DRINKING-CUPS.
If there was one of the spectators thirsty,
He would a full lepaste seize, and drain
The whole contents.
But Nicander the Colophonian says that "the Dolopians give the name of [Greek: lepastê] to the [Greek: kylix]; but Lycophron, in the ninth book of his treatise on Comedy, quoting this passage of Pherecrates, himself also asserts the lepaste to be a kind of [Greek: kylix]; but Moschus, in his Interpretation of Rhodian Words, says that it is an earthenware vessel resembling those which are called ptomatides, but flatter and wider: but Artemidorus, the pupil of Aristophanes, says that it is some sort of drinking-cup. And Apollophanes, in his Cretans, says—
And the lepasta, fill'd with fragrant wine,
Shall fill me with delight the livelong day.
And Theopompus says in his Pamphila—
A stout lepaste, which, well-fill'd with wine,
They drain in honour of the Happy Deity,
Rousing the village with their noise and clamour.
But Nicander of Thyatira says it is a larger kind of [Greek: kylix], quoting the expressions of Teleclides out of his Prytanes—
To drink sweet wine from a sweet-smelling lepaste.
And Hermippus, in his Fates, says—
If anything should happen to me when
I've drain'd this promising lepaste, then
I give my whole possessions unto Bacchus.
71. There is also the loibasium. This, too, is a [Greek: kylix], as Clearchus and Nicander of Thyatira say; with which they pour libations of oil over the sacred offerings and victims.
Spondeum is the name given to the cup out of which they pour libations of wine. And he says that the spondea are also called loibides, by Antimachus of Colophon.
Then we have the lesbium. This also is a kind of cup, as Hedylus proves in his Epigrams, where he says—
Callistion, contending against men
In drinking, ('tis a marvellous thing, but true,)
When fasting, drank three whole choeis of wine;
And now her cup, fashion'd of purple glass,
Adorn'd with bands fragrant of luscious wine,
She offers here to you, O Paphian queen.
Preserve this first, that so your walls may bear
The spoils of all the love excited so.
There is also the luterium. Epigenes, in his Tomb, where he gives a catalogue of cups of different kinds, says—
