Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:34:12 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Russell The Red 16

Russell The Red
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


16:  Paidi Nisi Adventures Continues Two


The history tutor was saying, "The mortal Ganymede was made immortal by
Zeus.  He was not a god.  No other temple dedicated to Zeus is known to
have also honoured Ganymede, as far as I know.  That is why we don't think
this is a temple or sanctuary dedicated to any god or the worship of a god,
but to the ideals of human male beauty and intergenerational male love. `To
the Greek Way.' This is symbolized by the most beautiful human male ever to
live and by the most powerful deity of that time, who divinely loved that
beautiful boy.  The Greek Gods all represent ideals as does Ganymede.  I
think it all makes sense.

That is why we believe the early Christian monks preserved the site instead
of destroying it.  It was how they interpreted this new message of love,
knowing full well that others, including the Romans, had a different view.
I am sure Professor Smith will have much to add when she arrives.  One
other interpretation of course, is those monks were not church people at
all but pretend monks, whose purpose was preservation of these old ideals.

The one interesting fact, so far anyway, no Christian symbols have yet to
be found.  From the earliest time the Orthodox sanctuaries were always
decorated with religious frescos and icons. Although no other art, symbols
or writing from the pre Christian Era have been found either.  All the
potshards to date, were simple and undecorated.  This also suggests no
sacrifices were made here.  The purpose of this place is a mystery, unless
it was simply a place where lovers came to honour this ideal, in some
symbolic and emotional way."

"Tutor, does that mean those that came brought no gifts for the gods or
keepers, save consumables, such as food, drink and ejaculate?"

"Yes Yannie, that is what we mean.  Those that came must only have been
interested in expressing their love by some sexual acts, probably of their
own choosing."

"Is it not possible, that the last people to be here, those that abandoned
the place, simply removed all the evidence?"

"Yes Max, that too is possible and probable, however we are talking about
thousands of years.  I suspect they came with little and were fastidious in
not littering.  Professor Albrech also believes, that except for the post
CE period of occupation, no one lived here at all and that supplicants came
and went, stopping only briefly.  Judging from the outbuildings and the
size of the middens, it would appear only a hand full ever lived here at
any one time; except for brief periods of construction of course."

Kos suggested that the best harbour was right here in front of us and that
the little cove where we had been swimming, was only a fair to moderate
weather Anchorage, even for small craft.  "I would think that evidence may
be underwater and perhaps the archeologists need to look."

Professor Albrech joined us at that point and after refilling our
refreshments the discussion continued.  He was resolute in his belief, that
evidence must be here and that it was only a matter time before it turned
up.  Ground penetrating radar, spectral analysis of satellite and high
altitude images, metal detectors and such would all be employed, in the
future.

Stavors pointed out, "tonight the moon will be full and at its zenith,
around midnight."  Jason suggested that we, the Apollo's Phallus members,
visit the site and by making a game of it, demonstrate what may or may not
have been its purpose.  I didn't know Jason was so cleaver but I guess he
is.  Later, one of the brothers told me, Jason has invented several adult
board games, which are marketed by a Swiss firm.  Okay I thought, maybe he
is on to something.

Right after dinner, Kos and the older boys, took the quads and headed for
the dig.  They lined the pool with plastic and filled it with sea water,
using a small electric pump that ran off a quad's electrical system.  I
guess they had to get every garden hose on the island, linked together but
it worked.  Just as night was falling they took down the big canvas, tent
like covers.  At about 11 pm we all dressed in our little togas.

Someone had organized 10 men, who pulled our chips from the jar, I'm sure
it was Jason.  I know he had added one for me and one for Kos.  Each man
boy pair, would walk in the moonlight along the path and gather at the
little pool.  Professor Albrech and his graduate students would go along to
observe.  They also carried flashlights and little voice recorders, to keep
their notes.  I was amazed at how bright it was, with a nearly full, waxing
moon and no other lights around.  You could see quite well, once your eyes
adjusted.  My partner was Thanos and let me tell you, I was thrilled.  We
all walked along, holding our partner's hand and playing penis tag.  Man is
he hung.  By the time we got to the site, I know I was rock hard and so was
he.  I'm sure all the others were too.

We crested the last little rise and everyone just gasped, the moonlight
illuminated the entire scene, it looked like the statue was lit with a
spotlight.  We could see through the open doorway, right into the place.
After this afternoons discussions, I no longer wanted to call it a temple.
I didn't know what to call it.  I guess it didn't matter.

When we arrived at the court yard, Jason suggested we should clean or feet
in the pool.  Each man immediately washed the feet of his boy partner and
we reciprocated.  Now I knew why flashlights would be needed, to find our
sandals in the dark.  We entered the shrine, two by two.  It was a tight
fit but we all did it.  We milled around, looking at the carving, which was
truly wonderful in the cold moon light.  Once everyone was inside each
couple did what they chose to honour this concept and ideals of the Greek
Way, as symbolized by the statue.

I am still not exactly sure why it was so special but it just was.  All
around the room were other couples, a few were in the entry way, but some
how we all fit.  Just, I might add.  I guess we know, 10 couples is about
the maximum for this place at one time.  Was this a place where couples
came to consummate their relationship or renew their vows of love, to renew
the bond between?  I do not know but it sure seemed like the right thing to
do and the right place to be doing it.

If this was as meaningful for me and from the look on his face, Thanos';
how much more powerful would it have been for Kos and I?  I couldn't
imagine but I think we will sure find out before we leave.

There was symbolism in this too.  This whole experience was highly
symbolic.  It was also highly emotional, for everyone.  This little
assembly was demonstrating for the anthropologists, just how this place
must have been used and why it was built in the first place.  While the
general culture and a thousand other things are significantly different
today, the interactions of men and boys and men and men, and of course boys
and boys, is not changed.

These intergenerational and intragender sexual relationships, the actions,
reactions, love and respect between, is universal and transcendent.  At its
most basic level this was a bond of the souls, it was a sharing where
unequals become equal.  This was the penultimate in democracy, fraternity
and equality.  Age, power, station, wealth, strength were irrelevant, only
the sharing between mattered; only that love symbolized and shared between
the most power god and the young mortal, counted.

How the academics would explain and write this, was not yet clear.  How
they translated their convictions and theory testing, without sounding
unscientific or admitting to the physical testing, was as yet unknown.
Every participant came away, knowing they had been a part of a sacred
experience.  One that bound them to all those that have gone before and all
those who are yet to come, all those that shred their experience.  None of
these participants, needed this ceremonial service to sanctify, that which
they sanctify between themselves so frequently.  Many of the visitors would
also feel the desire to perform their own little ceremonies.  Most would
act on that desire.

For the ancients as well as moderns, some of them anyway, this
intergenerational love and its attendant sex that bonds them, dissolves the
power differential between.  This is not for every boy, It is not for every
man.  It was not then, why should it be now?

The next day we assembled in the main hall and received our special
uniforms.  Kos and I had been most surprised to be included in their ranks
and not as guests, when it had been announced.  Seb told us this was his
idea.  He had quickly realized that the bond between Kos and I was more
than just brothers who have sex.  It was like the bond with his brothers.
That we had both become a part of the Papas family and we all shared that
bond among us now.  With others it is shared membership in Apollo's Phallus
but with us two, it is more.  It was clear to him and everyone else, Kos'
sketches and paintings of Ganymede and Zeus carried some kind of soul too.

We were given junior officer, Aphrodite crew, uniforms.  They were special,
even the Papas boys had not seen them before.  They were short selves,
white dress shirts with epaulets on the shoulders and white shorts.  We all
had white ball caps, with the outline of the Aphrodite and and gold Greek
letters that spelled it.  Stavors who, is an apprentice seaman/officer
already, had slightly different insignias.  We then marched to the dock and
boarded the yacht.  Anglos is the First Officer and he welcomed Kos and I
to the crew and assigned Max to me and Spiros to Kos, as "buddy guides",
since neither of us had any marine experience or any knowledge of the ship.
All the brothers work to help the ship operate but in reality, the crew is
mostly made up of seasoned sailors/guardians/tutors or coaches.  They had
all spent six months last year, sailing around the world on the Aphrodite,
the brothers were experienced.  Since the ship operates in Greek and
neither Kos or I speak much yet, except all those naughty and intimate
words, the guides will be very important.

Our purpose was to sail to Athens and pick up a whole host of guests,
including our parents and even more important, Sheila.  My priorities are
not quite the same as others but what the hell, they don't need to be
either.

It only took about 8 hours for us to cover the distance, well that's what
it seemed like anyway.  I guess the Aphrodite is very fast.  The brothers
all live in a dorm on the ship too and I could see this sailing around the
world thing would be lots of fun.

Just before we docked, Captain Thanos brought all of us together and gave a
nice but strictly worded speech, about being officers and gentlemen and
reminding us that while we had visitors; mostly mothers and grandmothers
along with female cousins and sisters, we were to refrain from any and all
boy sex play in public.  On the island no nude displays, unless we were
sure the ladies were not around.  I could see Max, Seb, Jason and Kon were
all getting just a bit red faced, when their dad admonished them about
showing off before the cousins and half sisters.  I was not quite sure why.

Max explained later that "the half sisters and cousins, were only blood
related to Spiros, Photois and Yannie, us four are adopted and several of
them are cute and our age too."  I could relate to that.

When we docked, it was not in Athens proper but at some exclusive yacht
place on the north east side of the city.  The little harbour was filled
with yachts, some even bigger than the Aphrodite but not many and let me
tell you, non were as sharp.  The Aphrodite slid into its berth.  On the
dock were three uniformed men, well two men and a boy, the boy was dressed
like us.

Max told me it was his Danish friend Bjorn, who is deaf, he is Jytte's
brother.  Jytte is Photois' girlfriend.  The two men took the lines and
tied up.  Bjorn signed something and Seb called out, "permission to come
about, sir."  Thanos smiled and replied "Permission Granted."  Max
translated for me.  Seb signed that to Bjorn and he jumped, scampering up
the gangway and into Max and Seb's arms and kisses.  They introduced him to
Kos and I and got hugs and kisses from all the others.  Then we all went
down and stood in a line, six on one side and five on the other.  We
saluted each passenger as they came abroad.  I know Photois wanted to rush
Jytte, as much I wanted to rush Sheila but we didn't.  The last passenger
was grandfather Papas.  He stopped at Bjorn and took his hand, kissed his
cheek and lead him, followed by the rest of us.  So much for Thanos'
formality, I thought.  No sooner had we cleared the walk way, the cargo
began arriving.  It was not long before it folded up and the lines were
cast off.

Photois and I were at our girlfriend's sides immediately.  I missed her
sugar and was determined to get some.  Besides these Greeks are always
kissing anyway, just not as passionately, except for Photois and Jytte.
Kos kept mom, dad and Ed busy, while Sheila and I got reacquainted, well it
had now been almost three months.  Max tapped my shoulder and whispered
loud enough, for just about everyone close by to hear, "We have set up some
privet space on the sail boats for lovers, its time to be social now."
Sheila got a bit red and well you know me, I'm red most of the time anyway.

Sheila and Ed had been in Athens for a couple of days, along with our
parents, as guests of the Papas and Koronios families.  What we didn't
know, was how they got to Athens.  Sheila told me Ed and her flew to
Chicago and met up with the most wonderful group of young men, the Adonis
brothers.  I knew about them from the Papas brothers.  From Sheila's
glowing report, they were even more amazing then my new brothers had
suggested.  Some of them apparently could not make it but most could and
they would be arriving in the morning, several with their girlfriends.

It turned out that Spiros' mother and step father are both anthropologists
and they quickly bonded with mom.  I was impressed a second time by Thanos'
brother Thomas.  His wife and daughters were also along.  None of the
Koronios, non Papas grandchildren or Dem's sisters could come but I guess
they were not interested in archology anyway, or sailing, Max suggested.
Sheila had met the other girls, several were our age and they not only
liked Max and Seb but seemed hot for Bjorn.  In fact, they seemed
enthralled with him.  Mystery I guess.  He does appear to be the strong
silent type.  I think the silence is related to his not being able to hear,
he sure signs non stop and types into those little electronic translators a
lot.  I could see Kos was quite taken with Jytte, as were Spiros and
Yannie.  She is quite a looker, that is for sure.  I know I am only
supposed to have eyes for Sheila but man you can't help but look at a body
like hers.

Mother though Kos and I looked very handsome in the uniforms, as did all
the boys, I guess we are an impressive lot.  Anyway, we moved in a little
adolescent knots from one family to another, meeting everyone.  Stavors was
spending much of his time sitting with grandfather and grandmother Papas.

I was a bit surprised at how cordial Dem and Thanos were with the older
brothers' mothers and step fathers, especially Yannie's mother.  I
understood that his mother and Thanos had a major disagreement, about two
years back.  I guess that has been resolved.  Max just smiled, "She had
some kind of illness and is obviously better now."  I took that to mean a
mental illness.  When you fuck each other, as much and as often, as we have
over the last week and a bit, you become family and family has few secrets.
The mothers, Thanos and Dem, had all known each other since childhood and
well, they were family too, after a fashion.  No one told me the story but
I understand, Dem and Thanos were having sex at 14, with all three of these
women and Thanos wound up as daddy to three boys by three different
mothers.  Now that's instant family.  Go figure.

I was beginning to wonder where everyone would sleep.  Not that I expected
to sleep with Sheila.  You know I was hoping.  Just that it may be a big
house but not that big.  Thomas and his wife, the brother's aunt,
volunteered or were volunteered, to stay in the Captain's quarters on the
Aphrodite and all the girls would use the boy's cabin (dorm).  The other
cabins would be used by couples.  Max whispered that means Photois and
Jytte, Drew Henderson and Sandra Johnson, and any other Adonis brothers
that brought intimate female friends.  "All of us boys will be expected to
share with single male guests and they will bring in some extra beds too."
The grandparents, mothers and step fathers, my parents and Jason and Eva
Adonis and Ed would all have rooms in the big house.

I couldn't believe dad at first.  He took Kos and me aside for a quick
talk.  That is not unusual.  What he wanted to know was how we liked the
Apollo's Phallus meetings.  He admired our rings and had a thousand
questions about the Zeus/Ganymede statue.  I described our little, okay
big, ceremony in the moonlight.  The smile on his face was just too wide.
As the conversation went on, I got the distinct impression that his
attitude was being modified a bit and that he too should honour the ideas
of Father Zeus, in a more formal way.  Hum, I wondered and I know Kos did
too.  I could see it in his eyes and between our legs.

While Sheila and I were getting some alone time on the upper deck, I found
out just how she and Ed had been invited and by who.  She also wanted the
scoop on my new ring.  I told her it was signified membership in a boy
only, secret society.  She seemed satisfied with that explanation,
mentioning that all the Adonis brothers had them too."

Thanos had decided to have a big party, inviting many friends to the
island.  He realized, that excluding the children and adolescent girls in
the family, Jytte would be the only female friend of the boys present.  The
Adonis clan would be bringing several of their ladies.  He inquired about
Russell and Kosmos and the boys told him about Sheila and Nadine.  It
turned out that Nadine was not able to come, on such short notice but
Sheila was.  One of Jason Adonis' US managers, knew Judge Carter slightly,
having had some legal dealings in court, at some time in the past.  Jason
then called the Judge and Sheila's parents, introducing himself and the
idea of surprising Russell.  Sheila's parents knew from Russ' emails about
his location and the archeological activities he was involved with.  The
Judge recognized Jason's company and his credibility was established.  As
we know, Ed would do just about anything for Sheila and Russ and since he
was accompanying her as grandfather, not attending as Judge, Sheila being
invited by Papas Shipping, a company that did not do any business in his
jurisdiction.... Fortunately Sheila already had a passport.

"Once we docked and got organized, taking the guests to their
accommodations, Iason had us all assemble in the dorm.  (Since Jason Adonis
has come into the story I will use the Greek spelling for Jason Papas.)  He
thought we should give our guests a little entertainment tonight and
combine with the Adonis group for a grand show on the next.  After a bit of
discussion, someone called the Fine Arts Tutor and asked him to visit the
dorm.  Of course everyone was talking at once, again in a variety of
languages.  Iason got order and everyone began sharing ideas.  Given there
were ten of us, we probably only generated 25 or 30 ideas.  I thought it
was funny.  While all this idea generation was going on you could see the
level of crotch play diminished.  It was obvious everyone played some
instrument or another.  Since Kos and I both played the guitar, me acoustic
and kos both acoustic and electric, we could at least all play together,
the trick will be to find some music we all knew or could learn real fast.
When the tutor arrived he kind of took over.  He reminded everyone that the
Adonis brothers all played instruments and sang too, but without a
rehearsal, working together would just not work.  After much discussion it
was decided we should think about our guests, i.e. the audience first.

He suggested we all perform as a group, when everyone went to the Ganymede
shrine.  The Papas brothers and some of the men could sing and play Ode To
Zeus (from Canto Olympico by Mikis Theodorakis), since they had been
practicing it.  A hold over from the Athens games, a couple of years ago.
Kos and I could play acoustic guitars, while the others sang.  He said the
cords were not difficult and he would write a simple score for us.  That
out of the way, he began to organize tonight and tomorrow.  I could see
Iason's eyes and his mind was working overtime, as soon as the Tutor
suggested the Ode.  It was like, "why didn't I think of that the other
night; I'll not let that slip by me again."  I knew he wouldn't.

The Papas brother's little band, could play a variety of Greek folk songs,
dances and modern popular music, that would work out well.  I volunteered
Kos and I to do several numbers we both knew and I could sing.  I ran out
and got dad's ipod, which I knew had all kinds of old rock and roll, that
would be easy to play, with simple words non English speakers could easily
understand, and the brothers could easily play back up, like drums and
keyboards.  That was easy.  I would do several songs from the Shrek film,
since all the kids had seen it.  I also found a Foreigner song. Yannie
volunteered to play the key board for me and Kos would play guitar for the
Leonard Cone's Hallelujah and Foreigner's, I Want To Know What Love Is.
That was the first night.  For the second we would need to see what the
Adonis brothers were going to do but Papas brothers could play the Chariots
Of Fire theme by Vangelis, as they had been working on it.  According to
Kon the Adonis's are very fond of the Canadian Brian Adams and would
probably want to do some of his stuff.

The tutor left and Iason garbed the chip jar to everyone's hoots and
cheers.  Before he drew names, he announced his idea about the Ode to Zeus.
Yes we would perform it for all assembled but we boys and the Adonis
brothers should go back after dark and do it again, before we shared
another orgy with them.  That went over well.  I guess these Adonis boys
are all very well hung and very good lovers.  Kos and I figure we can get
dad to play with us and we could do Randy Backman's Taken Care of Business,
the old BTO hit on night two, but only with him on the lead electric, Kos
didn't feel competent enough for it.  The touter had also reminded us that
Yannie's step father is a very famous stage actor in Greece and if we
included him in something, it would be well received.


"Spiros will engage Thomas in conversation and Jytte will get Sheila and
sneak off the Aphrodite. You will have your time with her, I promise,"
Photos said.

I was going to ask about the Judge but he whispered.  "Dad and the other
old men will all be drinking brandy."

"Why would Jytte do that for me?"

"Lots of reasons.  First, it is so romantic and girls like that.  Second,
you and Kos are our "adopted" brothers.  Third, my brothers helped me and
her get together on the Aphrodite the first time, so she kind of wants to
play the game too."

"The game?"

"Sure, its a game Red.  Our dads can't very well say to us, you can fuck
your brothers, any willing adult on the island but not your girlfriend.  It
won't wash.  Now they couldn't give us permission either, our mothers and
her parents would have objected.  All they could do is make an honest
effort, which they did.  We just found a way around it and they were big
enough to accept our cleverness.  They would be some upset if we forced
ourselves but we all know the rules.  When Jytte and I got safely in her
cabin, we were sure we put one over on them.  Our dads got the last laugh,
they had a little present for us sitting on the bed.  A little package of
condoms."

We both giggled at that.  "Well," I thought, "maybe there is something to
this flowers on the statue of Eros.  There sure is something to brotherly
love.  At least all my brothers and sisters are prepared to be Eros' little
helpers, where Sheila and I are concerned."

I figure Kos and dad have the same kind of opinion.  I sure don't know if
Sheila is ready or not.  I don't know if I am either.  I'm sure Ed would
not approve of Sheila and I doing it, at least officially but like Photois
said, its a game.  Since Jytte and Photois are over the age of consent,
they even get their own room now.  I guess that would be to much to expect
for us 13 year olds.  All of the boy couples were cuddling together, except
the servers, until the little bell chimed calling us to dinner.  Then it
was a mad rush to find your clothing and get dressed.

My grandparents are all real old, in their 80's, but the Papases and
Koronioses are not that old.  They were all still quite lively, playing
games and stuff with the younger ones.  One thing for sure, they do command
a lot of respect.  Those half sisters are real lucky too, they have eight,
not four grandparents.  Then I guess Kos and I are too, at least that is
the way we and the girls were all being treated.

After dinner, Grandfather Papas made a little speech.  He heaped praise in
Thanos and Dem for the wonderful job they had done, with the four older
boys and announced that Stavors had been promoted to Apprentice 1st class
and gave him new insignias for his uniform.  He further announced the
Yannie, Photois, Spiros and Stavors would be attending the University of
Athens, starting in October. (European universities have a different
schedule then in the US.) All the half sisters and cousins cheered at that.
I guess they will live in Athens.  He shocked Kos, by presenting him with
several commissions, one of which was a life size painting of the Ganymede
statue.  I figure that will insure several visits for us in the next year,
at least.  Kos, I think, was a bit shocked.  All the while Sheila and I
were holding hands and sitting as close together as possible.

We all went to the patio for refreshments and socializing.  The younger
children were allowed to play games.  Man was I glad Sheila was with me,
since Max, Seb, Kon, Bjorn and Iason were immediately surrounded by the
older girls.  But then Jytte and Photois were forced to sit with his
parents and Kos with mom and dad.  I wanted to hear the adult conversation
but that was just not always possible.  So did the other boys, Max and Seb
signed a lot for Bjorn.  Photois' mother and stepfather are very nice
people.  His stepfather is also orthodontist for the entire family.  I know
he was telling Ed that Sheila needed braces and offered to fit her since
she could accompany Kos and I back to Athens for quarterly adjustments.  Ed
thought that was a decision for her parents, not grandfather.

What I wanted in on was the discussion between mom, Sepp, the history
tutor, Spiros's parents and the grad students.  I mean the professors were
getting right into the meaning and origin of the shrine.  Even the actor
was quoting lines from some of the old plays.  Anyway Yannie's mother asked
me, if I knew the origin of the, now rather wilted, flowers adorning Eros'
statue.  I know I turned fifteen shades of red.  So it was no use in
anything but being honest.  I told her Seb showed me where they grew and I
picked them.  I didn't tell her about Seb's translations.  Anyway she
smiled and told Sheila about the old story.  Sheila just hugged me and
kissed my cheek.  At least she thought it was romantic.  In my
understanding of Eros's efforts, they were more aimed at men and boys, then
women, since most heterosexual relationships were arranged in the old days.
But I'm only a modern boy, what do I know anyway.  Well, I sure do know
that when we boys, use our personal arrows to stick each other, oh Ya, love
sweet love, is often the result.  I wonder if that works when you stick a
girl with it?  I sure hope I find out.

I hear mom saying: "On Crete, Zeus was worshipped at a number of caves,
examples are: Knossos, Ida and Palaikastro.  The stories of Minos and
Epimenides suggest that these caves were once used for incubatory
divination by kings and priests."  I had no idea what incubatory was,
neither did Sheila.

We were both sure it had nothing to do with premature babies.  The history
tutor defined it for everyone in Greek and Spiros translated for us.
"Incubation is the religious practice of sleeping in a sacred area, with
the intention of experiencing a divinely-inspired dream or cure.
Incubation was practiced by members of the cult of Asclepius and votive
offerings found at his ritual centres at Epidaurus, Pergamum and Rome
detail the perceived effectiveness of the method.  Incubation was adopted
by certain Christian sects and is still used in a few Greek
monasteries. Cf. incubus (demon), or a nightmare."

Mom went on, "The dramatic setting of Plato's Laws, is along the
pilgrimage-route to one such site, emphasizing archaic Cretan knowledge.
On Crete, Zeus was represented in art as a long-haired youth rather than a
mature adult, and hymned as ho megas kouros "the great youth".  With the
Kouretes, a band of ecstatic armed dancers, he presided over the rigorous
military-athletic training and secret rites of the Cretan paideia."  Now I
started to get what the history tutor and Sepp had been telling us.

"The Hellenistic writer Euhemerus apparently proposed a theory that Zeus
had actually been a great king of Crete and that posthumously his glory had
slowly turned him into a deity. The works of Euhemerism have not survived,
but Christian patristic writers took up the suggestion with enthusiasm.
The only problem with that is no other writers or poets seemed to agree and
these early Christians often had suspect motives."

To the ancient Greeks, Paideia was the process of educating man into his
true form, the real and genuine human nature.  It also means culture.  It
is the ideal in which the Hellenes formed the world around them and their
youth.  Since self-government was important to the Greeks, Paideia combined
with ethos (habits) made a man good and made him capable as a citizen or a
king.  This education was not about learning a trade or an art, which the
Greeks called banausos (mechanical) unworthy of a citizen, but was about
training for liberty (freedom) and nobility (The Beautiful).  Paideia is
the cultural heritage that is continued through the generations.

The history tutor repeated his lecture about early boy-boy love practices
on Crete.  He went on to remind the ladies that in early times the society
was not so paratactical and that even after the Dorians and probably until
the Roman conquest, inheritance was through the mother not the father.
Spiros's parents asked lots of questions of mother and Sepp.  They are
professors of archeology/anthropology but specialized in foreign cultures
and places.  That didn't mean they didn't have lots of questions for Sepp
and the graduate students about the science and methods they were using and
the reasoning behind their conclusions.  At the time the geology professor
had not finished mapping and none of the dates were back from the samples,
so some speculation was still possible.

Sheila and the other girls were just a bit upset to learn just how male
centred, ancient culture was.  The two lady professors were more
philosophical about it, pointing out that in modern times things had
changed and that the number and role of goddesses in ancient times,
suggests women enjoyed more power than the male writers seemed to have
recorded.  But they were not voting citizens and had few property rights.