Terence's Andrian, a comedy, in five acts : $b Translated into English prose, with critical and explanatory notes.Terence
General
Terence's Andrian, a comedy, in five acts : $b Translated into English prose, with critical and explanatory notes.
Terence
Latin drama (Comedy) -- Translations into English; Terence -- Translations into English
The citizens of Athens were called γηγενεῖς, or sons of the earth,
and ἀστοὶ. They were called also τεττιγες, or τεττιγοφορους, _wearers
of grasshoppers_; this appellation, authors have derived differently.
_Tretzes_ thinks it was to designate them as fluent orators. _Lucian_
considers it merely as a distinction to divide them from the slaves:
and others say, it was because they thought that grasshoppers sprung
from the earth; and therefore chose them for the symbol of a people
who pretended to the same origin: _vide_ Note 154. The Athenians were
called also πολίται. The citizens were divided by Cecrops into four
tribes, (_vide_ Poll., B. 3. 64,) each tribe was divided into three
classes, and each class into thirty families. The names of the tribes
were, 1. Κεκροπὶς, 2. Αὐτόχθων, 3. Ἀκταία, 4. Παραλιά. These names
were afterwards changed by Cranaus, (_vide_ Plut. in Solon,) and also
by Ericthonius and Erectheus. When the number of the inhabitants
increased, new tribes were added. To obtain the Athenian citizenship
was deemed so glorious, that foreigners of the very first rank eagerly
sought this distinction; which it was extremely difficult to gain:
as the Athenians would never admit any persons but those who had
signalized themselves by their virtue and bravery.
NOTE 181.
_Davus.――And that he will be compelled to marry her._
The Athenian laws did not allow of polygamy: if Glycera, therefore, had
been proved to be a citizen, her marriage with Pamphilus would have
been valid; and Philumena, if married to him, must have been divorced.
We are to suppose, that the apprehension of this circumstance induces
Chremes to break off the marriage.
NOTE 182.
_Davus. (half aloud.)――He has heard all: what an
accident._
――――Audistin’ obsecro?
These words are usually read as addressed directly to Chremes; but it
appears more probable that Terence intended Davus to speak them as if
he meant no one to hear what he said, and yet contrive to raise his
voice loud enough for Chremes to overhear him pretend to be alarmed,
lest what Mysis had been saying should do any mischief. This feigned
consternation was calculated to strengthen Chremes’ belief of the
genuineness of the previous scene.
NOTE 183.
_This impudent wench ought to be taken hence and
punished._
――――Hanc jam oportet in cruciatum abripi.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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