Goddesses typically depicted as dancing. Dance was part of many sacred religious rituals and celebrations. The Spartans were trapped in this pass, holding off the Persian field army. The Athenian navy fought that of Persia off Artemisium in 480 BCE.

Bards traditionally invoked the Muses, goddesses believed to inspire all creative efforts. The goddess Memory, mother of the Muses. Raucous songs sung while drunk about Greek myths. Comedic plays often included scenes with slapstick chases and beatings, often involving actors playing slaves. To madden them, clap your hands,Īnd sing praise to the warrior goddess templed in our lands, Lead the dance, gather your joyous tresses up in bandsĪnd play like a fawn. To comb a giddy laughter through the hair,īacchantes that clench thyrsi as they sweep Hither O Spartan Muse, hither to greet us,Īnd Tyndareus' gallant sons whose daysĭance, making swirl your fringe of wooly skin, Lead out the Graces, īreaks fire on the maenads that follow Īnd Zeus with his flares of quick lightning, and call,Īnd all the Daimons summon hither to be Let each catch hands with his wife and dance his joy, ĭance out his thanks, be grateful in music, Spartans, sort out your wives: Athenians, yours. O let this bond stick ever firm through theeĮarth is delighted now, peace is the voice of earth. You whose arrows whizz in woodlands, come and bless The sweat drenched and their bodies in that place,įor the hurly-burly of Persians glittered moreĬome, Hunting Girl, and hear my prayer. Glad blossoming in strange petals of death The sweat ran streaming down each twisted face, Leonidas' army stood: wild-boars they were like By all the gods, there's nothingĬould glad my heart more than to watch you dance. Now honey dearest, please take up your pipeĪye, take your pipe. Yes, by Zeus, they're already coming out. Won't you move on, you sorry loafers there! Why, here the rascals come again to plague me. We're not too scrupulous in weighing words. With the Telamon-catch instead of the Cleitagora, Īnd we'd applaud and praise them just the same So that we miss half of the things they say,Īnd misinterpret things that were never said,Īnd then report the muddle back to Athens.īut now we're charmed with each other. We're on the alert for trickery all the while This is the advice I'd give the Athenians. That's only fair, since sober we're such fools:

When we are warm with wine, how wise we grow. I've never known such a pleasant banquet before,Īnd what delightful fellows the Spartans are. Just coming out from the splendid feast they've had. We'll both be crude and vulgar, yes we will.Īnd see you don't disturb the Spartan envoys (Some LOUNGERS from the Market with torches approach the Banqueting hall.

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