CHAP. I.
Cleobulus his life, death, and writings.
* 1.1 CLEOBULUS was of Lindus, (a City of Rhodes) or according to Duris, of Caria, son of Evag••∣ras, lineally descended from Hercules; excel∣lent both in wisdome, outward beauty, and * 1.2 strength beyond all those of his time; learned in the Philosophy of the Egyptians. That he was Tyrant of Lindus, is manifest from* 1.3 Plutarch. * He re-edified the Temple of Minerva, founded by Danaus.
He had a daughter* 1.4 whom he named Eumetis, but was called commonly from her father Cleobulina: she composed verses and riddles, in Hexameters, famous for her wisdome and acute∣nesse in those riddles, some of her questions having spread as far as Egypt, which she used jocularly, like dice upon occasions, only contesting with such as provoked her; she was also indu∣ed with an admirable height of mind, and a wit both Politick, and full of humanity, causing her father to govern his people with more mildnesse. Cratinus, also mentions her in a Comedy named from her Cleobulae, often cited by Athenaeus.
* 1.5 He died full of years, which extended to seventy, his tomb carried this inscription,
Wise Cleobulus death, the Lindian shore, To which his birth was owing, doth deplore.
* 1.6 He composed Verses and Riddles to the number of three thousand, of which was this Riddle concerning the Year, (by Suidas ascribed to his daughter Cleobulina.)
One fire, twelve sons, from every one a race Of thirty daughters with a double face: Their looks are black and white successively; Immortall they are all, and yet all die.
* 1.7 Some assert him the Author of this Epigram upon Midas (not Ho∣mer, who, as they account, lived long before Midas, though Herodotus otherwise.)