[lit-ideas] Alkibiades and the Herm: A Greek Dialogue

Alkibiades and the History of Art

The Uncircumcised Greeks (Was: The Maffia)

We are discussing phallic rites, and the Maffia in Sicily (soundtrack of 
Godfather playing in the background).

The Prof. at Reed writes:

"Alcibiades and his followers were accused of the mutilation of the herms 
(hermae), representations of the god Hermes, that were set around 
Athens. Shortly after the Athenian fleet reached Sicily, he was 
recalled to face trial. As far as I know no statues were mutilated on Sicily."

-- Exactly. That was done at a later stage by the Maffia. They mutilated in 
Sicily. Incidentally, Rudolf Valentino was from Sicily, but New Yorkers adored 
him. Funny.

The hermes (or 'herms' or 'hermae') as R. Paul spells that, were pretty rustic, 
obscene and asking to be mutilated in the first place. I'm not circumcised, and 
I realize most of Lit-Ideas (male) list-members are, so don't get me wrong. I'm 
not for circumcision. But this rude statuettes, if that they may be called, 
where just like totems. Only with the glans springing from the middle of the 
thing. This was perhaps what Alkebiades, who had a sense of beauty, thought of 
'mutilating'. On top of the totem we see the silly smily face of Mercurius, 
which could well have been mutilated as well. This would leave us with a clean 
column, which would have good uses and good taste in decoration. To place a pot 
above, or something. 

I'm compiling this Sculptoric Companion to the Loeb ("The Glyptotheca at the 
Swimming Pool") and indeed have two entries now:

HERM

and

HERMES


which is rude, but still, I have to provide some info on these hateful things 
that passed for pieces of art. 

Borges loved Buenos Aires, and would often note that his love showed when 
walking Paris or Vienna. "I know I miss Buenos Aires, because it's so ugly and 
yet I want to be there." When Florida Street became pedestrian he thought it 
was enough of a good thing. "But with the new pots [maceteros] they have 
finished uglifying it ("la han terminado de afear"). 

I would think that Alkebiades was having the same thoughts. Imagine having like 
50 phalloi overlooking your country walks. I for one would make a point of 
avoiding each. Alkebiades who had a gang, thought of doing art a good thing and 
'mutilated' them.

NEXT LESSON: Why the phallos of noble Athenians is small in statues but those 
of the Ethiopians and Priapus isn't. What it says about the Spartan Code.

Cheers,

J. L. 



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