Gays in the (Ancient) Military
Posted by Melissa Carter at 11/5/2009 1:31 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: glbt gay butch Melissa Bert Show Bert Show Q100 military Sacred Band of Thebes lgbt lesbian Katie Jo
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: glbt gay butch Melissa Bert Show Bert Show Q100 military Sacred Band of Thebes lgbt lesbian Katie Jo
"Have you ever heard of the Sacred Band of Thebes?" asked Katie Jo the other night.
The word Thebes had an ancient ring to it, but the Sacred Band part made me think of some spontaneous exercise As Seen On TV purchase I have been known to make. But I answered "no" since I honestly had no idea what she was talking about.
She had read a review of a new book that included a description of the Sacred Band, which was made up of male couples. Yes, couple couples. The idea was that lovers would fight more fiercely and cohesively than strangers with no bonds.
It proved to be true, until their defeat by Philip II of Macedon (along with son Alexander the Great) in 338 BC. When defeat was imminent, the Theban army and its allies fled, but the Sacred Band refused to surrender. Surrounded, the Band held its ground and fell where it stood.
That's something I didn't learn about in history class.
The idea of some strong warrior having your back to the death is charming. There are just sometimes in your life when you wish there was someone like that for you personally to fight for your causes. Not just anyone, but someone who looks like the most sinister Bouncer out there who was ready to kick someone's ass on your behalf. You see those guy movies where the brawny best friend turns his ballcap around when he's ready to throw someone messing with his little buddy out the front window of a bar.
But what about a modern Sacred Band of women? Since I'm a less-muscular girl, and don't usually hang out with guys, I figure my entourage should consist of these badass women. Not just any women, I mean those big girls who look like they could play on the front line of any professional football team. I'd call it Melissa's Butch Brigade and would use this fine army whenever there were threats to our well-being. Just imagine! When the whole Prop 8 drama was taking place in California, I'd gather my troops and head to the West Coast and make sure Prop 8 didn't pass. Or back when Matthew Shepard was tied to that fence, Melissa's Butch Brigade could have marched in and simply stood there until our boy was treated with respect and lived.
It would be a force to be reckoned with! And much like those men of ancient Greece, we would stay until the issue is resolved or lose our lives trying to take care of our own.
Learn more about the Sacred Band of Thebes by clicking here. And if you want to join Melissa's Butch Brigade, let me know!
I'm afraid I am also of the less than muscular brigade but I do have quite the muscular partner who might be willing to join your brigade! How progressive of my catholic high school that we learned of this group of men! I loved this post. Thank you!
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