The Greek and Roman history illustrated by coins & medals representing their religions, rites, manners, customs, games, feasts, arts and sciences : together with a succint account of their emperors, consuls, cities, colonies and families, in two parts, necessary for the introduction of youth into all the useful knowledge of antiquity / by O.W.

§. 8. Diana, the Goddess of Hunters, call'd also Berecynthia, Isis, Idaea, &c. with an Hart and Dogs, Bow and Arrows as an Huntress. Her Priests Galli were Eunuchs. She is also descri∣bed as drawn by Stags, which intimate the di∣ligence and activeness necessary to that Sport. Besides, her Temples were all full of their Heads, and her self cloathed with their Skins.

Diana Ephesia, or Isis, standeth upon a Pied Stall with a Womans Face and Head, but the Body 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 multimammum, full of D•…•…gs; representing Nature that nourisheth all things.

Isis was G. T. A. (Genius Tutelaris AEgypti, or perhaps Asiae) a Woman with Horns or Beams, in one hand a Bucket, in the other a Sistrum or obsolete Musical Egyptian Instrument of the fashion of a Racquet. Whether Isis be Diana Ephesia, see at large Menetreius in his Discourse de Diana Ephesia; this is one difference that Isis hath no Stags joyned with her; because none of those Beasts were in Egypt anciently, as Ari∣stotle and Pliny say, lib. 8. c. 33. and they never consecrated Exotick Beasts to their Gods. Diana Persica was never worshipped beyond Euphra∣tes, and had Oxen dedicated to her, which went whither they pleased, being marked with a Torch or Lamp, the Mark of the Goddess: As also in Cicilia at Castabalis, where the Vir∣gins dedicated to her Service, went upon bur∣ning Coals with their naked Feet: also in Ly∣dia at Hypaepae and Hiero Caesarea, who pretend∣ed their Temple to be built by the Great Cyrus, Tac. An. l. 4.

Vesta, Sister to Juno and Ceres, sometimes sitting, seldom standing, in one hand a Torch lighted to represent the Everlasting fire, in the other a Discus or Sacrificing Platter.

Minerva with an Helmet, Spear and Shield call'd AEgis, ordinarily with Medusa's Head in it; but sometimes also Octangular without it. It was made of the Skin of the Capra Amalthea (and therefore call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) which suckled Ju∣piter; and therefore also Jupiter is said to make use of it sometimes, as in the Wars against the Giants, as well as Minerva. The Palladium or

little Minerva armed (almost like to, or the same, with Victory) as long as it continued in Troy, rendred the City impregnable, and was stoln away by Diomedes and Ulysses, is ap∣plied to many Gods and Goddesses: The Tem∣ples of Minerva, Mars and Hercules were Dorick Work, plain and without Ornaments.

Cybele, the Mother of the Gods, call'd then Rhea, and pictured with her Head radiant: but as she hath the Command of sublunary things call'd Ops or Divine help, is figured as a young Goddess set upon a Corn-measure with Ears of Corn in her hand, and lifting up, or opening her Veil; She is the Earth that openeth her Skirt to afford nourishment to every Creature. She hath also a Crown of Towers upon her Head, and proper to her is a Pine tree, a little Boy call'd Atys; and is drawn with Lyons, and hath in her a Crotalus, sometimes also with a Sistrum, or Triangular Musical Instrument with loose Rings, which struck with a stick, made a kind of Harmony: Sometimes also a Drum or such Instrument to make a great noise (whereby she concealed Jupiter's crying) and which is framed round according to the figure of the Earth; some∣times also she hath a Caduceus and a Plough. And the Countries that stamped her upon their Coin, would thereby intimate that they were powerful in Cities and People. The Worship of the Mother of the Gods came into Rome about the Punick Wars; they say that in Phrygia in a great Desart there is a mighty Rock call'd

Agdus, the broken stones whereof Deucalion and Pyrrha took to replenish the World, and out of which also was formed the Image of Cybele.

Ceres the Goddess of Corn crown'd, in her hand Ears of Corn, two flaming Torches, and drawn by winged Serpents; Harvest being in the hottest Season of the Year, when Serpents also are most venemous.

Venus drawn with Doves, the most amorous * 1.1 and kissing Birds, with an Apple (or Orange) adjudged to her by Paris; the Myrtle, either because of its Effeminate smell; or because good in Womens Diseases; or because grow∣ing best by the Sea side where Venus ruleth chiefly. There were two Venus's; caelestis, which presided over lawful Procreation of Children; and vulgaris, for Bastardy, &c. She was worship∣ped at Paphos under the form as of a Pyramid cut off about the middle, and so represented in some Medals of the Emperors, of which we shall speak hereafter.

Feronia was the Goddess of Flowers and Gar∣lands, hath a Wreath of Flowers upon her Head, was worshipped by the Sabins under Mount Soracte; he that was inspired by her, went sasely upon burning Coals and hot Em∣bers; every year at her Temple a great fair.

Hermathenae were above Images * 1.2 of Miner∣va with her Helmet, Shield and Spear; below a Pillar or Terminus larger above than below.

There were also divers other Gods and God∣desses mentioned upon Medals, as H•…•…pona the

of Horses and Cattel, Pedina of Feet, Educa o•…•… Eating, and the like; subjecting every thing•…•… to the Dominion, Care and Protection of some particular God; but of these, few upon Coins, tho many Inscriptions.

The Orgia or Procession sacrificed to Cer•…•… were in this manner performed.

1. Three Priestesses Virgins carried thei•…•… (Cist as) Chests open; in the first were flowers in the second Ears of Corn, in the third Cake•…•… and Wafers. Signifying the three States o•…•… Corn.

2. There were born the Images of four Gods First, Of Jupiter, the Creator of all things, car∣ried by the Hi•…•…rophantes. Secondly, Of th•…•… Sun by the Torch-bearers. Thirdly, Of th•…•… Moon by a Minister of the Altar. Fourthly, Of Mercury by the Fraeco Sacrorum; and as i•…•… the Orgia of Bacchus was carried a Pha•…•…us, s•…•… in these a Muliebre.

3. They made a great Noise and Howling crying continually Eva, Eva.

4. The Ministers and Women were crown'•…•… with Serpents, by which also Ceres is said to b•…•… drawn.

5. Those (C•…•…ritae as they were call'd) carrie•…•… a Stool or other Garment of Leather.

6. No Mourner was admitted to celebrate Nor any Wine to be used.

Notes

• * 1.1

  V. part. 2: cap. 1.
• * 1.2

  Images with the Heads of Mercury and Mi∣n•…•…va.