DION. 299 began to suspect what was doing, and from all hands in- formation came to them of the plot. Dion, being troub- led, it is probable, for Heraclides's murder, which was like to be a blot and stain upon his life and actions, in continual weariness and vexation, declared he had rather die a thousand times, and open his breast himself to the assassin, than live not only in fear of his enemies but suspicion of his friends. But Callippus, seeing the women very inquisitive to search to the bottom of the business, took alarm, and came to them, utterly den3-ing it with tears in his eves, and offerino; to give them whatever as- surances of his fidelity they desired. They requned that he should take the Great Oath, which was after this man- ner. The juror went into the sanctuary of Ceres and Prosei-pine, where, after the performance of some cere- monies, he was clad in the purple vestment of the god- dess, and, holding a lighted torch in his hand, took his oath. Callippus did as they required, and forswore the fact. And indeed he so little valued the goddesses, that he stayed but till the very festival of Proserpine, by whom he had sworn, and on that very day committed his in- tended murder ; as trulv he might well enough disregard the day, since he must at any other time as impiously offend her. when he who had acted as her initiating priest should shed the blood of her worshippei"^ There were a great many in the conspiracy; and as Dion was at home with several of his friends in a room with tables for entertainment in it, some of the conspira- tors beset the house aroimd, others secured the doors and windows. The actual intended murderers were some Za^ cjmthians, who went inside in their under-dresses without swords. Those outside shut the doors upon them and kept them fast. The murderers fell oir Dion, endeav-
- This seems to refer to the or- had acted as mystagogus when Dion
igin of the acquaintance between was initiated as a niystes in the Callippus and Dion. — Callippus Eleusinlan ceremony.
