Ælian, in describing the Libyans of interior Africa, says that they bordered upon the Indi 22 ** Λιβύων των γειτνιώντων τοις Ινδοις, by which were meant the Ethiopians. And Apollonius of Tyana, in a conference with these southern Ethiopians, finding that they spoke much in praise of the Indians in general, tells them, 23 Ta v Ivdwv Τα μεν επηνειτε, ΙΝΔΟΙ το αρχαιον παλαι οντες : You speak much in favour of every thing relating to the Indians; not considering that originally you were Indians yourselves. In short, Egypt itself was in some degree an Indic nation; having received a colony of that people, by whom it was named Aït or Aëtia. 24 14 Εκλήθη δε και Μυζαρα, και Αερία, και Ποταμία, και Αετία, απο τινος ΙΝΔΟΥ Αετό Hence it is said, 26 25 Οσιριδα Ινδον είναι το γενος, That 22 Elian de Animalibus. 1. 16. c. 33. 23 Philostrati Vit. Apollon. Tyanæi. 1. 6. c. 6. p. 277. There are some remains of an antient city between the Tigris and Euphrates, near the ruins of antient Babylon, which still retains the name of Sindia, mentioned by Gaspar Balbi. See Purchas. v. 2. I. 10. c. 5. P. 1723. 24 Stephanus Byzantinus. 25 5 Ναι μην και Αετία, εκ τινος ΙΝΔΟΥ, Αετε καλυμενο. Eustath. in Dionys. Perieg. v. 241. 26 Diodor. Sic. 1. 1. p. 17. Add to the above a remarkable passage, concerning the people about the Palus Maotis, whe were a colony of Cuthites: Osiris was an Indian by extraction because the Cuthite religion came from the Tigris. Thus have I endeavoured to shew, from the names of places, and of men, but more particularly from various parts of antient history, that the Scythic Indians were in reality "7 Cuthic; as were all people of that denomination. They were divided into various casts, most of which were denominated from their worship. The principal of these names I have enumerated, such as Erythræi, Arabes, Oritæ, Ethiopes, Cathei, Indi: and, however various in title and characteristic, I have shewn they were all one family, the Cuthites from Babylonia and Chaldea. There is a remarkable passage in the Chronicon Paschale, which must not be omitted. This author tells 28 us, Εν τοις χρόνοις της Πυργοποιΐας εκ τε γένες τε Αρφαξαδ ανηρ τις Ινδος ανεφανή σοφος αςρονομος, ονομάτι Ανδεβαριος, ός και συνέγραψε πρώτος Ινδοις αςρονομιαν. At the time, when the tower of Babel was erected, a certain person made his appearance in the world, Σαυροματας επέχεσιν επασσύτεροι γεγαώτες Κερκέτιοι τ', Ορεται τον Dionys. Perieg. v. 60. 27 Hence Hesychius: Ende, or, as Albertus truly reads it, Σινδία, ή Σκυθία. 25 Chron. Pasch. p. 36. who was (Indus) an Indian, and said to have been of the race of Arphaxad. He was famed for his wisdom, and for his skill in astronomy, and named Andoubarios. He first delineated schemes of the heavens, and instructed the Indi in that science. The same history occurs in 29 Cedrenus. Why these writers make this personage of the race of Arphaxad, I know not. This astronomer is probably Chus, the father of the Magi, who is said to have first observed the heavens, and to have paid an undue reverence to the celestial bodies. The name Andoubarios seems to be a compound of Andou-Bar, Indi filius. Hence the original Indus must have been Ham. I cannot conclude this account of the Cuthites in India Limyrica, without taking notice of the great character they bore in the most early times for ingenuity and science. Traditions to this purpose prevailed, wherever they settled: and I have given many instances of their superiority herein. They were, like the Egyptians, divided into seven orders; of which the philosophers were the most honourable. Each tribe kept to the profession of its family, and never invaded the department of another. 3 Φησι δε (Μεγασθένης) 29 Cedren. Hist. p. 14. Strabo. 1. 15. p. 1025." το των Ινδών γενος εις έπτα μέρη διηρήσθαι. Nilus the Egyptian tells Apollonius Tyanæus, that the Indi, of all people in the world, were the most knowing; and that the Ethiopians were a colony from them, and resembled them greatly. 31 Σοφώτατοι μεν ανθρωπων ΙΝΔΟΙ άποικοι δε Ινδών ΑΙΘΙΟΠΕΣ πατρίζεσι δε έτοι την σοφίαν. The Indi are the wisest of all mankind. The Ethiopians are a colony from them: and they inherit the wisdom of their forefathers. The philosophy of this "people was greatly celebrated insomuch that Alexander visited the chief persons of the country, who were esteemed professors of science. Among the Persians they were styled Magi: but among the Indo-Cuthites they had the title of Sophim and Sophitæ. Many regions in different parts were denominated from them Sophitis, Sophita, Sophene. "Strabo mentions an Indian province of this name; and Diodorus Siculus speaks largely of their institutions. The march of Alexander through their country is particularly taken notice of by 34 Curtius. Hinc 31 Philostrati Vit. Apollon. 1. 6. p. 287. So p. 125. AidioTES— γενος Ινδικον. 32 Σοφοι εισιν οι Σκυθαι σφοδρα. Antiphanes Comicus apud Athenæum. 1. 6. p. 226. 33 Strabo. 1. 15. p. 1024. 34 Quint. Curtius. 1. 9. c. 1. See Vossius de Philosophorum Sectis. 1. 2. c. 2. §. 2. in regnum Sophitis perventum est. Gens, ut Barbari credunt, sapientiâ excellit, bonisque moribus regitur. They were formed into societies, and resided in colleges as recluses: others lived at large, like so many mendicants. Their religion, 'like that of all the Amonians, consisted in the worship of the sun, and adoration of fire. Hence they were denominated,, from Cham the Sun, Chamin and Chomin; and their wise men Chomini Sophite, and Sophitim: but the Greeks from the term Chomin and Chominus formed Tuvos, and rendered this people Γυμνο-σοφειται and Γυμνοosa; as if they were naked philosophers. Suidas seems to have been aware of the mistake, and owns that Tuμvos was the Indian name of a philosopher. Consequently, it had no relation to Greece. The people of this sacred character were divided into different societies, which were denominated from the Deity Manes, whom they served. He was sometimes compounded Achmanes and Oro-Manes; and was well known in Persis, and in Egypt. From him these priests in Kabara wohis Irden. Steph. Byzantin. Pliny mentions Magi among the Arabians. The people are styled Catheans by Strabo: and he supposes one Sopeithes to have been the chief person of the country. Κάθεαν (read with Berkelius Καθαία») τινες την Σωπείθος κατα TARJE την Μεσοποταμιαν τιθεασιν. 1. 15. p. 1024. |