72 MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS RITES. 
Numerous and frequently costly temples were built for the worship of 
many of the above-mentioned gods. The chief temple was the one at 
Arcona. It was a wooden structure in an open place near the centre of the 
town, and was divided by a partition which ran through the whole build- 
ing. The exterior of the walls was richly carved, and they were sup- 
ported on the inside by four pillars; cloth tapestry served instead of walls 
to divide the whole into separate apartments. Here was kept the gigantic 
statue of the four-headed Svantevit, with the hair and beard cut short, 
according to the custom of the Vendes. Close by it are always found his 
immense saddle and bridle, and the two-edged sword, the grip and scabbard 
of which were of chased silver. 
The worship in this temple consisted in feeding and tending the white 
war-horse of the god, which office had always to be performed by the high 
priest, whose duty it was also to ride him out for exercise, though it would 
appear that he must have had enough without this; for it was said that the 
god mounted him every night, and rode forth to battle against the enemies 
of his religion; this was assigned as the reason why the horse was found 
every morning covered with perspiration. Peace and war depended also 
upon the actions of this horse; for he was always consulted before any 
warlike expedition was undertaken. This was done by laying a number 
of spears upon the ground, a short distance one from the other; the 
priest then led the horse across them, and it being considered a favorable 
omen if he passed three times over them without touching any one, war 
was then determined upon; but if he touched one with his foot it was con- 
sidered an unlucky sign, and the contemplated expedition was abandoned. 
In this building they kept also the sacred banners, and the ample 
treasures of the temple, consisting of precious metals, silks, and other stuffs. 
The revenues of the temple were very great, and were collected from the 
spoils cf war, a third of which was deposited with the priests for its sup- 
port; besides this, every citizen had to pay an annual capitation tax into its 
treasury. The conquered nations were also made to contribute to its 
support, and foreign merchants and princes enriched it with many presents. 
Independent of all this, it drew a large income from a band of 300 horse- 
men, called the Sacred Host, who were exclusively in the service of the 
priesthood, and who had to deposit in the hands of the priests whatever 
gain or booty they became possessed of. 
There was another temple at Rhetra also built of wood, and with carved 
walls ; its foundation consisted of bulls’ horns, collected from sacrificed 
animals. This temple also was the depository of sacred banners. Its 
annual revenues were collected not only in money, but also in animals for 
the altar. Almost all the idols found here were frightful figures, covered 
with cuirasses and helmets ; for the priests, whose revenues were materially 
increased by every expedition against other nations, were themselves of a 
warlike disposition ; and since the interpretation of the oracle of lots, which 
was consulted in all cases when an irruption was contemplated, was in their 
hands, they took care to consult their own interest. 
Similar to this temple was the one at Stettin, consecrated to Zriglav. 
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