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The belief of the Getae in respect of immortality is the following.
They think that they do not really die, but that when they depart this
life they go to Zalmoxis, who is called also Gebeleizis by some among
them. To this god every five years they send a messenger, who is
chosen by lot out of the whole nation, and charged to bear him their
several requests. Their mode of sending him is this. A number of
them stand in order, each holding in his hand three darts; others take
the man who is to be sent to Zalmoxis, and swinging him by his hands
and feet, toss him into the air so that he falls upon the points of the
weapons. If he is pierced and dies, they think that the god is
propitious to them; but if not, they lay the fault on the messenger,
who (they say) is a wicked man: and so they choose another to send
away. The messages are given while the man is still alive. This same
people, when it lightens and thunders, aim their arrows at the sky,
uttering threats against the god; and they do not believe that there is
any god but their own.
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