a wall built by the Cyclopians. The
Sibyl accordingly at their exit tells him,

[569]Cyclopum educta caminis
Moenia conspicio.

From hence we find that they were the reputed builders of the infernal
mansions; which notion arose from the real buildings, which they erected.
For all the ideas of the antients about the infernal regions, and the
torments of hell, were taken from the temples in each country; and from the
rites and inquisition practised in them. But the Cyclopians were not merely
imaginary operators. They founded several cities in Greece; and constructed
many temples to the Gods, which were of old in high repute. They were so
much esteemed for their skill, that, as the Scholiast upon Statius
observes, every thing great and noble was looked upon as Cyclopian:
[570]quicquid magnitudine sua nobile est, Cyclopum manu dicitur fabricatum.
Nor was this a fiction, as may be surmised; for they were in great measure
the real architects. And if, in the room of those portentous beings the
Cyclopes, [Greek: Kuklopes], we substitute a colony of people called
Cyclopians, we shall find the whole to be true, which is attributed to
them; and a new field of history will be opened, that was before unknown.
They were, undoubtedly, a part of the people styled Academians, who resided
in Attica; where they founded the Academia, and Ceramicus, and introduced
human sacrifices. Hence we are informed, that the Athenians, in the time of
a plague, sacrificed three virgin daughters of Hyacinthus at the tomb
Geraestus, the [571]Cyclops. But Geraestus was not a person, but a place.
[Greek: Geraistos] is a small variation for Ker-Astus; and signifies the
temple of Astus the God of fire. It was certainly the antient name of the
place where these sacrifices were exhibited: and the Taphos was a Cyclopian
altar, upon which they were performed. The Cyclopians are said to have
built the antient city Mycene, which Hercules in Seneca threatens to ruin.

----[572]quid moror? majus mihi
Bellum Mycenis restat, ut Cyclopea
Eversa manibus moenia nostris concidant.

Nonnus speaks of the city in the same light:

[573][Greek: Stemmati teichioenti perizosthenta Mukene,]
[Greek: Kuklopon kanonessi.]

The gate of the city, and the chief tower were particularly ascribed to
them: [574][Greek: Kuklopon de kai tauta erga einai legousin.] _These too
are represented as the work of the Cyclopians_. They likewise built Argos;
which is me