PALICI, or PALISCI (fab. hist.), two deities, sons
of Jupiter by Thalia, whom Æschylus, according to
Mæcrobius, calls Ætna, in a tragedy which is lost. The
nymph Ætna, when pregnant, begged Jupiter to re-
move her from the pursuit of Juno. Upon which he
concealed her in the bowels of the earth; and when
the time of her delivery arrived, the earth opened
and brought into the world two children, to whom
were given the name of Palici et Palisci, because
they came again into the world from the bowels of the earth.
These deities were worshipped with many ceremonies
by the Sicilians; and near their temple were two small
lakes, which were supposed to have sprung out of the
earth when they were born. Near these pools it was
usual to take the most solemn oaths when any body
wished to decide controversies and quarrels. If any of
the persons who took the oaths were perjured, they
were immediately punished supernaturally; and those
whose oath, by the deities of the place, was sincere,
departed unhurt. The Palici had also an oracle, which
was consulted upon some great emergencies, and which
rendered the truest and most unequivocal answers. In
a superstitious age, the altars of the Palici were stained
with the blood of human sacrifices; but this barbarous
custom did not last long, as the deities were satisfied
with the usual offerings.