Histories

I found that their account did not tally with the belief of the Greeks, either; for they said that the temple of the god was founded when Tyre [35.183,33.266] (inhabited place), Al-Janub, Lebanon, AsiaTyre first became a city, and that was two thousand three hundred years ago. At +Tyre [35.183,33.266] (inhabited place), Al-Janub, Lebanon, Asia Tyre I saw yet another temple of the so-called Thasian Heracles.

Then I went to Thasos (island), Kavalla, Macedonia, Greece, EuropeThasos, too, where I found a temple of Heracles built by the Phoenicians, who made a settlement there when they voyaged in search of Europe (continent)Europe; now they did so as much as five generations before the birth of Heracles the son of Amphitryon in Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas.

Therefore, what I have discovered by inquiry plainly shows that Heracles is an ancient god. And furthermore, those Greeks, I think, are most in the right, who have established and practise two worships of Heracles, sacrificing to one Heracles as to an immortal, and calling him the Olympian, but to the other bringing offerings as to a dead hero[*](There is a dual Heracles in the Odyssey, Hom. Od. 11.601 ff. An ei)/dwlon of him is seen in the world of the dead; but “he himself” is an immortal among the gods of heaven.).

And the Greeks say many other ill-considered things, too; among them, this is a silly story which they tell about Heracles: that when he came to Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, the Egyptians crowned him and led him out in a procession to sacrifice him to Zeus; and for a while (they say) he followed quietly, but when they started in on him at the altar, he resisted and killed them all.

Now it seems to me that by this story the Greeks show themselves altogether ignorant of the character and customs of the Egyptians; for how should they sacrifice men when they are forbidden to sacrifice even beasts, except swine and bulls and bull-calves, if they are unblemished, and geese?

And furthermore, as Heracles was alone, and, still, only a man, as they say, how is it natural that he should kill many myriads? In talking so much about this, may I keep the goodwill of gods and heroes!