Voluntary flagellations were also in use among the Egyptians. It even
seems that this practice took its origin among them; and they used them
as a method of atoning for their sins, and appeasing the incensed Deity.
Herodotus has left us an account of the manner in which they commonly
performed their flagellations, in the account he has given of the
festival which they celebrated in honour of their goddess. After
preparing themselves by fasting (he says) they begin to offer
sacrifices, and they mutually beat each other during the time that the
offerings are burning on the altar; this done, the viands which remain
after the sacrifice is accomplished, are placed upon tables before those
who compose the assembly.
The same Herodotus says on another occasion, “I have already related in
what manner the festival of Isis is celebrated in the city of Busiris.
While the sacrifice is performing, the whole assembly, amounting to
several thousands of both men and women, beat one another.” To this
Herodotus adds, that “he is not allowed to mention the reason, why those
beatings were performed.”
Among the Syrians, we likewise find that the use of voluntary
flagellations had been adopted; and their priests practised them upon
themselves with astonishing severity. Apuleius, in his Metamorphoses of
the Golden Ass, relates the manner in which these priests both made
incisions in their own flesh, and lashed themselves voluntarily.
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