Page:The Deipnosophists (Volume 2).djvu/152

 which means to digest one's food, and to become relaxed ([Greek: lagaros]) by becoming empty. And from this word [Greek: lagaros] we get the word [Greek: lagôn] (the flank), and also [Greek: laganon] (a thin, broad cake); and from the word [Greek: lapattô] we get [Greek: lapara] (the loins). And the verb [Greek: laphyttô] means, with great freedom and abundance to evacuate and erupt oneself. And the word [Greek: dapanaô] (to spend) is derived from [Greek: daptô]; and [Greek: daptô] is akin to [Greek: dapsilês]; on which account we find the verbs [Greek: daptô] and [Greek: dardaptô] applied to those who eat in a voracious and savage manner. Homer says—

Him the fierce dogs and hungry vultures tore ([Greek: katedapsan]).

But the word [Greek: euôchia] (a luxurious feast) is derived not from [Greek: ochê], which means nutriment, but from everything going on well ([Greek: apo tou eu echein]) in such a banquet, in which those who assemble honour the deity, and give themselves up to mirth and relaxation; and from this relaxation ([Greek: apo tou methienai]) they call wine [Greek: methy], and the god who gave them wine they call Methymnæus, and Lyæus, and Evius, and Icius; just as also they call a man who is not sullen-looking and morose [Greek: hilaros]; on which account, too, they pray the deity to be propitious ([Greek: hileôs]), uttering the ejaculation [Greek: iê, iê]. And from this again they call the place where they do this [Greek: hieron]. And that they meant very nearly the same thing by [Greek: hileôs] and [Greek: hilaros] is plain from the language used by Ephippus, in his play entitled Traffic; for he is speaking of a courtesan, and he says—

Then too, when any one is out of humour, When he comes in she flatters him discreetly, And kisses him, not pressing his mouth hard Like some fierce enemy; but just billing towards him Like some fond sparrow; then she sings and comforts him, And makes him cheerful ([Greek: hilaros]) and dispels all clouds From off his face, and renders him propitious ([Greek: hileôs]).

65. But the ancients, who represented the gods under the form of men, arranged all their festivals on a similar principle; for, seeing that it is not possible to divert men from an eagerness for pleasure, but that it is useful and expedient to accustom them to enjoy themselves with moderation and in an orderly manner, they set apart certain times, and, sacrificing first to the gods, they in this way permitted them relaxation and enjoyment, in order that every one, thinking that the gods had come among them, and were present at the