ANTESTARI, in Roman antiquity, signifies to
bear witness against any one who refused to make his
appearance in the Roman courts of judicature, on the
day appointed, and according to the tenor of his bail.
The plaintiff, finding the defendant after such a breach
of his engagement, was allowed to carry him into court
by force, having first asked any of the persons present
to bear witness. The person asked to bear witness in
this case, expressed his consent by turning his right
ear, which was instantly taken hold of by the plaintiff,
and this was to answer the end of a subpoena. The
ear was touched upon this occasion, says Pliny, as being
the seat of memory, and therefore the ceremony
was a sort of caution to the party to remember his engagement.