THE RELIGIONS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD.
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of tamarisk-twigs, t arrived at a knowledge of future events, which they would sometimes condescend to communicate to the pious inquirer. With such pretensions it was natural that the caste
MAGI AN PRIEST. should assume a lofty air, a stately dress, and an environ, merit of ceremonial magnificence. Clad in white robes, and bearing upon their heads tall felt caps, with long lappets at the sides, which (we are told ) concealed the jaw and even the lips, each with his barsom in his hand, they marched in procession to the fire-altars, and standing round them performed for an hour at a time their magical incantations. The credulous multitude, impressed by sights of this kind, and imposed on by the claims to supernatural t
Dino, Fr. 8; Schol. ad. Xic. Ther. 613. Strabo, xv. 3, 15; Diog. Laert. "Proem."