VII. SARDANAPALUS AND HERCULES. 1. THE BURNING OF SARDANAPALUS. Tarsus said to have been founded by Sardanapalus, His legendary death in the fire, Historical foundation of the legend. 2. THE BURNING OF CROESUS. Improbability of the story that Cyrus intended to burn Croesus, Older and truer tradition that Croesus attempted to burn himself, Death of Semiramis in the fire, "great burnings" for Jewish kings. 3. PURIFICATION BY FIRE. Death by fire a mode of apotheosis, Fire supposed to purge away the mortal parts of men, leaving the immortal 4. THE DIVINITY OF LYDIAN KINGS. Descent of Lydian kings from Hercules, the god of the double axe and the lion, Lydian kings held responsible for the weather and crops, The lion-god of Lydia, Identity of the Lydian and Cilician Hercules. 5. HITTITE GODS AT TARSUS AND SARDES. The Cilician and Lydian Hercules (Sandan or Sandon) apparently a Hittite deity. 6. THE RESURRECTION OF TYLON. Death and resurrection of the Lydian hero Tylon, Feast of the Golden Flower at Sardes.
