Herodotus, The Histories (English) (XML Header) [word count] [lemma count] [Hdt.]. | ||
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ch. 37
2.37.1
They are religious beyond measure, more than any other people; and the following are among their customs. They drink from cups of bronze, which they clean out daily; this is done not by some but by all.
2.37.2
They are especially careful always to wear newly-washed linen. They practise circumcision for cleanliness' sake; for they would rather be clean than more becoming. Their priests shave the whole body every other day, so that no lice or anything else foul may infest them as they attend upon the gods.
2.37.3
The priests wear a single linen garment and sandals of papyrus: note they may have no other kind of clothing or footwear. Twice a day and twice every night they wash in cold water. Their religious observances are, one may say, innumerable.
2.37.4
But also they receive many benefits: they do not consume or spend anything of their own; sacred food is cooked for them, beef and goose are brought in great abundance to each man every day, and wine of grapes is given to them, too. They may not eat fish.
2.37.5
The
ch. 38
2.38.1
They believe that bulls belong to
ch. 39
2.39.1
After leading the marked beast to the altar where they will sacrifice it, they kindle a fire; then they pour wine on the altar over the victim and call upon the god; then they cut its throat, and having done so sever the head from the body.
2.39.2
They flay the carcass of the victim, then invoke many curses on its head, which they carry away. Where there is a market, and
ch. 40 2.40.1 But in regard to the disembowelling and burning of the victims, there is a different way for each sacrifice. I shall now, however, speak of that goddess whom they consider the greatest, and in whose honor they keep highest festival. 2.40.2 After praying in the foregoing way, they take the whole stomach out of the flayed bull, leaving the entrails and the fat in the carcass, and cut off the legs, the end of the loin, the shoulders, and the neck. 2.40.3 Having done this, they fill what remains of the carcass with pure bread, honey, raisins, figs, frankincense, myrrh, and other kinds of incense, and then burn it, pouring a lot of oil on it.
Herodotus, The Histories (English) (XML Header) [word count] [lemma count] [Hdt.]. | ||
<<Hdt. 2.34.1 | Hdt. 2.37.5 (Greek) | >>Hdt. 2.41.6 |