CHAP.XIV. THE SACRED ANIMALS. Ql 



to the circumstance of a sacred animal having been 

 killed, either from accident or design, by the in- 

 habitants of a neighbouring district, where its 

 worship was not acknowledged. * 



It is, however, very improbable that such lawless 

 disputes took place, in the early periods of Egyp- 

 tian history, during the reigns of the Pharaohs ; 

 when a vigorous government had the power of 

 maintaining order, and when a wise priesthood 

 watched equally over the interests of all. No 

 opinion indeed is more liable to error, than one 

 which judges the customs and character of the 

 Egyptians, from the degraded state of the country 

 under the rule of the Ptolemies and Caesars. For, 

 as De Pauwt justly observes, there is no more 

 reason to believe such excesses were perpetrated 

 at that period, than to expect the modern towns 

 of Europe to make war on each otlier, in order 

 to maintain the pre-eminence of their saints and 

 patrons. 



Herodotust says, " They are obliged by law to 

 feed the sacred animals, and certain persons of both 

 sexes are appointed to take care of each kind. The 

 employment is an honourable one, and descends 

 from father to son." And "so far," observes Dio- 

 dorus §, " are they from declining, or feeling 

 ashamed, openly to fulfil this office, that they pride 



* Juv. Sat. XV. 36.— 



" Numina vicinorurn 



Odit uterque locus ; cum solos elicit habendos 



Esse Decs quos ipse colit." Vide supra. Vol. I. (2d Series) p. 159. 

 -f- De Pauw, Rech. sur les Eg. et Chin. i. 145. 

 j Herodot. ii. 65. § Diodor. i. 83. 



