To a young promising poet from Crete

"Poetry was the basis of their education the guide and commentary of their practice, the inspiration of their speculative thought. [...] their national epics were to them what the Bible was to the Puritans". 
Plato:"When the boy has learned his letters and is beginning to understand what is written, as he understood only what was spoken, they put into his hands the works of great poets, which he reads at school; in these are contained many admonitions, and many tales, and praises, and encomia of ancient famous men, which he is required to learn by heart, in order that he may imitate or emulate them and desire to become like them".