Women Are Capable of Achieving Perfection: Clement of Alexandria, Misc. 4.19

That Both Women and Men are Capable of Achieving Perfection, Which Is Also Seen In Examples from Non-Christian Sources

…Didn’t the Athenian woman Leaena bravely endure torment? She revealed nothing at all about the plot of Harmodius & Aristogiton had planned against Hipparchus, even when she was brutally tortured.

They say that the Argive women, under the poet Telesilla’s leadership, were the only ones who were able to rout the excessively warlike Spartans who had leveled their spears against them? Telesilla was able to make them fearless; they were not even afraid of death. 

The author of the Danai says something similar: “Rapidly, the Danai girls took up arms / upon the banks of the beautiful Nile,” etc.

Other poets sing of Atalanta’s speed in hunting, and Anticlea’s outstanding friendship, Alcestis’ love for her husband, the bravery of Maeaeria and Hyacinthides.

  

 --Clement of Alexandria, Stromatum lib.4 cap.19 translated into Latin by D. Nicolae le Nourry (1856)

Tam mulieres quam viros esse perfectionis obtinendae capaces, quod et heroinarum apud exemplis confirmat

...Annon enim tormenta quoque tulit fortiter Leaena Attica, quae cum esset conscia insidiarum quae ab Harmodio et Aristogitone parabantur in Hipparchum, nihil omnino est elocuta, etsi valde cruciaretur? Aiunt autem Argolicas quoque, Telesilla poetria duce, Spartanos, qui magna erant virtute in rebus bellicis, solo instituito prodeuntes fugasse, et effecisse ut illae mortem nihil extimescerent. De filiabus quoque Danai dicit similia Danaidis auctor: "Tumque cito Danai sumpserunt arma puellae / in ripis pulchro labentis flumine Nili;" et quae sequuntur. Canunt autem reliqui poetae velocitatem Atalantae in venatione, et egregiam Anticleae amicitiam ,et Alcestidis in maritum amorem, et Maeaeriae et Hyacinthidum fortitudinem...

 

M/M: Harmodius & Aristogiton, Sacred Names of Freedom Fighters: Aulus Gellius 9.2.10-11

Name: Aulus Gellius  Date: 125 – 180 CE Region:  Rome [modern Italy] Citation:  Athenian Nights 9.2.10-11

Herodes Atticus criticizes a scammer disguised as a philosopher:

“My Athenian ancestors made a law that slaves could never have the name of Harmodius & Aristogiton, the incredibly brave youths who undertook a plot to kill the tyrant Hippias in an attempt to restore liberty to the city.  They thought it was an abomination for the names of those who sacrificed their lives for their country’s freedom should be polluted by being associated with slaves.   So then why are we allowing the noble name of ‘philosopher’ to be made filthy by disgusting scammers?  

Maiores autem mei Athenienses nomina iuvenum fortissimorum Harmodii et Aristogitonis, qui libertatis recuperandae gratia Hippiam tyrannum interficere adorsi erant, ne umquam servis indere liceret decreto publico sanxerunt, quoniam nefas ducerent nomina libertati patriae devota servili contagio pollui. Cur ergo nos patimur nomen philosophiae inlustrissimum in hominibus deterrimis exsordescere?

 Aulus Gellius [125 – 180 CE] lived during the 2nd century CE. His work, the Attic Nights, are a collection of anecdotes about literature, history, and grammar.  From internal evidence, we can deduce that he was in the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ social circle, having close friendships with Herodes Atticus and Fronto.

M/M: Chariton and Melanippus, Blessed Pair: Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae XIII.78

 Like the Athenian couple Harmodius and Aristogeiton, the couple Melanippus and Chariton are also seen as symbols of political freedom.

Chariton & Melanippus were blessed;

Pinnacle of holy love on earth.

Felix & Chariton & Melanippus erat,

mortalium genti auctores coelestis amoris.

εὐδαίμων Χαρίτων καὶ Μελάνιππος ἔφυ,

θείας ἁγητῆρες ἐφαμερίοις φιλότατος.

 

 --Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae XIII.78; Translated in to Latin by Iohannes Schweighaeuser (1805)

 Athenaeus was a scholar who lived in Naucratis (modern Egypt) during the reign of the Antonines. His fifteen volume work, the Deipnosophists, are invaluable for the amount of quotations they preserve of otherwise lost authors, including the poetry of Sappho. 

M/M: Melanippus and Chariton, Two Lovers of Freedom Athenaeus, Deip. 13.78

Melanippus and Chariton, Defenders of Freedom

Name:   Athenaeus Date:   2nd century CE Region:   Naucratis [modern Egypt] Citation:    Deipnosophists 13.78

According to The Lovers by Heraclides of Pontus, [Melanippus and Chariton] were caught plotting against Phalaris. Even when they were tortured to provide the names of their accomplices, they refused. Moreover, their plight moved Phalaris’ sympathy to such an extent that he praised them and released them.

ὥς φησιν Ἡρακλείδης ὁ Ποντικὸς ἐν τῷ περὶ Ἐρωτικῶν, οὗτοι φανέντες ἐπιβουλεύοντες Φαλάριδι καὶ βασανιζόμεναι ἀναγκαζόμενοί τε λέγειν τοὺς συνειδότας οὐ μόνον οὐ κατεῖπον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν Φάλαριν αὐτὸν εἰς ἔλεον τῶν βασάνων ἤγαγον, ὡς ἀπολῦσαι αὐτοὺς πολλὰ ἐπαινέσαντα.

...ut ait Heraclides Ponticus in libro De Amatoriis. Hi [Melanippus & Chariton] igitur deprehensi insidias struxisse Phalaridi, & tormentis subiecti quo coniuratos denunciare cogerentur, non modo non denuntiarunt, sed etiam Phalarin ipsum ad misericordiam tormentorum commoverunt, ut plurimum collaudatos dimitteret.  Translated into Latin by Johann Schweighäuser

Athenaeus of Naucratis [2nd century CE, modern Egypt] was a scholar who lived in Naucratis during the reign of the Antonines. His fifteen volume work, the Deipnosophists, are invaluable for the amount of quotations that preserve otherwise lost authors, including the poetry of Sappho.

Challenging Gender Roles: Sappho, Nikarete, Bilistiche, Leaena. Athenaeus Deip. XIII.lxx

The following passage is a list of famous courtesans from Greek history. It is interesting to note how Sappho is treated; just like her entry in the Suda, this author simplified her complex history and impact by splitting her into two identities: a revered poet and a lusty entertainer. 

There was a courtesan from Eresos [city in Lesbos] named Sappho, just like the famous poet, who loved the beautiful Phaon. She was famously discussed by Nymphodorus in his Travels Around Asia. Nikarete, a courtesan from Megara, was not quite born in poverty; instead, she was born from a noble lineage and had a great education, and even became the philosopher Stilpon’s student. [The Olympic victor] Bilistiche, a courtesan from Argos, was also highly respected; according to the authors of Argive History, she was descended from Atreus’ dynasty.  The courtesan Leaena was also quite famous. She was the lover of the tyrant-killing Harmodius. Even when she was tortured by the tyrant Hippias, she died without betraying [her lover].

Sed & Ereso oriunda meretrix quaedam Sappho, quae pulcrum Phaonem amavit, celebris fuit, ut ait Nymph[odor]is in Asiae Periplo. Nicareta vero Megarensis non ignobilis fuit meretrix, sed & honestis parentibus nata, & ob doctrina amabilis erat: Stilponem enim philosophym audierat. Bilistiche vero Argiva, celebris item meretrix, genus ab Atridis repetens, ut tradunt qui Res Argolicas scripserunt. Celebratur quoque Leaena meretrix, Harmodii amasia tyrannicidae: quae etiam cruciata iussu Hippiae tyranni, nihil enuncians in tormentis mortua est.

 

70. καὶ ἡ ἐξ Ἐρέσου δὲ τῆς ποιητρίας ὁμώνυμος ἑταίρα Σαπφὼ τοῦ καλοῦ Φάωνος ἐρασθεῖσα περιβόητος ἦν, ὥς φησι Νυμφόδωρος ἐν Περίπλῳ [p. 216] Ἀσίας. Νικαρέτη δὲ ἡ Μεγαρὶς οὐκ ἀγεννὴς ἦν ἑταίρα, ἀλλὰ καὶ γονέων ἕνεκα καὶ κατὰ παιδείαν ἐπέραστος ἦν, ἠκροᾶτο δὲ Στίλπωνος τοῦ φιλοσόφου. Βιλιστίχη δ᾽ ἡ Ἀργεία ἑταίρα καὶ αὐτὴ ἔνδοξος, τὸ γένος ἀπὸ τῶν Ἀτρειδῶν σῴζουσα, ὡς οἱ τὰ Ἀργολικὰ γράψαντες ἱστοροῦσιν. ἔνδοξος δ᾽ ἐστὶν καὶ Λέαινα ἡ ἑταίρα, Ἁρμοδίου ἐρωμένη τοῦ τυραννοκτονήσαντος:: ἥτις καὶ αἰκιζομένη ὑπὸ τῶν περὶ Ἱππίαν τὸν τύραννον οὐδὲν ἐξειποῦσα ἐναπέθανεν ταῖς βασάνοις.

 

--Athenaeus, Deipnosoph. XIII.lxx; Translated into Latin by Iohannes Schweighaeuser (1805)

 

 Athenaeus was a scholar who lived in Naucratis (modern Egypt) during the reign of the Antonines. His fifteen volume work, the Deipnosophists, are invaluable for the amount of quotations they preserve of otherwise lost authors, including the poetry of Sappho.

  

 

M/M: Harmodius & Aristogeiton, Defenders of Liberty. Athenaeus, Deipnosoph. 15.l

Hymns in Praise of Harmodius and Aristogeiton,  The Liberators of Athens

Name:   Athenaeus Date:   2nd century CE Region:   Naucratis [modern Egypt] Citation:    Deipnosophists  15.49.10-13

I carry a sword hidden in a myrtle branch,

Just like Harmodius and Aristogeiton did

When they killed the tyrant

And stood up for a free Athens.

ἐν μύρτου κλαδὶ τὸ ξίφος φορήσω,  ὥσπερ Ἁρμόδιος καὶ Ἀριστογείτων, ὅτε τὸν τύραννον κτανέτην ἰσονόμους τ᾽ ' Ἀθήνας ἐποιησάτην.

In myrti ramo gladium feram, sicut Harmodius Aristogitonque, quum tyrannum occiderunt, liberasque Athenas praestiterunt. Translated into Latin by Johann Schweighäuser

Dearest Harmodius, you are not dead;

Rather, they say you live on the Isle of the Blessed

Where swift-footed Achilles lives,

Where Diomedes lives.

φίλταθ᾽ Ἁρμόδι᾽, οὔ τι που τέθνηκας νήσοις δ᾽ ἐν μακάρων σέ φασιν εἶναι, ἵνα περ ποδώκης Ἀχιλεὺς, Τυδείδην τέ φασιν Διομήδεα.

Carissime Harmodie, non utique mortuus es: beatorum sed in insulis te aiunt esse, ubi velox pedibus Achilles, Tydidemque ubi aiunt esse Diomedem. Translated into Latin by Johann Schweighäuser

I carry a sword hidden in a myrtle branch

Just like Harmodius and Aristogeiton did

When during Minerva’s sacrifices

They slaughtered the tyrant Hipparchus.

ἐν μύρτου κλαδὶ τὸ ξίφος φορήσω, ὥσπερ Ἁρμόδιος κ’ Ἀριστογείτων, ὅτ᾽ Ἀθηναίης ἐν θυσίαις ἄνδρα τύραννον Ἵππαρχον ἐκαινέτην.

In myrti ramo gladium feram sicut Harmodius Aristogitonque, Minervae cum in sacrificiis virum tyrannum Hipparchum occiderunt. Translated into Latin by Johann Schweighäuser

Dearest Harmodius and Aristogeiton,

The earth will forever honor you

Because you removed a tyrant

And stood up for a free Athens. 

αἰεὶ σφῷν κλέος ἔσσεται κατ᾽ αἶαν, φίλταθ᾽ Ἁρμόδιε κ’ Ἀριστόγειτον: ὅτι τὸν τύραννον κτανέτον ἰσονόμους τ᾽ Ἀθήνας ἐποιησάτον.

Semper vester honos in terra durabit, carissime Harodie & Aristogiton; quod tyrannum sustulistis, liberasque praestitistis Athenas.   Translated into Latin by Johann Schweighäuser

Athenaeus of Naucratis [2nd century CE, modern Egypt] was a scholar who lived in Naucratis during the reign of the Antonines. His fifteen volume work, the Deipnosophists, are invaluable for the amount of quotations that preserve otherwise lost authors, including the poetry of Sappho.

The Courage of Leaena: Pliny the Elder, Hist. Nat. 7.23.87

The Bravery of Leaena

Name: Pliny the Elder Date: 23 – 79 CE Region:  Como [modern Italy]; Rome [modern Italy] Citation:  Natural History, 34.72

Many people praise Amphicrates’ statue of Leaena. She was a courtesan and entertainer specializing in singing and the lyre who was close with Harmodius and Aristogeiton. She kept secret their plot to kill the tyrant, not betraying their plans even when tortured to the point of  death.  Because of her courage, the Athenians wanted to honor her. Since they were not willing to celebrate her profession, they made a statue of an animal with her same name, i.e., a lioness. The artist made the statue missing its tongue to further honor her courage. [1]

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[1] According to tradition, Leaena bit off her own tongue so that she would not betray Harmodius and Aristogeiton while being tortured.

Amphicratis Leaena laudatur. [...] [1] haec lyrae cantu familiaris Harmodio et Aristogitoni, consilia eorum de tyrannicidio, usque ad mortem excrutiata a tyranis, non prodidit. Quamobrem Athenienses et honorem habere ei volentes, nec tamen [paelicem] celebrasse, animal nominis eius fecere: atque ut intelligeretur causa honoris, in opere linguam addi ab artifice vetuereunt. 

 

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[1] The author uses a misogynistic term that will not be published here.

Pliny the Elder [Gaius Plinius Secundus; 23 – 79 CE, modern Italy] was an Italian-born Roman statesman and author who lived during the reigns of the early Roman emperors. He spent most of his life in service of his country; he ultimately gave his life in arranging the evacuation of the regions devastated by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE. His work, the Natural History, is a 37-volume collection of art, history, and science of the ancient world.

M/M: A List of "Really Good Friends": Hyginus, Fab. 257

 

Name: Hyginus   Date:  64 BCE – 17 CE Region:  Hispania [modern Spain] / Alexandria [modern Egypt]; Rome [modern Italy] Citation:  Fables 257

People who were “really good friends”:

·            Strophius’ son Pylades was “really good friends” with Agamemnon’s son Orestes

·            Ixion’s son Pirithous was “really good friends” with Theseus

·            Peleus’ son Achilles was “really good friends” with Menoetes’ son Patroclus

·            Tydeus’ son Diomedes was “really good friends” with Capaneus’ son Sthenelus

·            Aeacus’ son Peleus was “really good friends” with Amyntor’s son Phoenix

·            Jupiter’s son Hercules was “really good friends” with Poeas’ son Philoctetes

·            Harmodius and Aristogiton [loved each other] like brothers

·            In Sicily, there was a very cruel tyrant named Dionysius. Moeros [1] wanted to kill him because he was torturing and killing his own citizens. Guards caught Moeros in the act and brought him to the king. When he was interrogated, he confessed his plot. Naturally, the king ordered him to die by crucifixion. Moerus asked for a three day extension so that he could arrange his sister’s wedding. He offered the tyrant his friend and companion Selinuntius, who would serve as collateral for his pledge to return on the third day.  The king granted his request, and told Selinuntius that he would die instead if Moerus didn’t return on the proper day. Then he let Moerus go.

Once he arranged his sister’s affairs, Moerus started his journey back, but a sudden rainstorm occurred and flooded the river so much that he could neither ford nor swim across it. Moerus sat upon the river bank and began to weep, saddened that his friend would have to die for him.

Therefore when the tyrant ordered the crucifixion of Selinuntius on noon of the third day, Selinuntius responded that the day was not yet over.

In the middle of the afternoon, the king ordered Selinuntius’ execution. No sooner had he been led to the cross when Moerus, having crossed the river, ran up to the executioner and shouted as he neared, “Hold up! I’m here—release my friend!”

Once this was done, this news was relayed back to the king. The king ordered both men to be brought before him and told them that since they had proven their friendship to each other, he would spare Moerus’ life.

Also, Nisus was “really good friends” with Euryalus, and died for him.

 

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[1] This is the story of Damon and Pythias.

A List of “Really Good Friends” from Mythology

Qui inter se amicitia iunctissimi fuerunt:

·         Pylades Strophii filius cum Oreste Agamemnonis filio.

·         Pirithous Ixionis filius cum Theseo Aegei filio.

·         Achilles Pelei filius cum Patroclo Menoetii filio.

·         Diomedes Tydei filius cum Sthenelo Capanei filio.

·         Peleus Aeaci filius cum Phoenice Amyntoris filio.

·         Hercules Jovis filius cum Philocteta Poeantis filio

·         Harmodius et Aristogiton [more fraterno]

·         In Sicilia [Dionysius] tyrannus crudelissimus cum esset suosque cives cruciatibus interficeret, Moeros tyrannum voluit interficere. Quem satellites cum deprehendissent armatum, ad regem perduxerunt. Qui interrogatus respondit se regem voluisse interficere. Quem rex iussit cruci figi, a quo Moerus petit tridui commeatum ut sororem suam nuptui collocaret et daret tyranno Selinuntium amicum suum et sodalem qui sponderet eum tertio die venturum. Cui rex indulsit commeatum ad sororem collocandam, dicitque rex Selinuntio, ut nisi ad diem Moerus veniret eum eandem poenam passurum, et dimittit Moerum. Qui collocata sorore cum reverteretur, repente tempestate et pluvia orta flumen ita increvit ut nec transiri nec transnatari posset. Ad cuius ripam Moerus consedit et flere coepit ne amicus pro se periret. 

[Tyrannus] autem Selinuntium cruci figi cum iuberet ideo, quod horae sex tertii iam diei essent ne veniret Moerus, cui Selinuntius respondit diem adhuc non praeteriisse. cumque iam et horae novem essent, rex iubet duci Selinuntium in crucem. Qui cum duceretur vix tandem Moerus liberato flumine consequitur carnificem exclamatque a longe, “Sustine, carnifex! Adsum, quem spopondit!” Quod factum regi nuntiatur. Quos rex ad se iussit perduci vitamque Moero concessit, rogavitque eos ut se in amicitiam reciperent [2]

·         Nisus cum Euryalo suo pro quo et mortuus est.

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[2]The story of Harmodius and Aristogeiton follows this story.

Hyginus [Caius Julius Hyginus; 64 BCE – 17 CE, modern Spain or Egypt] was one of Augustus’ freedmen and a famous mythographer. He was originally from Hispania [modern Spain].  Some think that he was actually from Alexandria [modern Egypt], and brought to Rome as a boy by Caesar after the fall of Alexandria. He studied under the Greek scholar Cornelius Alexander, then followed in his footsteps. He was in charge of the Palatine library, and despite this, still had the time to teach many people. He was very close friends with the poet Ovid and Clodius Licinius, the former consul and historian who, after Hyginus fell into poverty, supported him financially for as long as he lived.

M/M: Love Conquers Evil: Harmodius & Aristogeiton, Max. Tyr. Diss. 8

Harmodius and Aristogeiton

Name: Maximus of Tyre Date:   2nd century CE Region:   Tyre [modern Lebanon] Citation:    Dissertation 18.2.a-e

Harmodius, a Athenian youth had two lovers: Aristogeiton was a citizen  and Hipparchus was a tyrant. Aristogeiton was distinguished for his behavior, and knew his place in life, but Hipparchus was wicked, and abused his position. Harmodius was beautiful and worthy of love, and so he matter-of-factly rejected the tyrant and dated the private citizen. Hipparchus became angry at this fact and, took his anger out on both youths, as well as Harmodius’ sister, whom he dishonored and banned from carrying the sacred baskets at the Panathenian Festival. Immediately Hipparchus paid the penalty for his conduct. The shameful lust of the tyrant, together with Harmodius’ courage, his appropriate love of Aristogeiton, and his love of virtue, were the cause of the liberation of Athens from tyranny.

Μειρακίῳ Ἀττικῷ δύο ἦσαν ἐρασταὶ, ἰδιώτης καὶ τύραννος. ὁ μὲν δίκαιος ἦν διὰ ἰσοτιμίαν, ὁ δὲ ἄδικος δι’ ἐξουσίαν. ἀλλὰ τὸ γε μειράκιον ὄντως ἦν καλὸν καὶ ἐρᾶσθαι ἄξιον. ὥστε ὑπεριδὸν τοῦ τυράννου τὸν ἰδιώτην ἠσπάζετο. ὁ δὲ ὑπ ̓ ὀργῆς, ἄλλα τε ἀμφοτέρους προπηλάκισεν, καὶ ἀδελφὴν Ἀρμοδίου  Παναθηναίοις ἥκουσαν ἐπὶ τὴν πομπὴν κανηφοροῦσαν ἐξήλασεν ἐπ ἀτιμίᾳ. Διδόασι δίκην ἐκ τούτου Πεισιστρατίδαι, καὶ ἦρξεν ἐλευθερίας Ἀθηναίοις ὕβρις τυράννου, καὶ μειρακίου θάρσος καὶ ἔρως δίκαιος καὶ ἐραστοῦ ἀρετή.

Adolescens quidam Atticus, amatores habebat duos, privatum hominem et tyrannum: quorum alter vir probus erat, conditionis suae memor: alter improbus, potentiae fiducia. Sed et adolescens vere pulcher erat, et amore non indignus: quo facilius tyrannum contempsit, privatum hominem amplexus est. Quare succensus ille, praeter alias iniurias, quis utrunque affecit, sororem Harmodii quae Panathenaeorum festo ad gerendum canistrum veniebat, cum ignominia eiecit. Huius facinoris poenam statim Pisistratidae dedere, causaque Atheniensibus libertatis fuit, contumeliosa tyranni libido, adolescentis audacia, probusque amor, et amatoris virtus.  Translated into Latin by Claudius Larjot

Maximus of Tyre [2nd century CE, modern Lebanon] was listed as one of the most influential people in the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius’ life. He spent most of his life in scholarly pursuits; his Dissertations were a collection of philosophical treatises based on the works of Plato.