8 



for the palm of divination, or of power,* and to have died of cha- 

 grin at being defeated. The city of Soh had tl)e reputation of being 

 built by the great legislator Solon. The son of Jupiter and Danae 

 was the founder of Tarsus. The Muse's horse, Pegasus, had 

 dropped one of his foot-wings on the spot where it stood. From this 

 circumstance the city was said to derive its name; and in the 

 days of mythological belief, it might have been supposed to derive 

 some portion of the Muses' inspiration. 



With these advantages of soil and climate, united to their histo- 

 rical and fabulous associations, Oppian enjoyed the undivided affec- 

 tion of a father capable of giving a proper direction to his pursuits. 

 Agesilaus was a man of the highest rank among the citizens of 

 Anazarba, devoted entirely to letters, and living more as a philo- 

 sopher than a man of the world. In voluntary seclusion from the 

 intrigues of courts and the bustle of the forum, he spent his days in 

 the instruction of his son, and sought happiness where it has its only 

 permanent residence, in the bosom of domestic affection. His plan 

 of education was liberal and expanded. It embraced music, geo- 

 metry, grammar, and the whole circle of the sciences. His wife 

 Zenodote shared the duty and the pleasure of the task ; and subse- 

 quent circumstances lead us to infer, that they found in their pupil 

 all the docility and all the affection which can flatter the hopes and 

 secure the love of a parent. 



While they were engaged in this delightful vocation, their 

 country became the theatre of war. Severus was contending 

 witii Niger for universal sovereignty, and they were perhaps but 

 little aware how much their future fortunes would be affected 



* Tov 5-itva6Tcv as TH KacA;^;flel'T<>5 iVTXv^x Tree^ec^i^ticunv, ecAAof T( Kelt 1o!p6x^vi^. Ov uovfir oi mv Tm 



Strabo, lib. xiv. 



