anointed stones, worshipped by the Phoenicians, by the Greeks before the time of Cecrops, and by other barbarous nations. They were commonly of a black colour, and consecrated to some god, as Saturn, Jupiter, the Sun, &c. Some are of opinion that the true original of these idols is to be derived from the pillar of stone which Jacob erected at Bethel, and which was afterwards worshipped by the Jews.

These baetylia were much the object of the veneration of the ancient heathens. Many of their idols were no other. In reality, no sort of idol was more common in the eastern countries, than that of oblong stones erected, and hence termed by the Greeks, στήλαι, pillars. In some parts of Egypt they were planted on both sides of the highways. In the temple of Heliogabalus, in Syria, there was one pretended to have fallen from heaven. There was also a famous black stone in Phrygia, said to have fallen from heaven. The Romans sent for it and the priests belonging to it with much ceremony, Scipio Nasica being at the head of the embassy.