Chapter XIII. That They Showed the Proper Forms of Their Own Statues

‘MOREOVER they have themselves indicated how they appear with regard to their forms, and from these their images were set up as they are. Sarapis for example says of himself, after seeing Pan:

“A brilliant light shone through the god’s own house; He came, the mighty god, and met me there. My matchless strength, and glow of lordly fire, And waving curls he saw, which from my head On either side play round my radiant brows, And mingle with the red beard’s sacred locks.”

‘Pan also taught men a hymn concerning himself, which runs as follows: [1]

“To Pan, a god of kindred race, A mortal born my vows I pay; Whose horned brows and cloven feet And goat-like legs his lust betray,”

and the rest.

‘Hecate also speaks of herself thus:

“Do all anon: a statue too therein; My form----Demeter bright with autumn fruits, White robes, and feet with golden sandals bound. Around the waist long snakes run to and fro, Gliding o’er all with undefiled track, And from the head down even to the feet Wrapping me fairly round with spiral coils.”

‘And the material, she says, must be

“Of Parian stone or polish’d ivory.”