OAK. 
223 
intimations. As the oak was an object of such re¬ 
verence, it is no wonder that the gods, who were 
entertained by Philemon (see the Linden Tree), 
conceived that they could not confer on him a more 
suitable recompense than to transform him into 
an Oak-tree, that was to overshadow the temple of 
Jupiter, into which his hut was changed. Hence 
this tree became the emblem of hospitality. 
Among the Romans, various kinds of crowns 
were given as rewards of military achievements. 
The most honourable of these, a wreath of green 
Oak, called the Civic crown, was allotted to him 
who had saved the life of a Roman citizen in 
battle. It was also decreed to Cicero for detecting 
Cataline’s conspiracy. Scipio Africanus refused 
the civic crown for saving the life of his father at 
the battle of Trebia, on the ground that the act 
carried with it its own reward. The possessor of 
such a crown had a right to wear it constantly; 
when he entered an assembly, all present, senators 
themselves not excepted, were obliged to rise; and 
he-was exempt from every kind of civil burdens and 
imposts. 
Divine honours were paid to the Oak by the 
ancient Germans and Celts, who worshipped under 
