Page:The Deipnosophists (Volume 3).djvu/258

 and Callias or Diocles, in the Cyclopes, (whichever of the two is the author,) and Eupolis, and Hermippus, in his Iambics, prove the same thing.

Now what is called the [Greek: kataktos] cottabus was something of this kind. There is a high lamp, having on it what is called the Manes, on which the dish, when thrown down, ought to fall; and from thence it falls into the platter which lies below, and which is struck by the cottabus. And there was room for very great dexterity in throwing the cottabus. And Nicochares speaks of the Manes in his Lacedæmonians.

6. There is also another way of playing this game with a platter. This platter is filled with water, and in it there are floating some empty saucers, at which the players throw their drops out of their cups, and endeavour to sink them. And he who has succeeded in sinking the greatest number gains the victory. Ameipsias, in his play entitled The Men playing at the Cottabus or Mania, says—

Bring here the cruets and the cups at once, The foot-pan, too, but first pour in some water.

And Cratinus, in his Nemesis, says—

Now in the cottabus I challenge you, (As is my country's mode,) to aim your blows At the empty cruets; and he who sinks the most Shall, in my judgment, bear the palm of victory.

And Aristophanes, in his Feasters, says—

I mean to erect a brazen figure, That is, a cottabeum, and myrtle-berries.

And Hermippus, in his Fates, says—

Now soft cloaks are thrown away, Every one clasps on his breastplate, And binds his greaves around his legs, No one for snow-white slippers cares; Now you may see the cottabus staff Thrown carelessly among-the chaff; The manes hears no falling drops; And you the [Greek: plastinx] sad may see Thrown on the dunghill at the garden door.

And Achæus, in his Linus, speaking of the Satyrs, says—

Throwing, and dropping, breaking, too, and naming ([Greek: legontes]), O Hercules, the well-thrown drop of wine!

And the poet uses [Greek: legontes] here, because they used to utter the names of their sweethearts as they threw the cottabi on the saucers. On which account Sophocles, in his Inachus, called the drops which were thrown, sacred to Venus—