end of two years, on his one day opening the door of
their apartment, both the children extended their arms
towards him, as if in supplication, and pronounced the
word Becos. ¹ It did not at first excite his attention,
but on their repeating the same expression whenever
he appeared, he related the circumstance to his master,
and at his command brought the children to his pre-
sence. When Psammitichus had heard them repeat
this same word, he endeavored to discover among what
people it was in use: he found it was the Phrygian
name for bread. ² From seriously revolving this inci-
dent, the Egyptians were induced to allow the Phry-
gians to be of greater antiquity than themselves.

III. That this was really done, I myself heard at
Memphis from the priests of Vulcan. The Greeks,
among other idle tales, relate that Psammitichus gave
the children to be nursed by women whose tongues
were previously cut out. During my residence at
Memphis the same priests informed me of many other
curious particulars: but to be better satisfied how well
the narrative which I have given on their authority
was supported, I made it my business to visit Thebes
and Heliopolis, the inhabitants of which latter place
are deemed the most ingenious of all the Egyptians.
Except to specify the names of their divinities, I
shall be unwilling to mention their religious customs,
unless my subject demand it; this being a matter con-
cerning which men in general are equally well in-
formed.

IV. In all which they related of human affairs, they

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