POLYSTRATUS 
Hold still! I perceive now quite clearly who the
woman is that you describe; I recognize her by just
these points and also by her country. Besides, you
said that there were eunuchs in her following.
 LYCINUS 
Yes, and several soldiers.
 POLYSTRATUS 
It is the Emperor’s mistress, you simpleton —the
woman who is so famous!
 LYCINUS 
What is her name?
 POLYSTRATUS 
Like herself, it is very pretty and charming.
She has the same name as the beautiful wife of
Abradatas. You know whom I mean, for you have
often heard Xenophon praise her as a good and
beautiful woman. Panthea, “the woman of Susa, who is said to have been the fairest in Asia,” whose story is told in the Cyropaedia (4, 6, 11; 5, 1, 2-18; 6,1, 33-51; 6,4,2-11; 7,3, 2-16). Polystratus says “heard” because of the ancient practios of reading aloud, to which the Lessons of the Church bear present testimony. 
 LYCINUS 
Yes, and it makes me feel as if I saw her when I
reach that place in my reading; I can almost hear



 

her say what she is described as saying, and see how
she armed her husband and what she was like when
she sent him off to the battle.