On Wed, 24 May 1995, Anne Washburn wrote:
> The ancient Greeks did it. They believed that you had to cross the river
> Lethe to get to the underworld. The crossing made you forget all you
> knew in your life. You had to pay the oarsman of the boat. Thus, the coins.
Rats. I knew I shouldn't start packing the personal library.
Unfortunately, we are planning to put the house on the market, and
bookcases on every blank wall is considered (by illiterate real estate
agents) to be a poor selling feature. I have not packed
_The_Straight_Dope_ books, but it isn't there.
I was fairly certain that the Ancient Greeks put a coin under the tongue
of a corpse. However, I am also fairly certain that the coins on eyes
was classic era.
Who wouldn't want to buy a house just be cause there are bookcases lining
every room and hall? Bet that would make most people on this list feel
right at home.
BJGrey
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