IIII With Calcidius as Interpreter

The Nile does not flow from above: but from the bottom, through the same plain, it returns with a tranquil receding as the pools subside. This cause The stability of the Nile's flooding compared to the destructive deluges of Greece nourishes the preservation of public and private monuments: and the memory of the deeds of our nation, as well as of other nations which fame has handed down to us through knowledge, is kept described in the guardianship of the temples. Among you and others, the houses of monuments are now plainly, and only recently, rebuilt: but they fall prostrate, struck at last by the celestial liquid original: "celesti liquore" - referring to rain and floods: and being enveloped in public letters, the memory of ancient history is dissipated, so that it is necessary to have a new beginning of life: and for a new people, a new memory of letters must be established. For this reason it happens, that you know neither your own ancient affairs, nor those of others. And those very things which you thought to recount from memory differ not much from children's fables. In the first place, because you remember only one inundation The flood of Deucalion: although infinite ones preceded it: then, because you do not know the best race of your ancestors: from whom you and the rest of the Athenians were born: a tiny seed then surviving the public disaster. For there was once a city of Athenians far surpassing others in the goodness of its customs and the power of its strength, memorable in war and peace, and its works were magnificent: all of which, as we have received them, overshadow the illustration of any bright glory. Then the admiring Solon prayed and beseeched that the priest would reveal to him everything about the ancient citizens: and he responded: There is no envy, especially since your custom must be observed, and the honor due to a friendly city must be returned: and the veneration of the goddess Athena/Neith compels me to do this, she who founded both cities: educated them: and instituted them: your city first, nearly a thousand years ago from the native soil and the seed of Vulcan original: "Vulcanio semine" - referring to Hephaestus, and this city of ours eight thousand years later, as is contained in the sacred peaks of the shrines. Of these ancestors of yours, therefore, you shall hear, O Solon: who lived nine thousand years ago: what laws they used, and by what noble deeds they were made famous. If you desire proof: later at leisure we shall review the sacred writings. And first, look upon the laws. For perhaps you will find many signs of brotherhood, either because those endowed with the priesthood remain separate from the rest of the people: lest by some profane contagion, their purity be polluted: or because the various kinds of craftsmen are so discrete among themselves: that no one works promiscuously. Indeed, the shepherds and likewise those who possess the knowledge of hunting, tilling the countryside, and exercising: have separate seats from the camps and insignias of the defenders and the armed youth. And the same use and distinction of those insignias is held here as among you even now: the covering of shields: the garments of breastplates: the thonged missiles of javelins. Where do the laws command a greater care for wisdom? Or among whom does honor obtain such great dignity in the duties and offices of life? What of divination? What of healing? Have they not come to men by the instinct of the founding goddess? Indeed, with this adornment she hedged and honored your prior city: that Divinity who founded it: having chosen a healthy place, fertile for subtle wits and prudence. For the warlike and wise goddess judged such a region should be chosen, which would produce men like herself. Therefore, the ancient Athenians, educated to all virtue by these laws or even more honorable institutions: as being brothers of a divine lineage, were ennobled by titles of praise beyond the reach of human glory. Among which we find one eminent and most decorous deed in the ancient monuments: that a certain immense hand An army or force, unassailable in injuries and in number: which had already subdued nearly all Europe and Asia, was destroyed by your legions: bringing war from the Atlantic sea against all tribes and nations. For then that strait, I believe, was navigable: you have at the mouth, and in the vestibule of the bay, an island: which mouth is called by you the Columns of Hercules. Which island indeed is said to have been somewhat larger than Libya and Asia. At the same time, therefore, through it and through other contiguous islands, a passage was then made by those making that journey...