Histories

Furthermore, in my opinion the ceremonial chant[*](The o)lolugh/ (says Dr. Macan) was proper to the worship of Athena; a cry of triumph or exultation, perhaps of Eastern origin and connected with the Semitic Hallelu (which survives in Hallelu-jah).) first originated in Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya: for the women of that country chant very tunefully. And it is from the Libyans that the Greeks have learned to drive four-horse chariots.

The dead are buried by the nomads in Greek fashion, except by the Nasamones. They bury their dead sitting, being careful to make the dying man sit when he releases his spirit, and not die lying supine. Their dwellings are constructed of asphodel stalks[*](Asphodel is a long-stalked plant. The name has acquired picturesque associations; but Homer's “asphodel meadow” is in the unhappy realm of the dead, and is intended clearly to indicate a place of rank weeds.) twined about reeds; they can be carried here and there. Such are the Libyan customs.

West of the Triton river and next to the Aseans begins the country of Libyans who cultivate the soil and possess houses; they are called Maxyes; they wear their hair long on the right side of their heads and shave the left, and they paint their bodies with vermilion.