The philosophie, commonlie called, the morals vvritten by the learned philosopher Plutarch of Chæronea. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine translations and the French, by Philemon Holland of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke. VVhereunto are annexed the summaries necessary to be read before every treatise

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Who be they in the citie Aegina, which are called Monophagi?

OF those Aeginets, who served in the Trojane warre many died in fight, howbeit more [ 50] were drowned by meanes of a tempest in their voyage at sea. But those few who returned were welcomed home, and joifully received by their kinsfolke and friends: who perceiving all their other fellow-citizens to mourne and be in heavinesse, thought this with themselves, they ought not to rejoice nor offer sacrifice unto the gods openly, but in secret: and so, everie man a part in his privat house, entertained those who were escaped and came home safe with feasts and banquets: and served at the table in their owne persons, unto their fathers, their brethren,

cousens and friends, without admitting any stranger whatsoever: in imitation whereof they do yet every yeere sacrifice unto Neptune in secret assemblies, which sacrifices they call Thyasi; during which solemnitie they doe feast one another privatly for the space of sixteene daies to∣gether with silence, and there is not a servant or slave there present to wait at the boord: but af∣terwards for to make an end of their feasting, they celebrate one solemne sacrifice unto Venus. And thus you may see why they be called Monophagi, that is to say, Eating alone, or by them∣selves.