Sexual life in ancient Greece : with thirty-two full-page plates

SATYRIC DRaMaA. PANTOMIME. BALLET

Friedlander: Roman Life and Manners, English trans., 1, p. 106.)

Representations from mythology were especially in favour; a detailed description of such a mythological ballet can be read in the Metamorphoses of Apuleius (x, 30-34). The stage represents the mountains of Ida, built up high of wood, planted with shrubs and living trees, from which springs flow down; goats can be seen grazing, tended by Paris, a beautiful youth in Phrygian dress. Now a boy, beautiful as a picture, enters, naked, except for a short cloak fluttering round his left shoulder. Fair hair, from which two golden wings, united by a golden band, stand out, crowns his head and waves over his naked back. It is Mercury ; in a dancing attitude he glides around, hands a golden apple to Paris, and indicates by gestures the commission of Jupiter, after which he gracefully withdraws.

Now Juno enters, a beautiful woman with diadem and sceptre ; then Minerva rushes in, with shining helmet and shield, brandishing her lance. Afterwards appears a third. Inexpressible grace is spread over her whole being, and the colour of love blooms on her face. It is Venus; no garment enviously conceals the irreproachable beauty of her body, she walks along naked, only a transparent, silken veil covers her nakedness. Now wanton winds lift up the light veil, and the bloom of youth shines uncovered ; now the hot breath of the wind presses the veil firmly against her body, and beneath the airy covering every voluptuous outline stands out in relief.

Each of the three women, who represent the goddesses, has a special retinue. With Juno appears Castor and Pollux; to the delightful sound of the flutes Juno strides along in quiet majesty and by serious gestures promises the shepherd the Kingdom of Asia, if he awards her the prize of beauty. Minerva, in warlike attire, is accompanied by her

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