Note 223 — RADICALS.

It stood in the very country called Phlegra, where the worship of fire once particularly prevailed. There was a city Aphace; also a temple of that name in Mount Libanus, sacred to Venus Aphacitis, and denominated from fire. Here, too, was an oracle: for most temples of old were supposed to be oracular. It is described by Zosimus, who says, [223]that near the temple was a large lake, made by art, in shape like a star. About the building, and in the neighbouring ground, there at times appeared a fire of a globular figure, which burned like a lamp. It generally shewed itself at times when a celebrity was held: and, he adds, that even in his time it was frequently seen.