Book 1. Of the Egyptian-Greek Hieroglyphics.

vines and the crop of wheat and barley, and the fruit of cattle, thinking that if he could lead men from a wild life to a more cultivated and milder one, he would obtain immortal honors (which he also achieved). For not only those of old, but even their descendants, mindful of the benefit because of the crops discovered by him, held him as one of the greatest gods. They report, however, that Osiris, having established the kingdom of Egypt and left the care of all things to his wife Isis, handed Mercury over to her, whose counsel she should use, because he seemed to excel in prudence among friends. He left Hercules as the leader of the army and of all things that were of his dominion, both because he was close in family and because he was of admirable fortitude and strength of body. And he divided the government of the kingdom such that he placed Busiris over Phoenicia and the maritime coast, and Antaeus over Ethiopia and the regions near Libya. He himself set out from Egypt on an expedition with all his forces, taking with him his brother, whom the Greeks call Apollo and the discoverer of the laurel. Two sons of Osiris, unequal in virtue, Anubis and Macedon, followed him; each used distinguished arms, with some animal not dissimilar to their nature. For Anubis bore a dog, and Macedon a wolf as a sign of their arms. For which reason the Egyptians hold these animals in the highest honor, and they are worshipped among the Egyptians in the forms of these creatures. Moreover, he led Pan with him, to whom the Egyptians in the Thebais built a city of his own name, called Chemnim, that is, the city of Pan. There followed him also those experienced in cultivating fields, who knew how to plant vines, Maron; who knew how to sow wheat, Triptolemus. Finally, with all things composed and the gods prayed to, they say that Osiris grew his hair until he should return to Egypt, and set out toward Ethiopia. When he was in Ethiopia, they report that Satyrs were offered to him, having hair down to their navels. It is said that Osiris was fond of laughter and accustomed to be delighted by music and dances. For this reason, a multitude of musicians followed him. Among them were nine young virgins, accustomed both to sing and to be educated in other things, whom the Greeks later called