“This ancient national custom prevailed with still greater force
in Crete; which island was hence by many persons considered as
the original seat of the connection in question. Here too it was
disgraceful for a well-educated youth to be without a lover;
and hence the party loved was termed κλεινὸς, the _praised_;
the lover being simply called φιλήτωρ. It appears that the
youth was always carried away by force, the intention of the
ravisher being previously communicated to the relations, who
however took no measures of precaution, and only made a feigned
resistance; except when the ravisher appeared, either in family
or talent, unworthy of the youth. The lover then led him away
to his apartment (ἀνδρεῖον), and afterwards, with any chance
companions, either to the mountains or to his estate. Here they
remained two months (the period prescribed by custom), which were
passed chiefly in hunting together. After this time had expired,
the lover dismissed the youth, and at his departure gave him,
according to custom, an ox, a military dress, and brazen cup,
with other things; and frequently these gifts were increased by
the friends of the ravisher. The youth then sacrificed the ox
to Jupiter, with which he gave a feast to his companions: and
now he stated how he had been pleased with his lover; and he
had complete liberty by law to punish any insult or disgraceful
treatment. It depended now on the choice of the youth whether the
connection should be broken off or not. If it was kept up, the
companion in arms (παραστάτης), as the youth was then called,
wore the military dress which had been given him, and fought in
battle next his lover, inspired with double valour by the gods of
war and love, according to the notions of the Cretans; and even
in man’s age he was distinguished by the first place and rank in
the course, and certain insignia worn about the body.
“Institutions, so systematic and regular as these, did not exist
in any Doric State except Crete and Sparta; but the feelings
on which they were founded seem to have been common to all the
Dorians. The loves of Philolaus, a Corinthian of the family of
the Bacchiadae, and the lawgiver of Thebes, and of Diocles the
Olympic conqueror, lasted until death; and even their graves
were turned towards one another in token of their affection;
and another person of the same name was honoured in Megara, as
a noble instance of self-devotion for the object of his love.”
_Ibid._
[Sidenote: _Diocles_]
For an account of Philolaus and Diocles, Aristotle (Pol. ii. 9) may be
referred to. The second Diocles was an Athenian who died in battle for
the youth he loved.
“His tomb was honoured with the ἐναγίσματα of heroes, and a
yearly contest for skill in kissing formed part of his memorial
celebration.” _J. A. Symonds’_ “_A Problem in Greek Ethics_,”
_privately printed_, 1883; _see also Theocritus_, Idyll xii.
infra.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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