Book 1. Of the Hieroglyphics.

mortals, but attained immortality through wisdom and benefits to the human race. Some of these reigned in Egypt, and were called partly by the name by which the celestial Gods were called, and partly by their own names: Sol, Saturn, Rhea, Jupiter (also called Ammon by some); furthermore Juno, Vulcan, Vesta, and lastly Mercury. Indeed, they say the first king among the Egyptians was Sol, by the same name as the celestial star.

Inventions of Vulcan.

Some Priests affirm that Vulcan was the first to reign, the inventor of fire, and by that benefit was constituted a leader by the Egyptians. And a little later: "Next Saturn, who they say took his sister Rhea as his wife, and begat, according to some, Osiris and Isis; and they hand down that he begat more, Jupiter and Juno, who, because of their virtue, ruled the entire world." They hand down that these five gods were begotten, just as there are intercalary days among the Egyptians: Osiris, Isis, Typhon, Apollo, and Venus. And they interpret Osiris as Dionysius, and Isis as Ceres. Having taken this Isis as his wife and assumed the kingdom, Osiris contributed much to the use of common life.

Inventions of Isis.

This is what he says. Then he hands down that Isis discovered wheat and barley, taught men how to sow them, gave them laws, and erected a temple to Jupiter and Juno, her parents, significant both in size and adornment. Furthermore, she established two golden temples, one larger to celestial Jupiter, the other smaller to Jupiter the king, their father, whom some call Ammon. "She also made golden temples for others," Diodorus says in the same place, "whom we have recounted, with honors established for each and for their priests." The inventors of arts or things pertaining to the utility of life were held in honor by Osiris and Isis. Inventions of bronze and gold smiths in Thebes were also discovered, and weapons were made by which they could kill wild beasts and cultivate the earth. Statues, moreover, and golden temples of the Gods were fashioned by them with all ornamentation.

Inventions of Mercury.

And soon after: "They wish Mercury also to be honored above all by him (Osiris), as the discoverer of many things by which the life of men might be cared for. For he was the first to organize words and