ou home in security, being
relieved of all fear by the mercy of the emperor, who, like a wise man,
has resolved to diminish the number of his enemies, and is eager to
increase that of his friends."

6. When he departed, having fully accomplished the sacrifices, letters
were brought to him from the governor of Egypt, who informed him that
after a long time he had succeeded in finding a bull Apis, which he had
been seeking with great labour, a circumstance which, in the opinion of
the inhabitants of those regions, indicates prosperity, abundant crops,
and several other kinds of good fortune.

7. On this subject it seems desirable to say a few words. Among the
animals which have been consecrated by the reverence of the ancients,
Mnevis and Apis are the most eminent. Mnevis, concerning whom there is
nothing remarkable related, is consecrated to the sun, Apis to the moon.
But the bull Apis is distinguished by several natural marks; and
especially by a crescent-shaped figure, like that of a new moon, on his
right side. After living his appointed time, he is drowned in the sacred
fountain (for he is not allowed to live beyond the time fixed by the
sacred authority of their mystical books; nor is a cow brought to him
more than once a year, who also must be distinguished with particular
marks); then another is sought amid great public mourning; and if one
can be found distinguished by all the required marks, he is led to
Memphis, a city of great renown, and especially celebrated for the
patronage of the god AEsculapius.

8. And after he has been led into the city by one hundred priests, and
conducted into a chamber, he is looked upon as consecrated, and is said
to point out by evident means the signs of future events. Some also of
those who come to him he repels by unfavourable signs; as it is reported
he formally rejected Caesar Germanicus when he offered him food; thus
portending what shortly happened.

XV.

Sec. 1. Let us then, since the occasion seems to require it, touch briefly
on the affairs of Egypt, of which we have already made some mention in
our account of the emperors Hadrian and Severus, where we related
several things which we had seen.[133]

2. The Egyptian is the most ancient of all nations, except indeed that
its superior antiquity is contested by the Scythians: their country is
bounded on the south[134] by the greater Syrtes, Cape Ras, and Cape
Borion, the Garamantes, and other nations; on the east, b