Thus at Thralles, when Apatureus of Alabanda had excellently well painted a scene in the little theatre, ... instead of columns had placed statues and centaurs, supporting the epistylium, the circular roof of the dome, and projecting corners of the pediments, and ornamented the cornice with lion’s heads, all which have reference to the roofing and caves of edifices; above these, nevertheless, in the epicent, domes, porticos, semipediments, and all the various parts of buildings were again painted: wherefore upon the appearance of this scene, when by reason of its enrichment, it was found pleasing to all, and they were ready to applaud the work, Licinius the Mathematician then advanced, and said, “the Alabandines are sufficiently intelligent in all civil affairs, but for a trifling impropriety are deemed injudicious; for the statues in their gymnasium are all in the attitude of pleading causes, while those in the forum are holding the discus, or in the attitude of running or playing with balls; so that the unsuitableness of the attitudes of the figures, to the purposes of the places, throws a public disgrace upon the city. Let us take care that by the scene of Apaturius, we are not deemed Alabandines, or even Aldarites; for who among you places upon the tiles of the roofs of your houses columns or pediments; these things are placed upon the floors, not upon the tiles. If then we approve in painting what cannot be in fact, we of this city shall be like those, who, on account of the same error, are deemed illiterate.” Apaturius dared not to reply, but took down the scene and altered it, so as to be consistent to truth; after which it was approved. I wish the immortal gods would restore Licinius to life, that he might correct this folly and fashionable disfigurement of our stucco work.
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