Archæologiæ Græcæ, or, The antiquities of Greece by John Potter ...

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

A Novennial Festival (b) 1.1, celebrated by the Boeotians, in hono•••• of Apollo. The chief Solemnity was thus: They adorn'd an Olive∣bough with Garlands of Lawrel, and various sorts of Flowers: Upon the top of it was plac'd a Globe of Brass, from which hung other lesser Globes; About the middle were fix'd to it Purple Crown••, and a Globe of smaller size than that at the top: The bottom was cover'd with a Garment of Saffron-colour. The uppermost Globe was an Emblem of the Sun, by whom they meant Apollo; that plac'd diametrically under it, signify'd the Moon; the lesser Globe•• represented the Stars; and the Crowns, being sixty five in number▪ were Types of the Sun's Annual Revolution, which is comple•••••• in about the same number of Days. The Bough thus adorn'd, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 carry'd in Procession; the chief in which was a Boy of a beauti•••••• countenance, and good Parentage, whose Father and Mother were both living: He was apparell'd in a sumptuous Garment, reaching down to his Ancles; his Hair hung loose and dishevell'd; on his Head was a Crown of Gold; and upon his Feet Shoes, call'd Iphicratide, from Iphicrates an Athenian, the first Inventor of them: It was his Duty to execute at that time the Priest's Office, and he was honour'd with the Title of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. The Lawrel-bearer. Before him we•••• one of his nearest Relations, bearing a Rod adorn'd with Garlands:

After the Boy follow'd a Choir of Virgins, with Branches in their Hands: And in this order they proceeded as far as the Temple of Apollo, sirnam'd Ismenius, and Galaxius, where they sung Supplica∣••ory Hymns to the God. These Ceremonies were first practis'd upon this account: The Aeolians that inhabited Arne, and the adjacent Territory, being advis'd by an Oracle to relinquish their old Seats, and seek their Fortunes, made an Invasion upon the Thebans, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same Time were besieg'd by the Pelasgians: It happen'd to be near the Time of Apollo's Festival, which was religiously observ'd by both Nations; wherefore a Cessation of Arms being granted on both sides, one Party cut down Lawrel-boughs in Helicon, the other ••ear the River Melas; and, as the Custom was, carry'd them in their Hands, in honour of Apollo. On the same Day there appear'd in •• Dream to Polematas, General of the Boeotian Forces, a young Man, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 presented him with a complete Suit of Armour, and com∣••••nded that every ninth Year the Boeotians should make Solemn ••••ayers to Apollo, with Lawrel in their Hands: About three Days ••••••er this Vision, he made a Sally upon the Besiegers with such Suc∣••••ss, that they were forc'd to retire, and quit their Enterprise: where∣••••on he caus'd this Festival to be instituted.

Notes

• (b) 1.1

  Pausanias Boeoticis, Proclus Chrestomathi••▪