Does Xenophon feel the bathos of this, or is hdg.

wrong and there is no bathos?
It may be said that the sacramental and spiritual side is not in abeyance.

Xenophon has to account for the "common board" and he has the Spartan Lycurgan "common board" to encourage him, so that imaginatively he provides this royal being with a sumptuous table at which thousands will share alike.
C2.3.How far was this a custom among Hellenes?
It reveals a curious state of society, real or imaginary; but I suppose that at Rome in imperial days (cf.

_panem et circenses_) the theory of meat and drink largesses being the best would hold.
C2.4, fin.

The last remark is so silly ( ?) I am almost disposed to follow Lincke and admit interpolation.