par' eniois ton Barbaron, alla kai para tois
Hellesi tous pleistous ton archaiotaton Heroon eis tautas anapherein to
genos.] _These daughters of Atlas, by their connections and marriages with
the most illustrious heroes, and divinities, may be looked up to as the
heads of most families upon earth. And from them proceeded all those, who
upon account of their eminence were in aftertimes esteemed Gods and
Heroes_. And having spoken of Maia, and her offspring, the author proceeds
to tell us, that _the other Atlantides in like manner gave birth to a most
noble race: some of whom were the founders of nations; and others the
builders of cities: insomuch that most of the more antient heroes, not only
of those abroad, who were esteemed Barbari, but even of the Helladians,
claimed their ancestry from them_. And they received not only their
ancestry, but their knowledge also, [Greek: tou kosmou kionas]; all the
celestial and terrestrial phenomena, which had been entrusted to the sacred
pillars of the Atlantes, [Greek: hai gaien te kai ouranon amphis echousin],
which contained descriptions both of the heavens, and the earth. From
Phrygia they came at last to Hellas, where they were introduced by
Anaximander, who is said, [210][Greek: Esdounai proton geographikon
pinaka], _to have been the first who introduced a geographical chart_: or,
as Laertius expresses it, [211][Greek: Ges kai Thalattes perimetron], _the
circumference of the terraqueous globe delineated_.

Though the origin of maps may be deduced from Egypt, yet they were not the
native Egyptians, by whom they were first constructed. Delineations of this
nature were the contrivance of the Cuthites, or Shepherds. They were, among
other titles, styled Saitae; and from them both astronomy and geometry were
introduced in those parts. They, with immense labour, drained the lower
provinces; erected stupendous buildings; and raised towers at the mouths of
the river, which were opportunely situated for navigation. For, though the
Mizraim were not addicted to commerce, yet it was followed by other
families besides the Cuthites, who occupied the lower provinces towards the
sea. The towers which were there raised served for lighthouses, and were,
at the same time, temples, denominated from some title of the Deity, such
as Canoph, Caneph, Cneph; also Perses, Proteus, Phanes, and Canobus. They
were on both accounts much resorted to by mariners, and enriched with
offerings. Here were deposit