Bathing Graces

The Graces (Kharites), embodiments of attraction and delight, appear in a number of the balneary epigrams collected in Book 9 of the Anthology. They are often in the company of Aphrodite (the Cyprian or 'Cypris'), her naughty son Eros, or both. Here are two examples:

 
9.616


ANONYMOUS



There was a time the Graces bathed herein,

And baby Eros stole their lovely clothes

And ran away and left them naked here,

Ashamed to leave and be a spectacle.


 

9.623


CYRUS



Cypris and all the Graces bathed herein,


Here too her boy of golden archery.


They left a Grace in payment of their fee.

Kharis and the Kharites also appear in epigrams found inscribed in bathhouses. Busch's Versus Balnearum (p.131-3) gives a couple of good examples in Greek from late antique Rome. Here is an extract in prosaic translation:

...From all around flashes inextinguishable kharis, whatever your eye may light upon: the waters of the Nymphs, the bathing-pools, the halls, the Kharites...

  There is a lot of Nymph action in the balneary epigrams too, as you might expect.