to the dance, from the temple
of the Deity where it was probably first practised. It is a compound of Bet
Armes, or Armon, called, more properly, Hermes, and Hermon. Bet, and Beth,
among the Amonians, denoted a temple. There is reason to think that the
circular dances of the Dervises, all over the east, are remains of these
antient customs. In the first ages this exercise was esteemed a religious
rite, and performed by people of the temple where it was exhibited: but, in
aftertimes, the same feats were imitated by rope-dancers and vagrants,
called Petauristae, and Petauristarii; who made use of a kind of pole,
styled petaurum.--Of these the Roman writers make frequent mention; and
their feats are alluded to by Juvenal:

[860]An magis oblectant animum jactata petauro
Corpora, quique solent rectum descendere funem?

Manilius likewise gives an account of this people, and their activity;
wherein may be observed some remains of the original institution:

[861]Ad numeros etiam ille ciet cognata per artem
Corpora, quae valido saliunt excussa petauro:
Membraque _per flammas orbesque_ emissa flagrantes,
Delphinumque suo per inane imitantia motu,
Et viduata volant pennis, et in aere ludunt.

I have shewn, that the Paterae, or Priests, were so denominated from the
Deity styled Pator; whose shrines were named Patera, and Petora. They were
oracular temples of the Sun; which in aftertimes were called Petra, and
ascribed to other Gods. Many of them for the sake of mariners were erected
upon rocks, and eminences near the sea: hence the term [Greek: petra],
petra, came at length to signify any rock or stone, and to be in a manner
confined to that meaning. But in the first ages it was ever taken in a
religious sense; and related to the shrines of Osiris, or the Sun, and to
the oracles, which were supposed to be there exhibited. Thus Olympus near
Pisa, though no rock, but a huge mound, or hill ([862][Greek: Peri gar ton
Kronion LOPHON agetai ta Olumpia]) was of old termed Petra, as relating to
oracular influence. Hence Pindar, speaking of Iaemus, who was supposed to
have been conducted by Apollo to Olympia, says, _that they both came to the
Petra Elibatos upon the lofty Cronian mount: there Apollo bestowed upon
Iaemus a double portion of prophetic knowledge_.

[863][Greek: Hikonto d' hupseloio Petran]
[Greek: Alibatou Kroniou,]
[Greek: Enth' hoi opase thesauron]
[Greek: Didumon MANTOSYNAS.]

The word [Gr