[167] The province of Thesprotis in Epirus, extended from Chaonia to the Ambracian Gulf. The goats raised there were considered exceptionally good.
[168] Pheasants from the Caspian Sea. At the time of our story, these birds were a newly-introduced delicacy. Phasis was the name of the boundary river between Asia-Minor and Colchis; hence their name phasianus; (avis Phasiana, or merely Phasiana, or Phasianus—the pheasant.) Martial also calls them volucres Phasides.
[169] Dates. The best quality were imported into Rome from Egypt.
[170] Dainty Cakes. Bread from Picenum is mentioned in the menu of a banquet given in the latter half of the century B. C., (Marquardt Handbuch, IV, 1.)
[171] Figs from Chios. Varro, (R. Rust. I, 41) speaks of Chian, Lydian, Chalcedonian and African figs.
[172] Pistachio nuts. The best pistachio nuts came from Palestine and Syria, whence Lucius Vitellius introduced them into his garden at Albanum.
[173] Euphemus. Caesar’s head-cook or butler. (See Martial Ep. IV. 8.)
“The tenth hour’s proper for my book and me,
And Euphem, thou who dost the board o’ersee.”
Anon, 1695.