Ulpian again picking out the thorns from what was said, asked—Are we able to show that the ancients used silver vessels at their banquets? and is the word πίναξ a Greek noun? For with reference to the line in Homer—
The swineherd served up dishes (πίνακας) of rich meat,1Aristophanes the Byzantine said that is was a modernism to speak of meats being placed on platters (πίνακες), not being aware that in other places the poet has said—
Dishes (πίνακας) of various meats the butler brought.2I ask also, if any men among the ancients had ever acquired a multitude of slaves, as the men of modern times do: and if the word τήγανον (frying-pan) is ever found, and not the form τάγηνον only. So that we may not fix our whole attention on eating and drinking, like those who from their devotion to their bellies are called parasites and flatterers.
