ns_, and being taught by the Priests of _Egypt_
became famous for Astrology_. By the influence of the same colonies, the
Temple of _Jupiter Belus_ in _Babylon_ seems to have been erected in the
form of the _Egyptian_ Pyramids: for [430] this Temple was a solid Tower or
Pyramid a furlong square, and a furlong high, with seven retractions, which
made it appear like eight towers standing upon one another, and growing
less and less to the top: and in the eighth tower was a Temple with a bed
and a golden table, kept by a woman, after the manner of the _Egyptians_ in
the Temple of _Jupiter Ammon_ at _Thebes_; and above the Temple was a place
for observing the Stars: they went up to the top of it by steps on the
outside, and the bottom was compassed with a court, and the court with a
building two furlongs in length on every side.

The _Babylonians_ were extreamly addicted to Sorcery, Inchantments,
Astrology and Divinations, _Isa._ xlvii. 9, 12, 13. _Dan._ ii. 2, & v. 11.
and to the worship of Idols, _Jer._ l. 2, 40. and to feasting, wine and
women. _Nihil urbis ejus corruptius moribus, nec ad irritandas
illiciendasque immodicas voluptates instructius. Liberos conjugesque cum
hospitibus stupro coire, modo pretium flagitii detur, parentes maritique
patiuntur. Convivales ludi tota Perside regibus purpuratisque cordi sunt:
Babylonii maxime in vinum & quae ebrietatem sequuntur effusi sunt. Faeminarum
convivia ineuntium in principio modestus est habitus; dein summa quaeque
amicula exuunt, paulatimque pudorem profanant: ad ultimum, honos auribus
sit, ima corporum velamenta projiciunt. Nec meretricum hoc dedecus est, sed
matronarum virginumque, apud quas comitas habetur vulgati corporis
vilitas._ _Q. Curtius_, lib. v. cap. 1. And this lewdness of their women,
coloured over with the name of civility, was encouraged even by their
religion: for it was the custom for their women once in their life to sit
in the Temple of _Venus_ for the use of strangers; which Temple they called
_Succoth Benoth_, the Temple of Women: and when any woman was once sat
there, she was not to depart 'till some stranger threw money into her
bosom, took her away and lay with her; and the money being for sacred uses,
she was obliged to accept of it how little soever, and follow the stranger.

The _Persians_ being conquered by the _Medes_ about the middle of the Reign
of _Zedekiah_, continued in subjection under them 'till the end of the
Reign of _Darius_ the _Mede_