MELPOMENE. 85

X. Having said this, Hercules took one of his bows,
for thus far he had carried two, and showing her also
his belt, at the end of which a golden cup was sus­
pended, he gave her them, and departed. As soon as
the boys of whom she was delivered grew up, she
called the eldest Agathyrsus, the second Gelonus, and
the youngest Scytha. She remembered also the in­
junctions she had received; and two of her sons, Aga­
thyrsus and Gelonus, who were incompetent to the
trial which was proposed, were sent away by their
mother from this country. Scytha the youngest was
successful in his exertions, and remained. From this
Scytha, the son of Hercules, the Scythian monarchs
are descended; and from the golden cup the Scythians
to this day have a cup at the end of their belts.

XI. This is the story which the Greek inhabitants
of Pontus relate; but there is also another, to which I
am more inclined to assent:—the Scythian Nomades
of Asia, having been harassed by the Massagette in
war, passed the Araxis, and settled in Cimmeria; for
it is to be observed, that the country now possessed
by the Scythians belonged formerly to the Cimme­
rians. This people, when attacked by the Scythians,
deliberated what it was most advisable to do against
the inroad of so vast a multitude. Their sentiments
were divided ; both were violent, but that of the kings
appears preferable. The people were of opinion, that
it would be better not to hazard an engagement, but
to retreat in security; the kings were at all events for
resisting the enemy. Neither party would recede
from their opinions, the people and the princes mu­
tually refusing to yield; the people wished to retire
before the invaders, the princes determined rather to
die where they were, reflecting upon what they had
enjoyed before, and alarmed by the fears of future
calamities. From verbal disputes they soon came to
actual engagement, and they happened to be nearly
equal in number. All those who perished by the hands
of their countrymen were buried by the Cimmerians
near the river Tyrg, where their monuments may
■till be seen. The survivors fled from their country.

Vol. II. H