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Anciently, and even down to the time when this took place, the
Eginetans were in all things subject to the Epidaurians, and had to
cross over to Epidaurus for the trial of all suits in which they were
engaged one with another. After this, however, the Eginetans built
themselves ships, and, growing proud, revolted from the
Epidaurians. Having thus come to be at enmity with them, the
Eginetans, who were masters of the sea, ravaged Epidaurus, and even
carried off these very images of Damia and Auxesia, which they set up
in their own country, in the interior, at a place called Oea, about
twenty furlongs from their city. This done, they fixed a worship for
the images, which consisted in part of sacrifices, in part of female
satiric choruses; while at the same time they appointed certain men to
furnish the choruses, ten for each goddess. These choruses did not
abuse men, but only the women of the country. Holy orgies of a
similar kind were in use also among the Epidaurians, and likewise
another sort of holy orgies, whereof it is not lawful to speak.
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