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To these gods the Persians offer sacrifice in the following manner:
they raise no altar, light no fire, pour no libations; there is no
sound of the flute, no putting on of chaplets, no consecrated
barley-cake; but the man who wishes to sacrifice brings his victim to
a spot of ground which is pure from pollution, and there calls upon the
name of the god to whom he intends to offer. It is usual to have the
turban encircled with a wreath, most commonly of myrtle. The
sacrificer is not allowed to pray for blessings on himself alone, but
he prays for the welfare of the king, and of the whole Persian
people, among whom he is of necessity included. He cuts the victim in
pieces, and having boiled the flesh, he lays it out upon the tenderest
herbage that he can find, trefoil especially. When all is ready, one
of the Magi comes forward and chants a hymn, which they say recounts
the origin of the gods. It is not lawful to offer sacrifice unless
there is a Magus present. After waiting a short time the sacrificer
carries the flesh of the victim away with him, and makes whatever use
of it he may please.
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