Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Ancient Lodges, Or Places Of Initiation Into The Cabiric Mysteries.
apartments convenient for the disposal of machinery for initiation ; the hieroglyphics on the walls , and figures of hero-gods amongst the stars , show unequivocally that this was a place dedicated to the celebration of the mysteries , which were very prevalent in this neighbourhood , as we learn from undoubted classical authority . This intelligent traveller describes several of these caverns , from which I select the following
account . Having descended by a flig ht of ten steps cut out of the solid rock , he found a room supported by square pillars , beyond which , he says' , "is a long room with pillars ranging on each side , and all the apartments are adorned with hieroglyphics ; but the stone is scaled in such a manner , and is so black in some of the first apartments , that there is great reason to think the place has been damaged by FHU * . Bevond these rooms , the anartments extend to the right , there being
several steps descending downwards ; one part leads to a gallery cut round the rock , which has some apartments on one side ; and in this , as ivell as the apartments in the other grotto , are holes cut perpendicularly down to other vaults below , where I saw doors and openings , and where probably there are as many apartments as above . " Had the hierophant himself described a p lace of initiation , he could not have
used language more expressive of its localities when deprived of the tremendous machinery . Here is a range of caverns adorned with hieroglyphics ; perpendicular cavities for the purpose of giving effect to phantasmagoric and other appalling exhibitions ; circular galleries , and steep subterranean cells . Above all , certain apartments are blackened as if b y the operation of fire . Now fire was profusely used in the
initiations ; and I know not how the scene of Tartarus could be effectually represented without the assistance of this devouring element . It is very evident , therefore , that this intricate cavern could not be intended for any other purpose than a place set apart for the celebration of the Mysteries .
Maundrell describes another of these caverns in the following words . Speaking of two towers or phalli near Tyre , he says : " Each of these barbarous monuments had under it several sepulchres , the entrances into ivhich were on the south side . Going down seven or eight steps you come to the mouth of the first sepulchre , where , crawling in , you arrive in a chamber which is nine feet two inches broad , and eleven feet
long . Turning to the right hand , and going through a narrow passage , you come to a second room , whicli is eight feet broad and ten long . In this chamber are seven cells for corpses , two over against the entrance , four on the left hand , and one unfinished on the right . These cells were hewn directly out of the firm rock . We measured several of them , and found them eig ht feet and a half in length , and three feet three
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Ancient Lodges, Or Places Of Initiation Into The Cabiric Mysteries.
apartments convenient for the disposal of machinery for initiation ; the hieroglyphics on the walls , and figures of hero-gods amongst the stars , show unequivocally that this was a place dedicated to the celebration of the mysteries , which were very prevalent in this neighbourhood , as we learn from undoubted classical authority . This intelligent traveller describes several of these caverns , from which I select the following
account . Having descended by a flig ht of ten steps cut out of the solid rock , he found a room supported by square pillars , beyond which , he says' , "is a long room with pillars ranging on each side , and all the apartments are adorned with hieroglyphics ; but the stone is scaled in such a manner , and is so black in some of the first apartments , that there is great reason to think the place has been damaged by FHU * . Bevond these rooms , the anartments extend to the right , there being
several steps descending downwards ; one part leads to a gallery cut round the rock , which has some apartments on one side ; and in this , as ivell as the apartments in the other grotto , are holes cut perpendicularly down to other vaults below , where I saw doors and openings , and where probably there are as many apartments as above . " Had the hierophant himself described a p lace of initiation , he could not have
used language more expressive of its localities when deprived of the tremendous machinery . Here is a range of caverns adorned with hieroglyphics ; perpendicular cavities for the purpose of giving effect to phantasmagoric and other appalling exhibitions ; circular galleries , and steep subterranean cells . Above all , certain apartments are blackened as if b y the operation of fire . Now fire was profusely used in the
initiations ; and I know not how the scene of Tartarus could be effectually represented without the assistance of this devouring element . It is very evident , therefore , that this intricate cavern could not be intended for any other purpose than a place set apart for the celebration of the Mysteries .
Maundrell describes another of these caverns in the following words . Speaking of two towers or phalli near Tyre , he says : " Each of these barbarous monuments had under it several sepulchres , the entrances into ivhich were on the south side . Going down seven or eight steps you come to the mouth of the first sepulchre , where , crawling in , you arrive in a chamber which is nine feet two inches broad , and eleven feet
long . Turning to the right hand , and going through a narrow passage , you come to a second room , whicli is eight feet broad and ten long . In this chamber are seven cells for corpses , two over against the entrance , four on the left hand , and one unfinished on the right . These cells were hewn directly out of the firm rock . We measured several of them , and found them eig ht feet and a half in length , and three feet three