CHAP. 8.—COUCHES OF BRASS.
We learn from L. Piso,1253 that Cneius Manlius was the first who introduced brazen banquetting-couches, buffets, and tables with single feet,1254 when he entered the City in triumph, in the year of Rome 567, after his conquests in Asia. We also learn from Antias,1255 that the heirs of L. Crassus, the orator, sold a number of banquetting-couches adorned with brass. The tripods,1256 which were called Delphian, because they were devoted more particularly to receiving the offerings that were presented to the Delphian Apollo, were usually made of brass: also the pendant lamps,1257 so much admired, which were placed in the temples, or gave their light in the form of trees loaded with fruit; such as the one, for instance, in the Temple of the Palatine Apollo,1258 which Alexander the Great, at the sacking of Thebes, brought to Cyme,1259 and dedicated to that god.