DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12654#0042
14
SYMBOLS OF THE EQUINOXES.
[Part I.
years of the first Sothic Cycle, B.C. 1322 to 1202; and
it is most probable (as will be shown in the course of
this work) that the former of those dates fell in the
reign of the immediate predecessor of Rameses II.
The third division, like the two others, contains
several subdivisions. Commencing our examination
from that part which is beneath the space of the Epa-
gomense, we find a subdivision which corresponds to that
space, and contains a figure of a cynocephalus, the
emblem of the god Thoth, seated on what some have
supposed to be a Nilometer. Horapollo says, that a
sitting cynocephalus denoted the two equinoxes.
(Jlari/xeplas hvo irakiv arj/Jbatvovres, KvvoKtfyaXov fcaOrj-
IJbevov ^coypacfiovai t,u>ov.)* It is evident, however, that
although a sitting cynocephalus denoted the two equi-
noxes in the time of Horapollo, according to that
author's statement, yet it denoted but one in the time
of Rameses II., from its occurring but once in this
representation of the year. After an interval of six
months, we find a figure which undoubtedly represents
the vernal equinox; and, consequently, the cynoce-
phalus represents the autumnal equinox t.
After the figure of the sitting cynocephalus, we find
ten figures of different divinities, and two emblems of
physical phenomena, here regarded as divinities, corre-
sponding in number to the twelve months, and being
the divinities to which the months were consecrated,
and from which they chiefly took their names. We
must, however, reckon the divinities of the months as
thirteen, allotting two to the first month; for the em-
* Hieroglyphics of Horapollo Nilous, Ed. Cory., p. 36.
f It is well known that, during the interval from the Nineteenth
Dynasty to the time at which Horapollo wrote, hieroglyphics had
been much corrupted.
SYMBOLS OF THE EQUINOXES.
[Part I.
years of the first Sothic Cycle, B.C. 1322 to 1202; and
it is most probable (as will be shown in the course of
this work) that the former of those dates fell in the
reign of the immediate predecessor of Rameses II.
The third division, like the two others, contains
several subdivisions. Commencing our examination
from that part which is beneath the space of the Epa-
gomense, we find a subdivision which corresponds to that
space, and contains a figure of a cynocephalus, the
emblem of the god Thoth, seated on what some have
supposed to be a Nilometer. Horapollo says, that a
sitting cynocephalus denoted the two equinoxes.
(Jlari/xeplas hvo irakiv arj/Jbatvovres, KvvoKtfyaXov fcaOrj-
IJbevov ^coypacfiovai t,u>ov.)* It is evident, however, that
although a sitting cynocephalus denoted the two equi-
noxes in the time of Horapollo, according to that
author's statement, yet it denoted but one in the time
of Rameses II., from its occurring but once in this
representation of the year. After an interval of six
months, we find a figure which undoubtedly represents
the vernal equinox; and, consequently, the cynoce-
phalus represents the autumnal equinox t.
After the figure of the sitting cynocephalus, we find
ten figures of different divinities, and two emblems of
physical phenomena, here regarded as divinities, corre-
sponding in number to the twelve months, and being
the divinities to which the months were consecrated,
and from which they chiefly took their names. We
must, however, reckon the divinities of the months as
thirteen, allotting two to the first month; for the em-
* Hieroglyphics of Horapollo Nilous, Ed. Cory., p. 36.
f It is well known that, during the interval from the Nineteenth
Dynasty to the time at which Horapollo wrote, hieroglyphics had
been much corrupted.