Clinp. 70.] OXEN. 329 



The bull has a proud air, a stern forehead, shaggy ears, and 

 horns which appear always ready, and challenging to the com- 

 bat ; but it is by his fore feet that he manifests his threatening 

 anger. As his rage increases, he stands, lashing back his 

 tail 91 every now and then, and throwing up the sand against 

 his belly ; being the only animal that excites himself by these 

 means. We have seen them fight at the word of command, and 

 shown as a public spectacle ; these bulls whirled about and 

 then fell upon their horns, and at once were up again ; then, 

 at other times, they would lie upon the ground and let them- 

 selves be lifted up ; they would even stand in a two-horsed 

 chariot, while moving at a rapid rate, like so many chariot- 

 eers. 92 The people of Thessaly invented a method of killing 

 bulls, by means of a man on horseback, who would ride up 

 to them, and seize one of the horns, and so twist their neck. 

 Caesar the Dictator was the first person who exhibited this 

 spectacle at Rome. 



Bulls are selected as the Very choicest of victims, and are 

 offered up as the most approved sacrifice for appeasing the 

 gods. 93 Of all the animals that have long tails, this is the 

 only one whose tail is not of proportionate length at the mo- 

 ment of birth ; and in this animal alone it continues to grow 

 until it reaches its heels. It is on this account, that in making 

 choice of a calf for a victim, due care is taken that its tail 

 reaches to the pastern joint; if it is shorter than this, the 

 sacrifice is not deemed acceptable to the gods. This fact has 

 also been remarked, that calves, which have been carried to 

 the altar on men's shoulders, are not generally acceptable to 

 the gods ; and also, if they are lame, or of a species which is 

 not appropriate, 94 or if they struggle to get away from the 



by JElian, Anira. Nat. B. xii. c. 34, and by Suetonius, Life of Domitian, 

 c. ix. B. 



91 It is doubtful whether this is tbe meaning of " alternos replicans 

 orbes," or wbat indeed is tbe meaning. Most editions omit " orbes," tbus 

 making the matter still worse. 



92 Hardouin supposes tbat this alludes to the exhibition of oxen hunted 

 at the exhibition of shows and in the Circus, for the gratification of the 

 Koman people. B. 



93 Keferred to by Virgil, Georg. B. ii. 11. 145, 146, " et maxima taurus 

 Victima," " and the bull the largest victim of all." B. 



