The head groom is a Cappadocian. (p. 44)
Phryne regards Homer as "divine" (ibid.) and compares Eodan to two Homeric warriors, Diomedes and Ajax. We Andersonians recognize "Diomedes" as the name of a planet in the Technic History.
When Eodan comes from the villa and sees Phryne in the garden on p. 46, the point of view unexpectedly changes from hers to his. They speak Latin:
"'Ave,'" (p. 46) ("Hail");
"'Atque vale,'" (ibid.) ("And farewell").
Slaves learn to stretch work. What else would you do as a slave?
Phryne is from Plataea in Greece. (p. 48) She thanks Artemis that her situation is no worse. (. 49) She is a slave but has books, respect and security. She also invokes the Unknown God. (p. 51) See also here.
"The week of the Floralia was observed..." (p. 52)
Resenting Phryne, Eodan thinks:
"...the winds take her!" (p. 53)
Again, the winds play an active role, at least in the mind of Eodan.
Mopsus the gardener wonders why the Mistress has not invited any highborn guests. It is because she has plans for Eodan.
"They crossed an open peristyle, where the first stars mirrored themselves in a mosaic pool. Beyond was a door inlaid with ivory, a Venus twining arms about beautiful Adonis. A Nubian with a sword stood on guard." (p. 55)
In the Technic History, not eunuchs but aliens guard a harem.
Cordelia tells Eodan:
"'I meant to eat first...'" (p. 57)
This recalls Leonce's words to jack Havig. See A Comedy Of Meanings.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Stirling's Draka would have known how to make these slaves work! But that was because the Draka had no illusions about either themselves or their "serfs." The Draka knew how to use the carrot and the stick alike in just the right ways to make their slaves work efficiently.
But I shouldn't over think the matter. The slavery seen in THE GOLDEN SLAVE was of the ordinary, non-ideological kind seen thru out human history.
Ad astra! Sean
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