The Deipnosophists; or, Banquet of the Learned of Athenæus, Vol. 3 (of 3)Athenaeus, of Naucratis
Philosophy
The Deipnosophists; or, Banquet of the Learned of Athenæus, Vol. 3 (of 3)
Athenaeus, of Naucratis
Civilization, Greco-Roman; Dinners and dining -- Greece; Greece -- Social life and customs; Homosexuality -- Greece
They also call women who prostitute themselves for money, ἑταῖραι. And
the verb which they use for prostituting oneself for money is ἑταιρέω,
not regarding the etymology of the word, but applying a more decent
term to the trade; as Menander, in his Deposit, distinguishing the
ἑταῖροι from the ἑταῖραι, says—
You've done an act not suited to companions (ἑταίρωv),
But, by Jove, far more fit for courtesans (ἑταιρῶν),
These words, so near the same, do make the sense
Not always easily to be distinguished.
29. But concerning courtesans, Ephippus, in his Merchandise, speaks as
follows:—
And then if, when we enter through their doors,
They see that we are out of sorts at all,
They flatter us and soothe us, kiss us gently,
Not pressing hard as though our lips were enemies,
But with soft open kisses like a sparrow;
They sing, and comfort us, and make us cheerful,
And straightway banish all our care and grief,
And make our faces bright again with smiles.
And Eubulus, in his Campylion, introducing a courtesan of modest
deportment, says—
How modestly she sat the while at supper!
Not like the rest, who make great balls of leeks,
And stuff their cheeks with them, and loudly crunch
Within their jaws large lumps of greasy meat;
But delicately tasting of each dish,
In mouthfuls small, like a Milesian maiden.
And Antiphanes says in his Hydra—
But he, the man of whom I now was speaking,
Seeing a woman who lived near his house,
A courtesan, did fall at once in love with her;
She was a citizen, without a guardian
Or any near relations, and her manners
Pure, and on virtue's strictest model form'd,
A genuine mistress (ἑταῖρα); for the rest of the crew
Bring into disrepute, by their vile manners,
A name which in itself has nothing wrong.
And Anaxilas, in his Neottis, says—
[Sidenote: HETÆRÆ.]
_A._ But if a woman does at all times use
Fair, moderate language, giving her services
Favourable to all who stand in need of her,
She from her prompt companionship (ἑταιρίας) does earn
The title of companion (ἑταῖρα); and you,
As you say rightly, have not fall'n in love
With a vile harlot (πόρνη), but with a companion (ἑταῖρα).
Is she not one of pure and simple manners?
_B._ At all events, by Jove, she's beautiful.
30. But that systematic debaucher of youths of yours, is such a person
as Alexis, or Antiphanes, represents him, in his Sleep—
On this account, that profligate, when supping
With us, will never eat an onion even,
Not to annoy the object of his love.
And Ephippus has spoken very well of people of that description in his
Sappho, where he says—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account