* See Porph. de Abstinen. lib. 2. pag. 225.

Vossius de Idol. vol. 1. lib. 1. cap. 18. pag. 142, 143. vol. 1. lib. 2. cap. 2. pag. 322, 325.

Marsham. Can. Chron. sec. v. Παιδοθυσια. pag. 78.

Euseb. Præp. Evang. lib. 1. cap. 10. pag. 38. 40. lib. 4. cap. 16. pag. 156.

There was a remarkable festival among the Babylonians and Persians, called by Berosus Zaxta, and attended with a particular sacrifice. It is described very fully by Dio Chrysostom (Orat. quart. de Regno). He calls it την των Σακκων ἑορτην: his words are worth transcribing. Ουκ εννενοηκας την των Σακκων ἑορτην, ἣν Περσαι αγεσι; λαβοντες των δεσμωτων ένα των επι θανάτῳ, καθιζέσιν εις τον θρόνον το βασιλέως, και την εσθητα διδοασιν αυτῷ την αυτήν, και τρυφαν, και ταις παλλακαις χρησθαι τας ήμερας εκεινας ταις βασιλεως· και εδεις δεν κολύει ποιειν, ὧν βέλεται. Μετα δε ταυτα αποδυσαντες, και μαςιγώσαντες, εκρέμασαν. Εκρεμασαν επι ξυλα: patibulo suffigebant.

Sec Athenaus, lib. 14. cap. 10. and the notes of Is. Casaubon.

OF

BABYLON IN EGYPT:

AND

SOME OTHER CITIES,

WHOSE SITUATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN TRULY ASCERTAINED.

I HAVE made mention of the city Babylon in Egypt, and have supposed it to have been built by the Cuseans, who were Babylonians. This city was situated on an eminence, that was part of the hill of Arabia, where were the Latomia, or quarries, whence the stones are said to have been brought for the construction of the pyramids. It was on the eastern side of the Nile, over against Cercasora, and the extreme point of Delta: and likewise fronted the pyramids on the other side of the river. Every writer, that mentions it, speaks of it as the work of Babylonians; but they differ about the time. According to 'Strabo, it was built by some

Lib. 17. pag. 1160.

3

2

Babylonians, who revolted, and took shelter in these parts but he says nothing farther of their history, or of the age, in which they lived. Diodorus Siculus attributes it to the same people; and mentions it as an opinion, that they came into Egypt with Semiramis; but that it was more probable, that they were some captives brought from Babylonia by Sesostris. Josephus differs from them both; and supposes it to have been built by some soldiers of Cambyses. This contrariety of evidence in the writers specified shows, that they spoke only by guess, and had nothing authentic to determine them. In one point only they are agreed, that it was the work of Babylonians. In respect to Semiramis, the accounts of her reign are very short, and obscure, and very much mixed with fable. As to her coming with an army into Egypt, Diodorus, who mentions this circumstance, does not his self believe it. The history of Sesostris is equally uncertain. The time of his reign cannot be fixed within a thousand years. When was he in Babylonia? and what captives did he ever bring from thence? The whole is a mere surmise. Lastly, if it was built, as Josephus supposes, by some soldiers of Cambyses; it must have existed at the time Herodotus lived, and he would have taken notice of

it. He was upon the spot, and is particularly exact about this part of the country. He mentions more than once the hill of Arabia, and the quarries, that were in it close by which quarries, and upon the same eminence, Babylon is represented to have stood. I do not love to make inferences from the silence of authors. Yet it is scarce to be imagined, that Herodotus should be so particular about this hill, and every thing relating to it; and yet omit a principal city upon it, if such a city, or even fortress, had then flourished: especially as he lived but a few years after the supposed construction: yet diligent and accurate as he is, he is silent upon this head. Hence it cannot be supposed to have been so recent, or to have been inhabited in his time. If it had been of so late date, it is scarce credible, that both Diodorus and Strabo should be ignorant of this circumstance, and Josephus alone apprised of it and that Herodotus, if he were acquainted with it, should suppress it. What Josephus alludes to, was certainly the rebuilding of this place, and its being a second time inhabited. The history of it I imagine to have been this. It was a city of great antiquity, and undoubtedly built by the Cuseans,

5

↑ Herodotus, lib 2. pag. 181.

5 In this all writers agree, that it was the work of Babylonians but differ about the time.