CHAP. 6. (5.)—AN EAGLE WHICH PRECIPITATED ITSELF ON THE
FUNERAL PILE OF A GIRL.
There is a very famous story about an eagle at the city of
Sestos. Having been reared by a little girl, it used to testify
its gratitude for her kindness, first by bringing her birds, and
in due time various kinds of prey: at last she died, upon which
the bird threw itself on the lighted pile, and was consumed
with her body. In memory of this event, the inhabitants
raised upon the spot what they called an heroic monument, [Note]
in honour of Jupiter and the damsel, the eagle being a bird
consecrated to that divinity.