The Golden Slave, Chapter III

The Golden Slave, III.

This is an extremely rich chapter and it will take some time to appreciate it fully. First, it is set:

"...on a Samnian latifundium..." (p. 34)

Flavius was Eodan's slave. Now these roles are reversed. Phryne, an educated Greek slave, thinks that this is:

"...a Euripidean situation." (p. 35)

When Phyrne hears that Eodan threw a bull, she exclaims:

"'Another Theseus!'" (p. 36)

Eodan, from Northern Europe, does not want to be thought of as "'...a Southlander...'" (p. 37) although he had hoped to become a Southlander by settling in Italy. Basically, we are all human beings.

"...the first Phryne had modeled for Praxiteles...'" (p. 38)

When Eodan says that he was a free man once:

"A gust of rain went over the tiled roof. The hearthfire leaped and spluttered; smoke caught Phryne's eyes, and she coughed and threw back her cloak." (p. 39)

The elements punctuate and underline dialogue and feelings.

Phryne says:

"'Hercules help me...'" (p. 40)

Hercules was not only a hero but also a demigod and maybe bestowed strength?

When Eodan says that Flavius took his wife:

"The wind mourned about the house, wailed in the portico and rubbed leafless branches together. Another rainburst pelted the roof." (p. 41)

Rain like tears? The wind is almost an Andersonian character. Here, it mourns and wails appropriately.

Phryne invokes the "...seaborn Cyprian..." (p. 42)

Far-shining Aphrodite, hear our prayer! Thou Laughter-loving Lady, Paphian,. Well-girded, Golden, Sea-born, Cyprian,. Companion, Tender-hearted, or howe'er.
-Hymn and Invocation of Aphrodite. (I googled but cannot open it.)

The mistress, Cordelia, is:

"...a tall woman of Etruscan stock, perhaps descended from Tarquin himself and some jewel of Tarquin's harem." (p. 42)

LARS PORSENA of Clusium,
By the Nine Gods he swore
That the great house of Tarquin
Should suffer wrong no more.
By the Nine Gods he swore it,	5
And named a trysting-day,
And bade his messengers ride forth,
East and west and south and north,
To summon his array.
East and west and south and north	10
The messengers ride fast,
And tower and town and cottage
Have heard the trumpet’s blast.
Shame on the false Etruscan
Who lingers in his home,	15
When Porsena of Clusium
Is on the march for Rome!

-copied from here.

Phryne compares Eodan to Perseus:

"Young Perseus had entered the Gorgon's lair and come back alive.
"She wondered why she felt like weeping." (p. 43)

There the chapter ends.