[2721] The name “Thessala” was commonly used by the Romans to signify an enchantress, sorceress, or witch. See the story of Apuleius, Books i. and iii.
[2722] The countries of the East.
[2723] Purely medicinal remedies.
[2724] In contradistinction to lightnings elicited by the practice of Magic.
[2725] A poetical figure, alluding to the “thunderbolts of war,” as wielded probably by Achilles and other heroes of Thessaly.
[2726] See B. ii. c. 9.
[2727] Ajasson queries whether this is a proper name, or an epithet merely.
[2728] Ajasson combats this assertion at considerable length, and with good reason. It is quite inadmissible.
[2729] The mysteries of philosophy, as Ajasson remarks, were not necessarily identical with the magic art.
[2730] In reality, Pythagoras was an exile from the tyranny of the ruler of Samos, Plato from the court of Dionysius the Younger, and Democritus from the ignorance of his fellow-countrymen of Abdera. There is no doubt that Pythagoras and Democritus made considerable researches into the art of magic as practised in the East.