Demonax

Lucian of Samosata

The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 3. Fowler, H. W. and Fowler, F.G., translators. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.

‘You have no teeth, Demonax.’ ‘And you, Peregrine, have no bowels.’

A physical philosopher was discoursing about the antipodes; Demonax took his hand, and led him to a well, in which he showed him his own reflection: ‘Do you want us to believe that the antipodes are like that?’

A man once boasted that he was a wizard, and possessed of mighty charms whereby he could get what he chose out-of anybody. ‘Will it surprise you to learn that I am a fellow-craftsman?' asked Demonax; ‘pray come with me to the baker’s, and you shall see a single charm, just one wave of my magic wand,

v.3.p.7

induce him to bestow several loaves upon me.’ Current coin, he meant, is as good a magician as most.

The great Herodes, mourning the untimely death of Pollux, used to have the carriage and horses got ready, and the place laid at table, as though the dead were going to drive and eat. To him came Demonax, saying that he brought a message from Pollux. Herodes, delighted with the idea that Demonax was humouring his whim like other people, asked what it was that Pollux required of him. ‘He cannot think why you are so long coming to him.’