land-marks, such as the pillar at Rhegium, near the foot of
Italy: which is a kind of tower, and was raised by the people of Rhegium at
the streight where the passage was to Sicily. Directly opposite stood
another building of the same sort, called the tower of Pelorus._ Such
Pillars were by the Iberians styled Herculean, because they were sacred to
Hercules; under which title they worshipped the chief Deity. Some of these
were near Gades, and Onoba[795], [Greek: Kat' Onoban tes Iberias]: others
were erected still higher, on the coast of Lusitania. This caused an idle
dispute between Eratosthenes, Dicaearchus, and [796]others, in order to
determine which were the genuine pillars of Hercules: as if they were not
all equally genuine; all denominated from the Deity of the country. Two of
the most celebrated stood upon each side of the Mediterranean at the noted
passage called fretum Gaditanum--[Greek: kata ta akra tou porthmou]. That
on the Mauritanian side was called Abyla, from Ab-El, parens Sol: the other
in Iberia had the name of[797] Calpe. This was an obelisk or tower, and a
compound of Ca-Alpe, and signifies the house, or cavern of the same
oracular God: for it was built near a cave; and all such recesses were
esteemed to be oracular. At places of this sort mariners used to come on
shore to make their offerings; and to inquire about the success of their
voyage. They more especially resorted to those towers, and pillars, which
stood at the entrance of their own havens. Nobody, says [798]Arrian, will
venture to quit his harbour without paying due offerings to the Gods, and
invoking their favour. Helenus in Virgil charges AEneas, whatever may be the
consequence, not to neglect consulting the oracle at Cuma.

[799]Hic tibi ne qua morae fuerint dispendia tanti,
Quamvis increpitent socij, et vi cursus in altum
Vela vocet, possisque sinus implere secundos,
Quin adeas vatem, precibusque oracula poscas.

The island Delos was particularly frequented upon this account; and the
sailors seem to have undergone some severe discipline at the altar of the
God, in order to obtain his favour.

[800][Greek: Asterie, polubome, polullite, tis de se nautes]
[Greek: Emporos Aigaioio pareluthe nei theousei;]
[Greek: Ouch' houto megaloi min epipneiousin aetai,]
[Greek: Chreio d' hotti tachiston agei ploon, alla ta laiphe]
[Greek: Okees esteilanto, kai ou palin authis ebesan,]
[Greek: Prin megan e seo bomon hupo plegesin