flecting on their enormous wickednefs; which made them be so traduced by other nations, that a wicked and impious man, was emphatically called a Cappadocian. However, this their lewd difpofition was, in after ages, fo corrected and restrained by the pure morals of Christianity, that no country whatsoever, has produced greater champions of the Chriftian religion, or given to the church more prelates of unblemished characters.* • Univerfal Hift. vol. x. page 74 १ No. No. XXVIII. The Religion of the Ancient Thracians. Year of the THE ancient, Thracians were deemed a flood 2219, before Chrift brave and warlike nation; but of a cruel and 129. favage temper; being generally fpeaking, quite ftrangers to all humanity and good nature. In point of religion, they scarce differed from the Macedonians, their neighbours, adoring Jupiter, Hercules, Diana, Bacchus, and more especially Mars and Hermes, or Mercury, by whofe name alone their kings used to fwear, pretending to be defcended from him.* Herodotus gives us the following account of their customs and When a child is born, his re manners. Herodotus, lib. v. chap. 3, 4. et feq. lations flood 2219 1298 lations fitting round him in a circle, deplore Year of the his condition, on account of the evils he muft before Chrift fuffer in the courfe of his life, enumerating the various calamities incident to mankind ; but when any one dies, they inter him with great rejoicing, repeating the miferies he has exchanged for a complete happiness. Among the Creftonians who inhabit the mountainous part of Thrace, each man has many wives; who, at his death, contend warmly, being fupported by their feveral friends, who fhall be accounted to have been the most dear to the hufband. In the end, fhe who is adjudged to have merited that honour, after having received great commendations, both from the men and women, is killed upon the grave, by the nearest of her relations, and buried in the fame tomb with her husband which is a great mortification to the reft, they being ever after looked upon by all with the utmost contempt.* The Thracians in general, (as the hiftorian tells us) fell their fons, and take no care of their daughters, fuffering them to live with whom, and in what manner they pleafe; nevertheless they keep * Herodous, lib. v. chap. 3, 4. et feq. Year of the keep a strict guard over their wives, and flood 2219, 129. great rate. before Chritt purchase them of their relations at a very To be marked on the forehead is honourable ; and a man without fuch marks, is accounted ignoble. Idleness is esteemed an appendage of greatness: Hufbandry is looked upon as unbecoming; and to fubfift by war and rapine, highly glorious. The funerals of eminent perfons among them, are celebrated in the following manner: they expose the dead body to public view for three days, during which time they perform their lamentations, and facrifice to the infernal gods, various forts of animals. When the facrifices are over, they either burn the body, or bury it in the ground; and having thrown up a mound of earth on the grave, they apply themselves to feasting, and celebrate all manner of combats and sports round the place.* Herodotus. lib. v. chap. 3, 4. et feq. No. No. XXIX. The Religion of the Ancient Parthians. THE Parthians are faid to have been very flood 2048, fpare in their diet,* their country not afford- before Chrift ing any fuperfluities; but at the fame time, to have been great lovers of wine, and much Justin, lib. xii. chap. 3, 9- + Idem lib. xvi. Their 300. |