Histories

So they turned back, and when they came on their way to the city of Tel Ashqelon [34.55,31.666] (deserted settlement), Mehoz HaDarom, Israel, Asia Ascalon in Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria, most of the Scythians passed by and did no harm, but a few remained behind and plundered the temple of Heavenly Aphrodite.[*](The great goddess (Mother of Heaven and Earth) worshipped by Eastern nations under various names—Mylitta in Assyria, Astarte in Phoenicia (region (general)), Asia Phoenicia: called Heavenly Aphrodite, or simply the Heavenly One, by the Greeks.)

This temple, I discover from making inquiry, is the oldest of all the temples of the goddess, for the temple in Cyprus [33,35] (island), AsiaCyprus was founded from it, as the Cyprians themselves say; and the temple on Cerigo (island), Attica, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Cythera was founded by Phoenicians from this same land of Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria.

But the Scythians who pillaged the temple, and all their descendants after them, were afflicted by the goddess with the “female” sickness: and so the Scythians say that they are afflicted as a consequence of this and also that those who visit Scythian territory see among them the condition of those whom the Scythians call “Hermaphrodites”.[*](The derivation of this word is uncertain; it is agreed that the disease was a loss of virility. In Hdt. 4.67 e)narh/s = a)ndro/gonos.)