A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume 1 (of 6)Bryant, Jacob
Religion
A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume 1 (of 6)
Bryant, Jacob
History, Ancient; Mythology
But this term does not relate merely to a cavern; but to temples founded
near such places: oftentimes the cave itself was a temple. Caieta, in
Italy, near Cuma, called by Diodorus Καιητη, was so denominated on this
account. It was a cave in the rock, abounding with variety of subterranes,
cut out into various apartments. These were, of old, inhabited by Amonian
priests; for they settled in these parts very early. It seems to have been
a wonderful work. [429]Ανεωγετ' εντευθεν σπηλαια ὑπερμεγεθη, κατοικιας
μεγαλας, και πολυτελεις δεδεγμενα. _In these parts were large openings in
the earth, exhibiting caverns of a great extent; which afforded very ample
and superb apartments._ Diodorus informs us, that, what was in his time
called Caiete, had been sometimes styled [430]Aiete: by which we may see,
that it was a compound; and consisted of two or more terms; but these terms
were not precisely applicable to the same object. Ai-Ete, or Ai-Ata, was
the region of Ait, the Deity to whom it was sacred. Colchis had the same
name; whence its king was called Aietes: and Egypt had the same, expressed
by the Greeks [431]Αετια, Aetia. Aiete was the district: Caiete was the
cave and temple in that district; where the Deity was worshipped.
In Bœotia was a cavern, into which the river Cephisus descended, and was
lost. It afterwards emerged from this gulf, and passed freely to the sea.
The place of eruption was called An-choa, which signifies Fontis apertura.
The later Greeks expressed it Anchoe[432]. Καλειται δ' ὁ τοπος Αγκοη· εστι
δε λιμην ὁμωνυμος. The etymology, I flatter myself, is plain, and
authenticated by the history of the place.
From Cho, and Choa, was probably derived the word Χοϊκος, used by the
apostle. [433]Ὁ πρωτος ανθρωπος εκ γης Χοϊκος· ὁ δευτερος ανθρωπος ὁ Κυριος
εξ ουρανου. Ὁιος ὁ Χοϊκος, και τοιαυτοι ὁι Χοϊκοι. Hesychius observes,
Χοϊκος, πηλινος, γηινος. From hence we may perceive, that by Cho was
originally meant a house or temple in the earth. It was, as I have shewn,
often expressed Gau, and Go; and made to signify any house. Some nations
used it in a still more extended sense; and by it denoted a town or
village, and any habitation at large. It is found in this acceptation among
the antient Celtæ, and Germans, as we learn from Cluverius. [434]Apud ipsos
Germanos ejusmodi pagorum vernaculum vocabulum fuit Gaw; et variantibus
dialectis, găw, gew, gỏw, gow, hinc--Brisgaw, Wormesgaw, Zurichgow, Turgow,
Nordgaw, Andegaw, Rhingaw, Hennegow, Westergow, Oostergow. The antient term
Πυργος, Purgos, was properly Pur-Go; and signified a light-house, or temple
of fire, from the Chaldaic Pur.
PARTICLES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account