Classical Theology.—Xxxi.

CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —XXXI .

ZOA'SOXT , SATURDAY , SEPTEJTBER 1 , 1 SG 0 .

IX . —BIAS A ASM XOTEAEBEIl . THE famous statue of Diana ( who was surnamed Brauronia ) , brought from Scythia Taurica to Athens by I phigenia , originated the festival called after the goddess Upaupovia , which was celebrated once in live years . In tho sacrifices attached to tin ' s celebration , tlie victim was a goatand the ceremony comprised tlie singing of one

, book of the Homeric Iliad . Certain young virgins , usually of five to ten years of age ( it being by law so enacted ) , consecrated to Diana , and attired in robes of yellow , formed part of the parade attendant xvpon this solemnity . They were styled Apu-oi , which signifies "bears" which animals were esteemed most sacred to

, Diana . The Phlanida > , or inhabitants of one division of Attica , had a bear at large ivhich is described as being quite tame , and as playful as a pet dog , though not quite so submissive to the unmerciful attentions of children . A young girl happening to carry her pertinacious gambolings with Bruin too far , the beast retaliated

with so much , violence as to cause her death . Her brothers , in sorrow and anger , killed it ; and immediatel y a deadly pestilence ensued among the populace of Athens , which spread its fatal ravages throughout the Aidio ] e of Attica . To pacify the anger of the goddess for tlie death of her sacred bear , by the direction of ihe

oracle , virgins were ever afterwards consecrated to Diana . Hence this particular festival was instituted , and it was made unlawful in Attica for any virgin to marry until she had undergone the consecrating ceremony in honour of the deceased quadruped . Some suppose that the name of Hecate is derived from 'EicaSe ** us emimts , in allusion to the moon casting her rays or arrows from afar off ; others construct it

more advisedly from " ZKHTOV , as centum , because a hundred victims at once were sacrificed to her ; or . in respect to her edict ( as mentioned by Pausanias ) , that those whose death ivas unsanctificd by burial " should wander a hundred years up aud down the infernal regions . " But although this is said to be another name for DianaHecate ivas not the daughter of Latona and

, Jupiter , but of Jupiter and Ceres ; consequently these goddesses could only have been half sisters . Strictl y speaking , Hecate was a name either given to Proserpine or to her twin sister . Yet still , as has been shown , Diana and her twin brother Apollo , as male and female under different appellations , hacl similar offices assigned

to them in heaven , earth , and hell . Ceres , being distracted with the thoughts of her dishonour , exposed her newly-born infant . ' . Che good shepherds ( who ivere usually good astrologers too ) , it is reported found the child , administered to her wants , took her away with themand brought her up ; on which account she was

, worshipped in the streets , and her statue was set before the doors of houses , whence she acquired the name of Propykra . This goddess was called Trivia , from triciis , or because prayers were offered her at the crosswajs of streets and roads , for she was thought to preside over the streets , roads , ancl all open ways ; so it was

customary to sacrifice to her , in these places , especially in cities . According to Aristophanes , the Athenians every neiv moon provided a sumptuous and substantial supper professedl y for her , but which was covertly to become a treat to the poor of the place , for by them it was to be eaten during the night . Lucian ' s account of Hecate , or Diana

Inferna , otherwise the Infernal Juno , appears more to describe one of the Jffoveiisiles , or deities of conquered countries , than Proserpina , much less the

great Diana herself . She was exceedingly tall ( according to this ) , and instead of hair her head was covered with fri g htful snakes , while in the place of legs and feet her body was poised upon two ponderous serpents . A . pollinaris represents her completely- surrounded with dogs—that animal being considered peculiarly sacred to her ; and

llesychius asserts that she ivas sometimes represented by a dog . "We are told ( Odd , Mctam . Apollon ., Argonauiica , & e . ) that Hecate , who , wo still conclude , was inferior to Diana , presided herself , in visible shape , over necromancy and enchantments . After having been in a secret manner seven times invokedshe came to the

, sacrifices prepared for her ; and as soon as they were ended , certain apparitions and empusee , called from her J . Iccafrea , made their appearance . In the Egyptian sacrifices or festivals , named Bubastasa-, from the city of Bubastis , where they were annually celebrated , Isisor ( as we find in the Orphic Argonautica ) ,

, Diana , was called Bubastis . Wo read , also ( Aug . do Ciuilat iv ., 1 ) , of this moon-goddess , that from the cry she gave when she fled from Apollo or Mars , who offered her violence when himtins-, she obtained the

appellation of Bruno ( terror ) , whence , perhaps , briolum , the ancient name for a park to hunt in . Diana , like Juno , is called Lueina and Opis for the same reason , because she helps to bring children , into the world , which good office has not been thought unworthy of note by the poet Callimathus , in his hymn to Diana . Ker first attempt in the . practical science of

midwifery is a mystery not explained ; but it was asserted , that as soon as she ivas born she assisted her mother , Latona , in her delivery of her twin brother , Apollo ( Oi-ph . in If jinn . ) If the name of Latona , who ivas the daughter of Ceeus , the son of Ctclus and Terra , is derived , as lias been shown ( Lgl . Gijvald i . in Apoll . )

from AavOhvco , it implies "unknown , " or "hidden . " Hay it not , therefore , be supposed that the mythological logic of Apollo ' s and Diana ' s nativities , prognalus pareni ' ibus , involves the mystic signification of generalio nova , solved by the phenomena of the evolutions of a solar eclipse ? In witnessing the labour pains of Latonawho grewit

, , may be presumed , fearfully dark and wildly strange in the parturient struggle , Diana herself became so terrified that she solemnly determined never to have children , but to live for ever in perpetual virginity , Women after childbirth , as is recorded by Plutarch ('' Si / mpos . ult . ) , used first to sacrifice to Junoand then afterwards make

, an offering of their own and their children ' s lying-in clothes to Diana . So when women ivere about to lie in of a first child , they used to unloose the zona , or girdle they had worn from their marriage , and dedicate it to Diana .

Timteus ( Calitll . Carm . ail Dian . ) and Theocritus ( Idyll , 1 ' 7 ) , to ivhich we will , acid Cicero ( Do NctL JJeor . i . ) , make honourable mention of Diana , and the destruction of her temple , or ive might not have believed tlie forme ]* , in his relation of the fact that the temple ivas burned the same night Alexander the Great was born . Praise should be iven when dueand a little

g , flattery , iu all courtesy , is ivell enough . Wo give praise to Tinucus , whether ho be answerable or not for the flattery hero ascribed to him . " It is no wonder , " saith he , " that Diana should be absent from her house when her assistance ivas individually required at so important an event as the labour of Olympias and the birth of

Alexander !" Dietynna was another name of the queen of huntresses , in which respect all woods and forests , and such like resorts of wild animals , were dedicated to her . Britomartis , the virgin , whom ive mi ght almost call the