I. How They Denote Eternity
H O R A P O L L O.
ΒΙΒΛΙΟΝ ΠΡΟΩΤΟΝ·
BOOK I.
I. HOW THEY DENOTE ETERNITY.
To denote Eternity 2 they depict the SUN and MOON, because their elements are eternal. But when they would represent Eternity 2 differently,
they delineate a SERPENT with its tail covered by the rest of its body: the Egyptians call this Ouraius, 1 which in the Greek language signifies Basilisk: 2 And they place golden figures of it round the Gods. The Egyptians say that Eternity is represented by this animal; because of the three existing species of serpents, the others are mortal, but this alone is immortal; and 3 because it destroys any other animal by merely breathing upon 4 it even without biting. And hence, inasmuch as it thus appears to have power over life and death, they place it upon the head of the Gods.
Footnotes
- 5:1
I. Denotes Eternal.
II. Head of a God with the Basilisk upon it. The basilisk often passes over the head, and is occasionally found passing round it.
III. Denotes Immortality.—Sharpe, 186, 191.
II. Head of a God with the Basilisk upon it. The basilisk often passes over the head, and is occasionally found passing round it.
III. Denotes Immortality.—Sharpe, 186, 191.
- 5:2
- 6:1
- 6:2
- 6:4
- 6:3