Αἴτια Ἑλληνικά

Sections

1 – 3 3 – 6 7 – 9 9 – 10 10 – 12 12 – 12 13 – 13 13 – 13 14 – 15 15 – 16 16 – 17 17 – 18 18 – 19 19 – 20 20 – 21 21 – 21 22 – 24 24 – 26 26 – 28 28 – 30 30 – 31 31 – 34 34 – 35 35 – 36 37 – 37 37 – 38 38 – 39 39 – 39 40 – 40 40 – 40 41 – 42 42 – 44 44 – 45 45 – 46 47 – 48 49 – 51 51 – 54 54 – 56 56 – 57 57 – 57 58 – 59 59 – 59

Yunanca Yunanca Yunanca Yunanca

24 Solution. It was a custom among those that lost any of their kindred or acquaintance, presently after mourning to sacrifice to Apollo, and thirty days after to Mercury. For they are of opinion that, as the earth receives the bodies of the deceased, so Mercury receives their souls. Giving then barley to Apollo’s minister, they take the flesh of the sacrifice, and extinguishing the fire as polluted but kindling it again afresh, they boil this flesh, calling it ἔγκνισμα.

25 Question 25. Who are Ἀλάστωρ, Ἀλιτήριος and Παλαμναῖος?

25 Solution. For we must not give credit to those that say that such are called aliterii who, in the time of dearth, watch the miller (ἀλοῦντα ἐπιτηροῦντες) and steal the corn. But he was called Alastor who did exploits not to be forgotten (ἄληστα) but to be had in remembrance for a long time. Aliterius is he whom we should avoid (ἀλεύασθαι) and observe upon the account of his knavery. Such things (saith Socrates) were engraven in plates of brass.

26 Question 26. What is the meaning of this, that the virgins that follow those that lead the ox from Aenos to Cassiopaea sing, till they approach the borders, in this manner, To native country dear O may ye ne’er return?