in Grecian antiquity, feasts celebrated with great frugality at Lacedæmon. The phiditia were held in the public places, and in the open air: rich and poor assisted at them alike, and on the same footing; their design being to keep up peace, friendship, and a good understanding and equality among all the citizens, great and small. It is said, that they who attended this feast, brought each a bushel of flour, eight measures of wine named chorus, five minae of cheese, and as much figs.