treatise on Alcæus, says that the word [Greek: latagê] is also a Sicilian
noun. But [Greek: latagê] means the drops which are left in the bottom after the cup is drained, and which the players used to throw with inverted hand into the [Greek: kottabeion]. But Clitarchus, in his treatise on Words, says that the Thessalians and Rhodians both call the [Greek: kottabos] itself, or splash made by the cups, [Greek: latagê].
3. The prize also which was proposed for those who gained the victory in drinking was called [Greek: kottabos], as Euripides shows us in his Œneus, where he says—
And then with many a dart of Bacchus' juice,
They struck the old man's head. And I was set
To crown the victor with deserved reward,
And give the cottabus to such.
The vessel, too, into which they threw the drops was also called [Greek: kottabos], as Cratinus shows in his Nemesis. But Plato the comic poet, in his Jupiter Ill-treated, makes out that the cottabus was a sort of drunken game, in which those who were defeated yielded up their tools[1] to the victor. And these are his words—
A. I wish you all to play at cottabus
While I am here preparing you your supper.
Bring, too, some balls to play with, quick,—some balls,
And draw some water, and bring round some cups.
B. Now let us play for kisses.[2] A. No; such games
I never suffer. . . .
I challenge you all to play the cottabus,
And for the prizes, here are these new slippers
Which she doth wear, and this your cotylus.
B. A mighty game! This is a greater contest
Than e'en the Isthmian festival can furnish.
4. There was a kind of cottabus also which they used to call [Greek: kataktos], that is, when lamps are lifted up and then let down again. Eubulus, in his Bellerophon, says—
Who now will take hold of my leg below?
For I am lifted up like a [Greek: kottabeion].
And Antiphanes, in his Birthday of Venus, says—
A. This now is what I mean; don't you perceive
This lamp's the cottabus: attend awhile;
The eggs, and sweetmeats, and confectionery
Are the prize of victory. B. Sure you will play
) were the [Greek: krêpides] (boots) and
[Greek: kotylos] (small cup) mentioned in the following iambics.]