|
Now the Egyptians, before the reign of their king Psammetichus,
believed themselves to be the most ancient of mankind. Since
Psammetichus, however, made an attempt to discover who were actually
the primitive race, they have been of opinion that while they surpass
all other nations, the Phrygians surpass them in antiquity. This
king, finding it impossible to make out by dint of inquiry what men
were the most ancient, contrived the following method of discovery:
He took two children of the common sort, and gave them over to a
herdsman to bring up at his folds, strictly charging him to let no one
utter a word in their presence, but to keep them in a sequestered
cottage, and from time to time introduce goats to their apartment, see
that they got their fill of milk, and in all other respects look after
them. His object herein was to know, after the indistinct babblings
of infancy were over, what word they would first articulate. It
happened as he had anticipated. The herdsman obeyed his orders for two
years, and at the end of that time, on his one day opening the door of
their room and going in, the children both ran up to him with
outstretched arms, and distinctly said "Becos." When this first
happened the herdsman took no notice; but afterwards when he observed,
on coming often to see after them, that the word was constantly in
their mouths, he informed his lord, and by his command brought the
children into his presence. Psammetichus then himself heard them say
the word, upon which he proceeded to make inquiry what people there was
who called anything "becos," and hereupon he learnt that "becos"
was the Phrygian name for bread. In consideration of this
circumstance the Egyptians yielded their claims, and admitted the
greater antiquity of the Phrygians.
|
|