called in Scripture, according to our version, [323]Ekron. It was denominated from Achor, the God of flies, worshipped also under the name of Baal-zebub with the same attribute. The Caphtorim brought the worship of this God from Egypt; where was a river called Acharon; so denominated from the Deity of the country. This river, and the rites practised in its vicinity, are mentioned in a beautiful fragment from some Sibylline poetry, but when, or by whom composed, is uncertain. The verses are taken notice of by Clemens Alexandrinus, and what is remarkable, are certainly quoted long before the completion of what is portended. However the purport may perhaps be looked upon rather as a menace, than a prophecy. [324]Ισι, θεα, τριταλαινα, μενεις επι χευμασι Νειλου, Μουνη, μαινας, αοιδος, επι ψαμαθοις Αχεροντος. The Deity was likewise called Achad, and Achon: and many cities and countries were hence [325]denominated. Acon in Palestine is said to have been so named in honour of Hercules, the chief Deity in those [326]parts. I have mentioned, that Ham, styled also Cham, was looked up to as the Sun, and worshipped by his posterity. Hence both his images and priests were styled Chamin: and many princes assumed this title, just as they did that of Orus, and Arez. His posterity esteemed themselves of the Solar race, by way of eminence: and the great founder of the Persic Monarchy was styled Achamin, rendered by the Greeks Αχαιμενης, Achæmenes: and all of his family afterwards had the title of Αχαιμενιοι, and Αχαιμενιδαι, from the same pretensions. They all of them universally esteemed themselves the children of the Sun; though they were likewise so called from their worship. Hence Lutatius Placidus in his Scholia upon Statius interprets the word Achæmenidæ by [327]Solis Cultores. This may serve to authenticate my etymology, and shew, that the term is derived from Cham, the Sun: but the purport of it was generally more limited, and the title confined to the royal race of the Persians, who were looked upon as the offspring of the Sun. The Cuthites of Ethiopia Africana had the same high opinion of themselves: hence Calasiris in Heliodorus invokes the Sun as his great ancestor. [328]Επικεκλησθω μαρτυς ὁ Γεναρχης ἡμων Ἡλιος· and Chariclea in another place makes use of a like invocation: [329]Ἡλιε, Γεναρχα προγονων ἡμων. _O, Sun, the great source of my ancestry_. The Amonians, who settled at Rhodes, styled themselves Ἡλιαδαι, _the Solar [330]race_. Those who settled upon the Padus did the [331]same. Hyde mentions a people in Diarbeker, called [332]Chamsi; and says, that the meaning of the word is Solares; and the same in purport as Shemsi and Shamsi of the Arabians.