The Golden Themis

mortals, which virtues would be pleasing to the gods and most suited for preserving the bond of human society. For that reason, she would inculcate that one must live according to what is equal and right, abstain from violence, injuries, and robbery, and that everyone should be content with their own lot. That only was to be sought from the gods (as Festus original: "Festus" notes) which was right original: "fas" and honorable, otherwise the petition was to be rejected by law. Furthermore, she said that that supreme God looks down from above upon the earth at whatever is done by men, whether well or ill, and that he punishes the wicked for committed crimes with eternal punishments and torments; but that for the good and pious he has prepared a reward and a life not to be interrupted by any ages. Others think that Themis was a prophetic woman among the Greeks, who predicted to men things to come and explained the uncertain outcomes of events. By these gifts she acquired for herself the highest authority, so that they believed her to be full of divine inspiration and to communicate with spirits and celestial gods, from whom she traced her origin. For this reason, she was also believed to have returned to the heavens after her death, and there to have obtained the greatest power over human creatures. Since she was thought to preside over justice, to prescribe, confirm, and establish the rights of the kingdom for kings, to compel peoples to obedience and reverence toward Princes, and to prescribe laws to magistrates according to whose norm and precepts they might rule and moderate governments original: "Politias". And she was so esteemed among the heathens original: "Ethnici" that they thought without her divinity all mortals could not sustain the world; therefore