Lucian Toxaris vel amicitia 44

[44] The third friendship of which I shall tell you, Mnesippus, is that of Macentes, Lonchates, and Arsacomas. This Arsacomas fell in love with Mazaea, the daughter of Leucanor, who had become king in Bosporus, ¹ when he was there on a mission regarding the tribute which is regularly paid us by the people of Bosporus but at that time was more than two months overdue. Well, at the banquet he caught sight of Mazaea, a tall and beautiful girl, instantly fell in love with her and was hard hit. The matter of the contributions had been settled already, and the king was giving him audience and entertaining him in connection with his dismissal. It is customary, however, in Bosporus for suitors to bespeak brides at dinner and tell who they are that they should think themselves worthy of acceptance, and at this time it chanced that many of them were at the banquet, kings and the sons of kings; Tigrapates the dynast of the Lazi was there, and Adyrmachus, the ruler of Machlyene, and many others. Each of the suitors, after announcing that he has come to propose, must then take dinner, lying in his place among the others, in silence; but when they have finished dinner, he must call for a goblet of wine, pour a drink-offering upon the table, and sue for the girl’s hand, commending himself freely according to his standing in family or wealth or power.

[44] For my third instance, I shall give you the friendship of Macentes, Lonchates, and Arsacomas. This Arsacomas had been on a visit to Leucahor, king of Bosphorus, in connexion with the tribute annually paid to us by that country, which tribute was then three months overdue; and while there he had fallen in love with Mazaea, the king’s daughter. Mazaea was an extremely fine woman, and Arsacomas, seeing her at the king’s table, had been much smitten with her charms. The question of the tribute was at length settled, Arsacomas had his answer, and the king was now entertaining him prior to his departure. It is the custom for suitors in that country to make their proposals at table, stating at the same time their qualifications. Now in the present case there were a number of suitors —kings and sons of kings, among whom were Tigrapates the prince of the Lazi and Adyrmachus the chief of the Machlyans. What each suitor has to do is, first to declare his intentions, and quietly take his seat at table with the rest; then, when dinner is over, he calls for a goblet, pours libation upon the table, and makes his proposal for the lady’s hand, saying whatever he can for himself in the way of birth, wealth, and dominion.

[44] My third case, Mnesippos, shall be the friendship of Makentes, Lonchates, and Arsakomas. This Arsakomas fell in love with Mazaia, daughter of Leukanor, king of the Bosporians, when he went as an envoy in the matter of the tribute which the Bosporians pay us periodically, and which was then three months overdue. Mazaia was a tall, beautiful girl, and Arsakomas, seeing her at dinner, became enamored and fell into a bad way about her. He had finished the business of the tribute, and the king had given him his answer, and was feasting him by way of dismissal. Now it is the custom on the Bosporos for suitors to propose for girls at dinner, stating the qualifications which render them desirable parties. On this occasion there happened to be a great many aspirants at the dinner, kings and kings' sons, and Tigrapates was there, the monarch of the Lazians, and Adyrmachos, the ruler of Machlyëne, with many others. Each suitor is obliged to announce himself and tell why he has come a-wooing, and then to eat his dinner quietly, sitting among the others. But when dinner is over he must ask for a wine-glass and pour out a libation on the table, and propose for the girl, setting forth his advantages of birth, or wealth, or influence, in the most favorable light.