Page 725 King came to Abbas, where this Hermaphrodite was Born. It's reported that Semiades at length (through love he bore to her) upon the account of their former familiarity (and through shame of his unnatural Marriage) was able to bear up no longer, but after he had left all his Goods to Diophantus, and made him his Heir, broke his Heart and died. So she that had been a Woman, carry'd it with the courage of a Man, and he that was ever a Man, appear'd to be more pusillanimous than any Woman. The like to this fell out about 30 Years after in the City of Epidaurus. There was a young Maid in Epidaurus (as the report goes) an Orphan, whose name was Callo. This Maid had no passage in her privy parts, but about the Pecten there was a place like an issue through which the Urine pass'd ever from the time of her Birth. When she came to a mature Age, she was Married to one of the Citizens with whom she liv'd two Years, and tho' she was not capable of natural Embraces as a Woman, yet she was forc'd to endure those that were preternatural, or besides nature. But afterwards a Tumor arose near the Pecten which put her to exceeding torment, so that many Physitians were sent for to consult together, and all despair'd of Curing her: But an Apothecary undertook the Cure, and made an incision in the place, whence came forth a Mans Yard with Testicles, but solid without any passage. And when all were amaz'd at the strangeness of the thing, the Apothecary suppli'd the parts with what was deficient. First he made an incision into the end of the Yard, and pierc'd it even to the Uretor, and thrusting down a small silver Instrument, brought away the Urin and other excrementitious humours: But the place where the Issue was, he first turn'd into a green Wound, and then heal'd it up. Having perform'd this extraordinary Cure, he demanded a double reward; For he said he had undertaken to Cure a sick Woman, and had now set right a young Man. Callo hereupon laid aside her Wheel and other effeminate Imployments, and took upon her the Name of Callon, adding only the last Letter N to her former Name. Some say, that before her Transformation, she was the Priestess of Ceres, and because she shew'd to Men those things that were not to be seen, this judgment fell upon her for her Prophaness. They report that at Naples and several other places the like hath happen'd; not that the two Sexes of Man and Woman are really form'd by Nature in two several shapes (for that is impossible) but that Nature is deceiv'd in fashioning the Members of the Body to the amazement and deceit of—the beholders. We have therefore judg'd these strange Events which are brought down to us both by Writings and Traditions, worthy to be taken notice of, in respect both of their pleasure and profit to the readers. For many looking upon such things as these, as Monsters in Nature, are thereby infected with a kind of Superstition: Not only private Men but whole Cities and Nations. For it's reported that a little before the beginning of the Martian War, there dwelt an Italian near Rome, who having Marry'd such a one (as is before describ'd) complain'd to the Senate, upon which, they out of a fond Superstition, and perswaded thereunto by the Truscan Augures, order'd the Hermaphrodite to be burnt. And thus (they say) this poor Creature was most unjustly doom'd to destruction; and was ignorantly judg'd a Monster, because she had some resemblance of both Sexes. And not long after there happen'd the like at Athens; where the thing not being understood, (they say) the Man was burnt alive. Some there are that tell idle stories how that there are Hyaene (for so they call such as are both Men and Women) who have Carnal copulation one with another, according to each Sex by turns every other Year: When in truth there is no such thing. For although both Sexes have a peculiar and distinct nature without participation one with another, yet by a false formation the inconsiderate spectator may be impos'd upon. For to the Female (which is naturally such) is join'd something like unto a Mans Yard, and so on the other hand to the natural Male, something like to the privy parts of a Woman. The same reason holds in all kind of living Creatures, there being many and various sorts of prodigious Births; but such as never receive any nourishment, nor can ever come to any perfection. But what hath been said, may suffice for the reforming this superstition.
Frag. 2. They say that the Walls of Carthage were 40 Cubits high, and 22 broad But tho' they were so, yet the Roman Valour and Engines were too strong for all their Defences and Fortifications, for the City was taken and raz'd to the ground.
Frag. 3. Manasses (called Masinissa by the Latines) who Reign'd in Africk, and was always a Friend to the Roman, lived Ninety years in strength, and firm health, and left Ten Sons behind him when he dy'd, whom he committed to the Care and Guardianship of the Romans. He was of a strong Body, and from a Child inur'd to hardship: in what ever business he was engag'd, he would keep close to it all the day immoveable; he would never rise from his seat till night, spending the whole day in laborious Projects
The Histories of Herodotus written in 440 BC is considered to be the founding work of history in Western literature. His history included stories and fables but he claimed to have traveled extensively and learned about many countries through direct observation.
The thesis of Stolen Legacy is that the Egyptians created what is wrongly called Greek philosophy. Dr. James argues that the African origin of Greek Philosophy is well known but rarely discussed. Ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus and Diodorus the Sicilian wrote in significant detail about the contributions of Egypt. Egyptian technology and libraries were unmatched and Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato studied there. The contribution of Africa to the intellectual foundation of modern knowledge is tremendous but unacknowledged.
The Library of History by Diodorus the Sicilian is one of the most highly regarded universal histories in antiquities. His work includes the history of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece and Europe. His book is a must read for research of ancient history.
Bible Study The King James Bible (kjv), World English Bible (web) and Bible in Basic English (bbe) are all examples of public domain books. The King James Bible (kjv) online uses the content from these books and open source software to enhance Bible study capabilities. The site includes the verse of the day, search tools, christian literature and links to related content. It demonstrates the use of open source to create a valuable service.