Geography

​Ephorus has described the most important of the Cretan customs in detail as follows. All those who are selected from the “herd” of boys at the same time are compelled by them to marry at the same time, but they do not immediately bring the girls they have married to their own homes, but only when they are already capable of managing household affairs. The dowry, if there are brothers, is half of the brother’s share. And the boys learn their letters, and the songs prescribed by the laws, and certain kinds of music. Now, they bring those who are still younger to the common meals called “andreia”; and sitting on the ground they live with one another, wearing the same cheap cloaks both winter and summer, and they serve both themselves and the men. Also, those from the same common meal fight in battle against one another, and against other common meals. Over each “andreia” a boy-director is set. But the older boys are brought into the “herds”; and the “herds” are gathered by the most illustrious and powerful of the boys, each assembling as many as he is able. The leader of each “herd” is generally the father of the one who gathered it, having authority to lead them out for hunting and races, and to punish the disobedient. They are fed at public expense. On certain appointed days, herd fights against herd with flute and lyre in battle, in rhythm, just as they are accustomed to do in actual war, and they also deal blows, some with the hand and some even with iron weapons.

​And their custom regarding love affairs is peculiar to them; for they secure the objects of their love not by persuasion but by abduction. The lover declares to his friends three or more days beforehand that he is going to make the abduction. But for them (the boy’s friends), to hide the boy or not to allow him to travel by the appointed road is one of the most disgraceful things, as it is equivalent to admitting that the boy is unworthy to obtain such a lover. When they meet, if the abductor is equal or superior to the boy in rank and other respects, they only pursue and touch him lightly, satisfying the custom, and they allow him to lead the boy away with joy; but if he is unworthy, they rescue the boy. The end of the pursuit is reached when the boy is brought to the “andreion” of the abductor. They consider as worthy of love not the one who excels in beauty, but the one who excels in courage and orderliness. And the lover, after giving gifts, leads the boy away to whatever place in the country he wishes; those who were present at the abduction follow them, and having feasted and hunted together for two months (for it is not permitted to retain the boy for a longer time) they return to the city. The boy is released after receiving as gifts a military dress, an ox, and a drinking cup. These are the gifts prescribed by law, but there are also many other expensive ones, so that the friends contribute together to help because of the greatness of the expenses. The boy sacrifices the ox to Zeus and feasts those who came down with him, and then he declares concerning his intercourse with the lover whether it has happened to his liking or not, the law permitting this so that, if any violence was offered to him during the abduction, he may be able to avenge himself here and be set free. And for those who are beautiful in appearance and of illustrious ancestors, not to obtain lovers is a disgrace, as they are thought to have suffered this because of their character. And those who have been placed beside (for so they call those who have been abducted) have honors; for both in the dances and in the races they have the most honorable places, and they are allowed to adorn themselves outstandingly compared to the others with the clothing given by their lovers, and not only then but also when they have become adults they wear a distinctive dress, from which each one will be recognized as having become “kleinos”; for they call the beloved “kleinos” and the lover “philetor”.

​Such are the customs concerning love affairs. And they elect ten rulers; and on the most important matters they employ as counselors those called “elders”; and those who have been deemed worthy of the office of the cosmoi and are judged worthy in other respects are appointed to this council. I have assumed that the constitution of the Cretans is worthy of record both because of its peculiarity and its reputation; but not many of these customs remain, but most things are administered by the decrees of the Romans, just as happens also in the other provinces.