His shield, again, which was
richly gilded, had not the usual ensigns of the Athenians, but a
Cupid, holding a thunderbolt in his hand, was painted upon it. The
sight of all this made the people of good repute in the city feel
disgust and abhorrence and apprehension also, at his free-living,
and his contempt of law, as things monstrous in themselves, and
indicating designs of usurpation. Aristophanes has well expressed
the people's feeling towards him:--
"They love, and hate, and cannot do without him."
And still more strongly, under a figurative expression,
"Best rear no lion in your state, 't is true;
But treat him like a lion if you do."
The truth is, his liberalities, his public shows, and other
munificence to the people, which were such as nothing could
exceed, the glory of his ancestors, the force of his eloquence,
the grace of his person, his strength of body, joined with his
great courage and knowledge in military affairs, prevailed upon
the Athenians to endure patiently his excesses, to indulge him in
many things, and, according to their habit, to give the softest
names to his faults, attributing them to youth and good nature.
As, for example, he kept Agatharcus, the painter, a prisoner till
he had painted his whole house, but then dismissed him with a
reward.
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