Βασανίζειν
to test
Translated by William Hutton7 Jun 2003Vetting: high8 revisions
Translation
It does not mean abusing or punishing or whipping in the Attic [authors], but interrogating without blows and investigating the truth through words; from the goldsmith's touchstone [ba/sanos ], used metaphorically.1
And Polybius [writes]: "then, thinking he had [applied] the test of fire he was relieved of his suspicion."2
Also [sc. attested is]basani/sas ["having tested"]; with an accusative. All [authors] worth speaking of use it to mean having made trial of [dokima/sas ].3
Aristophanes [uses it] this way: "take this person here and test him, and if you ever find that I've done wrong, take me away and kill me. -- And how do I test him? -- In every way. Tying him to a board, hanging him, whipping him with the lash, flaying him,4 contorting him; even pouring vinegar into his nostrils, piling bricks on him, and all the other ways. Only don't hit him with this young onion."5 Since free men before this used to flay [slaves] with leeks and garlic greens. [He is saying ] test him by all means, not in sport, nor as free men do to slaves with the shoot of a leek or an onion, that is, of a wild leek, or, as some [say], with the leaf of a leek.6
And Polybius [writes]: "then, thinking he had [applied] the test of fire he was relieved of his suspicion."2
Also [sc. attested is]
Aristophanes [uses it] this way: "take this person here and test him, and if you ever find that I've done wrong, take me away and kill me. -- And how do I test him? -- In every way. Tying him to a board, hanging him, whipping him with the lash, flaying him,4 contorting him; even pouring vinegar into his nostrils, piling bricks on him, and all the other ways. Only don't hit him with this young onion."5 Since free men before this used to flay [slaves] with leeks and garlic greens. [He is saying ] test him by all means, not in sport, nor as free men do to slaves with the shoot of a leek or an onion, that is, of a wild leek, or, as some [say], with the leaf of a leek.6