PRIMITIVE ASTRONOMY. 435 
received ideas on the same subject, and shall then be compelled 
to draw these observations to a close. 
For this pin-pose we would direct the attention of our readers 
to the accompanying plate, in which the first figure represents 
the Universe, as it was believed to be constituted in the time 
of Homer ; and the second (which is based upon the exposition 
of the Philolaic system, published by Professor Aug. Boeckh, 
of Heidelberg, in 1810) is an ideal view of the same, according 
to Pythagoras and his school. 
In the first figure we have the world, according to Homer, a 
flat circular body, floating upon the ocean by which it is sur- 
rounded. In the east is the sun, rising from his “ Lake,”* to 
pursue his daily round, and tinting the plains of western Pales- 
tine with the rosy hue of morning. 
In the west, darkness still reigns over the land. The Moon 
and stars, firmly set in the crystal dome of Heaven, cast their 
silvery fight upon the Adriatic Sea, and on the island of Thri- 
nacria (Sicily), whilst still farther west is the fabled land “ Ely- 
sium,” the region of eternal light, and the dwelling-place of 
the blessed ; and beyond that, the stream of ocean which had 
to be crossed by disembodied spirits before descending into 
Hades, which was supposed to be situated beneath the Earth. 
The second illustration which, as it will be seen, is more in 
conformity with the true theory of the Solar system, represents 
the views of Pythagoras and his school, and is generally called 
the Philolaic system, from its enunciator Philolaus, who lived 
and taught in the fourth century before Christ. 
According to this school of astronomers the heavenly bodies 
were spherical. 
In the centre of the Universe was the “ Central fire,” not 
identical with the Sun, but probably imparting to him his 
warmth-infusing rays. Next came the “ Antichthon,” the 
nature and functions of which are not clearly defined, but which 
is supposed by a modern writer f to have been a body that 
represented what in reality was the side of the Earth unknown 
to the ancients. 
Then followed the Earth deriving its light and heat from the 
Sun, which was supposed to be external to it in the universe ; 
after that came the Moon, next the five planets, and lastly the 
fixed stars. (See Plate XXIV.) 
The Antichthon, Earth, and all the heavenly bodies revolved 
round the Central fire. The former was not visible from the 
Earth at any time, revolving with it, but sometimes interposing 
between it and the Moon, which it then eclipsed ! J 
* Smith’s “ Ancient Geography.” + Sir G. C. Lewis. 
+ The Antichthon evidently performed the functions of the Earth’s shadow. 
