On using chariots at the Hyacinthia (Athen. 4. 139F)

Abstract

A corrupt phrase in a passage obscured by double citing in Athen. IV, 139c–f made some interpreters suppose that there were maidens’ chariot races at the Spartan Hyacinthia, an event hardly possible even for Laconian girls. An emendation can be proposed, which implies that the procession from Sparta to Amyklai preceded the chariot races, and during the procession charioteers took some of the girls in their vehicles.