The prize also which was proposed for those who gained the victory in drinking was called κότταβος, as Euripides shows us in his Œneus, where he says—
And then with many a dart of Bacchus' juice,The vessel, too, into which they threw the drops was also called κότταβος, as Cratinus shows in his Nemesis. But Plato the comic poet, in his Jupiter Ill-treated, makes out that the cottabus was a sort of drunken game, in which those who were defeated yielded up their tools1 to the victor. And these are his words—
They struck the old man's head. And I was set
To crown the victor with deserved reward,
And give the cottabus to such.
A. I wish you all to play at cottabus
While I am here preparing you your supper.
* * * * * * * *
Bring, too, some balls to play with, quick,-some balls,
And draw some water, and bring round some cups.
B. Now let us play for kisses.2 A. No; such games
I never suffer.
I challenge you all to play the cottabus,
And for the prizes, here are these new slippers
Which she doth wear, and this your cotylus.
B. A mighty game! This is a greater contest
Than e'en the Isthmian festival can furnish.
