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Βακχείῳ emphasizes the orgiastic character of the rites


σφίγγες. For sphinxes cf. ii. 175. 1 n., for griffins c. 13 n. Macan has a long and interesting note on these creatures, which were intended to protect the palace against evil spirits. Perhaps there is a reference in them to Skyles' devotion to Dionysus, for the sphinx appears on the coins of Chios (Head, H. N. p. 599), and the griffin on those of Teos and Abdera (ib. 595, 253), in both cases in connexion with the cult of the wine-god. Griffins are often found ornamenting Scythian objects.


διεπρήστευσε, ‘gibed at’; Stein says the word is colloquial

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