The History of the Manners and Customs of Ancient Greece, Volume 2 (of 3)

The History of the Manners and Customs of Ancient Greece, Volume 2 (of 3)

When marriage was determined on, whether love or interest prompted to it, the business part of the transaction, which in all countries is exceedingly unromantic, was delegated, as in China, to a female matchmaker,[1] whose professional duties appear to have been considered important. She carried the lovers proposals to the family of his mistress, or rather, perhaps, broke the ice and paved the way for him. In the earlier ages men, no doubt, performed this delicate office themselves, or entrusted it to their parents; as in Homer we find Achilles declaring, that his father Peleus shall choose a wife for him. Earlier still, if we may credit certain prevalent traditions, men dispensed altogether with such 2preliminaries and lived more pecudum with the first females who came in their way; a state of barbarism from which it is said they were reclaimed by Cecrops.[2] But, to whomsoever this fable may trace its origin, it is evidently unworthy of the slightest credit. Of times sunk in such an abyss of ignorance no record could remain, or even of many succeeding revolutions of manners touching close upon the orbit of civilisation. If, however, the tradition arose originally out of any real innovation in manners, it may refer to the partial abolition of polygamy, which, whether made by Cecrops or not, was an important step in the progress of the Greeks towards polished life. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 67637
Author: St. John, James Augustus
Release Date: Mar 16, 2022
Format: eBook
Language: English
Publisher: R. Bentley
Publication Date: 1842
Publisher Country: UK