d [308]Lycorians: and the summit of
Parnassus, [309]Lycorea. Near it was a [310]town of the same name; and both
were sacred to the God of light. From Lucos, in this sense, came lux,
luceo, lucidus, and Jupiter Lucetius, of the Latines; and [Greek: luchnos],
[Greek: luchnia], [Greek: luchneuo], of the Greeks; also [Greek: Lukabas],
and [Greek: amphilukos], though differently expressed. Hence it was that so
many places sacred to Apollo were styled Leuce, Leuca, [Greek: Lukia],
Leucas, Leucate.

Mox et Leucatae nimbosa cacumina montis,
Et formidatus nautis aperitur [311]Apollo.

Hence also inscriptions [312]DEO LEUCANIAE: which term seems to denote,
Sol-Fons, the fountain of day. The name Lycophron, [Greek: Lukophron],
which some would derive from [Greek: Lukos], a wolf, signifies a person of
an enlightened mind. Groves were held very sacred: hence lucus, which some
would absurdly derive a non lucendo, was so named from the Deity there
worshipped: as was [Greek: Haimos], a word of the same purport among the
Greeks.

This people, who received their theology from Egypt and Syria, often
suppressed the leading vowel; and thought to atone for it by giving a new
termination: though to say the truth, this mode of abbreviation is often to
be observed in the original language, from whence these terms are derived.
[Greek: Kuros], the name of Cyrus, seems to have suffered an abridgment of
this nature. It was probably a compound of Uch-Ur, the same as Achor, and
Achorus of Egypt, the great luminary, the Sun. In antient times all kings,
priests, and people of consequence took to themselves some sacred title.
But as Aneith was abbreviated to Neith, Acherez to Cherez; so Achorus was
rendered Chorus, Curus. Thus far is manifest, that Curus signified the Sun.
[313][Greek: Ho men oun Kuros apo Kurou tou palaiou onoma eschen; ekeinoi
de apo tou Heliou genesthai phasi; Kuron gar kalein Persas ton Helion.]
Ctesias likewise informs us that the name of Cyrus had this signification.
[314][Greek: Kai tithetai to onoma autou apo tou Heliou]: _He was
denominated Cyrus from the Sun, which was so called_. It was the same as
Orus: and according to Strabo it is sometimes so expressed; as we may infer
from a river of this name, of which he says, [315][Greek: Ekaleito de
proteron Koros]. We find it sometimes rendered [Greek: Kuris], Curis: but
still with a reference to the Sun, the Adonis of the east. Hesychius
explains [Greek: Kuris, ho Adonis]. In