152 HELIOPOLIS. 
information relative to the meaning of the Crux 
arisata. Indeed, it may be considered as the 
only hieroglyphical type concerning whose import 
we have any certain intelligence. The singular 
appearance of a Cross so frequently recurring 
among the hieroglyphics of Egypt, had excited 
the curiosity of the Christians in a very early 
period of ecclesiastical history'; and as some of 
the priests ^ who were acquainted with the 
meaning of the hieroglyphics, became converted 
to Christianity, the secret transpired. " The 
converted Heathens'' says Socrates Scholasticus', 
upon the nieaiiiii^ of the Crux ansata. The women of Naples w?ar it as 
a pendant for the ea ; annexing to tliis ornament the signification 
■which Jal,lon.ski has given of the Cfux ansata: but the use of the 
metaphorical verb Chiavare, in their language, proves that the same 
interpretation is ap icable to a key. An observation occurs in 
Athenaus where the letter T is deemed obscene. 
(1) The Serap^um at yflexandria was destroyed about the year 38.9. 
It was at the destruction of this building that the Christians first 
became acquainted with the meaning of the Cross among the Egyp- 
tian hieroglyphics. 
(2) No liberty is here taken, either with the text of Rvffinus or of 
Socrates, in savins: the priests ; because no others possessed a know- 
ledge of the sacred writing. 
(3) Tourai* Ti af/.fHiT^ttTovuiiiuv, rivi; reu* 'EA.X))va>y tm XfurrianfftZ 
^rpafsXfovTis, Tec ispiyXvfiKm T£ ypifiu-arei I'jriffrafe.iyoi, ^iipfitinuatris Toy 
ffravpoud^ ^ap«.XTiipa, 'iXiyov ffn/nxniiv ^«<)ri» £«/>;^o^s»>)v. " Duni hiec. inter 
illos asitalur controvt-isia, quidam ex Gentiliuni errore ad Christi 
fidem couversi, qui hujusmodi literarum uotitiam hahebant, notam 
lianc crucis forma depictam interpretantes, vcuturam vitani significare 
docuerunt."^' 
