Book 20
7
How the opinions of the Greeks differ as to the number of Niobe's children.
7
A STRANGE and indeed almost absurd variation is to be noted in the Greek poets as to the number of Niobe's children. For Homer says Iliad xxiv. 602. that she had six sons and six daughters; Euripides, Frag. 455, N2. seven of each; Sappho, Frag. 143, Bergk. nine; Bacchylides Frag. 46, Blass2. and Pindar, Frag. 65, Bergk. ten; while certain other writers have said that there were only three sons and three daughters.
8
Of things which seem to have sumptwsi/a, or coincidence, with the waning and waxing moon.
8
THE poet Annianus owned an estate in the Faliscan territory, where he used to celebrate the vintage season with mirth and jollity. On one occasion he invited me, along with some other friends. As we were dining there one day, a large quantity of oysters were sent from Rome. When they were set before us and proved to be indeed numerous, but neither rich nor very plump, Annianus said: Of course the moon is waning just now; therefore the oyster also, like some other things, is thin and juiceless. When we asked what other things wasted away with the waning moon, he answered: "Don't you remember that our Lucilius says: v. 1201, Marx. The moon makes oysters fat, sea-urchins full, And bulk and substance to the mussels adds? Cf. Hor. Serm. ii. 4. 30, lubrica nascentes implent conchylia lunae; Cic. de Div. ii. 33.
