discussion is of a theological nature, and is not alien to the
contemplation of the philosopher.
8. But since even the historians, through the similarity of
the name Curetes, have collected into one body a mass of dissimilar facts, I myself do not hesitate to speak of them at
length by way of digression, adding the physical considerations which belong to the history.[1] Some writers however endeavour to reconcile one account with the other, and perhaps
they have some degree of probability in their favour. They
say, for instance, that the people about Ætolia have the name
of Curetes from wearing long dresses like girls, ((
Greek characters)) and
that there was, among the Greeks, a fondness for some such
fashion. The lonians also were called "tunic-trailers,"[2] and
the soldiers of Leonidas,[3] who went out to battle with their
hair dressed, were despised by the Persians, but subjects of
their admiration in the contest. In short, the application
of art to the hair consists in attending to its growth, and the
manner of cutting it,[4] and both these are the peculiar care of
girls and youths;[5] whence in several ways it is easy to find a
derivation of the name Curetes. It is also probable, that the
practice of armed dances, first introduced by persons who
paid so much attention to their hair and their dress, and who
were called Curetes, afforded a pretence for men more warlike
than others, and who passed their lives in arms, to be themselves called by the same name of Curetes, I mean those in
Eubrea, Ætolia, and Acarnania. Homer also gives this name
to the young soldiers;
" selecting Curetes, the bravest of the Achaeans, to carry from the swift ship, presents, which, yesterday, we promised to Achilles."[6]
- ↑ (
Greek characters) rationem naturalem, utpote congruentum hue, historiæ adjiciens. Xylander. Or paraphrased, "The history of this people will receive additional and a fitting illustration by a reference to physical facts," such as the manner of wearing their hair, tonsure, &c.
- ↑ (Greek characters). The words (Greek characters)
appear, according to Berkel. ad Steph. p. 74, to be here wanting, "and to
bind the hair in the form of the Crobulus and ornamented with a grasshopper." The hair over the forehead of the Apollo Belvidere is an example of the crobulus.
- ↑ Herod, vii. 208.
- ↑ (Greek characters)
- ↑ (Greek characters)
- ↑ Strabo therefore considered the 193, 194, 195 verses of II. xix. as
members of the same family." It appears to me, on the contrary, that this was the opinion adopted by our author. Du Theil.
