Philothea Part 29

In honour of Dionysus. The best drinker was rewarded with a golden crown and a cask of wine; and none but Athenians were allowed to enter the theatre.

"Which he inscribed Demos." p. 131.

A phrase signifying the People, or the Democracy.

"Sing their welcome to Ornithae." p. 134,

This name was applied to a wind that blew in the spring, at the time when the birds began to return. It was a Grecian custom for children to go about with garlands from door to door, singing a welcome to the swallows, and receiving trifling presents in return.

"The marble sent by Darius." p. 136.

The Persians were so confident of victory that they brought with them marble to erect a trophy on the plains of Marathon. From this marble Phidias sculptured a statue of Vengeance, which was called Rhamnusia.

"Filled my pillow with fresh laurel leaves." p. 143.

Phoebus was supposed to inspire dreams and prophecy; and the laurel which was sacred to him, was supposed to be endowed with similar properties.

"Like one returned from the cave of Trophonius." p. 147.

In this cave was a celebrated oracle. Those who entered it always returned pale and dejected.

"Psyche bending over the sleeping Eros." p. 150.

This beautiful fable represents the union of the human soul with immortal love. Pysche was warned that separation would be the consequence, if she looked on the countenance of her divine lover. She gazed on his features as he slept; and was left to sorrow alone.

"Even the Diasia are no longer observed." p. 154.

Festivals in honour of Zeus, because he delivered men from misfortunes and dangers.

"When the Muses and the Charities inhabit the same temple." p. 160.

Among the Greeks, the Graces were called the Charities. It was a beautiful idea thus to deify the moral, rather than the outward graces; and to represent innocent and loving nymphs, forever hand in hand, presiding over kind and gentle actions. The Graces were often wors.h.i.+pped in the same temple with the Muses.

"Olive garlands suspended on the doors." p. 185.

This was a common practice during the festival of Thargelia, in honour of Phoebus.

"Gently touched the back part of his head with a small wand." p. 202.

That the phenomena of animal magnetism were not entirely unknown to the ancients, appears by what Clearchus relates of an experiment tried in the presence of Aristotle. He speaks of a man who, by means of "a soul-attracting wand," let the soul out of a sleeping lad, and left the body insensible. When the soul was again led into the body, it related all that had happened to it.

"The laws of the country made it impossible to accompany her beloved husband." p. 206.

No woman was allowed to enter Olympia, during the celebration of the games.

"Deemed he had fallen by the dart of Phoebus Apollo." p. 208.

Those who died very suddenly were supposed to have been struck with the arrows of Phoebus, or his sister.

"Its best pleasures are like the gardens of Adonis." p. 213.

When the annual procession formed to mourn the death of Adonis, earth was placed in sh.e.l.ls, and lettuce planted in it, in commemoration of Adonis laid out on a bed of lettuces. These sh.e.l.ls were called the Gardens of Adonis. Their freshness soon withered, on account of the shallowness of the earth.

"Rather gain one prize from the Choragus than ten from the Gymnasiarch."

p. 219.

The first presided over musical and literary compet.i.tion; the last over athletic games.

"The statue of Persephone, (that ominous bridal gift.)" p. 226.

While Persephone was gathering flowers, she was seized by Pluto, and carried to the regions of the dead, over which she presided. Hence the hair of the deceased was consecrated to her, and her name invoked at funerals.

"Milza sneezed aloud." p. 227.

This was considered a lucky omen; particularly if the sound came from the direction of the right hand.

"He will trust to Hermes to help him." p. 239.

Hermes was the G.o.d of lies and fraud.

"Have I told you all my flames." p. 241.

Part of the 14th ode of Anacreon.

"Threatened to appeal to the magistrates for another master." p. 250.

The Athenian slave laws were much more mild than modern codes. If a servant complained of being abused, his master had no power to retain him.

"Build the wall of Hipparchus." p. 251.