torio sinus Colchicus incipit, cui Colchi, Κολχοί, emporium adjacens, nomen dederunt. The Periplus Maris Erythræi, here spoken of, is a most valuable and curious treatise, whoever may have been the author: and the passage chiefly referred to is that which follows: 8 Απ' Ελαβα αρα το λεγομενον Πύρρον ορος, αλλη παρηκε χώρα, ἡ Παραλία λεγομενη, προς αυτόν τον νότον, εν και η κολυμβήσις εσιν ύπο τον βασιλεα Πανδιονα πινακε, και πολις ή λεγόμενη Κόλχοι. Πρωτος τοπος Βαλιτα καλεμενος, ὁρμον καλον έχων και κωμην παραθαλασσιον. Απο δε ταυτης επιν έτερος τοπος το Κομαρ λεγομενον, εν ᾧ τοπῳ το φρέριον εςι, και λιμην, εἰς ὃν οι βελομενοι τον μέλλοντα αυτοις χρόνου ἱεροι γενεσθαι, χηροι μενεσιν αυτε, κάνει ερχομενοι απολεονται. Του αυτο και γυναίκες. Ισορειται γαρ την Θεον εκεί 85 Arriani Peripl. Maris Erythrei, apud Geograph. Græcos Minores. v. i. p. 33. Dionysius calls this region Κωλις instead of Χολχος. Προς νότον ἑλκομενοι παρα τέρματα Κωλίδος αιης. Perieg. v. 1148. And others have supposed it was named Colis from Venus Colias. But what has any title of a Grecian Goddess to do with the geo graphy of India ? The region was styled both Cblica, and Colchica. It is remarkable, that as there was a Caucasus and Regio Colica, as well as Colchica, in India : so the same names occur among the Cutheans upon the Pontus Euxinus. Here was Regio Colica, as well as Cholcica at the foot of Mount Caucasus. Pliny 1. 6. c. 5. p. 305. They are the same name differently expressed. επιμείναι κατά τινα χρονον απολελεσθαι. Απο δε τε Κομαρει εκτείνεσα χώρα μέχρι Κολχων, εν ή κολύμβησις τε πινακε εσιν' απο δε καταχρισμων κατεργάζεται. Προς τον νοτον ύπο τον βασιλεα Πανδιονα εςιν. Μετα δε Κολχος ενδεχεται άλλος αιγιαλος εν κολπῳ κείμενος. From Elabacara extends a mountain called Purrhos, and the coast styled Paralia (or the pearl coast), reaching down to the most southern point, where is the great fishery for pearl, which people dive for. It is under a king named Pandion, and the chief city is Colchi. There are two places where they fish for this dity of which the first is Balita: here is a fort, and an harbour. In this place, many persons who have a mind to live an holy life, and to separate themselves from the world, come and bathe, and then enter into a state of celibacy. There are women, who do the same. For it is said that the place at commo 86 Paralia seems at first a Greek word, but is in reality a proper name in the language of the country. I make no doubt, but what we call Pearl was the Paral of the Amonians and Cuthites. Paralia is the Land of Pearls. All the names of gems, as now in use, and of old, were from the Amonians: Adamant, Amethyst, Opal, Achates or Agate, Pyropus, Onyx, Sardonyx, Ætites, Alabaster, Beril, Coral, Cornelian. As this was the shore where these gems were really found, we may conclude that Paralia signified the Pearl Coast. There was pearl fishery in the Red Sea, and it continues to this day near the island Delaqua. Purchas, v. 5. p. 778. In these parts, the author of the Periplus mentions islands, which he styles Tugaλao, or Pearl Islands, Sec Geogr. Gr. Minores. Periplus. v. 1. p. 9. particular seasons every month is frequented by the Deity of the country, a Goddess who comes and bathes in the waters. The coast, near which they fish for pearl, lies all along from Comari to Colchi, It is performed by persons, who have been guilty of some crime, and are compelled to this service. All this coast to the southward is under the aforementioned king Pandion. After this there proceeds another tract of coast, which forms a gulf. The author then proceeds to describe the great trade which was carried on by this people, and by those above upon the Hypanis and Ganges: and mentions the fine linen, which was brought down from Scythia Limyrica, and from Comara, and other places. And if we compare the history, which he gives, with the modern accounts of this country, we shall find that the same rites and customs still prevail; the same manufactures are carried on nor is the pearl fishery yet exhausted. And if any the least credit may be afforded to etymological elucidation, the names of places among the Cuthite nations are so similar in themselves, and in their purport, that we may prove the people to have been of the same family; and perceive among them the same religion and customs, however widely they were scattered. The mountains Caucasus and 7 Pyrrhus, the rivers Hypanis, 87 The mountain Pyrrhus, Пuppos, was an eminence sacred to Baris, Chobar, Soana, Cophis, Phasis, Indus, of this country, are to be found among the Cuthite nations in the west. One of the chief cities in this country was Cottiara. This is no other than Aracotta reversed; and probably the same that is called Arcot at this day. The city Comara, and the promontory Comarine are of the same etymology as the city Ur in Chaldea; which was called Camar and Camarina from the priests and worship there established. The region termed Aia above Colchis, was a name peculiarly given by the Amonians to the places where they resided. Among the Greeks the word grew general, and A. was made to signify any land: but among the Egyptians, at least among the Cuthites of that country, as well as among those of Colchis Pontica, it was used for a proper name of their country: Ur or Orus; who was also called Cham-Ur, and his priests Chamurin. The city Ur in Chaldea is called Chamurin by Eupolemus, who expresses it Καμυρινη, ήν τινες πολιν Ουρίαν καλεσιν. Euseb. Præp. Evang. 1. 9. p. 418. Hence this promontory in Colchis Indica is rendered Comar by the author of the Periplus,; and at this day it is called Comorin. The river Indus is said to run into a bay called Sinus Saronicus. Plutarch. de Flumin, Sar-On, Dominus Sol. 88 Apollon. Rhod. 1. 4. v. 277, And again; Θαρσεί, επει Δαίμων άλλον πλέον ήγεμονεύσει It was owing to this, that the name given to the chief person of the country was Aiates; and when some of the family settled at Circeum in Italy, the name was there preserved. Hence the God, dess Circe, who is represented as sister to Aiates, is called by Homer Aiaia; which is the Gentile epi, thet from Aia, the country. It occurs in some enchanting verses, where Ulysses describes his being detained by the two Goddesses Calypso and Circe. 9. Η μεν μ' αυτοθ' έρυκε Καλυψώ, δια θεάων, The adoration of fire prevailed no where more than in these countries, together with the worship of the sun. They were likewise Ophites, such " 89 Apollon. Rhod. 1. 2. ν. 423. |