nd comparing them, we may, I
think, not only find out wherein the mistake consisted, but likewise
explain the grounds from whence the mistake arose. And this clue may lead
us to the detection of other fallacies, and those of greater consequence.
We may hence learn the reason, why so many Deities were styled [Greek:
Petraioi], Petraei. We read of[883] [Greek: Mithras, ho theos ek petras],
_Mithras, the Deity out of the rock_; whose temple of old was really a rock
or cavern. The same worship seems to have prevailed, in some degree, in the
west; as we may judge from an antient inscription at Milan, which was
dedicated[884] Herculi in Petra. But all Deities were not so worshipped:
and the very name Petra was no other than the sacred term Petora, given to
a cavern, as being esteemed in the first ages an oracular temple. And some
reverence to places of this sort was kept up a long time. We may from hence
understand the reason of the prohibition given to some of the early
proselytes to Christianity, that they should no more[885] ad petras vota
reddere: and by the same light we may possibly explain that passage in
Homer, where he speaks of persons entering into compacts under oaks, and
rocks, as places of[886] security. The oak was sacred to Zeus, and called
Sar-On: and Petra in its original sense being a temple, must be looked upon
as an asylum. But this term was not confined to a rock or cavern: every
oracular temple was styled Petra, and Petora. Hence it proceeded that so
many Gods were called [Greek: Theoi Petraioi], and [Greek: Patroisi].
Pindar speaks of Poseidon Petraios;[887] [Greek: Pai Poseidonos Petraiou]:
under which title Neptune was worshipped by the Thessalians: but the latter
was the more common title. We meet in Pausanias with Apollo Patroues, and
with [888][Greek: Zeus Meilichios], and [Greek: Artemis Patroia]; also
[889]Bacchus [Greek: Patroios], Zeus Patroues, and Vesta Patroa, together
with other instances.

The Greeks, whenever they met with this term, even in regions the most
remote, always gave it an interpretation according to their own
preconceptions; and explained [Greek: theoi Patroioi], the oracular
Deities, by Dii Patrii, or the Gods of the country. Thus, in the Palmyrene
inscription, two Syrian Deities are characterized by this title.

[890][Greek: AGLIBOLO KAI MALACHBELO]
[Greek: PATROOIS THEOIS.]

Cyrus, in his expedition against the Medes, is represented as making vows
[891][Greek: Hestiai Pa