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
Canuphis was sometimes expressed Anuphis and Anubis; and, however rendered,
was by the Greeks and Romans continually spoken of as a dog; at least they
supposed him to have had a dog's head, and often mention his [43]barking.
But they were misled by the title, which they did not understand. The
Egyptians had many emblematical personages, set off with heads of various
animals, to represent particular virtues and affections, as well as to
denote the various attributes of their Gods. Among others was this canine
figure, which I have no reason to think was appropriated to Canuph, or
Cneph. And though upon gems and marbles his name may be sometimes found
annexed to this character, yet it must be looked upon as a Grecian work,
and so denominated in consequence of their mistaken notion. For we must
make a material distinction between the hieroglyphics of old, when Egypt
was under her own kings; and those of later date, when that country was
under the government of the Greeks: at which time their learning was
greatly impaired, and their antient theology ruined. Horus Apollo assures
us, if any credit may be given to what he says, that this canine figure was
an emblem of the earth: [44]Οικουμενην γραφοντες κυνοκεφαλον ζωγραφουσι.
_When they would describe the earth, they paint a Cunocephalus._ It could
not, therefore, I should think, in any degree relate to Canuphis. The
same[45] writer informs us, that under the figure of a dog they represented
a priest, or sacred scribe, and a prophet; and all such as had the chief
management of funerals: also the spleen, the smell, sneezing; rule and
government, and a magistrate, or judge: which is a circumstance hardly to
be believed. For, as hieroglyphics were designed to distinguish, it is
scarce credible that the Egyptians should crowd together so many different
and opposite ideas under one character, whence nothing could well ensue but
doubt and confusion. Besides, I do not remember, that in any group of
antient hieroglyphics the figure of a dog occurs. The meaning of this
history, I think, may be with a little attention made out. The Egyptians
were refined in their superstitions, above all the nations in the world;
and conferred the names and titles of their Deities upon vegetables and
animals of every species; and not only upon these, but also upon the parts
of the human body, and the very passions of the mind. Whatever they deemed
salutary, or of great value, they distinguished by the title of Sacred, and
consecrated it to some [46]God. This will appear from words borrowed from
Egypt. The Laurel, Laurus, was denominated from Al-Orus: the berry was
termed bacca, from Bacchus; Myrrh, Μυῤῥα was from Ham-Ourah; Casia, from
Chus. The Crocodile was called Caimin and Campsa; the Lion, El-Eon; the
Wolf, El-Uc; the Cat, Al-Ourah: whence the Greeks formed λεων, λυκος,
αιλουρος. The Egyptians styled Myrrh, Baal; balsam, baal-samen; Camphire,
Cham-phour, καμφουρα of Greece; Opium, Ophion. The sweet reed of Egypt was
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