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

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him, for the sake of the traditional custom they pretend to pursue the lover, but in reality gladly let him go on his way. But if the lover is not his equal, then they snatch the boy from him with violence. But they only pursue him until the lover has brought the boy into his house. But the one who is distinguished for beauty is considered less worth desiring than one renowned for bravery and modesty. After that the boy is presented by his friend with a present, who takes him where he pleases. But the witnesses of the rape accompany them ; then a solemn meal takes place, after which they return to the city. After two months the boy is dismissed with rich presents. His legally established presents are a military equipment, an ox and a goblet, besides a number of valuable gifts, so that his friends contribute towards the expenses. He offers the ox to Zeus and gives his friends a meal from it. But if a beautiful boy of good family finds no lover, this is considered a disgrace, since the reason for it must be in his character. The boys who are given preference by the rape are specially honoured. ‘Thus they receive the best place in the dances and racing competitions, are allowed to wear the dress with which the lover has presented him, and that distinguishes them from the others, and not only this, but even when they are grown up they wear a special garment, by which everyone, who has become «xAewds can be immediately recognized; the loved one is called kAcwos (the famous, the celebrated), the lover pidytwp.”

The rape of boys also existed in very ancient times in Corinth, as to which Plutarch (Amat. narr., 2, 772f) has left us an instructive story: ‘‘ The son of Melissus was Actzon, the most beautiful and the most modest of those of his own age, so that very many desired him, but chiefly Archias, whose family went back to the Heracleide and who was prominent among the Corinthians for his

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