animals proceed from the earth. The box and pine trees were esteemed sacred to her. History informs us, that Cybele was the d

ief employment of the vestals consisted in constantly maintaining the sacred fire, which burned in honour of Vesta. This fire

was said to contain, besides the consecrated fire, the Palladium, or sacred image of Minerva, and the Lares and Penates, or h

ard fire as the most striking emblem of his beneficent influence. The sacred fire, drawn from sun-beams, accompanied the Persi

rld. Young geese, and the hawk, as well as the peacock, were esteemed sacred to her. Of plants, the dittany and poppy were off

h semblance fair, th’ unhappy men she plac’d. Milk newly press’d, the sacred flour of wheat, And honey fresh and Pramnian wine

e was, with great apparent reluctance, placed by the priests upon the sacred tripod, a kind of three-legged stool. A fit of ph

r horns, let victim goats expire; And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire. Come, sacred Sire, with luscious clusters c

goats expire; And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire. Come, sacred Sire, with luscious clusters crown’d, Let all the

ests, at Rome, were called Salii, and had the care of the Ancilia, or sacred shields. What was the origin of these Ancilia? A

s. The dove and the swan, the rose and the myrtle, were considered as sacred to her. Venus. She said, and turning round, her

s paid divine honours to the Ganges, which, to this day, is accounted sacred by the Hindoos. Oceanus and Nereus, personificati

While falling, she was changed into a pine tree, which was afterwards sacred to Pan. Milk and honey were offered to this Deity

t, Or nobly triumph’d in the field of fight: There, holy priests, and sacred poets stood, Who sang with all the raptures of a

their admiration and worship. This species of idolatry began, as the sacred records of the Old Testament inform us, soon afte

at nature is the Indian Mythology? The real doctrine contained in the sacred books of the ancient Indian Mythology, is the uni

ning the principles of the Indian Mythology are called the Vedas. The sacred language of the Brahmins or Hindû priests is name

egions; the king of serpents. He is thus described in the Bhagavat, a sacred Hindû poem. His appearance is gorgeous and brilli

ned by the Gods, with the mountain Mandar, and forced to throw up the sacred things, and animals, and the water of life, which

mals.” The vestiges of this superstition are still evident in all the sacred rites, and various ceremonies of the Hindû priest

remonies of the Hindû priests. At their first assuming the Zennar, or sacred cord of three threads, the mystic symbol of their

t towards that luminary. They preserve, constantly burning, a kind of sacred fire, kindled by the friction of two pieces of pa

e Hindûs, as the God of shepherds; of whose nature and actions, their sacred writings give the most extraordinary and strange

r coloured silk, with embroidered hems. In their hands are placed the sacred shell; elliptical rings, and maces, or battle-axe

monly erected near the banks of the Ganges, the Kistna, or some other sacred river, for the benefit of ablution in the purifyi

d others huge tusks, protruding from extended open mouths. Numbers of sacred hieroglyphical animals are sculptured on the wail

divisions of the people, established in the earliest times, by their sacred laws. Of these there are four; that of the priest

, or transmigration of souls through various bodies. The Sanscrit, or sacred language, in which their books of religion are wr

ny other animals; to the Ganges, and other rivers, which they account sacred . They believe that Vishnu, who has already been i

reason they were exempted from contributing to the maintenance of the sacred animals, adored in Lower Egypt. What were the obj

losophy, which they communicated to those who were initiated into the sacred mysteries. It is universally agreed, that the anc

pect is hideous, and whose disposition is fierce and untameable, were sacred to Typhon; such as the crocodile, the hippopotamu

ge under the forms of various animals, which were afterwards esteemed sacred on that account. At last, he was overwhelmed, thu

hys was called by the Greeks Aphrodite, or Venus. A white cow was the sacred animal, or living symbol of this goddess, the div

is. The statue of this god had the head of a dog: dogs were accounted sacred to him; and where his worship principally prevail

he springing lip of tender and esculent plants. There were no animals sacred to him, as to the other Egyptian deities; but the

e effect of his inspiration. Like other Egyptian deities, Thoth had a sacred animal appropriated to him, whose figure was conn

o appears to have been the personification of night and darkness. Her sacred animal was the Mygale, or shrew-mouse. This anima

he Leek, the Acacia, the Heliotrope, the Laurel, were all regarded as sacred by that superstitious people. It appears, likewis

. Did not the Egyptians pay most extravagant respect to some of their sacred animals? The people of Ombos dug tanks, or great

but as an incarnation of some daemon or spiritual being; for when one sacred bull died, and another was substituted, the peopl

d envy. Among the Egyptians it was a capital crime to kill any of the sacred animals; but if an ibis, or a hawk, were destroye

our one another, the Egyptians were never accused of slaughtering the sacred animals. Chap. VI. Persian Mythology. What

st and first among his subjects. Heaven was depicted as filled by the sacred Feruers, or divine prototypes and ideas of all cr

stem, as well as a scene of primitive blessedness and perfection. The sacred fire, which was reverenced as the emblem of the g

rnment of the world, was supposed to have received from the Supreme a sacred book in a heavenly language. Cayumers, the repute

ian religion, as reformed by Zoroaster ; and what was the name of his sacred book? The book containing the Persian Mythology,

dea of his making them his dwelling-place. They venerated fire as his sacred emblem; the sun as his image; and their worship o

rang’d before the unfolded tent. Fire blaz’d beside them. Towards the sacred flame They turn’d, and sent their tuneful praise

ecrated groves, in which were oaks of extraordinary size, esteemed so sacred , that to lop a branch from them, or even to wound

his throat, and received the blood in a bowl, and with it washed the sacred sword. The right arm of the victim was then cut o

ies. Like the Scythians, they performed their religious ceremonies in sacred groves, and paid peculiar respect to the oak, and

ff the misletoe; which was received into a white sagum, or cloak. The sacred groves were surrounded by a ditch or a mound. In

ical grove: “Not far away, for ages past had stood An old unviolated sacred wood; Whose gloomy boughs thick interwoven made A

rails. Part of the blood was sprinkled on the people, and part on the sacred grove, in which the bodies were finally suspended

eauteous face, So stern and yet so passionless. Helga. What are the sacred books of the Scandinavian mythology? The most anc

s to them marvellous exploits. But the most extraordinary part of the sacred books of the Scandinavian mythology is the descri

his stone is set in silver, and fixed in the south-east angle of that sacred edifice, which is a building so ancient, that its

he victims commonly offered to Jupiter, and what trees were accounted sacred to him? What birds were sacred to Juno? Who taugh

Jupiter, and what trees were accounted sacred to him? What birds were sacred to Juno? Who taught the art of tilling the earth,

by a blow of his foot? Of what is Diana figurative? What animals were sacred to Mars? What were the favourite birds of Minerva

at event do they imagine will precede its termination? What colour is sacred to Buddha? How is he represented, and where was h

Under what different forms was Osīris represented? What animals were sacred to Typhon? What were the attributes of Typhon, an

as he? Of what was Serapis a personification? What is the name of the sacred book of the Persian religion? Who was Arimanius?

ges, did the Druids enjoy? What kind of worship was celebrated in the sacred groves of the Druids? Repeat Lucan’s description

s the nature of the Scandinavian Mythology? What are the names of the sacred books of the Scandinavian Mythology? Which of the

he wife of Neptune 74 Amshāspānds, genii of the elements 177 Ancīlĭa, sacred shields 57 Annǎ Pĕrēnnā, a rural divinity 87 Anūb

e infernal regions 101 Echō, daughter of the air and earth 90 Edda, a sacred book of the Scandinavians 207 Egēōn, a sea god 79

the goddess of shepherds 87 Palilia, feasts of Pales 87 Pallādĭum, a sacred image of Minerva 54 Pallas, Minerva 53 Pan, the g

Salamanders, genii of fire 93 Sălĭī priests of Mars 57 Sanscrit, the sacred language of the Hindûs 149 Saron, a sea god 79 Sā

shnu, a Hindû god 130, 141 Vitzliputzli, a Mexican god 220 Volūspā, a sacred book of the Scandinavians 206 Vulcan, the god of

Yāma, or Yamen, the Hindû god of death 136 Z Zend-Avesta, the sacred book of the Persians 180 Zennar, the sacred cord

Z Zend-Avesta, the sacred book of the Persians 180 Zennar, the sacred cord of the Hindû priests 140 Zĕphy̌rŭs, the west

of these ancestors was an important duty. Their images were kept in a sacred place, and each family observed, at fixed times,

he first and most natural forms of idolatry. The island of Rhodes was sacred to Helios. Here was erected his celebrated coloss

terfeited Zeus was placed at Delphi, where it was long exhibited as a sacred relic. Chronos was so enraged at being circumvent

eats of his worship. He was represented in the celebrated form of the sacred oak, in the rustling of whose branches the deity

on of heaven and earth in the fertilizing showers. It was called “the sacred marriage,” and every living being was invited. Th

and a sow were sacrificed to Hera. The hawk, goose, and peacock were sacred to her. Her favorite flowers were the dittany, po

iends.” Berens . The narcissus, maiden-hair fern, and cypress were sacred to Aides. He had temples erected to his honor at

lia*. Besides the shrine in Athens, they had another near the city, a sacred grove in Colonus*, which was celebrated as the la

to a spotted lizard. Erysichthon* once cut down an oak-tree which was sacred to Demeter. As a punishment, she afflicted him wi

noblest families in Rome. Every year in the month of March, which was sacred to Mars, they bore the sacred shields in solemn p

y year in the month of March, which was sacred to Mars, they bore the sacred shields in solemn procession through the streets

rom the blueness of her eyes) is given to both Selene and Athene. The sacred olive-tree, which Athene had caused to grow at th

were crowns of olive, and painted vases filled with oil made from the sacred olive-tree. The Panathenaic* Procession was world

is grand array was a ship moved automatically. It bore for a sail the sacred peplos, upon which young daughters of the noblest

rved not only for the preparation of meals, but was also esteemed the sacred altar of the house. There the images of the house

hall), where the prytanes*, or elders, held their meetings. There the sacred fire burning on the public hearth was never allow

of union with the parent State was kept unbroken by a portion of the sacred fire being carried with the colonists, to be kept

and first touched land on the island of Cyprus, which was henceforth sacred to her. She was probably a personification of the

bus*. The dove, swan, swallow, sparrow, the myrtle, and the rose were sacred to Aphrodite. The Venus of Milo is now in the Lou

oddess of spring, for which reason April, the month of buds, was held sacred to her. Annual festivals, called Veneralia*, were

this was in imitation of the Greek Eros. The rose was held specially sacred to him, for which reason he often appears crowned

ing by laurel boughs. Sacred hymns were sung in honor of the god, and sacred dances were performed by choruses, who danced aro

sometimes by chewing leaves of laurel or by draughts of water from a sacred well, she was excited to a frenzy, which prepared

emory of his love, it should henceforth remain ever green and be held sacred to him. “The story of Daphne indicates the love

joined in song or the dance. The hind, dog, bear, and wild boar were sacred to her. The purity and chastity generally ascribe

attempted to dance on it. The tiger, lynx, panther, and dolphin were sacred to Dionysus. His favorite plants were the vine an

Muses. They received appellations from hills and fountains that were sacred to them. They were called Pierides* from Mount Pi

comic mask beside her. Polyhymnia* was the Muse of eloquence and of sacred hymns. She is always represented in a thoughtful

d out gushed the waters of Hippocrene*, afterwards so renowned as the sacred fount from which the Muses quaffed their richest

us* was the god who presided over boundaries. All landmarks were held sacred to him, and their erection was attended with reli

were gathered together at night or in threatening weather, were held sacred to him. All sudden and unaccountable sounds, whic

ust as trees, birds, and animals of every description were considered sacred to certain deities, so almost every god had a for

table to him than any other. Thus the Doric style of architecture was sacred to Zeus, Ares, and Heracles; the Ionic to Apollo,

the custom of building temples in groves, that all places devoted to sacred purposes, even where there were no trees, were ca

he officiating priests wore crowns composed of the leaves of the tree sacred to the deity they invoked. This practice of weari

ictim were overlaid with gold, and the altars decked with flowers and sacred herbs. A salt cake, the sacrificial knife, and th

s, music was added, whilst dances were performed round the altar, and sacred hymns sung. These hymns generally contained accou

g water from a neighboring spring, where they were slain by a dragon, sacred to Ares, which guarded the spring. Cadmus then we

. Their posterity were called the Sparti* (the sown). For killing the sacred dragon, Cadmus was compelled to spend eight years

false charges against Bellerophon. The rites of hospitality were too sacred to allow Prœtus to kill his guest; he therefore s

llerophon, after which he, too, abhorred the thought of violating the sacred rites of hospitality. Nevertheless, he concluded

brother, Apollo. The goddess reprimanded him for molesting an animal sacred to her. By representing the commands of Eurystheu

ver cups were given as prizes. The fourth day of every month was held sacred to him, being regarded as his birthday. “The sto

borne him thither, and suspended the skin or golden fleece in a grove sacred to Ares (Mars), and placed a dragon to guard it.

. She then advised Jason to accompany her without loss of time to the sacred grove, in order to secure the coveted treasure. T

ition was about to start, Agamemnon had the misfortune to kill a hind sacred to Artemis, who, in her anger, sent continuous ca

lared that Pallas Athene was so deeply offended at the removal of her sacred image, the Palladium, from her temple in Troy, th

believing that the siege had been abandoned, and that they now had a sacred object in the place of the Palladium, abandoned t

landing for the night, and took an oath that they would not touch the sacred cattle. During the night the wind changed, and th

’s head, was the Divine Breath or Spirit pervading matter; sheep were sacred to him. Thoth*, son of Neph, was god of intellig

tenderly brooding over the hot, exhausted earth; the shrew-mouse was sacred to her. Typhon* was the common enemy of all the

country. The soul of Osiris was supposed to exist in some way in the sacred bull Apis*, of which Serapis* is probably another

y-five years. If he lived to that age, the priests drowned him in the sacred cistern, and then buried him in the temple of Ser

Historical Society of New York. Oracle of Apis. At Memphis, the sacred bull Apis gave answers to those who consulted him

egetables, were venerated in different sections of the country. Those sacred in one place were often, in others, hated and hun

the ancient Persians is principally derived from the Zend Avesta, or sacred books of that people. Zoroaster* was the founder

. I. The Brahmins*, or priests, who had the right of interpreting the sacred books, and possessed a monopoly of knowledge. II.

rest the speech of our Aryan forefathers. A portion of the Vedas, the sacred books of Brahma, was compiled 1200 b. c. The Rig-

meet in temples or buildings of any kind for the performance of their sacred rites. A circle of stones, each of vast size, enc

ea of from twenty feet to thirty yards in diameter, constituted their sacred place. The most celebrated of these, now remainin

ese, now remaining, is Stonehenge, on Salisbury Plain, England. These sacred circles were generally situated near some stream,

combined certain superstitious usages, especially the kindling of the sacred fire, from which the fires in the district — whic

e. “The morning star, which at certain seasons heralds the dawn, was sacred to Michabo; its name is Wabanang, from Waban, the

ever to allow it to become wholly extinguished in their villages; the sacred rites of the religion were defined and taught by

ng of a cat, even accidentally, was considered a capital offence. All sacred animals were embalmed, and buried with impressive

s at his side. Jupiter is sometimes called Jove, and as the eagle was sacred to him, it is often called the bird of Jove. Que

The attendants of Cadmus, in searching for water, had entered a grove sacred to Mars, which was guarded by a mighty dragon. On

lying from the pursuit of the god. Ques. What things were especially sacred to Apollo? Ans. Among plants, the laurel; among

als, the wolf; and among birds, the hawk, the crow, and the swan were sacred to this god. Chapter IV. Mars — Ares. Mars

error are the horses which draw the chariot. Ques. What animals were sacred to Mars? Ans. The dog, on account of its sagacit

gos the priestess of Juno always rode in a chariot drawn by oxen. The sacred plants of the goddess were, the willow, pomegrana

was disgraceful and immoral. The swan, the dove, and the sparrow were sacred to this goddess; and among plants, the rose, the

river Æsopus [Æso′pus] in Paphlagonia. Here they raised his tomb in a sacred grove, and his obsequies were celebrated with sol

s. Fire was the emblem of this goddess, and in her temple, at Rome, a sacred fire was suspended in the air, and watched by the

? Ans. The penalties for neglect of their duties were severe. If the sacred fire was extinguished through their negligence, t

nderground, with a lamp, and a little bread, wine, water and oil. The sacred fire of Vesta was watched by these priestesses fo

so-called image to be removed to Rome. The monarch consented, and the sacred stone was carried in triumph to the Italian capit

h the arrival of the image of Cybele in Rome. The ship which bore the sacred stone was stranded on a shoal in the Tiber. Claud

n another’s boundaries. Landmarks and boundary stones were considered sacred by the Romans; they were crowned with garlands on

most remarkable. When any of the gods swore by the Styx, the oath was sacred ; if any deity was guilty of breaking such an oath

t, after a chase which lasted an entire year, a famous stag which was sacred to Diana. It had golden horns and brazen feet. F

aced it among the signs of the Zodiac. The fleece was hung in a grove sacred to Mars, where it was guarded by bulls who breath

s a profane person and a despiser of the gods. There stood in a grove sacred to Ceres, a stately oak which overtopped the tree

, and when they hesitated, he snatched an axe himself, and struck the sacred wood. Blood flowed from the wounded trunk, and a

Ulysses bound his companions by an oath that they would not touch the sacred herds. They were, however, so pressed by famine t

ventured one day, in the absence of Ulysses, to slay a number of the sacred cattle; vainly endeavoring to propitiate the offe

s, and perished by the sword of the enemy. Anchises bore with him the sacred Penates of Troy, and his household gods. Æneas wa

d to conduct him to the world of shades. Æneas having plucked, in the sacred grove, a golden bough as a gift to Proserpine, de

flight of birds. In the third class we may place the appetite of the sacred chickens; when they did not eat, the omen was so

t to engage the fleet of the enemy, was warned by the Augurs that the sacred chickens would not eat. He replied, with very nat

the moving of a laurel that stood before the gate of the temple. The sacred tree was then seen to tremble in every leaf. The

mantled by Constantine the Great, who adorned his Hippodrome with the sacred tripods. No traces are known to exist of the cave

tripods. No traces are known to exist of the cavern whence issued the sacred vapor, but some have thought it might be discover

f a serpent. According to another account, the priests sent to Rome a sacred serpent which they nourished in the temple. Ques

wo celebrated springs of that name; one on Mount Parnassus, which was sacred to the Muses, and another near Daphne, in Syria.

h Parthenius, (August). The time of their celebration was a period of sacred truce, sufficiently prolonged to enable persons t

ize itself was a crown of wild olive. This was cut from a tree in the sacred grove of Olympia, which was said to have been bro

ndignation by the poet Juvenal. Ques. Who was Apis? Ans. He was the sacred bull of Memphis. The Egyptians maintained that th

is passed after death into the body of Apis; and that as often as the sacred animal died, the soul passed into the body of its

of twenty-five years, he was drowned by the attendant priests in the sacred cistern; his body was then carefully embalmed, an

ous signs: the votary having proposed a question, offered food to the sacred animal; if he ate, it was considered a favorable

burning on their altars. The Parsees of Hindostan say that they have sacred fire which has never been extinguished since the

hich has never been extinguished since the time of Zoroaster. All the sacred fires were originally lit from that which Zoroast

uch venerated by the surrounding tribes. Pilgrimages are made to this sacred fire from all parts of Asia. Ques. What is the c

akoo and the surrounding country abound in naphtha and petroleum. The sacred fire is simply a jet of inflammable gas escaping

actions of their heroes. No sacrifice was duly offered without their sacred chant; they encouraged the warrior going to the f

traitor, there was no penalty so terrible as the denunciation of the sacred bards. Music was the only gentle art known to the

ble to its influence. The character of these minstrels was peculiarly sacred in their eyes, on account of the gifts of prophec

ut in the British islands, they continued, although divested of their sacred character, to be a highly esteemed and privileged

e mistletoe, when found growing on the oak, was esteemed particularly sacred ; it was an antidote against poison, a remedy in a

f the moon. As soon as the mistletoe was found growing on the no less sacred oak, the Druids assembled; a banquet and a sacrif

temple. If any of their number should let fall the least part of the sacred material, her fate was sealed. She was torn to pi

r which all the fires throughout the country were rekindled from this sacred source. This rite was observed with particular so

articular solemnity in Ireland. There the Druids assembled around the sacred or “parent fire,” which the Arch-druid extinguish

urnal rites. At length the fire was rekindled; torches lighted at the sacred flame were passed from hand to hand, and the coun

und in Brittany. At the foot of the promontory of Plogoff, around the sacred isle of Sena, are scattered rocks on which the se

he form of singing birds, revelled amid the blossoms and odors of its sacred groves. Ques. What peculiar rite was practised b

ead? Ans. Immediately after death, the corpse was clothed in certain sacred habiliments, and strewed with charms, which were

lofty altars on which burned perpetual fires. So numerous were these sacred fires in the city of Mexico, that the streets wer

a golden wedge, and were directed to take up their abode wherever the sacred emblem should sink into the earth of its own acco

Peruvian esteemed himself happy in securing even a single ear of the sacred grain. Ques. Describe the temple of Cuzco. Ans.

ut follower of Mahomet, and he would consider that he had neglected a sacred duty, if he had not made at least one pilgrimage

s and those of the ancient Romans? Ans. In the mode of procuring the sacred fire, the obtaining of omens from the animals off

with regard to the Virgins of the Sun. At the festival of Raymi, the sacred fire was obtained, as under the reign of Numa, by

ithout the gates The weary guardian Janus doubly waits. Then when the sacred Senate votes the wars, The Roman consul their dec

th her mad priests commemorated her sorrow. The box and the pine were sacred to her. Cybele is called Ops, because she succour

le. Questions. Who was Cybele? Who was her favourite? What trees were sacred to her? By what names is Cybele called? How is Cy

ouses, (which from her were called Vestibula,) altars, and hearths. A sacred fire kindled by the rays of the sun, was perpetua

to depend, and which was brought from Troy by Æneas. If they let the sacred fire expire, through inattention, or violated the

ol that induced them to demolish the Grecian temples and statues. The sacred fire renewed by the rays of the sun, attended the

ty. Goats, sheep, and bulls were the usual offerings, and the oak was sacred to him. His altars were never defiled with human

the father of light; Dodonæus, because Dodona, a city in Epirus, was sacred to him; Elicius, because he heard the prayers of

r festivals under a fig-tree; Curis, or Curitis, because the spear is sacred to her; Cingula, because it was she who unloosed

probrious language; she punished Erisichthon for cutting down a grove sacred to her, with such insatiable hunger, that he gnaw

and grasshoppers, were sacrificed to him. The hawk and the wolf were sacred to him, because their eyes are piercing; also the

ess tree. Apollo changed Cyparissus into cypress, to show that it was sacred to obsequies. Obs. 3. — We are informed by histo

te kid, a boar pig, or an ox. Among plants the poppy and dittany were sacred to her. Obs. 1. — Confounded with Hecate and Lun

le spoke with liberty. The fir, yew, and fig-tree, ivy and vine, were sacred to him. Bacchus was called Biformis, because he w

ir horns let victim goats expire, And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire. Come, sacred fire, with luscious clusters c

goats expire, And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire. Come, sacred fire, with luscious clusters crown’d; Let all the

introduced the worship of Minerva, to whom that tree was particularly sacred . The city then took the name of its tutelary divi

ere twenty-four in number, and had the care of the twelve ancilia, or sacred shields, one of which was supposed to have fallen

, because she was able to manage love; Murtea, because the myrtle was sacred to her; Paphia, because in the city Paphos in Cyp

ditus by Venus, and Pan by Penelope, the wife of Ulysses. The animals sacred to Mercury, were the goat and the dog. Offerings

d fatigue, he perished. His body was cast up by the sea near the wood sacred to Diana, in the Phœban swamps. It was buried in

the Terrestrial Deities. The confused and feeble recollections of sacred tradition were not sufficient to bring man back t

ries and landmarks. Landmarks, called Lapides Terminalia, were deemed sacred . His festivals called Terminalia, were always obs

, under Jupiter Horius. Fig. 33. Terminus. Obs. — Respect for the sacred right of property, is necessary to secure the rep

was the goddess of woods and orchards. A grove near Mount Soracte was sacred to her. It was once said to be on fire; but no so

from the top of a rock. The gods changed her into a pine tree, a tree sacred to Pan. The origin of the phrase panic fear, is u

or an old man, and wearing a crown of the leaves of the plane, a tree sacred to them. The Genii of women were called Junones.

ul sound, The hoarse, rough, mingled din, that thunders round.” “The sacred stream which heaven’s imperial state Attests in o

t, Or nobly triumph’d in the field of fights: There holy priests, and sacred poets stood, Who sang with all the raptures of a

ce. Both were raised in the middle of some wood, which was considered sacred , and called lucus. There were marked times for ca

ass, and horns of gold. This swift hind frequented Mount Mænales, was sacred to Diana, and was caught by Hercules after a chas

strils, and by a vast, watchful dragon, and was reckoned as a pledge, sacred , divine, and of vital importance. Jason chose for

Taurica. Thither he was led by his bosom friend Pylades. So close and sacred was their friendship, that the one would have die

the waters of the Nile.” The Egyptian Mythology had two senses, one sacred and sublime, the other sensible and palpable. The

oglyphics, intended to represent divine attributes. In studying their sacred language, the hieroglyphics of which were emblems

as also an ox worshipped at Heliopolis; but this is said to have been sacred to Iris. Apis had generally two temples or stable

anged themselves into different animals, which were afterwards deemed sacred . At length, he was struck with thunder, and burie

a, whose leaves were like a tongue, and whose fruit like a heart, was sacred to him. Anubis, the companion of Osiris and Isis

onal and even the brute creation, and the careful preservation of the sacred fire, kindled by concentrated sunbeams. Fire was

uebres. Mahabad, a messenger from heaven, received from the Creator a sacred book, written in a celestial language. Fourteen M

f him; for they deemed it impious to do so, but venerated fire as his sacred emblem and the sun as his image. His worship was

rang’d before the unfolded tent. Fire blaz’d beside them. Towards the sacred flame They turn’d and sent their tuneful praise t

committed to the care of guardian spirits, and is contained in their sacred books, called Vedas, which means to know. These b

Vedas, which means to know. These books are written in Sanscrit, the sacred language, and considered by the Hindoos as true r

the chief Indian Bramin. When the Bramins first assume the Zennar, or sacred cord of three threads, the mystic emblem of their

e great faith in metempsychosis. The Sanscrit language in which their sacred books are written is known only to the priests an

two antelopes, and holding in his right hand a rabbit. Fountains are sacred to this deity. The Hindoos fancy that Vishnu assu

f Vishnu, is considered by the Hindoos as the god of shepherds. Their sacred writings exhibit the wildest and strangest repres

ssue, or coloured silk, and adorned with embroidered gems, and by the sacred shell, elliptical rings, and maces, or battle-axe

a horse in order to destroy every thing on earth. The river Ganges is sacred ; and they practise ablution in its waters. They c

rvoirs of water in which the priests performed their ablutions, and a sacred fountain of which they drank, and buildings in wh

er hands, to express that it would in future be her duty to sweep the sacred floors and offer incense in the temples. At a sui

ent to stop the plague, the furious people lost all respect for these sacred places, and profaned them. We shall not attempt t

temple of Belus. several idols of massive gold, and a great number of sacred vessels of the same metal, the weight of which, a

or crevice, which is now called the ditch of Agamedes, and seen in a sacred wood in Lebadea, with a column raised above it. L

Pausanias, is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. There is a sacred wood near that city, in which is situated the tem

ne shows the statue of Trophonius to the consulter, surrounds it with sacred fillets, and conducts him to the oracle, which he

the prophetess to be heard. She was also priestess to Hecate, and the sacred woods of the Avernus were under her protection. T

s, called Duumviri, whose ministry was confined to the charge of this sacred deposit. These books were consulted in the greate

reign of Sicyon, the nineteenth king of Sicyon; and, according to the sacred writings, this epoch was in the twenty-third year

richness of the temple of Jupiter Olympius. Around this temple was a sacred wood, called the Altis, in which were placed stat

his resentment was truly Scythian, as every Scythian considered it a sacred duty to avenge injuries, and especially those of

ot be suitably regarded and adored but in the heart of retreats or in sacred forests. There he reigned in silence, and rendere

ught to correspond with the Mercury of the Greeks and Romans. The day sacred to Mercury was called Dies Mercurii (the day of M

souls of those who were killed in war. The sixth day of the week was sacred to her under the name of Freytag (Friday,) and ca

tion. The reader can judge for himself of the resemblance it bears to sacred tradition. In the dawn of time, says the poet, th

gh to administer divine justice, pronounce decrees, and establish the sacred destinies which will always last. Widar, (the con

temples, says an author of that country, was a particular chapel, or sacred woody place. It was there that idols were placed

the victim was chosen, it was conducted towards the altar, where the sacred fire was burning day and night. Among the vessels

ins of human victims sacrificed, were either burned or suspended in a sacred wood near the temple. The blood was sprinkled par

. The blood was sprinkled partly upon the people, and partly upon the sacred wood. With it, they also besmeared the images of

contrary, if it floated, she refused it, and it was suspended in the sacred forest. Near the temple of Upsal was a wood of th

be quenched whilst he entertains no respect for justice, nor for the sacred rights of others: and hence too, those impious pr

es of which inspired religious awe and holy fear. Those woods were so sacred among them, that it was not permitted to cut them

and on the sixth day of the moon. This month and the number six were sacred among them. It was always on the sixth of the moo

ancient authority. 1. Their maxims must be taught in thick groves by sacred priests. 2. The misletoe ought to be collected wi

ief employment of the vestals consisted in constantly maintaining the sacred fire, which burned in honour of Vesta. This fire

was said to contain, besides the consecrated fire, the Palladium, or sacred image of Minerva, and the images of Lares and Pen

Troy, and brought to Italy. The vestal’s vow was, never to suffer the sacred fire to become extinct, and never to associate wi

estals, and what was their discipline? Was the fire of Vesta’s temple sacred ? To what punishment were the vestals exposed?

and incense were used in these sacrifices. The oak and the olive were sacred to Jove. Jupiter is represented under the figure

tioner thus: Depart in peace, secure thy prayer is sped, Witness the sacred honours of our head; The nod that ratifies the wi

called the Pythia in honour of the god’s achievement. The laurel was sacred to Apollo. It was bestowed upon poets as a reward

of Mars at Rome were called Salii, — hey had the care of Ancilia, or sacred shields. These shields were sacred to Mars, and w

— hey had the care of Ancilia, or sacred shields. These shields were sacred to Mars, and were held in superstitious reverence

and a globe. Who was Mars? Who attended Mars, and what animals were sacred to him? How was he regarded in heaven and on eart

ris on Mount Ida, she offered him a city. The poppy and the lily were sacred to her, and she is sometimes exhibited with these

graceful of birds, and the sweetest and most odorous of plants, were sacred to Venus. In ancient times the Greeks regarded fi

a disturber of nations. The fir, the ivy, the fig, and the vine, were sacred to Bacchus. The goat was slain in his sacrifices,

ir horns let victim goats expire, And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire. Come, sacred sire, with luscious clusters c

goats expire, And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire. Come, sacred sire, with luscious clusters crowned, Let all the

While falling, she was changed into a pine tree, which was afterwards sacred to Pan. Milk and honey were offered to this deity

nly in an interior apartment called the Penetralia. They were held so sacred by the Romans, that the expression of driving a m

ht, Or nobly triumphed in the field of fight: There holy priests, and sacred poets stood, Who sang with all the raptures of a

into Attica. Arrived at Mount Colonos, Œdipus took refuge in a grove sacred to the Furies. Theseus, King of Attica, being inf

go back to its origin. The doctrines of the Hindus are contained in a sacred book called the Vedas. The language in which they

e writings in the Sanscrit language, are true revealed knowledge. The sacred books of the Hindus are carefully preserved by th

egions; the king of serpents. He is thus described in the Bhagavat, a sacred Hindu poem. His appearance is gorgeous and brilli

bed by the gods, with the mountain Mandar, and forced to throw up the sacred things, and animals, and the water of life, which

ary animals. The Hindu priests, at their first assuming the Zennar or sacred cord of three threads, the mystic symbol of their

he Hindus as the god of shepherds; of whose nature and actions, their sacred writings give the most extraordinary and strange

r coloured silk, with embroidered hems. In their hands are placed the sacred shell, elliptical rings, and maces, or battle-axe

monly erected near the banks of the Ganges, the Kistna, or some other sacred river, for the benefit of ablution in the purifyi

d others, huge tusks protruding from extended open mouths. Numbers of sacred hieroglyphical animals are sculptured on the wall

divisions of the people, established in the earliest times, by their sacred laws. Of these there are four; that of the priest

, or transmigration of souls through various bodies. The Sanscrit, or sacred language, in which their books of religion are wr

rasitic plant which grows upon the oak, was used m their worship. The sacred groves were surrounded by a ditch or mound. In th

ncient Egyptians. Those who visited Egypt approached with delight its sacred groves and splendid temples, adorned with superb

son to have been exempted from contributing to the maintenance of the sacred animals, adored in Lower Egypt. The sun and moon

ertain fires esteemed holy, and kept in temples to be worshipped. The sacred fire was kindled by concentrated sunbeams. Priest

fire was kindled by concentrated sunbeams. Priests took charge of the sacred fires in Persia, and they were also instructors o

dea of him making them his dwelling-place. They venerated fire as his sacred emblem; the sun as his image; and their worship o

ranged before the unfolded tent. Fire blazed beside them. Towards the sacred flame They turned, and sent their tuneful praise

Does fabulous history afford any facts analogous to those recorded in sacred history? Does the mythology of the Mexicans in an

er little hands, to denote that at a future time she should sweep the sacred floors and offer incense in the temple. At a suit

side. The temples in the country were usually surrounded by trees, or sacred groves, which were supposed to be honoured by the

of worship; the ancient Germans, according to Tacitus, worshipped in sacred groves in the open air; the Druids of Britain obs

mans passed a temple, they kissed the hand, in token of respect for a sacred place. Besides the temples and images of the gods

appeal to the pity of the family which surrounded him. The hearth was sacred to Vesta, and the household gods. The sacred hear

nded him. The hearth was sacred to Vesta, and the household gods. The sacred hearth is a common expression. The master of a ho

; but those of Dodona and Delphi were the chief. Does it appear from sacred history that true prophets have existed? Who utte

art of the worshippers to dance round the altar while they sung their sacred hymns. These hymns consisted of three stanzas or

in the Iliad, addressing himself to Agamemnon, exclaims, Now by this sacred sceptre hear me swear Which never more shall leav

as God hears me, I speak truly. Achilles means, truly as I hold this sacred sceptre, I swear, that let the Greeks need my ser

iness to wait on the priests, and to keep in order the temple and the sacred vessels, and to attend in public services of reli

t called the most holy, and it was concealed from common eyes, by the sacred curtain. When nature was convulsed on the occasio

e Altar of Burnt-Offering and the Laver stood under the open sky. The sacred vestments of the High-Priest were principally the

re’s many a slip ’twixt cup and lip.” Ancil′ia [Ancilia], the twelve sacred shields. The first Ancile was supposed to have fa

meda. Casta′lia [Castalia]. One of the fountains in Mount Parnassus, sacred to the Muses. Casta′li′des [Castalides], a name

uting forth. Constancy, see Cephalus. Consu′alia [Consualia]. Games sacred to Neptune. Con′sus [Consus]. A name given to Ne

unger because he defiled the groves of Ceres, and cut down one of the sacred oaks. Er′os [Eros]. The Greek god of love. Eros

ars were turned into amber. Hel′icon [Helicon]. A mountain in Bœotia sacred to the Muses, from which place the fountain Hippo

Cybele was sometimes so called, in Cyprus, in which there is a grove sacred to Venus. Ida′lia [Idalia]. A name of Venus, fro

ame of Venus, from Mount Idalus, in Cyprus, in which there is a grove sacred to Venus. Impera′tor [Imperator] was a name of J

lly fixed within the doors of houses, or near the hearths. Lamps were sacred to them, as symbols of vigilance, and the dog was

ed by Diomedes. The first month of the old Roman year [our March] was sacred to Mars. Marshes, see Lymniades. Mar′syas [Mars

warmth, life, and fruitfulness; he was worshiped under the form of a sacred bull, named Apis.                               

us. Parnas′sus [Parnassus]. The mountain of the Muses in Phocis, and sacred to Apollo and Bacchus. Any one who slept on this

e, was crowned with a wreath made of the leaves of the tree which was sacred to the particular god to whom the sacrifice was o

mphitrite. Sal′ii [Salii]. The priests of Mars who had charge of the sacred shields. Salmo′neus [Salmoneus]. A king of Elis

ng to the regions of the dead. See Achilles and Thetis. “To seal his sacred vow by Styx he swore: — The lake with liquid pitc

] were the priestesses of Vesta, whose chief duty was to see that the sacred fire in the temple of Vesta was not extinguished.

me_heathen-mythology_1842_img006 The poetic idea of Chaos is found in sacred history, in the creation, as well as in all mytho

marriage. It was the employment of the Vestals to take care that the sacred fire of Vesta was not extinguished, for if it eve

rd: while a Thessalian, who had desecrated and attempted to destroy a sacred forest, was doomed to an hunger so cruel, that he

ession pass; Wreathed on the posts before his palace wait, And be the sacred guardian of the gate; Secure from thunder and unh

l astonish modern travellers by their grandeur and beauty. “Unto the sacred sun in Memnon’s fane, Spontaneous concords quired

o consulted the oracle, but also the priests who conducted her to the sacred tripod, and attended her during her inspiration,

e, Does from the starry vault of heaven receive. When to the gods the sacred flames aspire, Does from the starry vault of heav

altars stained with blood. The rose, the myrtle, and the apple, were sacred to Venus; among birds, the dove, the swan, and th

hastity; Basilea, as the queen of love; Myrtea, from the myrtle being sacred to her; Mechanitis, in allusion to the many artif

— where it obscurely lay, With hand too rashly daring to disclose The sacred veil which hung mysterious o’er her woes.” Tighe

th a moving shade of fruits and flowers, Onward they march to Hymen’s sacred bowers; With lifted torch he lights the festive s

him. His priests, named Salii, carried small bucklers, supposed to be sacred , and to have fallen from the skies. To him was co

h the victim’s votive blood, Mighty monarch of the wood, And upon thy sacred shrine, Place the love inspiring wine, And, o’er

se plants, which is said to raise the passions and excite love, being sacred to him. The Sylvans, were, like the Fauns and Sat

, The frightened lover quits his hold and flies. The sea-gods he with sacred rites adores, Then a libation on the ocean pours;

ul dogs, nor the more wakeful geese, Disturb, with nightly noise, the sacred peace: ‌Nor beast of nature nor the laws, are ni

ties, There only shall be Happiness on earth When man shall feel your sacred power, and love Your tranquil joys; then shall th

                Of tranquil happiness, Lured by the splendour of thy sacred torch, The beacon light of bliss, young Love draw

nd where, through marble grots beneath,     The lifeless, ranged like sacred things, Nor wanting aught of life, but breath,   

et and horns of brass, and to plough with them, when subdued, a field sacred to Mars. He was then to sow in the ground the tee

enean joys to prove? Spare, O sanguinary stranger,     Pledges of thy sacred love! Ask not Heaven’s commiseration,     After

m him, and severely reprimanded him for molesting an animal which was sacred to her. Hercules pleaded necessity, and by repres

n was received, he resolved, in the heat of passion, to desecrate the sacred temple by plundering it, and carrying away the ho

erfered with his Thunderbolts. Indignant at the insult offered to the sacred edifice, the oracle declared that it could only b

and in Egypt, to which place he made a voyage, he was admitted to the sacred mysteries of Isis and Osiris. On his return he wa

lented. “Already had he passed the courts of Death, And charmed with sacred verse the powers beneath; While Hell with silent

s, in vain He tries, before his never failing strain; And, from those sacred lips, whose thrilling sound Fierce tigers and ins

red towards Attica, led by his daughter Antigone, and came to a place sacred to the Furies. Here the remembrance flashed acros

, he went in search of them, and found they had desecrated a fountain sacred to Mars, and that the dragon which presided over

ost remarkable is Ganga, who is the river Ganges personified, a river sacred alone to the Hindoos.     “A stream descends in

in her crystal shine. “What name, sweet bride, will best allure, Thy sacred ear, and give the honour due? Vishnupedi? mild Bh

and legends. Like Jupiter too, he married his sister Frea, and in the sacred books of the priesthood, he is known by upwards o

h stars; a third protected and guided the steps of the hunters in the sacred wood; and the most successful of them received fr

s opinion, which made the Northern nations regard the number three as sacred and peculiarly dear to the gods. Thus every ninth

victim was chosen, they conducted him towards the altar on which the sacred fire was kept burning night and day. It was surro

upposed to accept it; if not, she refused it, and it was hung up in a sacred place. Near this place was a forest, named Odin’s

was a forest, named Odin’s grove, every leaf of which was regarded as sacred , and was filled with the bodies of those who had

, and at last alighted in the island of Lemnos, which was thenceforth sacred to him. Milton alludes to this story in Paradise

spiring love. Her favorite birds were swans and doves, and the plants sacred to her were the rose and the myrtle. Cupid, (Eros

s head completely armed. Her favorite bird was the owl, and the plant sacred to her the olive. Byron, in “Childe Harold,” all

sichore of choral dance and song, Erato of love poetry, Polyhymnia of sacred poetry, Urania of astronomy, Thalia of comedy. Th

e Greeks) was a deity presiding over the public and private hearth. A sacred fire, tended by six virgin priestesses called Ves

f the family. Their name is derived from Penus, the pantry, which was sacred to them. Every master of a family was the priest

locks, herds, men, and houses are swept away, and temples, with their sacred enclosures, profaned. If any edifice remained sta

th rest.” There was a valley thick enclosed with cypresses and pines, sacred to the huntress queen, Diana. In the extremity of

d. When grown very old, as they stood one day before the steps of the sacred edifice, and were telling the story of the place,

du did Kubla Khan     A stately pleasure-dome decree, Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man,   

had formed, and from this union Paphos was born, from whom the city, sacred to Venus, received its name.   Schiller, in his

g over the family of Cadmus in consequence of his killing the serpent sacred to Mars. Semele and Ino, his daughters, and Actæo

er the storm-shaken oak. You see yonder a temple on the height. It is sacred to Jupiter. O how many offered prayers there, hus

by disease without waiting for the blow! At length all reverence for sacred things was lost. Bodies were thrown out unburied,

grew by the place where I stood an oak with wide-spreading branches, sacred to Jupiter. I observed a troop of ants busy with

rows, — have done with this worship!” The people obeyed, and left the sacred services uncompleted. The goddess was indignant.

this Niobe from her who had so lately driven away the people from the sacred rites, and held her stately course through the ci

and its chief feature was a solemn procession in which the Peplus, or sacred robe of Minerva, was carried to the Parthenon, an

arms. The young women carried baskets on their heads, containing the sacred utensils, cakes, and all things necessary for the

d, and when we arrived there, I kindled the altars and celebrated the sacred rites of Bacchus.” Pentheus here exclaimed, “We h

 —                                           “In shadier bower, More sacred or sequestered, though but feigned, Pan or Sylvan

the gods. On one occasion he presumed to violate with the axe a grove sacred to Ceres. There stood in this grove a venerable o

by one tradition to be the son of Orpheus. He is said to have written sacred poems and oracles. Milton couples his name with t

ng the height appeared in view, and he had entered with pious awe the sacred grove of Neptune. No living object was in sight,

on with the poets. Darwin, in his Botanic Garden, says: — “So to the sacred Sun in Memnon’s fane Spontaneous concords choired

of Aulis in Bœotia. Here Agamemnon in hunting killed a stag which was sacred to Diana, and the goddess in return visited the a

pollo, had fallen to the share of Agamemnon. Chryses came bearing the sacred emblems of his office, and begged the release of

nt of the wooden horse, which they no longer hesitated to regard as a sacred object, and prepared to introduce with due solemn

ver, with an oath that they would not touch one of the animals of the sacred flocks and herds, but content themselves with wha

ttom of the sea. Apollo and Diana were born there, and the island was sacred to Apollo. Here Æneas consulted the oracle of Apo

abode of the Sibyl. It was a cave connected with a temple and grove, sacred to Apollo and Diana. While Æneas contemplated the

ree, enclosing in its trunk the coffin of the god. This tree with its sacred deposit was shortly after felled, and erected as

e of the king of Phœnicia. But at length by the aid of Anubis and the sacred birds, Isis ascertained these facts, and then wen

the column with her wand she caused it to split open and give up the sacred coffin. This she seized and returned with it, and

twenty-five years, he still survived, the priests drowned him in the sacred cistern and then buried him in the temple of Sera

s with lowings loud;         Nor can he be at rest         Within his sacred chest; Nought but profoundest hell can be his shr

mbled what is now called Animal Magnetism or Mesmerism. Serpents were sacred to Æsculapius, probably because of a superstition

was there erected to his honor. Oracle of Apis. At Memphis the sacred bull Apis gave answer to those who consulted him

the temple of Diana, for which reason no swallow ever dared enter the sacred place. The reader will, we apprehend, by this

kies! And is Lorenzo’s salamander-heart Cold and untouched amid these sacred fires?” Chapter XXXVII. Eastern Mythology — 

f the ancient Persians is principally derived from the Zendavesta, or sacred books of that people. Zoroaster was the founder o

in order to induce the Asuras, opponents of the gods, to abandon the sacred ordinances of the Vedas, by which means they lost

but they were obliged to delay their vengeance out of respect for the sacred place where they were assembled. They gave vent t

meet in temples or buildings of any kind for the performance of their sacred rites. A circle of stones (each stone generally o

ea of from twenty feet to thirty yards in diameter, constituted their sacred place. The most celebrated of these now remaining

these now remaining is Stonehenge, on Salisbury Plain, England. These sacred circles were generally situated near some stream,

combined certain superstitious usages, especially the kindling of the sacred fire, from which all the fires in the district, w

shelter on the island, but was repulsed: — “O, haste and leave this sacred isle, Unholy bark, ere morning smile; For on thy

laurel, escaped the pursuit of her ardent lover, by becoming the tree sacred to his worship.6 The merit of the philological me

uction of writing, myths were preserved in popular traditions, in the sacred ceremonials of colleges of priests, in the narrat

pheus, was attributed a hymn on the Eleusinian Mysteries,24 and other sacred poems and oracles. Milton couples his name with t

tive commodities of life, the arts of agriculture and navigation, the sacred calendar, and the various prehistoric ages. From

aveller Pausanias makes special mention in his Tour of Greece, of the sacred customs and legends that had maintained themselve

een preserved. Egyptian Records. — These are (1) The Hieroglyphs, or sacred inscriptions in Tombs of the Kings, and other sol

was worshipped with various rites in different lands, and to him were sacred everywhere the loftiest trees and the grandest mo

cock and the cow were dear, and many a grove and pasture rejoiced her sacred herds. § 35. Minerva (Athene), the virgin-goddess

er were sacrificed oxen and cows. The olive-tree, created by her, was sacred to her, and, also, the owl, the cock, the serpent

was bound with laurel in memory of Daphne, whom he loved. To him were sacred , also, many creatures, — the wolf, the roe, the m

healer of ills, was, like her brother, quick to resent injury to her sacred herds, or insult to herself. To this stern temper

mperance in all things, guardian of civil right. The cypress tree was sacred to her; and her favorites were the bear, the boar

there glowed coals from her ancestral hearth. In her temple at Rome a sacred fire, tended by six virgin priestesses called Ves

sichore of choral dance and song, Erato of love poetry, Polyhymnia of sacred poetry, Urania of astronomy, Thalia of comedy. (5

e realm of darkness underground is bounded by awful rivers: the Styx, sacred even among the gods, for by it they sealed their

ame is derived from Penus, the storehouse or inner chamber, which was sacred to them. Every master of a family was the priest

er the storm-shaken oak. You see yonder a temple on the height. It is sacred to Jupiter. Often, while the priest made ready fo

by disease without waiting for the blow. At length all reverence for sacred things was lost. Bodies were thrown out unburied,

e grew by the place where I stood an oak with widespreading branches, sacred to Jupiter. I observed on it a troop of ants busy

d attained a great age, as they stood one day before the steps of the sacred edifice, and were telling the story of the place,

ried daughter of Jove. This fact, not only Cadmus, who slew a serpent sacred to Mars, but all the family of Cadmus found out t

and the dragon with his bloody jaws, not knowing that the serpent was sacred to Mars, scourge of mortals, he lifted a huge sto

ragon. [Vase picture: Millin.] As penance for the destruction of this sacred serpent, Cadmus served Mars for a period of eight

from your brows, — have done with this worship!” The people left the sacred services uncompleted. The goddess was indignant.

r forego. … She hath lost her lovely lord, with him she hath lost her sacred beauty. Fair was the form of Cypris while Adonis

e cast her, And thus bespake him: ‘Gentle youth, forbear To touch the sacred garments which I wear.’ … Then she told him of t

nuptials, and from the union Paphos was born, by whose name the city, sacred to Venus, is known. § 98. Pyramus and Thisbe. 191

stalled him herdsman of his oxen. Nay even, when Mercury had sworn by sacred Styx no more to try his cunning in theft upon Apo

d, and when they arrived there, kindled the altars and celebrated the sacred rites of Bacchus. Fig. 56. A Bacchante in fren

like the snapping of a harp-string issued therefrom.223 “So to the sacred Sun in Memnon’s fane Spontaneous concords choired

ins of fresh water; kept them like the Naiad of the following verses, sacred for Diana, or some other divinity. “Dian white-a

,234 a despiser of the gods, presumed to violate with the axe a grove sacred to Ceres. A venerable oak, whereon votive tablets

ulis in Bœotia. Here Agamemnon, while hunting, killed a stag that was sacred to Diana. The goddess in retribution visited the

pollo, had fallen to the share of Agamemnon. Chryses came bearing the sacred emblems of his office, and begged the release of

nt of the wooden horse, which they no longer hesitated to regard as a sacred object, and prepared to introduce with due solemn

, that Ulysses yielded. He made them swear, however, not to touch the sacred flocks and herds, but to content themselves with

abode of the Sibyl. It was a cave connected with a temple and grove, sacred to Apollo and Diana. While Æneas contemplated the

, Wailing no more, in silence ate and drank, While twilight fell, and sacred night came on. But the blind Höder, leaving the

soul, Which took, on Balder’s track, the way below; And instantly the sacred morn appeared. With the morn Hermod, mounting Sl

is reproduced in the elegiacs of Catullus, and from whose Origins (of sacred rites) Ovid drew much of his information. Also Ni

Zeus was born in Arcadia, or even in Epirus at Dodona, where was his sacred grove. He was in either case reared by the nymphs

of women, of marriage; to both the cow (with moon-crescent horns) is sacred . (See Roscher, 21: 576-579.) But Overbeck insists

rizes the goddess as the brandisher of lightnings. Her Palladium — or sacred image — holds always high in air the brandished l

the quality shining. In Rome, the Campus Martius (field of Mars) was sacred to this deity. Here military manœuvres and athlet

here stood his temple, where his priests, the Salii, watched over the sacred spear and the shield, Ancile, that fell from heav

Cupid, is justly famous. § 38. Castalia: on the slopes of Parnassus, sacred to Apollo and the Muses. Cephissus: in Phocis and

h means, not the wolf-slayer, as is sometimes stated, for the wolf is sacred to Apollo, but either the wolf-god (as inheriting

c., 2: 201), this is intelligible, “if the vermin which had once been sacred became a pest in the eyes of later generations.”

n, “He has been consulting the oracle of Trophonius.” At Memphis the sacred bull Apis gave answer to those who consulted him,

arth-fire. She is “first of the goddesses,” the holy, the chaste, the sacred . Illustrative. — Milton, Il Pens. (Melancholy),

. The later name Pherephatta refers to the doves (phatta), which were sacred to her as well as to Aphrodite. She carries ears

a more ancient worship of the bear, that may have been the totem, or sacred animal, from which the Arcadians traced a mytholo

ay imply either the shore on which the waves break ( Preller), or the sacred goat (Ægeus), which was the totem of the Ægeus-fa

by this family. In sacrifices the goddess was clad in the skin of the sacred goat, but no goat might be sacrificed to her. Pro

s up the waters” ( Cox). It is not impossible that the Python was the sacred snake of an older animal-worship superseded by th

Amalthea; the other in Phrygia, near Troy. Mount Helicon: in Bœotia, sacred also to Apollo. Mount Hæmus: in Thrace. Ætna: in

Hæmus: in Thrace. Ætna: in Sicily. Parnassus: in Phocis; one peak was sacred to Apollo, the other to the Muses. The Castalian

k was sacred to Apollo, the other to the Muses. The Castalian Spring, sacred to the Muses, is at the foot of the mountain; Del

mbled what is now called animal magnetism or mesmerism. Serpents were sacred to Æsculapius, probably because of a superstition

y, were celebrated for their temples of Apollo. The latter temple was sacred to Apollo Smintheus, the Mouse-Apollo, probably b

the Greeks of the myth-making age, finding certain plants and flowers sacred to Apollo, would invent stories to explain why he

Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree, Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man, Do

L’All. 19; Landor, Gebir, “Now to Aurora borne by dappled steeds. The sacred gates of orient pearl and gold… Expanded slow,” e

and its chief feature was a solemn procession in which the Peplus, or sacred robe of Minerva, was carried to the Parthenon, an

arms. The young women carried baskets on their heads, containing the sacred utensils, cakes, and all things necessary for the

fe of Seth. She aided Isis to recover the drowned Osiris. A′pis: the sacred bull, into which the life of Osiris was supposed

Mount Eryx and the city of that name, with its temple of Venus, were sacred , 263; Com. § 40- Er-yman′thus, Mount, 143; Eryman

Com. §§ 64, 102, 103. Mæn′alus, 138; a range of mountains in Arcadia, sacred to Pan. Mæo′nia, 176; Com. § 102, 103. Mæon′i-des

Com. § 40; see Venus. Pa′phos, 66, 150, 172; Com. § 93. Papy′ri, the sacred , 35. Par′cæ, Mœ′ræ; see Fates. Par′is,‌ 407 the j

on of Cadmus, 269; Com. § 158. Pol-yhym′nia (Po-lym′nia), the muse of sacred poetry, 72. Polyï′dus, 233. Polynesians, mental d

ainst us ; the political œconomists, who will sacrifice anything, how sacred soever, on the altar of their idol, misnamed Util

n. At a distance of several miles from the chief town, he says, lay a sacred grove, composed of trees of every kind, tall cypr

e, amidst which ran rivulets of the purest water. A spring within the sacred district poured forth water in such abundance as

y stadia from the chief town, stood an ancient and magnificent temple sacred to Triphylian Zeus, erected by the god himself wh

es in Panchæic letters, which the voyager says were the same with the sacred characters of the Egyptian priests. Zeus had, acc

ent down ; That, having through the Ocean passed, He to the depths of sacred gloomy Night might come, Unto his mother and his

oled’ sheep219. He had also herds of oxen at Gortyna in Crete220, and sacred sheep at Apollonia in Epeiros221. The Sun was not

eiros221. The Sun was not singular in this circumstance of possessing sacred cattle, but they were dedicated to him more frequ

r hardihood, to observe that they affirmed, on the authority of their sacred books and temple-archives, that Orpheus, Musæos,

n the Prytaneion of every Grecian city stood the hearth, on which the sacred fire flamed, and where the offerings were made to

nd sows. The willow, the pomegranate, the dittany, the lily, were her sacred plants. Among birds, the cuckoo, and afterwards t

ir-form’d much-admired peafowl. Whole flocks of them were fed in the sacred grove of the goddess. They were gradually but slo

the people on Admeta. But lo ! their ship became motionless when the sacred image was brought on board. Interror the pirates

os. In Eubœa Hera was called Virgin (Πάρθϵνος)533 ; and a place there sacred to her was named Parthenion. Macris (which we fin

isle to celebrate his birth ; the Delian nymphs receive and sing the sacred verses of Eileithyia ; the sky gives back the joy

an event as the establishment of the oracle of Apollo at Delphi, the sacred counsellor of all Greece, are various. The names

productions, and that its object is to account for the bay-tree being sacred to Apollo. Apollo, it is also said by the same po

name of Admetos’ mother, is one of Persephone ; and Pheræ was a town sacred to the goddess Hecate, who was connected with the

t Aulis, in consequence of Agamemnôn’s having killed a hind which was sacred to her, and to have required the sacrifice of his

cliff from which she threw herself being called Dictæon. At the rites sacred to her, wreaths of pine or lentisk were used inst

affections, borrowed the magic girdle from Aphrodite755. The animals sacred to Aphrodite were swans, doves, and sparrows. Hor

r Fritillus, of which so much use was made in amatory magic, was also sacred to this goddess758 ; as was likewise the swallow,

th, while the king of the gods poured a shower of gold on Rhodes, the sacred isle of the Sun-god. Stesichorus787 had already s

hich she had given origin. Among animals the owl and the serpent were sacred to her. Athena was most honoured in Athens, the c

rse, the daughter of Cecrops, among the maidens who were carrying the sacred baskets to the temple of Pallas-Athene. Smitten w

pos, and Keleos the leader of the people,’ the mode of performing her sacred rites. The goddesses then returned to Olympos. “B

shed with ever-craving hunger Erysichthôn, who impiously cut down her sacred grove. This infliction gave occasion for the exer

 ; whose name would rather seem to be derived from his exhibiting the sacred things, — ancient statues, probably of the goddes

n support of this supposition is extremely feeble. But the singing of sacred hymns in honour of the goddess always formed a pa

when admitted to view the interior of the illuminated temple, and the sacred things which it contained, when to his excited im

prings from which they have derived their appellations, or which were sacred to them, are, we may observe, in Macedonia, Thess

eneral. There was a cave at the river Amnisos, near Gortyna in Crete, sacred to Eileithyia, who according to the tradition of

deep offence, of bitter displeasure, at the impious violation of our sacred rights by those most bound to respect them.” This

of raging Dionysos through the holy Nyseïon, but they all flung their sacred utensils (θύσλα) to the ground, when beaten by th

more happy life and Elysian abodes promised to those who received the sacred decrees of the gods, and equal punishments threat

their flesh with knives. The box-tree and the cypress were considered sacred to her ; as from the former she made the pipes, a

d a long-eared father, — Pan or a Satyr perhaps, or it may be his own sacred beast the ass1223 ; others gave him Hermes1224 or

goddess and a nymph, it is said, They spring from fountains and from sacred groves, And holy streams that flow into the sea12

h Odysseus had offered to them. In another part of the poem1233 their sacred cave is thus described : But at the harbour’s he

long-leafed olive Grows, and near to it lies a lovely cave, Dusky and sacred to the Nymphs, whom men Call Naiades. In it large

ath ; That to the north is pervious unto men ; That to the south more sacred is, and there Men enter not, but ‘tis the Immorta

and flourishing ; on the high hills Lofty they stand ; the Deathless’ sacred grove Men call them, and with iron never cut. But

s Nirgis, which proves the derivation from ναρкέω to be wrong. It was sacred to Demeter and the Kora1241. It was fabled, that

s was sleeping, Eurylochos prevailed on them to slaughter some of the sacred oxen in sacrifice to the gods, and to vow by way

round, and the flesh lowed on the spits. They fed for six days on the sacred cattle ; on the seventh the storm fell, and they

nise in Ortygia and Syria two happy isles of the West-sea, apparently sacred to Apollo and Artemis ; and we must marvel at tho

the human race. The gods are the offspring of Time, and man, say the sacred Scriptures, is ‘born unto misery’. It is not unre

 ; and they joined with Cadmos to build the city1625. For killing the sacred serpent Cadmos was obliged to spend a year1626 in

ne ; and in the oldest part of the city there was a fount named Cyre, sacred to him, whence perhaps came the name of the town

wounded Clymenos, king of the Minyans, with a stone in Onchestos the sacred field of Poseidôn. Clymenos, being brought in a d

ind alive to Mycenæ. This hind haunted Œnœ, had golden horns, and was sacred to Artemis. Heracles, not wishing to kill or woun

goddess took the hind from him, and reproached him for violating her sacred animal. But the hero excusing himself on the plea

hter of Aleos. She secretly brought forth a son, whom she laid in the sacred inclosure (τέμϵνος) of Athena. A famine coming on

ras king of the Dryopians and his children, as he was feasting in the sacred ground of Apollo, on account of his violence and

union with a historical legend. It was a tradition in Attica that the sacred family of the Eumolpids belonged to the mythic Th

find a part of the temple of Athena-Polias named the Erechtheion, and sacred to Erechtheus, and in it there were altars of Hep

was the guardian-god — πολιοȗχος), and clears the Isthmus (which was sacred to that god) of monsters and evil-doers. We also

t Theseus was worshiped on the eighth day of the month, which was the sacred day of Poseidôn1861. There seems to have been a d

ause of offence, in both the nymph is changed by the goddess into her sacred animal1908. Argos is probably merely the dog 1909

established there games called Lycæa1981. At Mount Lycæon there was a sacred inclosure or temenos of Zeus, within which neithe

the way from the town to the Academy at Athens there was an inclosure sacred to Artemis, in which were wooden statues of Arist

analogy between Io and Callisto, it seems to follow that the bear was sacred to Artemis. This is strongly confirmed by the fac

of five and ten years, and called Bears (ἄρκτοι), used to perform the sacred rites of this goddess, on which occasion they wen

ceremony, he hid himself in the grove. As Pelopia was joining in the sacred dance, she slipped in the blood of the victims an

y them. The hero followed the advice of the princess : he entered the sacred grove of Ares, yoked the bulls, ploughed the land

stia she was a deity presiding over the public and private hearth : a sacred fire, tended by six virgin-priestesses called Ves

m the Palilia. The offering was made to Jupiter, but the day was also sacred to Venus2323. Ovid directs the meretrices to go a

iful passage, Geor. ii. 325. seq. 538. Herod. i. 31. Cows were also sacred to the Egyptian Isis (Id. ii. 41.), whom he ident

11-14. 179-187. 1179. See above, p. 61. There was a cave in Arcadia sacred to the Moon and Pan Lycæos. Porphyr. de Antr. Nym

ng robes, with a diadem and sceptre. The peacock and cuckoo were both sacred to her, and are therefore often seen at her side.

ne; — Into his hands they put the lyre of gold,     And, crowned with sacred laurel at their fount,     Placed him as Musagete

bore him off to Mount Latmus, where she concealed him in a cave held sacred to her, and never profaned by human gaze. There e

his service throughout the ancient world. His statues were considered sacred boundary marks, and their removal punished by dea

warlike expedition, always entered the sanctuary of Mars, touched the sacred shield with the point of his lance, shook the spe

ctantly ferried them over free of charge. There was also in Hades the sacred river Styx, by whose waters the gods swore their

ghts Or nobly triumphed in the fields of fight: There holy priest and sacred poets stood, Who sang with all the raptures of a

ir horns let victim goats expire, And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire.” “Come, sacred sire, with luscious cluster

ats expire, And roast on hazel spits before the sacred fire.” “Come, sacred sire, with luscious clusters crown’d, Here all th

ted to her; and any mortal rash enough to lay the axe on one of those sacred trees was sure to incur the goddess’s wrath, as i

veneration paid to Ceres’ trees took his axe and cut down one of her sacred oaks. At his first blow, blood began to flow from

ium of Troy was supposed to be preserved, together with the goddess’s sacred fire, originally kindled by the rays of the sun.

to perform during the next decade as priestesses and guardians of the sacred fire. The last ten years were spent in instructin

vows of chastity and fidelity to their patroness, and to maintain her sacred fire, under penalty of being buried alive in a va

of it night or day; for the Romans considered the extinction of this sacred flame the precursor of some great public calamity

signal services the Vestals rendered to the State by maintaining this sacred fire, they enjoyed many privileges: among others,

ime of war or danger they were answerable for the preservation of the sacred fire, which they were allowed to remove to any pl

hed the worship of Vesta, dispersed the Vestals, and extinguished the sacred fire. Vesta’s services were held with great pomp;

ead Vesta, with her holy things, Her awful fillets and the fire Whose sacred embers ne’er expire.” Virgil ( Conington’s tr.).

In public processions the Vestals had the privilege of carrying their sacred fire; while the Roman matrons, glad to swell thei

gfellow. The commencement of every new year, month, and day was held sacred to Janus, and at that time special sacrifices and

f the new year; and one month bore the god’s name, and was considered sacred to him. It was customary for friends and relative

hful dogs, nor the more wakeful geese, Disturb with nightly noise the sacred peace: Nor beast of nature, nor the tame, are nig

ted to Vulcan, and make use of them to plough a stony piece of ground sacred to Mars. This done, he must sow the field with so

ring, father and daughter reached Colonus, where grew a mighty forest sacred to the avenging deities, the Furies, or Eumenides

he effect that Troy could never be taken as long as the Palladium — a sacred statue of Minerva, said to have fallen from heave

nd of the sun, where Phaetusa and Lampetia watched over the sun god’s sacred herds. The men wished to land here to rest; but U

e blind seer, had warned them to avoid it, lest by slaying any of the sacred animals they should incur divine wrath. The men,

by drowning all excepting Ulysses, who alone had not partaken of the sacred flesh, and who, after clinging to the rudder for

y Anchises in Hades, 333 Cam′pus Mar′ti-us. Roman exercising grounds sacred to Mars, 121 Can′cer. Crab which attacked Hercul

golden fleece was kept, 232, 233; return from, 240 Co-lo′nus. Forest sacred to Furies, where Œdipus vanished in a storm, 252

o; turned to a cypress tree, 50 Cy-prus. Island in the Mediterranean sacred to Venus, 82, 98, 102 Cyth-e-re′a. Name given to

he appears at Peleus’ marriage feast, 272 Do-do′na. Temple and grove sacred to Jupiter, 34, 233 Dol′phin. Constellation, 64

upiter and Io; founder of Memphis, 114 Eph′e-sus. City in Asia Minor sacred to Diana, 81 Eph-i-al′tes. Giant son of Neptune,

d by, 320 Eu-men′i-des. Collective name given to Furies, 139; forest sacred to, 252; significance, 357 Eu-prosy-ne. One of t

, 7. H Ha′des. The Infernal Region, kingdom of Pluto, 137-146; sacred river Styx, 138; three judges of, 139; Hercules’

rs of Phaeton; changed into trees, 68 Hel′i-con. Mountain in Greece, sacred to Apollo and Muses, 69, 70, 126 He′li-os. Name

on helped by, 257; Juno and Venus dispute with, 272-274; Pallodium, a sacred statue of, 296; Ulysses aided by, 316-320; signif

295; significance, 358, 359 Par-nas′sus. Mountain in Greece, 24-26; sacred to Apollo and the Muses, 69 Par-the′ni-um. Mount

trite; wife of Neptune, 1 30 Sa′li-i. Priests appointed to watch the sacred shields in Rome, 120 Sal-mo′neus. King who wishe

195 Styx. River in Hades, by whose waters the gods swore their most sacred oaths, 30, 60, 65, 138, 148; Achilles bathed in t

it cheers and warms those who have it. He knew also that the fire was sacred , and that Jupiter did not wish it to be touched,

very stern. “Prometheus is brave, but he has done wrong to steal the sacred fire,” said Jupiter, “and he must be punished.” T

another. At times they burned each other’s houses and crops with the sacred fire, and they melted ores in it to make swords o

but before he left, he warned Pandora and Epimetheus not to open the sacred box. “The gifts of heaven must not be set free on

of a wild olive tree which he tore up by the roots at the foot of the sacred mountain of Helicon, Hercules set out. He soon fo

ng quietly into the temple where the Palladium stood; they seized the sacred statue and bore it away, through the sleeping gua

hat twenty men might have sat within it. Now, the horse is the animal sacred to Neptune, the god of ocean, and it seemed plain

ile Ulysses slept, the hungry men took the chance, killed some of the sacred beasts, and made a hearty meal of them. A few day

of Tereus toward her sister, and demanded of the Bacchantes, in their sacred character, to protect them both till they could r

the valley of Gargaphia. The trees which surrounded the fountain were sacred to Diana, and it was not permitted to any man to

t Diana saw him, and was greatly incensed that a man should enter her sacred grove. In her displeasure, she snatched up some w

mblem of glory and of immortality!” From that time, the laurel became sacred to Apollo, and garlands of laurel were bestowed a

No one ever dared to enter these quiet, hidden groves, for they were sacred to Diana and her nymphs. Actaeon was a youth who

means “the swift.” At its prow was a figurehead cut from an oak tree sacred to Juno. Juno had sent the gift to show Jason tha