Chapter IX: Part II: Plates Xv., Xvi., Xvii., and XVIII (2)

Fig. 4.--Unless we adopt on the authority of the Cepheus, Cassiopeia, and Andromeda legend the date 3500 for Perseus, it will seem, I think, almost necessary to attribute the much later one of 1433 B.C. for the designing of this constellation. At the earlier date the position of Perseus--see Plate XXII., fig. 2--militates against the likelihood of its having then been imagined; as part of the figure of Perseus would have been visible in the northern and part in the southern hemisphere.

In favour of the later date we may note the way in which the figure of Perseus has been fitted in, as it were, between already-named constellations, so that though restricted to a small space it still retains heroic proportions.

The star Algol, whose strange alternations of magnitude may well have suggested to the ancients the _winking_ of the eye of some malignant monster, was imagined by the astronomers who drew the figure of Perseus, as on the brow of the Gorgon Medusa. It will be seen in the Plate how, at the date there given, this mysterious star exactly marked the equinoctial meridian.

The northern latitude 40° N., suitable for the imagining of this constellation, and its name Perseus, seem to point to an Iranian school of astronomers as the probable originators of this figure.

PLATE XXIV.

It will be seen that by consulting the precessional globe it has been possible to suggest dates at which the various simple and composite human figures, represented on the (Grecian) sphere could have been originally imagined in an upright position, either on the northern or southern meridian at some well-marked time of the year--that is of either a cosmical or a calendrical year.

That many other of the remaining ancient constellations--Canis Major and Canis Minor, Aquila, Cygnus, &c., were depicted and named at very remote dates, there can, I think, be little doubt. The wide-spread traditions connected with these figures demand an early origin for them. It is probable that the _heliacal rising_ of certain bright stars in these constellations at some special season of the year, rather than their _culmination at noon or at midnight_, may have been the occasion for the interest taken in them.

A further study of the precessional globe with this thought present would probably suggest approximate dates for the imagining of some of these constellations, small in extent but marked by bright stars.

I will now only allude to the two remaining ancient constellations of _wide extent_--namely, to Argo and Pegasus.

Glancing at Plate X. (Astronomy in the Rig Veda) the almost upright and symmetrical position of Argo 3000 B.C. may suggest the likelihood that at that date or perhaps a few hundred years later, and in a latitude about 12° higher than that given in the diagram, this constellation was imagined. It will be observed that all the stars of Argo, even the bright and southern Canopus at 35° N. would have been above the horizon and visible at midnight of the winter solstice. At noon of the summer solstice they would have been above the horizon, but invisible in conjunction with the sun.

But now turning our thoughts to the constellation Pegasus, a difficulty confronts us at every date from 6000 B.C. downwards even to this present A.D. 1903: Pegasus as depicted on the globe has held and still holds a reversed position in the heavens. The very fact that for all the other ancient constellations which represent living beings, it has been possible to find some season and some date at which they could have been observed upright in the sky, makes it a more imperative need to seek for some explanation of the anomalous treatment meted out by astronomers of old to the winged steed.

In this stress of difficulty, I venture to make a suggestion which will, I fear, at first sight, appear far-fetched and fanciful, and quite out of line with other suppositions put forward in this book.

My suggestion is that an error concerning the right depicting of this constellation was fallen into by some astronomers of old, and that this error was handed down to us through the Grecian school.

If on some clear autumnal or winter night we search for the constellation Pegasus, not on a globe or map but in the southern quarter of the actual sky, we may quickly recognise it by four very bright stars which mark the corners of an almost exact and very extensive _square_ on the vault of heaven. Then stretching away from the lower and western corner of this square still farther towards the horizon and to the west, we may trace the faint stars which mark the neck, and the somewhat brighter star which marks the head of the Demi-Horse: while starting from the upper western corner of the square and stretching still higher towards the zenith, and to the west we detect the lines of fainter stars which mark the fore legs and the hoofs of Pegasus. If we allow the four stars of the “square of Pegasus” still to mark the body of the horse, and think of the upper lines of faint stars as marking its neck and head and of the lower ones as marking its fore legs and hoofs, the figure exactly reversed will still fit within the limiting lines of the constellation, with the satisfactory result that the winged steed, not miserably floundering on its back but upright and alert, will be seen in our mental vision night after night pursuing its course from east to west across the heavens.

But even to arrive at so satisfactory a result, we might scarcely dare to propose without some other plea than its mere desirability, so arbitrary a method of dealing with the reversed position of Pegasus, as that of thus correcting a supposed error on the part of early astronomers.

There is, however, I think, in Grecian and in Vedic legend some support to be found for the opinion that the original position of Pegasus was upright and not reversed.

Though on the Grecian astronomic sphere Pegasus appears reversed, on no artistic monument, vase, or coin is he thus represented, and in Grecian legend he is ever a glorious and highly-prized friend and helper of gods and heroes. Amongst other achievements, we read of him that he produced with a blow of his hoof the inspiring fountain Hippocrene.

In the Rig Veda we read of a swift horse, belonging to the Aswins, who from his hoof filled a hundred vases of sweet liquor.

Max Müller has pointed out that the Aswins possessed a horse called Pagas. The stars α and β Arietis are in Hindu astronomy called the “Aswins,” and at p. 137 I have contended that these stars in Vedic times symbolised the twin heroes, the Aswins, the possessors, according to Max Müller, of the horse Pagas. If we look at Pegasus in the sky, and observe how closely following that constellation the bright stars that mark the head of Aries appear, we shall easily understand how these Aswins might have by Vedic bards been imagined as possessing and driving in front of them the swift steed Pegasus.

In two hymns addressed to the Aswins we read as follows:[125]--

MAṆḌALA I.--Súkta cxvi. and verse 7.

“You filled from the hoof of your vigorous steed, as if from a cask,
a hundred jars of wine.”

And again in the next hymn, cxvii. verse 6--

“You filled for the (expectant) man a hundred vases of sweet
(liquors) from the hoof of your fleet horse.”

[125] Wilson’s translation of the Rig Veda.

As Pegasus is now represented his hoofs touch no well or fountain, cask or vase. But if we depict him as suggested above (see Plate XXIV.), his hoof would indeed appear as almost in the act of striking the vase in the constellation Aquarius, from which the abundant waters gush forth.

I have already alluded to the Aswamedha hymns in the Rig Veda as probably referring not merely to the sacrifice of an actual horse, but rather to a symbolic sacrifice of the winged horse of the constellation Pegasus. In support of this opinion I will quote from the hymns in question:--

MAṆḌALA I.--Súkta clxii.

“1. Let neither MITRA nor VARUN̂A, ARYAMAN, ÁYU, INDRA, RIBHUKSHIN,
nor the _Maruts_ censure us: when we proclaim in the sacrifice the
virtues of the swift horse sprung from the gods.

“2. When they, (the priests), bring the prepared offering to the
presence (of the horse), who has been bathed and decorated with rich
(trappings), the various-coloured goat going before him, bleating,
becomes an acceptable offering to INDRA and PÚSHAN.

“3. This goat, the portion of PÚSHAN, fit for all the gods, is
brought first with the fleet courser, so that TWASHT́ṚI may prepare
him along with the horse, as an acceptable preliminary offering for
the (sacrificial) food.”

Looking at Plate XXIV., Figs. 1, 2, we may observe how the constellation Capricornus “goes before” that of Pegasus, and we may understand the aspiration that Twasht́ṛi may prepare him along with the horse as an acceptable preliminary offering.

After many verses entering into minute and rather horrible details of the “immolation” and even of the cooking of the sacrificial horse the 19th verse adds--

“There is one immolator of the radiant horse, which is Time”; and these words seem to carry us back from thoughts of an actual to a, in some way, symbolical sacrifice, especially when at verse 21 we read:

“Verily at this moment thou dost not die; nor art thou harmed; for thou goest by auspicious paths to the gods. The horses of INDRA, the steeds of the _Maruts_ shall be yoked (to their cars), and a courser shall be placed in the shaft of the ass of the AŚWINS (to bear thee to heaven).”

The following hymn (lxiii.) I give _in extenso_:--

MAṆḌALA I.--Súkta clxiii.

1. Thy great birth, O Horse, is to be glorified; whether first
springing from the firmament or from the water, inasmuch as thou hast
neighed (auspiciously), for thou hast the wings of the falcon and the
limbs of the deer.

2. TRITA harnessed the horse which was given by YAMA: INDRA first
mounted him, and GANDHARBA seized his reins. _Vasus_, you fabricated
the horse from the sun.

3. Thou, horse, art YAMA: thou art A’DITYA: thou art TRITA by a
mysterious act: thou art associated with SOMA. The sages have said
there are three bindings of thee in heaven.

4. They have said that three are thy bindings in heaven; three upon
earth; and three in the firmament. Thou declarest to me, Horse,
who art (one with) VARUN̂A, that which they have called thy most
excellent birth.

5. I have beheld, Horse, these thy purifying (regions); these
impressions of the feet of thee, who sharest in the sacrifice; and
here thy auspicious reins, which are the protectors of the rite that
preserve it.

6. I recognise in my mind thy form afar off, going from (the earth)
below, by way of heaven, to the sun. I behold thy head soaring aloft,
and mounting quickly by unobstructed paths, unsullied by dust.

7. I behold thy most excellent form coming eagerly to (receive) thy
food in thy (holy) place of earth; when thy attendant brings thee
nigh to the enjoyment (of the provender), therefore greedy, thou
devourest the fodder.

8. The car follows thee, O Horse: men attend thee; cattle follow
thee; the loveliness of maidens (waits) upon thee; troops of
demi-gods following thee have sought thy friendship; the gods
themselves have been admirers of thy vigour.

9. His mane is of gold; his feet are of iron; and fleet as thought,
INDRA is his inferior (in speed). The gods have come to partake of
his (being offered as) oblation; the first who mounted the horse was
INDRA.

10. The full-haunched, slender-waisted, high-spirited, and celestial
coursers (of the sun), gallop along like swans in rows, when the
horses spread along the heavenly path.

11. Thy body, horse, is made for motion; thy mind is rapid (in
intention) as the wind; the hairs (of thy mane) are tossed in
manifold directions; and spread beautiful in the forests.

12. The swift horse approaches the place of immolation, meditating
with mind intent upon the gods; the goat bound to him is led before
him; after him follow the priests and the singers.

13. The horse proceeds to that assembly which is most excellent: to
the presence of his father and his mother (heaven and earth). Go,
(Horse), to-day rejoicing to the gods, that (the sacrifice) may yield
blessings to the donor.

Many passages in this hymn, such as those in verse 3 referring to Trita and Soma, may suggest corroborative astronomic observations,[126] but I would here especially refer to the description, verse 1, of the horse possessing “the wings of the falcon,” and in verse 6 to the words, “I behold _thy head soaring aloft_, and mounting quickly by unobstructed paths, unsullied by dust.”

[126] V. pp. 176, 177.

As I read these hymns I cannot think merely of an actual horse led to sacrifice, but of the winged celestial Pegasus; nor is it easy to think of that celestial horse as it is at present depicted, _reversed_ in the sky.

The Vedic poet beheld his head soaring aloft, but in the previous verse he has said, “I have beheld Horse, ... those impressions of the feet of thee”; and if these “impressions” were the stars which, on the Grecian sphere, marked the horse’s head, but, as I have contended, originally marked his hoof, then we shall understand how, associated with Soma, and identical with Trita by a mysterious act--_i.e._, at the season of the summer solstice, and when the moon was at its full in the constellation Aquarius, ancient astronomers imagined to themselves the horse Pegasus producing with his hoof the sweet exhilarating waters of the fountain Hippocrene.

The date of this particular legend concerning the hoof of Pegasus I should be inclined to place at about 3000 B.C., when the solstitial colure was so closely marked by “those impressions of the feet” of the “swift horse sprung from the gods.” For the first imagining of the constellation I think that of 4000 B.C. is more probable (see Plate XXIV., Figs. 1, 2).

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 45° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Winter Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Summer Solstice.

FIG. 2.

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 45° N.

Constellations above Northern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Winter Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Summer Solstice.

FIG. 1.]

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 45° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Spring Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Autumn Equinox.

FIG. 2.

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 45° N.

Constellations above Northern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Spring Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Autumn Equinox.

FIG. 1.]

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 45° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Summer Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Winter Solstice.

FIG. 2.

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 45° N.

Constellations above Northern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Summer Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Winter Solstice.

FIG. 1.]

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 45° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Autumn Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Spring Equinox.

FIG. 2.

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 45° N.

Constellations above Northern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Autumn Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Spring Equinox.

FIG. 1.]

4,667 B.C.
Lat. 40° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Autumn Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Spring Equinox.

FIG. 2.

4,667 B.C.
Lat. 40° N.

Constellations above Northern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Autumn Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Spring Equinox,

FIG. 1.]

4,667 B.C.
Lat. 40° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Spring Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Autumn Equinox.

FIG. 2.

4,667 B.C.
Lat. 40° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Summer Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Winter Solstice.

FIG. 1.]

4,128 B.C.
Lat. 40° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Autumn Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Spring Equinox.

FIG. 4.

4,128 B.C.
Lat. 40° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Summer Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Winter Solstice.

FIG. 3.

4,128 B.C.
Lat 40° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Winter Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Summer Solstice.

FIG. 1.

4,128 B.C.
Lat 40° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Spring Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Autumn Solstice.

FIG. 2.]

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 18° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Winter Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Summer Solstice.

FIG. 2.

3,589 B.C.
Lat. 23° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, beginning Calendrical Year.

Visible--Midnight, 7th Month, Calendrical Year.

FIG. 4.

5,744 B.C.
Lat. 18° N.

Constellations above Northern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Winter Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Summer Solstice.

FIG. 1.

3,589 B.C.
Lat. 23° N.

Constellations above Northern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon beginning Calendrical Year.

Visible--Midnight, 7th Month, Calendrical Year.

FIG. 3.]

1,433 B.C.
Lat. 40° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Spring Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Autumn Equinox.

FIG. 4.

3,050 B.C.
Lat. 35° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Spring Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Autumn Equinox.

FIG. 3.

3,589 B.C.
Lat. 35° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, 7th Month, Calendrical Year.

Visible--Midnight, beginning Calendrical Year.

FIG. 1.

3,589 B.C.
Lat. 35° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Autumn Equinox.

Visible--Midnight, Spring Equinox.

FIG. 2.]

3,050 B.C.
Lat. 23° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Winter Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Summer Solstice.

FIG. 2.

4,128 B.C.
Lat. 40° N.

Constellations above Southern Horizon.

Invisible--Noon, Winter Solstice.

Visible--Midnight, Summer Solstice.

FIG. 1.]

INDEX

Ab ab-gar, 4

Abba uddu, 4

Abel, 164

Abhra, 113

Abib, 165, 166, 168, 170

Aboo Simbel, 39, 40, 41

Abraham, 167

Abu, 2, 4

Accad, 6, 52-57, 80. _See_ Calendar

Achæmenid kings, 60, 73

Açvinî. _See_ Aswinī

Adar, Adaru, 2-6, 69

A’ditya, 253

Agane, 151

Agni, 125-131, 138, 140, 153, 172, 181, 183

Agrahayani, 228

Ahi, 111. _See_ Vritra

Ahura Mazda, 60, 64, 65, 73-76, 81-83, 149-155, 172, 227

Airu, 2, 4, 11

Aitareya Brahmana, 140

Akiba, Rabbi, 163

Albumassar, 17, 18

Alexander, 25, 91, 103

Algol, 246

Alphonsus, 23

Altair, 67

Amen, 32-41

Amen-Ra, 32-34, 39-41

Amon. _See_ Amen

Amphora, 44, 45, 67, 79, 204, 223, 233, 236

Andromeda, 239-244, 246

Anna, 48

Apām Napāt, 126

Apin-am-a, 4

Apis Bull, 218, 233-235

Apollo, 156

Apollonius of Tyana, 97

Aptya. _See_ Trita

Aquarii β, 196

Aquarius, 9, 40, 44-47, 51-57, 66-70, 79, 80, 83, 123, 124, 129-132,
144, 174-179, 197, 199, 202, 209, 221-223, 232-235, 241, 250, 251, 255

Aqrabu, 44

Aquila, 66-70, 80, 124, 248

Arakh-makru, 4

Arakh-samna, 2, 4

Aratos, 216, 224-227, 241, 242

Archer. _See_ Sagittarius

Arcitenens, 44

Argo, 248

Aries, 1-19, 24-44, 53-57, 92, 94, 104, 145-147, 170, 171, 186-190,
209, 210, 217, 218, 220, 224, 235, 245, 251

Arietis α and β, 94, 137, 142, 143, 251

Arsacidæ, 4

Artemis, 156, 157, 160

Arū, 44

Aryaman, 252

As a-an, 4

Assara Mazas, 149, 150

Assur, 74-79, 83, 84, 86, 150-155, 227

Assurbanipal, 6, 69

Assyrian Standard, 77-80, 83, 86

Asteria, 179

Asura, 81, 82, 85, 86, 112, 150-153, 182, 183

Asura maha, 153

Aswamedha, 244, 251

Aswinī, 92-94, 104, 132, 134, 136-148, 172, 181, 183, 187, 188, 210,
251, 253

Aswins, the. _See_ Aswinī

Atharva Veda, 94, 133, 136

Atri, 141, 181-184

Attic year, 180

Auriga, 245, 246

Ava, 85

Avesta. _See_ Zend Avesta

Áyu, 252

Babylonia. _See_ Calendar

Bahu. _See_ Bau

Bailly, Jean Silvain, 17, 20, 26, 27, 29

Barrett, Dr, 222

Bar zig-gar, 4, 7, 10, 13-15, 53, 104, 165, 166, 171, 172

Bau, 47-55, 57, 69, 210-212

Bel, 16, 81

Bel-Merodach, 69

Bélier. _See_ Aries

Beltis, 16

Bentley, Mr, 100

Bergaigne, 140, 143

Berosus, 18, 83

Bethel, 233

Bible, the, 21, 84, 164-170

Bodhanundánath Swami, 157

Boötes, 223-226

British Museum, 3, 8

Brown, Robert, 224, 226, 247

Browne, Bishop, 21

Brugsch, 33

Bull. _See_ Taurus

Bulls, Assyrian, 87

Burgess, 90, 93, 98

Cain, 164

Calendar, Accadian, 1-23, 57-58, 103, 145-147, 187, 208-210, 224

---- Babylonian, 1-3, 103, 165, 234

---- Chinese, 185-211

---- Egyptian, 31, 34, 38, 39

---- Grecian, 180

---- Gregorian, 193-196

---- Hebrew, 162-170, 234

---- Indian, 88, 92, 96, 104, 132-148, 167, 171, 176, 181-184, 188,
217

---- Lagash, 54, 57

---- Median, 56-87, 222, 229

---- Persian, 58-61

---- Roman, 11, 159, 180, 193

Cambyses, 235

Cancer, 8, 36, 44, 218-221

Canis Major, 248

Canis Minor, 248

Canopus, 248

Capella, 246

Caper, 44

Capricornus, 52, 218, 220, 222, 252

Capuja, 243

Cassiopeia, 239-244, 246

Cassyape, 243

Castor, 221, 222

Centaur, 155-158, 245

Cepheus, 239-244, 246

Cetus, 239-243

Chaitra, 134-138, 171, 172, 181, 188

Che, 202

Chevreau, 23

Ch’in, 207

China, History of, 197-209

Chipiez. _See_ Perrot

Chiron, 155, 156

Chons, 32, 33

Cisilivu, 4

Claudius Ptolemy, 17, 216

Clemens Alexandrinus, 23

Confucius, 206, 207

Cook, 21

Corona Australis, 77, 229, 230

Crab. _See_ Cancer

Cumont, 61

Cuthah, 85

Cuzallu, 4

Cygnus, 248

Cyrannid books, 17

Dan, 233

Darmesteter, 60

Denderah, 218, 232

Deuteronomy, 169, 170

Devas, 82

Dhanus, 223

Dharbitu, 4

D’Herbelot, 18

Diana, 158

Dianus, 158

Doris, 242

Draco, 223

Dupuis, 27-29

Dûzu, 2, 4

Dvita, 177-180

Eagle, 64. _See_ Aquila

Ebers, 35, 233

Eden, 21, 22

Edfu, 232

Ekâṣhṭakā, 134

Ekata, 177-180

Ekhud, 48

Elam, 81

Ellilla, 48

Elul, 2, 5

Eninnu, 48

Enzu, 44

Epping and Strassmaier, 1-16, 44, 45, 102

Equulei, α, 196

Esneh, 218

Eudoxos, 241, 242

Eul-ya, 185, 204

Eusebius, 17

Evetts, 48

Exodus, 165, 170

Fasti Siculi, 23

Fomalhaut, 67

Freya, 96

Gamaliel, Rabbi, 163

Gandharba, 253

Gan-ganna, 4

Ganymede, 70

Garga, 97

Gàthàs, 153

Gaubil, 204

Gemini, 10, 44, 77, 146, 220, 221

Genesis, 21, 210

Genica, 17

Gir-tab, 8

Go, 113

Goat-fish, 8, 220

Golden calf, 233, 235

Gregory XIII., 11, 193

Griffin, 68

Griffiths, 31

Gu, 9, 44-47

Gudea, 48-57, 208, 209, 222

Gula, 9, 46-57, 69, 209

Gutium, 81

Hamath, 85

Ḫammurabi, 3, 4, 6, 12, 83-85

Heb en-ant, 35

Hecate, 179

Hermes, 17

Hercules, 226, 229, 230, 245, 246

Herodotus, 81

Hierakonpolis, 236

Hillebrandt, 122

Hippocrene, 251, 255

Hiu, 196-209

Hommel, 149-151

Horus, 33, 40

Hsiâ, 207

Hvarya, 150

Hydra, 117-123, 132, 227, 229

Icu, 246

Indra, 111-124, 130, 131, 138, 148, 172-183, 252-254

Innanna, 6

Innannanki, 5

Isaac, 167

Isis, 33

Istar, 4, 10, 84

Jacob, 167

Jana, 158

Janus, 158-160

Jemsheed, 58

Jensen, 45, 49, 50, 68, 102

Jeroboam, 233, 234

Jerusalem, 163

Jesuits, 194-196, 207

Johnston, 40

Jones, Sir William, 89, 90, 95, 96

Josephus, 20, 169

Jupiter, 47, 103

Kailáçe, 158

Kaiomurs, 58

Kang, 186, 188

Kao-yang, 201

Karnak, 35, 36, 39

Kas, 4, 10

Ker Porter, 58, 65

Khar-sidi, 4, 10

Khophri, 220

Ki Gingir-na, 4, 10

Kîmta-rapaštu, 6

Kio, 185, 186, 188, 191, 210

Kis, 69

Kislimu, 2, 4

Kneeler, The, 226

Kou, 205

Kriṣánu, 125

Krishna, 182

Krittikā, 94, 134, 136

Ku (sarikku), 44

Kumbha, 223

Lactantius, 23

Lagash, 48-57, 68, 69, 208, 209, 222

Lajard, 63, 66

Lâṭadeva, 98

Layard, 74, 77

Legge, Mr, 234

Legge, Professor, 197, 200, 207

Lehmann, 102

Leo, 44, 64-70, 79, 80, 83, 221, 232, 233, 235, 236

Libra, 44, 218-220

Lion. _See_ Leo.

Lugal-ki-ušuna, 6

Lydda, 163

Lyra, 226

Macdonell, 111-128, 153, 175

Magan, 49

Mâgha, 134, 135

Mahesa, 157

Mahler, 102

Mailla, Père de, 197-200

Mait, 219

Manda. _See_ Umman Manda

Mangala, 96

Marchesvan, 234

Marduk, 5

Mars, 103

Maruts, 173-175, 184, 252, 253

Maspero, 33, 49, 68, 69, 219

Mašu, 44

Maut, 32, 33

Mayer, 102

Medusa, 246

Memnonium, 35

Memphian Triad, The, 33

Mercury, 9, 103

Merodach, 68

Mesopotamia, 8, 49, 80, 83-86, 209

Mills, 153

Milton, 181, 241

Mishna, 163

Mithræum, 62

Mithras, 60-65, 74, 81, 234, 235

Mitra, 81, 252

Mlechchas, 95, 97

Moguls, 95

Montucla, 89

Moses, 165, 167

Mṛiga, 228

Mṛigashirsha, 228

Müller, Max, 251

Muna-xa, 8

Munga, 4

Muradi, 17

Nakshatra, 92, 94, 104, 132, 133, 136, 142, 188, 227-229

Nanâ, 6

Nekropolis, 35-37

Nicephorus, 23

Nile, 32, 35, 36, 37

Nineveh, 73, 74, 84, 86

Ningirsu, 48-51, 208

Ningiszida, 48

Ninib, 49-53, 208

Nisan, 2-19, 53, 69, 163-166

Nisannu. _See_ Nisan

Noah, 58

Noel, 205

Nowroose, 58-60

Oldenburg, 151, 152

Olivet, 163

Onuphrius Panvinius, 23

Ophiuchus, 245, 246

Oppert, 102

Orion, 157, 227-229

Ormuzd, 65

Osiride pillars, 40

Osiris, 33, 219

Ostia, 62

Pa, 44

Pagas, 251

Paitámaha, 98

Pañchasiddhântikâ, 98

Pan̂i, 112

Panopê, 242

Panvinius, Onuphrius, 23

Passover, The, 169, 170

Pauliśa, 98

Pavamāna. _See_ Soma

Pegasus, 244, 248-255

Peking, 194, 195

Perrot and Chipiez, 64, 71, 73

Persepolis, 64, 70, 72-74, 86, 87

Perseus, 179, 239, 245-247

Petrie, 236

Phalgunī, 134, 135

Pharisees, 169

Philastrius, 23

Philostratus, 97

Phœnicians, 81

Pisces, 44, 80, 174, 177-179, 202, 220, 221

Piscium ζ, 93

Pleiades, 94

Plumptre, 163

Poissons, Les. _See_ Pisces

Pollux. _See_ Castor

Ptah, 40

Ptolemy, 17, 216

Pulukku, 44

Punjaub, 128

Púshan, 252

Quibell, 236

Ram. _See_ Aries

Rameses II., 35-40

Ramessides, 33

Rashis, 92

Ravi, 96

Revatī, 92, 93, 104, 132, 138, 143, 187, 188

Ribhukshin, 252

Ricci, Matteo, 194

Rig Veda, 92, 105-148, 153, 171-184, 228, 244, 251-255

Rim-sin, 3, 4

Rishis, 97, 106, 108, 123, 130, 133

Romaka, 98

Roman year, 180

Rome, 61, 172, 193

Rudra, 152-160, 172-174, 184

Ṛṣis, 141. _See_ Rishis

Šabahu, 4

Šabâtu, 2

Sabbath, 163, 169, 170

Sadducees, 169

Sagitta, 125

Sagittarius, 8, 76-83, 147, 150-160, 172-174, 220-223, 227, 230

Sam, 36

Samaria, 84, 85

Samaritan Pentateuch, 22

Samson Agonistes, 181

Samsu-iluna, 3, 4

Sani, 96

Sara zig-gar, 4. _See_ Bar zig-gar

Sargon I., 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 16, 80, 81, 83, 151

Sargon II., 78

Sassinide dynasty, 60

Satapatha Brahmana, 141

Sater, 96

Saturn, 103

Saura, 98

Savitṛ, 140

Sávitra, 98

Sâyaṇa, 228

Sayce, 7, 9, 46, 69, 81, 102

Scarabæus, 218, 220

Schall, J. A. von, 194, 195

Schlegel, Gustav, 185, 186, 190, 191, 204, 205

Scorpio, 8, 44, 63-67, 80, 221, 231-236

Se-dir, 4, 13, 14, 146, 147

Se-ki-sil, 4, 13, 14, 146, 147

Seleucidæ, 4

Semites, 83-85

Sepharvaim, 85

Septuagint, 22

Seth, 20

Seti, 36, 39

Shou, 33

Shuddh Paksha, 182

Shukla, 182

Siddhāntas, The, 98. _See_ Sūrya Siddhānta

Simannu, 2, 4

Sing-king, 186

Siou, 185, 188, 196, 197, 202, 207

Sirius, 31, 38

Siva, 157, 173

Slates, 235-238

Sóma, 96

Soma, 107, 108, 111, 121-125, 131, 138, 172-177, 253-255

Souciet, 204

Southern Crown, 77

Sphinxes, 32, 34

Spica, 28, 167, 170, 171, 188-190, 210

Standard, Assyrian, 77-80, 83, 86

Strassmaier. _See_ Epping

Strauchius, 23

Sucra, 96

Suidas, 23

Su-kul-na, 4

Sunahśepas, 244

Suria, 150

Surias, 150

Súrya, 182, 183

Sūrya Siddhānta, 90, 93, 98, 187

Susa, 70-73, 87

Swarbhánu, 182, 183

Syncellus, 17

Taittirîya Brāhmana, 136

Taittirîya Sanhitâ, 134-136, 139

Talmud, 162, 163, 169

Tasritu, 4

Taurus, 8, 11, 44, 56-87, 146, 154, 156, 159, 160, 221, 232-236

Tchuen-Hio, 197-210, 222

Tebitu, 2, 4

Telloh, 48, 49

Te (mennu), 44

Theban Triad, The, 32, 33

Thebes, 34

Thibaut, 98

Thor, 96

Thoth, 38, 39

Thraetona, 178

Thrita, 178

Tilak, B. G., 134, 135, 228

Tischritu, 2, 4

Tisri, 163

Tithis, 176, 180, 182

Tortoise, 8, 218

Trita Aptya, 175-181, 184, 253-255

Triton, 178, 179

Tsivan, 4

Tuisco, 96

Tul-cu, 4

Twasht́ṛi, 252

Twins. _See_ Gemini

Tyana, 97

Ūdhar, 113

Ulûlu, 2, 4

Umman Manda, 81-86, 151

Unger, 27

Universal History, 21

Ursa Major, 224

Uṣas, 139, 140

Usher, Archbishop, 21, 22

Utu, 5

Vadya Paksha, 182

Vala, 112

Valley, Feast of the, 36, 38

Varāha, 97-99

Varāhamihira. _See_ Varāha

Varuna, 152-154, 252, 253

Vâsisṭha, 98

Vasus, 253

Vedas, 95, 106, 128. _See_ Atharva Veda, Rig Veda, Yajur Veda

Venus, 103

Verethraghna, 114

Verseau. _See_ Aquarius

Vierge. _See_ Virgo

Virgil, 159

Virginis α, 188

Virgo, 10, 28, 44, 80, 185, 186, 220, 221

Vossius, Isaac, 23

Vrihaspati, 96

Vritra, 111-123, 148, 177

Vrtrahan, 114

Wan-nian-shu, 194

Water-jar. _See_ Amphora

Water-man. _See_ Aquarius

Week, Days of, 96

Whitney, 93, 187

Wilson, 112, 124-127, 153, 182, 251

Woden, 96

Wogue, 169

Yajur Veda, 94, 133-135

Yama, 253

Yāska, 141

Yavan, 95, 97

Yoga stars, 142

Zamama, 69

Zend Avesta, 60, 113, 114, 178

Zeus, 70

Zib, 44

Zibanîtu, 44

Zodiac, 2 _et passim_

Zu, 69

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Transcriber’s Notes

Depending on the hard- and software used to read this text and their
settings, not all elements may display as intended.

Inconsistent spelling and use of diacriticals (also in names),
punctuation and hyphenation have been retained, except as mentioned
under Changes below.

Page 5, Iraba^{m}-šin: possibly an error for Iriba^{m}-šin.

Page 188, paragraph starting Spica (α Virginis) is the chief star
...: the use of quote marks around ... “siou Kang), président aux
métamorphoses de la création,” ... is as in the source document.

Changes made

Footnotes and illustrations have been moved out of text paragraphs.
Footnotes have been moved to directly under the paragraph where they
are referenced.

Obvious minor typographical and punctuation errors have been
corrected silently.

Some occurrences of _Ibid._ have been replaced with the full title
for the sake of clarity.

Page 5, footnote [3]: Ululu changed to Ulûlu; Sabahu changed to
Šabahu.

Page 39: ... the temple to Amen-Ra ... changed to ... the temple of
Amen-Ra ....

Page 98, ... over the Paulisa and Romaka Siddhāntas ... changed to
... over the Pauliśa and Romaka Siddhāntas ....

Index: the spelling of some entries has been changed to conform to
that used in the text.