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The following morning, we rose at dawn for the usual morning exercises. We did them together, but, since the time when I had taken on two female pupils, the young men had taken to wearing loin cloths, instead of exercising in the nude, and the young women wore a small wrap-around tunic. This had not been at my instruction, and I do not think that they had discussed it among themselves. I found myself wondering whether these practices came from something in our nature as humans, or something in the way we had been reared as children and young people.
Some of the exercises were very slow, making one think of animated statues. Others were lively and energetic. Some involved chanting. Between each, there was a meditative pause with slow controlled breathing. Though I led the exercises, I did not do the energetic ones to the full, being much older than the rest. I changed the régime from time to time, though I cannot say that I had any theory about it. In fact, I had thought for some time that it would be good to try to develop some theory of athletic work and training and its relation to normal living, in light of my experience. But I had not got around to it yet. Perhaps it would be a good topic of study for my students as well.
After the exercises, we felt good and relaxed, and there was a breakfast with figs, olives and fresh goat’s cheese, with cool spring-water. After the exercises, we drank a lot of water. During this recreation, I mentioned my coming visit to the Philippidæ. This caused a buzz of comments and conversation. Philodemus in particular was keen to accompany me. I said: ‘This visit may have some importance. I don’t know what is going on here behind the scenes. I think it would be better if only Euanthē accompanied me, since it was she who was helped in those lands, and I have explained that this visit is to give our thanks for that help.’
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