Page:The Mythology of the Aryan Nations.djvu/559

Rh CHAP. VIII of the Semitic mind : and that most of them are so, has been proved conclusively by the evidence of their names as well as of the functions ^-^—^ and the worship assigned to them. It may be possible to find plau- sible explanations of the names of some of them by referring them to Greek or Aryan words; but even in the case of the Telchines, the Kouretes, and the Daktyls, such explanations can scarcely be received without misgiving, or be acquiesced in with any feeling of satisfaction. But some of these names refuse obstinately to be welded into an Aryan form : and of these the title Kabeiroi is perhaps the most conspicuous. These strange creatures are metal-workers of wonderful skill. They are few in number, being either three, seven, or eight, the latter answering to that of the Eg}'ptian Phthah and his seven sons. They were worshipped especially in Samothrace, but their cultus was extended along the shores of Asia Minor and the northern coasts of the Egean ; in other words, it was found only in regions subject to Phenician or other Semitic influence. When further we find that these beings were honoured by Semitic tribes as Gibborim, or the mighty ones, the problem of their origin and nature is surely set at rest^ The woods and hills form the special domain of the Satyrs, The Sa- a worthless and idle race with pointed ears, small horns, and the tail of a goat or a horse. ^ Their life is spent in wild hunts through the forest, in tending their flocks, or in idle dalliance and dancing with the nymphs. Their music may constantly be heard as they play on the flute, bagpipe, or cymbals, or on the syrinx of Pan. Their capricious and cunning nature makes them no safe companions for man. Nay, if the sheepfold were entered and the cattle hurt or stolen, if women were scared by goblin shapes as they passed through the woods, this was the doing of the Satyrs. We can scarcely be at a loss in our search for the origin of these mythical beings and their characteristics. When we find them represented as sprung from the daughters of Hekataios or Phoroneus, or as the offspring of Hermes and Iphthime ; when also we find that Pan, whom they resemble in

' BrowTi, Great Dionysiak Myth, ii. Mr. Brown, G. D. M. ii. 22S> the 212, et seq. Mr. Brown asserts the Kabeiroi were the planets, identity of the Kouretes and Korybantes, - The Satyrs may answer possibly to i. 130 ; but I am not aware that he gives the Dragon of the Aryan Hindus. They the Semitic forms of their names, or of may have been conquered tribes, de- those of the Telchines and Daktyls. spised and outcast.— Tylor, Primitive According to M. Lenormant (cited by Culture, i. 346.