d from him. Of what antiquity they were, may be learned from
Aristotle. [966][Greek: Aristoteles d' en protoi peri philosophias (tous
Magous) kai presbuterous einai ton Aiguption.] _The Magi, according to
Aristotle, were prior even to the Egyptians_: and with the antiquity of the
Egyptians, we are well acquainted. Plato styles him the son of
[967]Oromazes, who was the chief Deity of the Persians: and it is said of
him, that he laughed upon the day on which he was [968]born. By this I
imagine, that something fortunate was supposed to be portended: some
indication, that the child would prove a blessing to the world. In his
childhood he is said to have been under the care of [969]Azonaces: which I
should imagine was a name of the chief Deity Oromazes, his reputed father.
He was in process of time greatly enriched with knowledge, and became in
high repute for his [970]piety, and justice. He first sacrificed to the
Gods, and taught men to do the [971]same. He likewise instructed them in
science, for which he was greatly [972]famed: and was the first who gave
them laws. The Babylonians seem to have referred to him every thing, which
by the Egyptians was attributed to Thoth and Hermes. He had the title of
[973]Zarades, which signifies the Lord of light, and is equivalent to Orus,
Oromanes, and Osiris, It was sometimes expressed [974]Zar-Atis, and
supposed to belong to a feminine Deity of the Persians. Moses Chorenensis
styles him [975]Zarovanus, and speaks of him as the father of the Gods.
Plutarch would insinuate, that he was author of the doctrine, embraced
afterwards by the Manicheans, concerning two prevailing principles, the one
good, and the other evil[976]: the former of these was named Oromazes, the
latter Areimanius. But these notions were of late [977]date, in comparison
of the antiquity which is attributed to [978]Zoroaster. If we might credit
what was delivered in the writings transmitted under his name, which were
probably composed by some of the later Magi, they would afford us a much
higher notion of his doctrines. Or if the account given by Ostanes were
genuine, it would prove, that there had been a true notion of the Deity
transmitted from [979]Zoroaster, and kept up by the Magi, when the rest of
the gentile world was in darkness. But this was by no means true. It is
said of Zoroaster, that he had a renewal of [980]life: for I apply to the
original person of the name, what was attributed to the Magus of Pamphylia: