In the 2nd century CE, the Cynic philosopher
Oenomaus of Gadara criticized the Athenians who murdered Androgeus, Son of King
Minos of Crete, who were then struck with a severe pestilence. The Athenians sought a divine oracle for
direction to stop the plague. They are
told to send seven grown youth and seven maidens to Crete to be sacrificed in
Minos.
Of plague and famine, there shall be an end,
If your flesh and blood (female and male) you send,
By lot assigned to Minos, you shall send forth,
Upon the mighty sea, for recompense you set course,
Of evil deeds; so shall the god forgive.
Oenomaus mocks the oracle and rebukes the Athenains for not
saying, “Would it not have been better to repent?”
 |
| Runes from Palace of King Minos, Knossos, Crete |
No comments:
Post a Comment