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
The father of this people is represented in the Mosaic history, according
to our version, Canaan: but there is reason to think that by the Egyptians
and other neighbouring nations it was expressed Cnaan. This by the Greeks
was rendered Χναας, and Χνας; and in later times Χνα, Cna. [163]Χνα, ὁυτος
ἡ Φοινικη εκαλειτο--το εθνικον Χναος. We are told by Philo from
Sanchoniathon, that [164]Isiris the Egyptian, who found out three letters,
was the brother of Cna: by which is meant, that Mizraïm was the brother of
Canaan. I have taken notice more than once of a particular term, Υκ, Uc;
which has been passed over unnoticed by most writers: yet is to be found in
the composition of many words; especially such as are of Amonian original.
The tribe of Cush was styled by Manethon, before the passage was depraved,
Υκκουσος. Uch, says this author, in the sacred language of Egypt, signifies
a [165]king. Hence it was conferred as a title upon the God Sehor, who, as
we may infer from Manethon and [166]Hellanicus, was called Ucsiris, and
Icsiris; but by the later Greeks the name was altered to Isiris and Osiris.
And not only the God Sehor, or Sehoris was so expressed; but Cnas, or
Canaan, had the same title, and was styled Uc-Cnas, and the Gentile name or
possessive was Uc-cnaos, Υκ-κναος: το εθνικον γαρ Χναος, as we learn from
Stephanus. The Greeks, whose custom it was to reduce every foreign name to
something similar in their own language, changed Υκκναος to Κυκνειος, Uc
Cnaus to Cucneus; and from Υκ Κνας formed Κυκνος. Some traces of this word
still remain, though almost effaced; and may be observed in the name of the
Goddess Ichnaia. Instead of Uc-Cnaan the son of Ham, the Greeks have
substituted this personage in the feminine, whom they have represented as
the daughter of the Sun. She is mentioned in this light by Lycophron:
[167]Της Ἡλιου θυγατρος Ιχναιας βραβευς. They likewise changed Thamuz and
Thamas of Canaan and Egypt to Themis a feminine; and called her Ichnaia
Themis. She is so styled by Homer.
[168]Θεαι δ' εσαν ενδοθι πασαι,
Ὁσσαι αρισται εσαν, Διωνη τε, Ῥειη τε,
Ιχναιη τε Θεμις, και αγαστονος Αμφιτριτη.
Ιχναια is here used adjectively. Ιχναια Θεμις signifies Themis, or Thamuz,
of [169]Canaan.
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