of myrtles and laurels. Everywhere the ground was carpeted with
flowers, though the season was mid-winter, with roses and white
lilies and blossoms of the gardens. By the columns round the whole
pavilion were arrayed a hundred effigies in marble, executed by the
most famous sculptors, and on the middle spaces were hung works by
the painters of Sicyon and tapestry woven with stories of the
adventures of the gods. Above these, again, ran a frieze of gold and
silver shields, while in the higher niches were placed comic, tragic,
and satiric sculptured groups 'dressed in real clothes,' says the
historian, much admiring this realism. It is impossible to number
the tripods, and flagons, and couches of gold, resting on golden
figures of sphinxes, the salvers, the bowls, the jewelled vases. The
masquerade of this winter festival began with the procession of the
Morning-star, Heosphoros, and then followed a masque of kings and a
revel of various gods, while the company of Hesperus, the Evening-
star followed, and ended all. The revel of Dionysus was introduced
by men disguised as Sileni, wild woodland beings in raiment of purple
and scarlet. Then came scores of satyrs with gilded lamps in their
hands. Next appeared beautiful maidens, attired as Victories, waving
golden wings and swinging vessels of burning incense. The altar of
the God of the Vine was borne behind them, crowned and covered with
leaves of gold, and next boys in purple robes scattered fragrant
scents from golden salvers. Then came a throng of gold-crowned
satyrs, their naked bodies stained with purple and vermilion, and
among them was a tall man who represented the year and carried a horn
of plenty. He was followed by a beautiful woman in rich attire,
carrying in one hand branches of the palm-tree, in the other a rod of
the peach-tree, starred with its constellated flowers. Then the
masque of the Seasons swept by, and Philiscus followed, Philiscus the
Corcyraean, the priest of Dionysus, and the favourite tragic poet of