And those who practised this kind of sport were called among the Lacedæmonians δικηλισταὶ, which is a term equivalent to σκευοποιοὶ or μιμηταί.[69] There are, however, many names, varying in different places, for this class of δικηλισταί; for the Sicyonians call them φαλλοφόροι, and others call them αὐτοκάβδαλοι, and some call them φλύακες, as the Italians do; but people in general call them Sophists: and the Thebans, who are very much in the habit of giving peculiar names to many things, call them ἐθελονταί. But that the Thebans do introduce all kinds of innovations with respect to words, Strattis shows us in the Phœnissæ, where he says— You, you whole body of Theban citizens, Know absolutely nothing; for I hear You call the cuttle-fish not σηπία, But ὀπισθότιλα. Then, too, you term A cock not ἀλεκτρύων, but ὀρτάλιχος: A physician is no longer in your mouths ἰατρὺς—no, but σακτάς. For a bridge, You turn γέφυρα into βλέφυρα. Figs are not σῦκα now, but τῦκα: swallows, κωτιλάδες, not χελιδόνες. A mouthful With you is ἄκολος; to laugh, ἐκριδδέμεν. A new-soled shoe you call νεοσπάτωτον. 16. Semos the Delian says in his book about Pæans—"The men who were called αὑτοκάβδαλοι used to wear crowns of ivy, and they would go through long poems slowly. But at a later time both they and their poems were called Iambics. And those," he proceeds, "who are called Ithyphalli, wear a mask representing the face of a drunken man, and wear crowns, having gloves embroidered with flowers. And they wear tunics shot with white; and they wear a Tarentine robe, which covers them down to their ancles: and they enter at the stage entrance silently, and when they have reached the middle of the orchestra, they turn towards the spectators, and say— Out of the way; a clear space leave For the great mighty god: For the god, to his ancles clad, Will pass along the centre of the crowd. And the Phallophori," says he, "wear no masks; but they put on a sort of veil of wild thyme, and on that they put acanthi, and an untrimmed garland of violets and ivy; and they clothe themselves in Caunacæ, and so come on the stage, some at the side, and others through the centre entrance, walking in exact musical time, and saying— For you, O Bacchus, do we now set forth This tuneful song; uttering in various melody This simple rhythm. It is a song unsuited to a virgin; Nor are we now addressing you with hymns Made long ago, but this our offering Is fresh unutter'd praise. And then, advancing, they used to ridicule with their jests whoever they chose; and they did this standing still, but the Phallophorus himself marched straight on, covered with soot and dirt." [Sidenote: HARP-PLAYERS.]