69
Or has this nothing to do with Dionysus Nothing to do with the case: Cf.Moralia, 615 a, and Lucian, Dionysus, 5, with Harmon’s note (L.C.L. vol. i. p. 55); see also Moralia 388 e and 612 e.? But did they imagine, when their great task of consolidation had been accomplished, that the city had now ceased from further extension: and they rested themselves, and gave respite to the pack-animals, which had helped them in their labours, and afforded the animals an opportunity to enjoy the general festival with no work to do?
69
Or did they wish that the presence of the citizens should adorn and honour every festival always, and, above all, that one which was held in commemoration of the consolidation of the city? Wherefore in order that they might not leave the City, in whose honour the festival was being held, it was not permitted to make use of vehicles on that day.
70
Why do they call such persons as stand convicted of theft or of any other servile offences furciferi? Cf. Life of Coriolanus, chap. xxiv. (225 d).
70
Is this also evidence of the carefulness of the men of old? For anyone who had found guilty of some knavery a slave reared in his own household used to command him to take up the forked stick, which they put under their carts, and to proceed through the community or the neighbourhood, observed of all observers, that they might distrust him and be on their guard against him in the future. This stick we call a prop, and the Romans furca (fork): wherefore also he who has borne it about is called furcifer (fork-bearer).
71
Why do they tie hay to one horn of vicious bulls to warn anyone who meets them to be on guard?