His. Antq. Doric Race, And (Pederasty) of Crete
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This section is from The History and Antiquities of the Doric Race by [[Karl Otfried M�ller]].
Vol. II, Book 4, Chapter iv, �7; pg 302-304. Preceding section: His. Antq. Doric Race, Pederasty of Sparta. Following section: His. Antq. Doric Race, Origin of the Pederastic custom.
And (Παιδεραστια) of Crete
"This ancient national custom prevailed with still greater force in Crete; which island was hence by many persons considered as the original seat of the connexion in question.1 Here too it was disgraceful for a well-educted youth to be without a lover; 2 and hence the party loved was termed κλεινοs, 3 the praised; the lover being simply called φιλητωρ. It appears that the youth was always carried away by force, 4 the intention of the ravisher being previously communicated to the relations, who however took no measures of precaution, and only made a feigned resistance; except when the ravisher appeared, either in family or talent, unworthy of the youth. The lover then led him away to his apartment (ανδρειον), and afterwards, with any chance companions, either to the mountains or to his estate. Here they remained two months (the period prescribed by custom), which were passed chiefly in hunting together. After this time had expired, the lover dismissed the youth, and at his departure gave him, according to custom, an ox, a military dress, and brazen cup, with other things; and frequently these gifts were increased by the friends of the ravisher. 5 The youth then sacrificed the ox to Zeus, with which he gave a feast to his companions: at this he stated how he had been pleased with his lover; and he had complete liberty by law to punish any insult or disgraceful treatment. It depended now on the choice of the youth whether the connexion should be broken off or not. If it was kept up, the companion in arms (παραστατεs), as the youth was then called, wore the military dress which had been given him; and fought in battle next (to) his lover, inspired with double valour by the gods of war and love, according to the notion of the Cretans; 6 and even in man's age he was distinguished by the first place and rank in the course, and certian insignia worn about the body.
"Institutions, so systematic and regular as these, did not indeed exist in any Doric state except Crete and Sparta; but the feelings on which they were founded seem to have been common to all the Dorians. The love of Philolaus, a Corinthian of the family of the Bacchiad�, and the lawgiver of Thebes, and of Diocles the Olympic conqueror, lasted until death; and even their graves were turned towards one another, in token of their affection: 7 and another person of the same name was honoured in Megara, as a noble instance of self-devotion for the object of his love. 8
Notes of text
- Athen. XIII. p. 601 E. p. 602 F. from Tim�us, Heraclid. Pont. 3. Heyne ad Apollod. III. 1. 2. Κρητεs ερωτικωτατοι, together with the Laced�monians and B�tians, Plutarch Amator. 17. p. 37.
- Athen. XV. p. 782 E.
- Ephorus ap. Strab. X. p. 483. Hesychius in φιλητωρ.
- Ephorus ubi sup. Compare Plutarch de Educ. 14.
- Ephorus and Heraclides Ponticus. Arms were in Crete, according to Nicolaus Damascenus, the most honorable present that could be made. Concerning the cup, see Hermonax ap. Athen. XI. p. 502 B.
- �lian V. H. III. 9. comp. N. A. IV. i.
- Aristot. Polit. II. 9. 6, 7.
- Aristoph. Acharn. 774. Theocrit. Id. XII. 28. and Schol.
Addendum & Commentary
(For anyone's use.) The Cretans themselves claim that they invented the myth of Ganymede.
