Histories

From there they marched against Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt: and when they were in the part of Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria called Palestine [35.333,31.916] (region (general)), Asia Palestine, Psammetichus king of Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt met them and persuaded them with gifts and prayers to come no further.

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.)