priests, and
those in which they used to apparel their Deities, had sacred names, taken
from terms in their worship. Such were Camise, Candys, Camia, Cidaris,
Mitra, Zona, and the like. The last was a sacred fillet, or girdle, which
they esteemed an emblem of the orbit described by Zon, the Sun. They either
represented their Gods as girded round with a serpent, which was an emblem
of the same meaning; or else with this bandage, denominated [1010]Zona.
They seem to have been secondary Deities, who were called Zoni and
[1011]Azoni. The term signifies Heliadae: and they were looked upon as
aethereal essences, a kind of emanation from the Sun. They were exhibited
under different representations; and oftentimes like Cneph of Egypt. The
fillet, with which the Azoni were girded, is described as of a fiery
nature: and they were supposed to have been wafted through the air.
Arnobius speaks of it in this light. [1012]Age, nunc, veniat, quaeso, per
igneam zonam Magus ab interiore orbe Zoroastres. I imagine, that by
Azonaces, [Greek: Azonakes], beforementioned, the reputed teacher of
Zoroaster, was meant the chief Deity, the same as Oromanes, and Oromasdes.
He seems to have been the supreme of those aethereal spirits described
above; and to have been named Azon-Nakis, which signifies the great Lord,
[1013]Azon. Naki, Nakis, Nachis, Nachus, Negus, all in different parts of
the world betoken a king. The temple at Istachar, near which these
representations were found, is at this day called the palace of Naki
Rustan, whoever that personage may have been.

[Illustration: Pl. XII. _Apud Kaempferum in Amoenitat. Exot. p. 312_]

[Illustration: Zor-Aster, sive Taurus Solaris AEgyptiacus]

ORPHEUS.

The character of Orpheus is in some respects not unlike that of Zoroaster,
as will appear in the sequel. He went over many regions of the earth; and
in all places, whither he came, was esteemed both as a priest, and a
prophet. There seems to be more in his history than at first sight appears:
all which will by degrees be unfolded. His skill in harmony is represented
as very wonderful: insomuch that he is said to have tamed the wild beasts
of the forest, and made the trees follow him. He likewise could calm the
winds, and appease the raging of the sea. These last circumstances are
taken notice of by a poet in some fine verses, wherein he laments his
death.

[1014][Greek: Houk eti koimaseis anemon bromon, ouchi chalazan,]
[Greek: Ou nip