Latin: Pythius Flashcards
When Gaius Canius, a Roman knight, had travelled to Syracuse, he began to say that he wanted to buy some parkland, to which he could invite friends and where he could amuse himself without people interrupting.
When this had become well known, a guy called Pythius, who used to run a bank in Syracuse, said to him that he had gardens, not actually for sale, but which Canius could use if he wanted, as his own. And at the same time, he invited the man to dinner in the gardens.
When he had accepted, Pythius summoned the fishermen to himself and asked them to go fishing in front of his parklands the next day and told them what he wanted them to do.
Canius came on time to dinner. There was a crowd of fishing boats before his eyes. Each man, according to his ability, was bringing in what he had caught; fish were being thrown down before Pythius’ feet.
Then Canius said, “Tell me, Pythius, what is this? Why are there so many fish, so many boats?” And he said, “What’s so surprising? All the fish of Syracuse are in this place.” Canius, burning with greed, begged Pythius to sell. At first, he refused. At last, however, the greedy and rich man bought for as much as Pythius wanted.
The next day Canius invited his friends; he himself came early; he saw no fishing boats. He asked the nearest neighbour whether there was a fishermen’s holiday.
“None, as far as I know,” he said, “but none are accustomed to fish here. And so, yesterday, I was surprised what had happened.” Canius was very angry but what could he do?
