Ideen, i. , p. 497. Cf.
Welcker's Æschyl. , Trilog. , p. 121. ) The name was then applied to any
porter, or carrier of burdens, and hence specially to "an ass," which,
Forcellini says, is its meaning here. Hence _rudet_, cf. Pers. , Sat.
iii. , 9.
_Quiritare_, is to appeal to the citizens for help, by calling out
"Cursum," etc. Cic. ad Div. , x. , 32. It was the _city_ cry. Countrymen
were said "Jubilare. " Varro, L. L. , v. 7. Cf. Liv. , xxxix. , 8. Plin. ,
Pan. , xxix. Quinctil. , iii. , 8, "Rogatus sententiam, si modo est sanus,
non quiritet. "
[1690] _Facul_, i. e. , facilè. "Haud facul fœmina invenietur bona. "
Pacuv. ap. Non. , ii. , 331. "Difficul" is used in the same manner.
[1691] Descriptive probably of the meanness and antiquity of the
miser's furniture. Grabatum, from the Macedonian word κράβατος, is used
for the coarsest kind of bed. Cf. Cic. , Div. , ii. , 63. Mart. , vi. ,
Ep. xxxix. , 4; xii. , Ep. xxxii. , 12, "Ibat tripes grabatus et tripes
mensa;" where Martial is describing a somewhat similarly luxurious
establishment. Virg. , Moret. , 5. Sen. , Epist. xviii. , 5; xx. , 10. These
sort of beds seem to have been supported on ropes. Cf. Petr. , Sat. 97.
Mart. , v. , Ep. lxii. , 6, "Putris et abrupta fascia reste jacet. " S.
Mark, ii. , 9. (See the lines attributed to Sulpicia, quoted in the old
Schol. to Juv. , Sat. vi. , 538. Lucil. , xi. , Fr. 13. )
[1692] _Amphitape. _ Lib. i. , Fr. 21.
[1693] The _Atrium_, which was generally the principal apartment in the
house, had an opening in the centre of the roof, called Compluvium,
or Cavum Ædium, toward which the roof sloped so as to throw the
rainwater into a cistern in the floor (commonly made of marble), called
Impluvium. (See the drawings of the houses of Pansa and Sallust,
Pompeii, vol. ii. , p. 108, 120. Bekker's Gallus, p. 257. ) The two
terms are used indifferently. The _Cinerarius_ seems to be the same
as the Ciniflo (Hor. , i. , Sat. ii. , 98, "a cinere flando," Acron. in
loc. ), "the slave who heated the Calamistri, or curling pins. " Bekker's
Gallus, p. 440.
[1694] _Latrinam_, quasi lavatrinam, "the private bath;" balneum being
more commonly applied to the public one. Cf. Plaut. , Curc. , IV. ,
iv. , 24. Turneb. It is sometimes put for a worse place, as we say
"wash-house. " Vid. Bekker's Gallus, p. 265.
[1695] _Musimo_ is put for any hybrid animal, as a mule, etc. "Animal
ex duobus animalibus diversæ speciei procreatum. " It is applied to a
cross between a goat and a sheep. So Plin. , VIII. , xlix. , 75. Compare
the Greek μούσμων.
[1696] See Argument. _Suam_ seems to imply "one of their own order. "
Nonius explains _innubere_ by "transire," because women when married
pass to their husbands' houses: it generally means the same as nubere.
But Cort. (ad Lucan, iii. , 23, "Innupsit tepido pellex Cornelia busto")
explains it "marrying _beneath one's_ station," which is very probably
its force here. See Bentley's note on the line, who suggests the
emendation "transitivè," no doubt correctly.
[1697] _Porcent_, i. e. , porro arcent, prohibent, used by Ennius,
Pacuvius, and Accius.
[1698] "The conventional phrase of forced courtesy implies the
familiarity of equal friendship. " See Arg.
[1699] Ter. , And. , III. , ii, 4, "Quod jussi ei dari bibere, date. " _Ab
summo_, i. e. , beginning from him that sits at the top of the table.
Vid. Schol. ad Hom. , Il. , i, 597. Cic. , de Sen. , xiv. Plaut. , Pers. ,
V. , i. , 19. As V. , ii. , 41, "Da, puere, ab summo: Age tu interibi ab
infimo da suavium. " So in Greek, ἐν κύκλῳ πίνειν.
BOOK VII.
ARGUMENT.
The _general_ subject of the book seems to be agreed upon by all
commentators, though they differ as to the details. Schoenbeck
says it is directed against the lusts of women; particularly
the occasions where those lusts had most opportunity of being
exhibited and gratified, the festivals of the Matronalia and the
kindred Saturnalia. Petermann considers that it refers simply
to the intercourse between husbands and wives, in which view
Dousa seems to coincide. Duentzer takes a wider view, and says
it refers to _all_ licentious pleasures. Van Heusde leaves the
matter undecided. Gerlach coincides with the general view, but
supposes that the passions and the quarrels alluded to must be
referred to _slaves_, or at all events persons of the lowest
station, for whom festivals, like the Sigillaria (alluded to in
Fr. 4), were more particularly intended. The first two Fragments
evidently refer to a matrimonial brawl. The tenth, eleventh,
and twelfth refer to an unhallowed passion. The fifth, sixth,
and thirteenth to the unnatural and effeminate refinements
practiced by a class of persons too often referred to in Juvenal
and Persius. The fifteenth, to the fastidious taste of those
who professed to be judges of such matters. The connection of
the seventh Fragment is uncertain, as it applies apparently to
rewards for military service.
1 When he wishes to punish her for her misdeed, the fellow takes
a Samian potsherd and straightway mutilates himself--[1700]
2 I said, I come to the main point; I had rather belabor my wife,
grown old and mannish, than emasculate myself--[1701]
3 . . . who would love you, prove himself the patron of your bloom
and beauty, and promise to be your friend.
4 This is the slaves' holiday; a day which you evidently can not
express in Hexameter verse. [1702]
5 I am shaved, plucked, scaled, pumice-stoned, bedecked, polished
up and painted--[1703]
6 Did I ever compare this man with Apollo's favorite
Hyacinthus. [1704]
7 Five spears: a light-armed skirmisher, with a belt of
gold. [1705]
8 first glows like hot iron from the forge--
9 If he moves and flattens his nostrils as a dolphin at
times. [1706]
10 The one grinds, the other winnows corn as it were. . . . [1707]
11 . . . bloom and beauty, like a go-between and kind
procuress. [1708]
12 like that renowned Phryne when. . . . [1709]
13 that no dirt settle on the ear . . . no vermin--
14 . . . that have no eyes, or nose. . . .
15 We are severe; difficult to please; fastidious as to good
things.
16
17 . . . and the goose's neck. [1710]
18
19 . . . We murmur, are ground, sink down. . . . [1711]
20 you whimper in the same way--[1712]
21 With such passion and hatred for him am I transported. [1713]
22 Here is Macedo if Acron is too long flaccid. [1714]
FOOTNOTES:
[1700] _Samos_ produced a particular kind of earth (Samia creta),
peculiarly serviceable in the potter's art. Hence the earthenware
of Samos acquired, even in very early ages, considerable celebrity;
and the potters at Samos, as at Corinth, Athens, and Ægina, formed a
considerable portion of the population. See the pun on "Vas Samium,"
Plaut. , Bacch. , II. , ii. , 23. Vid. Müller's Ancient Art, § 62. With
the sharp fragments of the Samian potsherds, the Galli, or priests of
Cybele, were accustomed to mutilate themselves. Plin. , XXXV. , xii. , 46.
Juv. , vi. , 513, "Mollia qui ruptâ secuit genitalia testâ. " Mart, iii. ,
Ep. lxxxi. , 3.
[1701] _Virosus_, φιλανδρος, "viri appetens. "
[1702] The Scholiast on Hor. , i. , Sat. v. , 87, tells us that the
allusion is to the festival of the Sigillaria. (Auson. , Ecl. de Fer.
Rom. , 32, "Sacra Sigillorum nomine dicta colunt. ") The Saturnalia
were originally held on the 19th of December (xiv. Kal. Jan. ), and
lasted for one day only. They were instituted B. C. 497 (Liv. , ii. ,
21; xxii. , 1), and were intended to commemorate the golden days of
Saturn, when slavery was unknown; hence slaves were waited on by their
masters, who wore a short robe, called the Synthesis, for that purpose.
It was a time of general festivity and rejoicing; and presents were
interchanged between friends. The festival was afterward extended to
three days by an edict of Julius Cæsar, which Augustus confirmed; and,
commencing on the 17th, terminated on the 19th. (Macrob. , Sat. i. ,
10. ). Caligula added two more days (or one at least, Suet. , Cal. , 17),
which custom Claudius revived when it had fallen into desuetude. Then
the Sigillaria were added, so that the period of festivity was extended
to seven days. Mart. , xiv. , Ep. 72. The Sigillaria were so called from
sigillum, "a small image. " (From the words of Macrobius, it seems
that these sigilla were _images_ of men offered to Dis, and intended
as substitutes for the _living_ sacrifices which were offered in more
barbarous ages. Macrob. , _u. s. _) The name was applied to the little
figures which were sent as presents on the occasion of this festival.
These not unfrequently were confectionery or sweetmeats made in this
form. Senec. , Ep. , xii. , 3. Suet. , Claud. , 5. The Easter cakes in Roman
Catholic countries are no doubt a remnant of this custom. (Cf. Blunt's
Vestiges, p. 119. )
[1703] _Pumicor. _ Cf. Ov. , A. Am. , i. , 506, "Nec tua mordaci pumice
crura teras. " Juv. , viii. , 16, "Si tenerum attritus Catinensi pumice
lumbum. " ix. , 95, "res Mortifera est inimicus pumice lævis. " The
pumice-stone, particularly that found at the foot of Mount Ætna, was
used to render the skin delicately smooth. Resin, and a kind of plaster
made of pitch, was used to eradicate all superfluous hairs. Plin. ,
xiv. , 20; xxxv. , 21. Cf. ad Juv. , viii. , 114, "Resinata juventus. " ix. ,
14, "Bruttia præstabat calidi tibi fascia visci. " ii. , 12. Pers. , iv. ,
36, 40, Plaut. , Pseud. , I. , ii. , 9. Mart. , xiv. , Ep. 205.
[1704] _Hyacintho. _ Cf. ad Virg. , Ecl. , iii. , 63. Ov. , Met. , x. , 185,
_seq. _ _Cortinipotens_ is an epithet of Apollo as lord of the Cortina;
i. e. , the egg-shaped basin on the Delphian tripod whence the oracles
were echoed. Vid. Hase's Ancient Greeks, p. 144. Serv. ad Virg. , Æn. ,
iii. , 92, "Mugire aditis Cortina reclusis. " vi. , 347, "Neque te Phœbi
cortina fefellit. " Suet. , Aug. , 52. _Contendi. _ Cf. lib. i. , Fr. 15.
[1705] _Cinctus_ is sometimes put for a soldier.
Plin. , IX. , xv. , 17. Lucret. , ii. , 532; iv. , 192.
[1689] _Concursans. _ iv. , Fr. 17.
_Ancarius. _ The ἄγγαρος, "a mounted courier of the Persians," such
as were kept in readiness at regular stages for carrying the royal
dispatches. (Cf. Herod. , viii. , 98; iii. , 126. Xen. , Cyr. , VIII. ,
vi. , 17. Æsch. , Agam. , 282. Marco Polo describes the same institution
as existing among the Mongol Tartars. Heeren, Ideen, i. , p. 497. Cf.
Welcker's Æschyl. , Trilog. , p. 121. ) The name was then applied to any
porter, or carrier of burdens, and hence specially to "an ass," which,
Forcellini says, is its meaning here. Hence _rudet_, cf. Pers. , Sat.
iii. , 9.
_Quiritare_, is to appeal to the citizens for help, by calling out
"Cursum," etc. Cic. ad Div. , x. , 32. It was the _city_ cry. Countrymen
were said "Jubilare. " Varro, L. L. , v. 7. Cf. Liv. , xxxix. , 8. Plin. ,
Pan. , xxix. Quinctil. , iii. , 8, "Rogatus sententiam, si modo est sanus,
non quiritet. "
[1690] _Facul_, i. e. , facilè. "Haud facul fœmina invenietur bona. "
Pacuv. ap. Non. , ii. , 331. "Difficul" is used in the same manner.
[1691] Descriptive probably of the meanness and antiquity of the
miser's furniture. Grabatum, from the Macedonian word κράβατος, is used
for the coarsest kind of bed. Cf. Cic. , Div. , ii. , 63. Mart. , vi. ,
Ep. xxxix. , 4; xii. , Ep. xxxii. , 12, "Ibat tripes grabatus et tripes
mensa;" where Martial is describing a somewhat similarly luxurious
establishment. Virg. , Moret. , 5. Sen. , Epist. xviii. , 5; xx. , 10. These
sort of beds seem to have been supported on ropes. Cf. Petr. , Sat. 97.
Mart. , v. , Ep. lxii. , 6, "Putris et abrupta fascia reste jacet. " S.
Mark, ii. , 9. (See the lines attributed to Sulpicia, quoted in the old
Schol. to Juv. , Sat. vi. , 538. Lucil. , xi. , Fr. 13. )
[1692] _Amphitape. _ Lib. i. , Fr. 21.
[1693] The _Atrium_, which was generally the principal apartment in the
house, had an opening in the centre of the roof, called Compluvium,
or Cavum Ædium, toward which the roof sloped so as to throw the
rainwater into a cistern in the floor (commonly made of marble), called
Impluvium. (See the drawings of the houses of Pansa and Sallust,
Pompeii, vol. ii. , p. 108, 120. Bekker's Gallus, p. 257. ) The two
terms are used indifferently. The _Cinerarius_ seems to be the same
as the Ciniflo (Hor. , i. , Sat. ii. , 98, "a cinere flando," Acron. in
loc. ), "the slave who heated the Calamistri, or curling pins. " Bekker's
Gallus, p. 440.
[1694] _Latrinam_, quasi lavatrinam, "the private bath;" balneum being
more commonly applied to the public one. Cf. Plaut. , Curc. , IV. ,
iv. , 24. Turneb. It is sometimes put for a worse place, as we say
"wash-house. " Vid. Bekker's Gallus, p. 265.
[1695] _Musimo_ is put for any hybrid animal, as a mule, etc. "Animal
ex duobus animalibus diversæ speciei procreatum. " It is applied to a
cross between a goat and a sheep. So Plin. , VIII. , xlix. , 75. Compare
the Greek μούσμων.
[1696] See Argument. _Suam_ seems to imply "one of their own order. "
Nonius explains _innubere_ by "transire," because women when married
pass to their husbands' houses: it generally means the same as nubere.
But Cort. (ad Lucan, iii. , 23, "Innupsit tepido pellex Cornelia busto")
explains it "marrying _beneath one's_ station," which is very probably
its force here. See Bentley's note on the line, who suggests the
emendation "transitivè," no doubt correctly.
[1697] _Porcent_, i. e. , porro arcent, prohibent, used by Ennius,
Pacuvius, and Accius.
[1698] "The conventional phrase of forced courtesy implies the
familiarity of equal friendship. " See Arg.
[1699] Ter. , And. , III. , ii, 4, "Quod jussi ei dari bibere, date. " _Ab
summo_, i. e. , beginning from him that sits at the top of the table.
Vid. Schol. ad Hom. , Il. , i, 597. Cic. , de Sen. , xiv. Plaut. , Pers. ,
V. , i. , 19. As V. , ii. , 41, "Da, puere, ab summo: Age tu interibi ab
infimo da suavium. " So in Greek, ἐν κύκλῳ πίνειν.
BOOK VII.
ARGUMENT.
The _general_ subject of the book seems to be agreed upon by all
commentators, though they differ as to the details. Schoenbeck
says it is directed against the lusts of women; particularly
the occasions where those lusts had most opportunity of being
exhibited and gratified, the festivals of the Matronalia and the
kindred Saturnalia. Petermann considers that it refers simply
to the intercourse between husbands and wives, in which view
Dousa seems to coincide. Duentzer takes a wider view, and says
it refers to _all_ licentious pleasures. Van Heusde leaves the
matter undecided. Gerlach coincides with the general view, but
supposes that the passions and the quarrels alluded to must be
referred to _slaves_, or at all events persons of the lowest
station, for whom festivals, like the Sigillaria (alluded to in
Fr. 4), were more particularly intended. The first two Fragments
evidently refer to a matrimonial brawl. The tenth, eleventh,
and twelfth refer to an unhallowed passion. The fifth, sixth,
and thirteenth to the unnatural and effeminate refinements
practiced by a class of persons too often referred to in Juvenal
and Persius. The fifteenth, to the fastidious taste of those
who professed to be judges of such matters. The connection of
the seventh Fragment is uncertain, as it applies apparently to
rewards for military service.
1 When he wishes to punish her for her misdeed, the fellow takes
a Samian potsherd and straightway mutilates himself--[1700]
2 I said, I come to the main point; I had rather belabor my wife,
grown old and mannish, than emasculate myself--[1701]
3 . . . who would love you, prove himself the patron of your bloom
and beauty, and promise to be your friend.
4 This is the slaves' holiday; a day which you evidently can not
express in Hexameter verse. [1702]
5 I am shaved, plucked, scaled, pumice-stoned, bedecked, polished
up and painted--[1703]
6 Did I ever compare this man with Apollo's favorite
Hyacinthus. [1704]
7 Five spears: a light-armed skirmisher, with a belt of
gold. [1705]
8 first glows like hot iron from the forge--
9 If he moves and flattens his nostrils as a dolphin at
times. [1706]
10 The one grinds, the other winnows corn as it were. . . . [1707]
11 . . . bloom and beauty, like a go-between and kind
procuress. [1708]
12 like that renowned Phryne when. . . . [1709]
13 that no dirt settle on the ear . . . no vermin--
14 . . . that have no eyes, or nose. . . .
15 We are severe; difficult to please; fastidious as to good
things.
16
17 . . . and the goose's neck. [1710]
18
19 . . . We murmur, are ground, sink down. . . . [1711]
20 you whimper in the same way--[1712]
21 With such passion and hatred for him am I transported. [1713]
22 Here is Macedo if Acron is too long flaccid. [1714]
FOOTNOTES:
[1700] _Samos_ produced a particular kind of earth (Samia creta),
peculiarly serviceable in the potter's art. Hence the earthenware
of Samos acquired, even in very early ages, considerable celebrity;
and the potters at Samos, as at Corinth, Athens, and Ægina, formed a
considerable portion of the population. See the pun on "Vas Samium,"
Plaut. , Bacch. , II. , ii. , 23. Vid. Müller's Ancient Art, § 62. With
the sharp fragments of the Samian potsherds, the Galli, or priests of
Cybele, were accustomed to mutilate themselves. Plin. , XXXV. , xii. , 46.
Juv. , vi. , 513, "Mollia qui ruptâ secuit genitalia testâ. " Mart, iii. ,
Ep. lxxxi. , 3.
[1701] _Virosus_, φιλανδρος, "viri appetens. "
[1702] The Scholiast on Hor. , i. , Sat. v. , 87, tells us that the
allusion is to the festival of the Sigillaria. (Auson. , Ecl. de Fer.
Rom. , 32, "Sacra Sigillorum nomine dicta colunt. ") The Saturnalia
were originally held on the 19th of December (xiv. Kal. Jan. ), and
lasted for one day only. They were instituted B. C. 497 (Liv. , ii. ,
21; xxii. , 1), and were intended to commemorate the golden days of
Saturn, when slavery was unknown; hence slaves were waited on by their
masters, who wore a short robe, called the Synthesis, for that purpose.
It was a time of general festivity and rejoicing; and presents were
interchanged between friends. The festival was afterward extended to
three days by an edict of Julius Cæsar, which Augustus confirmed; and,
commencing on the 17th, terminated on the 19th. (Macrob. , Sat. i. ,
10. ). Caligula added two more days (or one at least, Suet. , Cal. , 17),
which custom Claudius revived when it had fallen into desuetude. Then
the Sigillaria were added, so that the period of festivity was extended
to seven days. Mart. , xiv. , Ep. 72. The Sigillaria were so called from
sigillum, "a small image. " (From the words of Macrobius, it seems
that these sigilla were _images_ of men offered to Dis, and intended
as substitutes for the _living_ sacrifices which were offered in more
barbarous ages. Macrob. , _u. s. _) The name was applied to the little
figures which were sent as presents on the occasion of this festival.
These not unfrequently were confectionery or sweetmeats made in this
form. Senec. , Ep. , xii. , 3. Suet. , Claud. , 5. The Easter cakes in Roman
Catholic countries are no doubt a remnant of this custom. (Cf. Blunt's
Vestiges, p. 119. )
[1703] _Pumicor. _ Cf. Ov. , A. Am. , i. , 506, "Nec tua mordaci pumice
crura teras. " Juv. , viii. , 16, "Si tenerum attritus Catinensi pumice
lumbum. " ix. , 95, "res Mortifera est inimicus pumice lævis. " The
pumice-stone, particularly that found at the foot of Mount Ætna, was
used to render the skin delicately smooth. Resin, and a kind of plaster
made of pitch, was used to eradicate all superfluous hairs. Plin. ,
xiv. , 20; xxxv. , 21. Cf. ad Juv. , viii. , 114, "Resinata juventus. " ix. ,
14, "Bruttia præstabat calidi tibi fascia visci. " ii. , 12. Pers. , iv. ,
36, 40, Plaut. , Pseud. , I. , ii. , 9. Mart. , xiv. , Ep. 205.
[1704] _Hyacintho. _ Cf. ad Virg. , Ecl. , iii. , 63. Ov. , Met. , x. , 185,
_seq. _ _Cortinipotens_ is an epithet of Apollo as lord of the Cortina;
i. e. , the egg-shaped basin on the Delphian tripod whence the oracles
were echoed. Vid. Hase's Ancient Greeks, p. 144. Serv. ad Virg. , Æn. ,
iii. , 92, "Mugire aditis Cortina reclusis. " vi. , 347, "Neque te Phœbi
cortina fefellit. " Suet. , Aug. , 52. _Contendi. _ Cf. lib. i. , Fr. 15.
[1705] _Cinctus_ is sometimes put for a soldier.
