Note 741 — DAMATER, or CERES.

The like is mentioned by the Scholiast upon Lycophron, [741]Εριννυς ἡ Δημητηρ εν Ογκαις πολει της Αρκαδιας τιμᾳται. Her temple stood upon the river Ladon, and she had this name given to her by the people of the place. Καλουσι δε Εριννυν ὁι Θελπουσιοι την Θεον. The Thelpusians call the Goddess Demeter a Fury. Herodotus speaks of a Prutaneion in Achaia Pthiotic, called Leïtus; of which he gives a fearful account. No person, he says, ever entered the precincts, who returned. Whatever person ever strayed that way, was immediately seized upon by the priests, and sacrificed. The custom so far prevailed, that many, who thought they were liable to suffer, fled away to foreign parts. And he adds, that after a long time, when any of them ventured to return, if they were caught, they were immediately led to the Prutaneion. Here they were crowned with garlands. and in great parade conducted to the altar. I shall quote the author's words. [742]Ληιτον δε καλεουσι το Πρυτανηιον ὁι Αχαιοι· ην δε εσελθῃ, ουκ εστι, ὁκως εξεισι, πριν η θυσεσθαι μελλῃ· ὡστε τι προς τουτοισι πολλοι ηδε των μελλοντων τουτεων θυσεσθαι, δεισαντες οιχοντο αποδραντες ες αλλην χωρην. Χρονου δε προϊοντος, οπισω κατελθοντες, ην αλισκωνται, εστελλοντο ες το Πρυτανηιον, ὡς θυεται τε εξηγεοντο, στεμμασι πας πυκασθεις, και ὡς συν πομπῃ εξαχθεις. The people of Leïtus are said to have been the sons of Cutissorus. Herodotus speaks of the temple, as remaining in his time: and of the custom still subsisting. He farther mentions, that when Xerxes was informed of the history of this place, as he passed through Thessaly, he withheld himself from being guilty of any violation. And he moreover ordered his army to pay due regard to its sanctity; so very awful, it seems, was mysterious cruelty.