Note 1147 — Chapter III · CONDITION OF UNMARRIED WOMEN.—LOVE.

Muretus has brought forward several passages to prove that learned women bore but an indifferent character in antiquity.—Var. Lect. viii. 21. The Hetairæ of course were taught to read. Of this we have abundant proof: τὰ ἐπὶ τῶν τοίχων γεγγραμμένα ἐν τῷ κεραμεικῷ ἀναγνοθὶ, ὅπου κατεστηλίτευται ὑμῶν τὰ ὀνομάτα—says the jealous lover to Melitta in Lucian.—Diall. Hetair. iv. 2. Nay even the servant maid of this Hetaira Acis is able to read; for desirous to ascertain whether there was any thing in the report of her lover, Melitta sends forth the girl to examine the walls, who discovers and reads the words “Melitta loves Hermotimos,” &c. which written there in jest by some wag had proved the cause of her lover’s jealousy and the quarrel that ensued.