Note 992 — ANTIENT HEROES.

The purport of the term Zoroaster is said, by [992]the author of the Recognitions, and by others, to be the living star: and they speak of it as if it were of Grecian etymology, and from the words ζωον and αστηρ. It is certainly compounded of Aster, which, among many nations, signified a star. But, in respect to the former term, as the object of the Persic and Chaldaic worship was the Sun, and most of their titles were derived from thence; we may be pretty certain, that by Zoro-Aster was meant Sol Asterius. Zor, Sor, Sur, Sehor, among the Amonians, always related to the Sun. Eusebius says, that Osiris was esteemed the same as Dionusus, and the Sun: and that he was called [993]Surius. The region of Syria was hence denominated Συρια; and is at this day called Souria, from Sur, and Sehor, the Sun. The Dea Syria at Hierapolis was properly Dea Solaris. In consequence of the Sun's being called Sor, and Sur, we find that his temple is often mentioned under the name of [994]Beth-Sur, and [995]Beth-Sura, which Josephus renders [996]Βηθ-Σουρ. It was also called Beth-Sor, and Beth-Soron, as we learn from [997]Eusebius, and [998]Jerome. That Suria was not merely a provincial title is plain, from the Suria Dea being worshipped at Erix in [999]Sicily; and from an inscription to her at [1000]Rome. She was worshipped under the same title in Britain, as we may infer from an Inscription at Sir Robert Cotton's, of Connington, in Cambridgeshire.