As Heracleon was reflecting upon this in
silence, Philip said, “Not only has Empedocles
bequeathed to us bad demigods, Heracleon, but so
also have Plato, Xenocrates, and Chrysippus1; and,
[p. 401]
in addition, Demolitus,2 by his prayer that he may
meet with ‘propitious spirits,’ clearly recognized that
there is another class of these which is perverse and
possessed of vicious predilections and impulses.
‘As for death among such beings, I have heard the
words of a man who was not a fool nor an impostor.
The father of Aemilianus the orator, to whom some
of you have listened, was Epitherses, who lived in
our town and was my teacher in grammar. He said
that once upon a time in making a voyage to Italy
he embarked on a ship carrying freight and many
passengers. It was already evening when, near the
Echinades Islands, the wind dropped, and the ship
drifted near Paxi. Almost everybody was awake,
and a good many had not finished their after-dinner
wine. Suddenly from the island of Paxi was heard
the voice of someone loudly calling Thamus, so that
all were amazed. Thamus was an Egyptian pilot, not
known by name even to many on board. Twice he
was called and made no reply, but the third time he
answered ; and the caller, raising his voice, said,
‘When you come opposite to Palodes, announce
that Great Pan is dead.’ On hearing this, all, said
Epitherses, were astounded and reasoned among
themselves whether it were better to carry out the
order or to refuse to meddle and let the matter go.
Under the circumstances Thamus made up his mind
that if there should be a breeze, he would sail past
and keep quiet, but with no wind and a smooth sea
[p. 403]
about the place he would announce what he had
heard. So, when he came opposite Palodes, and
there was neither wind nor wave, Thamus from the
stern, looking toward the land, said the words as he
had heard them : ‘Great Pan is dead.’ Even before
he had finished there was a great cry of lamentation, not of one person, but of many, mingled with
exclamations of amazement. As many persons were
on the vessel, the story was soon spread abroad in
Rome, and Thamus was sent for by Tiberius Caesar.
Tiberius became so convinced of the truth of the
story that he caused an inquiry and investigation to
be made about Pan ; and the scholars, who were
numerous at his court, conjectured that he was the
son born of Hermes and Penelopê.’
3
Moreover, Philip had several witnesses among
the persons present who had been pupils of the old
man Aemilianus.