They called their chief God Pur: and dealt particularly in divination by lots, termed of old _Purim_. Cicero takes notice of this custom of divination at Præneste; and describes the manner, as well as the place: but gives into the common mistake, that the Purim related to Jupiter's childhood. He says, that the place, where the process was carried on, was a sacred inclosure, [459]is est hodie locus septus, religiose propter Jovis _Pueri_, qui lactens cum Junone in gremio _Fortunæ_ mammam appetens, castissime colitur a Matribus. This manner of divination was of Chaldaïc original, and brought from Babylonia to Præneste. It is mentioned in Esther, c. 3. v. 7. They cast Pur before Haman, that he might know the success of his purposes against the Jews. _Wherefore they call these days Purim after the name of Pur_[460]. c. 9. v. 26. The same lots of divination being used at Præneste was the occasion of the God being called Jupiter Pur. This in aftertimes was changed to Puer: whence we find inscriptions, which mention him under that name; and at the same time take notice of the custom, which prevailed in his temple. Inscriptions Jovi Puero, and Fortunæ Primigeniæ Jovis [461]Pueri are to be found in Gruter. One is very particular. [462]Fortunæ Primigeniæ Jovis Pueri D.D. Ex _SORTE_ compos factus Nothus Ruficanæ L. P. Plotilla. That this word Puer was originally Pur may be proved from a well known passage in Lucretius: [463]Puri sæpe lacum propter ac dolia curva Somno devincti credunt se attollere vestem. Many instances, were it necessary, might be brought to this purpose. It was a name originally given to the priests of the Deity who were named from the Chaldaic אור, Ur: and by the antient Latines were called P'uri. At Præneste the name was particularly kept up on account of this divination by [464]lots. These by the Amonians were styled Purim, being attended with ceremonies by fire; and supposed to be effected through the influence of the Deity. Præneste seems to be a compound of Puren Esta, the lots of Esta, the Deity of fire.