The historical library of Diodorus the Sicilian in fifteen books : the first five contain the antiquities of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece, the islands, and Europe : the last ten an historical account of the affairs of the Persians, Grecians, Macedonians and other parts of the world : to which are added the fragments of Diodorus that are found in the Bibliotheca of Photius : together with those publish'd by H. Valesius, L. Rhodomannus, and F. Ursinus / made English by G. Booth ..., Esq.

A Fragment out of the Sixth Book of the Bibliotheca of Diodorus Siculus, taken out of Eusebius Pamphilus, Book II. Evang. Preparation.

THese therefore are the most remarkable Things that are recorded among the Atlan∣tides concerning the Gods; and they say, the Grecians use the same Rites and Cere∣monies. The same things Diodorus says in the 3d Book of his History: And the same Diodorus confirms the same Theology in his 6th Book, from the History of Euemerus the Messenian, where these are his words—The Ancients therefore held two Opi∣nions (which are brought down to Posterity) concerning the Gods: Some they say are Immortal and Incorruptible, as the Sun, Moon, and rest of the Stars; and likewise the Winds, and other Things of the like Nature, for none of these have either Beginning, or End. But there are others, they say, that are Earthly Gods, but for their good Deeds to the benefit of Mankind, have attain'd to the highest pitch of Honour and Glory; and such were Hercules, Dionysius or Bacchus Aristaeus, and such like. Of these Terrestrial Gods, many and various Stories are related by Historians, and * 1.1 Mythologists. Among the Historians, Euemerus has compos'd a Sacred History, and written peculiarly of these Deities. Among the Mythologists or Poets, Homer, Hesiod, Orpheus, and others of that kind, have seign'd most prodigious Stories of the Gods. We shall endeavour in short to run over what has been writ by both, observing a Mean. Euemerus, a special Friend of King Cassander, being forc'd to undertake some great and weighty Affairs, and long and tedious Voyages for the King, they say, was driven far away through the Ocean, South∣ward; and loosing from Arabia Faelix, after many days sail, arriv'd at certain Islands situa∣ted in the midst of the Ocean; the greatest of which was one call'd Panchaia, in which he saw the Panchaians very zealous and eminent for Religion, who ador'd the Gods with magnificent and pompous Sacrifices, and rich Gifts both of Gold and Silver. They say moreover, that the Island is consecrated to the Gods, and that there were many other Things in it that were admirable, both for their Antiquity and Excellency of Workman∣ship; of which, we have given a particular Account in the precedent Books. That there is likewise in it, upon the top of an high Mountain, a Temple dedicated to Jupiter Try∣phylius, built by him when he convers'd here with Men, and govern'd the whole World; in which Temple there is a Golden Pillar, whereon are distinctly describ'd in Panchaian Letters, the Acts of * 1.2 Ʋranus, Saturn, and Jupiter. Afterwards he says, That the first King was Ʋranus, a just and good Man, and very skilful in Astrology: And that he was the first that ador'd the Heavenly Gods, and therefore was call'd * 1.3 Ʋranus: And that he begat on his Wife Vesta two Sons, Pan and Saturn, and two Daughters, Rhea and Ceres. He says moreover, that Saturn reign'd after Ʋranus, and marry'd Rhea, and begat Jupi∣ter, Juno, and Neptune; and that Jupiter succeeding Saturn, marry'd Juno, Ceres, and Themis: Of the first of which he begat the Curetes, Proserpina of the second, and Miner∣va

of the third; and that afterwards coming to Babylon, he was Belus his Guest. And that from thence arriving at the Island Panchaia, he erected an Altar to Ʋranus his Grand∣father; and then passing through Syria, he came to Prince Cassius, from whom the Moun∣tain * 1.4 was call'd Mount Cassius. Then travelling into Cilicia, he overcame Cilix, the Lord of the Country; and having at last pass'd through several other Nations, was highly ho∣nour'd by all, and stil'd a God. When he had deliver'd these and such-like Things con∣cerning the Gods, as of mortal Men, he subjoins this;

Let this therefore suffice in refe∣rence to Euemerus, who writ the Sacred History.

And as to what the Greeks sabulously report concerning the Gods, we shall endeavour to give as succinct an Account as we can, tracing the Steps of Homer, Hesiod, and Orpheus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Poets.
• * 1.2

  Coelum, Heaven.
• * 1.3

  In Greek, signifies Hea∣ven.
• * 1.4

  M••un: Cassius.