Note 85 — ANALYSIS

I cannot account upon any other principle than that upon which I have proceeded, for the strange representation of Apollo, and Bacchus, gaping with open mouths. So it seems they were in some places described. Clemens of Alexandria mentions from Polemon, that Apollo was thus exhibited: [85]Πολεμων δε κεχηνοτος Απολλωνος οιδεν αγαλμα. And we are told that a gaping[86] Bacchus was particularly worshipped at Samos. They were both the same as the Egyptian Orus; who was styled Cahen-On, Rex, vel Deus Sol; out of which Cahen-On the Grecians seem to have formed the word Χαινων: and in consequence of it, these two Deities were represented with their jaws widely extended. This term was sometimes changed to κοινος, communis: hence it is that we so often meet with κοινοι Θεοι, and κοινοι βωμοι, upon coins and marbles: also κοινος Ἑρμης. And as Hermes was the reputed God of gain, every thing found was adjudged to be κοινος, or common.