Read the _Aethiopica_ of Heliodorus.[352] The work is dramatic, and
the style employed is suited to the subject, being full of simplicity
and charm. The narrative is diversified by actual, expected, or
unexpected incidents that appeal to the feelings, by strange escapes
from danger, by clear and pure diction. If, as is only natural,
there is a tendency to use figures of speech, they are easy to
understand, and vividly illustrate the subject-matter. The periods
are symmetrical, and concisely arranged with a view to brevity. The
composition in other respects corresponds to the subject. The story
is about the love of a man and a woman, and shows a desire for the
strict observance of propriety.
The characters are Theagenes and Chariclea, two chaste lovers who,
through all their wanderings and frequent captivities, keep their
modesty intact. Their names, and a brief account of their fortunes
and sufferings, are given. The Athenian festival, at which Chariclea
is a priestess and Theagenes a competitor in the stadium. How they
fall in love with each other at sight; Chariclea’s consequent
illness; how she is carried off, with her consent, by Theagenes and
Calasiris from the house of her reputed father Charicles. Voyage to
Zacynthus, during which the captain of the ship is smitten with love
for Chariclea; Calasiris pretends to accept his offer of marriage.
Chariclea and her party are hospitably received on shore, and
informed by the fisherman who gives them lodging that Trachinus, the
captain of a band of robbers, intends to carry her off. The flight
of Calasiris and Chariclea, the pursuit and capture of the ship
by Trachinus. He falls in love with Chariclea, who pretends to be
willing to marry him. Calasiris and Theagenes, pretending to be her
father and brother, request [that they may be allowed to remain on
the vessel], and their request is granted. Storm at sea; their narrow
escape from shipwreck, and landing on the coast of Egypt. Trachinus
speaks of his intended marriage to Chariclea. The stratagem of her
supposed father, Calasiris, and arrangements for the wedding-feast.
Pelorus is persuaded by Calasiris that Chariclea is in love with
him, which leads to a quarrel between Pelorus and Trachinus about
her. A regular battle takes place, in which many of the pirates are
slain by themselves,[353] and several by Chariclea. Her grief at
seeing Theagenes covered with wounds. Attack by Egyptian brigands.
Their astonishment at the sight of Chariclea, whom they carry off
with Theagenes to Thyamis, the captain of the _Bucoli_,[354] as the
brigands were called. He also falls in love with Chariclea, who again
pretends that Theagenes is her brother. The _Bucoli_ are in turn
attacked and routed; flight of Thyamis and Hermuthis,[355] followed
by Cnemon[356] and Theagenes. Chariclea remains in the cave,[357]
at the entrance of which lies the dead body of Thisbe, the sight of
which plunges Theagenes[358] into unbearable grief, until Chariclea
addresses him from the cave. The mystery of the death of Thisbe;
grief of Hermuthis. Departure of Cnemon and Hermuthis, Chariclea and
Theagenes. Cnemon, leaving Hermuthis, meets Calasiris. They tell
each other their adventures. Cnemon tells the story of Thisbe and
Demaenete his stepmother, his banishment, and other misfortunes;
Calasiris that of Charicles, Chariclea, and Theagenes. Both lament
their misfortunes. Then Cnemon imparts the welcome news that
Theagenes and Chariclea are still alive, since he himself has been a
fellow-prisoner with them in the hands of Thyamis. Nausicles, with
whom Calasiris is living, brings in Chariclea in the name of Thisbe.
Hearing this name, Cnemon, knowing that Thisbe is dead, is puzzled;
but his perplexity changes to joy at the discovery that Chariclea
is alive. First search for Theagenes, and marriage of Cnemon and
Nausiclea. Calasiris sets out with Chariclea to find Theagenes.
An old woman is found lamenting over her son who has fallen in
battle, and addressing him with the aid of magic arts, Calasiris and
Chariclea meanwhile looking on. The old woman entreats the corpse
to tell her whether her other son will return. The son, cursing his
mother as guilty of violent and unlawful acts, informs her that her
son will be killed, but that she will die before him, for having
insulted the dead. Her death from accidentally falling on a fragment
of a spear.
Thyamis, Theagenes, and the rest of the robber band set out for
Memphis, the first-named desiring to recover the priesthood which
his younger brother, Petosiris, has seized. This causes a great
disturbance in the city. Arsace,[359] who is in command of the city,
endeavours to put an end to the strife by ordering the two brothers
to contend in single combat, the priesthood to be given to the
victor. The combat takes place against the wish of Petosiris, who
is unskilled in the use of arms, whereas Thyamis is an experienced
soldier. Thyamis at once scares his brother, who flings away his arms
and takes to flight, being twice pursued round the walls of the city
by his brother. Theagenes--with whom Arsace, the wife of Oroöndates,
has fallen in love--is attending on Thyamis. Calasiris and Chariclea
come on the scene. Calasiris, seeing his sons engaged in mortal
combat, runs up to them with a shout and with difficulty succeeds
in stopping the fight, since they do not recognize him. Chariclea
falls into the arms of Theagenes. The brothers lay down their arms,
and Thyamis is appointed to the priesthood by his father, who soon
afterwards dies.
Plot of Arsace against Theagenes and Chariclea, in which she is
zealously assisted by her maid Cybele, who invites them to the
palace. Arsace’s uncontrollable love for Theagenes, her schemes,
methods of ill-treatment, allurements, and plots. Cybele, who intends
to give a cup of poisoned wine to Chariclea, by mistake drinks it
herself and dies. Theagenes and Chariclea are cruelly treated and
tortured because Theagenes rejects the advances of Arsace. Chariclea
is condemned to be burnt, but the flames are extinguished by the
stone _pantarbē_.[360] Thus Chariclea escapes for the moment, but
Arsace, in her rage, prepares to have her put to death the next day.
Arsace’s husband, Oroöndates, sends [his eunuch Bagoas] to bring the
lovers by night to his camp, Cybele’s son, disappointed in his desire
to marry Chariclea, having hastened to inform his master of his
wife’s misconduct.
Attack by the Aethiopians; Theagenes and Chariclea carried
off to Hydaspes, king of Aethiopia. Their consecration for
sacrifice--Theagenes to the sun, Chariclea to the moon. Games
and sacrifices in the presence of Sisimithres, chief of the
gymnosophists,[361] and Persine, the king’s wife. Chariclea demands
to be allowed to plead her cause before the king. Her demand is
granted, Sisimithres being appointed judge; it is proved by the
evidence of witnesses that Chariclea is really the daughter of
Hydaspes and Persine. Hydaspes is with difficulty persuaded of the
truth of this, but in obedience to the custom of the country is still
determined that she shall be sacrificed. Opposition of the people
and release of Chariclea, to the joy of all. Chariclea threatened
with another danger. Theagenes is still bound for the sacrifice and
in spite of her earnest entreaties and various pleas, her father
refuses to release him. Chariclea, in great distress of mind, tells
her mother all that has happened to herself and Theagenes. The
latter’s exploit with the bull and the delight of the people. He also
defeats the mightiest wrestler among the Aethiopians amidst shouts
of applause. Nevertheless, he is crowned and led to the sacrifice.
Charicles, who happens to be present, having come from Athens, begs
the king to restore to him his supposed daughter. The king promises
to do so if he can find her, but he is unable to do so. Charicles
seizes Theagenes and drags him before the king, exclaiming, “This
is the man who stole my daughter from Athens.” An investigation
is held, Theagenes is declared not guilty with the approval of
Sisimithres, who secures the abolition of human sacrifice for the
future, amid general rejoicing. Thus Theagenes and Chariclea, after
all their trials and perils, become man and wife. Chariclea crowned
with the mitre of the priesthood by her mother, and Theagenes by his
father-in-law. Sacrifice offered and preparations made for the mystic
nuptial rites.
This romance was written by Heliodorus, son of Theodosius, a
Phoenician of Emesa. It is said that he was afterwards a bishop.