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LIBER X · CAPUT 5

AN EAGLE WHICH PRECIPITATED ITSELF ON THE FUNERAL PILE OF A GIRL

AN EAGLE WHICH PRECIPITATED ITSELF ON THE FUNERAL PILE OF A GIRL. Complete modern editorial illustration created specifically for this chapter.
AN EAGLE WHICH PRECIPITATED ITSELF ON THE FUNERAL PILE OF A GIRL · EDITORIAL PLATE X.5 · modern editorial plate
AN EAGLE WHICH PRECIPITATED ITSELF ON THE FUNERAL PILE OF A GIRL. Complete modern editorial illustration created specifically for this chapter.

Latine · Mayhoff 1906

Celebris apud Seston urbem aquilae gloria est: educatam a virgine retulisse gratiam aves primo, mox deinde venatus adgerentem, defuncta postremo in rogum accensum eius iniecisse sese et simul conflagrasse. quam ob causam incolae quod vocant heroum in eo loco fecere, appellatum Iovis et Virginis, quoniam illi deo ales adscribitur.

English · Bostock & Riley 1855–57

There is a very famous story about an eagle at the city of Sestos. Having been reared by a little girl, it used to testify its gratitude for her kindness, first by bringing her birds, and in due time various kinds of prey: at last she died, upon which the bird threw itself on the lighted pile, and was consumed with her body. In memory of this event, the inhabitants raised upon the spot what they called an heroic monument, in honour of Jupiter and the damsel, the eagle being a bird consecrated to that divinity.