f
circuits round the goals is expressed by the putting up of
_eggs_[317], since that emblem, pregnant as it is with many
superstitions[318], indicates that something is about to be born from
thence. And in truth we may well understand that the most fickle and
inconstant characters, well typified by the birds who have laid those
eggs, will spring from attendance on these spectacles[319]. It were
long to describe in detail all the other points of the Roman Circus,
since each appears to arise from some special cause. This only will we
remark upon as pre-eminently strange, that in these beyond all other
spectacles men's minds are hurried into excitement without any regard
to a fitting sobriety of character. The Green charioteer flashes by:
part of the people is in despair. The Blue gets a lead: a larger part
of the City is in misery. They cheer frantically when they have gained
nothing; they are cut to the heart when they have received no loss;
and they plunge with as much eagerness into these empty contests as if
the whole welfare of the imperilled fatherland were at stake.

[Footnote 316: _Missibus._ In a previous sentence Cassiodorus makes
the acc. plural _missos_.]

[Footnote 317: The number of times that the charioteers had rounded
the goal was indicated by large wooden _eggs_, which were posted up in
a conspicuous place on the spina. It seems that in a corresponding
place near the other end of the spina figures of _dolphins_ were used
for the same purpose. Upon the Cilurnum gem (figured on page 231) we
can perceive four eggs near one end of the spina, and four creatures
which may be dolphins near the other, indicating that four circuits
out of the seven which constitute a missus have been accomplished by
the quadrigae.]

[Footnote 318: Alluding probably to the story of Castor and Pollux.]

[Footnote 319: 'Et ideo datur intelligi, volitantes atque
inconstantissimos inde mores nasci, quos avium matribus aptaverunt.'
_Ovium_ would seem to give a better sense than _avium_.]

'No wonder that such a departure from all sensible dispositions should
be attributed to a superstitious origin. We are compelled to support
this institution by the necessity of humouring the majority of the
people, who are passionately fond of it; for it is always the few who
are led by reason, while the many crave excitement and oblivion of
their cares. Therefore, as we too must sometimes share the folly of
our people, we will freely provide fo