Herodot - O Istorie Din Egipt

8/12/2019 Herodot - O Istorie Din Egipt

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AN ACCOUNT OF EGYPT

By Herodotus

Translated By

G. C. Macaulay

NOTE

HERODOTUS as !orn at Hal"carnassus# on t$e sout$est coast o% As"a

M"nor# "n t$e early &art o% t$e %"%t$ century# B. C. O% $"s l"%e e

'no al(ost not$"n)# e*ce&t t$at $e s&ent (uc$ o% "t tra+el"n)# to

collect t$e (ater"al %or $"s r"t"n)s# and t$at $e %"nally settled

don at T$ur""# "n sout$ern ,taly# $ere $"s )reat or' as co(&osed.

He d"ed "n -- B. C.

T$e su!/ect o% t$e $"story o% Herodotus "s t$e stru))le !eteen t$e

Gree's and t$e !ar!ar"ans# $"c$ $e !r"n)s don to t$e !attle o%

Mycale "n -01 B. C. T$e or'# as e $a+e "t# "s d"+"ded "nto n"ne

!oo's# na(ed a%ter t$e n"ne Muses# !ut t$"s d"+"s"on "s &ro!a!ly due

to t$e Ale*andr"ne )ra((ar"ans. H"s "n%or(at"on $e )at$ered (a"nly

%ro( oral sources# as $e tra+eled t$rou)$ As"a M"nor# don "nto E)y&t#

round t$e Blac' Sea# and "nto +ar"ous &arts o% Greece and t$e

ne")$!or"n) countr"es. T$e c$ronolo)"cal narrat"+e $alts %ro( t"(e to

t"(e to )"+e o&&ortun"ty %or descr"&t"ons o% t$e country# t$e &eo&le#

and t$e"r custo(s and &re+"ous $"story2 and t$e &ol"t"cal account "s

constantly +ar"ed !y rare tales and onders.

A(on) t$ese descr"&t"ons o% countr"es t$e (ost %asc"nat"n) to t$e

(odern# as "t as to t$e anc"ent# reader "s $"s account o% t$e (ar+els

o% t$e land o% E)y&t. Fro( t$e &r"ests at Me(&$"s# Hel"o&ol"s# and t$e

E)y&t"an T$e!es $e learned $at $e re&orts o% t$e s"3e o% t$e country#

t$e onders o% t$e N"le# t$e cere(on"es o% t$e"r rel")"on# t$e

sacredness o% t$e"r an"(als. He tells also o% t$e stran)e ays o% t$e

crocod"le and o% t$at (ar+elous !"rd# t$e P$oen"*2 o% dress and

%unerals and e(!al("n)2 o% t$e eat"n) o% lotos and &a&yrus2 o% t$e&yra("ds and t$e )reat la!yr"nt$2 o% t$e"r '"n)s and 4ueens and

courtesans.


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Yet Herodotus "s not a (ere teller o% stran)e tales. Hoe+er credulous

$e (ay a&&ear to a (odern /ud)(ent# $e ta'es care to 'ee& se&arate

$at $e 'nos !y $"s on o!ser+at"on %ro( $at $e $as (erely "n%erred

and %ro( $at $e $as !een told. He "s cand"d a!out ac'noled)"n)

")norance# and $en +ers"ons d"%%er $e )"+es !ot$. T$us t$e (odernsc"ent"%"c $"stor"an# "t$ ot$er (eans o% corro!orat"on# can so(et"(es

learn %ro( Herodotus (ore t$an Herodotus $"(sel% 'ne.

T$ere "s a!undant e+"dence# too# t$at Herodotus $ad a &$"loso&$y o%

$"story. T$e un"ty $"c$ (ar's $"s or' "s due not only to t$e stron)

Gree' nat"onal %eel"n) runn"n) t$rou)$ "t# t$e %eel"n) t$at r"ses to a

$e")$t "n suc$ &assa)es as t$e descr"&t"ons o% t$e !attles o%

Marat$on# T$er(o&ylae# and Sala("s# !ut also to $"s &ro%ound !el"e% "n

Fate and "n Ne(es"s. To $"s !el"e% "n Fate "s due t$e %re4uent 4uot"n)

o% oracles and t$e"r %ul%"l(ent# t$e %re4uent re%erences to t$"n)s%oreorda"ned !y Pro+"dence. T$e or'"n) o% Ne(es"s $e %"nds "n t$e

d"sasters t$at !e%all (en and nat"ons $ose toer"n) &ros&er"ty

aa'ens t$e /ealousy o% t$e )ods. T$e %"nal o+ert$ro o% t$e Pers"ans#

$"c$ %or(s $"s (a"n t$e(e# "s only one s&ec"ally cons&"cuous e*a(&le

o% t$e o&erat"on o% t$"s %orce %ro( $"c$ $u(an l"%e can ne+er %ree

"tsel%.

But# a!o+e all# $e "s t$e %at$er o% story5tellers. 6Herodotus "s suc$

s"(&le and del")$t%ul read"n)#6 says 7e+ons2 6$e "s so una%%ected andenterta"n"n)# $"s story %los so naturally and "t$ suc$ ease t$at e

$a+e a d"%%"culty "n !ear"n) "n ("nd t$at# o+er and a!o+e t$e $ard

r"t"n) $"c$ )oes to (a'e easy read"n) t$ere "s a &er&etual (ar+el "n

t$e or' o% Herodotus. ,t "s t$e %"rst art"st"c or' "n &rose t$at

Gree' l"terature &roduced. T$"s &rose or'# $"c$ %or &ure l"terary

(er"t no su!se4uent or' $as sur&assed# t$an $"c$ later )enerat"ons#

a%ter us"n) t$e &en %or centur"es# $a+e &roduced no &rose (ore easy or

(ore reada!le# t$"s as t$e %"rst o% $"stor"es and o% l"terary &rose.6

AN ACCOUNT OF EGYPT

BY HERODOTUS

BE,NG THE SECOND BOO8 OF H,S H,STOR,ES

CA99ED EUTERPE


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:$en Cyrus $ad !rou)$t $"s l"%e to an end# Ca(!yses rece"+ed t$e royal

&oer "n success"on# !e"n) t$e son o% Cyrus and o% Cassandane t$e

dau)$ter o% P$arnas&es# %or $ose deat$# $"c$ ca(e a!out !e%ore $"s

on# Cyrus $ad (ade )reat (ourn"n) $"(sel% and also $ad &rocla"(ed to

all t$ose o+er $o( $e !ore rule t$at t$ey s$ould (a'e (ourn"n) %or$er; Ca(!yses# , say# !e"n) t$e son o% t$"s o(an and o% Cyrus#

re)arded t$e ,on"ans and A"ol"ans as sla+es "n$er"ted %ro( $"s %at$er2

and $e &roceeded to (arc$ an ar(y a)a"nst E)y&t# ta'"n) "t$ $"( as

$el&ers not only ot$er nat"ons o% $"c$ $e as ruler# !ut also t$ose

o% t$e Hellenes o+er $o( $e $ad &oer !es"des.

No t$e E)y&t"ans# !e%ore t$e t"(e $en Psa((et"c$os !eca(e '"n) o+er

t$e(# ere ont to su&&ose t$at t$ey $ad co(e "nto !e"n) %"rst o% all(en2 !ut s"nce t$e t"(e $en Psa((et"c$os $a+"n) !eco(e '"n) des"red

to 'no $at (en $ad co(e "nto !e"n) %"rst# t$ey su&&ose t$at t$e

P$ry)"ans ca(e "nto !e"n) !e%ore t$e(sel+es# !ut t$ey t$e(sel+es

!e%ore all ot$er (en. No Psa((et"c$os# $en $e as not a!le !y

"n4u"ry to %"nd out any (eans o% 'no"n) $o $ad co(e "nto !e"n) %"rst

o% all (en# contr"+ed a de+"ce o% t$e %ollo"n) '"nd;55Ta'"n) to ne5

!orn c$"ldren !elon)"n) to &ersons o% t$e co((on sort $e )a+e t$e( to

a s$e&$erd to !r"n) u& at t$e &lace $ere $"s %loc's ere# "t$ a

(anner o% !r"n)"n) u& suc$ as , s$all say# c$ar)"n) $"( na(ely t$at no(an s$ould utter any ord "n t$e"r &resence# and t$at t$ey s$ould !e

&laced !y t$e(sel+es "n a roo( $ere none (")$t co(e# and at t$e

&ro&er t"(e $e s$ould !r"n) t$e( s$e5)oats# and $en $e $ad sat"s%"ed

t$e( "t$ ("l' $e s$ould do %or t$e( $ate+er else as needed. T$ese

t$"n)s Psa((et"c$os d"d and )a+e $"( t$"s c$ar)e "s$"n) to $ear $at

ord t$e c$"ldren ould let !rea' %ort$ %"rst a%ter t$ey $ad ceased

%ro( a"l"n)s "t$out sense. And accord"n)ly "t ca(e to &ass2 %or

a%ter a s&ace o% to years $ad )one !y# dur"n) $"c$ t$e s$e&$erd ent

on act"n) so# at len)t$# $en $e o&ened t$e door and entered# !ot$c$"ldren %ell !e%ore $"( "n entreaty and uttered t$e ord

t$e P$ry)"ans $ad t$"s na(e %or !read. ,n t$"s (anner and )u"ded !y an

"nd"cat"on suc$ as t$"s# t$e E)y&t"ans ere !rou)$t to allo t$at t$e

P$ry)"ans ere a (ore anc"ent &eo&le t$an t$e(sel+es. T$at so "t ca(e

to &ass , $eard %ro( t$e &r"ests o% t$at He&$a"stos $o dells at


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Me(&$"s2 !ut t$e Hellenes relate# !es"des (any ot$er "dle tales# t$at

Psa((et"c$os cut out t$e ton)ues o% certa"n o(en and t$en caused t$e

c$"ldren to l"+e "t$ t$ese o(en.

:"t$ re)ard t$en to t$e rear"n) o% t$e c$"ldren t$ey related so (uc$

as , $a+e sa"d; and , $eard also ot$er t$"n)s at Me(&$"s $en , $ads&eec$ "t$ t$e &r"ests o% He&$a"stos. Moreo+er , +"s"ted !ot$ T$e!es

and Hel"o&ol"s %or t$"s +ery cause# na(ely !ecause , "s$ed to 'no

$et$er t$e &r"ests at t$ese &laces ould a)ree "n t$e"r accounts "t$

t$ose at Me(&$"s2 %or t$e (en o% Hel"o&ol"s are sa"d to !e t$e (ost

learned "n records o% t$e E)y&t"ans. T$ose o% t$e"r narrat"ons $"c$ ,

$eard "t$ re)ard to t$e )ods , a( not earnest to relate "n %ull# !ut

, s$all na(e t$e( only !ecause , cons"der t$at all (en are e4ually

")norant o% t$ese (atters; and $ate+er t$"n)s o% t$e( , (ay record ,

s$all record only !ecause , a( co(&elled !y t$e course o% t$e story.

But as to t$ose (atters $"c$ concern (en# t$e &r"ests a)reed "t$ one

anot$er "n say"n) t$at t$e E)y&t"ans ere t$e %"rst o% all (en on

eart$ to %"nd out t$e course o% t$e year# $a+"n) d"+"ded t$e seasons

"nto tel+e &arts to (a'e u& t$e $ole2 and t$"s t$ey sa"d t$ey %ound

out %ro( t$e stars; and t$ey rec'on to t$"s e*tent (ore "sely t$an

t$e Hellenes# as "t see(s to (e# "nas(uc$ as t$e Hellenes t$ro "n an

"ntercalated (ont$ e+ery ot$er year# to (a'e t$e seasons r")$t#

$ereas t$e E)y&t"ans# rec'on"n) t$e tel+e (ont$s at t$"rty days

eac$# !r"n) "n also e+ery year %"+e days !eyond nu(!er# and t$us t$e

c"rcle o% t$e"r season "s co(&leted and co(es round to t$e sa(e &o"nt$ence "t set out. T$ey sa"d (oreo+er t$at t$e E)y&t"ans ere t$e

%"rst $o !rou)$t "nto use a&&ellat"ons %or t$e tel+e )ods and t$e

Hellenes too' u& t$e use %ro( t$e(2 and t$at t$ey ere t$e %"rst $o

ass")ned altars and "(a)es and te(&les to t$e )ods# and $o en)ra+ed

%")ures on stones2 and "t$ re)ard to t$e )reater nu(!er o% t$ese

t$"n)s t$ey s$oed (e !y actual %acts t$at t$ey $ad $a&&ened so. T$ey

sa"d also t$at t$e %"rst (an $o !eca(e '"n) o% E)y&t as M"n2 and

t$at "n $"s t"(e all E)y&t e*ce&t t$e d"str"ct o% T$e!es as a sa(

and none o% t$e re)"ons ere t$en a!o+e ater $"c$ no l"e !elo t$ela'e o% Mo"r"s# to $"c$ la'e "t "s a +oya)e o% se+en days u& t$e

r"+er %ro( t$e sea; and , t$ou)$t t$at t$ey sa"d ell a!out t$e land2

%or "t "s (an"%est "n trut$ e+en to a &erson $o $as not $eard "t

!e%ore$and !ut $as only seen# at least "% $e $a+e understand"n)# t$at

t$e E)y&t to $"c$ t$e Hellenes co(e "n s$"&s "s a land $"c$ $as !een

on !y t$e E)y&t"ans as an add"t"on# and t$at "t "s a )"%t o% t$e

r"+er; (oreo+er t$e re)"ons $"c$ l"e a!o+e t$"s la'e also %or a

d"stance o% t$ree days= sa"l# a!out $"c$ t$ey d"d not )o on to say

anyt$"n) o% t$"s '"nd# are ne+ert$eless anot$er "nstance o% t$e sa(et$"n); %or t$e nature o% t$e land o% E)y&t "s as %ollos;55F"rst $en

you are st"ll a&&roac$"n) "t "n a s$"& and are d"stant a day=s run


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%ro( t$e land# "% you let don a sound"n)5l"ne you "ll !r"n) u& (ud

and you "ll %"nd yoursel% "n ele+en %at$o(s. T$"s t$en so %ar s$os

t$at t$ere "s a s"lt"n) %orard o% t$e land. T$en secondly# as to

E)y&t "tsel%# t$e e*tent o% "t alon) t$e sea "s s"*ty eus; rec'on"n) u&

you ould %"nd t$e d"%%erence +ery s(all !y $"c$ t$ese roads %a"l o%

!e"n) e4ual "n len)t$# not (ore "ndeed t$an %"%teen %urlon)s2 %or t$e

road %ro( At$ens to P"sa ants %"%teen %urlon)s o% !e"n) %"%teen

$undred# $"le t$e road to Hel"o&ol"s %ro( t$e sea reac$es t$at nu(!er

co(&letely. Fro( Hel"o&ol"s $oe+er# as you )o u E)y&t "s narro2

%or on t$e one s"de a (ounta"n5ran)e !elon)"n) to Ara!"a stretc$es

alon) !y t$e s"de o% "t# )o"n) "n a d"rect"on %ro( t$e Nort$ toards

t$e ("dday and t$e Sout$ :"nd# tend"n) u&ards "t$out a !rea' to t$at

$"c$ "s called t$e Eryt$ra"an Sea# "n $"c$ ran)e are t$e stone5

4uarr"es $"c$ ere used "n cutt"n) stone %or t$e &yra("ds at Me(&$"s.

On t$"s s"de t$en t$e (ounta"n ends $ere , $a+e sa"d# and t$en ta'es

a turn !ac'2 and $ere "t "s "dest# as , as "n%or(ed# "t "s a

/ourney o% to (ont$s across %ro( East to :est2 and t$e !orders o% "t

$"c$ turn toards t$e East are sa"d to &roduce %ran'"ncense. Suc$

t$en "s t$e nature o% t$"s (ounta"n5ran)e2 and on t$e s"de o% E)y&t

toards 9"!ya anot$er ran)e e*tends# roc'y and en+elo&ed "n sand; "nt$"s are t$e &yra("ds# and "t runs "n t$e sa(e d"rect"on as t$ose

&arts o% t$e Ara!"an (ounta"ns $"c$ )o toards t$e ("dday. So t$en# ,

say# %ro( Hel"o&ol"s t$e land $as no lon)er a )reat e*tent so %ar as

"t !elon)s to E)y&t# and %or a!out %our days= sa"l u& t$e r"+er E)y&t

&ro&erly so called "s narro; and t$e s&ace !eteen t$e (ounta"n5

ran)es $"c$ $a+e !een (ent"oned "s &la"n5land# !ut $ere "t "s

narroest "t d"d not see( to (e to e*ceed to $undred %urlon)s %ro(

t$e Ara!"an (ounta"ns to t$ose $"c$ are called t$e 9"!yan. A%ter t$"s

a)a"n E)y&t "s !road. Suc$ "s t$e nature o% t$"s land; and %ro(Hel"o&ol"s to T$e!es "s a +oya)e u& t$e r"+er o% n"ne days# and t$e

d"stance o% t$e /ourney "n %urlon)s "s %our t$ousand e")$t $undred and


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s"*ty# t$e nu(!er o%


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s$ells are %ound u&on t$e (ounta"ns o% "t# and an e%%lorescence o%

salt %or(s u&on t$e sur%ace# so t$at e+en t$e &yra("ds are !e"n) eaten

aay !y "t# and (oreo+er t$at o% all t$e (ounta"ns o% E)y&t# t$e ran)e

$"c$ l"es a!o+e Me(&$"s "s t$e only one $"c$ $as sand; !es"des $"c$

, not"ce t$at E)y&t rese(!les ne"t$er t$e land o% Ara!"a# $"c$

!orders u&on "t# nor 9"!ya# nor yet Syr"a @%or t$ey are Syr"ans $odell "n t$e &arts o% Ara!"a ly"n) alon) t$e sea# !ut t$at "t $as

so"l $"c$ "s !lac' and eas"ly !rea's u see"n) t$at "t "s "n trut$

(ud and s"lt !rou)$t don %ro( Et$"o&"a !y t$e r"+er; !ut t$e so"l o%

9"!ya# e 'no# "s redd"s$ "n colour and rat$er sandy# $"le t$at o%

Ara!"a and Syr"a "s so(e$at clayey and roc'y. T$e &r"ests also )a+e

(e a stron) &roo% concern"n) t$"s land as %ollos# na(ely t$at "n t$e

re")n o% '"n) Mo"r"s# $ene+er t$e r"+er reac$ed a $e")$t o% at least

e")$t cu!"ts "t atered E)y&t !elo Me(&$"s2 and not yet n"ne $undred

years $ad )one !y s"nce t$e deat$ o% Mo"r"s# $en , $eard t$ese t$"n)s%ro( t$e &r"ests; no $oe+er# unless t$e r"+er r"ses to s"*teen

cu!"ts# or %"%teen at t$e least# "t does not )o o+er t$e land. , t$"n'

too t$at t$ose E)y&t"ans $o dell !elo t$e la'e o% Mo"r"s and

es&ec"ally "n t$at re)"on $"c$ "s called t$e Delta# "% t$at land

cont"nues to )ro "n $e")$t accord"n) to t$"s &ro&ort"on and to

"ncrease s"("larly "n e*tent# "ll su%%er %or all re(a"n"n) t"(e# %ro(

t$e N"le not o+er%lo"n) t$e"r land# t$at sa(e t$"n) $"c$ t$ey

t$e(sel+es sa"d t$at t$e Hellenes ould at so(e t"(e su%%er; %or

$ear"n) t$at t$e $ole land o% t$e Hellenes $as ra"n and "s not

atered !y r"+ers as t$e"rs "s# t$ey sa"d t$at t$e Hellenes ould at

so(e t"(e !e d"sa&&o"nted o% a )reat $o&e and ould su%%er t$e "lls o%

%a("ne. T$"s say"n) (eans t$at "% t$e )od s$all not send t$e( ra"n#

!ut s$all allo drou)$t to &re+a"l %or a lon) t"(e# t$e Hellenes "ll

!e destroyed !y $un)er2 %or t$ey $a+e "n %act no ot$er su&&ly o% ater

to sa+e t$e( e*ce&t %ro( >eus alone. T$"s $as !een r")$tly sa"d !y t$e

E)y&t"ans "t$ re%erence to t$e Hellenes; !ut no let (e tell $o

(atters are "t$ t$e E)y&t"ans t$e(sel+es "n t$e"r turn. ,%# "n

accordance "t$ $at , !e%ore sa"d# t$e"r land !elo Me(&$"s @%or t$"s

"s t$at $"c$ "s "ncreas"n) s$all cont"nue to "ncrease "n $e")$taccord"n) to t$e sa(e &ro&ort"on as "n t$e &ast t"(e# assuredly t$ose

E)y&t"ans $o dell $ere "ll su%%er %a("ne# "% t$e"r land s$all not

$a+e ra"n nor t$e r"+er !e a!le to )o o+er t$e"r %"elds. ,t "s certa"n

$oe+er t$at no t$ey )at$er "n %ru"t %ro( t$e eart$ "t$ less la!our

t$an any ot$er (en and also "t$ less t$an t$e ot$er E)y&t"ans2 %or

t$ey $a+e no la!our "n !rea'"n) u& %urros "t$ a &lou)$ nor "n $oe"n)

nor "n any ot$er o% t$ose la!ours $"c$ ot$er (en $a+e a!out a cro&2

!ut $en t$e r"+er $as co(e u& o% "tsel% and atered t$e"r %"elds and

a%ter ater"n) $as le%t t$e( a)a"n# t$en eac$ (an sos $"s on %"eldand turns "nto "t s"ne# and $en $e $as trodden t$e seed "nto t$e

)round !y (eans o% t$e s"ne# a%ter t$at $e a"ts %or t$e $ar+est# and


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$en $e $as t$res$ed t$e corn !y (eans o% t$e s"ne# t$en $e )at$ers

"t "n.

,% e des"re to %ollo t$e o&"n"ons o% t$e ,on"ans as re)ards E)y&t#

$o say t$at t$e Delta alone "s E)y&t# rec'on"n) "ts sea5coast to !e

%ro( t$e atc$5toer called o% Perseus to t$e %"s$5cur"n) $ouses o%Pelus"on# a d"stance o% %orty


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d"+"ded "nto to &arts and t$at "t t$us &arta'es o% !ot$ t$e na(es#

s"nce one s"de "ll t$us !elon) to 9"!ya and t$e ot$er to As"a2 %or

t$e N"le %ro( t$e Cataract onards %los to t$e sea cutt"n) E)y&t

t$rou)$ "n t$e ("dst2 and as %ar as t$e c"ty o% 8ercasoros t$e N"le

%los "n one s"n)le strea(# !ut %ro( t$"s c"ty onards "t "s &arted

"nto t$ree ays2 and one# $"c$ "s called t$e Pelus"an (out$# turnstoards t$e East2 t$e second o% t$e ays )oes toards t$e :est# and

t$"s "s called t$e Cano!"c (out$2 !ut t$at one o% t$e ays $"c$ "s

stra")$t runs t$us#55$en t$e r"+er "n "ts course donards co(es to

t$e &o"nt o% t$e Delta# t$en "t cuts t$e Delta t$rou)$ t$e ("dst and

so "ssues out to t$e sea. ,n t$"s e $a+e a &ort"on o% t$e ater o%

t$e r"+er $"c$ "s not t$e s(allest nor t$e least %a(ous# and "t "s

called t$e Se!ennyt"c (out$. T$ere are also to ot$er (out$s $"c$

&art o%% %ro( t$e Se!ennyt"c and )o to t$e sea# and t$ese are called#

one t$e Sa"t"c# t$e ot$er t$e Mendes"an (out$. T$e Bol!"t"n"t"c# andBucol"c (out$s# on t$e ot$er $and# are not natural !ut (ade !y

d"))"n). Moreo+er also t$e anser )"+en !y t$e Oracle o% A((on !ears

"tness "n su&&ort o% (y o&"n"on t$at E)y&t "s o% t$e e*tent $"c$ ,

declare "t to !e "n (y account2 and o% t$"s anser , $eard a%ter , $ad

%or(ed (y on o&"n"on a!out E)y&t. For t$ose o% t$e c"ty o% Marea and

o% A&"s# dell"n) "n t$e &arts o% E)y&t $"c$ !order on 9"!ya# !e"n)

o% o&"n"on t$e(sel+es t$at t$ey ere 9"!yans and not E)y&t"ans# and

also !e"n) !urdened !y t$e rules o% rel")"ous ser+"ce# !ecause t$ey

des"red not to !e de!arred %ro( t$e use o% cos= %les$# sent to A((on

say"n) t$at t$ey $ad nou)$t "n co((on "t$ t$e E)y&t"ans# %or t$ey

delt outs"de t$e Delta and a)reed "t$ t$e( "n not$"n)2 and t$ey sa"d

t$ey des"red t$at "t (")$t !e la%ul %or t$e( to eat e+eryt$"n)

"t$out d"st"nct"on. T$e )od $oe+er d"d not &er("t t$e( to do so# !ut

sa"d t$at t$at land as E)y&t $ere t$e N"le ca(e o+er and atered#

and t$at t$ose ere E)y&t"ans $o dell"n) !elo t$e c"ty o%

Ele&$ant"ne dran' o% t$at r"+er. T$us as "t ansered to t$e( !y t$e

Oracle a!out t$"s; and t$e N"le# $en "t "s "n %lood# )oes o+er not

only t$e Delta !ut also o% t$e land $"c$ "s called 9"!yan and o% t$at

$"c$ "s called Ara!"an so(et"(es as (uc$ as to days= /ourney on eac$s"de# and at t"(es e+en (ore t$an t$"s or at t"(es less.

As re)ards t$e nature o% t$e r"+er# ne"t$er %ro( t$e &r"ests nor yet

%ro( any ot$er (an as , a!le to o!ta"n any 'noled)e; and , as

des"rous es&ec"ally to learn %ro( t$e( a!out t$ese (atters# na(ely $y

t$e N"le co(es don "ncreas"n) "n +olu(e %ro( t$e su((er solst"ce

onards %or a $undred days# and t$en# $en "t $as reac$ed t$e nu(!er

o% t$ese days# turns and )oes !ac'# %a"l"n) "n "ts strea(# so t$at

t$rou)$ t$e $ole "nter season "t cont"nues to !e lo# and unt"l t$esu((er solst"ce returns. O% none o% t$ese t$"n)s as , a!le to rece"+e

any account %ro( t$e E)y&t"ans# $en , "n4u"red o% t$e( $at &oer t$e


10/70

N"le $as $ere!y "t "s o% a nature o&&os"te to t$at o% all ot$er

r"+ers. And , (ade "n4u"ry# des"r"n) to 'no !ot$ t$"s $"c$ , say and

also $y# unl"'e all ot$er r"+ers# "t does not )"+e r"se to any

!ree3es !lo"n) %ro( "t. Hoe+er so(e o% t$e Hellenes $o des"red to

)a"n d"st"nct"on %or cle+erness $a+e )"+en an account o% t$"s ater "n

t$ree d"%%erent ays; to o% t$ese , do not t$"n' "t ort$ $"le e+ento s&ea' o% e*ce&t only to "nd"cate t$e"r nature2 o% $"c$ t$e one

says t$at t$e Etes"an :"nds are t$e cause t$at (a'es t$e r"+er r"se#

!y &re+ent"n) t$e N"le %ro( %lo"n) out "nto t$e sea. But o%ten t$e

Etes"an :"nds %a"l and yet t$e N"le does t$e sa(e or' as "t "s ont

to do2 and (oreo+er# "% t$ese ere t$e cause# all t$e ot$er r"+ers

also $"c$ %lo "n a d"rect"on o&&osed to t$e Etes"an :"nds ou)$t to

$a+e !een a%%ected "n t$e sa(e ay as t$e N"le# and e+en (ore# "n as

(uc$ as t$ey are s(aller and &resent to t$e( a %ee!ler %lo o%

strea(s; !ut t$ere are (any o% t$ese r"+ers "n Syr"a and (any also "n9"!ya# and t$ey are a%%ected "n no suc$ (anner as t$e N"le. T$e second

ay s$os (ore ")norance t$an t$at $"c$ $as !een (ent"oned# and "t "s

(ore (ar+ellous to tell2 %or "t says t$at t$e r"+er &roduces t$ese

e%%ects !ecause "t %los %ro( t$e Ocean# and t$at t$e Ocean %los

round t$e $ole eart$. T$e t$"rd o% t$e ays "s (uc$ t$e (ost

s&ec"ous# !ut ne+ert$eless "t "s t$e (ost ("sta'en o% all; %or "ndeed

t$"s ay $as no (ore trut$ "n "t t$an t$e rest# alle)"n) as "t does

t$at t$e N"le %los %ro( (elt"n) sno2 $ereas "t %los out o% 9"!ya

t$rou)$ t$e ("dst o% t$e Et$"o&"ans# and so co(es out "nto E)y&t. Ho

t$en s$ould "t %lo %ro( sno# $en "t %los %ro( t$e $ottest &arts to

t$ose $"c$ are cooler? And "ndeed (ost o% t$e %acts are suc$ as to

con+"nce a (an @one at least $o "s ca&a!le o% reason"n) a!out suc$

(atters# t$at "t "s not at all l"'ely t$at "t %los %ro( sno. T$e

%"rst and )reatest e+"dence "s a%%orded !y t$e "nds# $"c$ !lo $ot

%ro( t$ese re)"ons2 t$e second "s t$at t$e land "s ra"nless alays and

"t$out %rost# $ereas a%ter sno $as %allen ra"n (ust necessar"ly

co(e "t$"n %"+e days# so t$at "% "t snoed "n t$ose &arts ra"n ould

%all t$ere2 t$e t$"rd e+"dence "s a%%orded !y t$e &eo&le dell"n)

t$ere# $o are o% a !lac' colour !y reason o% t$e !urn"n) $eat.Moreo+er '"tes and sallos re(a"n t$ere t$rou)$ t$e year and do not

lea+e t$e land2 and cranes %ly"n) %ro( t$e cold eat$er $"c$ co(es on

"n t$e re)"on o% Scyt$"a co(e re)ularly to t$ese &arts %or "nter"n);

"% t$en "t snoed e+er so l"ttle "n t$at land t$rou)$ $"c$ t$e N"le

%los and "n $"c$ "t $as "ts r"se# none o% t$ese t$"n)s ould ta'e

&lace# as necess"ty co(&els us to ad("t. As %or $"( $o tal'ed a!out

t$e Ocean# $e carr"ed $"s tale "nto t$e re)"on o% t$e un'non# and so

$e need not !e re%uted2 s"nce , %or (y &art 'no o% no r"+er Ocean

e*"st"n)# !ut , t$"n' t$at Ho(er or one o% t$e &oets $o ere !e%ore$"( "n+ented t$e na(e and "ntroduced "t "nto $"s +erse.


11/70

,% $oe+er a%ter , $a+e %ound %ault "t$ t$e o&"n"ons &ro&osed# , a(

!ound to declare an o&"n"on o% (y on a!out t$e (atters $"c$ are "n

dou!t# , "ll tell $at to (y ("nd "s t$e reason $y t$e N"le

"ncreases "n t$e su((er. ,n t$e "nter season t$e Sun# !e"n) dr"+en

aay %ro( $"s %or(er &at$ t$rou)$ t$e $ea+en !y t$e stor(y "nds#

co(es to t$e u&&er &arts o% 9"!ya. ,% one ould set %ort$ t$e (atter"n t$e s$ortest ay# all $as no !een sa"d2 %or $ate+er re)"on t$"s

)od a&&roac$es (ost and stands d"rectly a!o+e# t$"s "t (ay reasona!ly

!e su&&osed "s (ost "n ant o% ater# and "ts nat"+e strea(s o% r"+ers

are dr"ed u& (ost. Hoe+er# to set "t %ort$ at )reater len)t$# t$us "t

"s;55t$e Sun &ass"n) "n $"s course !y t$e u&&er &arts o% 9"!ya# does

t$us# t$at "s to say# s"nce at all t"(es t$e a"r "n t$ose &arts "s

clear and t$e country "s ar(# !ecause t$ere are no cold "nds# "n

&ass"n) t$rou)$ "t t$e Sun does /ust as $e as ont to do "n t$e

su((er# $en )o"n) t$rou)$ t$e ("dst o% t$e $ea+en# t$at "s $e drasto $"(sel% t$e ater# and $a+"n) dran "t $e dr"+es "t aay to t$e

u&&er &arts o% t$e country# and t$e "nds ta'e "t u& and scatter"n) "t

a!road (elt "t "nto ra"n2 so "t "s natural t$at t$e "nds $"c$ !lo

%ro( t$"s re)"on# na(ely t$e Sout$ and Sout$5est :"nds# s$ould !e

(uc$ t$e (ost ra"ny o% all t$e "nds. , t$"n' $oe+er t$at t$e Sun

does not send aay %ro( $"(sel% all t$e ater o% t$e N"le o% eac$

year# !ut t$at also $e lets so(e re(a"n !e$"nd "t$ $"(sel%. T$en $en

t$e "nter !eco(es ("lder# t$e Sun returns !ac' a)a"n to t$e ("dst o%

t$e $ea+en# and %ro( t$at t"(e onards $e dras e4ually %ro( all

r"+ers2 !ut "n t$e (eant"(e t$ey %lo "n lar)e +olu(e# s"nce ater o%

ra"n ("n)les "t$ t$e( "n )reat 4uant"ty# !ecause t$e"r country

rece"+es ra"n t$en and "s %"lled "t$ torrent strea(s. ,n su((er

$oe+er t$ey are ea'# s"nce not only t$e s$oers o% ra"n %a"l t$e(#

!ut also t$ey are dran !y t$e Sun. T$e N"le $oe+er# alone o% all

r"+ers# not $a+"n) ra"n and !e"n) dran !y t$e Sun# naturally %los

dur"n) t$"s t"(e o% "nter "n (uc$ less t$an "ts &ro&er +olu(e# t$at

"s (uc$ less t$an "n su((er2 %or t$en "t "s dran e4ually "t$ all t$e

ot$er aters# !ut "n "nter "t !ears t$e !urden alone. T$us , su&&ose

t$e Sun to !e t$e cause o% t$ese t$"n)s. He also "s t$e cause "n (yo&"n"on t$at t$e a"r "n t$ese &arts "s dry# s"nce $e (a'es "t so !y

scorc$"n) u& $"s &at$ t$rou)$ t$e $ea+en; t$us su((er &re+a"ls alays

"n t$e u&&er &arts o% 9"!ya. ,% $oe+er t$e stat"on o% t$e seasons $ad

!een c$an)ed# and $ere no "n t$e $ea+en are &laced t$e Nort$ :"nd

and "nter# t$ere as t$e stat"on o% t$e Sout$ :"nd and o% t$e ("dday#

and $ere no "s &laced t$e Sout$ :"nd# t$ere as t$e Nort$# "% t$"s

$ad !een so# t$e Sun !e"n) dr"+en %ro( t$e ("dst o% t$e $ea+en !y t$e

"nter and t$e Nort$ :"nd ould )o to t$e u&&er &arts o% Euro&e# /ust

as no $e co(es to t$e u&&er &arts o% 9"!ya# and &ass"n) "n $"s courset$rou)$out t$e $ole o% Euro&e , su&&ose $e ould do to t$e ,ster t$at

$"c$ $e no or's u&on t$e N"le. As to t$e !ree3e# $y none !los


12/70

%ro( t$e r"+er# (y o&"n"on "s t$at %ro( +ery $ot &laces "t "s not

natural t$at anyt$"n) s$ould !lo# and t$at a !ree3e "s ont to !lo

%ro( so(et$"n) cold.

9et t$ese (atters t$en !e as t$ey are and as t$ey ere at t$e %"rst;

!ut as to t$e sources o% t$e N"le# not one e"t$er o% t$e E)y&t"ans oro% t$e 9"!yans or o% t$e Hellenes# $o ca(e to s&eec$ "t$ (e#

&ro%essed to 'no anyt$"n)# e*ce&t t$e scr"!e o% t$e sacred treasury

o% At$ene at t$e c"ty o% Sa"s "n E)y&t. To (e $oe+er t$"s (an see(ed

not to !e s&ea'"n) ser"ously $en $e sa"d t$at $e $ad certa"n

'noled)e o% "t2 and $e sa"d as %ollos# na(ely t$at t$ere ere to

(ounta"ns o% $"c$ t$e to&s ran u& to a s$ar& &o"nt# s"tuated !eteen

t$e c"ty o% Syene# $"c$ "s "n t$e d"str"ct o% T$e!es# and

Ele&$ant"ne# and t$e na(es o% t$e (ounta"ns ere# o% t$e one Cro&$"

and o% t$e ot$er Mo&$". Fro( t$e ("ddle !eteen t$ese (ounta"ns %loed

@$e sa"d t$e sources o% t$e N"le# $"c$ ere %at$o(less "n de&t$# and

$al% o% t$e ater %loed to E)y&t and toards t$e Nort$ :"nd# t$e

ot$er $al% to Et$"o&"a and t$e Sout$ :"nd. As %or t$e %at$o(less de&t$

o% t$e source# $e sa"d t$at Psa((et"c$os '"n) o% E)y&t ca(e to a tr"al

o% t$"s (atter2 %or $e $ad a ro&e t"sted o% (any t$ousand %at$o(s and

let "t don "n t$"s &lace# and "t %ound no !otto(. By t$"s t$e scr"!e

@"% t$"s $"c$ $e told as really as $e sa"d )a+e (e to understand

t$at t$ere ere certa"n stron) edd"es t$ere and a !ac'ard %lo# and

t$at s"nce t$e ater das$ed a)a"nst t$e (ounta"ns# t$ere%ore t$e

sound"n)5l"ne could not co(e to any !otto( $en "t as let don. Fro(no ot$er &erson as , a!le to learn anyt$"n) a!out t$"s (atter2 !ut

%or t$e rest , learnt so (uc$ as $ere %ollos !y t$e (ost d"l")ent

"n4u"ry2 %or , ent (ysel% as an eye5"tness as %ar as t$e c"ty o%

Ele&$ant"ne and %ro( t$at &o"nt onards , )at$ered 'noled)e !y

re&ort. Fro( t$e c"ty o% Ele&$ant"ne as one )oes u& t$e r"+er t$ere "s

country $"c$ slo&es stee&ly2 so t$at $ere one (ust attac$ ro&es to

t$e +essel on !ot$ s"des# as one %astens an o*# and so (a'e one=s ay

onard2 and "% t$e ro&e !rea'# t$e +essel "s )one at once# carr"ed

aay !y t$e +"olence o% t$e strea(. T$rou)$ t$"s country "t "s a+oya)e o% a!out %our days "n len)t$# and "n t$"s &art t$e N"le "s

"nd"n) l"'e t$e r"+er Ma"ander# and t$e d"stance a(ounts to tel+e


13/70

out o% t$e ater# and t$ere are (any ree%s# !y $"c$ "t "s not

&oss"!le %or a +essel to &ass. T$en a%ter $a+"n) &assed t$rou)$ t$"s

country "n t$e %orty days $"c$ , $a+e sa"d# you "ll e(!ar' a)a"n "n

anot$er +essel and sa"l %or tel+e days2 and a%ter t$"s you "ll co(e

to a )reat c"ty called Meroe. T$"s c"ty "s sa"d to !e t$e (ot$er5c"ty

o% all t$e ot$er Et$"o&"ans; and t$ey $o dell "n "t re+erence o% t$e)ods >eus and D"onysos alone# and t$ese t$ey )reatly $onour2 and t$ey

$a+e an Oracle o% >eus esta!l"s$ed# and (a'e arl"'e (arc$es

$ensoe+er t$e )od co((ands t$e( !y &ro&$esy"n)s and to $atsoe+er

&lace $e co((ands. Sa"l"n) %ro( t$"s c"ty you "ll co(e to t$e

6Deserters6 "n anot$er &er"od o% t"(e e4ual to t$at "n $"c$ you ca(e

%ro( Ele&$ant"ne to t$e (ot$er5c"ty o% t$e Et$"o&"ans. No t$e na(e o%

t$ese 6Deserters6 "s


14/70

$eat. T$"s (uc$ $oe+er , $eard %ro( (en o% 8yrene# $o told (e t$at

t$ey $ad !een to t$e Oracle o% A((on# and $ad co(e to s&eec$ "t$

Etearc$os '"n) o% t$e A((on"ans; and "t $a&&ened t$at a%ter s&ea'"n)

o% ot$er (atters t$ey %ell to d"scourse a!out t$e N"le and $o no one

'ne t$e sources o% "t2 and Etearc$os sa"d t$at once t$ere ca(e to $"(

(en o% t$e Nasa(on"ans @t$"s "s a 9"!yan race $"c$ dells "n t$eSyrt"s# and also "n t$e land to t$e East o% t$e Syrt"s reac$"n) to no

)reat d"stance# and $en t$e Nasa(on"ans ca(e and ere as'ed !y $"(

$et$er t$ey ere a!le to tell $"( anyt$"n) (ore t$an $e 'ne a!out

t$e desert &arts o% 9"!ya# t$ey sa"d t$at t$ere $ad !een a(on) t$e(

certa"n sons o% c$"e% (en# $o ere o% unruly d"s&os"t"on2 and t$ese

$en t$ey )re u& to !e (en $ad de+"sed +ar"ous ot$er e*tra+a)ant

t$"n)s and also t$ey $ad told o%% !y lot %"+e o% t$e(sel+es to )o to

see t$e desert &arts o% 9"!ya and to try $et$er t$ey could d"sco+er

(ore t$an t$ose $o $ad &re+"ously e*&lored %urt$est; %or "n t$ose&arts o% 9"!ya $"c$ are !y t$e Nort$ern Sea# !e)"nn"n) %ro( E)y&t and

)o"n) as %ar as t$e $eadland o% Soloe"s# $"c$ "s t$e e*tre(e &o"nt o%

9"!ya# 9"!yans @and o% t$e( (any races e*tend alon) t$e $ole coast#

e*ce&t so (uc$ as t$e Hellenes and P$en"c"ans $old2 !ut "n t$e u&&er

&arts# $"c$ l"e a!o+e t$e sea5coast and a!o+e t$ose &eo&le $ose land

co(es don to t$e sea# 9"!ya "s %ull o% "ld !easts2 and "n t$e &arts

a!o+e t$e land o% "ld !easts "t "s %ull o% sand# terr"!ly aterless

and utterly desert. T$ese youn) (en t$en @sa"d t$ey# !e"n) sent out

!y t$e"r co(&an"ons ell %urn"s$ed "t$ su&&l"es o% ater and

&ro+"s"ons# ent %"rst t$rou)$ t$e "n$a!"ted country# and a%ter t$ey

$ad &assed t$rou)$ t$"s t$ey ca(e to t$e country o% "ld !easts# and

a%ter t$"s t$ey &assed t$rou)$ t$e desert# (a'"n) t$e"r /ourney

toards t$e :est :"nd2 and $a+"n) &assed t$rou)$ a )reat tract o% sand

"n (any days# t$ey sa at last trees )ro"n) "n a le+el &lace2 and

$a+"n) co(e u& to t$e(# t$ey ere !e)"nn"n) to &luc' t$e %ru"t $"c$

as u&on t$e trees; !ut as t$ey !e)an to &luc' "t# t$ere ca(e u&on

t$e( s(all (en# o% less stature t$an (en o% t$e co((on s"3e# and t$ese

se"3ed t$e( and carr"ed t$e( aay2 and ne"t$er could t$e Nasa(on"ans

understand anyt$"n) o% t$e"r s&eec$ nor could t$ose $o ere carry"n)t$e( o%% understand anyt$"n) o% t$e s&eec$ o% t$e Nasa(on"ans2 and

t$ey led t$e( @so "t as sa"d t$rou)$ +ery )reat sa(&s# and a%ter

&ass"n) t$rou)$ t$ese t$ey ca(e to a c"ty "n $"c$ all t$e (en ere "n

s"3e l"'e t$ose $o carr"ed t$e( o%% and "n colour o% s'"n !lac'2 and

!y t$e c"ty ran a )reat r"+er# $"c$ ran %ro( t$e :est toards t$e

sunr"s"n)# and "n "t ere seen crocod"les. O% t$e account )"+en !y

Etearc$os t$e A((on"an let so (uc$ su%%"ce as "s $ere sa"d# e*ce&t

t$at# as t$e (en o% 8yrene told (e# $e alle)ed t$at t$e Nasa(on"ans

returned sa%e $o(e# and t$at t$e &eo&le to $o( t$ey $ad co(e ere all"3ards. No t$"s r"+er $"c$ ran !y t$e c"ty# Etearc$os con/ectured

to !e t$e N"le# and (oreo+er reason co(&els us to t$"n' so2 %or t$e


15/70

N"le %los %ro( 9"!ya and cuts 9"!ya t$rou)$ "n t$e ("dst# and as ,

con/ecture# /ud)"n) o% $at "s not 'non !y t$at $"c$ "s e+"dent to

t$e +"e# "t starts at a d"stance %ro( "ts (out$ e4ual to t$at o% t$e

,ster; %or t$e r"+er ,ster !e)"ns %ro( t$e 8elto" and t$e c"ty o%

Pyrene and so runs t$at "t d"+"des Euro&e "n t$e ("dst @no t$e 8elto"

are outs"de t$e P"llars o% Heracles and !order u&on t$e 8ynes"ans# $odell %urt$est toards t$e sunset o% all t$ose $o $a+e t$e"r dell"n)

"n Euro&e; and t$e ,ster ends# $a+"n) "ts course t$rou)$ t$e $ole o%

Euro&e# !y %lo"n) "nto t$e Eu*"ne Sea at t$e &lace $ere t$e

M"les"ans $a+e t$e"r settle(ent o% ,str"a. No t$e ,ster# s"nce "t

%los t$rou)$ land $"c$ "s "n$a!"ted# "s 'non !y t$e re&orts o%

(any2 !ut o% t$e sources o% t$e N"le no one can )"+e an account# %or

t$e &art o% 9"!ya t$rou)$ $"c$ "t %los "s un"n$a!"ted and desert.

A!out "ts course $oe+er so (uc$ as "t as &oss"!le to learn !y t$e

(ost d"l")ent "n4u"ry $as !een told2 and "t runs out "nto E)y&t. NoE)y&t l"es nearly o&&os"te to t$e (ounta"n d"str"cts o% 8"l"'"a2 and

%ro( t$ence to S"no&e# $"c$ l"es u&on t$e Eu*"ne Sea# "s a /ourney "n

t$e sa(e stra")$t l"ne o% %"+e days %or a (an "t$out encu(!rance2 and

S"no&e l"es o&&os"te to t$e &lace $ere t$e ,ster runs out "nto t$e

sea; t$us , t$"n' t$at t$e N"le &asses t$rou)$ t$e $ole o% 9"!ya and

"s o% e4ual (easure "t$ t$e ,ster.

O% t$e N"le t$en let so (uc$ su%%"ce as $as !een sa"d. O% E)y&t$oe+er , s$all (a'e (y re&ort at len)t$# !ecause "t $as onders (ore

"n nu(!er t$an any ot$er land# and or's too "t $as to s$o as (uc$ as

any land# $"c$ are !eyond e*&ress"on )reat; %or t$"s reason t$en (ore

s$all !e sa"d concern"n) "t.

T$e E)y&t"ans "n a)ree(ent "t$ t$e"r cl"(ate# $"c$ "s unl"'e any

ot$er# and "t$ t$e r"+er# $"c$ s$os a nature d"%%erent %ro( all

ot$er r"+ers# esta!l"s$ed %or t$e(sel+es (anners and custo(s "n a ay

o&&os"te to ot$er (en "n al(ost all (atters; %or a(on) t$e( t$e o(en%re4uent t$e (ar'et and carry on trade# $"le t$e (en re(a"n at $o(e

and ea+e2 and $ereas ot$ers ea+e &us$"n) t$e oo% u&ards# t$e

E)y&t"ans &us$ "t donards; t$e (en carry t$e"r !urdens u&on t$e"r

$eads and t$e o(en u&on t$e"r s$oulders; t$e o(en (a'e ater

stand"n) u& and t$e (en crouc$"n) don; t$ey ease t$e(sel+es "n t$e"r

$ouses and t$ey eat "t$out "n t$e streets# alle)"n) as reason %or

t$"s t$at "t "s r")$t to do secretly t$e t$"n)s t$at are unsee(ly

t$ou)$ necessary# !ut t$ose $"c$ are not unsee(ly# "n &u!l"c; no

o(an "s a ("n"ster e"t$er o% (ale or %e(ale d"+"n"ty# !ut (en o% all#

!ot$ (ale and %e(ale; to su&&ort t$e"r &arents t$e sons are "n no ay

co(&elled# "% t$ey do not des"re to do so# !ut t$e dau)$ters are


16/70

%orced to do so# !e t$ey ne+er so un"ll"n). T$e &r"ests o% t$e )ods

"n ot$er lands ear lon) $a"r# !ut "n E)y&t t$ey s$a+e t$e"r $eads;

a(on) ot$er (en t$e custo( "s t$at "n (ourn"n) t$ose $o( t$e (atter

concerns (ost nearly $a+e t$e"r $a"r cut s$ort# !ut t$e E)y&t"ans#

$en deat$s occur# let t$e"r $a"r )ro lon)# !ot$ t$at on t$e $ead and

t$at on t$e c$"n# $a+"n) !e%ore !een close s$a+en; ot$er (en $a+et$e"r da"ly l"+"n) se&arated %ro( !easts# !ut t$e E)y&t"ans $a+e

t$e"rs to)et$er "t$ !easts; ot$er (en l"+e on $eat and on !arley#

!ut to any one o% t$e E)y&t"ans $o (a'es $"s l"+"n) on t$ese "t "s a

)reat re&roac$2 t$ey (a'e t$e"r !read o% (a"3e# $"c$ so(e call s&elt;

t$ey 'nead dou)$ "t$ t$e"r %eet and clay "t$ t$e"r $ands# "t$ $"c$

also t$ey )at$er u& dun); and $ereas ot$er (en# e*ce&t suc$ as $a+e

learnt ot$er"se %ro( t$e E)y&t"ans# $a+e t$e"r (e(!ers as nature (ade

t$e(# t$e E)y&t"ans &ract"ce c"rcu(c"s"on; as to )ar(ents# t$e (en

ear to eac$ and t$e o(en !ut one; and $ereas ot$ers (a'e %ast t$er"n)s and ro&es o% t$e sa"ls outs"de t$e s$" t$e E)y&t"ans do t$"s

"ns"de; %"nally "n t$e r"t"n) o% c$aracters and rec'on"n) "t$

&e!!les# $"le t$e Hellenes carry t$e $and %ro( t$e le%t to t$e r")$t#

t$e E)y&t"ans do t$"s %ro( t$e r")$t to t$e le%t2 and do"n) so t$ey

say t$at t$ey do "t t$e(sel+es r")$t"se and t$e Hellenes le%t"se;

and t$ey use to '"nds o% c$aracters %or r"t"n)# o% $"c$ t$e one

'"nd "s called sacred and t$e ot$er co((on.

T$ey are rel")"ous e*cess"+ely !eyond all ot$er (en# and "t$ re)ard

to t$"s t$ey $a+e custo(s as %ollos;55t$ey dr"n' %ro( cu&s o% !ron3eand r"nse t$e( out e+ery day# and not so(e only do t$"s !ut all; t$ey

ear )ar(ents o% l"nen alays nely as$ed# and t$"s t$ey (a'e a

s&ec"al &o"nt o% &ract"ce; t$ey c"rcu(c"se t$e(sel+es %or t$e sa'e o%

cleanl"ness# &re%err"n) to !e clean rat$er t$an co(ely. T$e &r"ests

s$a+e t$e(sel+es all o+er t$e"r !ody e+ery ot$er day# so t$at no l"ce

or any ot$er %oul t$"n) (ay co(e to !e u&on t$e( $en t$ey ("n"ster to

t$e )ods2 and t$e &r"ests ear )ar(ents o% l"nen only and sandals o%

&a&yrus# and any ot$er )ar(ent t$ey (ay not ta'e nor ot$er sandals2

t$ese as$ t$e(sel+es "n cold ater t"ce "n a day and t"ce a)a"n "nt$e n")$t2 and ot$er rel")"ous ser+"ces t$ey &er%or( @one (ay al(ost

say o% "n%"n"te nu(!er. T$ey en/oy also )ood t$"n)s not a %e# %or

t$ey do not consu(e or s&end anyt$"n) o% t$e"r on su!stance# !ut

t$ere "s sacred !read !a'ed %or t$e( and t$ey $a+e eac$ )reat 4uant"ty

o% %les$ o% o*en and )eese co("n) "n to t$e( eac$ day# and also "ne

o% )ra&es "s )"+en to t$e(2 !ut "t "s not &er("tted to t$e( to taste

o% %"s$; !eans (oreo+er t$e E)y&t"ans do not at all so "n t$e"r land#

and t$ose $"c$ t$ey )ro t$ey ne"t$er eat ra nor !o"l %or %ood2 nay

t$e &r"ests do not endure e+en to loo' u&on t$e(# t$"n'"n) t$"s to !ean unclean '"nd o% &ulse; and t$ere "s not one &r"est only %or eac$ o%

t$e )ods !ut (any# and o% t$e( one "s c$"e%5&r"est# and $ene+er a


17/70

&r"est d"es $"s son "s a&&o"nted to $"s &lace.

T$e (ales o% t$e o* '"nd t$ey cons"der to !elon) to E&a&$os# and on

account o% $"( t$ey test t$e( "n t$e %ollo"n) (anner;55,% t$e &r"est

sees one s"n)le !lac' $a"r u&on t$e !east $e counts "t not clean %or

sacr"%"ce2 and one o% t$e &r"ests $o "s a&&o"nted %or t$e &ur&ose(a'es "n+est")at"on o% t$ese (atters# !ot$ $en t$e !east "s stand"n)

u&r")$t and $en "t "s ly"n) on "ts !ac'# dra"n) out "ts ton)ue

(oreo+er# to see "% "t "s clean "n res&ect o% t$e a&&o"nted s")ns#

$"c$ , s$all tell o% "n anot$er &art o% t$e $"story; $e loo's also at

t$e $a"rs o% t$e ta"l to see "% "t $as t$e( )ro"n) "n a natural

(anner2 and "% "t !e clean "n res&ect o% all t$ese t$"n)s# $e (ar's "t

"t$ a &"ece o% &a&yrus# roll"n) t$"s round t$e $orns# and t$en $en

$e $as &lastered seal"n)5eart$ o+er "t $e sets u&on "t t$e seal o% $"s

s")net5r"n)# and a%ter t$at t$ey ta'e t$e an"(al aay. But %or one $o

sacr"%"ces a !east not sealed t$e &enalty a&&o"nted "s deat$. ,n t$"s

ay t$en t$e !east "s tested2 and t$e"r a&&o"nted (anner o% sacr"%"ce

"s as %ollos;55t$ey lead t$e sealed !east to t$e altar $ere t$ey

$a&&en to !e sacr"%"c"n)# and t$en '"ndle a %"re; a%ter t$at# $a+"n)

&oured l"!at"ons o% "ne o+er t$e altar so t$at "t runs don u&on t$e

+"ct"( and $a+"n) called u&on t$e )od# t$ey cut "ts t$roat# and $a+"n)

cut "ts t$roat t$ey se+er t$e $ead %ro( t$e !ody. T$e !ody t$en o% t$e

!east t$ey %lay# !ut u&on t$e $ead t$ey (a'e (any "(&recat"ons %"rst#

and t$en t$ey $o $a+e a (ar'et and Hellenes so/ourn"n) a(on) t$e( %or

trade# t$ese carry "t to t$e (ar'et5&lace and sell "t# $"le t$ey $o$a+e no Hellenes a(on) t$e( cast "t aay "nto t$e r"+er; and t$"s "s

t$e %or( o% "(&recat"ons $"c$ t$ey utter u&on t$e $eads# &ray"n) t$at

"% any e+"l !e a!out to !e%all e"t$er t$e(sel+es $o are o%%er"n)

sacr"%"ce or t$e land o% E)y&t "n )eneral# "t (ay co(e rat$er u&on

t$"s $ead. No as re)ards t$e $eads o% t$e !easts $"c$ are sacr"%"ced

and t$e &our"n) o+er t$e( o% t$e "ne# all t$e E)y&t"ans $a+e t$e sa(e

custo(s e4ually %or all t$e"r sacr"%"ces2 and !y reason o% t$"s custo(

none o% t$e E)y&t"ans eat o% t$e $ead e"t$er o% t$"s or o% any ot$er

'"nd o% an"(al; !ut t$e (anner o% d"se(!oell"n) t$e +"ct"(s and o%!urn"n) t$e( "s a&&o"nted a(on) t$e( d"%%erently %or d"%%erent

sacr"%"ces2 , s$all s&ea' $oe+er o% t$e sacr"%"ces to t$at )oddess

$o( t$ey re)ard as t$e )reatest o% all# and to $o( t$ey cele!rate

t$e )reatest %east.55:$en t$ey $a+e %layed t$e !ulloc' and (ade

"(&recat"on# t$ey ta'e out t$e $ole o% "ts loer entra"ls !ut lea+e

"n t$e !ody t$e u&&er entra"ls and t$e %at2 and t$ey se+er %ro( "t t$e

le)s and t$e end o% t$e lo"n and t$e s$oulders and t$e nec'; and t$"s

done# t$ey %"ll t$e rest o% t$e !ody o% t$e an"(al "t$ consecrated

loa+es and $oney and ra"s"ns and %")s and %ran'"ncense and (yrr$ ande+ery ot$er '"nd o% s&"ces# and $a+"n) %"lled "t "t$ t$ese t$ey o%%er

"t# &our"n) o+er "t )reat a!undance o% o"l. T$ey (a'e t$e"r sacr"%"ce


18/70

a%ter %ast"n)# and $"le t$e o%%er"n)s are !e"n) !urnt# t$ey all !eat

t$e(sel+es %or (ourn"n)# and $en t$ey $a+e %"n"s$ed !eat"n)

t$e(sel+es t$ey set %ort$ as a %east t$at $"c$ t$ey le%t un!urnt o%

t$e sacr"%"ce. T$e clean (ales t$en o% t$e o* '"nd# !ot$ %ull5)ron

an"(als and cal+es# are sacr"%"ced !y all t$e E)y&t"ans2 t$e %e(ales

$oe+er t$ey (ay not sacr"%"ce# !ut t$ese are sacred to ,s"s2 %or t$e%")ure o% ,s"s "s "n t$e %or( o% a o(an "t$ co=s $orns# /ust as t$e

Hellenes &resent ,o "n &"ctures# and all t$e E)y&t"ans "t$out

d"st"nct"on re+erence cos %ar (ore t$an any ot$er '"nd o% cattle2 %or

$"c$ reason ne"t$er (an nor o(an o% t$e E)y&t"an race ould '"ss a

(an $o "s a Hellene on t$e (out$# nor "ll t$ey use a 'n"%e or

roast"n)5s&"ts or a caldron !elon)"n) to a Hellene# nor taste t$e

%les$ e+en o% a clean an"(al "% "t $as !een cut "t$ t$e 'n"%e o% a

Hellene. And t$e cattle o% t$"s '"nd $"c$ d"e t$ey !ury "n t$e

%ollo"n) (anner;55t$e %e(ales t$ey cast "nto t$e r"+er# !ut t$e (alest$ey !ury# eac$ &eo&le "n t$e su!ur! o% t$e"r ton# "t$ one o% t$e

$orns# or so(et"(es !ot$# &rotrud"n) to (ar' t$e &lace2 and $en t$e

!od"es $a+e rotted aay and t$e a&&o"nted t"(e co(es on# t$en to eac$

c"ty co(es a !oat %ro( t$at $"c$ "s called t$e "sland o% Proso&"t"s

@t$"s "s "n t$e Delta# and t$e e*tent o% "ts c"rcu"t "s n"ne

eus#

and >eus d"d not des"re to !e seen o% $"(2 and at last $en Heracles

as ur)ent "n entreaty >eus contr"+ed t$"s de+"ce# t$at "s to say# $e

%layed a ra( and $eld "n %ront o% $"( t$e $ead o% t$e ra( $"c$ $e $adcut o%%# and $e &ut on o+er $"( t$e %leece and t$en s$oed $"(sel% to

$"(. Hence t$e E)y&t"ans (a'e t$e "(a)e o% >eus "t$ t$e %ace o% a


19/70

ra(2 and t$e A((on"ans do so also a%ter t$e"r e*a(&le# !e"n) settlers

!ot$ %ro( t$e E)y&t"ans and %ro( t$e Et$"o&"ans# and us"n) a lan)ua)e

$"c$ "s a (edley o% !ot$ ton)ues; and "n (y o&"n"on "t "s %ro( t$"s

)od t$at t$e E)y&t"ans call >eus eus# t$ey cut u& "n t$e sa(e(anner and %lay one s"n)le ra( and co+er "t$ "ts s'"n t$e "(a)e o%

>eus# and t$en t$ey !r"n) u& to "t anot$er "(a)e o% Heracles. T$"s

done# all $o are "n t$e te(&le !eat t$e(sel+es "n la(entat"on %or t$e

ra(# and t$en t$ey !ury "t "n a sacred to(!.

A!out Heracles , $eard t$e account )"+en t$at $e as o% t$e nu(!er o%

t$e tel+e )ods2 !ut o% t$e ot$er Heracles $o( t$e Hellenes 'no ,

as not a!le to $ear "n any &art o% E)y&t; and (oreo+er to &ro+e t$at

t$e E)y&t"ans d"d not ta'e t$e na(e o% Heracles %ro( t$e Hellenes# !ut

rat$er t$e Hellenes %ro( t$e E)y&t"ans#55t$at "s to say t$ose o% t$e

Hellenes $o )a+e t$e na(e Heracles to t$e son o% A(&$"tryon#55o%

t$at# , say# !es"des (any ot$er e+"dences t$ere "s c$"e%ly t$"s#

na(ely t$at t$e &arents o% t$"s Heracles# A(&$"tryon and Alc(ene# ere

!ot$ o% E)y&t !y descent# and also t$at t$e E)y&t"ans say t$at t$ey do

not 'no t$e na(es e"t$er o% Pose"don or o% t$e D"oscuro"# nor $a+e

t$ese !een acce&ted !y t$e( as )ods a(on) t$e ot$er )ods2 $ereas "%

t$ey $ad rece"+ed %ro( t$e Hellenes t$e na(e o% any d"+"n"ty# t$ey

ould naturally $a+e &reser+ed t$e (e(ory o% t$ese (ost o% all#

assu("n) t$at "n t$ose t"(es as no so(e o% t$e Hellenes ere ont to(a'e +oya)es and ere sea%ar"n) %ol'# as , su&&ose and as (y /ud)(ent

co(&els (e to t$"n'2 so t$at t$e E)y&t"ans ould $a+e learnt t$e na(es

o% t$ese )ods e+en (ore t$an t$at o% Heracles. ,n %act $oe+er

Heracles "s a +ery anc"ent E)y&t"an )od2 and @as t$ey say t$e(sel+es

"t "s se+enteen t$ousand years to t$e !e)"nn"n) o% t$e re")n o% A(as"s

%ro( t$e t"(e $en t$e tel+e )ods# o% $o( t$ey count t$at Heracles

"s one# ere !e)otten o% t$e e")$t )ods. , (oreo+er# des"r"n) to 'no

so(et$"n) certa"n o% t$ese (atters so %ar as (")$t !e# (ade a +oya)e

also to Tyre o% P$en"c"a# $ear"n) t$at "n t$at &lace t$ere as a $olyte(&le o% Heracles2 and , sa t$at "t as r"c$ly %urn"s$ed "t$ (any

+ot"+e o%%er"n)s !es"des# and es&ec"ally t$ere ere "n "t to &"llars#

t$e one o% &ure )old and t$e ot$er o% an e(erald stone o% suc$ s"3e as

to s$"ne !y n")$t; and $a+"n) co(e to s&eec$ "t$ t$e &r"ests o% t$e

)od# , as'ed t$e( $o lon) a t"(e "t as s"nce t$e"r te(&le $ad !een

set u&; and t$ese also , %ound to !e at +ar"ance "t$ t$e Hellenes#

%or t$ey sa"d t$at at t$e sa(e t"(e $en Tyre as %ounded# t$e te(&le

o% t$e )od also $ad !een set u and t$at "t as a &er"od o% to

t$ousand t$ree $undred years s"nce t$e"r &eo&le !e)an to dell atTyre. , sa also at Tyre anot$er te(&le o% Heracles# "t$ t$e surna(e

T$as"an2 and , ca(e to T$asos also and t$ere , %ound a te(&le o%


20/70

Heracles set u& !y t$e P$en"c"ans# $o $ad sa"led out to see' %or

Euro&a and $ad colon"sed T$asos2 and t$ese t$"n)s $a&&ened %ull %"+e

)enerat"ons o% (en !e%ore Heracles t$e son o% A(&$"tryon as !orn "n

Hellas. So t$en (y "n4u"r"es s$o clearly t$at Heracles "s an anc"ent

)od# and t$ose o% t$e Hellenes see( to (e to act (ost r")$tly $o $a+e

to te(&les o% Heracles set u and $o sacr"%"ce to t$e one as an"((ortal )od and "t$ t$e t"tle Oly(&"an# and (a'e o%%er"n)s o% t$e

dead to t$e ot$er as a $ero. Moreo+er# !es"des (any ot$er stor"es

$"c$ t$e Hellenes tell "t$out due cons"derat"on# t$"s tale "s

es&ec"ally %ool"s$ $"c$ t$ey tell a!out Heracles# na(ely t$at $en $e

ca(e to E)y&t# t$e E)y&t"ans &ut on $"( reat$s and led $"( %ort$ "n

&rocess"on to sacr"%"ce $"( to >eus2 and $e %or so(e t"(e 'e&t 4u"et#

!ut $en t$ey ere !e)"nn"n) t$e sacr"%"ce o% $"( at t$e altar# $e

!etoo' $"(sel% to &roess and sle t$e( all. , %or (y &art a( o%

o&"n"on t$at t$e Hellenes $en t$ey tell t$"s tale are alto)et$er"t$out 'noled)e o% t$e nature and custo(s o% t$e E)y&t"ans2 %or $o

s$ould t$ey %or $o( "t "s not la%ul to sacr"%"ce e+en !easts# e*ce&t

s"ne and t$e (ales o% o*en and cal+es @suc$ o% t$e( as are clean and

)eese# $o s$ould t$ese sacr"%"ce $u(an !e"n)s? Bes"des t$"s# $o "s

"t "n nature &oss"!le t$at Heracles# !e"n) one &erson only and

(oreo+er a (an @as t$ey assert# s$ould slay (any (yr"ads? Ha+"n) sa"d

so (uc$ o% t$ese (atters# e &ray t$at e (ay $a+e )race %ro( !ot$ t$e

)ods and t$e $eroes %or our s&eec$.

No t$e reason $y t$ose o% t$e E)y&t"ans $o( , $a+e (ent"oned do notsacr"%"ce )oats# %e(ale or (ale# "s t$"s;55t$e Mendes"ans count Pan to

!e one o% t$e e")$t )ods @no t$ese e")$t )ods t$ey say ca(e "nto

!e"n) !e%ore t$e tel+e )ods# and t$e &a"nters and "(a)e5(a'ers

re&resent "n &a"nt"n) and "n scul&ture t$e %")ure o% Pan# /ust as t$e

Hellenes do# "t$ )oat=s %ace and le)s# not su&&os"n) $"( to !e really

l"'e t$"s !ut to rese(!le t$e ot$er )ods2 t$e cause $oe+er $y t$ey

re&resent $"( "n t$"s %or( , &re%er not to say. T$e Mendes"ans t$en

re+erence all )oats and t$e (ales (ore t$an t$e %e(ales @and t$e

)oat$erds too $a+e )reater $onour t$an ot$er $erds(en# !ut o% t$e)oats one es&ec"ally "s re+erenced# and $en $e d"es t$ere "s )reat

(ourn"n) "n all t$e Mendes"an d"str"ct; and !ot$ t$e )oat and Pan are

called "n t$e E)y&t"an ton)ue


21/70

ot$ers# do not enter any o% t$e te(&les "n E)y&t# nor "s anyone

"ll"n) to )"+e $"s dau)$ter "n (arr"a)e to one o% t$e( or to ta'e a

"%e %ro( a(on) t$e(2 !ut t$e s"ne$erds !ot$ )"+e "n (arr"a)e to one

anot$er and ta'e %ro( one anot$er. No to t$e ot$er )ods t$e E)y&t"ans

do not t$"n' "t r")$t to sacr"%"ce s"ne2 !ut to t$e Moon and to

D"onysos alone at t$e sa(e t"(e and on t$e sa(e %ull5(oon t$eysacr"%"ce s"ne# and t$en eat t$e"r %les$; and as to t$e reason $y#

$en t$ey a!o("nate s"ne at all t$e"r ot$er %easts# t$ey sacr"%"ce

t$e( at t$"s# t$ere "s a story told !y t$e E)y&t"ans2 and t$"s story ,

'no# !ut "t "s not a see(ly one %or (e to tell. No t$e sacr"%"ce o%

t$e s"ne to t$e Moon "s &er%or(ed as %ollos;55$en t$e &r"est $as

sla"n t$e +"ct"(# $e &uts to)et$er t$e end o% t$e ta"l and t$e s&leen

and t$e caul# and co+ers t$e( u& "t$ t$e $ole o% t$e %at o% t$e

an"(al $"c$ "s a!out t$e &aunc$# and t$en $e o%%ers t$e( "t$ %"re2

and t$e rest o% t$e %les$ t$ey eat on t$at day o% %ull (oon u&on $"c$t$ey $a+e $eld sacr"%"ce# !ut on any day a%ter t$"s t$ey "ll not

taste o% "t; t$e &oor $oe+er a(on) t$e( !y reason o% t$e scant"ness

o% t$e"r (eans s$a&e &")s o% dou)$ and $a+"n) !a'ed t$e( t$ey o%%er

t$ese as a sacr"%"ce. T$en %or D"onysos on t$e e+e o% t$e %est"+al

eac$ one '"lls a &") !y cutt"n) "ts t$roat !e%ore $"s on doors# and

a%ter t$at $e )"+es t$e &") to t$e s"ne$erd $o sold "t to $"(# to

carry aay a)a"n2 and t$e rest o% t$e %east o% D"onysos "s cele!rated

!y t$e E)y&t"ans "n t$e sa(e ay as !y t$e Hellenes "n al(ost all

t$"n)s e*ce&t c$oral dances# !ut "nstead o% t$e


22/70

r"tes ould $a+e !een "n c$aracter "t$ t$e Hellen"c ors$"& and not

lately !rou)$t "n2 nor certa"nly s$all , say t$at t$e E)y&t"ans too'

%ro( t$e Hellenes e"t$er t$"s or any ot$er custo(ary o!ser+ance;

(atters concern"n) D"onysos %ro( Cad(os t$e Tyr"an and %ro( t$ose $o

ca(e "t$ $"( %ro( P$en"c"a to t$e land $"c$ e no call Boeot"a.

Moreo+er t$e na("n) o% al(ost all t$e )ods $as co(e to Hellas %ro(

E)y&t; %or t$at "t $as co(e %ro( t$e Bar!ar"ans , %"nd !y "n4u"ry "s

true# and , a( o% o&"n"on t$at (ost &ro!a!ly "t $as co(e %ro( E)y&t#

!ecause# e*ce&t "n t$e case o% Pose"don and t$e D"oscuro" @"n

accordance "t$ t$at $"c$ , $a+e sa"d !e%ore# and also o% Hera and

Hest"a and T$e("s and t$e C$ar"tes and Nere"ds# t$e E)y&t"ans say

t$e(sel+es; !ut as %or t$e )ods $ose na(es t$ey &ro%ess t$at t$ey do

not 'no# t$ese , t$"n' rece"+ed t$e"r na("n) %ro( t$e Pelas)"ans#

e*ce&t Po"se"don2 !ut a!out t$"s )od t$e Hellenes learnt %ro( t$e

9"!yans# %or no &eo&le e*ce&t t$e 9"!yans $a+e $ad t$e na(e o%

Pose"don %ro( t$e %"rst and $a+e &a"d $onour to t$"s )od alays. Nor#

"t (ay !e added# $a+e t$e E)y&t"ans any custo( o% ors$"&&"n) $eroes.

T$ese o!ser+ances t$en# and ot$ers !es"des t$ese $"c$ , s$all

(ent"on# t$e Hellenes $a+e ado&ted %ro( t$e E)y&t"ans2 !ut to (a'e# as

t$ey do t$e "(a)es o% Her(es "t$ t$e


23/70

and at t$at t"(e "t as t$e only one. So $en t$e Pelas)"ans as'ed t$e

Oracle at Dodona $et$er t$ey s$ould ado&t t$e na(es $"c$ $ad co(e

%ro( t$e Bar!ar"ans# t$e Oracle "n re&ly !ade t$e( (a'e use o% t$e

na(es. Fro( t$"s t"(e t$ey sacr"%"ced us"n) t$e na(es o% t$e )ods# and

%ro( t$e Pelas)"ans t$e Hellenes a%terards rece"+ed t$e(; !ut $en

t$e se+eral )ods $ad t$e"r !"rt$# or $et$er t$ey all ere %ro( t$e!e)"nn"n)# and o% $at %or( t$ey are# t$ey d"d not learn t"ll

yesterday# as "t ere# or t$e day !e%ore; %or Hes"od and Ho(er ,

su&&ose ere %our $undred years !e%ore (y t"(e and not (ore# and t$ese

are t$ey $o (ade a t$eo)ony %or t$e Hellenes and )a+e t$e t"tles to

t$e )ods and d"str"!uted to t$e( $onours and arts# and set %ort$ t$e"r

%or(s; !ut t$e &oets $o are sa"d to $a+e !een !e%ore t$ese (en ere

really "n (y o&"n"on a%ter t$e(. O% t$ese t$"n)s t$e %"rst are sa"d !y

t$e &r"estesses o% Dodona# and t$e latter t$"n)s# t$ose na(ely $"c$

$a+e re)ard to Hes"od and Ho(er# !y (ysel%.

As re)ards t$e Oracles !ot$ t$at a(on) t$e Hellenes and t$at "n 9"!ya#

t$e E)y&t"ans tell t$e %ollo"n) tale. T$e &r"ests o% t$e T$e!an >eus

told (e t$at to o(en "n t$e ser+"ce o% t$e te(&le $ad !een carr"ed

aay %ro( T$e!es !y P$en"c"ans# and t$at t$ey $ad $eard t$at one o%

t$e( $ad !een sold to )o "nto 9"!ya and t$e ot$er to t$e Hellenes2 and

t$ese o(en# t$ey sa"d# ere t$ey $o %"rst %ounded t$e &ro&$et"c

seats a(on) t$e nat"ons $"c$ $a+e !een na(ed; and $en , "n4u"red

$ence t$ey 'ne so &er%ectly o% t$"s tale $"c$ t$ey told# t$ey sa"d

"n re&ly t$at a )reat searc$ $ad !een (ade !y t$e &r"ests a%ter t$eseo(en# and t$at t$ey $ad not !een a!le to %"nd t$e(# !ut t$ey $ad

$eard a%terards t$"s tale a!out t$e( $"c$ t$ey ere tell"n). T$"s ,

$eard %ro( t$e &r"ests at T$e!es# and $at %ollos "s sa"d !y t$e

&ro&$etesses o% Dodona. T$ey say t$at to !lac' do+es %le %ro( T$e!es

"n E)y&t# and ca(e one o% t$e( to 9"!ya and t$e ot$er to t$e"r land.

And t$"s latter settled u&on an oa'5tree and s&o'e "t$ $u(an +o"ce#

say"n) t$at "t as necessary t$at a &ro&$et"c seat o% >eus s$ould !e

esta!l"s$ed "n t$at &lace2 and t$ey su&&osed t$at t$at as o% t$e )ods

$"c$ as announced to t$e(# and (ade one accord"n)ly; and t$e do+e$"c$ ent aay to t$e 9"!yans# t$ey say# !ade t$e 9"!yans (a'e an

Oracle o% A((on2 and t$"s also "s o% >eus. T$e &r"estesses o% Dodona

told (e t$ese t$"n)s# o% $o( t$e eldest as na(ed Pro(ene"a# t$e ne*t

a%ter $er T"(arete# and t$e youn)est N"candra2 and t$e ot$er &eo&le o%

Dodona $o ere en)a)ed a!out t$e te(&le )a+e accounts a)ree"n) "t$

t$e"rs. , $oe+er $a+e an o&"n"on a!out t$e (atter as %ollos;55,% t$e

P$en"c"ans d"d "n trut$ carry aay t$e consecrated o(en and sold one

o% t$e( "nto 9"!ya and t$e ot$er "nto Hellas# , su&&ose t$at "n t$e

country no called Hellas# $"c$ as %or(erly called Pelas)"a# t$"so(an as sold "nto t$e land o% t$e T$es&rot"ans2 and t$en !e"n) a

sla+e t$ere s$e set u& a sanctuary o% >eus under a real oa'5tree2 as


24/70

"ndeed "t as natural t$at !e"n) an attendant o% t$e sanctuary o% >eus

at T$e!es# s$e s$ould t$ere# "n t$e &lace to $"c$ s$e $ad co(e# $a+e

a (e(ory o% $"(2 and a%ter t$"s# $en s$e )ot understand"n) o% t$e

Hellen"c ton)ue# s$e esta!l"s$ed an Oracle# and s$e re&orted# ,

su&&ose# t$at $er s"ster $ad !een sold "n 9"!ya !y t$e sa(e P$en"c"ans

!y $o( s$e $ersel% $ad !een sold. Moreo+er# , t$"n' t$at t$e o(enere called do+es !y t$e &eo&le o% Dodona %or t$e reason t$at t$ey

ere !ar!ar"ans and !ecause "t see(ed to t$e( t$at t$ey uttered +o"ce

l"'e !"rds2 !ut a%ter a t"(e @t$ey say t$e do+e s&o'e "t$ $u(an

+o"ce# t$at "s $en t$e o(an !e)an to s&ea' so t$at t$ey could

understand2 !ut so lon) as s$e s&o'e a Bar!ar"an ton)ue s$e see(ed to

t$e( to !e utter"n) +o"ce l"'e a !"rd; %or "% "t $ad !een really a

do+e# $o could "t s&ea' "t$ $u(an +o"ce? And "n say"n) t$at t$e do+e

as !lac'# t$ey "nd"cate t$at t$e o(an as E)y&t"an. T$e ays o%

del"+er"n) oracles too at T$e!es "n E)y&t and at Dodona closelyrese(!le eac$ ot$er# as "t $a&&ens# and also t$e (et$od o% d"+"nat"on

!y +"ct"(s $as co(e %ro( E)y&t.

Moreo+er# "t "s true also t$at t$e E)y&t"ans ere t$e %"rst o% (en $o

(ade sole(n asse(!l"es and &rocess"ons and a&&roac$es to t$e te(&les#

and %ro( t$e( t$e Hellenes $a+e learnt t$e(# and (y e+"dence %or t$"s

"s t$at t$e E)y&t"an cele!rat"ons o% t$ese $a+e !een $eld %ro( a +ery

anc"ent t"(e# $ereas t$e Hellen"c ere "ntroduced !ut lately. T$e

E)y&t"ans $old t$e"r sole(n asse(!l"es not once "n t$e year !ut o%ten#

es&ec"ally and "t$ t$e )reatest 3eal and de+ot"on at t$e c"ty o%Bu!ast"s %or Arte("s# and ne*t at Bus"r"s %or ,s"s2 %or "n t$"s last5

na(ed c"ty t$ere "s a +ery )reat te(&le o% ,s"s# and t$"s c"ty stands

"n t$e ("ddle o% t$e Delta o% E)y&t2 no ,s"s "s "n t$e ton)ue o% t$e

Hellenes De(eter; t$"rdly# t$ey $a+e a sole(n asse(!ly at t$e c"ty o%

Sa"s %or At$ene# %ourt$ly at Hel"o&ol"s %or t$e Sun @Hel"os# %"%t$ly

at t$e c"ty o% Buto "n $onour o% 9eto# and s"*t$ly at t$e c"ty o%

Pa&re("s %or Ares. No# $en t$ey are co("n) to t$e c"ty o% Bu!ast"s

t$ey do as %ollos;55t$ey sa"l (en and o(en to)et$er# and a )reat

(ult"tude o% eac$ se* "n e+ery !oat2 and so(e o% t$e o(en $a+erattles and rattle "t$ t$e(# $"le so(e o% t$e (en &lay t$e %lute

dur"n) t$e $ole t"(e o% t$e +oya)e# and t$e rest# !ot$ o(en and (en#

s"n) and cla& t$e"r $ands2 and $en as t$ey sa"l t$ey co(e o&&os"te to

any c"ty on t$e ay t$ey !r"n) t$e !oat to land# and so(e o% t$e o(en

cont"nue to do as , $a+e sa"d# ot$ers cry aloud and /eer at t$e o(en

"n t$at c"ty# so(e dance# and so(e stand u& and &ull u& t$e"r

)ar(ents. T$"s t$ey do !y e+ery c"ty alon) t$e r"+er5!an'2 and $en

t$ey co(e to Bu!ast"s t$ey $old %est"+al cele!rat"n) )reat sacr"%"ces#

and (ore "ne o% )ra&es "s consu(ed u&on t$at %est"+al t$an dur"n) t$e$ole o% t$e rest o% t$e year. To t$"s &lace @so say t$e nat"+es t$ey

co(e to)et$er year !y year e+en to t$e nu(!er o% se+enty (yr"ads o%


25/70

(en and o(en# !es"des c$"ldren. T$us "t "s done $ere2 and $o t$ey

cele!rate t$e %est"+al "n $onour o% ,s"s at t$e c"ty o% Bus"r"s $as

!een told !y (e !e%ore; %or# as , sa"d# t$ey !eat t$e(sel+es "n

(ourn"n) a%ter t$e sacr"%"ce# all o% t$e( !ot$ (en and o(en# +ery

(any (yr"ads o% &eo&le2 !ut %or $o( t$ey !eat t$e(sel+es "t "s not

&er("tted to (e !y rel")"on to say; and so (any as t$ere are o% t$eCar"ans dell"n) "n E)y&t do t$"s e+en (ore t$an t$e E)y&t"ans

t$e(sel+es# "nas(uc$ as t$ey cut t$e"r %ore$eads also "t$ 'n"+es2 and

!y t$"s "t "s (an"%ested t$at t$ey are stran)ers and not E)y&t"ans. At

t$e t"(es $en t$ey )at$er to)et$er at t$e c"ty o% Sa"s %or t$e"r

sacr"%"ces# on a certa"n n")$t t$ey all '"ndle la(&s (any "n nu(!er "n

t$e o&en a"r round a!out t$e $ouses2 no t$e la(&s are saucers %ull o%

salt and o"l ("*ed# and t$e "c' %loats !y "tsel% on t$e sur%ace# and

t$"s !urns dur"n) t$e $ole n")$t2 and to t$e %est"+al "s )"+en t$e

na(e


26/70

$as !eco(e t$e custo( "n $onour o% Ares u&on $"s %est"+al.

T$e E)y&t"ans ere t$e %"rst $o (ade "t a &o"nt o% rel")"on not to

l"e "t$ o(en "n te(&les# nor to enter "nto te(&les a%ter )o"n) aay

%ro( o(en "t$out %"rst !at$"n); %or al(ost all ot$er (en e*ce&t t$e

E)y&t"ans and t$e Hellenes l"e "t$ o(en "n te(&les and enter "nto ate(&le a%ter )o"n) aay %ro( o(en "t$out !at$"n)# s"nce t$ey $old

t$at t$ere "s no d"%%erence "n t$"s res&ect !eteen (en and !easts;

%or t$ey say t$at t$ey see !easts and t$e +ar"ous '"nds o% !"rds

cou&l"n) to)et$er !ot$ "n t$e te(&les and "n t$e sacred enclosures o%

t$e )ods2 "% t$en t$"s ere not &leas"n) to t$e )od# t$e !easts ould

not do so.

T$us do t$ese de%end t$at $"c$ t$ey do# $"c$ !y (e "s d"salloed;

!ut t$e E)y&t"ans are e*cess"+ely care%ul "n t$e"r o!ser+ances# !ot$

"n ot$er (atters $"c$ concern t$e sacred r"tes and also "n t$ose$"c$ %ollo;55E)y&t# t$ou)$ "t !orders u&on 9"!ya# does not +ery (uc$

a!ound "n "ld an"(als# !ut suc$ as t$ey $a+e are one and all

accounted !y t$e( sacred# so(e o% t$e( l"+"n) "t$ (en and ot$ers not.

But "% , s$ould say %or $at reasons t$e sacred an"(als $a+e !een t$us

ded"cated# , s$ould %all "nto d"scourse o% (atters &erta"n"n) to t$e

)ods# o% $"c$ , (ost des"re not to s&ea'2 and $at , $a+e actually

sa"d touc$"n) sl")$tly u&on t$e(# , sa"d !ecause , as constra"ned !y

necess"ty. A!out t$ese an"(als t$ere "s a custo( o% t$"s '"nd;55

&ersons $a+e !een a&&o"nted o% t$e E)y&t"ans# !ot$ (en and o(en# to&ro+"de t$e %ood %or eac$ '"nd o% !east se&arately# and t$e"r o%%"ce

)oes don %ro( %at$er to son2 and t$ose $o dell "n t$e +ar"ous

c"t"es &er%or( +os to t$e( t$us# t$at "s# $en t$ey (a'e a +o to t$e

)od to $o( t$e an"(al !elon)s# t$ey s$a+e t$e $ead o% t$e"r c$"ldren

e"t$er t$e $ole or t$e $al% or t$e t$"rd &art o% "t# and t$en set t$e

$a"r "n t$e !alance a)a"nst s"l+er# and $ate+er "t e")$s# t$"s t$e

(an )"+es to t$e &erson $o &ro+"des %or t$e an"(als# and s$e cuts u&

%"s$ o% e4ual +alue and )"+es "t %or %ood to t$e an"(als. T$us %ood

%or t$e"r su&&ort $as !een a&&o"nted and "% any one '"ll any o% t$esean"(als# t$e &enalty# "% $e do "t "t$ $"s on "ll# "s deat$# and "%

a)a"nst $"s "ll# suc$ &enalty as t$e &r"ests (ay a&&o"nt; !ut

$osoe+er s$all '"ll an "!"s or a $a'# $et$er "t !e "t$ $"s "ll or

a)a"nst $"s "ll# (ust d"e. O% t$e an"(als t$at l"+e "t$ (en t$ere

are )reat nu(!ers# and ould !e (any (ore !ut %or t$e acc"dents $"c$

!e%all t$e cats. For $en t$e %e(ales $a+e &roduced youn) t$ey are no

lon)er "n t$e $a!"t o% )o"n) to t$e (ales# and t$ese see'"n) to !e

un"ted "t$ t$e( are not a!le. To t$"s end t$en t$ey contr"+e as

%ollos#55t$ey e"t$er ta'e aay !y %orce or re(o+e secretly t$e youn)%ro( t$e %e(ales and '"ll t$e( @!ut a%ter '"ll"n) t$ey do not eat

t$e(# and t$e %e(ales !e"n) de&r"+ed o% t$e"r youn) and des"r"n)


27/70

(ore# t$ere%ore co(e to t$e (ales# %or "t "s a creature t$at "s %ond

o% "ts youn). Moreo+er $en a %"re occurs# t$e cats see( to !e

d"+"nely &ossessed2 %or $"le t$e E)y&t"ans stand at "nter+als and

loo' a%ter t$e cats# not ta'"n) any care to e*t"n)u"s$ t$e %"re# t$e

cats sl"&&"n) t$rou)$ or lea&"n) o+er t$e (en# /u(& "nto t$e %"re2 and

$en t$"s $a&&ens# )reat (ourn"n) co(es u&on t$e E)y&t"ans. And "n$ate+er $ouses a cat $as d"ed !y a natural deat$# all t$ose $o dell

"n t$"s $ouse s$a+e t$e"r eye!ros only# !ut t$ose "n $"c$ a do) $as

d"ed s$a+e t$e"r $ole !ody and also t$e"r $ead. T$e cats $en t$ey

are dead are carr"ed aay to sacred !u"ld"n)s "n t$e c"ty o% Bu!ast"s#

$ere a%ter !e"n) e(!al(ed t$ey are !ur"ed2 !ut t$e do)s t$ey !ury

eac$ &eo&le "n t$e"r on c"ty "n sacred to(!s2 and t$e "c$neu(ons are

!ur"ed /ust "n t$e sa(e ay as t$e do)s. T$e s$re("ce $oe+er and t$e

$a's t$ey carry aay to t$e c"ty o% Buto# and t$e "!"ses to

Her(o&ol"s2 t$e !ears @$"c$ are not co((only seen and t$e ol+es#not (uc$ lar)er "n s"3e t$an %o*es# t$ey !ury on t$e s&ot $ere t$ey

are %ound ly"n).

O% t$e crocod"le t$e nature "s as %ollos;55dur"n) t$e %our (ost

"ntry (ont$s t$"s creature eats not$"n); s$e $as %our %eet and "s an

an"(al !elon)"n) to t$e land and t$e ater !ot$2 %or s$e &roduces and

$atc$es e))s on t$e land# and t$e (ost &art o% t$e day s$e re(a"ns

u&on dry land# !ut t$e $ole o% t$e n")$t "n t$e r"+er# %or t$e ater

"n trut$ "s ar(er t$an t$e unclouded o&en a"r and t$e de. O% all t$e

(ortal creatures o% $"c$ e $a+e 'noled)e t$"s )ros to t$e )reatest!ul' %ro( t$e s(allest !e)"nn"n)2 %or t$e e))s $"c$ s$e &roduces are

not (uc$ lar)er t$an t$ose o% )eese and t$e nely5$atc$ed youn) one "s

"n &ro&ort"on to t$e e))# !ut as $e )ros $e !eco(es as (uc$ as

se+enteen cu!"ts lon) and so(et"(es yet lar)er. He $as eyes l"'e t$ose

o% a &") and teet$ lar)e and tus'y# "n &ro&ort"on to t$e s"3e o% $"s

!ody2 !ut unl"'e all ot$er !easts $e )ros no ton)ue# ne"t$er does $e

(o+e $"s loer /a# !ut !r"n)s t$e u&&er /a toards t$e loer# !e"n)

"n t$"s too unl"'e all ot$er !easts. He $as (oreo+er stron) clas and

a scaly $"de u&on $"s !ac' $"c$ cannot !e &"erced2 and $e "s !l"nd "nt$e ater# !ut "n t$e a"r $e "s o% a +ery 'een s")$t. S"nce $e $as $"s

l"+"n) "n t$e ater $e 'ee&s $"s (out$ all %ull "t$"n o% leec$es2 and

$ereas all ot$er !"rds and !easts %ly %ro( $"(# t$e troc$"lus "s a

creature $"c$ "s at &eace "t$ $"(# see"n) t$at %ro( $er $e rece"+es

!ene%"t2 %or t$e crocod"le $a+"n) co(e out o% t$e ater to t$e land

and t$en $a+"n) o&ened $"s (out$ @t$"s $e "s ont to do )enerally

toards t$e :est :"nd# t$e troc$"lus u&on t$at enters "nto $"s (out$

and sallos don t$e leec$es# and $e !e"n) !ene%"ted "s &leased and

does no $ar( to t$e troc$"lus. No %or so(e o% t$e E)y&t"ans t$ecrocod"les are sacred an"(als# and %or ot$ers not so# !ut t$ey treat

t$e( on t$e contrary as ene("es; t$ose $oe+er $o dell a!out T$e!es


28/70

and a!out t$e la'e o% Mo"r"s $old t$e( to !e (ost sacred# and eac$ o%

t$ese to &eo&les 'ee&s one crocod"le selected %ro( t$e $ole nu(!er#

$"c$ $as !een tra"ned to ta(eness# and t$ey &ut $an)"n) orna(ents o%

(olten stone and o% )old "nto t$e ears o% t$ese and an'lets round t$e

%ront %eet# and t$ey )"+e t$e( %ood a&&o"nted and +"ct"(s o%

sacr"%"ces and treat t$e( as ell as &oss"!le $"le t$ey l"+e# anda%ter t$ey are dead t$ey !ury t$e( "n sacred to(!s# e(!al("n) t$e(;

!ut t$ose $o dell a!out t$e c"ty o% Ele&$ant"ne e+en eat t$e(# not

$old"n) t$e( to !e sacred. T$ey are called not crocod"les !ut


29/70

carry"n) "t# and $en $e $as (ade tr"al su%%"c"ently# t$en $e $ollos

out t$e e)) and &laces $"s %at$er "t$"n "t and &lasters o+er "t$

ot$er (yrr$ t$at &art o% t$e e)) $ere $e $olloed "t out to &ut $"s

%at$er "n# and $en $"s %at$er "s la"d "n "t# "t &ro+es @t$ey say to

!e o% t$e sa(e e")$t as "t as2 and a%ter $e $as &lastered "t u $e

con+eys t$e $ole to E)y&t to t$e te(&le o% t$e Sun. T$us t$ey sayt$at t$"s !"rd does.

T$ere are also a!out T$e!es sacred ser&ents# not at all $ar(%ul to

(en# $"c$ are s(all "n s"3e and $a+e to $orns )ro"n) %ro( t$e to&

o% t$e $ead; t$ese t$ey !ury $en t$ey d"e "n t$e te(&le o% >eus# %or

to t$"s )od t$ey say t$at t$ey are sacred. T$ere "s a re)"on (oreo+er

"n Ara!"a# s"tuated nearly o+er a)a"nst t$e c"ty o% Buto# to $"c$

&lace , ca(e to "n4u"re a!out t$e "n)ed ser&ents; and $en , ca(e

t$"t$er , sa !ones o% ser&ents and s&"nes "n 4uant"ty so )reat t$at

"t "s "(&oss"!le to (a'e re&ort o% t$e nu(!er# and t$ere ere $ea&s o%

s&"nes# so(e $ea&s lar)e and ot$ers less lar)e and ot$ers s(aller

st"ll t$an t$ese# and t$ese $ea&s ere (any "n nu(!er. T$"s re)"on "n

$"c$ t$e s&"nes are scattered u&on t$e )round "s o% t$e nature o% an

entrance %ro( a narro (ounta"n &ass to a )reat &la"n# $"c$ &la"n

ad/o"ns t$e &la"n "n E)y&t2 and t$e story )oes t$at at t$e !e)"nn"n)

o% s&r"n) "n)ed ser&ents %ro( Ara!"a %ly toards E)y&t# and t$e !"rds

called "!"ses (eet t$e( at t$e entrance to t$"s country and do not

su%%er t$e ser&ents to )o !y !ut '"ll t$e(. On account o% t$"s deed "t

"s @say t$e Ara!"ans t$at t$e "!"s $as co(e to !e )reatly $onoured !yt$e E)y&t"ans# and t$e E)y&t"ans also a)ree t$at "t "s %or t$"s reason

t$at t$ey $onour t$ese !"rds. T$e outard %or( o% t$e "!"s "s t$"s;55

"t "s a dee& !lac' all o+er# and $as le)s l"'e t$ose o% a crane and a

+ery cur+ed !ea'# and "n s"3e "t "s a!out e4ual to a ra"l; t$"s "s t$e

a&&earance o% t$e !lac' '"nd $"c$ %")$t "t$ t$e ser&ents# !ut o%

t$ose $"c$ (ost crod round (en=s %eet @%or t$ere are to se+eral

'"nds o% "!"ses t$e $ead "s !are and also t$e $ole o% t$e t$roat#

and "t "s $"te "n %eat$er"n) e*ce&t t$e $ead and nec' and t$e

e*tre("t"es o% t$e "n)s and t$e ru(& @"n all t$ese &arts o% $"c$ ,$a+e s&o'en "t "s a dee& !lac'# $"le "n le)s and "n t$e %or( o% t$e

$ead "t rese(!les t$e ot$er. As %or t$e ser&ent "ts %or( "s l"'e t$at

o% t$e atersna'e2 and "t $as "n)s not %eat$ered !ut (ost nearly

rese(!l"n) t$e "n)s o% t$e !at. 9et so (uc$ su%%"ce as $as !een sa"d

no concern"n) sacred an"(als.

O% t$e E)y&t"ans t$e(sel+es# t$ose $o dell "n t$e &art o% E)y&t

$"c$ "s son %or cro&s &ract"se (e(ory (ore t$an any ot$er (en and

are t$e (ost learned "n $"story !y %ar o% all t$ose o% $o( , $a+e $ad


30/70

e*&er"ence; and t$e"r (anner o% l"%e "s as %ollos;55For t$ree

success"+e days "n eac$ (ont$ t$ey &ur)e# $unt"n) a%ter $ealt$ "t$

e(et"cs and clysters# and t$ey t$"n' t$at all t$e d"seases $"c$ e*"st

are &roduced "n (en !y t$e %ood on $"c$ t$ey l"+e; %or t$e E)y&t"ans

are %ro( ot$er causes also t$e (ost $ealt$y o% all (en ne*t a%ter t$e

9"!yans @"n (y o&"n"on on account o% t$e seasons# !ecause t$e seasonsdo not c$an)e# %or !y t$e c$an)es o% t$"n)s )enerally# and es&ec"ally

o% t$e seasons# d"seases are (ost a&t to !e &roduced "n (en# and as

to t$e"r d"et# "t "s as %ollos;55t$ey eat !read# (a'"n) loa+es o%

(a"3e# $"c$ t$ey call


31/70

a!o+e t$ese t$ey $a+e )ar(ents o% $"te ool t$ron o+er; oolen

)ar(ents $oe+er are not ta'en "nto t$e te(&les# nor are t$ey !ur"ed

"t$ t$e(# %or t$"s "s not &er("tted !y rel")"on. ,n t$ese &o"nts t$ey

are "n a)ree(ent "t$ t$e o!ser+ances called Or&$"c and Bacc$"c @$"c$

are really E)y&t"an# and also "t$ t$ose o% t$e Pyt$a)oreans# %or one

$o ta'es &art "n t$ese (yster"es "s also %or!"dden !y rel")"ous ruleto !e !ur"ed "n oolen )ar(ents2 and a!out t$"s t$ere "s a sacred

story told.

Bes"des t$ese t$"n)s t$e E)y&t"ans $a+e %ound out also to $at )od

eac$ (ont$ and eac$ day !elon)s# and $at %ortunes a (an "ll (eet

"t$ $o "s !orn on any &art"cular day# and $o $e "ll d"e# and $at

'"nd o% a (an $e "ll !e; and t$ese "n+ent"ons ere ta'en u& !y t$ose

o% t$e Hellenes $o occu&"ed t$e(sel+es a!out &oesy. Portents too $a+e

!een %ound out !y t$e( (ore t$an !y all ot$er (en !es"des2 %or $en a

&ortent $as $a&&ened# t$ey o!ser+e and r"te don t$e e+ent $"c$

co(es o% "t# and "% e+er a%terards anyt$"n) rese(!l"n) t$"s $a&&ens#

t$ey !el"e+e t$at t$e e+ent $"c$ co(es o% "t "ll !e s"("lar. T$e"r

d"+"nat"on "s ordered t$us;55t$e art "s ass")ned not to any (an !ut to

certa"n o% t$e )ods# %or t$ere are "n t$e"r land Oracles o% Heracles#

o% A&ollo# o% At$ene# o% Arte("s# or Ares# and o% >eus# and (oreo+er

t$at $"c$ t$ey $old (ost "n $onour o% all# na(ely t$e Oracle o% 9eto

$"c$ "s "n t$e c"ty o% Buto. T$e (anner o% d"+"nat"on $oe+er "s not

esta!l"s$ed a(on) t$e( accord"n) to t$e sa(e %as$"on e+ery$ere# !ut

"s d"%%erent "n d"%%erent &laces. T$e art o% (ed"c"ne a(on) t$e( "sd"str"!uted t$us;55eac$ &$ys"c"an "s a &$ys"c"an o% one d"sease and o%

no (ore2 and t$e $ole country "s %ull o% &$ys"c"ans# %or so(e &ro%ess

t$e(sel+es to !e &$ys"c"ans o% t$e eyes# ot$ers o% t$e $ead# ot$ers o%

t$e teet$# ot$ers o% t$e a%%ect"ons o% t$e sto(ac$# and ot$ers o% t$e

(ore o!scure a"l(ents.

T$e"r %as$"ons o% (ourn"n) and o% !ur"al are t$ese;55:$ene+er any

$ouse$old $as lost a (an $o "s o% any re)ard a(on)st t$e(# t$e $ole

nu(!er o% o(en o% t$at $ouse %ort$"t$ &laster o+er t$e"r $eads ore+en t$e"r %aces "t$ (ud. T$en lea+"n) t$e cor&se "t$"n t$e $ouse

t$ey )o t$e(sel+es to and %ro a!out t$e c"ty and !eat t$e(sel+es# "t$

t$e"r )ar(ents !ound u& !y a )"rdle and t$e"r !reasts e*&osed# and

"t$ t$e( )o all t$e o(en $o are related to t$e dead (an# and on t$e

ot$er s"de t$e (en !eat t$e(sel+es# t$ey too $a+"n) t$e"r )ar(ents

!ound u& !y a )"rdle2 and $en t$ey $a+e done t$"s# t$ey t$en con+ey

t$e !ody to t$e e(!al("n). ,n t$"s occu&at"on certa"n &ersons e(&loy

t$e(sel+es re)ularly and "n$er"t t$"s as a cra%t. T$ese# $ene+er a

cor&se "s con+eyed to t$e(# s$o to t$ose $o !rou)$t "t ooden (odelso% cor&ses (ade l"'e real"ty !y &a"nt"n)# and t$e !est o% t$e ays o%

e(!al("n) t$ey say "s t$at o% $"( $ose na(e , t$"n' "t "(&"ety to


32/70

(ent"on $en s&ea'"n) o% a (atter o% suc$ a '"nd2 t$e second $"c$

t$ey s$o "s less )ood t$an t$"s and also less e*&ens"+e2 and t$e

t$"rd "s t$e least e*&ens"+e o% all. Ha+"n) told t$e( a!out t$"s# t$ey

"n4u"re o% t$e( "n $"c$ ay t$ey des"re t$e cor&se o% t$e"r %r"end to

!e &re&ared. T$en t$ey a%ter t$ey $a+e a)reed %or a certa"n &r"ce

de&art out o% t$e ay# and t$e ot$ers !e"n) le%t !e$"nd "n t$e!u"ld"n)s e(!al( accord"n) to t$e !est o% t$ese ays t$us;55F"rst "t$

t$e croo'ed "ron tool t$ey dra out t$e !ra"n t$rou)$ t$e nostr"ls#

e*tract"n) "t &artly t$us and &artly !y &our"n) "n dru)s2 and a%ter

t$"s "t$ a s$ar& stone o% Et$"o&"a t$ey (a'e a cut alon) t$e s"de and

ta'e out t$e $ole contents o% t$e !elly# and $en t$ey $a+e cleared

out t$e ca+"ty and cleansed "t "t$ &al(5"ne t$ey cleanse "t a)a"n

"t$ s&"ces &ounded u&; t$en t$ey %"ll t$e !elly "t$ &ure (yrr$

&ounded u& and "t$ cass"a and ot$er s&"ces e*ce&t %ran'"ncense# and

se "t to)et$er a)a"n. Ha+"n) so done t$ey 'ee& "t %or e(!al("n)co+ered u& "n natron %or se+enty days# !ut %or a lon)er t"(e t$an t$"s

"t "s not &er("tted to e(!al( "t2 and $en t$e se+enty days are &ast#

t$ey as$ t$e cor&se and roll "ts $ole !ody u& "n %"ne l"nen cut "nto

!ands# s(ear"n) t$ese !eneat$ "t$ )u(# $"c$ t$e E)y&t"ans use

)enerally "nstead o% )lue. T$en t$e '"ns%ol' rece"+e "t %ro( t$e( and

$a+e a ooden %")ure (ade "n t$e s$a&e o% a (an# and $en t$ey $a+e

$ad t$"s (ade t$ey enclose t$e cor&se# and $a+"n) s$ut "t u& "t$"n#

t$ey store "t t$en "n a se&ulc$ral c$a(!er# sett"n) "t to stand

u&r")$t a)a"nst t$e all. T$us t$ey deal "t$ t$e cor&ses $"c$ are

&re&ared "n t$e (ost costly ay2 !ut %or t$ose $o des"re t$e ("ddle

ay and "s$ to a+o"d )reat cost t$ey &re&are t$e cor&se as %ollos;55

$a+"n) %"lled t$e"r syr"n)es "t$ t$e o"l $"c$ "s )ot %ro( cedar5

ood# "t$ t$"s t$ey %ort$"t$ %"ll t$e !elly o% t$e cor&se# and t$"s

t$ey do "t$out $a+"n) e"t$er cut "t o&en or ta'en out t$e !oels# !ut

t$ey "n/ect t$e o"l !y t$e !reec$# and $a+"n) sto&&ed t$e drenc$ %ro(

return"n) !ac' t$ey 'ee& "t t$en t$e a&&o"nted nu(!er o% days %or

e(!al("n)# and on t$e last o% t$e days t$ey let t$e cedar o"l co(e out

%ro( t$e !elly# $"c$ t$ey !e%ore &ut "n2 and "t $as suc$ &oer t$at

"t !r"n)s out "t$ "t t$e !oels and "nter"or or)ans o% t$e !odyd"ssol+ed2 and t$e natron d"ssol+es t$e %les$# so t$at t$ere "s le%t

o% t$e cor&se only t$e s'"n and t$e !ones. :$en t$ey $a+e done t$"s

t$ey )"+e !ac' t$e cor&se at once "n t$at cond"t"on "t$out or'"n)

u&on "t any (ore. T$e t$"rd '"nd o% e(!al("n)# !y $"c$ are &re&ared

t$e !od"es o% t$ose $o $a+e less (eans# "s as %ollos;55t$ey cleanse

out t$e !elly "t$ a &ur)e and t$en 'ee& t$e !ody %or e(!al("n) dur"n)

t$e se+enty days# and at once a%ter t$at t$ey )"+e "t !ac' to t$e

!r"n)ers to carry aay. T$e "+es o% (en o% ran' $en t$ey d"e are not

)"+en at once to !e e(!al(ed# nor suc$ o(en as are +ery !eaut"%ul oro% )reater re)ard t$an ot$ers# !ut on t$e t$"rd or %ourt$ day a%ter

t$e"r deat$ @and not !e%ore t$ey are del"+ered to t$e e(!al(ers. T$ey


33/70

do so a!out t$"s (atter "n order t$at t$e e(!al(ers (ay not a!use

t$e"r o(en# %or t$ey say t$at one o% t$e( as ta'en once do"n) so to

t$e cor&se o% a o(an lately dead# and $"s %ello5cra%ts(an )a+e

"n%or(at"on. :$ene+er any one# e"t$er o% t$e E)y&t"ans t$e(sel+es or

o% stran)ers# "s %ound to $a+e !een carr"ed o%% !y a crocod"le or

!rou)$t to $"s deat$ !y t$e r"+er "tsel%# t$e &eo&le o% any c"ty !y$"c$ $e (ay $a+e !een cast u& on land (ust e(!al( $"( and lay $"( out

"n t$e %a"rest ay t$ey can and !ury $"( "n a sacred !ur"al5&lace# nor

(ay any o% $"s relat"ons or %r"ends !es"des touc$ $"(# !ut t$e &r"ests

o% t$e N"le t$e(sel+es $andle t$e cor&se and !ury "t as t$at o% one

$o as so(et$"n) (ore t$an (an.

Hellen"c usa)es t$ey "ll !y no (eans %ollo# and to s&ea' )enerally

t$ey %ollo t$ose o% no ot$er (en $ate+er. T$"s rule "s o!ser+ed !y

(ost o% t$e E)y&t"ans2 !ut t$ere "s a lar)e c"ty na(ed C$e(("s "n t$e

T$e!an d"str"ct near Nea&ol"s# and "n t$"s c"ty t$ere "s a te(&le o%

Perseus t$e son o% Danae $"c$ "s o% a s4uare s$a&e# and round "t )ro

date5&al(s; t$e )ateay o% t$e te(&le "s !u"lt o% stone and o% +ery

)reat s"3e# and at t$e entrance o% "t stand to )reat statues o%

stone. :"t$"n t$"s enclosure "s a te(&le5$ouse and "n "t stands an

"(a)e o% Perseus. T$ese &eo&le o% C$e(("s say t$at Perseus "s ont

o%ten to a&&ear "n t$e"r land and o%ten "t$"n t$e te(&le# and t$at a

sandal $"c$ $as !een orn !y $"( "s %ound so(et"(es# !e"n) "n len)t$

to cu!"ts# and $ene+er t$"s a&&ears all E)y&t &ros&ers. T$"s t$ey

say# and t$ey do "n $onour o% Perseus a%ter Hellen"c %as$"on t$us#55t$ey $old an at$let"c contest# $"c$ "ncludes t$e $ole l"st o% )a(es#

and t$ey o%%er "n &r"3es cattle and cloa's and s'"ns; and $en ,

"n4u"red $y to t$e( alone Perseus as ont to a&&ear# and $ere%ore

t$ey ere se&arated %ro( all t$e ot$er E)y&t"ans "n t$at t$ey $eld an

at$let"c contest# t$ey sa"d t$at Perseus $ad !een !orn o% t$e"r c"ty#

%or Danaos and 9yn'eus ere (en o% C$e(("s and $ad sa"led to Hellas#

and %ro( t$e( t$ey traced a descent and ca(e don to Perseus; and t$ey

told (e t$at $e $ad co(e to E)y&t %or t$e reason $"c$ t$e Hellenes

also say# na(ely to !r"n) %ro( 9"!ya t$e Gor)on=s $ead# and $ad t$en+"s"ted t$e( also and reco)n"sed all $"s '"ns%ol'# and t$ey sa"d t$at

$e $ad ell learnt t$e na(e o% C$e(("s !e%ore $e ca(e to E)y&t# s"nce

$e $ad $eard "t %ro( $"s (ot$er# and t$at t$ey cele!rated an at$let"c

contest %or $"( !y $"s on co((and.

All t$ese are custo(s &ract"sed !y t$e E)y&t"ans $o dell a!o+e t$e

%ens; and t$ose $o are settled "n t$e %enland $a+e t$e sa(e custo(s

%or t$e (ost &art as t$e ot$er E)y&t"ans# !ot$ "n ot$er (atters and

also "n t$at t$ey l"+e eac$ "t$ one "%e only# as do t$e Hellenes2!ut %or econo(y "n res&ect o% %ood t$ey $a+e "n+ented t$ese t$"n)s

!es"des;55$en t$e r"+er $as !eco(e %ull and t$e &la"ns $a+e !een


34/70

%looded# t$ere )ro "n t$e ater )reat nu(!ers o% l"l"es# $"c$ t$e

E)y&t"ans call


35/70

&reced"n) year# $en t$e N"le )oes don# t$e %"s$ %"rst lay e))s "n

t$e (ud and t$en ret"re "t$ t$e last o% t$e retreat"n) aters2 and

$en t$e t"(e co(es round a)a"n# and t$e ater once (ore co(es o+er

t$e land# %ro( t$ese e))s %ort$"t$ are &roduced t$e %"s$es o% $"c$ ,

s&ea'.

T$us "t "s as re)ards t$e %"s$. And %or ano"nt"n) t$ose o% t$e

E)y&t"ans $o dell "n t$e %ens use o"l %ro( t$e castor5!erry# $"c$

o"l t$e E)y&t"ans call


36/70

"t# )oes on s"%tly and dras on t$e

ater 'ee&s "ts course stra")$t. T$ese !oats t$ey $a+e "n )reat

nu(!ers and so(e o% t$e( carry (any t$ousands o% talents= !urden.

:$en t$e N"le co(es o+er t$e land# t$e c"t"es alone are seen r"s"n)a!o+e t$e ater# rese(!l"n) (ore nearly t$an anyt$"n) else t$e "slands

"n t$e E)ean Sea2 %or t$e rest o% E)y&t !eco(es a sea and t$e c"t"es

alone r"se a!o+e ater. Accord"n)ly# $ene+er t$"s $a&&ens# t$ey &ass

!y ater not no !y t$e c$annels o% t$e r"+er !ut o+er t$e ("dst o%

t$e &la"n; %or e*a(&le# as one sa"ls u& %ro( Naucrat"s to Me(&$"s t$e

&assa)e "s t$en close !y t$e &yra("ds# $ereas t$e usual &assa)e "s

not t$e sa(e e+en $ere# !ut )oes !y t$e &o"nt o% t$e Delta and t$e

c"ty o% 8ercasoros2 $"le "% you sa"l o+er t$e &la"n to Naucrat"s %ro(

t$e sea and %ro( Cano!os# you "ll )o !y Ant$ylla and t$e c"ty called

a%ter Arc$ander. O% t$ese Ant$ylla "s a c"ty o% note and "s es&ec"ally

ass")ned to t$e "%e o% $"( $o re")ns o+er E)y&t# to su&&ly $er "t$

sandals# @t$"s "s t$e case s"nce t$e t"(e $en E)y&t ca(e to !e under

t$e Pers"ans; t$e ot$er c"ty see(s to (e to $a+e "ts na(e %ro(

Arc$ander t$e son5"n5la o% Danaos# $o as t$e son o% P$t$"os# t$e

son o% Ac$a"os2 %or "t "s called t$e C"ty o% Arc$ander. T$ere (")$t

"ndeed !y anot$er Arc$ander# !ut "n any case t$e na(e "s not E)y&t"an.

H"t$erto (y on o!ser+at"on and /ud)(ent and "n4u"ry are t$e +ouc$ers

%or t$at $"c$ , $a+e sa"d2 !ut %ro( t$"s &o"nt onards , a( a!out to

tell t$e $"story o% E)y&t accord"n) to t$at $"c$ , $a+e $eard# to

$"c$ "ll !e added also so(et$"n) o% t$at $"c$ , $a+e (ysel% seen.

O% M"n# $o %"rst !eca(e '"n) o% E)y&t# t$e &r"ests sa"d t$at on t$e

one $and $e !an'ed o%% t$e s"te o% Me(&$"s %ro( t$e r"+er; %or t$e

$ole strea( o% t$e r"+er used to %lo alon) !y t$e sandy (ounta"n5

ran)e on t$e s"de o% 9"!ya# !ut M"n %or(ed !y e(!an'(ents t$at !end o%

t$e r"+er $"c$ l"es to t$e Sout$ a!out a $undred %urlon)s a!o+e

Me(&$"s# and t$us $e dr"ed u& t$e old strea( and conducted t$e r"+er

so t$at "t %loed "n t$e ("ddle !eteen t$e (ounta"ns; and e+en no

t$"s !end o% t$e N"le "s !y t$e Pers"ans 'e&t under +ery care%ul

atc$# t$at "t (ay %lo "n t$e c$annel to $"c$ "t "s con%"ned# and

t$e !an' "s re&a"red e+ery year2 %or "% t$e r"+er s$ould !rea' t$rou)$

and o+er%lo "n t$"s d"rect"on# Me(&$"s ould !e "n dan)er o% !e"n)

o+er$el(ed !y %lood. :$en t$"s M"n# $o %"rst !eca(e '"n)# $ad (ade

"nto dry land t$e &art $"c$ as da((ed o%%# on t$e one $and# , say#

$e %ounded "n "t t$at c"ty $"c$ "s no called Me(&$"s2 %or Me(&$"stoo "s "n t$e narro &art o% E)y&t2 and outs"de t$e c"ty $e du) round


37/70

"t on t$e Nort$ and :est a la'e co((un"cat"n) "t$ t$e r"+er# %or t$e

s"de toards t$e East "s !arred !y t$e N"le "tsel%. T$en secondly $e

esta!l"s$ed "n t$e c"ty t$e te(&le o% He&$a"stos a )reat or' and (ost

ort$y o% (ent"on. A%ter t$"s (an t$e &r"ests enu(erated to (e %ro( a

&a&yrus roll t$e na(es o% ot$er '"n)s# t$ree $undred and t$"rty "n

nu(!er2 and "n all t$ese )enerat"ons o% (en e")$teen ere Et$"o&"ans#one as a o(an# a nat"+e E)y&t"an# and t$e rest ere (en and o%

E)y&t"an race; and t$e na(e o% t$e o(an $o re")ned as t$e sa(e as

t$at o% t$e Ba!ylon"an 4ueen# na(ely N"tocr"s. O% $er t$ey sa"d t$at

des"r"n) to ta'e +en)eance %or $er !rot$er# $o( t$e E)y&t"ans $ad

sla"n $en $e as t$e"r '"n) and t$en# a%ter $a+"n) sla"n $"(# $ad

)"+en $"s '"n)do( to $er#55des"r"n)# , say# to ta'e +en)eance %or $"(#

s$e destroyed !y cra%t (any o% t$e E)y&t"ans. For s$e caused to !e

constructed a +ery lar)e c$a(!er under )round# and (a'"n) as t$ou)$

s$

Herodot - O Istorie Din Egipt

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