or ANAGNOSTES, in antiquity, a kind of literary servant, retained in the families of persons of distinction, whose chief business was to read to them during meals, or at any other time when they were at leisure. Cornelius Nepos relates of Atticus, that he had always an agonistes at his meals. He never supped without reading; so that the minds of his guests were no less agreeably entertained than their appetites. The same custom, Eginhard observes, was kept up by Charlemagne, who at table had the histories and acts of ancient kings read to him. This custom seems to have been a relic of that of the ancient Greeks, who had the praises of great men and heroes sung to them while at table. The ancient monks and clergy kept up the like usage, as we are informed by St Augustin.