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._ In a haven of Ithaca there was a pirate ship, in which
happened to be an old man who had earthen pots holding pitch. It fell
out that an Ithacan skipper named Pyrrhias put into this port, who
ransomed the old man upon free cost, only upon his supplication and
out of commiseration towards him, and at the request of the old man
he purchased also some of his tar-pots. The pirates departing and all
fear of danger over, the old fellow brings Pyrrhias to his earthen
pots, and shows him a great deal of gold and silver blended amongst
the pitch; whereupon Pyrrhias attaining to great riches treated the
old man well in all respects, and sacrificed an ox to him. Hence they
say proverbially that none hath sacrificed an ox to his benefactor but
Pyrrhias.
_Question 35._ Why was there a custom amongst the Bottiaean maids,
as they danced, to sing, “Let us go to Athens”?
_Solution._ It is reported that the Cretans (in payment of a vow)
sent the firstlings of men to Delphi; but when such as were sent found
no plentiful provision there, they departed from thence in search of
a plantation, and first sat down at Japygia. From thence they went
and possessed that part of Thrace which now they have, Athenians
being mixed with them; for it is probable that Minos did not destroy
those young men which the Athenians sent in a way of tribute, but
only detained them in servitude. Some that were descended from these
and were accounted Cretans were sent with others to Delphi; so the
Bottiaean daughters, in remembrance of their pedigree, sing on their
feast-days, “Let us go to Athens.”
_Question 36._ Why do the Eleian women in their hymns beseech
Bacchus that he will come to their help with an ox’s foot? The hymns
run thus: “Come, O hero Bacchus, to thy holy temple placed by the sea;
hasten with the Graces to thy temple with a neat’s foot.” Then they
re-double this, “O worthy Bull”!
_Solution._ Was it because some call Bacchus Bull-begot, and
some Bull? Or as some say ox-foot for a great foot; as the poet saith
ox-eye for a great eye, and βουλάϊος for haughty? Or is it rather,
because the foot of an ox is innocent and his bearing horns on his
head is pernicious, that so they desire the God may come to them mild
and harmless? Or is it because many men are of opinion that this God
presides over ploughing and sowing?
_Question 37._ What is the meaning of that place at Tanagra,
before the city, called Achilleum? For it is reported that the city had
rather enmity than kindness for Achilles, in that he took Stratonice,
the mother of Poemander, by force of arms, and slew Acestor the son of
Ephippus.
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