Deipnosophistae

But it was the fashion at Athens to anoint even the feet of those men who were very luxurious with ointment, a custom which Cephisodorus alludes to in his Trophonius—

1. Then to anoint my body go and buy
2. Essence of lilies, and of roses too,
3. I beg you, Xanthias; and also buy
4. For my poor feet some baccaris.

And Eubulus, in his Sphingocarion, says—

1. . . . . Lying full softly in a bed-chamber;
2. Around him were most delicate cloaks, well suited
3. For tender maidens, soft, voluptuous;
4. Such as those are, who well perfumed and fragrant
5. With amaracine oils, do rub my feet.

But the author of the Procris gives an account of what care ought to be taken of Procris's dog, speaking of a dog as if he were a man—

1. A. Strew, then, soft carpets underneath the dog,
2. And place beneath cloths of Milesian wool;
3. And put above them all a purple rug.
4. B. Phœbus Apollo!
5. A. Then in goose's milk
6. Soak him some groats.
7. B. O mighty Hercules!
8. A. And with Megallian oils anoint his feet.

And Antiphanes, in his Alcestis, represents some one as anointing his feet with oil; but in his Mendicant Priest of Cybele, he says—

1. He bade the damsel take some choice perfumes
2. From the altar of the goddess, and then, first,
3. Anoint his feet with it, and then his knees:
4. But the first moment that the girl did touch
5. His feet, he leaped up.

And in his Zacynthus he says—

1. Have I not, then, a right to be fond of women,
2. And to regard them all with tender love,
3. For is it not a sweet and noble thing
4. To be treated just as you are; and to have
5. One's feet anointed by fair delicate hands?

And in his Thoricians he says—

1. He bathes completely-but what is't he does?
2. He bathes his hands and feet, and well anoints them
3. With perfume from a gold and ample ewer.
4. And with a purple dye he smears his jaws
5. And bosom; and his arms with oil of thyme;
6. His eyebrows and his hair with marjoram;
7. His knees and neck with essence of wild ivy.

And Anaxandrides, in his Protesilaus, says—

1. Ointment from Peron, which this fellow sold
2. But yesterday to Melanopus here,
3. A costly bargain fresh from Egypt, which
4. Anoints to day Callistratus's feet.

And Teleclides, in his Prytanes, alludes to the lives of the citizens, even in the time of Themistocles, as having been very much devoted to luxury. And Cratinus in his Chirones, speaking of the luxury of the former generations, says—

1. There was a scent of delicate thyme besides,
2. And roses too, and lilies by my ear;
3. And in my hands I held an apple, and.
4. A staff, and thus I did harangue the people.