opulum, parte AEgypti potitos, ac mox
[1260]proprias urbes, Hebraeasque terras, et propiora Syriae coluisse. As the
Cadmians settled about Byblus and Sidon, there seems in consequence of it
to have been a religious correspondence kept up between this colony and
Egypt. It is said according to the enigmatical turn of the times, that the
head of Osiris was annually wafted by the floods to [1261]Byblus. It was
reported to have been just seven days in its passage; and the whole was
performed [Greek: theiei nautiliei], by a voyage truly miraculous. There
are many proofs that the religion of Syria came in great measure from
Egypt. The rites of Adonis, and the lamentations upon his account at Sidon,
and Byblus, were copies of the mourning for Osiris, and represented in the
same [1262]manner. Lucian, having described the pompous temple at
Hierapolis, says, that there was another in the neighbourhood, not of
Assyrian, but Egyptian original; the rites of which were received by the
natives from Heliopolis in that [1263]country. This he did not see: but
speaks of it as very grand, and of high antiquity.

These particulars I have thought proper to discuss thoroughly, in order to
disclose the true history of the Cadmians, as I am hereby enabled to prove
the great antiquity of this people; and to shew who they were, and from
whence they came. It has been observed by many of the learned, that some
particular race of men spread themselves abroad, and got access among
numberless nations. Some have thought that they were Scythians: others,
that they were Egyptians: others still, that they were from Phenicia, and
Canaan. What they have said upon the subject, however they may seem to
differ from one another, may in some degree be allowed. But I believe, that
the true account is that which I have here given. I have endeavoured, with
great pains, to sift the history to the bottom: and it is to me manifest,
that they were for the most part the Auritae, those shepherds of Egypt. This
people had spread themselves over that country like a deluge: but were in
time forced to retreat, and to betake themselves to other parts. In
consequence of this they were dissipated over regions far remote. They were
probably joined by others of their family, as well as by the Canaanites,
and the Caphtorim of Palestina. They are to be met with in Persis, and
Gedrosia, under the name of Oritae. They are to be found in Boetica upon the
Atlantic under the same [1264]nam