Histories

But Heracles is a very ancient god in Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt; as the Egyptians themselves say, the change of the eight gods to the twelve, one of whom they acknowledge Heracles to be, was made seventeen thousand years before the reign of Amasis.

Moreover, wishing to get clear information about this matter where it was possible so to do, I took ship for +Tyre [35.183,33.266] (inhabited place), Al-Janub, Lebanon, Asia Tyre in +Phoenicia (region (general)), Asia Phoenicia, where I had learned by inquiry that there was a holy temple of Heracles.[*](The Tyrian god Melkart.)

There I saw it, richly equipped with many other offerings, besides two pillars, one of refined gold, one of emerald: a great pillar that shone at night; and in conversation with the priests, I asked how long it was since their temple was built.