Categoria: Leis VIII

Athenian Stranger. Next, with the help of the Delphian oracle, we have to institute festivals and make laws about them, and to determine what sacrifices will be for the good of the city, and to what Gods they shall be offered ; but when they shall be offered, and how often, may be partly regulated…

Ath. And what is the reason that dances and contests of this sort hardly ever exist in states, at least not to any extent worth speaking of ? Is this due to the ignorance of mankind and their legislators ? Cle. Perhaps. Ath. Certainly not, sweet Cleinias ; there are two causes, which are quite…

Ath. Then next we must remember, about all gymnastic contests, that only the warlike sort of them are to be practised and to have prizes of victory ; and those which are not military are to be given up. The military sort had better be completely described and established by law ; and first, let…

Ath. There is, however, another matter of great importance and difficulty, concerning which God should legislate, if there were any possibility of obtaining from him an ordinance about it. But seeing that divine aid is not to be had, there appears to be a need of some bold man who specially honours plainness of speech,…

Ath. We had got about as far as the establishment of the common tables, which in most places would be difficult, but in Crete no one would think of introducing any other custom. There might arise a question about the manner of them — whether they shall be such as they are here in Crete,…