Aelian, Varia Historia

ToposText · Aelian · 465 sections

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§ 13.31 Xenocrates the Chalcedonian was not only kind to men, but often to irrational creatures also. On a time a sparrow, pursued by a hawk, flew to his bosom, he took it, much pleased, and hid it till the enemy was out of sight; and when he thought it was out of fear and danger, opening his bosom, he let it go, saying, that he had not betrayed a suppliant.
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§ 13.32 Xenophon relates that Socrates disputed with Theodota a courtesan, a woman of extraordinary beauty. He also argued with Calisto, who said, “I (o son of Sophroniscus ) excel you, for you cannot draw away any of my followers, but I can whensoever I please draw away all yours.” He answered, “Very likely, for you draw them down a precipice, but I drive them to virtue, which is a steep and difficult ascent.”
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§ 13.33 The Egyptians relations affirm that Rhodopis was a most beautiful courtesan; and that on a time as she was bathing her self, Fortune, who loveth to do extravagant and unexpected things, gave her a reward: suitable, not to her mind, but her beauty. For whilest she was washing, and her Maids looked to her clothes, an eagle stooping down, snatched up one of her shoes, and carried it away to Memphis, where Psammetichus was sitting in judgement, and let the shoe fall into his lap. Psammetichus wondring at the shape of the shoe, and neatness of the work, and the action of the bird, sent throughout Egypt to find out the woman to whom the shoe belonged; and having found her out, married her.
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§ 13.34 Dionysius having given order that Leon should be put to death, did three times bid the officers carry him away, and three times changed his mind. Every time that he sent for him back he kissed him, weeping, and execrating himself for that when he took the sword to put him to death, he was overcome with fear. At last he commanded him to be slain, saying, “ Leon, you must not live.”
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§ 13.35 Naturalists affirm that the hart, when he would purge himself, eateth the herb seselis: and being bitten by phalangies he eats Crabs.
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§ 13.36 Olympias to Eurydice, daughter of Philip by an Illyrian wife, sent hemlock, a rope and a sword; but she made choice of the rope.
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§ 13.37 Gelo tyrant of the Syracusans, behaved himself in the government very mildly, yet some seditious persons conspired against him, which Gelo understanding, convocated all the Syracusans, and coming amongst them armed, declared what good things he had done for them, and revealed the conspiracy. Then putting off his armour, he said to them all, “Behold me now in my coat, I stand unarmed before you, and give my self up to be disposed as you will.” The Syracusans admiring his courage, delivered the conspirators into his hands, and gave the regal power again to him. But Gelo remitted them to the people to be punished. Hereupon the Syracusans erected his statue in a coat ungirt, [unarmed] in memory of his oration to the people, and for the instruction of those should reign after him.
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§ 13.38 Alcibiades admired Homer exceedingly. On a time coming to a school of boys, he asked for the rhapsody of the Iliads. The schoolmaster answering, that he had nothing of Homer, he gave him a sound box on the ear, and went away, shewing that he was ignorant himself, and made his scholars such. The same person being sent for by the Athenians out of Sicily to answer a capital indictment, refused to appear, saying, “It is a foolish thing for a man that is accused, if he can escape, to go to a place whence he cannot escape.” One saying to him, “Will you not trust your cause to your own country?” “No, saith he, not to my own master; for I should fear lest through ignorance or mistake of the truth, he should cast in a black stone instead of a white.” Hearing then that he was sentenced to death by the citizens, “But we will shew, said he, that we are alive”: and going speedily to the Lacedemonians, he set on foot the Decelian war against the Athenians. He said, that it was nothing strange the Lacedemonians died fearless in war; for so they escaped the severity of their laws, and chearfully exchanged labours for death. He used to say of his own actions, that he led the life of the Dioscuri, dying one day and reviving the next: for whilest he was favoured of the people, he was thought equal to the Gods, but losing their favour, he differed nothing from the dead.
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§ 13.39 Ephialtes, a certain commander reproching him for poverty, said, “Why do you not add the other thing, That I am just.”
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§ 13.40 A golden Persian chain lying by chance on the ground, Themistocles standing by, said to a servant, “Boy, why dost thou not take up this foundling,” pointing to the chain; “for thou art not Themistocles.” The Athenians having on a time dishonoured him, afterwards invited him to the generalship. But he said, “I commend not those men who make use of the same vessel for the meanest, and for the best offices.” To Eurybiades he had said something unpleasing, who thereupon held up his staff. But he, strike so you hear; for he knew what he was about to say was advantageous for the commonwealth.
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§ 13.41 They who are to die with Phocion making lamentation; Phocion said, “Then you are not proud, o Thudippus, of dying with Phocion.”
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§ 13.42 Epaminondas returning from Lacedemonia, was arraigned for a capital offence, for having continued the office of Boeotarch four months longer then the law allowed. He bad his partners lay the blame on him, as if they had been compelled thereto against their wills. Then coming into the court, he said that he had not any arguments better then his actions, which if they approved not, he required that they would put him to death. But withall, that they should write upon a pillar, that Epaminondas had forced the Thebans against their wills to lay Laconia waste, what had continued five hundred years unviolated by enemies. And to restore Messenia, which had been three hundred and thirty years possessed by the Spartans. And that he had made the Arcadians their Allies, and restored to the Greeks their liberty. The judges reverencing him for these things, acquitted him. At his going out of the court, a little Melitean dog fawned upon him; whereupon he said to the standers-by, “This thanks me gratefully for the good I have done it, but the Thebans, to whom I have often done good, arraigned me for my life.”
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§ 13.43 Timotheus general of the Athenians, is reported to have been very successful; he said that Fortune was the cause of all these, but Timotheus of none. Hereupon the painters, abusing him, drew him sleeping in a tent, and over his head stood Fortune drawing cities into a net. Themistocles being asked, with what in his whole life he was most pleased, answered, “To see the whole theatre at the Olympic games turn their eyes upon me as I passed into the stadium.”
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§ 13.44 Themistocles, and Aristides son of Lysimachus, had the same governors, they were also brought up together, and taught by one master, but whilest yet boys, they were always at variance; and this emulation continued from their childhood, to extreme old age.
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§ 13.45 Dionysius [the Younger] put his mother to death by poison. His brother Leptines, whom in a sea-fight he might have saved, he suffered to be slain.
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§ 13.46 Patrae is a city in Achaia. A boy there had bought a young dragon, and brought it up with care, and when it was grown bigger, used to talk to it as to one that understood him, and played, and slept with it. At last the dragon growing to an extraordinary bigness, the citizens turned it loose into the wilderness. Afterwards the boy being grown to a youth, returning from some show with other youths his companions, fell among thieves, and crying out, behold, the dragon came and slew them; which stung some, slew others, but preserved him.
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§ 14.1 ARISTOTLE SON OF Nicomachus, a person that really was, as well as esteemed wise, when one took away from him the honours decreed to him at Delphi, writing hereupon to Antipater, said, “As to those things that were decreed for me at Delphi, and of which I am now deprived, I am so affected, as that I neither much care for them, nor care nothing for them.” This he said, not through love of glory; neither can I accuse Aristotle (who was so great a person) thereof. But he wisely considered that there was a great deal of difference betwixt not receiving an honour, and after having received it, to be deprived of it. For it is no great trouble not to obtain it, but a great vexation having obtained it, afterwards to be bereaved of it.
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§ 14.2 Agesilaus used to commend the barbarians who broke their Oaths, because, by perjury they made the Gods their enemies, but Friends and Assistants to him.
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§ 14.3 Timotheus inveighing bitterly against Aristophontes for being prodigal, said, “To whom nothing is sufficient, nothing is dishonest.”
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§ 14.4 Aristides the Locrian being bit by a Tartesian weasel, and dying, said, That it would have pleased him much better to have died by the biting of a Lion or Leopard, (since he must have died by something) then by such a beast. He brooked in my opinion the ignomy of the biting much worse then the death itself.
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§ 14.5 The Athenians conferred offices Civil and Military, not only on native citizens, but also often preferred strangers before citizens, and put them in authority over the commonwealth, if they knew them to be truly good and honest men, and proper for such things. They often created Apollodorus the Cyzicene their general, though a stranger, so likewise Heraclides the Clazomenian; for having behaved themselves worthily, they were esteemed not unworthy to govern the Athenians. And for this thing the city is to be commended, which betrayed not truth to gratifie the citizens, but not seldom bestowed the chief dignity even on those who were nothing allied to them, yet in regard of their virtue most worthy of honour.
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§ 14.6 Aristippus by strong Arguments advised that we should not be sollicitious about things past or future; arguing, that not to be troubled at such things, is a sign of a constant clear spirit. He also advised to take care only for the present day, and in that day, only of the present part thereof, wherein something was done or thought; for he said, the present only is in our power, not the past or future; the one being gone, the other uncertain whether ever it will come.
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§ 14.7 There is a Lacedemonian law which saith thus; That no Lacedemonian shall be of an unmanly Complexion, or of greater weight then is fit for the exercises; for this seemeth to argue laziness, that, effeminacy. It was likewise ordered by law, that every tenth day the young men should shew themselves naked before the Ephors; If they were of a solid strong Constitution, and molded as it were for exercise, they were commended; but if any Limb was found to be soft and tender by reason of fatness accrued by idleness, they were beaten and punished. Moreover the Ephori took particular care every day that their garments should be looked into, that they should be no otherwise then exact and fit to the body. The cooks at Lacedemon might not dress any thing but flesh. He who was skilled in any other kind of cookery was cast out of Sparta. Nauclidas son of Polybiades, for being grown too fat and heavy through luxury and idleness, they took out of the public Assembly, and threatned to punish him by banishment, unless he alter that blameable and rather Ionic then Laconic of life: For his shape and habit of body was a shame to Lacedemon and our laws.
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§ 14.8 Polycletus made two images at the same time; one at the pleasure of the people, the other according to the rule of art. He gratified the common people in this manner; As often as any one came in, he altered the picture as he would have it, following his direction. He exposed them both together to public view, one was admired by all, the other laughed at. Hereupon Polycletus said, “Yet this which you find fault with, you yourselves made, this which you admire, I.” Hippomachus a player on the flute, when one of his scholars missed in playing, yet was nevertheless commended by the standers by, struck him with a stick, saying, “You played false, otherwise these would not have commended you.”
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§ 14.9 Xenocrates the Chalcedonian, being reproved by Plato for his want of gratefulness, was nothing angry thereat, as is reported, but prudently silenced one who pressed him to answer Plato, saying, This benefits me.
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§ 14.10 The Athenians preferred Demades to be their general before Phocion; who being thus advanced grew high in his own esteem, and coming to Phocion, “Lend me, said he, that sordid Cloak which you used to wear in your generalship.” He answered, “You will never want any thing that is sordid, whilest you continue what you are.”
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§ 14.11 Philiscus on a time said to Alexander, Study glory, yet be not a pestilence or great sickness, but peace and Health: Affirming that to govern tyranically and severely, and to take cities and depopulate Countries is a Pestilence; but to consult the preservation of subjects, is Health; these are the benefits of peace.
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§ 14.12 The Persian King whilest he travelled had (to divert the tediousness of his journey) a little stick, which they call Philyrium, and a knife to cut it. Thus were the Kings hands employed. They never had any Books, wherein they might read of something great, memorable, and worthy of Discourse.
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§ 14.13 Agatho used many Antitheses. Whereupon a person that would have corrected his writings, told him, that all those should be put out of his play. He answered, “But you observed not, excellent Sir, that by this means you blot Agatho quite out of Agatho.” So much was he pleased with these, and thought these Tragedies upheld by them.
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§ 14.14 A certain person received Stratonicus the lutenist very civilly. He was much pleased with the invitation; for he had not any friend to entertain him, being come into a strange country. Hereupon he returned great thanks to the man, who so readily had received him under his roof. But when he saw another come in, and after him another, and perceived that he had made his house free for all that would come; “Let us get away, boy, said he to his servant, for we have got a wood-pigeon instead of a dove, we have not lighted upon a friends house, but upon an inn.”
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§ 14.15 It is a saying that the Discourses of Socrates are like the pictures of Pauson. For Pauson the painter being desired to make the picture of a horse tumbling on his back, drew him running. And when he who had bespoke the picture, was angry that he had not drawn it according to his directions, the painter said, “Turn it the other way, and the horse which now runneth, will then roll upon his back.” So Socrates did not discourse downright, but if his discourses were turned, they appeared very right. For he was unwilling to gain the hatred of those to whom he discoursed, and for that reason delivered things enigmatically and obliquely.
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§ 14.16 Hipponicus son of Callias would erect a statue as a gift to his country. One advised him that the statue should be made by Polycletus. He answered, “I will not have such a statue, the glory whereof will redound not to the giver, but to the carver. For it is certain that all who see the art, will admire Polycletus and not me.”
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§ 14.17 Socrates said that Archelaus had bestowed forty Minae upon his house, having hired Zeuxis the Heracleote to adorn it with pictures, but upon himself nothing. For what cause many came from far out of curiosity to see the house, but none came to Macedonia for the sake of Archelaus himself, unless he allured and invited any by money, with which a virtuous person is not taken.
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§ 14.18 A Chian being angry with his servant, “I, saith he, will not put you into the mill, but will carry you to Olympia.” He thought, it seems, that it was a far greater punishment to be spectator of the Olympic game, in the excessive heat of the sun, then to be put to work in a mill.
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§ 14.19 Archytas was very modest, as in all other things, so in speech, avoiding all obscenity of language. There happened a necessity of speaking something unseemly, he held his peace, and wrote it on a wall; shewing that what he was forced to speak, though forced, he would not speak.
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§ 14.20 A Sybarite a Pedagogue (which kind of people were addicted to luxury as well as the rest of the Sybarites,) when a boy that went along with him found a fig by the way, and took it up, chid him for so doing; but most ridiculously took it away from the boy, and eat it himself. When I read this in the Sybaritic Histories, I laughed, and committed it to memory, not envying others the pleasure of laughing at it too.
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§ 14.21 There was a poet named Syagrus, after Orpheus and Musaeus, who is said first to have sung the Trojan War, daring to undertake this which was the greatest subject.
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§ 14.22 Tryzus a tyrant, that he might prevent conspiracies and treasons against him, commanded the inhabitants that they should not speak together, either in public or private; which thing was most grievous and intolerable. Hereupon they eluded the tyrant's command, and signified their minds to one another by actions of the eyes, of the hand, and of the head. Sometimes they beheld one another with a melancholly brow, sometimes with a serene and chearful. But from the looks of every one it was evident, that they brooked ill their oppressed intolerable condition. And this also troubled the tyrant who conceived that even their silence, by various gestures and looks, contrived some ill against him. Wherefore he prohibited even this likewise by law. Hereupon one of them, much troubled at this disconsolate manner of life, and instigated with a desire of dissolving the tyranny, went into the market-place where standing he wept bitterly; the people came and stood all round about him, bursting also into tears. The news hereof was brought to the tyrant, that they used not any signs, but went grievously; who making hast to prohibit this also, and not only to enslave their tongues and gestures, but even to debarre their eyes of natural freedom, he went on foot with his guard to prohibit their weeping. But as soon as ever they saw him, they snatched weapons out of the hands of his guard, and killed the tyrant.
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§ 14.23 Clinias was a virtuous person; as to his opinion, a Pythagorean. He whensoever he grew angry, and perceived his mind ready to be transported with passion, immediately before anger took absolute possession of him, tuned his lute and played upon it. To those who asked him the reason, he answered, “It allayeth my anger.” Achilles also in the Iliad, singing to the lute, and commemorating in song the glories of former persons, seems to me to have thereby assuaged his indignation; and being musically given, the first thing of the spoils which he seized, was a lute.
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§ 14.24 Of those who despised money, and declared their own greatness of mind, seeing that whilest they themselves abounded with wealth, their countrymen were oppressed with extreme poverty were, at Corinth Theocles and Thrasonides; at Mitylene, Praxis. These also advised others to relieve such as lay under great want. But the rest refusing, they released such debts as were due to themselves, and thereby received great advantage, not as to wealth but the mind. For they whose debts were not forgiven rose up in arms against their creditors, and excited by rage, invincible poverty, and necessity, slew them.
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§ 14.25 On a time the Chians were exceedingly at variance among themselves, and generally infected with that disease. Hereupon, one amongst them, who was naturally a lover of his country, said to those of his friends, who would that all the adverse party should be cast out of the city, “By no means, said he, but when have obtained the victory, let us leave some of them, lest hereafter wanting adversaries, we should war with one another.” By which words he appeased them, it seeming to all that he spoke discreetly.
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§ 14.26 Antagoras the poet meeting Arcesilaus the philosopher in the Forum, railed at him. But he with an unmoved courage went to that place where he saw there were most men, and discoursed with them, that the Railer might make a public discovery of his folly. They hearing Antagoras, turned away from him, blaming him as mad.
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§ 14.27 I commend those above all who suppress rising ills, and cut them off before they grow to a head. Agesilaus advised that they should be arraigned and put to death, who had made a Conspiracy privately by night to assault the Thebans.
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§ 14.28 One reproched Pytheas an orator that he was wicked; he denied it not, being convinced by his conscience; but answered, he had been wicked the shortest time of any that ever had an interest in the Athenian government. It seems he pleased himself, in that he had not always been bad, and thought it no disparagement to him, so that he were not reckoned amongst the worst. But this of Pytheas was foolish; for not only he who doth wrong is wicked, but he also in my opinion that hath an intention to do wrong.
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§ 14.29 Lysander brought wealth into Lacedemon, and taught the Lacedemonians to transgress the law of God, who charged that Sparta should have no way accessible for gold or silver. Hereupon some wise persons, who still retained the Laconic integrity: worthy Lycurgus and Pythius opposed him, others who gave way were branded with infamy. And their virtue, which had flourished from the beginning until then, perished.
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§ 14.30 Hanno the Carthaginian through pride would not be contained within the bounds of Mankind, but designed to spread a fame of himself transcending that Nature which was allotted to him. For having bought many singing birds, he brought them up in the dark, teaching them one song, Hanno is a God. They hearing no other sound, learned this perfectly, and then he let them loose several ways, conceiving that they would disperse this song concerning him. But flying abroad, and enjoying their liberty, and returning to their accustomed diet, they sung the notes proper to their kinds, bidding a long farewel to Hanno, and to the song, which he had taught them when they were kept up prisoners.
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§ 14.31 Ptolemy Tryphon, (for so he was called from his manner of living) when a beautiful woman came to speak with him, said, “My sister advised me not to admit discourse with a fair woman.” She confidently and readily replied, “You may receive it then from a fair man”; which he hearing commended her.
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§ 14.32 A Lacedemonian named Pimandridas, being to take a journey, committed the management of his estate to his son. At his return finding his means increased much beyond what he had left, he told his son that he had wronged the Gods, and those of his family and Guests: For whatsoever abounds in our estates, should by such as are free persons be bestowed upon them. But to seem whilest we live, indigent, and being dead, to be found to have been rich, is the most dishonourable thing amongst men.
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§ 14.33 Diogenes being present at a discourse of Plato's, would not mind it, whereat Plato angry said, “Thou dog, why mindest thou not? Diogenes unmoved, answered, ”Yet I never return to the place where I was sold, as dogs doe"; alluding to Plato's Voyage to Sicily. It is reported that Plato used to say of Diogenes, “This man is Socrates mad.”
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§ 14.34 The Egyptians affirm that they learnt their law of Hermes. Thus all people magnify what belongs to themselves. The judges amongst the Egyptians were of old the same with their Priests. Of these the eldest was the Chief, and judged all; he must be the most just, and upright of men. He had a sculpture about his neck of sapphire, which sculpture was named Truth: but, as I conceive, a judge should wear Truth not engraved in a stone, but in his mind.
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§ 14.35 Lais was called also Axine [An Axe;] which name implies the cruelty of her disposition, and that she extorted much, especially of Strangers, who were to depart suddenly.
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§ 14.36 They are to be laughed at who think highly of themselves because of their parents and ancestors; for we know not the father of Marius, but admire him for his own actions. As likewise Cato, Servilius, Hostilius, and Romulus.
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§ 14.37 Statues which the art of Carving affords us, and images I use to look upon not carelessly; for there is much wisdom observable in this art: which may be argued, besides many other things, from this, that no Carver or painter did ever represent to us the Muses, in shape feigned, or misbecoming the daughters of Zeus: neither was there ever any Artist so mad as to represent them in armour. Which demonstrateth, that the life of those who are addicted to the Muses, ought to be peaceful, quiet, and worthy of them.
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§ 14.38 I have been told many excellent sayings of Epaminondas the Theban, amongst the rest this; He said to Pelopidas that he never went out of the forum every day, until he had gained a new friend to add to the number of his old.
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§ 14.39 A King of Persia, (for I will relate to you somthing pleasant) dipping a Garland which was woven of roses, in sweet Unguents, sent it to Antalcidas who came to him on an Embassy for peace. But he, “I receive saith he, the gift, and commend the civility; but you have spoiled the native odour of the roses with the adulteration of art.”
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§ 14.40 Alexander tyrant of the Pheraeans was thought to be extremely cruel. But when Theodorus the Tragic poet did with much passion act the Tragedy Aerope, he burst forth into tears, and rising up went out of the theater: He made an Apology to Theodorus, that he went not away through any slighting or disrespect of him, but that he was ashamed to discover compassion at a play, not shewing any to his subjects.
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§ 14.41 Apollodorus drinking wine more then any man, did not conceal his vice, or endeavour to hide his drunkenness, and the ill consequence thereof, but being enflamed and enraged with wine, shewed himself more bloody, increasing the cruelty of his nature by this corporeal vice.
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§ 14.42 Xenocrates friend of Plato used to say, That it is all one whether we put our feet or our eyes in the house of another man: for he sins as much who looks upon those places which he ought not, as he who enters upon them.
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§ 14.43 They say that Ptolemy used to pass his time at dice. In the mean time one standing by, read the names of condemned persons, and the crimes for which they were condemned, that he might decree who of them should be put to death. Berenice his wife taking the book from the servant, would not suffer him to reade any farther, saying, That when the lives of men were in question, it should not be so slightly considered, but seriously and not at play: for there is no comparison betwixt Dice and men. Ptolemy was pleased herewith, and would never after hear judicial affairs whilest he was playing at dice.
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§ 14.44 A young man a Lacedemonian having bought Land at an under-rate, was cited before the Magistrates and fined. The reason why he was thought worthy punishment, was this; That being a young-man, he was eagerly bent upon gain. Amongst other things of the Lacedemonians this was very manly, to oppose not only enemies but Covetousness.
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§ 14.45 We extol of the Grecian women: Penelope, Alcestis, and the wife of Protesilaus: Of Roman, Cornelia, Porcia, and Cestilia. I could reckon many more, but I will not, having alleged so few of the Grecians, overwhelm them with Roman names, lest any one should think I gratify my own country.
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§ 14.46 The Magnetes who border upon Maeander warring against the Ephesians, every horseman took along with him a hound, and a servant that served as an archer. As soon as they came near, the dogs falling fiercely upon the enemy, disordered them, and the servants advancing before their masters, shot. The dogs first routed them, then the servants did them much harm; and lastly, they themselves fell upon them.
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0545.tlg002:14.47
§ 14.47 When Zeuxis the Heracleote had drawn Helen, Nicostratus a painter was astonished at the sight of the picture. One coming to him, asked what was the reason he so much admired the workmanship; He answered, “If you had my eyes you would not ask me.” I may say the same of an oration, if a man hath not learned ears, as an artist skilful eyes.
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0545.tlg002:14.48
§ 14.48 Alexander was jealous of Ptolemy's good fortune, of Arrhius his turbulency, and of Python's study of innovation.
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0545.tlg002:14.49
§ 14.49 Philip taking the sons of the noblest in Macedonia, made them wait upon his person, not in contempt of them, or to affront them, but that he might make them ready and expedite for action. To such of them as were addicted to luxury, or performed his commands remissly, he is said to have been very severe. Thus he did beat Aphthonetus, because upon a march, being thirsty, he left his rank, and went out of the way to an inn. Archedamus he put to death for putting off his arms, when he had commanded him to keep them on.

Via ToposText (topostext.org), a project of the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation created by Brady Kiesling. Translated by Thomas Stanley (d.1700). Composed ca. 234 CE. Licence: public domain. Source.