ARISTIDES. 307

•was . the daughter of Hercules, by Myrto, the daughter of Menoetius, and sister of Patroclus, and, dying a virgin, was worshipped by the Boeotians and Locriaus. Her altar and image are set up in all their market-places, and those of both sexes that are about marrying, sacri- fice to her before the nuptials. A general assembly of all the Greeks being called, Aristides proposed a decree, that the deputies and relig- ious representatives of the Greek states should assem- ble annually at Platasa, and every fifth year celebrate the Eleutheria, or games of freedom. And that there should be a levy upon all Greece, for the war against the barba- rians, of ten thouf?and spearmen, one thousand horse, and a hundred sail of ships ; but the Platseans to be exempt, and sacred to the service of the gods, oifering sacrifice for the welfare of Greece. These things being ratified, the Plataeans undertook the performance of annual sacri- fice to such as were slain and buried in that place ; which they still perform in the following manner. On the six- teenth day of Ma^macterion (which with the Boeotians is Alalcomenus) they make their procession, which, begin- ning by break of day, is led by a trumpeter sounding for onset ; then follow certain chariots loaded with myrrh and garlands ; and then a black bull ; then come the young men of free birth carrying libations of wine and milk in large two-handed vessels, and jars of oil and precious ointments, none of servile condition being per- niitted to have any hand in this ministration, because the men died in defence of freedom ; after all comes the chief magistrate of Platjea, (for whom it is unlawful at other times either to touch iron, or wear any other col- ored garment but white,) at that time apparelled in a purple robe ; and, taking a water-pot out of the city record-office, he proceeds, bearing a sword in his hand, through the middle of the town to the sepulchres. Then