nington, in Cambridgeshire.

[1001]DEAE SURIAE
SUB CALPURNIO
LEG. AUG. &c.

Syria is called Sour, and Souristan, at this day.

[Illustration: Pl. XI. _Deus Azon Persicus._]

The Grecians therefore were wrong in their etymology; and we may trace the
origin of their mistake, when they supposed the meaning of Zoroaster to
have been vivens astrum. I have mentioned, that both Zon and [1002]Zoan
signified the Sun: and the term Zor had the same meaning. In consequence of
this, when the Grecians were told that Zor-Aster was the same as
Zoan-Aster, they, by an uniform mode of mistake, expressed the latter
[Greek: zoon]; and interpreted Zoroaster [Greek: astera zoon]. But Zoan
signified the Sun. The city Zoan in Egypt was Heliopolis; and the land of
Zoan the Heliopolitan nome. Both Zoan-Aster, and Zor-Aster, signified Sol
Asterius. The God Menes was worshipped under the symbol of a bull; and
oftentimes under the symbol of a bull and a man. Hence we read of
Meno-Taur, and of Taur-Men, in Crete, Sicily, and other places. The same
person was also styled simply [1003]Taurus, from the emblem under which he
was represented. This Taurus was also called Aster, and Asterius, as we
learn from [1004]Lycophron, and his Scholiast. [Greek: Ho Asterios houtos
estin ho kai Minotauros]. _By Asterius is signified the same person as the
Minotaur._ This Taur-Aster is exactly analogous to [1005]Zor-Aster above.
It was the same emblem as the Mneuis, or sacred bull of Egypt; which was
described with a star between his horns. Upon some of the
[1006]entablatures at Naki Rustan, supposed to have been the antient
Persepolis, we find the Sun to be described under the appearance of a
bright [1007]star: and nothing can better explain the history there
represented, than the account given of Zoroaster. He was the reputed son of
Oromazes, the chief Deity; and his principal instructor was Azonaces, the
same person under a different title. He is spoken of as one greatly beloved
by heaven: and it is mentioned of him, that he longed very much to see the
Deity, which at his importunity was granted to him. This interview,
however, was not effected by his own corporeal eyes, but by the mediation
of an [1008]angel. Through this medium the vision was performed: and he
obtained a view of the Deity surrounded with light. The angel, through
whose intervention this favour was imparted, seems to have been one of
those styled Zoni, and [1009]Azoni. All the vestments of the