Cook, Arthur B.: Zeus: a study in ancient religion (Band 2,1): Zeus god of the dark sky (thunder and lightning): Text and notes (Cambridge, 1925)

The decoration of the double axe 643

growth on the boughs of trees1, such parasitic plants being deemed
the product of a lightning-flash2. Sir James Frazer3 (herein fol-
lowing A. Kuhn4) points out that the Druids too regarded oak-
mistletoe as fallen from heaven5, and suggests that, in their view,
the plant left on the oak by the lightning was nothing less than
lightning itself, or at least a visible emanation of celestial fire. If
so, a broom of mistletoe or the like would be the best possible
lightning-rod ; and even its effigy in the brick-work of the doorway
would save the house from the most destructive storm. Since neo-
lithic celts were in a later age held to be thunderbolts6, they might
well be adorned with such a symbol as this7. Precise parallels from
the classical area are wanting8; for, though the double axe is inti-
mately associated with sacred trees9, no specimen as yet discovered
bears a definitely arboreal device10.

Passing from flora to fauna, we have next to notice a double axe
of bronze discovered by the Italians at Phaistos (fig. 560)11. This
masterpiece of the founder's art, which, according to A. Mosso12,

1 J. Grimm Teutonic Mythology trans. J. S. Stallybrass London 1882 i. 183, cp. 1883
iii. 1191, 1888 iv. 1346, H. Friend Flowers and Flower Lore London 1S83 i. 5, 73>
E. H. Meyer Germanische Mythologie Berlin 1891 p. 121.

2 J. Grimm Teutonic Mythology trans. J. S. Stallybrass London 1882 i. 183.

3 Frazer Golden Bough'6: Balder the Beautiful ii. 301.

4 A. Kuhn Die Herabkunft des Feuers und des Gbttertranks'2 Giitersloh 1886 p. 204.
;' Plin. nat. hist. 16. 249.

6 Supra p. 389 ff.

7 E. H. Meyer Germanische Mythologie Berlin 1891 p. 211 quotes the German impre-
cations : ' Zum Hammer, zum Donnerkeil und zum Duenerbessem !' Cp. F. Woeste in
the Zeitschrift fiir deutsche Mythologie und Sitletikunde 1855 ii. 86.

A neolithic celt, found at Loudun (Vienne) in central France, had incised upon it,
perhaps in Roman times, a sign resembling a key (W. Deonna ' Clef et hache' in the
Revue des e~tudes anciennes 1919 xxi. 219-222 argues that the celt was a thunder-stone and
the key a lightning-sign, the whole forming ' une amulette funeraire, oil la clef doit ouvrir
au mort les portes de Fau-dela'). Mr M. C. Burkitt, to whom I applied for further
examples, tells me that there is in the Museum at Carnac 'an engraving of a fish (poor)
on a flat celt,' and refers me to L. Giraux ' Hache polie avec gravures sur les deux faces'
in the Bulletin de la societi prihistorique francaise Seance du 23 Nov. 1911 (cruciform
signs, etc.).

8 Note, however, the combination of axe, pestle, and broom in the rites of Intercidona,
Pilumnus, and Deverra (Varr. antiquit. rer. div. 14 frag. 61 Agahd ap. Aug. de civ. Dei
6. 9), on which see E. Samter Geburt, Hochzeit und Tod Leipzig—Berlin 1911 pp. 29 fdF.,
51 ff., G. Wissowa in Pauly—Wissowa Real-Enc. ix. 1608.

9 Supra p. 516 ff., infra § 3 (c) i (p—v).

10 Sir J. Evans The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons, and Or?taments, of Great
Britain and Ireland London 1881 p. 102 fig. 98 shows a winged celt from Trillick, Tyrone,
on the sides of which a kind of fern-leaf pattern has been punched (cp. p. 61 fig. 26
a flanged celt from Dams, Fifeshire), and p. 123 fig. 136 a socketed celt from Winwick,
Lancashire, with an apparent tree-pattern.

11 A. Mosso The Dawn of Mediterranean Civilisation London 1910 pp. 318—320
fig. 180 ( = my fig. 560). 12 Id. ib. p. 319.

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