They also called the man who bought the meat, the Ἀγοραστὴς, but now they call him ὀψωνάτωρ, an officer whom Xenophon mentions, in the second[274:1] book of the Memorabilia, speaking thus:--"Could we expect to get a steward and buyer of such a character for nothing?" But the same word is used in a more general sense by Menander, in his Phanius-- He was a thrifty and a moderate buyer (ἀγοραστής): And Aristophanes calls him ὀψώνης, in his Tagenistæ, saying-- How the purveyor (ὀψώνης) seems to delay our supper. Cratinus, too, uses the verb παροψωνέω, in his Cleobulinæ, where he says * * * * * And Alexis uses the verb παραγοράζω, in the same sense, (to buy dainty side-dishes,) in his Dropidas. There are people called εἰλέατροι; they are those, according to Pamphilus, who invite people to the king's table, having their name derived from ἐλεός (a kitchen table). But Artemidorus calls them δειπνοκλήτορες. 71. They also used to call the tasters (according to the statement of the same Pamphilus) ἐδέατροι, because they ate of dishes before the king with a view to his safety. But now, the person called ἐδέατρος is the superintendent of the whole management of the feast; and that office is very eminent and honourable. Accordingly, Chares, in the third book of his Histories, says that Ptolemy surnamed Soter, was originally appointed as the taster (ἐδέατρος) of Alexander. And it appears that the person whom the Romans now call the taster was at that time called by the Greeks προτένθης. As Aristophanes, in the earlier of his plays, called the Clouds, says-- _A._ Why then do not the magistrates receive The prytanea on the new-moon's day, But on the day before? _B._ They seem to me To act like tasters (πρότενθαι) who in hopes to take The prytanea with all possible speed, Taste them on this account all on one day. And Pherecrates mentions them, in his Countrymen-- Do not you marvel; we are of the number Of skilful tasters (προτένθων), but you know us not. And Philyllus says, in his Hercules-- Must I then tell you who I am to-day? I am that taster called Dorpia.