Chap. 6 (5.) — An Eagle Which Precipitated Itself on the Funeral Pile of a Girl
There is a very famous story about an eagle at the city of Sestos. Having been reared by a little girl, it used to testify its gratitude for her kindness, first by bringing her birds, and in due time various kinds of prey: at last she died, upon which the bird threw itself on the lighted pile, and was consumed with her body. In memory of this event, the inhabitants raised upon the spot what they called an heroic monument,2911 in honour of Jupiter and the damsel, the eagle being a bird consecrated to that divinity.