POJIPEIANA.
143
the son of Nestor pass the night in the
former, while Menelaus and Helen occupy
the latter division of the house.
In Terence, Jupiter passes over the
neighbours' roofs, and descends through
the impluvium to Danae; thereby avoiding
the men's apartments, through whose court
he must have passed had he got into the
house from the street'.
The houses of the early Romans were
small; and the doors were left unclosed
during the single meal which sufficed for
the day, that it might be seen no one ex-
ceeded the bounds of frugality prescribed
by the laws. But as civilization advanced,
and luxury was introduced, their size en-
larged to the excess, that four hundred
slaves5 do not appear to have been an
1 Atque per alienas tegulas venisse clanculum per im-
pluvium mulieri.
2 Tacitus. They were all execnted for not preventing
the murder of their master. Within the walls of one house
was frequently produced every article of life.
143
the son of Nestor pass the night in the
former, while Menelaus and Helen occupy
the latter division of the house.
In Terence, Jupiter passes over the
neighbours' roofs, and descends through
the impluvium to Danae; thereby avoiding
the men's apartments, through whose court
he must have passed had he got into the
house from the street'.
The houses of the early Romans were
small; and the doors were left unclosed
during the single meal which sufficed for
the day, that it might be seen no one ex-
ceeded the bounds of frugality prescribed
by the laws. But as civilization advanced,
and luxury was introduced, their size en-
larged to the excess, that four hundred
slaves5 do not appear to have been an
1 Atque per alienas tegulas venisse clanculum per im-
pluvium mulieri.
2 Tacitus. They were all execnted for not preventing
the murder of their master. Within the walls of one house
was frequently produced every article of life.