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H. fears that the story which he has just told may lead to depreciation of Egyptian morals; he therefore hastens to point out that they do not practise such rites as those of Mylitta (i. 199; though even there ἔξω τοῦ ἱροῦ, § 3). He is right in his general statement, but there were exceptions; cf. i. 182 n. (at Thebes). The reason he gives for the licence of other countries is a Greek speculation; he does not understand the real meaning of the impure Semitic rites (for which cf. i. 7. 4 n.; ii. 48. 2 n.).


Animals were supposed to act on direct impulse from the gods, and to show their will (Tac. Germ. 10). This mention of animals skilfully forms the transition to the next division of H.'s work (cc. 65-76), the account of the ‘Sacred Beasts’.

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