_Cornelius Sylla_ was not the first whose body was burned in _Rome_, but of the _Cornelian_ Family, which being indifferently, not frequently used before; from that time spread and became the prevalent practice. Not totally pursued in the highest run of Cremation; For when even Crows were funerally burnt, _Poppæa_ the wife of _Nero_ found a peculiar grave enterment. Now as all customs were founded upon some bottom of Reason, so there wanted not grounds for this; according to several apprehensions of the most rational dissolution. Some being of the opinion of _Thales_, that water was the original of all things, thought it most equal to submit unto the principle of putrifaction, and conclude in a moist relentment. Others conceived it most natural to end in fire, as due unto the master principle in the composition, according to the doctrine of _Heraclitus_. And therefore heaped up large piles, more actively to waft them toward that Element, whereby they also declined a visible degeneration into worms, and left a lasting parcel of their composition. Some apprehended a purifying virtue in fire, refining the grosser commixture, and firing out the Æthereal particles so deeply immersed in it. And such as by tradition or rational conjecture held any hint of the final pyre of all things; or that this Element at last must be too hard for all the rest; might conceive most naturally of the fiery dissolution. Others pretending no natural grounds, politickly declined the malice of enemies upon their buried bodies. Which consideration led _Sylla_ unto this practice; who having thus served the body of _Marius_, could not but fear a retaliation upon his own; entertained after in the Civil wars, and revengeful contentions of _Rome_. But as many Nations embraced, and many left it indifferent, so others too much affected, or strictly declined this practice. The _Indian Brachmans_ seemed too great friends unto fire, who burnt themselves alive, and thought it the noblest way to end their dayes in fire; according to the expression of the Indian, burning himself at _Athens_,[7] in his last words upon the pyre unto the amazed spectators, _Thus I make my self immortal_. [7] _And therefore the Inscription of his Tomb was made accordingly._ Nic. Damasc. But the _Chaldeans_ the great Idolaters of fire, abhorred the burning of their carcasses, as a polution of that Deity. The _Persian Magi_ declined it upon the like scruple, and being only solicitous about their bones, exposed their flesh to the prey of Birds and Dogs. And the _Persees_ now in _India_, which expose their bodies unto Vultures, and endure not so much as _feretra_ or Beers of Wood; the proper Fuell of fire, are led on with such nicities. But whether the ancient _Germans_ who burned their dead, held any such fear to pollute their Deity of _Herthus_, or the earth, we have no Authentick conjecture.