ot understand the theology which he was recommending. Monimus and
Azizus were both names of the same God, the Deity of Edessa, and
[101]Syria. The former is, undoubtedly, a translation of Adad, which
signifies [Greek: monas], or [102]unitas: though, as I have before shewn,
more properly primus. Azizus is a reduplication of a like term, being
compounded with itself; and was of the same purport as Ades, or Ad Ees,
from whence the place was named. It was a title not unknown in Greece: for
Ceres was, of old, called Azazia; by the Ionians, Azesia. Hesychius
observes, [Greek: Azesia, he Demeter.] Proserpine, also, had this name. In
the same author we learn that [Greek: aza], aza, signified [Greek:
asbolos], or sun-burnt: which shews plainly to what the primitive word
[103]related. This word is often found combined with Or; as in Asorus, and
Esorus, under which titles the Deity was worshipped in [104]Syria,
[105]Sicily, and Carthage: of the last city he was supposed to have been
the founder. It is often compounded with El and Il; and many places were
from thence denominated Alesia, Elysa, Eleusa, Halesus, Elysus, Eleusis, by
apocope Las, Lasa, Laesa, Lasaia; also, Lissa, Lissus, Lissia. Sometimes we
meet with these terms reversed; and, instead of El Ees, they are rendered
Ees El: hence we have places named Azilis, Azila, Asyla, contracted Zelis,
Zela, Zeleia, Zelitis; also Sele, Sela, Sala, Salis, Sillas, Silis, Soli.
All these places were founded or denominated by people of the Amonian
worship: and we may always, upon inquiry, perceive something very peculiar
in their history and situation. They were particularly devoted to the
worship of the Sun; and they were generally situated near hot springs, or
else upon foul and fetid lakes, and pools of bitumen. It is, also, not
uncommon to find near them mines of salt and nitre; and caverns sending
forth pestilential exhalations. The Elysian plain, near the Catacombs in
Egypt, stood upon the foul Charonian canal; which was so noisome, that
every fetid ditch and cavern was from it called Charonian. Asia Proper
comprehended little more than Phrygia, and a part of Lydia; and was bounded
by the river Halys. It was of a most inflammable soil; and there were many
fiery eruptions about Caroura, and in Hyrcania, which latter was styled by
the Greeks [Greek: kekaumene]. Hence, doubtless, the region had the name of
[106]Asia, or the land of fire. One of its most antient cities, and most
reverence