Ancients with a Foot Fetish?

[smittysmitty]

This doesnGÇÖt really relate to Alexander, so my apology in advance, but I was wondering if anyone could think of similar accounts relating to the'humble foot' amongst the ancients. I know of Homer's use of the term 'swift feet'. and Perseus, if I remember correctly had wings attached to his feet, or where they attached to his sandals, can't remember! We are all aware of the significance of Achilless heel; similarly, or perhaps not so similarly, many generations later, another descendant of Achilles - Pyrrhus of Epirus - is said to have had a divine 'Big Toe! This 'divine Big Toe' attached to his right foot, was credited with the ability to cure people with diseases of the spleen. He would sacrifice a white cock and whilst the patient lay flat on the ground, Pyrrhus would press his 'divine Big Toe' onto the effected region and cure the afflicted person. To his credit, where patients were financially strapped, the dead chook sacrificed, sufficed as payment. To further support the divine nature of his Big Toe, it is said, he was cremated after death, and his Big Toe was found unharmed and untouched by the fire.I wonder if there are other accounts of the ancients expressing delight, marvel and mystical property to the humble foot?cheers!

[marcus]

Well, Smitty, it might not be exactly 'on topic', but I have to congratulate you on one of the most bizarre messages that I've ever seen on Pothos (and that's a compliment - very interesting indeed!).Can't help you out, at least off the top of my head. It seems similar to the very common apportioning of miraculous powers to royalty - like the healing of scrofula in England leading to scrofula being called the "King's Evil". I wonder if Edgar, or whichever king it was who first supposedly touched for scrofula, might have cured other diseases had he used his toes ... (Athlete's foot, perhaps?)All the bestMarcus

[smittysmitty]

Hi Marcus, Sorry! I can't stop laughing! Bizarre! Bizarre you say! I have to admit it is kind of bizarre isn't it. Must be all this talk about the movie thats going on, having an odd effect on me .
nice to hear from you Marcustake care cheers!