Vinegar too was much used by the ancients, and this is the only seasoning to which the Attics give the name of ἧδος, as if it were akin to ἡδὺς, sweet. And Chrysippus the philosopher says, that the best vinegar is the Egyptian and the Cnidian. But Aristophanes, in his Plutus, says—
Sprinkling it o'er with Sphettian vinegar.Didymus explaining this verse says, “Perhaps he says Sphettian because the Sphettians are sour-tempered people.” And somewhere or other he mentions vinegar from Cleonæ, as being most excellent, saying, “And at Cleonæ there are manufactories of vinegar.” We find also in Diphilus—
A. He first takes off his coat, and then he sups,And Philonides says—
After what fashion think you?
B. Why, like a Spartan.
A. A measure then of vinegar . . . .
B. Bah!
A. Why bah
B. A measure holds but such and such a quantity
Of the best Cleonæan vinegar.
Their seasonings have not vinegar sufficient.But Heraclides the Tarentine, in his Symposium, says, “Vinegar has a tendency to make the exterior parts coagulate, and it affects the strings within the stomach in a very similar manner; but any parts which are tumid it dissolves, because forsooth different humours are mixed up in us.” And Alexis used to admire above all others the Decelean vinegar, and says—
You have compell'd me to bring forth from thence[p. 112] The word ὀξύγαρον must be spelt so, with a v, and the vessel which receives it is called ὀξύβαφον. And so Lysias, in the speech against Theopompus when on his trial for an assault, says, “But I myself drink ὀξύμελι.” And so too we must call oil of roses mixed with vinegar ὀξυρόδινον, spelling all the words thus compounded in this manner with a v.
Four half-pint measures full of vinegar
From Decelea, and now drag me through
The middle of the forum.
