In several temples of the ancients, the statues of Cybele were only a piece of stone, meant to represent the stability of the earth. […] In her temple of Euploca, at Cnidos, was the most admired of her statues, being the most perfect piece of Praxiteles. […] The drapery of the statue, the gentle beauty of the feet, and the grace of the attitude, are what may be seen in many other statues belonging to that astonishing era which produced it: such a countenance is seen in few.” […] Sometimes his statues represent him without arms, because the power of speech can prevail over everything. […] They frequently placed on his back the statue of Minerva, and offered to him the tongues of the victims whom they immolated to the goddess.