BOOK XIII.
ARGUMENT.
The Fragments of this book, as well as of the twelfth, are too few to admit of any opinion being satisfactorily arrived at with respect to its subject. Schoenbeck supposes it was directed against sumptuous extravagance and luxurious banquets. Petermann adopts the same view. Gerlach, though he considers the Fragments so vague that they might support any hypothesis, allows that this conjecture is tenable, as the third, fifth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh appear to "savor of the kitchen."
1 Or to conquer in war altogether by chance and fortune; if it is entirely by chance and at random, that any one arrives at the highest distinction.[1759]
2 ... to whom fortune has assigned an equal position, and chance their destiny.
3 The same thing occurs at supper. You will give oysters bought for a thousand sesterces.
4 ... sets them to engage with one another in fierce conflict.[1760]
5 In the first place, let all banquetings and company be done away with.[1761]
6 Add shoes from Syracuse, a bag of leather....[1762]
7 ... one only, out of many, who has intellect....
8 ... as he is styled skilless in whom there is no skill.[1763]
9 and not so poor as ... a chipped dish of Samian pottery.[1764]
10 ... for as soon as we recline at a table munificently heaped up at great expense....
11 ... the same food at the feast, as the banquet of almighty Jove....[1765]