A temple ritual in Hierapolis (2)

Text
pseudo-Melito, Apology:
But touching Nebo, which is in Mabug, why should I write to you; for, lo! all the priests who are in Mabug know that it is the image of Orpheus, a Thracian Magus. And Hadran (= Hadad) is the image of Zaradusht (= Zoroaster), a Persian Magus, because both of these Magi practised Magism to a well which is in a wood in Mabug, in which was an unclean spirit, and it committed violence and attacked the passage of every one who was passing by in all that place in which now the fortress of Mabug is located; and these same Magi charged Simi, the daughter of Hadad, that she should draw water from the sea, and cast it into the well, in order that the spirit should not come up and commit injury, according to that which was a mystery in their Magism. And in the like manner, also, the rest of mankind made images of their kings, and worshipped them, of which I will not write further.

Source (list of abbreviations)
pseudo-Melito, Apology

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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