Themis, a study of the social origins of Greek ... - Warburg Institute

vi] The Charlies in Crete 193
The Charites at Orchomenos 1 were unhewn stones which had
fallen from heaven. Small wonder, if they were phases of the
moon. On the Phoenician stelae in Fig. 4^ we see the moon
figured as three pillars, a taller between two shorter ones,
indicating no doubt the waxing, full and waning moon. The cult
of the triple pillars is familiar in Crete. In Fig. 48 3 we have the
well-known triple columns surmounted by the life-spirit, the dove.
It is probable, though by no means certain, that we have in them
primitive pillar-forms of the Charites.
r"
Fig. is.
The Kouretes, we have noted (p. 182), according to Cretan
tradition nourished the infant Zeus ' for the year.' The Kouretes
bid the Kouros leap ' for the year.' Did they ever leap and dance
for the old Moon -Year ? When we remember the Moon-cult of
Crete, it seems probable ; we have, however, no definite evidence.
But, when we come to the Roman brothers of the Kouretes, the
Leapers or Salii, we can speak with certainty. It often happens
that Roman ritual and Roman mythology, from its more con-
servative and less imaginative character, makes clear what the
poetry of the Greeks obscures. The Salii will help us to under-
stand more intimately the nature of the Kouretes, and may even
throw light on the nature and name of the Dithyramb. They must
therefore be considered at this point in some detail.
1 Paus. ix. 35. 1.
2 Monimenti Ant. dei Lincei, xiv. 1905 ; Taf. xxi. 2 a and xxv. 2.
3 A. Evans, B.S.A. vni. 1901-2, p. 29, Fig. 14. I owe the suggestion that in
these triple pillars we may have the Cretan Charites worshipped by Minos to
Mr Cook's kindness.
H. 13