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A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

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90 THE HISTORY*'ly what were liisreal atchievements, or wliat %vere''''fabulously fa<strong>the</strong>red upon him: but having beenan excellent general, who had in diverse coun-'' tries signaliz'd his valor, he thinks it not proba-" ble, that he went onely arm'd with a lion's skin"and a club; but that he was represented after" his death with <strong>the</strong>se, as symbols <strong>of</strong> generosity* and fortitude, for which reason he was pictur d" with a bow and arrows/' To this let me add,that several valiant men in several nations having,in imitation <strong>of</strong> some one man any where, been calledor ra<strong>the</strong>r surnam'd Hercules; not only <strong>the</strong>works <strong>of</strong> many, as subduing <strong>of</strong> tyrants, exterminating<strong>of</strong> wild beasts, promotmg or exercising <strong>of</strong>commerce, and protecting or improving <strong>of</strong> learning,have been ascrib'd to one:but that also whereverany robust person was found represented with askin and a club, a bow and arrows, he wasstraight deem'd to be Hercules ; whence <strong>the</strong> Egyptian,<strong>the</strong> Indian, <strong>the</strong> Tyrian, <strong>the</strong> Cretan, <strong>the</strong> Grecianor Theban, and <strong>the</strong> Gallic Hercules. Thisw as a constant way with <strong>the</strong> Greecs and Romans,wlio, for example, from certain resemblances perfectlyaccidental, conjecturVl that Isis was honour\lby <strong>the</strong> Germans*, and Eacchus worship'd* Pars Suevorum & Isidi sacrificat. Unde causa et origoperegrine sacro parum comperi; nisi quod signum ipsum, inmodum Liburcaj figuratum, docet ad?ectam Religioiiem. Tacit.de moT, German, cap. 9.

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