12.

The first prophets were men, and this the poet perhaps indicates, for he calls the persons interpreters,2878 among whom the prophets2879 might be classed. In after-times three old women were appointed to this office, after even Dione had a common temple with Jupiter.

Suidas, in order to court the favour of the Thessalians by fabulous stories, says, that the temple was transported from Scotussa of the Thessalian Pelasgiotis, accompanied by a great multitude, chiefly of women, whose descendants are the present prophetesses, and that hence Jupiter had the epithet Pelasgic. Cineas relates what is still more fabulous*********

[With the exception of the following Fragments, the rest of this book is lost.]