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luxury (luxuria)

Originally a term to characterize the exuberant growth of plants (see OLD 1), the Roman word luxuria (cf. luxus, luxuries), applied to human behaviour, is regularly associated with the desire for and consumption of high value ephemeral items, such as food, drink, and perfume, costly fabrics and accessories, precious artworks and furnishings, beautiful slaves, and private residences constructed on a large scale and/or out of precious materials. ..." – By Catharine Edwards
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Babrius

"Branchus could be a descriptive name—a young “Master Hoarse” for whom Babrius tells his tales of talking animals, plants, or inanimate objects—and Alexander could stand for the poet’s chosen form: Babrius, who was influenced by Callimachus, modelled his fables on the poetry of Alexandria. ..." – By Niklas Holzberg
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