[3] Euripides had died a few months before.
[4] The Athenians used to inflict the penalty of death by a draught of hemlock.
[5] For the “Crows” in the original. “Going to the crows” was the first equivalent for our “Going to the dogs.” The “Isle of Dogs” is a wellknown spot near London.
[6] When he captured the Spartan garrison of the Island of Sphacteria, B. C. 425.
[7] This would amount to about $2.25—a drachma being equal to about 20c or 9½d. in English money.
[8] These “liturgies,” as they were called, were charges imposed upon all residents in Athens whose property was assessed at more than a certain amount (three talents, which, as a talent contained 6,000 drachmæ, may be roughly estimated at $3,500, equivalent, it is probable, to much more in actual value). These were originally equivalents for special privileges and powers which the wealthy enjoyed under the earlier constitution, but they were continued in force after the democratic changes which put all citizens on an equality. The Aliens were not liable to all.
[9] Better known by its Latin name of Paestum.
[10] Fought in 407. Notium was the harbor of Colophon a city of Asia Minor, about nine miles north of Ephesus, and about fifteen miles from the sea.
[11] Noble Athenian damsels were the “basket-bearers” (Canephoroi), daughters of aliens “Sunshade-bearers” (Skiaphoroi) in the Paratheraea, or Great Procession of Athens.
[12] The Andronitis and Gynaekonitis, as they were called.