The true name of the Amonian priests I have shewn to have been Petor, or Pator; and the instrument which they held in their hands was styled Petaurum. They used to dance round a large fire, in honour of the Sun, whose orbit they affected to describe. At the same time they exhibited other feats of activity, to amuse the votaries who resorted to their temples. This dance was sometimes performed in armour, especially in Crete: and, being called Pyrrhic, was supposed to have been so named from Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles. But, when was he in Crete? Besides, it is said to have been practised by the Argonautic heroes before his time. It was a religious dance, denominated from fire, with which it was accompanied. [858]Αμφι δε δαιομενοις ευρυν χορον εστησαντο, Καλον Ιηπαιηον', Ιηπαιηονα Φοιβον Μελπομενοι. It was originally an Egyptian dance, in honour of Hermes, and practised by the Pataræ, or Priests. In some places it was esteemed a martial exercise, and exhibited by persons in armour, who gave it the name of Betarmus. We have an instance of it in the same poet: [859]Αμυδις δε νεοι Ορφηος ανωγῃ Εκαιροντες Βηταρμον ενοπλιον ορχησαντο, Και σακεα ξιφεεσσιν ὑπεκτυπον. Βηταρμος Betarmus, was a name given to the dance, from the temple of the Deity where it was probably first practised. It is a compound of Bet Armes, or Armon, called, more properly, Hermes, and Hermon. Bet, and Beth, among the Amonians, denoted a temple. There is reason to think that the circular dances of the Dervises, all over the east, are remains of these antient customs. In the first ages this exercise was esteemed a religious rite, and performed by people of the temple where it was exhibited: but, in aftertimes, the same feats were imitated by rope-dancers and vagrants, called Petauristæ, and Petauristarii; who made use of a kind of pole, styled petaurum.--Of these the Roman writers make frequent mention; and their feats are alluded to by Juvenal: [860]An magis oblectant animum jactata petauro Corpora, quique solent rectum descendere funem? Manilius likewise gives an account of this people, and their activity; wherein may be observed some remains of the original institution: [861]Ad numeros etiam ille ciet cognata per artem Corpora, quæ valido saliunt excussa petauro: Membraque _per flammas orbesque_ emissa flagrantes, Delphinûmque suo per inane imitantia motu, Et viduata volant pennis, et in aëre ludunt.