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 Alexander2875 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