nce a person, named Phlegyas, is represented in
the shades below, crying out in continual agony, and exhorting people to
justice.

[630]--Phlegyasque miserrimus omnes
Admonet, et tristi testatur voce per umbras,
Discite justitiam moniti, et non temnere Divos.

Excellent counsel, but introduced rather too late. Phlegyas was in reality
the Sun; so denominated by the AEthiopes, or Cuthites, and esteemed the same
as Mithras of Persis. They looked up to him as their great benefactor, and
lawgiver: for they held their laws as of divine original. His worship was
introduced among the natives of Greece by the Cuthites, styled Ethiopians,
who came from Egypt. That this was the true history of Phlegyas we may be
assured from Stephanus, and Phavorinus. They mention both Phlegyas, and
Mithras, as men deified; and specify, that they were of Ethiopian original.
[631][Greek: Mithran, kai Phleguan, andras Aithiopas to genos.] Minos
indeed is spoken of, as an upright judge: and the person alluded to under
that character was eminently distinguished for his piety, and justice. But
his priests were esteemed far otherwise, for they were guilty of great
cruelties. Hence we find, that Minos was looked upon as a judge of hell,
and styled Quaesitor Minos. He was in reality a Deity, the same as Menes,
and Menon of Egypt: and as Manes of Lydia, Persis, and other countries. And
though his history be not consistently exhibited, yet, so much light may be
gained from the Cretans, as to certify us, that there was in their island a
temple called Men-Tor, the tower of Men, or Menes. The Deity, from a
particular [632]hieroglyphic, under which the natives worshipped him, was
styled Minotaurus. To this temple the Athenians were obliged annually to
send some of their prime youth to be sacrificed; just as the people of
Carthage used to send their children to be victims at [633]Tyre. The
Athenians were obliged for some time to pay this tribute, as appears from
the festival in commemoration of their deliverance. The places most
infamous for these customs were those, which were situated upon the
seacoast: and especially those dangerous passes, where sailors were obliged
to go on shore for assistance, to be directed in their way. Scylla upon the
coast of Rhegium was one of these: and appears to have been particularly
dreaded by mariners. Ulysses in Homer says, that he was afraid to mention
her name to his companions, lest they should through astonishment ha