Dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

826 OLEA. OLIGARCHIA..oil obtained from the fruit when green (o/leum acer- After a moderate force had been applied to the
bum s. aestiwvm), when half ripe (oleumn vi7ide), press, and a considerable quantity of oil had flowed
and when fully ripe (oleum maturunm), and while forth, the bruised cake (sampsa) was taken out of
he considers the manufacture of the first as inex- the bags, mixed with a little salt, replaced and
pedient, in consequence of the scanty produce, he subjected to the action of the press a second, and
strongly recommends the proprietor to make as again a third time. The oil first obtained (oleum
much as possible of the second, because the quantity primae pressurae) was the finest, and in proportion
yielded was considerable, and the price so high, as as additional force was applied by the press-men
almost to double his receipts. (factores, torcularii), the quality became gradually
Under ordinary circumstances, the ripe fruit worse (longe suelioris saporis quod snminre vi preli
when gathered was carefully cleaned, and conveyed quasi liMiviumL defluxerit). Hence, the product of
in baskets to the farm house, where it was placed each pressing was kept distinct, the marketable
in heaps upon sloping wooden floors (in tabulato), value of each being very different (plunrinumz refert
in order that a portion of the anrurca might flow non rziscere iterationes uzlltoquce minus tertiationzem
out, and a slight fermentation takes place (ult ibi cu2n prima pressura). The lowest quality of all
mediocriter fracescat), which rendered them more (oleum cibariumn) was made from olives which had
tender and more productive, and exactly the same been partially damaged by vermin, or which had
system is pursued for the same reason in modern fallen from the trees in bad weather into the mud,
times. The gatherings of each day (coactura unius- so that it became necessary to wash them in warm
citjusque diei) were kept separate, and great care was water before they could be used.
taken to leave them in this state for a very limited The quantity of fruit thrown at one time into the
period, for if the masses heated, the oil soon be press varied from 120 to 160 modii, according to
came rancid (Olea lecta si niuizzum diu fJuit ins acer- the capacity of the vessels: this quantity was termed
vis, caldore fiacescit, el oleu2cn foetidum z fit). If, Factus, the amount of oil obtained from one factus
therefore, circumstances did not allow of the oil was called Hostus, but these words are not unfrebeing made soon after the fruit was gathered, the quently confounded. (Cat. R. R. 7, 64, 65, 66;
olives were spread out and exposed to the air so as Varr. R. R. i. 24, 55; Columell. xii. 52 Plihn.
to check any tendency towards decomposition. It H. N. xv. 3. 6, 7; Geopon. ix. 17.) [W. R.]
is the neglect of these rules and precautions which OLIGA'RCI-IA (ioWyapXia), the governsment
lenders the oil now made in Spain so offensive, for of a fzew, is a ternm, the application of which by
there the olives are frequently allowed to remain writers on political science is less wide than its
in cellars for months before they are used. Although etymological signification might have warranted.
both ancient and modern experience are upon the (See Polyb. vi. 4; Arist. Pol. iv. 3, from whom
whole in favour of a slight fermentation, Cato, we learn that some writers used Oligarchia as a
whose great practical knowledge entitles him to generic name, including Aristocratia as one of its
respect, strongly recommends that it should be species.) It is shown elsewhere [AaIsTOCRATIA]
altogether dispensed with, and affirms that the under what conditions the limitation of political
oil would be both more abundant in quantity and power to a portion of the community was regarded
superior in quality: " Quam citissime conficies as a proper and regular constitution (bpO 7oroxrLTefa,
maxime expediet." Arist. Pol. iii. 4, iv. 2.) The term Oligaerchia was
The olives when considered to be in a proper applied to that perversion (rap'fKCaols) of an Arisstate were placed in bags or flexible baskets tocratia into which the latter passed, when, owing
(fiscis), and were then subjected to the action of a to the rise of the demnus [DEMaocATIA], and the
machine consisting partly of a bruising and partly vanishing of those substantial grounds of pre-emiof a squeezing apparatus, which was constructed in nence which rendered an Aristocratia not unjust,
various ways, and designated by various names: the rule of the dominant portion of the community
Trapetnum, AIola olearia, Canalis et Solea, Torcular, ceased to be the exponent of the general interests
Prelusz, Tudicula. The oil as it issued forth was of the state, and became the ascendancy of a facreceived in a leaden pot (cortina plumbea), placed tion, whose efforts were directed chiefly towards
in the cistern (lacus) below the press. From the their own aggrandisement and the maintenance of
cortina it was ladled out by an assistant (capula/tor), their own power and privileges (Arist. I.c. c. Et.
with a large flat spoon (conciha), first into one vat Nicosm. viii. 12 Polyb. vi. 8. ~ 4). The pre(labruumfictile), and then into another, thirty being servation of power under such circumstances of
placed in a row for this purpose. It was allowed course depended chiefly upon the possession of
to rest for a while in each, and the operation was superior wealth and the other appliances of wealth
repeated again and again (oleumnlfequenter capiant) which were its concomitants. Thus it came to be
until the amurca and all impurities had been com- regarded as essentially characteristic of an oligarpletely removed. In cold weather when the oil chy, thattthe main distinction between the dominant
remained in union with the amurca notwithstanding fiction and the subject portion of the community
these transferences, the separation was effected by was the possession of greater wealth on the part of
mixing a little parched salt with the combined the former. Hence the term Oligar1clia would
fluids, but when the cold was very intense, dry not have been applied, if a small section of the
carbonate of soda (nit/crumz) was found to answer community, consisting of poor persons, by any
better. The oil was finally poured into jars (dolta means got the reins of gov ernment into their hands.
olearia), which had been previously thoroughly (Arist. P'ol. iv. 3, 8ouors p, /Eo-rnLv brav ol iie6Oe.
cleaned and seasoned, and glazed with wax or gum poLt IcVpioe onl, oAlyapXia BE e-rav of orAooalol.
to prevent absorption, the lids (opercula) were A little further on he says: oAryapXiaet E o'rTa
carefully secured, and they were then delivered to or rAiXo-soo cial. evYEV'ETrepoi, OiWyoa ba'es, s:Kptio
the overseer (custos) by whom they were stored 7~rs a&pxes en'V. Comp. iv. 6; P.at. de Rep. viii.
up in the vault reserved for their reception (cella pp. 550, c. 553, a.) The case of the wealthy portion
olearia). beinlg also the more numerous would be a very