Myris in barley-gruel to restore strength
Of the same: restoratives of strength. Myris is a plant similar in all respects to hemlock except the flower, which is itself similar too, but much smaller. It has an elongated root, somewhat resembling, very fragrant and most pleasant to eat. It is found in cultivated fields.
Having pounded this whole plant carefully, one must put it into clean barley-gruel that has been well boiled, and boil them together carefully, stirring. Then add so much of the most fragrant wine as not to make the barley-gruel too liquid, and drench the one who is fasting. No one would find a better help than this for the purpose; but if he lacks the root, having boiled swine marrows — especially the spinal ones — together in barley-gruel and likewise added wine, he will have a second-best help for the matter at hand.
Greek
3.4 Τοῦ αὐτοῦ· ἀναληπτικὰ δυνάμεωσ Μυρίς ἐστι βοτάνη τῷ κωνείῳ τὰ πάντα παραπλησία πλὴν τοῦ ἄνθους, ὃ δὴ καὶ αὐτὸ ὅμοιον μέν ἐστι, μικρότερον δὲ πολλῷ. Ῥίζαν δὲ ἔχει ὡς παρεμφέρουσαν ἐπιμήκη, εὐώδη σφόδρα καὶ ἡδίστην ἐν τῷ τρώγειν. Εὑρίσκεται δὲ ἐν τοῖς ἐργασίμοις χωρίοις. Ταύτην ὁλόκληρον ἐπιμελῶς τρίψας εἰς καθαρὰν πτισάνην εὖ μάλα ἑψημένην ἐμβάλλειν χρὴ καὶ συνεψεῖν ἐπιμελῶς κινοῦντας. Ἔπειτα οἴνου εὐωδεστάτου τοσοῦτον ἐπιβάλλειν, ὡς μὴ λίαν ἐξυγρᾶναι τὴν πτισάνην, καὶ νῆστιν ἐγχυματίζειν. Τούτου ἄμεινον βοήθημα πρὸς τοῦτο οὐκ ἄν τις εὕροι· εἰ δὲ ἀπορεῖ τῆς ῥίζης, πτισάνῃ συνεψήσας ὑείους μυελοὺς καὶ μάλιστα νωτιαίους οἴνῳ τε ὁμοίως ἐπιβαλών, δευτερεῦον ἕξει βοήθημα πρὸς τὸ προκείμενον.
About this text
Julius Africanus, Cesti (Embroidered Girdles): a miscellany of history, science, and craft, in the surviving fragments — books 7, 2, and 3 in full, with parts of books 4, 8, 9, and 13, and the colophon of Cestus 18. The older English translates his letters only. The book-2 table of contents and a book-7 appendix are not in this volume.
New English from locked PG 10 / Khazarzar Greek of the Cesti fragmenta through 9.5. Earlier lemma-led scaffold English was discarded. Book-2 pinax and book-7 appendix held. This lock is exhausted.
Catalogue & scope
Khazarzar scan
Witnesses
- Copy-text PG 10 Cesti fragmenta (Khazarzar) (Greek)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.