us but our own ignorance. Thus previously disposed to doubt, let those ancient authors, I have mentioned, relate the story: all their teftimonies are comprized in that of Snorro, the ancient hiftorian of Norway, and in the commentaries and expli- cations which Torfæus hath added to his narrative[1].
The Roman Common-wealth was arrived to the highest pitch of power, and saw, all the then known world subject to its laws, when an unforeseen event raised up enemies against it, from the very bosom of the forests of Scythia, and on the banks of the Tanais. Mithridates by flying, had drawn Pompey after him into those desarts. The king of Pontus fought there for refuge, and new means of vengeance. He hoped to arm against the ambition of Rome, all the barbarous nations his neighbours, whose liberty she threatened. He succeeded in this at first; but all those people, ill-united as allies, ill-armed as soldiers, and still worse disciplined, were forced to yield to the genius of Pompey. Odin is said to have been of this number. He was obliged to withdraw himself by flight from
- ↑ Vid. Snorro. Sturl. Chron. Norveg. in initio. —Torfæus Ser. Dynast. Chap. IV. ac Reg. Dan. c. 11. p. 104. & seq.
