Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-09-28
For the OXFORD DEMOCRAT.
IYoDiam Historically Considered.
No. s.
by W. p. sHATTUCK NJ. d.


indicate a different condition Of the
women OF that country. Again. in the
isles of Greece the manners and morals
of the people were much purer generally
than on the continent The islanders by
being less exposed TO foreign association
and influence could more easily preserve
their laws and virtues. The warlike con.
vents of Lacedemon, the nurseries only
of soldiers, would be more rigid than the
smiling retreats of Athens, whence polite.
ness was propagated and fashion an
nounced.
But the greatest anomaly in the history
of any people, is to be found in the rank
which the courtesans enjoyed even in the
brightest days Of Greece. particularly in
Athens. 1t may we'll be asked by what
circumstances could that order OF women
who debase at once not only their own
sex but ours, arrive at distinction. and
sometimes even at the highest degree OF
reputation and consequence. 10 country
where the women were possessed ot
modesty, and the men OF sentiment /?
Several reasons may be assigned for thYt
phenomenon in society.
In Greece the courtesans were 10 some
measure connected with the religion uf
the country. The goddess OF beauty had
her altars and she was supposed to pro
tect prostitution. which was to her u
species OF worship. The people invoked
Venus in times of danger; aud after
battle they thought they had done honor
to Miltiades and Themistocles, because
the Laises and the Giyceras OF the age
had chanted praises TO their goddess.
The courlesans were connected with rc.
ligion. by means of the arts. Their por
sons afforded models for statues, wbicd
were aiterward adored in the temples.
Phrine served as model for Prsxiteles,
for his Venus of Onidus. ID ring the
feasts OF Neptune near Eleuss Appelus
having seen the same courtesan ON the
seashore. without any other veil than her
loose and flowing hair. was so much
struck by her appearance. thai he Dor
rowed from il tie idea of his Venus rising
from the waves. Connected in this wise
with s. atusry and painting they furnished
these artists with the means Of embellish-
ing their works. They were also skilled
in music, and as that art was attended
with the highest effects in that country,
it must have possessed an irresistible
charm.
Every one knows how enthusiastic the
Greeks were OF beauty. They adored il
in their temples. They admired 1t in
their principle works Of art. They
studied It in the exercises and games.
They thought to perfect il by their mar
riages. They offered rewards to It at the
public festivals, but virtuous beauty was
seldom to be seen; modest women were
confined to their own apartments. and
visited only by their husbands and rela-
tives, while the courtesans offered them
selves everywhere to view. and their
beauty as might be expected. obtained
universal homage.
Society only can unfold the beauties of
the mind. Mode st women were excluded
from il. The courtesans OF Athens by
living in public. and conversing freely
with all ranks of people, upon sli manner
of subjects. acquired by degrees knowl
edge OF history, OF philosophy. OF policy
and a taste in the whole circle OF arts.
Their ideas were more extensive and
various, and their conversation was more
sprightly and entertaining than any to be
found among the virtuous part OF the
sex. Hence their houses became the
schools of elegance; aud poets and
painters went there to catch the nee'ing
forms of grace and the changesble features
of ridicule; the musicians TO perfect the
delicacy OF harmony .and The philosophers
TO collect those particulars OF human lie
which had hitherto escaped their ooserVa'
ton. The house of Aspasis was fhe
resort of Socrates and Pericles as that of
Ninon was of Evremont and Conde.
They acquired from these fair libertlnes
taste and politeness, and they gave them
in exchange knowledge and reputation
Greece was governed by eloquent meo'
and the celebrated courtesans having an
influence over these orators must nave
An influence on public affairs There was
not one. not even the numbering. the In
flexible Demosthenes, 80 terrible 10
t,rants, but was subjected to their sway
or that great master of elequenoe II mas
heen said. .What he had been whole
year in erecting. q woman overturned IN
a day" Their influence augmented their
consequence, and their talent in pleasing
increased with the occasions OF exertlng
it.
The laws and public institutions. indeed
by authorizing the privacy of women set
z high value on the sanctity OF the mar
riage vow. but in Athens. imagination.
sentiment. luxury. the taste In arts and
pleasure were opposite to the laws. The
courtesans therefore, may be said to have
come in support OF the manners
There was a check upon public licen'
tiousness; but private in6delity which
concerned the peace OF families waa
nunisbed as a crime. BY strange and