26

ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ

Mneuis of Egypt, the Atargatus of Syria, and the Tauro-Men, Meno-Taur, and Taur-Iöne, of other 25 countries. The river Marsyas also, which ran by the city had the name of Cibotus: and there is a coin with this remarkable inscription, ΜΑΡΣΥΑΣ ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ. Apamensium Marsyas Arca. The river Organ was denominated from the same object of worship, and from the rites practised near its waters. The name is precisely of the same purport, as that before mentioned. Organ is exactly

similar to, a, Argan of the eastern nations, and signifies an "Ark. It is expressed Orgas by Pliny, who mentions the city as being situated near three rivers, which all met together below it. 28 Apamia -circumfusa Marsya, Obrima, Orga, fluminibus, &c. Orgas is the same as , and Organ, as ans, which were terms once in use among the people of Palestine; and are to be traced in other 30 countries.

29

25 Of all these I have spoken at large in my third Volume. 26 Upon a coin of Hadrian, mentioned by Harduin and Spanheim.

27 Hence came the word ogyavor of the Grecians, by which they denoted any machine.

28 L. 5. c. 29.

29 See 1 Samuel. c. 6. v. 8. 11.

30 Velleius the Epicurean in Cicero, having given many instances of base worship, at last mentions that of the Argo, in the

Salmasius thinks, that Apamea had the name of Cibotus, the Ark, from being a great " emporium, in which all the wealth of Asia centered. It was certainly in the time of the Romans a place of great trade but there were other cities not inferior to it. Who would think of giving to places of such note the name of an ark or chest? Besides it was an antient appellation, antecedent to these circumstances; and related to an Ark of a different nature. Moreover the name was not confined to the city; but we find, that the rivers also were so called; and every place in its neighbourhood, had a reference to the same worship. If we add to this, what I have before mentioned concerning the temples, and rites of Menes Arkeus; and the many other evidences, which I have elsewhere collected, we need not wonder at the name of Noah upon an Apamean coin; nor at the history, with which it is attended. After the captivity numbers of Jews settled in Asia Minor: and in the time of Severus, and likewise of Philip, the country abounded with Christian Proselytes, and from these probably the

celestial sphere, which I have shewn to have been no other than the Ark. He accordingly calls it Argon. De Naturâ Deor. 1. 3. c. 16.

31 Forte ita dicta, quod emporium esset, et receptaculum, ac velut arca mercium communis totius Asiæ. Plinianæ Exercit. p. 580,

natives obtained a greater accuracy in their mythology. Hence it is, that the true name of the Patriarch occurs upon the coin, instead of Ogyges, Deucalion, or Menes.

Thus much I thought proper to say, in order to obviate an unmerited reflection and to vindicate, and at the same time explain, some of the most curious coins, that were ever produced to the world.

END OF THE VINDICATION.

AND

INQUIRIES

RELATING TO

VARIOUS PARTS OF ANTIENT HISTORY;

CONTAINING

DISSERTATIONS

ON

THE WIND EUROCLYDON,

AND ON THE

ISLAND MELITE.

TOGETHER WITH

AN ACCOUNT OF EGYPT

IN ITS MOST EARLY STATE,

AND OF THE

SHEPHERD KINGS:

WHEREIN THE TIME OF THEIR COMING, THE PROVINCE WHICH THEY PARTICULARLY POSSESSED, AND TO WHICH THE ISRAELITES AFTERWARDS SUCCEEDED, IS ENDEAVOURED TO BE STATED.

The Whole calculated to throw Light on the History of that Antient Kingdom, as well as on the Histories of the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Babylonians, Edomites, and other Nations.