ures, called by the Greeks Nebrod. He was the founder of Babel, or
Babylon; and is represented as a gigantic personage. The author of the
Paschal Chronicle speaks of him in this light. [267][Greek: Nebrod Giganta,
ton ten Babulonian ktisanta--hontina kalousin Oriona.] He is called Alorus
by Abydenus, and Apollodorus; which was often rendered with the Amonian
prefix Pelorus. Homer describes him as a great hunter; and of an enormous
stature, even superior to the Aloeidae above mentioned.

[268][Greek: Ton de met' Oriona Pelorion eisenoesa,]
[Greek: Theras homou eileunta kat' asphodelon leimona.]

The Poet styles him Pelorian; which betokens something vast, and is
applicable to any towering personage, but particularly to Orion. For the
term Pelorus is the name by which the towers of Orion were called. Of these
there seems to have been one in Delos; and another of more note, to which
Homer probably alluded, in Sicily; where Orion was particularly reverenced.
The streight of Rhegium was a dangerous pass: and this edifice was erected
for the security of those who were obliged to go through it. It stood near
Zancle; and was called [269]Pelorus, because it was sacred to Alorus, the
same as [270]Orion. There was likewise a river named from him, and rendered
by Lycophron [271]Elorus. The tower is mentioned by Strabo; but more
particularly by Diodorus Siculus. He informs us that, according to the
tradition of the place, Orion there resided; and that, among other works,
he raised this very mound and promontory, called Pelorus and Pelorias,
together with the temple, which was situated upon it. [272][Greek: Oriona
proschosai to kata ten Peloriada keimenon akroterion, kai to temenos tou
Poseidonos kataskeuasai, timomenon hupo ton enchorion diapherontos.] We
find from hence that there was a tower of this sort, which belonged to
Orion: and that the word Pelorion was a term borrowed from these edifices,
and made use of metaphorically, to denote any thing stupendous and large.
The description in Homer is of a mixed nature: wherein he retains the
antient tradition of a gigantic person; but borrows his ideas from the
towers sacred to him. I have taken notice before, that all temples of old
were supposed to be oracular; and by the Amonians were called Pator and
Patara. This temple of Orion was undoubtedly a Pator; to which mariners
resorted to know the event of their voyage, and to make their offerings to
the God. It was on this account s