But here, while he frequented all the Egyptian temples with the greatest
diligence and with accurate investigation, he was both admired and loved
by the priests and prophets with whom he associated. And having learnt
with the greatest solicitude every particular, he did not neglect to
hear of any transaction that was celebrated in his own time, or of any
man famous for his wisdom, or any mystery in whatever manner it might be
performed; nor did he omit to visit any place in which he thought
something more excellent might be found. On this account he went to all
the priests, by whom he was furnished with the wisdom which each
possessed. He spent therefore two and twenty years in Egypt, in the
adyta of temples, astronomizing and geometrizing, and was initiated, not
in a superficial or casual manner, in all the mysteries of the Gods,
till at length being taken captive by the soldiers of Cambyses, he was
brought to Babylon. Here he gladly associated with the Magi, was
instructed by them in their venerable knowledge, and learnt from them
the most perfect worship of the Gods. Through their assistance likewise,
he arrived at the summit of arithmetic, music, and other disciplines;
and after associating with them twelve years, he returned to Samos about
the fifty-sixth year of his age.