The Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism [1911] - Get a Free Blog

NOTES SYRIA. 249
1907, No. 48) has recently published a Syrian epitaph that is
unfortunately mutilated, but which seems to be that of an
adept of the pagan mysteries; see Noldeke, Zeitschrift filr
Assyr., XXI, 1907, p. 155.
46. On the Semitic notion of purity, W. Robertson Smith
has written admirably and convincingly (pp. 446 ff. and pas
sim). The question has been taken up from a different point
of view by Lagrange, pp. 141 ff. The development of the
notion of purity in the ancient religions has been recently
expounded by Farnell, The Evolution of Religion, 1905, pp.
88 ff., especially pp. 124 ff. Cf. also supra, p. 91 f. An exam
ple of the prohibitions and purifications is found in the Occi
dent in an inscription, unfortunately mutilated, discovered at
Rome and dedicated to Beellefarus (C1L, VI, 30934, 31168; cf.
Lafaye, Rev. hist, rclig., XVII, 1888, pp. 218 ff.; Dessau, Inscr.
sel., 4343). If I have understood the text correctly it com
mands those who have eaten pork to means of honey. On penances
purify themselves by
in the Syrian religions see
ch. II, n. 31.
47. M. Clermont-Ganneau (Etudes d archeologie orientale,
s is extremely rare
II, 1896, p. 104) states that the epithet <*7
in pagan Hellenism, and almost always betrays a Semitic in
fluence. In such cases it corresponds to EHp, which to the
Semites is the epithet par excellence of the divinity. Thus
Eshmon is EHp; cf. Lidzbarski, Ephemer. fiir semit. Epigraph.,
II, p. 155 ; Clermont-Ganneau, Rccucil d archeol. orient., Ill,
P- 33o; V, p. 322. In Greek Le Bas-Waddington, 2720, has:
Ot KOLTOXOI 07101; ovpaviov Atos. Dittenberger, Orient is inscript.,
at a
620, Zefcj 07105 BeeX /3wo-u>pos. Some time ago I copied
dealer s, a dedication engraved upon a : lamp cy o,yiu> ApeX-
o-eXw, in Latin : J. Dolichenus sanctus, CIL, VI, 413, X, 7949.
J. Heliopolitanus sanctissimus, CIL, VIII, 2627. "Caelestis
sancta," VIII, 8433, etc. The African Saturn (= Baal) is
often called sanctus. Hera sancta beside Jupiter Dolichenus,
VI, 413. Malakbel is translated by Sol sanctissimus, in the
bilingual inscription of the Capitol, VI, 710 = Dessau, 4337.
Cf. deus sanctus adenitis, V, 1658, 3761, and Comptes Rendus
Acad. Inscr., 1906, p. 69. See in general Delehaye, Analeda
Bollandiana, 1909, pp. 157 ff.