ver they settled
there will be always found some reference to their antient history, and
religion. As they were particularly styled Ophitae, or Hivites, many places
whither they came, were said to swarm with [1168]serpents. Rhodes was under
this predicament, and had the name of Ophiusa: which name was given on
account of the Hivites, who there settled, and of the serpent-worship,
which they introduced. But the common notion was, that it was so called
from real serpents, with which it was infested. The natives were said to
have been of the giant race, and the [1169]Heliadae or offspring of the Sun;
under which characters the antients particularly referred to the sons of
Chus, and Canaan. Their coming to the island is alluded to under the
arrival both of Danaus and Cadmus, by whom the rites, and [1170]religion of
the Rhodians are supposed to have been introduced. In Greece were several
cities named Oropus, by which is signified Ori Serpentis civitas. One of
these was near [1171]Tanagia upon the border of Attica, and Boeotia. This
is the very spot where the Cadmians first resided: and the city was
undoubtedly built by them. It stood near the warm baths of Amphiaraus,
whose temple belonged to the Oropians; and who was particularly worshipped
by them. We are informed by Strabo, that the temple of Amphiaraus was built
either in imitation, or in memory, of one called Cnopia at [1172]Thebes.
Cnopia is a contraction for Can-Opia; and the temple was certainly founded
by people from Egypt. It took its name from Can-ope, or Can-opus, the
Ophite God of that country; and of the people likewise, by whom the
building was erected. The natives of Boeotia had many memorials of their
having been originally Ophites. The history of their country had continual
references to serpents and dragons. They seem to have been the national
insigne: at least they were esteemed so by the people of Thebes. Hence we
find, that upon the tomb of Epaminondas there was figured a shield with a
serpent for a device, to signify that he was an Ophite, or [1173]Theban.
The Spartans were of the same race: and there is said to have been the same
device upon the shield of [1174]Menelaus, and of [1175]Agamemnon. The story
of Cadmus, and of the serpent, with which he engaged upon his arrival in
Boeotia, relates to the Ophite worship, which was there instituted by the
Cadmians. So Jason in Colchis, Apollo in Phocis, Hercules at Lerna, engaged
with serpents, all which are h