REMARKS ON THE AMYCL/EAN MARBLES. 457 



the temple. From tlic probable etymology of" the term, it would ap- 

 pear to have a relation to dhtribidion or regulated measure; this con- 

 jecture, however, is uncertain, and is liable to objections. Possibly 

 you may be more fortunate, or are already better informed on the 

 subject. 



I remain very sincerely yours, 



Aberdeen. 



We may, with Lord Aberdeen, consider the marbles as offerings 

 made by the priestesses * Anthusa and Laoageta ; or as consecrated, 

 during the priesthood of these women. In the latter case they are pre- 

 sented as votive offerings by the KOIMHTPIAI, or ornatrices of some 

 deity. The office of a jcoo-jtirf^xa of any goddess, was to attend to the 

 dress and ornaments of the statue ; the Specula and Pectincs, both 

 of which are seen on the Amyclsean marbles, are mentioned by 

 Apuleiusf, as carried by women who were employed in that character. 

 The word KOSMOnAOKOS is used sometimes ; we find it in an in- 

 scription quoted by Spanheim, Ob. in H. in Pall. Callim. 



HPAKAEI BA2IAEI 



ANTilNlOS AOEAET "' ' - • 



2EBA KOSMOnAOKOS • ■ 



ANE0HKEN 



" To Hercules, King; Antonius Freed-man, ornator of Augusta, 

 dedicated this." 



* Caylus considers the word 'TiroaTarpta in the lower marble as signifying Sous-pretresse. 

 The name AAYAEHTA is probably written for AAOAEHTA; asAATAIKH for AaoS.'xj) in 

 an inscription found at Smyrna. — See Boissonade in Greg, de Dial. Ed. Schaef. 173. 



f " Aliae muliercs qure nitentibiis speculis pone tergum reversis venienti deaj obviiim 

 commonstrarent obsequiimi, et quaB pectincs eburneos ferentes." Lib, xi. — See TertuU. 

 de Jejun. c. xvi. Also Hcsychius in v. 2APAXHPX2. 



S N 



