Deipnosophistae

WineDrinkingThe evils of DrunkennessPraises of WinWaterDifferent kinds of WaterSweetmeatsCouches and CoverletsNames of FruitsFruit and Herbs.LupinsNames of PlantsEggsGourdsMushroomsAsparagusOnionsThrushes-BrainsThe HeadPickleCucumbersLettuceThe CactusThe Nile

THE conversation which you reported to me did not allow me to give up a considerable portion of the day to sleep, as it was of a very varied nature.

Nicander of Colophon says that wine, οἶνος, has its name from Œneus:—

1. Œneus pour'd the juice divine
2. In hollow cups, and called it wine.

And Melanippides of Melos says—

1. 'Twas Œneus, master, gave his name to wine.

But Hecatæus of Miletus says, that the vine was discovered In Aetolia; and adds,

Orestheus, the son of Deucalion, came to Aetolia to endeavour to obtain the kingdom; and while he was there, a bitch which he had brought forth a stalk: and he ordered it to be buried in the ground, and from it

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there sprang up a vine loaded with grapes. On which account he called his son Phytius. And he had a son named Œneus, who was so called from the vines: for the ancient Greeks,

says he,

called vines οἶναι. Now Œneus was the father of Aetolus.

But Plato in his Cratylus, inquiring into the etymology of the word οἶνος, says, that it is equivalent to οἰόνους, as filling the mind, νοῦς,, with οἴησις, or self-conceit. Perhaps, however, the word may be derived from ὄνησις, succour. For Homer, giving as it were the derivation of the word, speaks nearly after this fashion—

1. And then you will be succour'd (ὀνήσεαι) if you drink.

And he too constantly calls food ὀνείατα, because it supports us.

Now the author of the Cyprian poems, whoever he was, says—

1. No better remedies than wine there are,
2. O king, to drive away soul-eating care.

And Diphilus the comic poet says—

1. O Bacchus, to all wise men dear,
2. How very kind you do appear;
3. You make the lowly-hearted proud,
4. And bid the gloomy laugh aloud;
5. You fill the feeble man with daring,
6. And cowards strut and bray past bearing.

And Philoxenus of Cythera says—

1. Good store of wine which makes men talk.

But Chæremon the tragedian says, that wine inspires those who use it with

1. Laughter and wisdom and prudence and learning.

And Ion of Chios calls wine

1. Youth of indomitable might,
2. With head of bull; the loveliest wight
3. Who ever rank'd as Love's esquire,
4. Filling men with strength and fire.

And Mensitheus says—

1. Great was the blessing, when the gods did show
2. Sweet wine to those who how to use it know;
3. But where bad men its righteous use pervert,
4. To such, I trow, it will be rather hurt.
5. For to the first it nourishment supplies,
6. Strengthens their bodies, and their minds makes wise;
7. A wholesome physic 'tis when mix'd with potions,
8. Heals wounds as well as plasters or cold lotions.
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9. Wine to our daily feasts brings cheerful laughter,
10. When mix'd with proper quantities of water;
11. Men saucy get if one-third wine they quaff;
12. While downright madness flows from half-and-half;
13. And neat wine mind and body too destroys;
14. While moderation wise secures our joys.
15. And well the oracle takes this position,
16. That Bacchus is all people's best physician.