February 3: Love Month

In ancient Greece, a book, or “biblos” consisted of a number of scrolls, put together in a box, called “capsa”, hence “caption”. They were destined to be recited out loud and especially romantic novels were popular. Take “Leukippe and Clitophon”, famous for the “kiss by intermediary”. (The lovers place their lips at the same spot on a cup, thus “drinking kisses to one another”). And famous for the oldest trick in the book: the use of a retractable sword. Another one is “Chloe and Daphnis”, in which prince charming Daphnis engages in whining and blaming others, while Chloe comforts him and does most of the heavy lifting. Five of these novels have survived until today and are recently rediscovered. One is even mentioned by Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro. The format prescribes abandonement, misunderstanding, jealousy, scandal, enslavement, extreme weather, piracy, wild animals, curses, abduction, trial, slander, shipwreck, torture and poisoning, not necessarily in that order. And of course, a happy ending.