, _mina_, _tarpessita_,
_symbolus_, _epistula_. Cf. also _Pseud._ 146-7,
'Ut ne peristromata quidem aeque picta sint Campanica,
neque Alexandrina beluata tonsilia tappetia.'
(_b_) There are, however, innumerable references to Roman public life
and manners and customs, even in passages manifestly close to the
original, although references to public events are rare.
1. _Military expressions._--These, many of which are used
metaphorically, were well adapted for an audience most of whom had seen
service. The following are from the _Miles_: _legiones_, _imperator_,
_peditastelli_, _rogare_, _latrocinari_, _stipendium_, _conscribere_,
_contubernales_, _eques_, _pedes_, _machinas parare_. Cf. also _Pseud._
148,
'Dederamque suas provincias';
_Pseud._ 572,
'Dum concenturio in corde sycophantias';
_Bacch._ 709,
'De ducentis nummis primum intendam ballistam in senem:
ea ballista si pervortam turrim et propugnacula,
recta porta invadam extemplo in oppidum antiquom et vetus.'
All references, however, to the enrolment of mercenaries (_latrones_)
are probably Greek and belong to the original play.
2. _Political expressions._--(_a_) Names of officials, etc. So
_tresviri_, _quaestor_, _aedilis_, _praetor_, _senatus_. Cf. _Trin._ 879,
'Census quom sum iuratori recte rationem dedi';
_Pseud._ 1232,
'Centuriata habuit capitis comitia.'
(_b_) Law. So _advocatus_ (_Mil._ 663), _festuca_ (_Mil._ 961), _lege
agito_ (_Mil._ 453). Cf. _Menaech._ 571-95 (on patrons and clients);
_Trin._ 500-4, where Roman terms of _stipulatio_ are used.
3. _Festivals and localities._--References to these are rarer.
Examples are: _Mil._ 691,
'Da, mi vir, Calendis meam qui matrem moenerem';
_Trin._ 545,
'Campans genus';
_Trin._ 609,
'Tam modo, inquit Praenestinus.'
_Mil._ 359,
'Credo ego istoc exemplo tibi esse pereundum extra portam';
a reference to the Esquiline gate, outside which slaves were executed.
4. _Private life._--These references are mostly to the lower classes,
especially slaves, with whom Plautus was very familiar. Hence words
referring to household duties, as _promus_, _suppromus_, _cella_,
_cellarius_, _verna_, _pulmentum_ (from _Mil._) To their patois also
belong phrases for cheating, like _emungere_, _intervortere_, _sarcinam
imponere_, _ducere_, _ductare_, _circumducere_, and the very large
number of words relating to punishment, as: _furcifer_, _verbero_,
_supplic
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