[106] A voracious bird—in allusion to Cleon's rapacity and to his loquacity in the Assembly.
[107] The orators were fond of supporting their arguments with imaginary oracles—and Cleon was an especial adept at this dodge.
[108] Smicythes, King of Thrace, spoken of in the oracle as a woman, doubtless on account of his cowardice. The word pursue is here used in a double sense, viz. in battle and in law. It is on account of this latter meaning, that Aristophanes adds "and her spouse," because in cases in which women were sued at law, their husbands were summoned as conjointly liable.
[109] Because he had smashed up and turned upside down the fortunes of Athens.
[110] The pun—rather a far-fetched one—is between the words [Greek: D_orh_osti] (in the Dorian mode) and [Greek: d_orhon] (a bribe).
[111] A Boeotian soothsayer.
[112] A name invented by the Sausage-seller on the spur of the moment, to cap Cleon's boast.
[113] That is, Athenian; Erectheus was an ancient mythical King of Athens.
[114] That is, the tributes paid to Athens by the Aegaean Islands, whether allies or subjects.
[115] The Lacedaemonian prisoners from Sphacteria, so often referred to.