 Calame states that this homoerotic love, which is similar to the one found in the lyrics of the contemporaneous poet Sappho, matches the pederasty of the males and was an integrated part of the initiation rites.At a much later period, but probably relying on older sources, Plutarch confirms that the Spartan women were engaged in such same sex relationships.It remains open if the relationship also had a physical side and, if so, of what nature.