Cbap. 38.] THE MYRTLE USED IN OVATIONS. 331 



markable, this oil is possessed of a certain vinous flavour, 

 being, at the same time, of an unctuous nature, and remarkably 

 efficacious for improving 50 wines. When this is done, the 

 wine strainer 51 is dipped in the oil before it is used, the result 

 of which is that it retains the lees of the wine, and allows 

 nothing but the pure liquor to escape, while at the same time 

 it accompanies the wine and causes a marked improvement in 

 its flavour. 



Sprigs of myrtle, if carried by a person when travelling on 

 foot, are found to be very refreshing 52 on a long journey. 

 Pangs, too, made of myrtle which has never been touched by 

 iron, are an excellent specific for swellings in the groin. 53 



CHAP. 38. THE MYRTLE USED AT ROME IN OVATIONS. 



The myrtle has played 54 its part, also, in the successes of 

 war. Posthumius Tubertus, who gained a victory over the 

 Sabines in his consulship, 55 was the first person who entered 

 the City enjoying the honour of an ovation, 56 for having 

 achieved this success with ease and without bloodshed : upon 

 which occasion he made his entry crowned with the myrtle of 

 Yenus Yictrix, and thereby rendered her tree an object of 

 regard 57 to our enemies even. Ever since this occasion, the 

 wreath of those who have enjoyed an ovation has beenmade 

 of myrtle, with the exception of M. Crassus, 58 who, on his vic- 

 tory over the fugitive slaves and Spartacus, made his entry 

 crowned with laurels. Massurius informs us, also, that some 

 generals, on the occasion of a triumph even, have worn a 

 wreath of myrtle in the triumphal car. L, Piso states that 



50 A new proof, as Fee remarks, that the ancients had peculiar notions 

 of their own, as to the flavour of wine ; myrtle herries, he says, would 

 impart to wine a detestable aromatic flavour. 



61 " Saccis :" the strainer being made of cloth. See B. xiv. c. 28. 



52 They would be of no assistance whatever, and this statement is en- 

 tirely fictitious. 



5i He may possibly mean hernia. 



54 In addition to all those particulars, he might have stated that the 

 Lares, or household gods, were crowned with myrtle, and that it was not 

 allowed to enter the Temple of Bona Dea. 



55 a.u.c. 251. 



56 See the Notes to c. 35 of this Book. 



6 ' Because the enemy would be less likely to envy us a bloodless triumph. 



53 He disdained the more humble myrtle crown, and intrigued success- 

 fully with the Senate to allow him to wear a wreath of laurel. 



