The Lion of Chaironeia

This statue stands on a tall pedestal over the grave of the Sacred Band of Thebes, an elite military company in ancient Greece. It was composed of 150 pairs of lover-warriors. Archeologists have found the remains of these men where they were buried after their final battle, against Philip of Macedonia in 340 BC. When Philip surveyed their bodies on the field, he said, ""Perish any man who suspects that these men either did or suffered anything unseemly."

My cyberfriend A. and his lover MJ, both Marines severely wounded in Iraq, are marking their second year together next week. They met while in the hospital. They belong to an ancient and noble lineage. This is for them.