178 SOLON.

But they from that time were considered under pollution, and regarded with hatred. The remainder of the faction of Cylon grew strong again, and had continual quarrels w 7 ith the family of Megacles ; and now the quarrel beiug at its height, and the people divided, Solon, being in rep- utation, interposed with the chiefest of the Athenians, and by entreaty and admonition persuaded the polluted to submit to a trial and the decision of three hundred noble citizens. And Myron of Phlva "beino- their ac- cuser, they were found guilty, and as many as were then alive were banished, and the bodies of the dead w r ere dug up, and scattered beyond the confines of the country. In the midst of these distractions, the Megarians falling upon them, they lost Nissea and Salamis again ; besides, the city was disturbed with superstitious fears and strange appearances, and the priests declared that the sacrifices intimated some villanies and pollutions that w r ere to be expiated. Upon this, they sent for Ejumenides the Phas- stian from Crete, who is counted the seventh wise man by those that will not admit Periauder into the number. He seems to have been thought a favorite of heaven, possessed of knowledge in all the supernatural and ritual parts of religion ; and, therefore, the men of his age called him a new Cures,* and son of a nymph named Balte. When he came to Athens, and grew acquainted with Solon, he served him in many instances, and prepared the way for his legislation. He made them moderate in their forms of worship, and abated their mourning by ordering some sacrifices presently after the funeral, and taking oft those severe and barbarous ceremonies which the women usually practised ; but the greatest benefit was his purify- ing and sanctifying the city, by certain propitiatory and expiatory lustrations, and foundation of sacred buildings ;

• One of the old Curetes. who upon his liirth in Crete, come, as it

took charge of the infant Jupiter were, to life again.