amongst the Greeks and Romans, was an essential part of solemn sacrifices. It was also performed alone, as a drink-offering, by way of procuring the protection and favour of the gods, in the ordinary affairs of life. Libations, according to the different natures of the gods in honour of whom they were made, consisted of different liquids, but wine was the most usual. The wine offered to the gods was always unmixed with water. We meet with libations of water, libations of honey, libations of milk, and libations of oil; these are called ἀρτανία ἱερά. The libation was made with a serious deportment and solemn prayer. At sacrifices, the libation, after it had been tasted by the priest, and handed to the bystanders, was poured upon the victim. At entertainments, a little wine was generally poured out of the cup, before the liquor began to circulate, to show their gratitude to the gods for the blessings they enjoyed.

Libations were also in use among the Hebrews, who poured a kind of wine on the victim after it was killed, and the several pieces of the sacrifice were laid on the altar, ready to be consumed in the flames.