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Great Stone Couches - 8/3/2009 8:57:52 AM

Nephilim

Posts: 143
Joined: 3/27/2007
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What exactly Is a stone couch anyway? The books also mention round stone couches. Where did John Norman get this (did Romans sleep on some sort of stone couch)? Did he have something against mattresses? Also, most warriors sat cross legged "as a warrior sits", did other castes recline against each other while at the tables? Sure, slaves kneel, but if all free people sit cross legged, isn't that what he would have said?

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RE: Great Stone Couches - 8/4/2009 4:14:45 AM

kajjirus

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Master:

Since the books are based on Earth-type slavery (especially Greek and Roman), this one imagines that the word "couch" is to be interpreted as it was in the old days: that is, any even vaguely bench-like object that a person could sit or sleep on. The "couch" was stone, perhaps, and heaped with furs in the books, instead of a mattress. Slave rings were places on the couch so that the slave could be properly restrained and often, after use or if not needed, the slave would be chained to the foot of the couch, sleeping on the floor.

One does not believe, Master, that Master John Norman meant a couch of the soft type that most of us are familiar with. It was essentially a sign of affluence and status: the rich and powerful used couches, most often in ancient and medieval times and the poor curled up on the floor in the kitchen or wherever they could find a spot.

One also imagines, if it pleases Master, that the couches were seldom used for sitting, in those days; one imagines the Gorean Free sitting as Master has described.... Though, too, it is possible that there are scenes with the Free reclining at meals....

Well wishes,

ketil

quote:

ORIGINAL: Nephilim

What exactly Is a stone couch anyway? The books also mention round stone couches. Where did John Norman get this (did Romans sleep on some sort of stone couch)? Did he have something against mattresses? Also, most warriors sat cross legged "as a warrior sits", did other castes recline against each other while at the tables? Sure, slaves kneel, but if all free people sit cross legged, isn't that what he would have said?

(in reply to Nephilim)

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RE: Great Stone Couches - 8/4/2009 8:32:46 PM

Saffleur

Posts: 247
Joined: 8/14/2006
From: Lenoir NC
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Tal Nephilim,

The boy has it right as to the explanation of a couch.

As for how they sat, sitting like that was common for all Goreans. Sitting in a chair or on bench was not a common thing. most considered sitting cross-legged more comfortable. You would see benches in a stadium or a cities council perhaps. Even the curule chair of an Ubar. The common Gorean would most likely be found setting cross legged.

I wish you well,
Scott

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When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inward and examine ourselves.

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RE: Great Stone Couches - 8/5/2009 8:33:59 AM

Nephilim

Posts: 143
Joined: 3/27/2007
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Someone had an interesting theory about this. Since the gravity is lower on gor, perhaps furs have more of a cushioning effect. Also, having lower weight may make the stone sleeping surface suck less.

I don't believe Romans or Greeks were without wooden furniture or matress technology. I think this is just one of those things that you have to take as something a bit odd he threw in that perhaps doesn't make alot of sense, like how he describes the penetration of arrows and spears, distances of accuracy, etc.

Also, all of the cover art and fantasy art I have seen remind me of the Conan/Schwarzenager aesthetic. When I read the books, most of the characters I would imagine are small compared to that, unless there are steroids on Gor. Hard work and active lifestyle/warrior lifestyle lead to more thin wiry types.

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RE: Great Stone Couches - 8/11/2009 4:19:09 AM

Kobane

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Joined: 8/21/2008
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I've always found somethings from the books as a form of symbolism, like freewomens robes. A quickie is easy enough but you cant play with all the toys with out a lot of work.

Stone couches and lumpy alcoholic drinks seem much more obtuse and not especially worth much my time to ponder.

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RE: Great Stone Couches - 8/11/2009 11:10:20 AM

Leonidas

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What I found especially troubling was that it seemed like it was the 60s on Gor at the same time it was the 60s here. First slave we are introduced to is wearing an outfit with diagonal stripes, in true go-go dancer fashion. I realized then and there that Gor must be a fictional setting. You can imagine my disappointment.

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RE: Great Stone Couches - 12/21/2009 11:21:21 AM

Qorvas

Posts: 43
Joined: 11/9/2009
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I am 47 years old and my old training from years gone by, in the camps of my Native relations, is still evident: I am *still* more comfortable sitting cross-legged than in chairs