Chap. 5.] THE ^OINETAN BEASS, 151 



are those which these men of taste metamorphose, sometimes 

 into dishes, sometimes into lamps, or even into washing- 

 basins,-^ without any regard to decency. They are of three 

 kinds; the wliite variety, approaching very nearly to the 

 splendour of silver, and in which that metal forms a large 

 proportion of the compound; a second kind, in which the 

 3'ellow colour of gold predominates ; and a third, in which all 

 the metals are mixed in equal proportions. Besides these, 

 there is another mixture, the composition of which it is im- 

 possible to describe, for although it has been formed into 

 images and statues by the hand of man, it is cliance that rules 

 in the formation of the compound. This last is highly prized 

 for its colour, which approaches to that of liver, and it is 

 on this account that it is called *'hepatizon:'*^^ it is far in- 

 ferior to the Corinthian metal, but much superior to the 

 -^ginetan and Delian, which long held the first rank. 



CHAP 4. — THE DELIAN" BEASS. 



The Delian brass was the first^^ that became famous, all the 

 world coming to Delos to purchase it ; and hence the attention 

 paid to the manufacture of it. It was in this island that 

 brass first obtained celebrity for the manufacture of the feet 

 and supports of dining- couches. After some time it came 

 to be employed for the statues of the gods, and the effigies of 

 men and other animated beings. 



CHAP. 5. — THE ^.GllN^ETAN BRASS. 



The next most esteemed brass was the JEginetan ; the 

 island itself being rendered famous for its brass — not indeed 

 that the metal was produced there, but because the annealing 

 of the ^ginetan manufactories was so excellent. A brazen 

 Ox, which was taken from this island, now stands in the 

 Forum Bcarium"^ at Eome. This is a specimen of the 

 uEginetan metal, as the Jupiter in the Temple of Jupiter 



25 "Trulleos." In an epigram of Martial, B, ix. Ep. 97, the word 

 " truUa" signifies a chamber-pot. '^^ From the Greek ijirap, 'Hhe liver." 



2^ Tlie Lelian brass is mentioned by Cicero, in his oration *' Pro Eoscio 

 Amerino," s. 46, and in his Fourth oration " In Verrem," s. 1. — B. Pau- 

 sanias, in his " Eliaca," says that the Spanish copper, or copper of Tartes- 

 sus, was the first known. 



28 Or Cattle Market : in the Eighth Eegion of the City. See B. xxxy. 

 c. 7, and Chapter 16 of this Book. 



