Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Anagnostes

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

ANAGNOS'TES (ἀναγνώστης). A slave, whose duty it was to read aloud to his master in his study, or to the guests at table. (Cic. Att. i. 12. Nepos, Att. 14. Aul. Gell. iii. 19.) Also a person who read out passages from the favourite poets in the theatre or public places (Aul. Gell. xviii. 5. 1.), like the recitatori, or spiegatori of modern Naples.