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
Since then we may be assured that Chus was the person alluded to under the
name of Chrusos, Chrubor, and Chrusaor; we need not wonder that his
substitute Apollo is so often styled Χρυσοκομης, and Χρυσολυρος: that the
harp, called by the Amonians [127] Chan-Or, and Cuth-Or, from the supposed
inventor, should by the Grecians be denominated Χρυσεα φορμιγξ
[128]Απολλωνος: that so many cities, where Apollo was particularly
worshipped, should be called Chruse, and Chrusopolis, the number of which
was of no small [129]amount. Nor is this observable in cities only, but in
rivers, which were named in the same manner. For it was usual, in the first
ages, to consecrate rivers to Deities, and to call them after their names.
Hence many were denominated from Chusorus, which by the Greeks was changed
to Χρυσοῤῥοας; and from this mistake they were supposed to abound with
gold. The Nile was called Chrusorrhoas[130], which had no pretensions to
gold: and there was a river of this name at [131]Damascus. Others too might
be produced, none of which had any claim to that mineral. There was a
stream Chrusorrhoas near the Amazonian city Themiscura in [132]Pontus: and
the river Pactolus was of old so called, whence probably came the notion of
its abounding with gold. [133]Πακτωλος ποταμος εστι της Λυδιας----εκαλειτο
δε προτερον Χρυσοῤῥοας. It was named Chrusorrhoas first, and in aftertimes
Pactolus: whence we may conclude, in respect to gold, that the name was not
given on account of any such circumstance; but the notion was inferred from
the name.
It is apparent that this repeated mistake arose in great measure from the
term Chusus and Chrusus being similar: whence the latter was easily
convertible into the former; which to the Grecians appeared a more
intelligible, and at the same time a more splendid, title. But there was
still another obvious reason for this change. Chus was by many of the
eastern nations expressed Cuth; and his posterity the Cuthim. This term, in
the antient Chaldäic, and other Amonian languages, signified [134]gold:
hence many cities and countries, where the Cuthites settled, were described
as golden, and were represented by the terms Chrusos and Chruse. These, as
I have shewn, had no relation to gold, but to Chus, who was reverenced as
the Sun, or Apollo; and was looked upon as Dionusus; but may more truly be
esteemed Bacchus. Hence, when the poet Dionysius mentions the island Chruse
in [135]India, his commentator observes; Χρυση νησος, λεγομενη ὁυτως, η δια
το χρυσον φερειν, η κατα τον Διονυσον· and at last concludes, [136]Χρυσους
ειναι πως δοκει ὁ ἡλιος.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account