Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
_Solution._ They call the slain sacrifice Ὁσιωτήρ when the ὅσιος
(_the holy one_) is declared. There are five of these holy ones
for life, and these transact many things with the prophets, and
sacrifice together with them, supposing that they are descended from
Deucalion. The month Bysius, as many think, is the same as Φύσιος
(_natural_), for it is in the beginning of the spring, when
most things do sprout and put forth buds. But this is not the true
reason. For the Delphians do not use _b_ for _ph_ (as the
Macedonians, who say Bilippus, Balacrus, and Beronica, for Philippus,
Phalacrus, and Pheronica), but instead of _p_; they for the most
part saying βατεῖν for πατεῖν, and βικρόν for πικρόν.
Therefore they say Bysius for Pysius, because in that month they
enquire of and consult their God Apollo. This is their genuine and
country way of speaking. For in that month an oracle is given forth,
and they call that week the nativity of Apollo, and the name is
Polythous, not because of their baking a sort of cakes called Pthides,
but because then their oracle is full of answers and prophecies. For
it is but of late that oraculous answers were given to the enquirers
every month. In former times Pythia gave answers only once a year,
which was on this day, as Callisthenes and Anaxandridas have told us.
_Question 10._ What is Phyxemelum?
_Solution._ It is one of the small plants that creep upon the
ground, upon whose branches the cattle treading do hinder, hurt,
and spoil their growth. Where therefore they have attained some
considerable bigness by growth, and escaped the injury of those that
use to feed upon them, they are called φυξίμηλα (i.e. that have escaped
the danger of cattle), of which Aeschylus is witness.
_Question 11._ Who are the Ἀποσφενδόνητοι?
_Solution._ The Eretrians inhabited the island of Corcyra. But
when Charicrates set sail from Corinth with a considerable strength
and overcame them in battle, the Eretrians took shipping and sailed to
their native country; of which thing the inhabitants of that country
having timely notice, gave them a repulse, and by slinging stones at
them impeded their landing. Now being not able either to persuade or
force their way, seeing the multitude was implacably bent against them,
they sailed into Thrace and took possession of that country, where
they say Metho first inhabited, of whose offspring Orpheus was. The
city therefore they call Methone, and of the neighboring inhabitants
the men are called Aposphendoneti, i.e. they that were repulsed with
sling-stones.
_Question 12._ What was Charila among the Delphians?
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