Philothea by Lydia Maria Child

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The pavement of this court was of porphyry inlaid with costly marbles,
in various hieroglyphics. The side connected with the palace was adorned
with carved open-work, richly painted and gilded, and with jasper
tablets, alternately surmounted by a golden ram and a winged lion; one
the royal ensign of Persia, the other emblematic of the Assyrian empire
conquered by Cyrus. The throne was placed in the centre, under a canopy
of crimson, yellow, and blue silk, tastefully intermingled and
embroidered with silver and gold. Above this was an image of the sun,
with rays so brilliant, that it dazzled the eyes of those who looked
upon it.

The monarch seemed scarcely beyond the middle age, with long flowing
hair, and a countenance mild and dignified. On his right hand stood
Xerxes--on his left, Darius and Sogdianus; and around him were a
numerous band of younger sons; all wearing white robes, with jewelled
vests of Tyrian purple.

As they entered, the active buzzing of female voices was heard behind
the gilded open-work of the wall; but this was speedily silenced by a
signal from the herald. Artaphernes prostrated himself, till his
forehead touched the pavement; Eudora copied his example; but Philaemon
merely bowed low, after the manner of the Athenians. Artaxerxes bade
them arise, and said, in a stern tone, "Artaphernes, has thy daughter
prepared herself to obey our royal mandate? Or is she still contemptuous
of our kingly bounty?"

Eudora trembled; and her father again prostrated himself, as he replied:
"O great and benignant king! mayest thou live forever. May Oromandes
bless thee with a prosperous reign, and forever avert from thee the
malignant influence of Arimanius. I and my household are among the least
of thy servants. May the hand that offends thee be cut off, and cast to
unclean dogs."

"Arise, Artaphernes!" said the monarch: "Thy daughter has permission to
speak."

Eudora, awed by the despotic power and august presence of Artaxerxes,
spoke to her father, in a low and tremulous voice, and reminded him of
the royal promise to grant whatever he might ask."

Philaemon turned eagerly, and a sudden flush mantled his cheeks, when he
heard the pure Attic dialect, "with its lovely marriage of sweet
sounds."

"What does the maiden say?" inquired the king. Artaphernes again paid
homage, and answered; "O Light of the World! Look in mercy upon the
daughter of thy servant, and grant that her petition may find favour in
thy sight. As yet, she hath not gained a ready utterance of the Persian
language--honoured and blessed above all languages, in being the
messenger of thy thoughts, O king. Therefore she spoke in the Greek
tongue, concerning thy gracious promise to grant unto the humblest of
thy servants whatsoever he might ask at thy hands."

Then the monarch held forth his golden sceptre, and replied, "Be it unto
thee, as I have said. I have sought thy daughter in marriage for Xerxes,
prince of the empire. What other boon does Artaphernes ask of the king?"

The Persian approached, and reverently touching the point of the
sceptre, answered: "O King of kings! before whom the nations of the
earth do tremble. Thy bounty is like the overflowing Nilus, and thy
mercy refreshing as dew upon the parched earth. If it be thy pleasure, O
King, forgive Artaminta, my daughter, if she begs that the favour of the
prince, like the blessed rays of Mithras, may fall upon some fairer
damsel. I pray thee have her excused."

Xerxes looked up with an angry frown; but his royal father replied, "The
word of the king is sacred; and his decree changeth not. Be it unto thee
even as thou wilt."

Then turning to Philaemon, he said: "Athenian stranger, our royal life
preserved by thy hand deserves a kingly boon. Since our well beloved son
cannot find favour in the eyes of this damsel, we bestow her upon thee.
Her father is one of the illustrious Pasargadae, and her ancestors were
not unremotely connected with the princes of Media. We have never looked
upon her countenance--deeming it wise to copy the prudent example of our
cousin Cyrus; but report describes her beautiful as Panthea."

Eudora shrunk from being thus bestowed upon Philaemon; and she would have
said this to her father, had he not checked the first half-uttered word
by a private signal.

With extreme confusion, the Athenian bowed low, and answered, "Pardon
me, O King, and deem me not insensible of thy royal munificence. I pray
thee bestow the daughter of the princely Artaphernes upon one more
worthy than thy servant."

"Now, by the memory of Cyrus!" exclaimed Artaxerxes, "The king's favours
shall this day be likened unto a beggar, whose petitions are rejected at
every gate."

Then, turning to his courtiers, he added: "A proud nation are these
Greeks! When the plague ravaged all Persia and Media, Hippocrates of Cos
refused our entreaties, and scorned our royal bounty; saying he was born
to serve his own countrymen, and not foreigners. Themistocles, on whom
our mighty father bestowed the revenues of cities, died, rather than
fight for him against Athens; and lo! here is a young Athenian, who
refuses a maiden sought by the Persian prince, with a dowry richer than
Pactolus.

Philaemon bowed himself reverently, and replied: "Deem not, O king, that
I am moved by Grecian pride; for well I know that I am all unworthy of
this princely alliance. An epistle lately received from Olympia makes it
necessary for me to return to Greece; where, O king, I seek a beloved
maiden, to whom I was betrothed before my exile."

Eudora had trembled violently, and her convulsive breathing was audible,
while Philaemon spoke; but when he uttered the last words, forgetful of
the reverence required of those who stood in the presence of majesty,
she murmured, "Oh, Philothea!" and sunk into the arms of her father.

The young man started; for now, not only the language, but the tones
were familiar to his heart. As the senseless form was carried into the
garden, he gazed upon it with an excited and bewildered expression.

Artaxerxes smiled, as he said: "Athenian stranger, the daughter of
Artaphernes, lost on the coast of Ionia, was discovered in the household
of Phidias, and the Greeks called her Eudora."

Philaemon instantly knelt at the monarch's feet, and said, "Pardon me, O
king. I was ignorant of all this. I ----"

He would have explained more fully; but Artaxerxes interrupted him; "We
know it all, Athenian stranger--we know it all. You have refused
Artaminta, and now we bestow upon you Eudora, with the revenues of
Magnesia and Lampsacus for her dowry."

Before the next moon had waned, a magnificent marriage was celebrated in
the court of audience, opening into the royal gardens. On a shining
throne, in the midst of a stately pavilion, was seated Artaxerxes,
surrounded by the princes of the empire. Near the throne stood Philaemon
and Eudora. Artaphernes placed the right hand of the bride within the
right hand of the bridegroom, saying, "Philaemon of Athens, I bestow upon
thee, Artaminta, my daughter, with my estates in Pasagarda, and five
thousand darics as her dowry."

The chief of the Magii bore sacred fire on a silver censer, and the
bridal couple passed slowly around it three times, bowing reverently to
the sacred emblem of Mithras. Then the bridegroom fastened a golden
jewel about the bride's neck, and they repeated certain words, promising
fidelity to each other. The nuptial hymn was sung by six handsome
youths, and as many maidens, clothed in white garments, with a purple
edge.

Numerous lamps were lighted in the trees, making the gardens bright as
noon. Women belonging to the royal household, and to the most favoured
of the nobility, rode through the groves and lawns, in rich pavilions,
on the backs of camels and white elephants. As the huge animals were led
along, fireworks burst from under their feet, and playing for a moment
in the air, with undulating movements, fell in a sparkling shower.

Artaxerxes gave a luxurious feast, which lasted seven days; during which
time the Queen entertained her guests with equal splendour, in the
apartments of the women.

The Athenian decree against those of foreign parentage had been repealed
in favour of young Pericles; but in that country everything was in a
troubled and unsettled state; and Artaphernes pleaded hard to have his
daughter remain in Persia.

It was therefore decided that the young couple should reside at
Pasagarda, situated in a fertile valley, called the Queen's Girdle,
because its revenues were appropriated to that costly article of the
royal wardrobe. This pleasant city had once been the favourite residence
of Cyrus the Great, and a plain obelisk in the royal gardens marked his
burial-place. The adjacent promontory of Taoces afforded a convenient
harbour for Tyrian merchants, and thus brought in the luxuries of
Phoenicia, while it afforded opportunities for literary communication
between the East and the West. Here were celebrated schools under the
direction of the Magii, frequently visited by learned men from Greece,
Ethiopia, and Egypt.

Philaemon devoted himself to the quiet pursuits of literature; and
Eudora, happy in her father, husband and children, thankfully
acknowledged the blessings of her lot.

Her only daughter, a gentle maiden, with plaintive voice and earnest
eyes, bore the beloved name of Philothea.

APPENDIX

_Zeus_--The Jupiter of the Romans.

_Zeus Xenius_--Jupiter the Hospitable.

_Hera_--Juno.

_Pallas_--Minerva.

_Pallas Athena_--An ancient appellation of Minerva, from which Athens
took its name.

_Pallas Parthenia_--Pallas the Virgin.

_Pallas Promachos_--Pallas the Defender.

_Phoebus_--The Apollo of the Romans; the Sun.

_Phoebus Apollo_--Phoebus the Destroyer, or the Purifier.

_Phoebe_--Diana; the Moon.

_Artemis_--Diana.

_Agrotera_--Diana the Huntress.

_Orthia_--Name of Diana among the Spartans.

_Poseidon_--Neptune.

_Aphrodite_--Venus.

_Urania_--The Heavenly Venus. The same name was applied to the Muse of
Astronomy.

_Eros_--Cupid.

_Hermes_--Mercury.

_Demeter_--Ceres.

_Persephone_--Proserpine.

_Dionysus_--Bacchus.

_Pandamator_--A name of Vulcan, signifying the All-subduing.

_Mnemosyne_--Goddess of Memory.

_Chloris_--Flora.

_Asclepius_--Esculapius.

_Rhamnusia_--Name of a statue of Nemesis, goddess of Vengeance; so
called because it was in the town of Rhamnus.

_Polydeuces_--Pollux.

_Leto_--Latona.

_Taraxippus_--A deity whose protection was implored at Elis, that no
harm might happen to the horses.

_Erinnys_--The Eumenides, or Furies.

_Naiades_--Nymphs of Rivers, Springs, and Fountains.

_Nereides_--Nymphs of the Sea.

_Oreades_--Nymphs of the Mountains.

_Dryades_--Nymphs of the Woods.

_Oromasdes_--Persian name for the Principle of Good.

_Mithras_--Persian name for the Sun.

_Arimanius_--Persian name for the Principle of Evil.

_Odysseus_--Ulysses.

_Achilleus_-Achilles.

_Cordax_--An immodest comic dance.

_Agora_--A Market House.

_Prytaneum_--The Town House.

_Deigma_--A place in the Piraeus, corresponding to the modern Exchange.

_Clepsydra_--A Water-dial.

_Cotylae_--A measure. Some writers say one third of a quart; others much
less.

_Arytana_--A small cup.

_Arabyllus_--A vase, wide at bottom and narrow at top.

_Archons_--Chief Magistrates of Athens.

_Prytanes_--Magistrates who presided over the Senate.

_Phylarchi_--Sheriffs.

_Epistates_--Chairman, or speaker.

_Hippodrome_--The Horse-course.

_Stadium_--Thirty-six and a half rods.

_Obulus_, (plural _Oboli_)--A small coin, about the value of a penny.

_Drachma_, (plural _Drachmae_)--About ten-pence sterling.

_Mina_, (plural _Minae_)--Four pounds, three shillings, four pence.

_Stater_--A gold coin; estimated at about twelve shillings, three pence.

_Daric_--A Persian gold coin, valued one pound, twelve shillings, three
pence.

(All the above coins are estimated very differently by different writers.)

* * * * *

"The midnight procession of the Panathenaea." p. 11.

This festival in honour of Pallas was observed early in the summer,
every fifth year, with great pomp.

"The Sacred Peplus." p. 12.

This was a white garment consecrated to Pallas, on which the actions of
illustrious men were represented in golden embroidery.

"Festival of Torches." p. 15.

In honour of Prometheus. The prize was bestowed on him who ran the
course without extinguishing his torch.

"Six months of seclusion within the walls of the Acropolis, were
required of the Canephorae." p. 22.

Maidens of the first families were selected to embroider the sacred
peplus. The two principal ones were called Canephorae, because they
carried baskets in the Panathenaic procession.

"Fountain of Byblis." p. 33.

This name was derived from a young Ionian, passionately fond of her
brother Caunus, for whom she wept till she was changed into a fountain,
near Miletus.

"During the festivities of the Dionysia." p. 42.

This festival, in honour of Dionysus, was observed with great splendour.
Choragic games are supposed to have been celebrated; in which prizes
were given to the successful competitors in music, and the drama.

"The tuneful soul of Marsyas." p. 43.

Marsyas was a celebrated musician of Phrygia, generally considered the
inventor of the flute.

"Contest between fighting quails." p. 43.

In Athens, quails were pitched against each other, in the same manner as
game-cocks among the moderns.

"Pericles withdrew a rose from the garland." p. 44.

This flower was sacred to Silence. The ancients often suspended it above
the table at feasts, to signify that what was said _sub rosa_ was not to
be repeated.

"A life-time as long as that conferred upon the namesake of Tithonus."
p. 46.

It is related of him, that he asked and obtained the gift of immortality
in this world; but unfortunately forgot to ask for youth and vigour.

"Eleusinian Mysteries." p. 47.

Ceremonies at Eleusis, in honour of Demeter, observed with great
secrecy. Those who were initiated were supposed to be peculiarly under
the protection of the gods.

"Model for the sloping roof of the Odeum." p. 54.

Pericles was usually represented with a helmet, to cover the deformity
in his skull. It was jestingly said that the model for the Odeum was
from his own head.

"Patriotic song of Callistratus." p. 56.

Translated from the Greek, by the Rt. Rev. G. W. Doane, Bishop of New
Jersey.

"While our rosy fillets shed," &c. p. 57.

The 43d Ode of Anacreon. This and other extracts from the same poet are
translated by Thomas Moore, Esq.

"All ending in ippus and ippides." p. 61.

Ippus is the Greek for horse. Wealthy Athenians generally belonged to
the equestrian order; to which the same ideas of honour were attached as
to the knights, or cavaliers, of modern times. Their names often
signified some quality of a horse; as Leucippus, a white horse, &c.

"Describing her pompous sacrifices to Demeter." p. 64.

None but Greeks were allowed to enter the temples of this goddess.

"Urania alone confers the beauty-giving zone." p. 69.

Urania was the Heavenly Venus, who presided over the pure sentiment of
love, in distinction from Aphrodite, who presided over the sensual
passion.

"The Pleiades mourning for their lost sister." p. 74.

One of the stars in the constellation of the Pleiades is said to have
disappeared. They were fabled as seven sisters, and one lost her place
in the sky by marrying a mortal.

"More happy than the gods is he." p. 75.

Second Ode of Sappho, translated by F. Fawkes, Esq.

"He has clothed the Graces." p. 76.

Socrates was originally a sculptor. He carved a beautiful group of the
Graces; said to have been the first that were represented with clothing.

"Too frugal to buy coloured robes." p. 76.

The common people in Athens generally bought white garments, for the
economy of having them dyed when they were defaced.

"Every human being has, like Socrates, an attendant spirit." p. 89.

In the Phoedrus of Plato, Socrates is represented as saying, "When I was
about to cross the river, a demoniacal and usual sign was given me; and
whenever this takes place, it always prohibits me from accomplishing
what I was about to do. In the present instance, I seemed to hear a
voice, which would not suffer me to depart till I had made an expiation;
as if I had offended in some particular a divine nature."

"His statue stands among the Olympionicae." p. 92.

The victors at the Olympic Games had their statues placed in the groves.
These statues were called Olympionicae.

"Count me on the summer trees." p. 98.

Part of the 14th Ode of Anacreon.

"As soon would I league myself with Odomantians." p. 112.

The Odomantians of Thrace, near the river Strymon, had the same
grasping, avaricious character, attributed to the Jews in modern times.

"Concealed their frauds amid the flames of the Treasury." p. 113.

The Treasury in Athens was burned to the ground, by the Treasurers, who
took that method to avoid being called to account for the money they had
embezzled.

"That comes of having the Helots among them." p. 116.

The freemen of Sparta were forbidden the exercise of any mechanical or
laborious employment. All these duties devolved upon the Helots; while
their masters spent their time in dancing, feasting, hunting, and
fighting.

"He approves the law forbidding masters to bestow freedom." p. 117.

There was a Spartan law forbidding masters to emancipate their slaves.
About two thousand, who were enfranchised by a public decree, for having
bravely defended the country during the Peloponessian war, soon after
disappeared suddenly, and were supposed to have been secretly murdered.

"Whip them, merely to remind them of bondage." p. 117.

The Helots were originally a brave people; but after they were conquered
by the Spartans, no pains were spared to render them servile and
degraded. Once a year they publicly received a severe flagellation,
merely to remind them that they were slaves. They were never allowed to
learn any liberal art, or to sing manly songs. In order to expose them
to greater contempt, they were often obliged to perform indecent dances,
and to get brutally drunk, that their master's children might learn to
despise such uncomely things.

"Things as trifling as the turning of a shell." p. 120.

This was an Athenian proverb, applied to things that were done quickly,
or changed easily.

"You must indeed wrestle at Cynosarges." p. 120.

This was a name of Hercules; and because he was illegitimate, it was
applied to a place near the Lyceum, where those of half Athenian blood,
were wont to exercise in gymnastic sports. Themistocles, being partly of
foreign extraction, induced the young Athenian nobles to go there and
wrestle with him, that the distinction might be done away.

"Festival Anthesteria." 120.

In honour of Dionysus. The best drinker was rewarded with a golden crown
and a cask of wine; and none but Athenians were allowed to enter the
theatre.

"Which he inscribed Demos." p. 131.

A phrase signifying the People, or the Democracy.

"Sing their welcome to Ornithae." p. 134,

This name was applied to a wind that blew in the spring, at the time
when the birds began to return. It was a Grecian custom for children to
go about with garlands from door to door, singing a welcome to the
swallows, and receiving trifling presents in return.

"The marble sent by Darius." p. 136.

The Persians were so confident of victory that they brought with them
marble to erect a trophy on the plains of Marathon. From this marble
Phidias sculptured a statue of Vengeance, which was called Rhamnusia.

"Filled my pillow with fresh laurel leaves." p. 143.

Phoebus was supposed to inspire dreams and prophecy; and the laurel
which was sacred to him, was supposed to be endowed with similar
properties.

"Like one returned from the cave of Trophonius." p. 147.

In this cave was a celebrated oracle. Those who entered it always
returned pale and dejected.

"Psyche bending over the sleeping Eros." p. 150.

This beautiful fable represents the union of the human soul with
immortal love. Pysche was warned that separation would be the
consequence, if she looked on the countenance of her divine lover. She
gazed on his features as he slept; and was left to sorrow alone.

"Even the Diasia are no longer observed." p. 154.

Festivals in honour of Zeus, because he delivered men from misfortunes
and dangers.

"When the Muses and the Charities inhabit the same temple." p. 160.

Among the Greeks, the Graces were called the Charities. It was a
beautiful idea thus to deify the moral, rather than the outward graces;
and to represent innocent and loving nymphs, forever hand in hand,
presiding over kind and gentle actions. The Graces were often worshipped
in the same temple with the Muses.

"Olive garlands suspended on the doors." p. 185.

This was a common practice during the festival of Thargelia, in honour
of Phoebus.

"Gently touched the back part of his head with a small wand." p. 202.

That the phenomena of animal magnetism were not entirely unknown to the
ancients, appears by what Clearchus relates of an experiment tried in
the presence of Aristotle. He speaks of a man who, by means of "a
soul-attracting wand," let the soul out of a sleeping lad, and left the
body insensible. When the soul was again led into the body, it related
all that had happened to it.

"The laws of the country made it impossible to accompany her beloved
husband." p. 206.

No woman was allowed to enter Olympia, during the celebration of the
games.

"Deemed he had fallen by the dart of Phoebus Apollo." p. 208.

Those who died very suddenly were supposed to have been struck with the
arrows of Phoebus, or his sister.

"Its best pleasures are like the gardens of Adonis." p. 213.

When the annual procession formed to mourn the death of Adonis, earth
was placed in shells, and lettuce planted in it, in commemoration of
Adonis laid out on a bed of lettuces. These shells were called the
Gardens of Adonis. Their freshness soon withered, on account of the
shallowness of the earth.

"Rather gain one prize from the Choragus than ten from the Gymnasiarch."
p. 219.

The first presided over musical and literary competition; the last over
athletic games.

"The statue of Persephone, (that ominous bridal gift.)" p. 226.

While Persephone was gathering flowers, she was seized by Pluto, and
carried to the regions of the dead, over which she presided. Hence the
hair of the deceased was consecrated to her, and her name invoked at
funerals.

"Milza sneezed aloud." p. 227.

This was considered a lucky omen; particularly if the sound came from
the direction of the right hand.

"He will trust to Hermes to help him." p. 239.

Hermes was the god of lies and fraud.

"Have I told you all my flames." p. 241.

Part of the 14th ode of Anacreon.

"Threatened to appeal to the magistrates for another master." p. 250.

The Athenian slave laws were much more mild than modern codes. If a
servant complained of being abused, his master had no power to retain
him.

"Build the wall of Hipparchus." p. 251.

A wall built round the Academia by Hipparchus was so expensive that it
became a proverb applied to all costly undertakings.

"One of the slaves whose modesty Alcibiades had insulted." p. 251.

Slaves that were either personally abused, or insulted, took refuge in
the Temple of Theseus, and could not be compelled to return to those of
whom they complained.

"These brooks are Creuesa's tears." p. 253.

Ion was the son of Phoebus and Creuesa. His mother, to avoid her father's
displeasure, concealed the birth of the infant, and hid him in the
grotto, which afterwards bore her name. The child was preserved, and
brought up in the temple of Phoebus.

"She does not speak like one brought up at the gates." p. 254.

The lower classes of tradesmen were generally placed near the gates.

"One of the illustrious Pasargadae." p. 280.

These were the noblest families in Persia.

* * * * *

In some unimportant matters, I have not adhered strictly to dates;
deeming this an allowable freedom in a work so purely romantic, relating
to times so ancient.

I am aware that the Christian spirit is sometimes infused into a Grecian
form; and in nothing is this more conspicuous than the representation of
love as a pure sentiment rather than a gross passion.

Greek names for the deities were used in preference to the Roman,
because the latter have become familiarized by common and vulgar use.

If there be errors in the application of Greek names and phrases, my
excuse must be an entire want of knowledge in the classic languages.
But, like the ignoramus in the Old Drama, I can boast, "Though I _speak_
no Greek, I love the _sound_ on't."

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