Psylli
The Psylli (Seli) were a native Berber tribe inhabiting Ancient Libya.[1]
Historical accounts
Pliny the Elder (Hist. Nat., vii 14) places the Psylli on the Syrtic coast above the Garamantes, and gives Psyllikos Kolpos as an early name of the Syrtic Gulf.
According to John C. Murphy, "the Psylli were the displaced remnants of an ancient Libyan tribe that lived on the Gulf of Sidra. Conquered by the nomadic Nasamones, the Psylli became a well-known snake-charming sect."[2]
Of the Psylli,
In his Roman History,
"Of all who scorching Afric's sun endure, None like the swarthy Psyllians are secure: With healing gifts and privileges graced, Well in the land of serpents were they placed: Truce with the dreadful tyrant death they have, And border safely on his realm the grave" (Pharsalia ix. 891, trans. by Rowe)
Customs
It is claimed that the Psylli employed tests by animals in order to find out if their offspring was genuine and at the same time if their wives were faithful. Infant Psylli were subjected to
References
Notes
- ^ a b c Cook, Stanley Arthur (1911). . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 24 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 676–682.
- ISBN 1450221262, 9781450221269 iUniversity 2010, p. 8
Further reading
- Smith, Richard L. (December 2003). "What Happened to the Ancient Libyans?". .
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