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ἐπίκλητον, ‘specially summoned,’ like the Athenian ἐκκλησίαι σύγκλητοι. Elsewhere it is used of the counsellors ( = σύμβουλος) summoned to advise the king or general (viii. 101. 1; ix. 42. 2); cf. the Aetolian Apokletoi or select council (Liv. xxxv. 34; Polyb. xx. 1 and 10). Those summoned would include the seven councillors or princes (Ezra vii. 14, 15; Esther i. 14; cf. iii. 14. 5 n.), together with the principal officials, satraps, and generals (cf. ch. 8. δ, 19. 2, 26. 2). The scene on the famous Darius vase at Naples (found at Canosa 1851) is an ideal representation of such a council, leading to strife between Asia and Hellas. In the upper row are figures of gods, Asia misled by Apate, Hellas defended by Pallas and Zeus, Artemis and Apollo. Below, the subjects of the Persian bring tribute, or express their obedience by kneeling before the king's treasurer. In the middle row Darius sits on a throne; behind him stands a young Persian guard, before him an older man in travelling garb standing on a plinth of gold (Ael. V. H. xii. 62) earnestly warns the king. Five councillors sit or stand round, two in Persian, three in Greek attire. There is no reason to identify this scene with the council described by H.; the king has the name Darius inscribed by him, the warning councillor has nothing to identify him with Artabanus, and half the councillors are in Greek dress. Cf. Baumeister, p. 408.

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