Such are the figurative expressions of Plutarch (Opera,
tom. ii. p. 318, edit. Wechel [Frankf. 1620]), to whom, on
the faith of his son Lamprias (Fabricius, Bibliot. Graec.
tom. iii. p. 341), I shall boldly impute the malicious declamation,
The same opinions had prevailed among the
Greeks two hundred and fifty years before Plutarch; and to
confute them is the professed intention of Polybius (Hist.
1. i. [c. 63] p. 90, edit. Gronov. Amstel. 1670).