Ἀμυστὶ πιεῖν
to drink in one gulp
Translated by William Hutton25 Apr 2001Vetting: high9 revisions
Translation
['In one gulp' is] an adverb. It is said in reference to those who drink without breathing and without resting, that is without even closing the mouth.1 Related to this is also the [verb] to gulp down.2 Also used is a)musti/zein and the [words formed] out of it. And Pherekrates said 'in one gulp'.3
"Com[m]odus the Roman emperor used to drink when he grew tired in a contest, taking chilled sweet wine in a club-shaped cup from a woman [and downing it] with one gulp, at which all immediately shouted what is customarily said at drinking parties, 'may you live!'."4
The grammar teachers say that 'may you live' is tantamount to 'may you bring your life to an end.'5 A person who says this is therefore in danger of pronouncing a curse rather than a prayer.
And Aristophanes [writes]: "I guzzled it down in one gulp". That is I drank all at once and frequently. [The term comes] either from drinking down without breathing [a)pneusti/ ] or from not closing the mouth [mh\ mu/ein ]. It is also a type of drinking-vessel shaped like a phiale.6
Fora)/mustis is a drink [downed] without a breath.7
"Com[m]odus the Roman emperor used to drink when he grew tired in a contest, taking chilled sweet wine in a club-shaped cup from a woman [and downing it] with one gulp, at which all immediately shouted what is customarily said at drinking parties, 'may you live!'."4
The grammar teachers say that 'may you live' is tantamount to 'may you bring your life to an end.'5 A person who says this is therefore in danger of pronouncing a curse rather than a prayer.
And Aristophanes [writes]: "I guzzled it down in one gulp". That is I drank all at once and frequently. [The term comes] either from drinking down without breathing [
For