OR THE BURNING OF THE DEAD. ‘113 
‘of matter, and by reason of its purity made things fit for the 
“ fellowship of the gods.” ‘“ Noster ignis actionem divini ig- 
“ nis imitans, quicquid materiale reperit, in sacrificio, destruit, 
“ et admota purificat, et a vinculis materiz solvit, ac propter 
“ nature puritatem ad deorum communionem idonea fecit *.” 
According to Lucan, “ the power of the flame carried the 
“ soul into the eternal world.” Speaking of the manes of the 
dead, he thus expresses the general belief: 
Quos ignea virtus 
Innocuos vite patientes etheris imi 
Fecit, et zternos animam collegit in orbes. __ 
Pharsal, lib. ix. ver. 0. 
And Ovm says of Junius Casar: 
Nam Patris Augusti docui mortale fuisse 
Corpus ; ia xtherias Numen abiisse domos. 
Pont. lib. iv. Ep. 13. 
“ The Romans burned the bodies of the dead,” says Servius, 
“ ‘ut stafim anima in generalitatem, id est, in suam rediret na- 
“ turam +.” This corresponds with the account given by S1- 
t1vs Irauicus, when describing the funeral of Pautus : 
—— Recens crepitantibus undique flammis, 
Aithereas anima exultans evasit in auras. 
Lib. x. 
i 
Ovip may be viewed as expressing the general persuasion, 
that the soul was not completely separated from the body, till 
the latter was consumed on the pyre, when he thus declares 
the ardour of his friendship : 
Spiritus et vacuas prius hic tenuandus in auras 
’ hit, et in tepido deseret ossa rogo; 
Quam subeant animo meritorum oblivia nostro. 
Trist. lib. i, Eleg. 4. 
Vor. VIII. P. I. @P These 
® Jamauicu, de Myster. Cap, de Ratione Sacrific. 
+ Serv. in Zr. lib, iii. 
