Note 64 — RADICALS.

Another title of Ham, or the Sun, was Ait, and Aith: a term, of which little notice has been taken; yet of great consequence in respect to etymology. It occurs continually in Egyptian names of places, as well as in the composition of those, which belong to Deities, and men. It relates to fire, light, and heat; and to the consequences of heat. We may, in some degree, learn its various and opposite significations when compounded, from antient words in the Greek language, which were derived from it. Several of these are enumerated in Hesychius. Αιθαι, μελαιναι. Αιθειν, καιειν. Αιθαλοεν (a compound of Aith El), κεκαυμενον. Αιθινος, καπνος. Αιθον, λαμπρον. Αιθωνα (of the same etymology, from Aith-On) μελανα, πυρωδη. [64]Αιθος, καυμα. The Egyptians, when they consecrated any thing to their Deity, or made it a symbol of any supposed attribute, called it by the name of that attribute, or [65]emanation: and as there was scarce any thing, but what was held sacred by them, and in this manner appropriated; it necessarily happened, that several objects had often the same reference, and were denominated alike. For, not only men took to themselves the sacred titles, but birds, beasts, fishes, reptiles, together with trees, plants, stones, drugs, and minerals, were supposed to be under some particular influence; and from thence received their names. And if they were not quite alike, they were, however, made up of elements very similar. Ham, as the Sun, was styled [66]Ait; and Egypt, the land of Ham, had, in consequence of it, the name of Ait, rendered by the Greeks Αετια: Εκληθη (ἡ Αιγυπτος) και Αερια, και Ποταμια, και Αιθισπια, και [67]ΑΕΤΙΑ. One of the most antient names of the Nile was Ait, or Αετος. It was also a name given to the Eagle, as the bird particularly sacred to the Sun: and Homer alludes to the original meaning of the word, when he terms the Eagle [68]Αιετος αιθων. Among the parts of the human body, it was appropriated to the [69]heart: for the heart in the body may be esteemed what the Sun is in his system, the source of heat and life, affording the same animating principle. This word having these two senses was the reason why the Egyptians made a heart over a vase of burning incense, an emblem of their country. [70]Αιγυπτον δε γραφοντες θυμιατηριον καιομενον ζωγραφουσι, και επανω ΚΑΡΔΙΑΝ. This term occurs continually in composition. Athyr, one of the Egyptian months, was formed of Ath-Ur. It was also one of the names of that place, where the shepherds resided in Egypt; and to which the Israelites succeeded. It stood at the upper point of Delta, and was particularly sacred to אור Ur, or Orus: and thence called Athur-ai, or the place of Athur. At the departure of the shepherds it was ruined by King Amosis. [71]Κατεσκαψε δε την Αθυριαν Αμωσις.