Rainbow Awards Gay Historical Runner Up

I'm proud and honored to say that A Shared Love is the runner up in the Rainbow Awards Gay Historical category.

The other stories in the series, A Spartan Love and A Tested Love, have received Honorable Mentions.

All three books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iTunes, Kobo and several others.

Find out why the judges love this series.

Once a warrior, now a fugitive.

Spartan fighter Theron has done the unthinkable—he’s disobeyed orders and fled Sparta. All for his helot lover, Andreas. They can run, or they can die.

They’ve sworn oaths to Apollo; now their future lies in the god’s sacred city. The road to Delphi runs through treacherous wilderness, filled with vengeful warriors, greedy bandits, and savage creatures. Nor are the cities safe for strangers wearing the red cloaks of the Spartan military.

Once slated for execution at Theron’s hand, Andreas finds it hard to trust the man who betrayed him. Forgiving Theron grows easier for Andreas with every step they take. He isn't ready to trust Theron with his heart again—but remembering why is getting harder and harder.

A god’s scheming places a fellow exile in their path, Theron’s shield-brother Coridan. Still reeling from his own tragedy, Coridan could be the force that tears them apart forever, or who brings them together in Apollo’s service.

Three different men, three different pasts, who must unite in a common destiny.

If they can survive.

The Spartans Overrun the Beaten Track Radio

Tomorrow, I'm on Beaten Track Radio discussing the Spartan arc of my Apollo's Men series. Come and find out more about the Spartans.

There may or may not be secrets about Theron, Andreas, and Coridan revealed.

And we won't forget Ictis and Kyria.

Rainbow Snippets: A Shared Love

Coridan leaned forward and Theron's arm slid from his shoulders. When Coridan set his bowl on the ground for Ictis, Theron noticed numerous scars on his forearm ranging from red to almost white. The thin jagged seams marred him from wrist to elbow.

How did I miss them?

Theron stroked his left wrist, fingers circling similar marks there. After every helot he'd killed, he'd marked himself. Practicing for what he would do after he slew Andreas.

For more Rainbow Snippets stop by the FaceBook Group.

A Shared Love is Subbed!

I've finished this incarnation of A Shared Love and have finally subbed it. Now I just have to sit back and wait to hear from the publisher.

I wish I didn't hate waiting so much.

I guess I can start work on other projects. Wish me luck!

Rainbow Snippets - A Shared Love

Today's snippet is from A Shared Love, the final book in the Spartan Love arc of Apollo's Men. It's a lot longer than six sentences, but I think I can be forgiven for not being able to cut it shorter.

But Theron wasn't ready to be absolved. "Then they wanted me to kill Andreas! And I nearly did. I went to his home intending to take his life with my own hands." He had to stop and swallow a few times. "I felt trapped and angry...and more scared than I have ever been."

Coridan held his peace, a haunted look in his eyes. Theron didn't know what he would have done if Coridan had offered some meaningless platitude. Allowing Theron to continue, "I didn't eat or sleep in the days it took me to travel from the Karneia. I started at the top of the list and slew three men until I came to his name. All I could think was if not me then the ephors would just send someone else. Someone who might hurt him not just take his life.

"So I sat there on his bed with Ictis, waiting for him to come to me and die," he choked out, pausing to try and swallow down the mass of grief clogging his throat. Drawing a deep breath, he continued, "You can't imagine how that feels."

To find other Rainbow Snippets, stop by the group on Facebook.

Rainbow Snippet - A Shared Love

Andreas, Theron, and Coridan are traveling to Corinth and thence to Delphi. Along the way they must pass Agamemnon's  ancient fortress of Mycenae, now the abode of thieves.

The brooding bulk of the Mycenaean hill fort stared down on them, sizing them up like goats waiting to be sacrificed for its splendor. The weight of the cyclopean stone wall, haphazardly darkened by fire, threatened to bow his back permanently.

Andreas had never seen anything built on this scale with, of all things, giant stones. In his experience, homes were made of mud brick and wooden palisades protected villages. Even Tegea's stone walls couldn't rival what he saw before him now. How imposing must the city have been in all its glory?

He doubted Perseus had known when he forced the Cyclopes to build his ramparts to what end his kingdom would come.

For more Rainbow Snippets visit the Facebook group.

Rainbow Snippet - A Shared Love

A dream from A Shared Love.

A wolf paced toward them. Frantic to protect his lover from the creature, Coridan pulled Lysander's slack body into his lap and wrapped himself around him. "You can't have him!"

The she-wolf whined and crept slowly closer. She sniffed Lysander's outflung hand. Then pointed her nose skyward and gave voice to his grief and fear. All the emptiness and pain in his heart rushing out with their anguished cry.

For more snippets, visit Rainbow Snippets on Facebook.

A Tested Love Bonus Scene: Homecoming

Aphrodite rose when Apollo did and followed him out onto the cloud-bathed portico. Eros and Himeros bowed to him and Apollo once again felt the passions they incited in his breast. Did Halys not wait for him in his bed Apollo might be tempted to sample the favors of one or both of the winged youths.

But these days, Apollo found himself more interested in mahogany skin and ebony curls. He smiled at the thought of his wanton lover. Halys could stir his blood in ways the gods of lust couldn't.

He gently grasped fair Aphrodite's hands and raised them to his lips. The delicate scent of anemones and hyacinths mixed with the hint of the sea on her skin. "I bid you farewell, Lady of Love. Do as you wish with the kryptes and his helot, as long as you do nothing to interfere with my plans for them."

"Why, Apollo! Do you imagine I would steal them from you?" Her laughter was light and filled with mischief.

"Andreas is already sworn to me and I do not believe you would tear the lovers apart. We both know what it is like to lose a mortal to whom we have entrusted our heart."

"True." She gazed over the sea of moonlit clouds. What she saw, he neither knew nor felt the need to press her for.

And if his eyes glittered as hers did, she gave no indication of noticing.

The hollow clop of hooves echoed on the pale marble. A pair of fiery steeds approached, drawing his chariot. A bronzed youth held their bridles as they tossed their heads, snorting with impatience.

Aphrodite beamed at the young man and he flushed with pleasure. Who would not with her attention focused on them?

She followed Apollo the few paces toward his chariot, her slender feet silent. She placed her hand on the youth's shoulder and trailed her fingers down his golden skin. Apollo watched as goose flesh rose on the mortal's skin. He had no doubt who would be gracing the goddess' bed in short order.

"Good even', my lady." Apollo inclined his head.

"And to you as well. Do remember me to that delightful daemon of yours." Her sweet smile turned wicked as if she were imagining just how he would do that.

Apollo's cock thickened at her words. He almost wished Halys were here with him. The show that scoundrel would give her. And she… well, she would not be offended if they made use of her temple. She would likely consider it her just due and a fitting offering.

Taking the reins in his hands, Apollo stepped up into his chariot. Aphrodite drew her youth back, and Apollo turned his steeds toward Mount Parnassus and his own palace.

***

Halys knelt on the cool marble of the antrum, awaiting his lord's return.  The doorkeeper had kept watch and informed him when his lord Apollo's chariot was seen approaching. Halys had hurried to the bench next to the door with a pile of soft cloths and a bronze bowl of warm water.

The torches guttered, throwing wild shadows on the walls. Smoke filled his nostrils and spoke of secret things, passions best shared in the dark. Had the goddess of lust and sex exerted her wiles on his lord?

Jealousy blossomed like a poisonous thing in his chest. How was a demi-god to compete with one of the Olympians?

He was still breathing heavily when Apollo strode through the brass-bound doors of his palace. His gaze swept over Halys as warm as the summer sun or the eternal flame in his temple. The heat licked at Halys' skin and he squirmed, Aphrodite forgotten. He flushed with desire.

Halys hoped Apollo was unable to see the darkening of his skin, preferring Apollo to think him more coolly wanton than was the truth.

How his brothers would tease him if they knew how unworthy he felt every time he threw himself at the god's feet. He had never dreamt that his attempts to seduce the Lord of Light would bear, and continue to bear, fruit. Halys could not afford to allow Apollo to see his insecurities, not if he wanted to keep his affections.

He would do whatever was necessary to retain Apollo's regard.

Apollo settled on the bench, sandal straps winding up well-muscled calves. Halys' mouth watered at the warm musk rising from the god's skin. With fingers eager for their task, Halys slowly unwound the leather bindings and stroked Apollo's legs. He wanted to do so much more for his lord.

Halys dipped a cloth into a bowl of warm rose-scented water and wiped the non-existent dust of his travels from Apollo's feet. He allowed his hands to wander. Apollo's muscles bunched and relaxed in his grasp.

Anyone could have performed this service for Apollo, but Halys had been looking for an excuse to kneel before him and touch the god's pale skin. He craved it more than food and drink.

Apollo sighed and leaned back, allowing Halys to ease between his legs.

Halys leaned forward and kissed Apollo's knee, working his way up his thigh. "Welcome home, my lord," he mumbled against him, unwilled to be separated from his goal. He extended his tongue and traced random designs on Apollo's skin.

His lord moaned and reached for him as his cock thickened before Halys' eyes. He buried his hands in Halys' hair, dragging his nails over his scalp. Halys moaned when Apollo grazed one of his sensitive horn buds with a fingertip. He leaned forward, rubbing the little nub against Apollo's finger.

Drawing a deep breath, Halys forced himself to concentrate. If he did not, he would lose control and embarrass himself. But even then, he almost could not resist Apollo's touch.

He ran his hands up Apollo's thighs, shoving his chiton higher, exposing him. Trailing kisses closer and closer to his prize, he breathed in the dark, sultry scent. Halys loved the way golden light seemed to shine through Apollo's alabaster skin when he was aroused.

Apollo's balls pulled up tight as first Halys' breath and then his lips ghosted over his sac. He tongued the wrinkled skin, savoring the taste of his god.

Fisting his hands in Halys' hair, Apollo drew him close. Halys moaned at the sharp tug and sucked one ball into his mouth at Apollo's insistence. Apollo's eyes fell closed as he sucked and rolled it over his tongue.

"Yes… like that…." Apollo breathed out and held him in place. Halys moaned once more and Apollo shuddered as if the sound had torn through his body. The grip on his hair loosened. "Now the other."

Halys complied, releasing one orb and swallowing the other. He reached up and stroked the first, wondering if he could manage both.

Groaning, Apollo brushed his fingers over his horn bud. Halys moaned around his mouthful and lost himself in sheer bliss as the caress went on and on.

When Halys thought he could stand no more, Apollo clenched his fingers in his curls and drew his head back. Almost reluctantly, Halys released him.

Apollo licked his lips and Halys could not look away.

"I have something else for you to feast on." Apollo turned his gaze down toward his cock, dancing fitfully in his lap.

Halys smiled. "Oh yessss…. You are ever generous with your gifts, master."

Tousling his hair, Apollo returned his wicked grin. "Shameless slave!"

"Ah… but that is what you like about me." Halys pressed his lips to the base of Apollo's cock.

Apollo groaned and let his head fall back against the wall. Halys loved forcing those raw, needy sounds of desperation out of him—like Apollo would die without his touch.

He licked along the vein throbbing on the underside of Apollo's shaft. The skin soft and warm over a core every bit as hard as the marble Halys knelt on. He pushed the foreskin down with his lips, exposing the purpled head. The girth was always a bit of a surprise.

Licking and nibbling on the crown, Halys swallowed the ambrosia welling up, the essence sweeter than life. But the droplets were not enough. He needed more, wanted to fill himself with Apollo. Dipping his tongue into the wellspring was of little avail.

Clenching his fists once more in Halys' hair, Apollo pulled him down to the root. Halys opened his throat to accept his lord. Golden hairs tickled his nose and would have smelled strongly of sex had he been able to breathe.

He relaxed and gave himself over to Apollo. His master had a fine sense for these things.

Apollo slipped one hand to the back of Halys' head, holding him still. Then once more circled his fingers around Halys' horn bud. He moaned and nearly choked on Apollo's cock wedged in his throat.

"Yes! So good." Apollo drew his fingers upward. His other hand moved to the second nub. "You can pull back any time you wish, but I will stop when you do."

Halys grew lightheaded from the caresses and lack of breath. Reaching under his chiton, he took his cock in hand. He had to hurry if he were to come before he passed out.

"Hands behind your back, scamp!" Apollo admonished.

With a groan, Halys clasped his wrists at the small of his back and sat up. True to his word, Apollo stopped stroking him. Halys only managed to draw in three huge breaths before Apollo guided him back down to his cock and—oh, thank you lord!—returned to slowly driving him mad.

"Good. So good."

Halys lost track of how many times Apollo repeated this. He was drooling and panting and unable to think. He wanted to spill his seed at the god's feet, but with his hands still behind his back could not take that final step over the edge.

"What you do to me. I never imagined…."

Apollo pushed him back, groaning as his cock left Halys' mouth.

Gasping, Halys knelt, awaiting his master's command. Apollo's cock wove and bobbed before his eyes, continuing to cast a spell over him.

Finally, Apollo stirred. "I'm not done with you yet, but I think we should continue in my bed."

***

Apollo watched Halys totter somewhat unsteadily toward his bedchamber. Served the rascal right for trying to seduce him in the antrum. Why had he allowed it? He should have sent Halys to his bed as soon as the ritual foot bath had been carried out.

How could something so new tie him in knots like this? He was an immortal, by all that was holy. But all he could think about was Halys' fingers, lithe and limber on his flesh. His sly smile doing all kinds of unexpected things to Apollo's belly.

With a groan, he pushed to his feet. His slave awaited him in his bed. More than a bed slave if he were honest. A lover to rival Hyacinthus.

When he pushed the door to his chamber open, Apollo caught his breath at the sight of Halys in all his magnificence. He knelt on the bed with his chest pressed against the mattress, his back arched and his ass in the air. Golden light shone on his naked form—all warm skin and dark good looks.

He glanced over his shoulder, jet eyes glinting and his lips spread in a wicked smile.

Apollo moaned and reached for dusky demi-god, and his cock, impossibly, hardened further. He traced the ebony stripes on Halys' back, drawing his hands over the firm mahogany expanse. Halys shuddered.

Leaning forward, Apollo kissed the back of the daemon's neck and smiled at his sigh. He proceeded to lick his way down the markings as they arrowed their way toward Halys' ass. He bit one cheek and Halys jerked.

"Oh! Not fair, my lord."

"More than fair. How can you expect me to resist something this exquisite?"

Halys chuckled and shook his head.

Apollo parted the perfect globes. "What have we here?"

Oil gleamed in the furrow of Halys' ass and coated the puckered ring of his entrance. Halys had made good use of his time while waiting for Apollo to join him.

Apollo drew a finger down the cleft and circled his hole. His body gave readily, eagerly to Apollo's probing and his finger slipped inside the tight heat.

Halys shivered and a deep groan welled out of him.

"Yes, my lord. Please!"

A dark sultry musk filled Apollo's nostrils. He knew Halys would be steadily dripping now in anticipation of his release. Halys pressed into his hand, rubbing against Apollo finger. The wanton creature would do just about anything to encourage his touch.

"You may not touch yourself without my permission," he growled.

Halys whimpered and writhed under him. "Please… lord."

"Not without my permission."

"Yes." He pressed his face against the mattress, tightening his hands on the blankets.

Apollo smiled and rewarded him with another finger, dragging both over the swollen nub within. Halys cried out and slammed back against him, channel clenching on him.

"Would you like more?"

"You know I want you. Do not tease me any longer."

Even as his cock jumped at the thought of taking his ebon godling, Apollo could not resist stroking that place again. Twisting his fingers, Apollo pressed firmly.

"Please!" Halys' shout broke off into a raw groan.

Apollo applied sweet almond oil to his cock, squeezing the base and pausing a moment to regain control. He intended to take his time, wring every drop of pleasure out of them both. And if Halys found sitting difficult tomorrow, he could always kneel.

"If you want me inside you, hold yourself open for me."

Halys turned his head and rested his chest on the mattress. Then first one hand and then the other crept back and grasped his ass. He pulled those perfect globes apart and breathed heavily, eyes tight shut.

Taking a moment to admire the startlingly pink flesh centered in Halys' crease, Apollo squeezed his shaft again. Soon he would be buried in the sweet heat of Halys' depths, caressed and cradled in his body. But before he allowed himself that pleasure, he would indulge Halys' desire to be toyed with, and his insatiable taste for penetration.

"In me, my lord!"

"Patience. I will give you what you need."

He whined again, but remained in place. Perhaps realizing Apollo's control was slipping.

Apollo stroked his cock down the length of his cleft and back up. He throbbed painfully and painted Halys' skin with his desire. Halys pulled himself wider and caught the head of Apollo's cock in the opening.

"There…." he groaned.

Pushing forward, Apollo dipped the head inside and pulled out.

"No!"

He pushed in, a little deeper this time, stretching the pink ring around his crown. Halys grunted. Apollo retreated again to Halys' wail. He continued his relentlessly slow invasion, completely withdrawing every time and forcing Halys' hole to spread further with the next dip.

"Deeper…. I need to feel you!"

Halys was begging and cursing in a steady stream. Apollo doubted the lovely creature even knew what he was saying by now. Finally, Apollo was deep enough to probe the secret source of Halys' delight. And probe it he did, reducing his lover to inarticulate grunts, no longer even capable of begging.

Apollo took Halys' wrists in his hands and slid them forward, holding him down as he covered his back. Biting Halys' shoulder, he drew back and pushed all the way inside. He paused and Halys shoved back with a shout.

"You will hold your release until I tell you. Understood?" When Halys shifted beneath him, Apollo repeated, "Understood?"

Halys glanced up, inky eyes gleaming under sooty lashes. Blinking like one lost in a dream, Halys opened his mouth, but no sound emerged. He wet his lips and tried again. "Yes," he croaked. "But I cannot…."

"Yes, you can. Now let me show you."

Apollo drew back and thrust deep, sharp pushes that forced Halys down against the mattress. He kept up this hard rhythm until Halys began to tighten and thrum under him. Then he slowed, gentling his movements while catching his breath.

Halys objected, his words lost in a groan of frustration. He twisted and attempted to push Apollo deeper. Pinned to the bed, panting, he could do little but accept what his lord gave him.

Kissing his neck and shoulders, Apollo began to pick up speed and drive deeper into the welcoming depths.

"Yes… yes… yes…." Halys chanted hoarsely with every thrust. He wailed when Apollo once more slowed.

"Peace." Apollo bit his shoulder again, breathing through his mouth. He could not take much more of this himself. The need to fill Halys with his seed was overwhelming. As good as delaying it would be, he would stop denying them both.

"This time." Apollo released the tenuous grip on his control. He rose onto his knees, pulling Halys up with him. With one hand on the curve of Halys' hip, he buried the other in the springy curls of Halys' groin.

Halys' cock was slippery with desire and so hard that Apollo squeezed the base to prevent him from spilling.

Balls tightening with anticipation, he slammed into Halys over and over. He barely heard Halys' grunts of pleasure over his own gasps as he gave them what they both wanted, needed.

When he could hold on no longer, Apollo stroked his hand up the length of Halys' cock, rubbing the dripping head in his palm. Halys choked off a scream.

"Now," Apollo whispered in his ear and picked up speed.

Halys thrashed and howled, ribbons of seed pouring from him. His channel clamped down on Apollo's cock in forceful rolling waves. And Apollo finally gave into his release.

With a strength that nearly stunned him, Apollo buried himself within his lover's body. Heat flooded him, cresting and spilling over into Halys, pumping him full of his essence. Apollo could do little but ride out the surge and swell, twisting in the irresistible, insatiable rush. He never wanted it to end.

But even a god could not prolong something so pure and absolute. With a great shuddering sigh, Apollo's limbs went slack, all his urgency draining out.

Halys collapsed, dragging Apollo with him. They lay there in a tangle of tingling limbs and panting, gasping breaths.

Leaning forward, Apollo kissed Halys' slack mouth. Saliva gleamed wetly on his lips. The most depraved and debauched of all creatures, but Apollo's.

Rainbow Snippets - A Shared Love

This snippet is from A Shared Love, the final book in the Spartan Love arc.

A dark whirlwind swept around him, snapping at his legs. Theron barely swung in time to drive the creature off, sadly without doing any damage of his own. His heart thumped harshly. He'd almost been hamstrung. If he'd been any slower, he would have provided the beast with dinner, or at the very least been crippled for life.

Small branches crashed, giving way under its solid bulk. A low snarl reverberated through the night-dark air, allowing Theron to track the creature's return path. He turned with it, every sense bent on keeping him alive.

For more Rainbow Snippets go to the Facebook group.

A Tested Love Release Party and Giveaway

A Tested Love, Spartan Love #2, Release Party

Blogs, Reviews, Excerpt, and a Rafflecopter Giveaway March 10-17

Books'n Cozy Spots
The Novel Approach
Harper Kingsley
Charley Descoteaux
Deanna Wadsworth
PD Singer
Bike Book Reviews
Molly Lolly
MM Good Book Reviews
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
On Top Down Under
Crystals Many Reviewers
Kate Pavelle
Lynn Lorenz
Princess and Terry

Blurb: Lured by seductive promises, Andreas risked his life to be with Theron, only to find himself betrayed. Abandoned and alone, Andreas resigns all hope of seeing his fierce warrior again and resumes his life as a helot.

All too aware of the harsh punishment Sparta demands of men who love other men, Theron reluctantly surrenders Andreas in hopes of keeping him safe. The warrior returns to Sparta to embrace his destiny in place of the helot he has grown to see as a man, not just a slave. Cold but honorable duty will be his new lover.

Duty proves to be a jealous lover when Sparta demands the final test of Theron's loyalty. Sent to kill Andreas, Theron must find a way to come to terms with his burning desire for his handsome helot before their forbidden love destroys them both.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Tested Love Is Available for Preorder

Lured by seductive promises, Andreas risked his life to be with Theron, only to find himself betrayed. Abandoned and alone, Andreas resigns all hope of seeing his fierce warrior again and resumes his life as a helot.

All too aware of the harsh punishment Sparta demands of men who love other men, Theron reluctantly surrenders Andreas in hopes of keeping him safe. The warrior returns to Sparta to embrace his destiny in place of the helot he has grown to see as a man, not just a slave. Cold but honorable duty will be his new lover.

Duty proves to be a jealous lover when Sparta demands the final test of Theron’s loyalty. Sent to kill Andreas, Theron must find a way to come to terms with his burning desire for his handsome helot before their forbidden love destroys them both.

A Tested Love, the sequel to A Spartan Love, is available for preorder at Dreamspinner Press.

Alone, Andreas toils on a remote farmstead for a Spartan overlord. When a kryptes enters his world, Andreas fears for his life. The dread warriors stalk and kill helots—like Andreas' father—as part of their training.

Andreas sees only one way to save himself: he must tame the fearsome warrior.

But what began as self-preservation develops into attraction. Yearning for the company of someone other than his ferret Ictis, Andreas decides to trust the Spartan warrior and risk the fate that claimed his father.

Born to rule by the sword, Theron sees the world as his and acts accordingly, taking everything Andreas offers and reaching for more. However, love between men in Sparta is considered shameful and requires either exile or suicide to redeem Sparta’s honor. Now, only the gods can save them from the terrible price Sparta extracts from men who desire other men.

Rainbow Snippet - A Spartan Love

A Spartan Love is set in ancient Sparta and features Andreas, a helot, and Theron, a kryptes--natural enemies. It is part of my Apollo's Men series and the first in a three book arc about Andreas and Theron. Their story is continued in A Tested Love, available mid-March.

Andreas! Get in here right now. How many times do I have to tell you that the kryptes will kill you if they catch you outside after dark?” He could hear his mother’s voice as if she were still alive, calling to him from the safety of their house.

“I’m trying, Mother!” he muttered to her shade. He would never forget that one of the Spartan warriors had slain his father for nothing more than being a helot.

A Spartan Love is available at Dreamspinner Press and Amazon.

For more Rainbow Snippets check out the FaceBook group.

Map of Hellas and Sparta

The wonderful Catherine Dair made me this map of ancient Greece for my Apollo's Men series. It will be featured in A Tested Love, the sequel to A Spartan Love.

Words alone cannot say how much I love this.

Lexicon for A Tested Love: I-N

Iamidai—a line of priests and prophets descended from Apollo’s son Iamos.

Iamos—the son of Evadne and Apollo. Evadne, one of Poseidon’s daughters, was raised by a local king. Ashamed to be with child, Evadne exposed the child at birth in a patch of violets. Her stepfather discovered the child was the son of a god and grandson of another and made her go reclaim the baby. The boy was named Iamos from “violet.” When Iamos grew up, he invoked Poseidon and Apollo, asking them to reveal his destiny. Apollo gave him the gift of prophecy and sent him to Olympia to found the Iamidai line of priests.

Intercrural—literally means “between the thighs” and is not a euphemism. In poleis that allowed it, the erastês placed his penis between his erômenos’ thighs and rubbed off.

Klēros (plural: klēroi)—the main economic resource for each of the Spartiates, his ancestral plot of farmland. The land, along with the helots that worked it, supplied the food and other resources necessary to maintain him and his family. The helots were expected to provide a set amount of what they produced and could keep anything in excess.
     · The climate in Greece allowed for two crops in a year. The first was planted during the spring and harvested during the summer. The second crop was planted in the fall and was known as winter wheat/barley and harvested in the spring.

Karneia—the chief festival of Apollo Carneus. The festival occurred from the 7th to the 15th of month of Carneus (August). During this time, Spartans could not make war.

Karyai—a town/village to the northeast of Sparta on the road between Tegea and Sparta. There was a grove to Artemis Karyatis, of the walnut trees, where the maidens of Karyai or Karyatides danced in her honor every year. The town was named for the walnut trees.

Karyatides—columns carved in the likeness of maidens. The word literally means "maidens of Karyai."

Kastalia—the nymph residing in the sacred spring at Delphi.

The Kastalian Spring—Kastalia’s sacred spring at Delphi. Pilgrims had to wash their hands and hair in the pure waters before they could ask the Pythia a question. Murderers had to bathe their entire body.

Kindaidos (plural: kindaidoi)—gay, carried negative connotations of "effeminacy" in a culture that was very masculine driven and often treated their women poorly.

Kouros (plural: kouroi)—statues of nude male youths. Apollo is known as the "megistos kouros" or the great Kouros.

Kryptes (plural: kryptes)—elite warriors who had distinguished themselves in the agōgē. They spied on the helots and slew any who were out after dark or that they thought might be fomenting revolt. The kryptes were given a cloak and a knife and were expected to develop stealth while they lived off the land.

The Krypteia—took place every fall when the ephors officially declared war on the helots. While the Krypteia was primarily a way for the kryptes to prove their skills and keep the helots cowed, it allowed any Spartan to kill helots without fear of ritual pollution and reprisals from the gods.

Kykeon—a thin gruel typically made from water and barley. The peasant drink could be sweetened or flavored with other spices. In the case of the Eleusinian Mysteries, it was thought to have psychoactive properties.

Kylix (plural: kylikes)—a shallow drinking vessel, more like a double-handled bowl than a cup or goblet.

Lacedaemonia—the ancient name for the entirety of the Spartan lands. Lacedaemon, a mythical king of Laconia, was the son of Zeus. He married Sparta, the daughter of Eurotas (the river nymph) and named the city after his wife and the country after himself.

Lakhesis—one of the Moirai, or Fates. She is the “Apportioner of Lots” and measured the thread of life.

The Laws of Xenia or Hospitality—specific code of guest-friendship, dictated how to care for a guest. A guest must have all his needs taken care of before his host could ask him anything. Zeus was the guardian of strangers and the enforcer of xenia. Because of the gods’ propensity to show up in disguise, all guests no matter their appearance should be treated as a god. Failure to do so could result in serious consequences. Both guest and host were required to treat each other with respect.
     · A host was expected to offer his guest water to wash his feet and legs clean of the dirt of the road when he arrived. Sometimes a servant performed the task. Sometimes the host or his wife, if they wished to show the guest special honor.
     · The disguised Odysseus is recognized when an old servant bathes his feet and discovers a scar of his leg.
     · Once the guest was clean enough, he entered the main part of the house where he would be fed and then offered a bath, or sometimes the bath came first. Especially, if there was a feast usually in someone’s honor to follow. Even clothing if the guest had nothing clean or appropriate.
     · And of course, lodging for the night was expected.
     · In return, the guest had obligations to his host to be a good and respectful guest. Part of which entailed giving thanks and praise, not bothering the women of the household (Paris was an abominable guest), and doing nothing to harm his host.

Linothorax—a breastplate made out of layers of linen glued together or laminated. This type of armor was first mentioned in the Iliad and can be found on numerous vase paintings. The main part of the armor wraps completely around the torso. Two straps come over the shoulders and tie in place on the front. Flaps known as pteruges covered the thighs.

Lochos (plural: lochoi)—war band. The bands could number as few as 8 soldiers in other poleis, but in Sparta they were comprised of 640 warriors. It would front about 80 shields to form the traditional eight-deep phalanx.

Lotus-eaters—Odysseus stopped on an island on his voyage home where the inhabitants ate lotus flowers and fruit. As a result of the narcotic effects of this diet, the people slept away their lives in apathy.

Lycurgus the Lawgiver—credited with making the sweeping changes to Sparta that resulted in the polis becoming the premiere fighting force of the ancient Hellene world. He is responsible for the agōgē, the structure of the military, and the shift in emphasis of pederasty from a potentially sexual relationship to a system more resembling fosterage.

Medicine—in the ancient world was remarkably advanced considering what they had to work with. Wine and vinegar were the most common antiseptic washes. Honey was used for its bacteriocidal nature. High concentrations of sugar or salt will kill bacteria.
     · Aulus Cornelius Celsus’ De Medicinia is a remarkable text that covers diagnosis, treatment, and even surgery of many diseases and injuries.

Medusa—a serpent-haired monster whose gaze could turn men to stone, women too. She had once been a beautiful woman who allowed Poseidon to seduce her in one of Athena’s temples. Angered at the profaning of her temple, Athena turned her into a monster.

Mentoring or Pederasty—ancient Greece was a social custom likely originating as a rite of passage associated with entering military training and the religion of Zeus at a boy’s coming-of-age. The practice was central to the homosocial Greek culture, which included athletic and artistic nudity, delayed marriage for aristocrats, symposia, and the social seclusion/exclusion of women in most parts of Greece.
     · While the practice almost certainly involved sexual activity between the mentor and the young man, usually in his teens or early twenties, in the majority of Greece, the extent would vary with local custom and individual inclination. The mentor, being older and socially superior, was the “penetrative” partner. In the case of mentoring, this almost exclusively referred to intercrural sex, where the penis penetrates between the thighs of the youth. True penetration was considered something for women and slaves, but was not unheard of between men.
     · The erômenos, or “beloved,” is the passive or subordinate partner. The youth would be of an age when an aristocrat began his formal military training, around fifteen to seventeen and extending up until the youth was in his twenties, or in some cases even thirty.
     · The mentor, or erastês, courted the young man with gifts. He was expected to show that his interest wasn’t merely sexual. The youth was not to submit too easily. If more than one man courted him, he was expected to show discretion and pick the nobler man.
     · However, none of this was the case in Sparta. In Sparta, pederasty took the form of a foster father/son relationship. Thus sexual intercourse between the men was tantamount to incest. If men were found together, they were expected to redeem Sparta’s honor by committing suicide or going into exile.
     · Xenophon, the only contemporary source, in his Constitution of the Lacedaimonians says that a sexual relationship was considered an abomination. He sent his sons to take part in the Spartan agōgē and categorically denied any sexual aspects to the relationship in Sparta.
     · Aristotle further claims that the lack of homosexuality in Sparta was responsible for the deplorable way the outspoken Spartan women acted.

Mothônes—young helots that were assigned to accompany a Spartan boy in the agōgē. They grew up together, but the mothônes continued to be a slave.

Mycenae—a pre-Greek hill fortress founded by Perseus in Argolis. Mycenae was the home of Agamemnon King of Men and his wife Clytemnestra. After the Mycenaean world fell Mycenae never recovered. Only the hilltop fortress remained. The lower portions of the settlement fell into ruin.

Nemesis—the remorseless goddess of revenge. She carried out divine retribution on those who committed hubris. Her name means “to give what is due.”

Nyx—the goddess of the night. Represented as the night—a dark mist arising from the Underworld and blotting out the light—she was one of the first-born primordial gods.

Nothos (plural: nothoi)—legitimate bastards or half-breed sons of Spartiates and helot women. If their fathers acknowledged them and they passed their training in the agōgē, they could become Spartiates (Spartan citizens) themselves. Miltiades was a nothos. It was also not unheard of for a man to ask another man he respected to father his children. Because of this, Spartan women were considered immoral and promiscuous by nonSpartans.

Lexicon for A Tested Love: E-H

Elysium or the Elysian Fields—a form of the afterlife distinct from Hades, the Underworld. The fields are a pleasant realm where the righteous and heroic continued their “lives.”

Eos—the goddess of the dawn.

Ephors—five men elected every year to rule Sparta with the two kings. They could only serve for one year, never to be elected again. They served as a check on the two kings; although, later the kings became merely generals and religious figureheads.

Erastês—the older man in a pederastic relationship, the mentor. The word means “lover.”

Erinyes—three Underworld goddesses who punished evildoers, particularly those guilty of homicide, unfilial conduct, crimes against the gods, and perjury.

Erômenos (plural: erômenoi)—the younger man in a pederastic relationship, the mentee. The word means “beloved.”

Eros—one of the Erotes, winged gods of love. Eros represented love and Himeros desire.

Erotes—winged youths, the gods of love. Eros and Himeros were present at Aphrodite's birth.

Eurotas River—a river that ran through the fertile valley between the Taygetos Mountains to the west and Parnon Mountain range to the east. The villages comprising Sparta clustered around the river on this plain between the mountain ranges.

Fibula (plural: fibulae)—an ancient brooch. It replaced the straight pin for fastening clothing and is the forerunner of the modern safety pin.

Firepot—a small clay pot for carrying a live coal. It was packed tightly with dried grasses. The Greeks didn’t have flint and steel or even the fire drill. Therefore, it was imperative they not let their hearth fire go out. Fire had to be carried with them. When founding a new colony, fire was taken from the founding city’s ritual hearth and carried to the colony’s hearth. If the ritual hearth fire went out, it could be relit from the flame at Delphi.

Funerary practices—these practices varied, but tended to become more elaborate with time. The deceased was bathed, anointed with oil, and wrapped in a shroud before being laid out on a bier (funeral bed). The house was adorned with marjoram, celery, myrtle, and laurel. Often a coin was placed in the deceased’s mouth as payment to Charon, the ferryman. Then followed a prothesis, a period of ritual morning, initially family members and friends, but later it involved professional mourners who tore out their hair in grief and threw handfuls of dirt on themselves.
     · The third night after the death, the corpse was taken to the cemetery in a procession called an ekphora. It was very important for the mourners to make a loud noise and be prominently seen so the shade of the deceased could see the honor it was being paid. In fact, failure to provide a suitable funeral was a cause of outrage in the community.
     · Once at the cemetery, the body was placed on a pyre and cremated. The ashes were collected and placed in an amphora. The urn was then buried with appropriate grave goods and frequently a stele as a grave marker.

Gerousia—the Spartan council of elders. They were the legislative and judicial portion of the Spartan government. Twenty-eight of the members were elected for life and had to be over the age of sixty when they retired from the military. The other two seats belonged to the kings.

Hekate—the Underworld goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. The black she dog is one of her sacred animals and she sometimes takes its shape. She is also the three-faced goddess of crossroads.

Helots—a type of slave particular to Sparta. They were the original inhabitants of Lacedaemonia. When the Spartans invaded the Peloponnesian peninsula, they enslaved the native dwellers, leaving their steadings primarily intact.
     · The helots were never chattel the way all other Greek slaves were. They were more like medieval serfs. They belonged to the land, the klēros. Spartiates were allotted a klēros and the helots assigned to work it.
     · Helots could also work as servants in a Spartiates’ home, as mothônes accompanying the youths in the agōgē, or as craftsmen, it being beneath a Spartan to do any form of manual labor.
     · The helots vastly outnumbered their masters. Thus requiring some rather extreme measures to keep them from revolt.

Hephaestus—the god of fire, volcanism, and all things crafted. He was lame and weak at his birth, so his mother Hera cast him from Olympus in disgust.

Heraclid—means descended from Herakles. The two kings of Sparta were Heraclids from the ruling houses of the Eurypontid and Agiad. The kings "reigned" jointly as checks on each other. Through most of Sparta's history, the influence of the kings waned until they were little more than generals and religious figureheads.

Herakles—also known as Hercules by the Romans, had a male lover, Iolaus. When Iolaus died, he was entombed outside of Thebes. Men would travel to the tomb to make oaths to the hero and each other.

Hesperides—three goddesses of evening and the sunset, they were the daughters of Nyx. They guarded the golden apples given to Hera as a wedding present. Apples are a Greek symbol of love.

Hestia—the virgin goddess of the hearth, family, and home. Every city and every home had a shrine to her. She received the first offering at every household sacrifice. Every family hearth was her alter. No city could be founded without her sacred flame, taken from the parent polis.

Hetairai – Aphrodite's temple prostitutes in Corinth. Although the term also refers to highly educated and much sought after courtesans who could take part in symposia, handle their own money, and paid taxes. They could choose whether to have sexual relations with their clients.

Hētairēkós—a kept boy, carries negative connotations of a young man incapable of providing for himself. In Athens, if it were proven that a man had been a kept boy, he lost his citizenship and all rights, especially the right to vote.

Hiereus (plural: hierei)—Greek for priest. I use “Hiereus” to mean high priest and hiereus/hierei to mean priest/priests.

Himeros—one of the Erotes, winged gods of love. Himeros represented desire and Eros love.

Hoplites—the standard warrior of the age. Heavily armored and armed with long spears, the men formed tight ranks, each man shielding the one next to him. They were a very effective fighting force.

Horos—meaning limit or boundary, were boundary marker stones. The stones were placed around the periphery of a property. The stones were large and often had advisements of their function declaring them to be marks written on their surface. Usually in the form of "I am…."

Hubris—means extreme haughtiness, pride or arrogance. Most commonly used to describe the actions of those who challenged the gods or their laws. Overweening pride, especially in Greek tragedy, resulted in the protagonist’s fall. Hubris was considered the greatest crime of ancient Greek society. The person performs some act of folly due to their excessive pride, usually resulting in their downfall or some fatal retribution (Nemesis).

Hyacinthus—a Spartan prince and one of Apollo’s male lovers. Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, also loved Hyacinthus. If a fit of jealousy, Zephyrus blew a discus off course. The discus struck the prince, killing him. Apollo used the young man’s blood to create the flower bearing his name, the hyacinth.

Hyades—the nymphs of the rain, were the daughters of Atlas. When their brother Hyas was slain by a wild beast, they mourned him and became known as “the rainy ones.” Zeus placed them in the heavens as the constellation Hyades. Their helical setting in November signaled the start of the rainy season.

Hypnos—the daemon, or minor god, of sleep.