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And Alexis, in his Curis, says—

And now I see a multitude of men Hastening to a feast, as if a goodly company Were here invited. May it be my luck To keep out of your way, my revellers, After your dancing ([Greek: ballismos]) and your feasting both Have gone off well and are quite finish'd. For I should never bear my robe off safely, Unless my wings had grown.

I know, too, that the word is found in other places, and when I recollect the exact passage, I will bring it forward.

64. But we have a right to ask of you, who have quoted to us these lines out of Homer,

But say, you joyful troop so gaily drest, Is this a bridal or a friendly feast?—

in what respect the different sorts of feasts, which he calls [Greek: eilapinê] and [Greek: eranos], differ from one another? But, since you are silent, I will tell you; for, as the poet of Syracuse says,—

I by myself am equal to the task Which formerly it took two men to answer.

The ancients used to call sacrifices, and the more splendid kind of preparations, [Greek: eilapinai]; and those who partook of them they used to call [Greek: eilapinastai]. But those feasts they called [Greek: eranoi], the materials for which were contributed by all who joined in them; and this name was derived from all the guests being friendly together ([Greek: apo tou syneran]) and contributing. And this same [Greek: eranos] is also called [Greek: thiasos], and those who partake of it are called [Greek: eranistai] and [Greek: synthiasôtai]. The crowd, also, which follows Bacchus in his festivals is called [Greek: thiasos], as Euripides says—

I see three thiasi of women coming.

And they gave them the name [Greek: thiasos] from the word [Greek: Theos];—and, indeed, the Lacedæmonian form of the word [Greek: Theos] is [Greek: sios]. And the word [Greek: eilapinê] is derived from the preparation and expense gone to for such purposes; for being destructive and extravagant is called [Greek: laphyttein kai lapazein], from which words the poets have used the word [Greek: alapazô] for to destroy. And the plunder which is carried off after the sacking of a city they call [Greek: laphyra]. And accordingly Æschylus and Euripides have given to the more luxurious banquets the name of [Greek: eilapinai], from the verb [Greek: lapazô]. There is also a verb, [Greek: laptô],