here were likewise springs, and baths for the convenience of those who
here took their exercise. The tradition among the Athenians was, that one
Ecademus, or Academus, founded it in antient times; from whom it received
its name. Laertius styles him the hero Ecademus: [1135][Greek: Apo tinos
Heroos onomasthe Ekademou]. And Suidas to the same purpose; [Greek: Apo
Ekademou tinos Heroos onomasthen.] But Eupolis, the comic writer, who was
far prior, speaks of him as a Deity: [1136][Greek: En euskiois drumoisin
Akademou Theou]. The trees, which grew within the precincts, were looked
upon as very sacred, [1137][Greek: ontos hierai], and the place itself in
antient times was of so great sanctity, that it was a profanation to laugh
there; [1138][Greek: proteron en Akademiai mede gelasai exousian einai].

The Ceramicus at Athens had the same name; and it was undoubtedly given
from the same personage. [Greek: Akademia. kaleitai de houtos ho
Keramikos]. Hesych. The common notion was, that it was denominated from the
hero [1139]Ceramus, the son of Dionusus. This arose from the common
mistake; by which the place was put for the person, to whom it was sacred,
and whose name it bore. Ham was the supposed hero: and Ceramus was Cer-Ham,
the tower or temple of Ham, which gave name to the inclosure. This abuse of
terms is no where more apparent than in an inscription mentioned by Gruter;
where there is a mixed title of the Deity formed from his place of worship.

[1140]Malacae Hispaniae.
MARTI CIRADINO
TEMPLUM COMMUNI VOTO
ERECTUM.

Cir-Adon was the temple of Adon, or Adonis; the Amonian title of the chief
God. In like manner near mount Laphystium in Boeotia, the God [1141]Charops
was worshipped, and styled Hercules Charops. But Char-Ops, or Char-Opis,
signified the temple of the serpent Deity: and was undoubtedly built of old
by the people named Charopians, and Cyclopians; who were no other than the
antient Cadmians. Ceramicus was an Egyptian name; and one of the gates or
towers of the gates at [1142]Naucratis in that country was so called. It
was also the name of an harbour in Caria, probably denominated from some
building at the [1143]entrance.

I may possibly be thought to proceed too far in abridging history of so
many heroic personages, upon whose names antiquity has impressed a
reverence; and whose mighty actions have never been disputed. For though
the dress and colouring may have been thought the work of fancy, yet the
substan