382 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



It is reported, says Pliny, that in the same 

 year that the great goddess Cybele was 

 brought to Rome, there was a more plentiful 

 harvest, and corn was at a lower price, than 

 had been known for ten years before. 



In ancient times it was thought a great 

 reward for captains and soldiers who had 

 been valiant, to receive at the hands of the 

 people half-a-pint, or at most a pint of corn. 



The chaplet of corn is as old as the foun- 

 dation of Rome ; for it is related that Acca 

 Laurentia, the foster mother of Romulus, 

 wove and twisted together a garland of 

 the ears of corn, which she gave to this 

 king, as the most sacred badge and ensign of 

 the first priesthood which he instituted in 

 the new city. This order consisted of twelve 

 priests or wardens over corn-fields ; and, to 

 give greater honour to the company, he 

 caused himself to be called the twelfth 

 brother among them. This chaplet was worn 

 with great reverence, and was the first crown 

 known at Rome. 



Numa ordained that no prayers or suppli- 

 cations should be made to the gods without 

 an oblation of corn, or cakes made of meal 

 and salt ; and to induce the people of Rome 

 the better unto it, he allowed them to parch 



