Kristin Tsalapatani — Eutelistrate

'My love,' Eutelistrate turns to her husband, 'I have been talking to the architect and head builder and we have come up with a design for a new theatre in the Apollo sanctuary. I have authorised it and given them money to buy the materials needed.'

 'Oh Eutelistrate, wonderful. But I was thinking along the same lines ... You beat me to it, my love!'

 ‘Never mind,' she smiles, 'you can do something else, Aratokritos. You might be the highest official on the island but this work is mine! We need a place for the games and music which will be held in honour of Apollo next year. Perhaps you could order the stage and proscenium? I've only organised the outer walls and auditorium.'

 One year later Eutelistrate takes her husband's hand and leads him to the sanctuary. Her long chiton swishes against her ankles as they walk through the silky grasses.

'There,' she points up proudly. 'Look at that inscription over the entrance:

"Eutelistrate, daughter of Arationas, wife of Aratokritos, dedicates this theatre to Apollo and to the municipality."

The pediment with the inscription (text in blue above) in the Kalymnos Archaeological Museum.

'And look, my love,' Eutelistrate turns and smirks, 'the first name is mine, then my father's, then yours! Lovely big letters! Just think how jealous those Athenian matrons will be. They never have their names inscribed anywhere!.' She lowers her eyes demurely and sighs. 'Oh have you got an inscription at all, Aratokritos?

 ‘Yes, in fact I have.' He looks down at her and smiles. 'On one of the columns of the proscenium. But sorry, my love, your name isn't on it. You know the rules!'