CHAP. XII. WORSHIP OF GODS FROM EGYPT. 119 



Tlimeit the Goddess of Truth and Justice, from 

 wlioip. were borrowed both her attributes and name. 

 The historian then goes on to observe*, "that 

 the Pelasgi did not at first assign any name to their 

 Divinities, but merely applied to them the general 

 apj)ellation of Gods, according to the order of the 

 different parts which constituted the universe, and 

 the manner in which they had organised them. It 

 was not till a late j)eriod that they came to know 

 their names, which were introduced from Egypt; 

 and they learnt that of Bacchus long after those 

 of the other Gods. In process of time they went 

 to consult the oracle of Dodona upon this very 

 point ; and having received for answer that they 

 might adopt the names taken from foreigners, the 

 Pelasgi thenceforth used them in their sacrifices, 

 and the Greeks borrowed them from the Pelasgi." 

 If the ceremonies and worship of Bacchus were 

 introduced into Greece by Melampus t, and if some 

 trifling changes were made in them, it was only 

 done in order to suit the taste of the new votaries ; 

 and it is evident, says Herodotus, from the great 

 variance that exists between their rites and Greek 

 manners, and from their resemblance to those of 

 the Egyptians, that they were derived from that 

 people. Other religious ceremonies introduced 

 from Egypt, also underwent certain changes, as in 

 the case of the Phalhc Mercury above alluded to; 

 and thou2;h Herodotus t derives the form of tliat 

 deity from a Samothracian custom, there is great 



* Herodot. ii. 52. f Ileroilot. ii. 49. 



J Herodot. ii. 51. 



h 3 



