Macrobii

Nestor, you know, the wisest of the Achaeans, outlasted three genera- tions, Homer says: [*](Il, 1, 250; Odyss. 3, 245.) and he tells us that he was splendidly trained. in mind and in body. ‘Likewise Teiresias the seer outlasted six generations, tragedy says:[*](The source is unknown.) and one may well believe that a man consecrated to the gods, following a simpler diet, lives very long.

Moreover, it is related that, owing to their diet, whole castes of men live long like the so-called scribes in Egypt, the story-tellers in Syria and Arabia, and the so-called Brahmins in India, men scrupulously attentive to philosophy. Also the so-called Magi, a prophetic caste consecrated to the gods, dwelling among the Persians, the Parthians, the Bactrians, the Chorasmians, the Arians, the Sacae, the Medes and many other barbarian peoples, are strong and long-lived, on account of practising magic, for they diet very scrupulously.