Note 601 — OB, OUB, PYTHO,

The devices upon temples were often esteemed as talismans, and supposed to have an hidden and salutary influence, by which the building was preserved. In the temple of Minerva, at Tegea, was some sculpture of Medusa, which the Goddess was said to have given, [601]αναλωτον ες τον παντα κρονον ειναι (την πολιν); to preserve the city from ever being taken in war. It was probably from this opinion, that the [602]Athenians had the head of Medusa represented upon the walls of their acropolis: and it was the insigne of many cities, as we may find from antient coins. The notion of the Cyclopes framing the thunder and lightning for Jupiter arose chiefly from the Cyclopians engraving hieroglyphics of this sort upon the temples of the Deity. Hence they were represented as persons,