Hermaea II
Perhaps because they indicated distances and rested
the passersby and perhaps for other reasons which were
forgotten through the years, Hellenes felt true reverence
for Hermaea, especially the common people and the young
boys and girls —
who during their evening stroll in
the summer, would stop in the road for some time and
look at the piles, to which they dedicated fruits,
sweets and small animals (birds or rabbits), they also
crowned their well-groomed heads with branches
and wreaths made of flowers, since they, with their pure
instinct felt something beyond reverence;
in fact, during
the festivals, as a sign of their high respect, they touched
their lips or phalluses (which they always firmly supported
to look erected) thus drawing strength for the days when,
irreversibly, the festivities would end.
Manolis Aligizakis 