Historical Dissertation on Abaris

continues from previous page: which word sounds in Latin as Hyperboreans because those Hyperboreans were born from that highest lineage, he dared to prove that that nation was so named, with great ingenuity, industry, and many examples sought from the language of the ancient Swedes.

VIII.

Before I make an end of speaking about the Hyperboreans, I judge it necessary that I examine what Diodorus Siculus thought of them. Therefore, as far as he is concerned, it should be known that he treated of the Hyperboreans more accurately than all the writers I have reviewed up to this point. For he makes mention not only of their home, but also discusses more fully in this way the fertility of their region, the inhabitants and their customs, as well as their commerce and manner of speaking ($γ$):

"Those who have written down ancient mythologies, Hecataeus and certain others, say that there is an island in the Ocean in the parts across from Celtica, not smaller than Sicily. This lies in the north and is inhabited by those who are called the Hyperboreans, from their lying further than the North Wind. Being fertile and producing all things, and also differing in the mildness of the climate, it brings forth fruits twice a year. They mythologize that Leto was born there; for which reason Apollo is honored by them more than other gods. And they are as it were certain priests of Apollo, because this god is praised by them every day with continuous song and is honored differently. There is also on the island a magnificent precinct of Apollo and a noteworthy temple adorned with many offerings, spherical in shape. And there is a city sacred to this god; and of those who inhabit it, most are harpists, and continuously in the temple they play the harp and sing hymns to the god with song, magnifying his deeds. And the Hyperboreans have a certain language of their own and are very friendly toward the Greeks, and especially toward the Athenians and Delians, having inherited this goodwill from ancient times."