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.

30 Strabo. 1. 15. p. 1025.

Nilus the that the

το των Ινδών γενος εἰς ἑπτα μερη διηρησθαι. Egyptian tells Apollonius Tyanæus, Indi, of all people in the world, were the most knowing; and that the Ethiopians were a colony from them, and resembled them greatly. 3 Σοφώτατοι μεν ανθρωπων ΙΝΔΟΙ αποικοι 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.

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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. Albioπtes— 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 ruuvos, and rendered this people Γυμνο-σοφειται and Γυμνοops; as if they were naked philosophers. Suidas seems to have been aware of the mistake, and owns that ruuvos 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

Καθαια πολις Ινδικη. Steph. Βyzantin.

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. Καθεαν (read with Berkelius Καθαίαν) τινες την Σωπείθος κατα τηνδε την Μεσοποταμιαν τιθεασιν. 1. 15. p. 1024.

contracted

India were styled Bar-Achmanes, Brachmanes : also Ger-manes, Sar-manes; and Al-Obii. 35 Διττον δε τετων (Γυμνοσοφισων) το γενος. Οι μεν Σαρμάναι αυτων· ὁι δε Βραχμαναι καλεμενοι· και των Σαρμανων οι Αλλοβίοι προσαγορευομενοι. These were the titles, by which the professors of science were distinguished. They were the same as the 3 Magi, and so famed for their knowledge, that many of the Grecian philosophers are said to have travelled to them for information. This is reported of 37 Democritus, Pyrrho of Elea, and Apollonius Tyanæus. Nay, the very Scriptures seem to allude to their superlative knowledge: for it is said of

35 Clemens Alexand. Strom. 1. 1. p. 359.

Bar-Achmanes, the sons of the great Manes. In Phrygia and Pontus he was styled Ac-mon: Ακμων.

36 Of the Babylonian and Chaldean Magi, see Aristotle εν τῷ Μαγικῳ : and Sotion in Libris της διαδοχης apud Laertium in Procemio. p. 2.

Οι καλεμενοι δε Μαγοι, γενος τ8το μαντικον και Θεοις ανακείμενον, παρα τε Περσαις, και Πάρθοις, και Βακτροις, και Χωρασμίοις, και Αρποις, και Σακαίς, και Μήδοις, και παρα πολλοις άλλοις Βαρβαροις. Lucian. de Longævitate. vol. 1. p. 632.

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37 Democritus went to the Indians.

Δια ταύτα τοι και πολλην

επγει γην ἧκεν εν και προς τες Χαλδαίος, και εις Βαβυλωνα, και προς της Μαγες, και της Σοφίτας των ΙΝΔΩΝ. Ælian. Var. Hist. l. 4. c. 20. p. 375. Of Thracian Philosophy, see Ger. Vossius de Philosophorum Sectis. c. 3. p. 19.

Solomon, that his 38 wisdom excelled all the wisdom of the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. In which account I cannot but suppose that the learning of the Cuthim Sophitim was included; if not principally alluded to.

Thus have I endeavoured to shew, that all this interamnian country between the Indus and the Ganges was called Scythia; like that about the river Phasis, and upon the Palus Mæotis; as well as regions in other parts. As all these places were apparently inhabited by Cutheans; I think we may be assured, that the name Scuthia, Exudie, is a mistake for Cuthia; and that the Seytha were Cuthæ, or Cuthians; and this will be found to obtain, wherever the name of Scythia prevails; the people of that country, wherever situated, will be found upon examination to be in some degree descended from Chus, whom the Babylonians and those of his family seem to have expressed Cuth.

It is very remarkable that the poet Dionysius, having described all the nations of the known world, concludes with the Indo-Scythæ; of whom he gives a more ample, and a more particular account, than of any, who have preceded. He dwells long upon their habit and manners, their rites, and customs, their merchandize, industry,