Note 527 — OB, OUB, PYTHO,

Menelaus was of old styled [527]Pitanates, as we learn from Hesychius: and the reason of it may be known from his being a Spartan, by which was intimated one of the serpentigenæ, or Ophites. Hence he was represented with a serpent for a device upon his shield. It is said that a brigade, or portion of infantry, was among some of the Greeks named [528]Pitanates; and the soldiers, in consequence of it, must have been termed Pitanatæ: undoubtedly, because they had the Pitan, or serpent, for their [529]standard. Analogous to this, among other nations, there were soldiers called [530]Draconarii. I believe, that in most countries the military standard was an emblem of the Deity there worshipped.