Note 4, 1 — A. PERSIUS FLACCUS (continued 3)

1. rem populi = rem publicam.—tractas? On the form of the question, see G., 455; A., 71, 1, R. Comp. Plato, Alc. I., p. 106C: διανοεῖ γὰρ παριέναι συμβουλεύσων Ἀθηναίοις ἐντὸς οὐ πολλοῦ χρόνου, and further, p. 118B, and Conv., p. 216A.—barbatum: The beard was the conventional mark of the philosopher in the time of Persius; it is an anachronism in the case of Socrates, who lived before shaving was the rule and the beard a badge. However, the custom was old in Persius’s day, and the slip is slight. So Plato’s long beard is noticed by Ephippus ap. Athen., 11, p. 509C (3, 332 Mein.). Comp. Juv., 14, 12: barbatos—magistros.—crede: advertises a want of art.