Page:The history of Rome. Translated with the author's sanction and additions.djvu/255

Rh of civilization. But the influence of Greece did not fail to fruit. The Greek seven-stringed lyra, the "strings" (fides, from 🇬🇷, gut, also barbitus, 🇬🇷) was not like indigenous in Latium, and was always regarded in instrument of foreign origin; but the early period ririch it gained a footing is demonstrated partly by the barbarous mutilation of its Greek name, partly by its being employed even in ritual. That some of the legendary stores of the Greeks already during this period found their way into Latium, is shown by the ready reception of Greek works ulpture with their representations based so thoroughly upon the poetical treasures of the nation; and the old Latin barbarous conversions of Persephone into Prosepna, Bellerophontes into Melerpanta, Kyklops into Cocles, Laomedon into Alumentus, Ganymedes into Catamitus, Neilos into Melus, Semele into Stimula, enable us to perceive at how remote a period such stories had been already heard and repeated by the Latins. Lastly and especially, the Roman chief or city festival (ludi maximi, Romani) must have derived, if not its origin, at any rate its later arrangements, from a Greek source. It was an extraordinary festival, celebrated in honour of the Capitoline