A Thessalian sophistry

Explanation

proverb said of those who play the sophist. For there had come to a Thessalian an oracle bidding him beware lest his enemies overcome him by using a greater and more brilliant prayer against him. Understanding the oracle and turning to excess, he vowed a hecatomb of men as sacrifice to Apollo Kataibasios. Going down there and arranging the things to which he had set his hand, he reckoned the matter of the sacrifice and the vow neither befitting the rite nor otherwise pious, and put it off. Even now the Thessalians promise the sacrifice to Apollo from year to year.