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Falkener, Edward
Ephesus and the temple of Diana — London, 1862

DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5179#0369

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330 TEMPLE OF DIANA.

Of the priests, we learn from Strabo that they
were eunuchs, and called Megalobyzi. Tliey were
selected from different countries, choosing always
those that appeared most proper for such functions.
They were treated with great honour, and had virgins
given them to assist as priestesses.1

From S. Isidore, we may suppose that they were
selected for their great beauty.2 As Diana was re-
presented as polijmastos, having many breasts, it was
considered strange by some that her priests shotdd
be eunuchs : and Heraclitus inveighs bitterly against
the practice.3 Quintillian alludes to this custom
when he says:—" Painters or sculptors would not
take a Megabyzus for a model, but some young
warrior or gymnast." *

The title of Megabyzus, as it is generally written,
appears to have been originally a proper name, and
to have become a title of honour in consequence of
Darius observing of one of his Q-enerals who was so
called :—" I would rather have as many Megabyzi
as there are seeds in a pomegranate, than see Greece
under my power." 5 The name might also derive
importance from its first particle. Herodotus makes
mention of two, if not three, of this name. A Mega-
byzus was one of the confederates against Smerdis
Magus.6 His son Zopyrus7 had a son of the same

1 Strabo, p. 041. 2 Isodorus Pelusiota, Epist. ii. 62.

3 Aug. Polit. Opera Miscel. cap. 51, p. 2GG. * Quint, v. 12.
ft Herod..iv. 143. " Id. iii. 70, 81. 7 Id. iii. 153.
 
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