CHAP. 70.—PRODIGIES CONNECTED WITH THE HEARTH.
I must not omit too, one portentous fact connected with the hearth, and famous in Roman history. In the reign of Tarquinius Priscus, it is said, there appeared upon his hearth a resemblance of the male generative organ in the midst of the ashes. The captive Ocrisia, a servant of Queen Tanaquil, who happened to be sitting there, arose from her seat in a state of pregnancy, and became the mother of Servius Tullius, who eventually succeeded to the throne.[2853] It is stated, too, that while the child was sleeping in the palace, a flame was seen playing round his head; the consequence of which was, that it was believed that the Lar of the household was his progenitor. It was owing to this circumstance, we are informed, that the Compitalia,[2854] games in honour of the Lares, were instituted.
Summary.—Remedies mentioned, eighty-nine. Facts and narratives, four hundred and thirty-four.
Roman Authors quoted.—M. Varro,[2855] Cælius,[2856] Galba,[2857] Cincius,[2858] Mucianus,[2859] Nepos Cornelius,[2860] L. Piso,[2861] Q. Tubero,[2862] Fabius Vestalis,[2863] Annius Fetialis,[2864] Fabianus,[2865] Seneca,[2866] Cato the Censor,[2867] Vitruvius.[2868]
Foreign Authors quoted.—Theophrastus,[2869] Pasiteles,[2870] King Juba,[2871] Nicander,[2872] Sotacus,[2873] Sudines,[2874] Alexander[2875] Polyhistor, Apion,[2876] Plistonicus,[2877] Duris,[2878] Herodotus,[2879] Euhemerus,[2880] Aristagoras,[2881] Dionysius,[2882] Artemidorus,[2883] Butoridas,[2884] Antisthenes,[2885] Demetrius,[2886] Demoteles,[2887] Lyceas.[2888]