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After propitiating the stream by these and many other magical
ceremonies, the Persians crossed the Strymon, by bridges made before
their arrival, at a place called "The Nine Ways," which was in
the territory of the Edonians. And when they learnt that the name of
the place was "The Nine Ways," they took nine of the youths of the
land and as many of their maidens, and buried them alive on the spot.
Burying alive is a Persian custom. I have heard that Amestris, the
wife of Xerxes, in her old age buried alive seven pairs of Persian
youths, sons of illustrious men, as a thank-offering to the god who
is supposed to dwell underneath the earth.
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