by various authors, A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities… (1890)
“ Timarch. § 12) [p. 1.956] from admitting any adults on the occasion. This law, however, was afterwards neglected, and in the time of Plato (Lysis. p. 206 D) we find the boys celebrating the Hermaea in a palaestra, and in the presence of persons of all ages. (Becker-Göll, Charikles, 2.62, cf. 49; Gymnasium pp. 927 b, 928 a.) Hermaea were also celebrated in Crete, where, on this occasion, the same custom prevailed which was observed at Rome during the Saturnalia; for the day was a season of freedom and enjoyment for the slaves, and their masters waited upon them at their repasts. ”
