AMALTHEA, the name of the Cumæan Sibyl, who offered to Tarquinius Superbus nine books containing the Roman destinies, and demanded 300 pieces of gold as their price. The monarch disregarding her demand, she threw three of them into the fire, and returning, asked the same price for the remaining six; which being also denied, she burnt three more, and returning, demanded the same price for the three that were left. Tarquinius, astonished at her behaviour, consulted the pontiffs, who advised him to buy them. These books were so highly
esteemed, that two magistrates were created to consult Amalthæa them upon extraordinary occasions.