Note 751 — DAMATER, or CERES.

Before most temples of old were areas, which were designed for Gumnasia, where these feats of exercise were performed. Lucian speaks of one before the temple of [751]Apollo Lucius. And Pausanias mentions that particular [752]parade, where Cercyon was supposed to have exhibited his art. It stood before the tomb of Alope, and was called the Palæstra of Cercyon even in the time of this writer, who takes notice of many others. He styles it ταφος Αλοπης, as if it were a tomb. But it was a Taph, or high altar, sacred to Al-Ope, Sol Pytho, who was the Deity of the place called Cer-Cuon. Before this altar was the palæstra; where the Cercyonian priests obliged people to contend with them. I have taken notice of a Pharos at [753]Torone, which Proteus is said to have quitted, that he might not be witness to the cruelties of his sons. He fled, it seems, to Egypt, Τεκνων αλυξας τας ξενοκτονας παλας, to shun their wicked practices: for they were so skilled in the Palæstric art, that they slew all strangers whom they forced to engage with them. Taurus, called Minotaurus, was a temple in Crete: but by the Grecians is spoken of as a person. Under this character Taurus is represented as a [754]renowned wrestler, and many persons are said to have been sent from Athens to be victims to his prowess. Eusebius styles him, [755]ωμος και ανημερος, a man of a cruel and sour disposition. After he had done much mischief, Theseus at length Ταυρον κατεπαλαισε, foiled him in his own art, and slew him. He is supposed to have done the like by Cercyon. [756]Λεγεται δε ὁ Κερκυων τους διασταντας παντας ες παλην [757]διαφθειραι πλην Θησεως. For it is said of Cercyon, that he slew every person who ventured to cope with him in wrestling, except Theseus. In all these instances the place is put for the persons who resided in it: of which mistake I have been obliged often to take notice.