[lit-ideas] Hieroi Doxoi
- From: Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 23:18:41 EST
From Wikipedia:
"The Sacred Band (Ιερός Λόχος) was a troop of picked soldiers,
numbering 150 age-structured which formed the elite force of the army.
Plutarch reports that the Sacred Band consisted of homosexual couples and
the reason was that lovers would fight more fiercely and more cohesively at
each
other's sides than would strangers with no ardent bonds. So according to
Plutarch the inspiration for the Band's formation came from Plato’s Symposium,
wherein the character Phaedrus remarks:
And if there were only some way of contriving that a state or an army should
be made up of lovers and their loves, they would be the very best governors
of their own city, abstaining from all dishonour, and emulating one another
in honour; and when fighting at each other's side, although a mere handful,
they would overcome the world. For what lover would not choose rather to be
seen by all mankind than by his beloved, either when abandoning his post or
throwing away his arms? He would be ready to die a thousand deaths rather than
endure this. Or who would desert his beloved or fail him in the hour of
danger?
[
The Sacred Band originally was formed of picked men in couples, each lover
and beloved, selected from the ranks of the existing citizen-army. The pairs
consisted of the older "heniochoi", or charioteers, and the younger
"paraibatai", or companions. They were housed and trained at the city’s
expense. During
their early engagements, in an attempt to bolster a general morale, they
were dispersed by their commander throughout the front ranks of the army.
Plutarch claims that all three hundred died that day,
“It is probable, therefore, that the Sacred Band was so named, because Plato
also speaks of a lover as a friend inspired from Heaven.” Aubrey Stewart &
George Long translation.
Paul Walter Ludwig, Eros and Polis: Desire and Community in Greek Political
Theory. Cambridge, 2002.
Homosexuality in the militaries of ancient Greece
Homosexuality among males in the militaries and warriors of ancient Greek
city-states were documented by many historians throughout the ages. However the
importance of them in establishing military formations varied. The
relationships themselves were widespread as remarks of Philip II of Macedon's
recorded
by Plutarch demonstrates:
"It is not only the most warlike peoples, the Boeotians, Spartans, and
Cretans, who are the most susceptible to this kind of love but also the
greatest
heroes of old: Meleager, Achilles, Aristomenes, Cimon, and Epaminondas."
XENOPHON: The Spartans ... make our loved ones such models of perfection
that even if stationed with foreigners rather than with their lovers they are
ashamed to desert their companion."
Pammenes according to Plutarch:
"Homer's Nestor was not well skilled in ordering an army when he advised the
Greeks to rank tribe and tribe ... he should have joined lovers and their
beloved. For men of the same tribe little value one another when dangers
press;
but a band cemented by friendship grounded upon love is never to be broken."
Cleomachus answered their request and brought his lover along with him. He
charged against the Eretians and brought the Chalcidians to victory at the
cost of his own life. It was said he was inspired with love during the battle.
Gay Warriors, by Burg, B. R., et al.; New York: New York University Press,
2002
Examples
Aristomenes — Arcadian
Cimon — Skorkephalos
Asopichus — great warrior and lover of Epaminondas
Caphisodorus — warrior and lover of Epaminondas whom he died with at the
Battle of Mantineia.
Cleomachus — led Chalcis to victory in the Lelantine Wars
Pammenes — general who was supposed to assume leadership after Epaminondas
Theron — warrior from Thessaly -- and his lover, Pelikanos
Harmodius — credited with bringing about Athenian democracy with Aristogiton
Aristogiton — credited with bringing about Athenian democracy with Harmodius
Pelopidas — general of the elite Sacred Band.
Epaminondas — Theban general and commander of the Boeotian army credited
with ending Sparta's dominance -- and his lover Papaleos.
Gorgidas — established the Sacred Band selecting male couples within the
army
Meleager — infantry commander under Alexander
Alexander the Great — Macedon King who conquered the Persian Empire
Hephaestion — top general and lover of Alexander
Philip II of Macedon — Macedonia King who unified Greece
Leonidas — Spartan King who fought in the Battle of Thermopylae
Ancient Greek mythological heroes in love with each other:
Achilles and Patroclus
Heracles and Iolaus
--- This online review of "300" noted that "Alexander" with Colin Farrell
_flopped_ in the USA by making Alexander's bisexuality too obvious. The
reviewer also mentions the stupidity of having, in "Troy", Brad Bitt
(Achilles)
being the _cousin_ of Patroclus. "Like if you undergo such a wrath when your
cousin dies..."
Cheers,
JL
J. L. Speranza, Esq.
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