[323] A parody of a passage in the lost tragedy of 'Niobe' of Aeschylus.
[324] Because this bird has a spotted plumage.—Porphyrion is also the name of one of the Titans who tried to storm heaven.
[325] All these surnames bore some relation to the character or the build of the individual to whom the poet applies them.—Chaerephon, Socrates' disciple, was of white and ashen hue.—Opontius was one-eyed.—Syracosius was a braggart.—Midias had a passion for quail-fights, and, besides, resembled that bird physically.
[326] Pisthetaerus' servant, already mentioned.
[327] From the inspection of which auguries were taken, e.g. the eagles, the vultures, the crows.
[328] Or rather, a young man who contemplated parricide.
[329] A parody of verses in Sophocles' 'Oenomaus.'
[330] The Athenians were then besieging Amphipolis in the Thracian Chalcidicé.
[331] There was a real Cinesias—a dithyrambic poet, born at Thebes.
[332] The Scholiast thinks that Cinesias, who was tall and slight of build, wore a kind of corset of lime-wood to support his waist—surely rather a far-fetched interpretation!