SET TEXT: Crocodiles 1-15

τοις μεν δη των Αιγυπτιων ιεροι εισιν οι κροκοδειλοι,

Indeed, to some of the Egyptians crocodiles are sacred,

τοις δ' ου

but not to others,

αλλ' ατε πολεμιους περιεπουσι.

rather since they treat them as enemies.

οι δε περι τε Θηβας και την Μοιρεως λιμνην οικουντες και καρτα ηγουνται αυτους ειναι ιερους.

But the people living around both Thebes and lake Moeris very definitely think that they are holy.

ενα δε εκατεροι τρεφουσι κροκοδειλον,

Each community raises one crocodile,

δεδιδαγμενον ειναι χειροηθη:

taught to be tame:

αρτηματα δε εις τα ωτα ενθεντες και αμφιδεας περι τους προσθιους ποδας,

and after putting earrings in its ears and bracelets around its front feet,

και σιτια αποτακτα διδοντες και ιερεια,

and giving it special food and holy offerings,

περιεπουσιν ως καλλιστα ζωντας,

they treat me as finely as possible when they are alive.

αποθανοντας δε ταριχευοντες θαπτουσιν εν ιεραις θηκαις.

And when they have dies, embalming them, they bury them in holy coffins.