Salii. The dancing priests of Mars, said to have been instituted by Numa.
Salmōneus. Son of Aeolus, and brother of Sisyphus. Zeus slew him with the thunderbolt, for claiming sacrifice, and imitating the thunder and lightning.
Sappho. A Lesbian poetess of the sixth century B.C. Taken as a type of elegance in the Portrait-Study.
Sardanapālus. Last king of the Assyrian empire of Nineveh. Lucian's favourite type of luxury and effeminacy.
Sarpēdon. Son of Zeus and Laodamia, slain in the Trojan war by Patroclus.
Saturnalia. The feast of the Latin God Saturn, held in the month of December. During the feast, all ranks devoted themselves to merriment, presents were exchanged, and public gambling was officially recognized. A mock king was also chosen, who could impose forfeits on his subjects. Lucian does not speak of the Saturnalia by that name, but only of the feast of Cronus, with whom Saturn was identified; and in some cases it is possible that he refers to a feast of Cronus himself.
Satyrs. Beings connected with the worship of Dionysus, and represented with snub noses, horns, and tails.
Sceptics. A school of philosophers founded by Pyrrho of Elis, who flourished 325 B.C. Abstention from definition, and suspension of judgement, were the guiding principles of the school.
Scheria. See Phaeacians.