CHAP. 8.—COUCHES OF BRASS.
We learn from L. Piso,1 that Cneius Manlius was the first who introduced brazen banquetting-couches, buffets, and tables with single feet,2 when he entered the City in triumph, in the year of Rome 567, after his conquests in Asia. We also learn from Antias,3 that the heirs of L. Crassus, the orator, sold a number of banquetting-couches adorned with brass. The tripods,4 which were called Delphian, because they were devoted more particularly to receiving the offerings that were presented to the Delphian Apollo, were usually made of brass: also the pendant lamps,5 so much admired, which were placed in the temples, or gave their light in the form of trees loaded with fruit; such as the one, for instance, in the Temple of the Palatine Apollo,6 which Alexander the Great, at the sacking of Thebes, brought to Cyme,7 and dedicated to that god.
