DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0245
20G
APPENDIX.
imitated the Egyptians in these matters. He considers that, in
a passage of that author, "condere" was inserted by mistake,
instead of " condire ;"8 and that embalming and preparation were
signified, and not concealment or interment. He observes, that
something of the same kind is mentioned by Homer in his
description of the funeral of Patroclus ; and by Virgil, in relation
to those of Misenus and Tarquinius; also, that the great burnings
at the funeral of Asa, king of Judah, was another instance; and
that Jacob and Joseph were likewise embalmed after the manner
of the Egyptians. He says, that of the two arks, which, .according
to tradition, were carried by the Israelites in the Desert, one
contained the covenant, and the other the embalmed body of
Joseph — probably in a wooden mummy-case; although in the
accounts of the Arabs and Persians, that patriarch was buried in
the Nile in a case of glass. After referring to the doctrine of
transmigration, with which Pythagoras became acquainted in
Egypt, he mentions, on the authority of Diodorus and Strabo, the
pains taken by the antient kings of Egypt to build lasting and
durable sepulchres, and also the probability that, when Memphis
had succeeded to Thebes, the same anxiety for the preservation of
the dead incited the building of the Pyramids ; since it was a
prevailing opinion amongst the antient Egyptians that this life
is of short duration in comparison with that after death, and that
the sepulchres were therefore termed eternal mansions, and decor-
ated with exquisite adornments.9 The peculiar form of the Pyra-
mids, he conceives, was adopted as being the most durable,
and also as being symbolical of the Creator; and he quotes from
Pausanias, that in Corinth, Jupiter Melichius, and Diana (surnamed
Patroa,) were represented by pyramids or columns: and from
Clemens Alexandrinus, that an idolatrous observance of obelisks
and pyramids was the most antient mode of worship, and was prac-
tised before the invention of sculptured images. He observes, also,
that, according to Servius, men of renown were formerly buried
under, or in a mountain, whence the custom was derived of erecting
over their tombs pyramids or vast monuments; and he cites as
instances the King's Pillar (of Absalom); the custom, described by
Pausanias, as having been practised by the Sicyonians ; and also the
8 "Judaeos abiEgyptiis didicisse condere cadavera potius quam cremare."—
Tacit. Hist. L. S. Spond, lib. i. c. 5.
9 " For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle was dissolved, we
have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
—2 Cor. chap. v. 1.
APPENDIX.
imitated the Egyptians in these matters. He considers that, in
a passage of that author, "condere" was inserted by mistake,
instead of " condire ;"8 and that embalming and preparation were
signified, and not concealment or interment. He observes, that
something of the same kind is mentioned by Homer in his
description of the funeral of Patroclus ; and by Virgil, in relation
to those of Misenus and Tarquinius; also, that the great burnings
at the funeral of Asa, king of Judah, was another instance; and
that Jacob and Joseph were likewise embalmed after the manner
of the Egyptians. He says, that of the two arks, which, .according
to tradition, were carried by the Israelites in the Desert, one
contained the covenant, and the other the embalmed body of
Joseph — probably in a wooden mummy-case; although in the
accounts of the Arabs and Persians, that patriarch was buried in
the Nile in a case of glass. After referring to the doctrine of
transmigration, with which Pythagoras became acquainted in
Egypt, he mentions, on the authority of Diodorus and Strabo, the
pains taken by the antient kings of Egypt to build lasting and
durable sepulchres, and also the probability that, when Memphis
had succeeded to Thebes, the same anxiety for the preservation of
the dead incited the building of the Pyramids ; since it was a
prevailing opinion amongst the antient Egyptians that this life
is of short duration in comparison with that after death, and that
the sepulchres were therefore termed eternal mansions, and decor-
ated with exquisite adornments.9 The peculiar form of the Pyra-
mids, he conceives, was adopted as being the most durable,
and also as being symbolical of the Creator; and he quotes from
Pausanias, that in Corinth, Jupiter Melichius, and Diana (surnamed
Patroa,) were represented by pyramids or columns: and from
Clemens Alexandrinus, that an idolatrous observance of obelisks
and pyramids was the most antient mode of worship, and was prac-
tised before the invention of sculptured images. He observes, also,
that, according to Servius, men of renown were formerly buried
under, or in a mountain, whence the custom was derived of erecting
over their tombs pyramids or vast monuments; and he cites as
instances the King's Pillar (of Absalom); the custom, described by
Pausanias, as having been practised by the Sicyonians ; and also the
8 "Judaeos abiEgyptiis didicisse condere cadavera potius quam cremare."—
Tacit. Hist. L. S. Spond, lib. i. c. 5.
9 " For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle was dissolved, we
have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
—2 Cor. chap. v. 1.