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BA´LATRO

BA´LATRO a professional jester, buffoon, or parasite (Hor. Sat. 1.2, 2); in Sat. 2.8, 21 the word isused as a proper name--Servilius Balatro). In spite of the difference of quantity, bălătro is probably connected with bala-re (to bleat like a sheep, and hence) to speak sillily. It is doubtless akin to blatero, a chatterer (Gel. 1.15). Balatrones were paid for their jests, and the tables of the wealthy were generally open to them for the sake of the amusement they afforded.

[A.S.W]

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    • Gellius, Noctes Atticae, 1.15
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