j!^lian. 185 



been taught. For the whole troop came forward from this 

 and that side of the theatre, and divided themselves into 

 parties ; they advanced walking with a mincing gait and 

 exhibiting in their whole body and persons the manners of a 

 beau, clothed in the flowery dresses of dancers ; and on the 

 ballet-master giving a signal with his voice, they fell into line 

 and went round in a circle, and if it were requisite to deploy 

 they did so. They ornamented the floor of the stage by 

 throwing flowers upon it, and this they did in moderation 

 and sparingly, and straightway they beat a measure with 

 their feet and kept time together. 



" Now that Damon and Spintharus and Aristoxenus and 

 Xenophilus and Philoxenus and others should know music 

 excellently well, and for their clevei'ness be ranked amongst 

 the few, is indeed a thing of wonder, but not incredible nor 

 contrary at all to reason. For this reason, that a 7>ian is a 

 rational animal, and the recipient of mind and intelligence. 

 But that a jointless animal {dvap6pov) should understand 

 rhythm and melody, and preserve a gesture, and not deviate 

 from a measured movement, and fulfil the requirements of 

 those who laid down instructions, these are gifts of nature, I 

 think, and a peculiarity in every way astounding. Added to 

 these there were things enough to drive the spectator out of 

 his senses ; when the strewn rushes and other materials for 

 beds on the ground were placed on the sand of the theatre, 

 and they received stuffed mattresses such as belonged to rich 

 houses, and variegated bed-coverings, and goblets were placed 

 there very expensive, and bowls of gold and silver, and in 

 them a great quantity of water ; and tables were placed there 

 of sweet-smelling wood and ivory very superb : and upon them 

 flesh meats and loaves enough to fill the stomachs of animals 

 the most voracious. When the preparations were completed 

 and abundant, the banqueters came forward, six male and an 



