Women forthwith from the age of fourteen1 are called
by the men mistresses (κυρίαι, dominae). Therefore since
they see that there is nothing else that they can obtain,
but only the power of lying with men, they begin to
decorate themselves, and to place all their hopes in this.
It is worth our while then to take care that they may
know that they are valued (by men) for nothing else than
appearing (being) decent and modest and discreet.
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1 Fourteen was considered the age of puberty in Roman males, but in females the age of twelve (Justin. Inst. I. tit. 22). Compare Gaius, i. 196.
The Discourses of Epictetus, with the Encheridion and Fragments. Epictetus. George Long. translator. London. George Bell and Sons. 1890.
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