Dialogi mortuorum

Lucian of Samosata

The Works of Lucian of Samosata, complete, with exceptions specified in thepreface, Vol. 1. Fowler, H. W. and Fowlere, F.G., translators. Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1905.

Aeacus Would you like to see the philosophers?

Menippus I should like it of all things.

Aeacus First comes Pythagoras.

Menippus Good-day, Euphorbus, alias Apollo, alias what you will.

Pythagoras Good-day, Menippus.

Menippus What, no golden thigh nowadays?

Pythagoras Why, no. I wonder if there is anything to eat in that wallet of yours?

Menippus Beans, friend; you don’t like beans,

Pythagoras Try me. My principles have changed with my quarters. I find that down here our parents’ heads are in no way connected with beans.