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Xanthippe





Xanthippe is by legend a nagging wife. Her contemporaries do not report this. Her husband, Socrates, is given words that when I read them stand as admirably commemorative:
"None of your soft-mouthed, docile animals for me, the horse for me to own must show some spirit"
(Her name means Yellow Horse.)
It is said that once she followed up loud words by upending a chamber pot over the head of Socrates, to which he remarked, ‘after thunder comes the rain.’
It seems to me that this was a lively household: two strong minded parents, three young sons.
(The chamberpot in other accounts is merely ‘washing water.’)
I like the stride of the Yellow Horse, and catch a glint of amusement in those imagined eyes.





Comments

Dixie@dcrelief said…
Resembles a cave dwelling drawing from France.
28 April 2015 at 19:36
Timothy S. Brannan said…
I think I remember this story.

--
Tim Brannan, The Other Side Blog
2015 A to Z of Vampires
http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/
28 April 2015 at 19:41
Jo said…
That lower picture looks like a copy from the French cave wall paintings. I can't believe it was a chamber pot.
28 April 2015 at 20:26
The Cranky said…
Strength in women is so often labeled bitchiness. Gee, wonder who benefits from that? (Just maintaining the Xanthippe tradition.)
28 April 2015 at 22:55
Cherdo said…
I think I know her...she's a neighbor. Good post, girl!
29 April 2015 at 04:53
Lisa Southard said…
Those are the French cave horses, they are stunning, I think.
Thank you for all comments- I am attempting to return more visits this week! :-)
30 April 2015 at 15:41
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