OR THE BURNING OF THE DEAD. 109 
The language of Vireit proves, that the Romans were not 
strangers to the same kind of idolatry. As the mountain So- 
racte was consecrated to AroLto, his votaries manifested their 
ardour in his service, by rushing through the burning coals of 
the fire lighted up in honour of their god. © 
Summe deum, sancti custos Soractis Apolla, 
Quem primi colimus, cui pineus ardor acervo 
Pascitur, et medium freti pietate per ignem 
Cultores multa premimus vestigia pruna ; 
Da pater hoc nostris aboleri dedecus armis 
_ Omnipotens. — J ZEn. lib. xi. 
' Servius explains the term acervo, “ Pyra coacervatione lig- 
* norum.” Perhaps he did not use the word as denoting a fu- 
neral-pile, as it also signifies a bonefire. There is indeed no 
reason for supposing, that Virert referred to the burning of 
the dead. We learn the meaning of this language from the 
testimony of Privy: “ Haud procul urbe Roma in Faliscorum 
“ agro familiz sunt paucee, quae vocantur Hirrre : que sacrifi- 
Taig eanEO, quod fit ad montem Soractem Apotiini, super 
“ ambustam ligni struem ambulantes non aduruntur.” Nat. 
Hist. lib. vii. c. 2. The same species of worship is described 
by Srxrus Irauicvs, lib. v. ver. 175. bal 
I need scarcely observe, that, as AroLto was the same Pcih 
the Sun, the passage affords a proof of the striking analogy be- 
tween his worship among the Romans, and that which has been 
already illustrated. Did we know the particular day annually 
coaggroted in this manner, the coincidence might be still 
more remarkable. 
The early Greeks ascribed the same efficacy to fire. Homer, 
accordingly, makes ULysszs, after the slaughter of those who 
al sought. 
