A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume 2 (of 6)Bryant, Jacob
History
A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume 2 (of 6)
Bryant, Jacob
History, Ancient; Mythology
We meet with the same Chrusaor in the regions of Asia Minor, especially
among the Carians. In these parts he was particularly worshipped, and said
to have been the first deified mortal. The great Divan of that nation was
called Chrusaorium; and there was a city [116]Chrusaoris, and a temple of
the same name. [117]Εγγυς δε της πολεως το του Χρυσαορεως Διος κοινον
ἁπαντων Καρων, εις ὁ συνιασι θυσαντες τε και βουλευσαμενοι. This city was
properly called Chus-Or, and built in memory of the same person; as the
city Chusora, called also [118]Cerchusora, in Egypt. It was undoubtedly
founded by some of the same family, who in aftertimes worshipped their
chief ancestor; as the Sidonians and Syrians did likewise. For this we have
the testimony of Sanchoniathon; who, having mentioned the various benefits
bestowed upon mankind by Chrusaor, says, at the conclusion, [119]Διο και ὡς
θεον αυτον μετα θανατον εσεβασθησαν· _for which reason, after his death,
they worshipped him as a God_. The first king of Iberia was named Chrusaor,
the reputed father of [120]Geryon; and he is said to have been πολυχρυσος,
a person of great wealth: all which is an Egyptian history, transferred
from the Nile to the Bœtis.
[121]Χρυσαωρ δ' ετεκε τρικαρηνον Γηρυονηα,
Μιχθεις Χαλλιροῃ κουρῃ κλυτου Ωκεανοιο.
Geryon of Spain was, according to this mythology of the poet, the son of
Chrusaor; and Chrusaor was confessedly of Egyptian original: so that,
whatever the fable may allude to, it must have been imported into Bœtica
from Egypt by some of the sons of Chus. The Grecians borrowed this term,
and applied it to Apollo; and from this epithet, Chrusaor, he was
denominated the God of the golden sword. Homer accordingly styles him,
[122]Απολλωνα Χρυσαορα: and, speaking of Apollo's infancy, he says,
[123]Ουδ' αρ' Απολλωνα Χρυσαορα θησατο μητηρ: and Diana is termed
[124]Αυτοκασιγνητη Χρυσαορος Απολλωνος.
This title cannot possibly relate to the implement supposed: for it would
be idle to style an infant the God of the golden sword. It was a weapon,
which at no time was ascribed to him: nor do I believe, that he is ever
represented with one either upon a gem, or a marble. He is described as
wishing for a harp, and for a bow.
[125]Ειη μοι κιθαρις τε φιλη, και καμπυλα τοξα.
And his mother is said to have been pleased that she produced him to the
world an archer:
[126]Χαιρε δε Λετω,
Ὁυνεκα τοξοφορον και καρτερον ὑιον ετικτεν.
These habiliments are often specified: but I do not recollect any mention
made of a sword, nor was the term Chrusaor of Grecian etymology.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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