_Ans._ This G.o.ddess, called by the Greeks Astarte, represented the moon, in the same manner as Baal was held to be identical with the sun. The Hebrews always connected the worship of these two divinities.

According to Cicero, Astarte was the Syrian Venus, and it is certain that in her worship, and the festivals celebrated in her honor, there is some foundation for this idea. Where human sacrifices were offered to Baal, wheaten cakes, wine and perfumes were laid upon the altar of Astaroth.

Notwithstanding these more innocent offerings, her worship was rendered infamous by the license which prevailed during these festivals, and the open immorality practised by her votaries.

THAMMUZ.

_Ques._ Who was Thammuz?

_Ans._ This was another name for Adonis, whose story is of Eastern origin. His death, which we have already referred to in connection with the G.o.ddess Venus, is said to have taken place in the mountains of Liba.n.u.s, from which the river Adonis flows to the sea. The a.s.syrian women mourned for him in the autumn-time. It was believed that at this season the river changed its color, and ran red, as if tinged with blood. To this Milton alludes:

"Thammuz came next behind, Whose annual wound in Lebanon allured The Syrian damsels to lament his fate In amorous ditties all a summer's day; While smooth Adonis from his native rock Ran purple to the sea, supposed with blood Of Thammuz yearly wounded."

The prophet Ezekiel, in relating the iniquities committed in Jerusalem, says that he saw women sitting by the north gate of the temple, who mourned for Adonis. (In the Hebrew, Thammuz.)

OANNES.

_Ques._ Who was Oannes?

_Ans._ He was a G.o.d of the a.s.syrians, half man, half fish, who was said to dwell in the sea, from which he came at stated times, to instruct the Babylonians in wisdom and science. Oannes is the Dagon of the Philistines.

CHAPTER III.

PERSIA.

_Ques._ What was the religion of the ancient Persians?

_Ans._ We derive our knowledge of their religion princ.i.p.ally from their Zend-avesta, or Sacred Book.

_Ques._ What does the Zend-avesta contain?

_Ans._ The doctrines of Zoroaster, an Eastern sage, who is thought to have lived in Bactria about twelve hundred years before our era.

_Ques._ Was the Zend-avesta written by Zoroaster?

_Ans._ But a small portion, if any, of the Sacred Books were written by him, but the most ancient pa.s.sages, which are in verse, were probably written soon after his time, when the knowledge of his doctrines was still preserved. The Pa.r.s.ees, or modern followers of Zoroaster, now scattered through India, say that the Zend-avesta formerly consisted of twenty-one books, but that the greater part were lost in the troubled times that followed the conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great.

_Ques._ What is the form of the Zend-avesta?

_Ans._ It is in the form of a dialogue, in which Ormuzd, the supreme deity, replies to the inquiries of Zoroaster, and teaches him his will with regard to his creatures.

_Ques._ What were the doctrines of Zoroaster?

_Ans._ This philosopher was more enlightened than his contemporaries, and was probably acquainted with primitive tradition. He taught the existence of one supreme Being called "the Eternal," who created two other mighty beings, and imparted to them a portion of his own eternal divinity.

_Ques._ Who were these deities?

_Ans._ Ormuzd, or Oromasdes, who remained faithful and pure, governs the world with all the attributes which are given to the true G.o.d.

Ahriman, on the contrary, uses all his energies for evil; and is, in all respects, considered as a sort of independent demon, endowed with infinite and untiring malice.

_Ques._ What part did each of these divinities take in the creation?

_Ans._ Ormuzd created men and angels, the sun, moon and stars, and everything which can contribute to the welfare or pleasure of his creatures. Ahriman created the wild beasts, poisonous serpents, etc., and sent diseases, earthquakes and storms. The Persians thus believed in two independent principles, one of good, and one of evil, but they worshipped only the first.

_Ques._ Did they not worship the sun?

_Ans._ They probably did in later times, but the early followers of Zoroaster reverenced the sun and fire as emblems of Ormuzd. Perpetual fire was kept burning on their altars. The Pa.r.s.ees of Hindostan say that they have sacred fire which has never been extinguished since the time of Zoroaster. All the sacred fires were originally lit from that which Zoroaster brought from heaven. The Guebres, as these people are sometimes called, often built their temples over subterranean fires.

_Ques._ Is there any such fire now reverenced by them?

_Ans._ Yes, near the town of Bakoo in Georgia, on the Caspian Sea, there is a perpetual flame issuing from a limestone rock. It is watched by priests, and is much venerated by the surrounding tribes.

Pilgrimages are made to this sacred fire from all parts of Asia.

_Ques._ What is the cause of this phenomenon?

_Ans._ Bakoo and the surrounding country abound in naphtha and petroleum. The sacred fire is simply a jet of inflammable gas escaping from the rocks, which, once lit, burns perpetually, as the supply is inexhaustible.

_Ques._ Were the Persians attached to magical arts?

_Ans._ Yes, their priests mingled the fables of astrology with their astronomical learning; hence, from the word magi, is derived our word magician.

_Ques._ Where did the Persians offer their sacrifices?

_Ans._ Generally on the tops of lofty mountains.

_Ques._ When was the religion of Zoroaster suppressed in Persia?

_Ans._ After the conquest of Persia, by the Arabs, which took place in the seventh century, those who refused to embrace the Koran fled to Hindostan, where they still exist under the name of Pa.r.s.ees. At Bombay they are an active, intelligent and wealthy cla.s.s.

CHAPTER IV.

Hindoo Mythology.

BRAHMA--THE VEDAS.

_Ques._ What are the Vedas?

_Ans._ The Vedas are the Sacred Books of the Hindoos, and are much reverenced by them. They maintain that they were composed by Brahma, the Supreme Deity, at the creation.