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They are religious to excess, far beyond any other race of men, and
use the following ceremonies: They drink out of brazen cups, which
they scour every day: there is no exception to this practice. They
wear linen garments, which they are specially careful to have always
fresh washed. They practise circumcision for the sake of cleanliness,
considering it better to be cleanly than comely. The priests shave
their whole body every other day, that no lice or other impure thing
may adhere to them when they are engaged in the service of the gods.
Their dress is entirely of linen, and their shoes of the papyrus
plant: it is not lawful for them to wear either dress or shoes of any
other material. They bathe twice every day in cold water, and twice
each night; besides which they observe, so to speak, thousands of
ceremonies. They enjoy, however, not a few advantages. They
consume none of their own property, and are at no expense for
anything; but every day bread is baked for them of the sacred corn,
and a plentiful supply of beef and of goose's flesh is assigned to
each, and also a portion of wine made from the grape. Fish they are
not allowed to eat; and beans - which none of the Egyptians ever
sow, or eat, if they come up of their own accord, either raw or
boiled - the priests will not even endure to look on, since they
consider it an unclean kind of pulse. Instead of a single priest,
each god has the attendance of a college, at the head of which is a
chief priest; when one of these dies, his son is appointed in his room.
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