28
Alexandria in Egypt was, in point of commerce, the London of ancient times.
29
Tarentine travelling-cloak. The woollen stuffs from Tarentum, now called Taranto, were famous.
30
"Hva gasaihvis?“ – ”Gasaihva leitil skip." Literally: What do you see? (I) see (a) little ship. The earliest existing specimens of Gothic date from several centuries later than the time of this story, namely the period when the Goths left their original settlements on the lower Vistula and settled farther to the southeast on the Black Sea. I thought it permissible, however, to make a Goth of the first century speak the language of Ulfilas, since there is nothing against it in the general analogies of language, and Gothic, in the form in which it remains to us, is so concrete and logical in its structure, that it is hardly credible that it should have varied to any great extent within a period of two or three centuries.
31
Batavia. It was the custom at a very early date to name vessels after towns, persons, or countries, etc.
32
Amulet. A faith in the protecting power of charms and amulets was universal among Roman women, and children were always provided with amulets against the evil eye.
33
Isis. The Egyptian goddess Isis was originally a personification of the Nile country, and as such was the wife of Osiris, the god of the Nile, who is slain by Typhon and longingly sought by the deserted goddess. She was afterwards confounded with every conceivable form of Greek (See Appuleius.
34
Waxen Ship. Such votive offerings are commonly mentioned. They were generally painted pictures, but models in wax or metal were also given.
35
Nile-Water. The worshippers of Isis ascribed a special power to the waters of the Nile.
36
Sesterces. A Roman silver coin worth about 4 or 5 cents.
The second order, the knights (
The third order comprised mechanics, small tradesmen, tavern-keepers, learned men, artists, etc., etc., – except in cases where those who followed these pursuits were slaves, – and also the immense body of proletarians, who subsisted almost exclusively on public alms.
37
Roman Knight. During the reign of the emperors the free population of Rome was divided into three orders: senators, knights, and people (third order). The order of senators was limited to Rome, and in its hands lay the real political power, which in the time of the republic had been exercised by the assembled populace. To the senate belonged the right of conferring and recalling sovereign power, that is, by appointing and deposing the emperors, a right rarely exercised, it is true, but which the emperors formally recognized by allowing themselves to be confirmed by the senate. In their relation to this body, the emperors were only first among their peers, the members of this order being really their equals; a relation which, with the exception of Caligula, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus, the emperors during the first two centuries, more or less earnestly endeavored to maintain. (Friedlander.
38
My Lord Said the Matron. Concerning the address “lord” (
Nay, the association of domine with the name, which to our ears has a very modern sound, is often found. Thus in Appuleius (Met. II,) we read: "Luci domine," – “Lord Lucius.” In this story, however, this association is avoided, as it might have produced the semblance of an anachronism. In accosting women domina (lady) corresponds with domine. The French, when referring to subjects connected with ancient Rome, reproduce the sound as well as the meaning of the word correctly by their madame (meam dominam).
39
Titus Claudius Mucianus. The Romans usually had three names. Titus is here the first name (
40
Gavius Apicius, the famous Roman gourmand (Tac.
41
Hymettus. A mountain in Attica, famed for its delicious honey. (Horace,
42
Polished emerald. (Plin.
43
The lobster, (
44
Cut Crystal. Window panes of glass (
45
Menander, son of the general Diopeithes, B.C. 342. The most distinguished poet of the New Comedy; fragments of his comedies have come down to us.
46
Tibur. A favorite summer resort of the Roman aristocracy, now Tivoli.
47
Cappadocian horses. The province of Cappadocia in Asia Minor was famed for its horses.
48
Litters (