Pansebeia, or, A view of all religions in the world with the severall church-governments from the creation, to these times : also, a discovery of all known heresies in all ages and places, and choice observations and reflections throughout the whole / by Alexander Ross.

The Contents of the fifth Section.

The Religion of the old Germans, Gauls, and Brittains. 2. Of the Saxons, Danes, Swedes, Moscovites, Russians, Pomeranians, and their neighbours. 3. Of the Scythi∣ans, Getes, Thracians, Cymbrians, Goths, Lusitanians, &c. 4. Of the Lithuanians, Polonians, Hungarians, Sa∣mogetians, and their neighbours. 5. Of divers Gentile gods besides the above named. 6. The ranks and arms of their gods. 7. With what creatures their Chariots were drawn. 8. Of peculiar gods worshipped in peculiar places. 9. The Greek chief Festivals.

SECT. V. (Book 5)

Quest. OF what Religion were the Germans, Gauls and Brittains?

Answ. The Germans at first had neither I∣mages nor Temples,* 1.1 but abroad worship∣ped the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Mother Earth was in chief esteem among them; to her they de∣dicated a Chariot in a Grove which was lawful onely for the Priest to touch. He was never to leave the Cha∣riot, which was alwyes covered with cloath, and was drawn by two Oxen in Procession; then holy days were appointed; at the end of her journey, she with the Chariot and cloathes were washed in a certain Lake; but the Ministers who performed this work, were ne∣ver seen any more, but were swallowed by the Lake,

and the goddesse restored again by her Priest to her Grove. The ancient Gaules worshipped Mercury in the first place, as being the god of High-ways, Journys, Gain, and Merchandising: after him they worshipped Apollo, Iupiter, Mars, and Minerva. They and the Ger∣mans were wont to sacrifice men sometimes; so did the ancient Brittains, which with the Gaules had the same Religion and Priests called Druidae from the Oakes un∣der which they used to teach and sacrifice; for they expounded all religious mysteries, taught the youth, decided controversies and suits in Law, ordained re∣wards and punishments; and such as obeyed not their decrees they excommunicated, debarring them from all divine exercises, and all commerce with men. These Druidae had one chief over them, whose succes∣sour was always elected. They were free from paying taxes, from serving in the war, a••d had many other priviledges. They committed not the mysteries of their Religion to writing, but to the memory of their Disciples, who spent many years in learning by heart their precepts in verse. They believed the immorta∣lity of souls, they read Philosophy to their Scholars. It is thought by some that Diana's Temple stood where St Pauls Church in London stands now. And Minerva had her Temple at Bath, and Apollo in Scotland neer Dalkeith.* 1.2 The Saxons worshipped the seven Planets, among which Thor the same with Iupiter, was chiefe; from him Thursday was denominated. Next was Wodan or Mars; Wednesday is so called from him. Fred or Frico was Venus, to whom Friday was dedicated, as Tuesday to Tuisco the founder of the German Nation.

Q. Vnder what shapes and formes did the old Saxons worship their gods.

A. They worshipped the Sun under the shape of halfe a naked man set upon a pillar,* 1.3 whose head and face was all beset with firie rayes, holding on his brest a flaming wheele, by which they signified the Suns heat, light, and motion. They worshipped the Moon under the form of a Woman with a short coat and a hood with long eares, with the picture of the Moon before her brest; they gave her also piked shoes. Verstegan cannot find the reason of this habit;

but perhaps the reason may be this, if I may have leave to conjecture; they gave her a short coat, to shew the swiftnesse of her motion•• for a long coat signifieth a slow motion; therefore they painted Saturne whose motion is the slowest of all the Planets, with a long coat. The hood or chapron with long eares, was to represent her horns, or else to shew that sounds are heard a far off in the night, which is the time of her do∣minion. Her piked shoes also may resemble her hornes. Tuisco their third Idol is set out in the skin of some wild beast, with a Scepter in his hand; this is thought to be the first and most ancient of that nation, from whom the Germans call themselves Tuytshen, or as the Flemings pronunce it Duytshen, as Verstegan ob∣serveth; but I think that under this name they wor∣shipped Mars; for as Tacitus writes, Mars was one of the German gods. His hairie garments doth shew the feirce and truculent disposition of that warlike god; besides that, hairie Sylvanus is thought to be the same that Mars. His Scepter may signifie the power and command which Souldiers have in the world. But it is more likely by this Idol they meant Mercury; for next to the Sun and Moon, he was as Tacitus saith, the Germans chief god. His Scepter and hairie gar∣ment may signifie the power and command that elo∣quence and musick have over the most brutish natures; and of these two faculties Mercury was the inventer. And we must know that, as the Romans next to the Sun and Moon honoured Mars the Patron of their city, for which cause they dedicated to him the third day of the week; so the Germans for the same cause dedica∣ted to Mercury their chief founder and patron the same day, which from his name Tuisco is called Tuesday yet retained among us. Their fourth Idol was Woden, from whom Wednesday is so called. He was the Ger∣mans Mars, and is called Woden, from being wood or mad; intimating hereby the firercenesse of Souldiers, and furie of Warr. He is painted with a Crown on his head, a sword in his hand, and in compleat armor. Their fift Idol is Thor, which was their Iupiter, for they made him the god of the aire, and commander of winds rain, and thunder; they painted him sitting in a chaire,

of state, with a Scepter in his right hand, a golden Crown on his head, encompassed with twelve stars, by which they meant he was King of the upper re∣gions and commander of the stars: from him Thurs∣day is named, as among the Romans, Dies Iovis from Iupiter. Their sixt Idol was Friga; from her our Fri∣day is denominated, and was the same that Venus a∣mong the Romans; she is painted in the habit of a man in armes, with a sword in one hand, and a bow in the other; so among the Romans she was Venus armnata, and Barbata; armed and bearded; she is called by the Greeks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the masculin; and by Aristophanes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, so by Virgil, Deus; descendo ac ducente Deo flammam inter et hostes. Their seventh Idol was Seater, whence comes the ••ame Saterday, dedicated to him; Verstegan will not have this Seater to be the same that Saturne, because he was other-ways called Crodo; but this is no rea∣son; for most of the gods had different names; the Sun is called Apollo, and Phaebus; the Moon, Diana, Lucina, Proserpina. The goddesse of wisdom is called Pallas and Minerva, &c. Doubtlesse then this Idol was Saturn as his picture shewes; for he is set out like an old man; and so he was painted among the Romans; the wheele in his left hand signifieth the revolution of time, the pail of water in his right hand, wherein were ••lowrs and fruites, and the pearch under his feet, do shew the dominion Time hath over Sea and Land, and all things there in contain••d; for all sublu∣narie things are subject to time and change. His long coat, as I shewed before, did signifie the slownesse of Saturns motion, which is not finished but in 30 yeers. Other Idols they worshipped, but of lesse note, of which see Verstegan.

Q What was the Religion of the Danes, Swedes, Mos∣covites, Russians, Pomeranians, and their neighbours?

A. The Danes and Swedes worshipped the same gods that the Saxons did.* 1.4 They call upon Thor or Iupiter, when the Pestilence is among them, because he ••uleth in the ayre: In the time of war they call upon Wod••n or Mars. In their marriages they invocate Frico or Venus. They had also their Heroes or demi-gods; they used to kill nine males of each kind of sensitive creatures, and

to pacifie their gods with the blood thereof, then to hang up their bodies in the Grove next the Temple called Vbsola. In some parts of Saxony they worship∣ped Saturn under the name of Crodo, like an old man standing on a fish, holding in his hands a wheele and a pitcher. Venus they worshipped in the form of a naked woman standing in a Chariot drawn with two Swans and two Doves. On her head she wore a Garland of Myrtle; in her right hand she had the Globe of the world, in the other three Oranges. Out of her brest proceeded a burning Tap••r. The three Graces naked with fruit in their hands waited on her. In Westphalia they worshipped an Idol all in armour, holding a banner in his right hand with a Rose, and in the left a pair of Scales. On his Breast was carved a Beare, on his Helmet a Lion. It seems by the Idol they understood Mars. The Rugians neer the Baltick sea, worshipped Mars in the form of a Monster with se∣ven faces, and seven swords hanging by his side in their Scabberds; he held the eighth sword naked in his hand. The same Rugians, as also the Bohemians, wor∣shipped an Idol with four heads, two of them looking forward, and two backward; in his right hand it held a horn which the Priest every yeer sprinkled with Wine, in the left hand a Bow; this also seems to be Mars. The Sclavi adored an Idol standing on a Pillar, with a Plough-share in one hand, a Lance and Banner in the other; his head was beset with Garlands, his leggs were Booted, and at one of his heels a bell did hang. Some of them did worship an Idol on whose brest was a Target, in which was ingraven an Oxe head. It had a Pole-Axe in its hand, and a little Bird sitting on its head. All these may seem to repre∣sent Mars. The Moscovites and Russians adored an Idol called Perun, in the shape of a man holding a bur∣ning stone in his hand, resembling Thunder; a fire of Oken wood was continually maintained burning, to the honour of this Idol; it was death for the Mini∣steres, if they suffered this fire to go out. It seems this was Iupiters Image. The Stetinians in Pomerania worshipped a three-headed Idol, and used to ask Ora∣cles or advice of a black horse: the charge of which

was committed to one of the Priests. In the countries about Moscovia, they worship an idol called Zolota Ba∣ba,* 1.5 the golden Hag. It is a Statue like an old woman holding an infant in her bosome, and neer to her stands another infant. To this Idol they offer the richest Sabel skins they have. They sacrifice Stags to her, with the blood whereof they annoint her face, eyes, and her o∣ther parts. The beasts entrails are devoured raw by the Prlests. With this idol they use to consult in their doubts and dangers.

Q. What Religion did the Scythians, Getes, Thracians. Cymbrians, Goths, Lucitanians, & other Europeans profess?

A. The same Gentilisme with the rest, adoring Idols of stocks and stones in stead of the true God,* 1.6 or rather they worshipped the Devil, as appears by their inhu∣mane humane sacrifices. The Scythians used to sacri∣fice every hundreth captive to Mars: So did the Thra∣cians, thinking there was no other means to pacifie that angry and butcherly god, but by murthering of men. Of the same opinion were the old Germans, who sacrificed men to Mercury. The Cymbrians or Cymmeri∣ans by their women Priests used to murther and sacrifice men. These she-devils girt with brasse girdles, and in a white surplice, used to cut the throats of the captives, to rip up their bowels, and by inspection to foretel the event of the war, and withal to make drums of their skins. The Goths did not think they pleased the Devil sufficiently, except first they had tormented the poor captive by hanging him upon a tree, and then by tea∣ring him in pieces among brambles and thorns. These Goths or Getes believed that the dead went into a plea∣sant place where their God Tamolxius ruled; to him they used still to send a Messenger chosen out among themselves by lot, who in a boat of five Oars went to supplicate for such things as they wanted. Their man∣ner of sending him was thus; They took him hand and foot, and flung him upon the points of sharp pikes▪ if he fell down dead, they concluded that the god was well pleased with that messenger; if otherwise, they rejected him as an unworthy messenger; therefore they chose another to whom they gave instructions before he died, what he should say to their god; and so ha∣ving

slain him upon their pikes, committed the dead body in the boat to the mercy of the sea. The Lithuani∣ans used to burn their chief captives to their gods. The Lusitanians ripped open the bowels of their captives in their divinations, and presented their right hands, be∣ing cut off, to their gods. The Sclavi worshipped an i∣dol called Suantovitus, whose Priest the day before he sacrificeth, makes clean the Chappel, which none must enter but he alone, and whilest he is in it, he must not draw his breath, but hold his head out of the window, least with his mortal breath he should pollute the Idol. The next day the people watching without the Chap∣pel door, view the Idols cup; if they find any of the li∣quor which was put there wasted, they conclude the next years scarcity, but other wise they hope for plen∣ty; and so they fill the cup again, and pray to the I∣dol for victory and plenty; then pouring out old wine at the idols feet, and offering to him a great cake, they spend the rest of the day in gormandising. It is held a sin and a dishonour to the idol not to be drunk then. Every one payeth a piece of money to the idols mainte∣nance; to which also is paid the third part of all b••o∣ties taken in the war. To this purpose the idol main∣tained three hundred horse, whom the Priest payed, being the Idols treasurer.* 1.7 In Lituania, Russia, and the adjacent places, the Rusticks offer a yearly sacrifice of Calves, Hogs, Sowes, Cocks and Hens▪ about the end of October, when their fruits are all gathered in, to their idol Ziemiennick; they beat all these creatures to death, then offer them with prayers and thanksgiving; which done, they fall to eating and drinking, flinging first pieces of flesh into every corner of the house.

Q. What did the Lithuanians, Polonians, Hungarians, Samogetians, and their neighbours professe?

A. Their chief god was the Sun.* 1.8 They worshipped also the Fire, which they continually maintained by Priests chosen for that purpose. They ascribed also Divinity and worship to trees, and the taller the tree was, the more adoration it had When Christianity be∣gan to be preached among the Lithuanians, and were exhorted to cut their trees, none would venture to touch these gods, till the preache••s encouraged them

by their example; but when they saw the trees cut down, they began to lament the losse of their gods, and complained to their Prince of the wrong done to them by the Christians, whereupon the Preachers were commanded presently to abandon the country, and so these dogs returned to their vomit. They adored also Serpents, which they entertained in their houses, and used by their Priests to ask Oracles or advice of the fire, concerning their friends, when they fell sick, if they should recover health again. The same Idolatry was used by the Polonians or Sarmatians. The Hungari∣ans or Pannonians did not onely worship the Sun, Moon and Stars, but also every thing they first met with in the morning. Most part of Livonia is yet idolatrous, worshipping the Planets and observe the heathenish cu∣stomes in their burials and marriages. In Samogethia a country bordering on Prussia, Livonia, and Lithuania, they worshipped for their chief god the Fire, which their Priests continually maintained within a Tower on the top of an high hill, till Vladislaus King of Po∣land beat down the Tower, and put out the fire, and withal caused their Groves to be cut down, which they held sacred, with the Birds, beasts, and every thing in them. They burn the bodies of their chief friends, with their horses, furniture, and best cloaths, and withal set down victuals by their Graves, believing that the depar∣ted soules would in the night time eat and drink there. The like superstition is used by the Livonians. So the Lapponians are at this day for the most part idolatrous; they hold that no marriage which is not consecrated by fire and a flint,* 1.9 is lawful; therfore by striking of the flint with iron, they shew that as the hid sparks of fire flie out by that union, so children are propagated by the conjunction of male and female. Many parts also of Moscovia at this day continue in their Gen∣tilisme.

Q. What other gods did the Ge••tiles worship beside those above named?

A. It were tedious to mention all;* 1.10 I will only name some of them. Aeolus was god of the Winds, Portunus god of Harbours, Agonius god of Action, Angerona god∣dess of Squinzees, Laverna or Furina goddess of Theeves,

Aucula goddesse of maid servants. Carna goddesse of hinges, Aristae••s god of hony, Diverra goddesse of sweeping, Feronia goddesse of Woods, Dice goddesse of Law-suites, Fidius of Faith, Aruncus of diverting hurt from Corn, Hebe of youth, Meditrina of Medicines, Men•• of womens monthly flowers, Myodes or Miagrus, the same with Belzebub the god of Flies, Limentinus of thresholds, Peitho goddesse of Eloquence, Aius of speech, Pecunia of mony, Thalassius of marriage, Vacuna goddesse of leasure or idlenesse,* 1.11 Vitula goddesse of youthful wantonnesse, Sentinus of sense, Tutanus of de∣fence, Vallonia of Vallies, Vitunus of life, Collina of hills, Iugatinus of the tops of mountains. We cannot meet with any creature, action, passion, or accident of mans life, which had not its peculiar deity.

Q. How did they rank and arme their gods?

A. Some of them they called Supernal,* 1.12 as Saturn, Iupiter, Apollo, Mercurius, Mars, Vulcan, Bacchus, Hercu∣les, Cybele, Venus, Minerva, Iuno, Ceres, Diana, Themis. Some they named infernal, as Pluto, Charon, Cerberus, Rhadamanthus, Minos, Aeicus, Proserpina, Alecto, Tisi∣phone, Megaera, Chimera, Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos. Some were deities of the Sea, as Oceanus, Neptune, Triton, Glaucus, Palemon, Proteus, Nereus, Castor, Pollux, Phorbus, Melicerta, Amphitrite, Thetis, Doris, Galataea, and the other Sea-Nymphs, called Nereides. The Country gods, and of the Woods, were Pan, Sylvanus, Faunus, Pales, the Satyres, &c. There were three deities called Graces, or Charites, to wit, Aegle, Thalia, Exphrosyne. Three Fatal Sisters, called Parcae; to wit, Cl••tho, Lachests, Atropos; Three Furies, called Eu••••enides, to wit, Alecto, Megaera, Tisiphone. The chiefest of their gods they did thus arm; namely, Saturn with the Sithe. Iupiter with Thunder. Mars with the Sword. Apollo and Diana with Bows an arrows. Mercury with his Caduceu••, or Rod. Neptune with the Trident, or three-forked Scepter.* 1.13 Bacchus with the Thyrsus, or Spear woven about with Vine-leaves. Hercules with his Clave, or Club. Minerva with her Lance and Aegis, or Target, having on it Medusa's head. Vulcan with his Tongs, &c.

Q▪ With what creatures weretheir Chariots drawn?

A. Iupiter, Sol,* 1.14 Mars, and Neptune, had their Chari∣ots drawn by Horses. Saturn by Dragons. Thetis, Tri∣ton, Leucothoe, by Dolphins. Bacchus by Lynces and Tygers. Diana by Stags. Luna, or the Moon, by Ox∣en. Oceanus by Whales. Venus by Swans, Doves, and Sparrows. Cybele by Lions. Iuno by Peacocks. Ceres by Serpents. Pluto by four black Horses. Mercury, in stead of a Chariot, had wings on his head and heels. The mystical meanings of these things we have opened.* 1.15

Q. In what peculiar places were some gods peculiarly wor∣shipped?

A. Though Apollo was worshipped in many places:* 1.16 as in the wood Grynaeum in Ionia; on Phaselis, a hill in Lycia▪ in Tenedos, an Isle of the Aegean Sea; in Delos and Claros, two of the Cyclad Islands; on hill Cynthus; in Cyr••ha, a Town of Phocis: at Rhodes, on hill Soracte; on Parnassus, and other places; yet he was chiefly worshipped at Delphi, a Town of Phocis. So Venus was honoured in Cyprus, and in Paphos, a Town of the same Isle; and in the Isle Amathus in the Aegean Sea, on hill Eryx; and in Sicilie, and elsewhere; yet her chief worship was at Paphos. So Iuno was worshipped at Samos, an I••le of the Icarian Sea; at Argos and Mycenae, Towns of A••haia, and in other places; yet she was principally honoured at Carthage in Africa. Minerva was worshipped in Aracynthus, a hill of Ae••olia; in Pyre∣us, a hill of Attica, and elsewhere; yet She was chiefly honoured at Athens. Bacchus was worshipped at Nysa, a Town of Arabia; at Naxos, one of the Cyclades, but chiefly at Thebis in Boeotia. Diana was worshipped at Delos, on hill Cynthus; at Ephesus, and elsewhere. Her∣cules was honoured at Gades; at Tybur, a Town near Rome; at Tyrintha, near Argi▪ at Thebis in Boeotia, &c. Iupiters worship was maintained at Rome, in Lybia, on hill Ida in Crete; and elsewhere. Mars was adoted at Thermodon in Scythia, on Rho••••pe, a hill in Thracia; a∣mong the Getes▪ and other Nations. Vulcan was chief∣ly honoured at Lemnos, Quitinus at Rome, Faunus in Latium, Isis in Egypt, Aesculapius in Epidaurus, a Town in Peloponnesus, Cybele in Phrygia, chiefly on the hills Ida, Berecynthus, and Dindymus. Fortune was honoured in A••tium and Prae••este, Towns of Italy, &c.

Who would know more of these, let them consult wi•• the Poets.

Q. What were the Greek chief festivals?

A. The Greek were these. Anacalypteria, kept by the Rusticks to Ceres and Bacchus,* 1.17 upon the taking in of their fruits; but I finde that the feast of Pr••serp••na's wedding with Pluto, called Theogamia, was called Anacalypteria, and so was the third day of each marriage from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to disclose or discover, because then the Bride, who before had been shut up in her fathers house, came abroad to her Husbands house; and so the Pre∣sents that were given her by her husband that day, were called Anacalypteria. 2. Anthesteria were Feasts kept to Bacchus, so called from Anthesterion, the moneth of February, in which they were kept. But some will have this to be the moneth of November; others of Au∣gust, which is most likely, because then grapes are ripe, and the Athenian children were crowned with Gar∣lands of flowers. This feast also was called Dionysia. 3. Aletis was a feast at Athens, kept to Icarus and Erigone. 4. Anthesphoria, kept to the honour of Proserpina, who was carried away by Pluto as she was gathering of flow∣ers; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is a flower: It was called also Theogamia, a divine marriage. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was an Athenian feast kept four days; Erasmus mentions only three. 6. Ascolia, were Attick feasts kept to Bacchus, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a bladder; because in the middle of the Theatre they used then to dance upon bladders that were blown and oyled, onely with one foot, that by falling they might excite laughter; this dancing was called Ascoliasmus, of which Virgil speaks: Mollibus in pratis unctos saliere per utres. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were Athenian feasts in the month of September called by them Boedromion: this feast was kept with voci••eration and running. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were love-feasts, in which kinsfolks entertained each other with good cheer and gifts. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were feasts at Athens, wherein all kinds of seeds were boiled to Bac∣chus and Mercury, in a pot called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; this feast was kept about the midst of November. 10. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was the scourging feast among the Lacedemonians, in which the prime youth were whipt in the presence of their friends at the altar of Diana. 11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the

feasts of Iupiter; they were called also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Here they were not very jovial, but sad, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of sower countenance. 12. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were feasts kept to Diana in February, cal∣led E••aphetolion, wherein Stags were sacrificed to Dia∣na. 13. Ephestia at Thebes, were feasts kept to the ho∣nour of Tyresias the Prophet who had been both man & woman; therefore that day they cloathed him first in mans apparel, and then in a womans habit. 14. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 marriage: this was Iunos feast, kept in Ianuary, called Gamelion; and she having the charge of marriages, was called Gamelia. 15. Hecat••mbe to Iuno, in which 100 sacrifices were offered, and divers shews of sports exhibited to the people: He that overcame was rewarded with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a brazen Target, and a Myrtle garland. This feast was called also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 from Iuno•• name; and the moneth of Iuly, in which this feast was kept, is named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 16. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Athenian ••easts, in which certain holy Reliques were carried about in a chest called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by the Priests cal∣led Helenophori. 17. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were Lacedemonian feasts, kept to the honour of Apollo, and his Boy ••yacinthus, whom he lost; therefore Lycander calls him 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 much lamented. 18. Hypocaustria, were feasts to Mi∣nerva, for avoiding the dangers that come by firing, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to kindle or burn. 19. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was a feast at Argos, so called from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Sow, because by them then this beast was sacrificed to Venus. 20. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, so called from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Torch, or Lamp: This feast was kept to Bacchus, into whose Temple in the night they used to carry burning Torches, and to place gob∣lets full of Wine in all parts of the City. 21 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were the feasts of Cybele, called Magna Mater, in which were exhibited divers spectacles to the people in the moneth of April. 22. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was Apollo's festival, who was called Metageitnius; and the moneth in which it was kept was named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which some say is May, others Iuly. 23. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was a feast among the Aegeans, in which it seems they eat all of one dish, or else but once a day, or else each man apart. These are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 24. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the feast of Minerva, kept in the harbour of Athens, called Munichium. The

moneth of March was also called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 25. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were sober sacrifices, without wine; therefore called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; at Athens these sacrifices were perfor∣med to Venus Vrania; likewise to Mnemosyne, Aurora, Sol, Luna, the Muses and the Nymphs, and even to Bac∣chus himself. Sometimes they offered in stead of Wine 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, water mingled with honey. 26. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were the night sacrifices of Bacchus, whence he was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 27. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were Athenian feasts, so called from the great cup of the same name, which being filled with wine, beardlesse youths 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith Athenaeus, being to cut their long hair offered to Hercules. 28. Ornea, the festi∣vals of Priapus, who was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from Ornis, a Town of Peloponnesus. 29. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, an Athenian feast, in which the noble youth carried 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Vine branch∣es into Minerva's Temple. This feast was instituted when The seus returned mourning from Crete, upon the report of his fathers death Aegeus. 30. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the chief Athenian feast to the honour of Minerva; it was celebrated every fifth year. In this were divers shews; the youth then used to dance in armour, called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from Pyr••hus the inventer. The Image of Pal∣las was then carried in a Ship called Panathenaica, in which the sail called Peplus was spread; and on this was woven the Giant Enceladus, slain by Pallas. In this feast they used to run with lamps or torches; and so they did in the Feasts called Ephestia and Promethea. He that overcame, had for his reward 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ the Olive fruit, that is, a pot of Oyl, whereof Pallas was the Inventer, and none but he could by the law carry any Oyle out of the A••tick Countrey. 31. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were feasts dedicate to Apollo in the moneth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which some take for October, o∣thers for Iuly. This feast was so called from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from beanes, or other kind of legumina consecrated to Apollo. 32. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, an Athenian feast to Minerva; the moneth in which it was kept was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from bea∣ring about in procession 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Fan to make a shadow from the Suns heat. The Fan was carri∣ed by Minerva's Priest, accompanied with the Gentry of Athens out of the Tower; from this they called Miner∣va,

S••irada. The moneth of this feast was thought to be March. 33. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; this feast was dedicated to Apollo and Diana at Athens in the moneth of April, which was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In it the first fruits of the earth were offered to these gods, and boiled in the pot called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 34. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were feasts to Bacchus the god of Wine, who was therefore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and his Temple 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 commonly called; this was an Athenian feast. 35. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were feasts dedicated to all the gods to∣gether. This feast by the Latines is called dies pandicula∣••is, and communicarius. Theoxenia also were games exhi∣bited to Apollo, who was called Theoxenius, and this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, common feast was at Delphi, consecrated pe∣culiarly to Apollo. This feast was so called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because all the gods were entertained at a feast. Castor and Pollux were the authors of this feast; for when Hercules was deified, he committed to these Di••scuri the care of the Olympick games; but they devised this new feast of Theoxenia. It was chiefly ob∣served by the Athenians in honour of forreign gods;* 1.18 for among them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith Hesychius, the forraign gods were worshipped. This feast is called by Pindarus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hospitable tables, and the sacrifice 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 36. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was the feast of Bacchus, in whose Temple three empty vessels in the night time were filled with wine, but none knew how, for the doors were fast locked, and guarded. Thuia also was the first Priestesse of Bacchus, from which the rest are called Thyadae. 37. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were the feasts of Bac∣chus every third year, in Latine Trienalia and Triennia; of which Ovid, Celebrant repetita Triennia Bacchae. Some other festivals the Greeks observed; but of lesse note.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Germans, Gauls, and Brittains, their Religions.
• * 1.2

  See Tacitus, Cesars Com∣mentaries, Camden, and others:
• * 1.3

  Old Saxons worshipped their gods under di∣vers shapes and forms.
• * 1.4

  Danes, Swedes, Moscovites and their neighbours their Religions.
• * 1.5

  See Saxo Gram∣maticus, Cran∣zius on Vanda∣lia, Olaus, Gua∣guin, and o∣ther Histori∣ans.
• * 1.6

  Scythians, Getes, Thraci∣ans, Cymbri∣ans, Goths, &c: their Religions.
• * 1.7

  See Olaus Magnus, Saxo, Guaguinus, Io∣••annes Mag∣••••s, Aventinus, &c.
• * 1.8

  Lithuanians, Polonians, Hungarians, &c. Their Religions.
• * 1.9

  See Olaus, Munster in his Geography, and others.
• * 1.10

  Gods of the Gentils.
• * 1.11

  Of these see Austin, Lactan∣tius, Tertullian, Plutarch, Ar∣nobius, Eusebi∣us, &c.
• * 1.12

  How Ranked and Armed.
• * 1.13

  Of these see the Poets and their Com∣mentators.
• * 1.14

  Their Chariots how drawn.
• * 1.15

  In Myst. Poet.
• * 1.16

  In what peculiar places worship∣ped.
• * 1.17

  Greeks; their chiefe Festivals.
• * 1.18

  Of these see Suidas, Athe∣naeus, Rhodigi∣nus, Gyraldus, Hesychius, ••er∣tullian, Austin, Plutarch, Iu••▪ Pollux, the Scholiast of Aristophanes, Meursius, and others: