Lacaenarum Apophthegmata

Another Spartan woman made away with her son, who had deserted his post, on the ground that he was unworthy of his country, saying, Not mine the scion. This is the epigram referring to her[*](Cf. the variant version in the Palatine Anthology, vii. no. 433 (or W. R. Paton, The Greek Anthology (in L.C.L.), ii. p. 238).):

1. Off to your fate through the darkness, vile scion, who makes such a hatred, So the Eurotas flow not e’en for the timorous deer.
2. Worthless whelp that you are, vile remnant, be oif now to Hades; Off! for never I bore Sparta’s unworthy son.[*](Cf.Moralia, 242 a, infra.)

Another, hearing that her son had fallen on the field of battle, said:[*](Cf.Moralia, 235 a, supra.)

1. Let the poor cowards be mourned, but, with never a tear do I bury
2. You, my son, who are mine, yea, and are Sparta’s as well.

Another, hearing that her son had been saved and had run away from the enemy, wrote to him, Ill report is spread about ye; aither clear yersel’ of this or stop yer living.

Another, when her sons had run away from battle and come to her, said, Where have you come now in your cowardly flight, vile varlets ? Do you intend to slink in here whence you came forth? And with these words she pulled up her garment and showed them.[*](Cf.Moralia, 246 a, and Teles as quoted by Stobaeus, Florilegium, cviii. 83.)

One woman, observing her son coming towards her, inquired, How fares our country? And when he said, All have perished, she took up a tile and, hurling it at him, killed him, saying, And so they sent you to bear the bad news to us!

As a man was narrating to his mother the noble death of his brother, she said, Isn’t it a shame, then, to have missed his company on such a journey ?[*](Cf.Moralia, 242 b (22), infra.)

One woman sent forth her sons, five in number, to war, and, standing in the outskirts of the city, she awaited anxiously the outcome of the battle. And when someone arrived and, in answer to her inquiry, reported that all her sons had met death, she said,

Another was burying her son, when a commonplace old woman came up to her and said, Ah the bad luck of it, you puir woman. No, by Heaven, said she, but good luck; for I bore him that he might die for Sparta, and this is the very thing that has come to pass for me.[*](The story is told also by Teles in Stobaeus, Florilegium, cviii. 83; Cf. also Cicero, Tusculan Disputations, i. 42 (102).)

When a woman from Ionia showed vast pride in a bit of her own weaving, which was very valuable, a Spartan woman pointed to her four sons, who were most well-behaved, and said, Such should be the employments of the good and honourable woman, and it is over these that she should be elated and boastful.[*](Cf. Severus in Stobaeus, Florilegium, v. 47, and the similar story of the Roman Cornelia, the mother of the Gracchi.)

Another, hearing about her son that he was conducting himself badly in a foreign land, wrote to him, Ill report is spread about ye; pit this from ye or else stop yer living.[*](Cf.Moralia, 241 a (3), supra.)

Of somewhat similar character is this: Chian exiles came to Sparta, and accused Paedaretus of many misdeeds; whereupon his mother Teleutia sent for them and, after listening to their complaints, feeling that her son was in the wrong, sent him this letter: Mither to Paedaretus. Aither dae better, or stay whare ye are, and gie up hope o’ gaen back safe to Sparta.

Another, when her son was being tried for some offence, said to him, My child, either rid yourself of the charges, or rid yourself of life.

Another, as she accompanied a lame son on his way to the field of battle, said, At every step, my child, remember your valour.[*](Cf.Moralia, 331 b; Stobaeus, Florilegium, vii. 29; Cicero, De oratore, ii. 61 (249).)

Another, when her son came back to her from the field of battle wounded in the foot, and in great pain, said, If you remember your valour, my child, you will feel no pain, and be quite cheerful.[*](Cf.Moralia, 331 b; Stobaeus, Florilegium, vii. 29; Cicero, De oratore, ii. 61 (249).)

A Spartan, wounded in battle and unable to walk, was crawling on all fours. He was mortified at being so ridiculous; but his mother said to him, How much better to be joyful over your bravery rather than to be mortified at silly laughter.

Another, as she handed her son his shield, exhorted him, saying, Either this or upon this.[*](Referred to Gorgo as the author by Aristotle in his Aphorisms, as quoted by Stobaeus, Florilegium, vii. 31, but it is often spoken of as a regular Spartan custom. Cf., for example, the scholium on Thucydides, ii. 39. Ancient writers were not agreed whether the second half meant to fall upon the shield (dead or wounded) or to be brought home dead upon it. In support of the second (traditional) interpretation Cf. Moralia, 235 a, and Valerius Maximus, ii. 7, ext. 2.)

Another, as her son was going forth to war, said, as she gave the shield into his hands, This shield your father kept always safe for you; do you, therefore, keep it safe, or cease to live.

Another, in answer to her son who said that the sword which he carried was short,[*](Cf.Moralia, 191 e, supra.) said, Add a step to it.

Another, hearing that her son had been slain fighting bravely in the line of battle, said, Yes, he

Another, hearing that her son had been killed in battle on the spot where he had been placed, said, Lay him away, and let his brother take his place.