In Greece and Italy 299 



died. But Democritus had always been fond of honey ; 

 and he once answered a man, who asked him how 

 he could live in the enjoyment of the best health, 

 that he might do so if he constantly moistened his inward 

 parts with honey and his outward man with oil. And 

 bread and honey was the chief food of the Pythagoreans, 

 according to the statement of Aristoxenus, who says that 

 those who eat this for breakfast were free from disease all 

 their lives. And Lycus says that the Cyrneans (and they 

 are a people who live near Sardinia) are very long-lived, be- 

 cause they are continually eating honey ; and it is produced 

 in great quantities among them." 



The story told by Athenseus of Democritus is told in 

 substance by Pliny of PoUio Romilius, as we have already 

 read.'- 



We are not surprised to learn that the ambrosia of 

 Mount Olympus was composed largely of honey, according 

 to Roscher being indeed nothing more nor less than honey 

 itself, — a glorified form of that delicacy, one takes for 

 granted ; while nectar, that delectable drink of the gods, 

 Roscher says was mead! — also no doubt tinctured by 

 heavenly contact. 



One gets, from reading /ithenseus, a vivid idea of the 

 luxurious living indulged in by some among the ancients. 



He quotes Antiphanes as saying, — 



" Four female flute-players do have their wages, 

 Twelve cooks, and just as many sweet-meat makers, 

 Asking for plates of honey." 



Thus too we form an idea of the scale upon which feast- 

 ing was carried on and also of the amount of honey con- 

 sumed at feasts. 



Here may be introduced another quotation from Anti- 



1 See page 222. 



