Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
_Solution._ Was it not because it was neither honest nor decent to
strip the sons naked whilst the father looked on, nor the son-in-law
whilst the father-in-law looked on? Neither in ancient times did they
wash together. Verily Jupiter is the father, and that which is abroad
in the open air may be especially said to be as it were in the sight
of Jupiter. Or is it thus? As it is a profane thing for him to strip
himself naked in the temple or holy place, so did they reverence the
open air and firmament, as being full of Gods and Daemons? Wherefore we
do many necessary things within doors, hiding and covering ourselves in
our houses from the sight of the Gods. Or is it that some things are
enjoined to the priest only, other things to all by a law delivered by
the priest? With us (in Boeotia) to wear a crown, to wear long hair,
to carry iron arms, and not to enter the Phocian borders are peculiar,
proper pieces of the magistrate’s service; but not to taste autumnal
fruits before the autumnal equinox, and not to cut a vine before the
spring equinox, are things required of all by the magistrate. For each
of these has its season. After the same manner (as it appears) among
the Romans it is peculiar to the priest neither to make use of a horse,
nor to be absent from home in a journey more than three nights, nor to
put off his cap, on which account he is called Flamen.[159] Many other
things are enjoined to all sorts of men by the priest; of which one is
not to be anointed abroad in the open air. For the Romans have a great
prejudice against dry unction; and they are of opinion that nothing
hath been so great a cause to the Grecians of slavery and effeminacy as
their fencing and wrestling schools, insinuating so much debauchery and
idleness into the citizens, yea, vicious sloth and buggery; yea, that
they destroyed the very bodies of youths with sleeping, perambulations,
dancing, and delicious feeding, whereby they insensibly fell from the
use of arms, and instead of being good soldiers and horsemen, loved to
be called nimble, good wrestlers, and pretty men. It is hard for them
to avoid these mischiefs who are unclothed in the open air; but they
that are anointed within doors and cure themselves at home do commit
none of these vices.
_Question 41._ Why had the ancient coin on one side the image of
double-faced Janus stamped, and on the other side the stern or stem of
a ship?
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