OR THE BURNING OF THE DEAD. 119 
ing, introduces the Brachmans, and refers:to the history of Ca- 
LANUS, who, leaving his own society, followed ALEXANDER the 
Great from India. “ The Brachmans,” he says, “ do not leap 
“ into the fire like Onrsicrrrus, the Governor of ALEXANDER, 
who, it is related, when he saw Catanus burning, flung him- 
“ self into the flames ; but after they have erected the funeral- 
“ pile, standing immoveable beside it, patiently allow them- 
“* selyes to be accosted, then ascending it with dignity, are 
* consumed, not shrinking in the slightest degree from the ap- 
“* proach of the fire *.” But, as it was the design of Lucran to 
ridicule the philosophers, he assigns no other reason for this con- 
duct than the love of vainglory. To the same motive does he 
-ascribe the act of PrrEcrinus, a Stoic, or, as he says, a Cynic 
philosopher, who devoted himself to the flames. 
Cexsus the Epicurean, however, as quoted by OricEn, view- 
‘ed this suicidal act in a more favourable light. His testimony 
‘corresponds with that of Porruyry. His language intimates, 
that, what virtue soever might be ascribed to the flame of the 
funeral-pile, in ordinary circumstances, the effect was. supposed 
to be far greater, if any one consigned himself to it alive. Ont- 
cen thus expresses his sentiments : “ Cexsus says, that it is im- 
« pious to violate the laws of our country in regard to the bles- 
“ sed* termination of life (as it is accounted) by the funeral- 
“ pile, into which those who voluntarily cast themselves are 
“ perfectly purified in their aberration from life f.” 
QuinTILIAN ascribes the same purifying efficacy to the fune- 
ral-pile. Speaking of the soul, he says ; “ Quoties humani pecto- 
(74 
7 66 
ris 
* Lucian. de Morte Peregrin. Oper. ii, p. 576. 
* “Huiy 6 Kéaoos, was By dot moegarvesy voperss merelsc—mtel Ts peacrecdgtoy Euvees Yevocamn roy 
t » cad vv Y eee) ’ ‘ © LU / ~ ‘ \ ~ \ x > : ~ 
Biov eeabay.  motvras xacbcciger bas TBs tauTEs mreepcO1oavr ces TH Wugi, nak Th uct Wugos amanrrcryy 
7% amo 72 Bis. ORIGEN. cont. Cexs. Lib. v. p.249. “ Kedaiger$at,” says the learned Stuc- 
Klus, “idem quod Avyaiv ; expiare, resecrare, purgare, expurgare, purificare.” Sacr. Sa- 
erific. Descript. p. 123... 
ae 
