Besides these, there was another class of the Cretan population which must by no means be confounded with the slaves or serfs,—I mean, the Hypekooi.[258] These were the inhabitants of the smaller towns who had lost their political independence, but were permitted the use of arms, and allowed to frequent the public places of exercise, like the nobler citizens.[259] ----- Footnote 258: Athen. vi. 84. Footnote 259: Gœttling. Excurs. ii. De Rep. Cretens. p. 474. ----- In the city of Cydonia, during certain festivals of Hermes, the slaves were left masters of the place, into which no free citizen had permission to enter; and if he infringed this regulation it was in their power to chastise him with whips.[260] In other parts of Crete customs similar to those of the Roman Saturnalia prevailed; for, while the slaves in the Hermæan festival were carousing and taking their ease, their lords, travestied into domestics, waited upon them at table, and performed, in their stead, all other menial offices. Something of the same kind took place during the month Gerœstion, at Trœzen, where the citizens feasted their slaves on one day of the great annual festival, and played at dice with them.[261] Among the Babylonians, moreover, we find a similar custom; for, during the Sacæan festival, which lasted five days, and was celebrated in the month of August,[262] the owners waited on their slaves, one of whom, habited in a royal robe, enacted the part of king. ----- Footnote 260: Athen. vi. 84. Footnote 261: Athen. xiv. 44. Footnote 262: Λῷος among the Macedonians. Suid. ii. 60. Anim. ad Athen. xiv. 44. ----- Upon the whole it may be inferred, that the treatment and condition of the Cretan serfs were milder than in any other Doric state, though it would be incorrect to decide,[263] that they were less oppressed than in any other state in all Greece, since we discover in the song of Hybrias traces not to be mistaken of their abject state: Great riches have I in my spear and sword, And hairy shield, like a rampart thrown Before me in war; for by these I am lord Of the fields where the golden harvests are grown; And by these I press forth the red red wine, While the Mnotæ around salute me king; Approaching, trembling, these knees of mine, With the dread which the spear and the faulchion bring.[264] ----- Footnote 263: Müll. Dor. ii. 53. Footnote 264: Athen. xv. 50. Cf. Ilgen. de Scol. Poës. xxvi. p. 102, sqq. -----