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
_Question 46._ What is the reason that the Trallians call the
pulse ὄροβος by the name καθαρτής (i.e. _purifying_), and use it
especially in expiations and purifications.
_Solution._ Was it because the Leleges and Minyae, in former times
driving out the Trallians, possessed themselves of the city and that
country, and afterwards the Trallians returned and conquered them; and
as many of the Leleges as were not slain or fled, but by reason of
indigency and weakness were left there, they made no account of whether
they lived or died, and therefore enacted a law that any Trallian that
slew one of the Minyae or Leleges should be guiltless, provided only
that he paid a measure of this pulse to the relatives of the slain
person?
_Question 47._ Why is it spoken by way of proverb amongst the
Eleans, “Thou sufferest worse things than Sambicus”?
_Solution._ It is said that one Sambicus an Elean, having many
comrades with him, did break off many of the devoted bronze offerings
placed in Olympia and disposed of them, and at length robbed the
temple of Diana the Bishopess (which temple is in Elis, and is called
Aristarchaeum]. Presently after the committing of this sacrilege, he
was taken and tormented the space of a year, being examined concerning
all his accessories, and so died; hence this proverb arose from his
suffering.
_Question 48._ Why is the temple of Ulysses in Lacedaemon built
hard by the monument of the Leucippides?
_Solution._ One Ergiaeus, of the posterity of Diomedes, by the
persuasion of Temenus stole the Palladium from Argos, Leager being
conscious of and accessory to the felony, for he was one of the
intimates of Temenus. Afterward Leager, by reason of a feud betwixt him
and Temenus, went over into Lacedaemon and transported the Palladium
thither. The kings receive him readily, and place the Palladium next to
the temple of the Leucippides, and sending to Delphi consult the oracle
about its safety and preservation. The oracle answered that they must
make one of them that stole it the keeper of it. So they erected there
the monument of Ulysses, especially since they supposed that hero was
related to the city by the marriage of Penelope.
_Question 49._ What is the reason that it is a custom amongst the
Chalcedonian women, that, if at any time they happen to meet with other
women’s husbands, especially magistrates, they cover one cheek?
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