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Article THE ANOIENT MTaT ← Page 2 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Anoient Mtat
Lucius at the conclusion of this address mingled jvith the throng of religious fonctibnaries , and incessantly with the hearty , though so lations of the populace , till they arrived at the sea-shore . The ship ( one which had been signified to hifmin the same vision in which roses ^ ere foretold to him as the means of his restoration to human
form ) was there , and the chief priest proceeded forthwith to dedicate it to the service of the great goddess Isis . Having first caused the images of the gods to be arranged in due order , he commenced the ceremony of purification with solemn prayer , in which an egg , sulphur , and a lighted torch , played a conspicuous part The mystic ship ( for such it was ) Was of elegant form and variegated appearance ,
being covered externally with the wonderful hieroglyphics of the Egyptians . The mast , a tall smooth round pine-tree , remarkable for the elegance of the yard at its summit , was already raised , while on the shining white sail was the inscription of a votive wish for a prosperous voyage . The prow was turned in imitation of a goose ' s neck . So soon as the purification was concluded , the priests , and others
taking part in the procession , as well as the rest of the people , brought corn fans , and other sacrificial offerings , until the lading of the vessel was completed . The ship was then slipped from as a gentle breeze was blowing , she was soon out of sight . Then the bearers of the sacred vessels each took up what he had brought , and returned to the temple . Arrived there , the chief priests and bearers of the sacred images , and such others as had been initiated into the
august mysteries , were admitted into the sanctuary of the goddess , where they deposited the sacred effigies according to the accustomed forms . This formality over , one of the initiated , commonly called the " scribe , " who was stationed outside the door of the temple , mounted a lofty rostrum , and , as if proclaiming a meeting / called together the priests composing the sacred college of the Pastophori * and read from a book the following votive address : —
" To the great prince , to the senate , to the equestrian order , and to the whole Roman people , in sailing ships , all things in all parts of the world subject to our dominions . " And then he pronounced , in the Greek language , according to the Greek custom , the Aaotc e & aia , or Acwlq < % < rc (" The people may
depart" ) , to which the people responded with a shout of approbation , and having kissed the feet of a silver image of the goddess on the steps of the temple , returned home , bearing olive branches , herbs , and garlands . Lucius , meanwhile , stood riveted to the spot , with his eyes fixed on the statue of the goddess , and there revolved in his mind all his past adventures .
From that day he became the inseparable companion of the priests , assisted in the ritual of the temple , and was a regular worshipper of the great goddess . Night by night moreover he received the * The priests who bore the shrines of the gods .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Anoient Mtat
Lucius at the conclusion of this address mingled jvith the throng of religious fonctibnaries , and incessantly with the hearty , though so lations of the populace , till they arrived at the sea-shore . The ship ( one which had been signified to hifmin the same vision in which roses ^ ere foretold to him as the means of his restoration to human
form ) was there , and the chief priest proceeded forthwith to dedicate it to the service of the great goddess Isis . Having first caused the images of the gods to be arranged in due order , he commenced the ceremony of purification with solemn prayer , in which an egg , sulphur , and a lighted torch , played a conspicuous part The mystic ship ( for such it was ) Was of elegant form and variegated appearance ,
being covered externally with the wonderful hieroglyphics of the Egyptians . The mast , a tall smooth round pine-tree , remarkable for the elegance of the yard at its summit , was already raised , while on the shining white sail was the inscription of a votive wish for a prosperous voyage . The prow was turned in imitation of a goose ' s neck . So soon as the purification was concluded , the priests , and others
taking part in the procession , as well as the rest of the people , brought corn fans , and other sacrificial offerings , until the lading of the vessel was completed . The ship was then slipped from as a gentle breeze was blowing , she was soon out of sight . Then the bearers of the sacred vessels each took up what he had brought , and returned to the temple . Arrived there , the chief priests and bearers of the sacred images , and such others as had been initiated into the
august mysteries , were admitted into the sanctuary of the goddess , where they deposited the sacred effigies according to the accustomed forms . This formality over , one of the initiated , commonly called the " scribe , " who was stationed outside the door of the temple , mounted a lofty rostrum , and , as if proclaiming a meeting / called together the priests composing the sacred college of the Pastophori * and read from a book the following votive address : —
" To the great prince , to the senate , to the equestrian order , and to the whole Roman people , in sailing ships , all things in all parts of the world subject to our dominions . " And then he pronounced , in the Greek language , according to the Greek custom , the Aaotc e & aia , or Acwlq < % < rc (" The people may
depart" ) , to which the people responded with a shout of approbation , and having kissed the feet of a silver image of the goddess on the steps of the temple , returned home , bearing olive branches , herbs , and garlands . Lucius , meanwhile , stood riveted to the spot , with his eyes fixed on the statue of the goddess , and there revolved in his mind all his past adventures .
From that day he became the inseparable companion of the priests , assisted in the ritual of the temple , and was a regular worshipper of the great goddess . Night by night moreover he received the * The priests who bore the shrines of the gods .