[253] _Columella_, De re rust. bk. XII. ch. 4., His autem omnibus placuit, eum, qui rerum harum officium susceperit, castum esse continentemque oportere, quoniam totum in eo sit, ne contractentur pocula vel cibi, nisi aut ab impubi aut certe abstinentissmo rebus venereis. Quibus si fuerit operatus vel vir vel femina, debere eos flumine aut perenni aqua, priusquam penora contingant, ablui. (But all were agreed upon this, that he who should undertake the performance of these duties ought to be chaste and continent, since all depends on his care that drink and food be not defiled, unless indeed they are prepared by one still immature or at any rate one extremely self-restrained in the matter of love. But if it has been indulged in by man or woman, they ought to be cleansed in the river or in flowing water, before they touch the victuals). From what precedes the words quoted, it may be conjectured that this custom prevailed also among the Carthaginians and Greeks. [254] _Propertius_, bk. III. eleg. 9., At primum pura somnum tibi discute limpha. (But first shake off your sleep with pure water). _Apuleius_, Metamorphos. bk. II., Confestim discussa pigra quiete, alacer exsurgo meque purificandi studio, marino lavacro trado. (Soon as ever dull sleep is shaken off, at once I briskly rise, and with the desire of purification, I give myself to the bath of sea water.) _Tacitus_, Germania ch. 22., Statim e somno, quem plerumque in diem extrahunt, lavantur, saepius calida, ut apud quos plurimum hiems occupat. (Immediately on rising from sleep, which as a rule they prolong into the day-time, they wash, generally in warm water, as one would expect among men whose winter lasts most of the year). [255] _Lomeier_, De lustrationibus veterum gentium, (Of the Lustrations of Ancient Peoples), ch. XVI. p. 167., Et Priapus iter ad fontem monstrare dicebatur, quod qui quaeve viros experirentur lotione opus haberent; (Moreover Priapus was said to point the way to the fountain, because such men, or women as had intercourse, were in need of washing); in confirmation of which he then alleges the passage quoted in the text. [256] _Martial_, Bk. II. Epigr. 50. Comp. bk. II. 70., bk. III. 69. 81. _Petronius_, Sat. 67., Aquam in os non coniiciet. (He will not throw water into his mouth). [257] E. g. the Epigram of _Martial_ (VI. 81.) on Charidemus, who according to VI, 56. was a _fellator_. [258] _Martial_, bk. VII. Epigr. 34. 35., Inguina succinctus nigra tibi servus aluta Stat, quoties calidis tota foveris aquis. (A slave girt about the loins with a pouch of black leather stands by you, as oft as you are washed all over with warm water). _Claudian_, I. 106., Pectebat dominae crines et saepe lavanti Nudus in argento lympham portabat alumnae. (He was wont to comb his mistress’ hair, and oft when she bathed, naked, he would bring water for his lady in a silver ewer).