The AMPHICTYONES. 159 
cha of the Arundelian marbles, marks the inftitution of this 
council. 
Tue Amphityones, before they began their deliberations, 
were obliged, as we learn from A/scuines, to take the follow- 
ing moft dreadful oath. ‘‘ I fwear never to overthrow any of the 
“ cities which enjoy the privilege of fending deputies to this 
council ; never to divert the courfe of any river, either in 
peace or war. If any people fhall come with any fuch de- 
fign, I engage to carry war into their country, to raze their 
cities, boroughs, and villages, and to treat them, in all re- 
{pects, as my moft implacable enemies. If any fhall be 
found fo impious as to dare to rob the temple of APOLLO at 
Delphi of the rich donations laid up there, or to favour fuch 
an attempt, to employ all my efforts, with hands, feet, and 
voice, to inflict vengeance on the facrilegious wretch.” This 
oath was accompanied with a moft dreadful imprecation againft 
thofe who fhould violate or falfify i. The imprecation was 
conceived in the following terms : “ If any man fhall violate this 
** oath, be he private man, city, or people, may he feel the ven- 
geance of APOLLO, of Diana, of LATONA, of Minerva the 
Provident! May his lands yield no fruit! May their wives, and 
even their cattle, bear nothing but monfters! May tlie facri- 
legious wretches lofe their law-fuits! May they be vanquifh- 
ed in battle, and finally perifh, themfelves, their houfes, and 
all their offspring ! Let their facrifices never be accepted by 
ApoLtLo, Diana, Minerva the Provident! May thefe dei- 
ties abhor their vows and their offerings |’ Let us now fee 
with what powers and privileges this auguft afflembly was in- 
vefted. 
No private caufes were determined by this court. Thefe were 
deemed too trivial and uninterefting to engage the deliberation 
of this auguft convention. Their funétions were partly of a 
facred, and partly of a civil gomplexion. The former have 
been elucidated in the preceding pages. As civil magiftrates, 
they 
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