MYTHOLOGY. 29 



the catalogue of Apollodorus, the metamorpho- 

 fes of Ovid ; the fables of Hygina , Lylii Gre- 

 gorii Gyrakli Syntagma de Diis Gentilium, thq 

 mythology of Natalis Comes , the books of Ge- 

 rard Vofllus de Idolatria Gentilium , Johannis 

 Boccatii Genealogia Deorum ; the Pantheon of 

 Pomey ; the hiftory of heaven by abbe Pluche ; 

 the hiftoric explanation of fables, by abbe Ban- 

 nier-, and numberlels other works of the fame 

 kind in all languages. 



XVI. There were ftill many other diftin&ions, 

 of which the pagans made ufe to mark their 

 rank, the functions and nature of their feveral 

 divinities. For example, the goddefs Vefta, or 

 the mother of all the gods, was adored by all 

 people in general. Mars, Bellona, Victoria, 

 Fortunata, &c. afllited all parties. The topical 

 gods> on the contrary, were adored in particular 

 countries only; as Aflarta in Syria, Derceto 

 and Scmiramis among the Aflyrians. Ifis and 

 Ofiris by the Egyptians , Quirinus at Rome, 

 &c. The title Semones, which was given to a 

 certain clafs of divinities, was cloubtlels derived 

 from Semi- homines, that is, demi-men, and 

 fignified t!i: :-dii, or demi gods. 



Thefc were monarchs and illuilnous hrroes, or 

 thofe great men who were the founders of cities 

 and nations, that were deified by way of apo- 

 theofis. Pythagoras had taught the Clu! 

 the doctriiv 'ion, and that 



their death, thofe who were virtuous, would be 



elevated 



