Book 12
46
And Chamæleon of Pontus, in his Essay on Anacreon, having quoted these lines— And Periphoretus Artemon Is loved by golden-hair'd Eurypyle, says that Artemo derived this nickname from living luxuriously, and being carried about (περιφέρεσθαι) on a couch. For Anacreon says that he had been previously very poor, and then became on a sudden very luxurious, in the following verses— Having before a poor berberium cloak, And scanty cap, and his poor ears With wooden earrings decorated, And wearing round his ribs a newly-bought Raw ox-hide, fitter for a case For an old-fashion'd shield, this wretch Artemon, who long has lived With bakers' women, and the lowest of the low, Now having found a new style of life, Often thrusts his neck into the yoke, Or beneath the spear doth crouch; And many a weal he can display, Mark'd on his back with well-deserved scourge; And well pluck'd as to hair and beard. But now he mounts his chariot, he the son Of Cyca, and his golden earrings wears; And like a woman bears An ivory parasol o'er his delicate head.
