Note 535 — OB, OUB, PYTHO,

The gigantic Cyclopes were originally Ophitæ, who worshipped the symbolical serpent. They have been represented by the poets, as persons of an enormous [535]stature, rude and savage in their demeanour, and differing from the rest of mankind in countenance. They are described as having only one large eye; which is said to have been placed, contrary to the usual situation of that organ, in the middle of their foreheads. Their place of residence was upon mount Ætna, and in the adjacent district at the foot of that [536]mountain, which was the original region styled Trinacia. This is the common account, as it has been transmitted by the Poets, as well as by the principal mythologists of Greece: and in this we have been taught to acquiesce. But the real history is not so obvious and superficial. There are accounts of them to be obtained, that differ much from the representations which are commonly exhibited. The Poets have given a mixed description: and in lieu of the Deity of the place have introduced these strange personages, the ideas of whose size were borrowed from sacred edifices, where the Deity was worshipped. They were Petra, or temples of Cœlus; of the same nature and form as the tower of Orion, which was at no great distance from them. Some of them had the name of [537]Charon, and Tarchon: and they were esteemed Pelorian, from the God Alorus, the same as Cœlus and Python. The Grecians confounded the people, who raised these buildings, with the structures themselves. Strabo places them near [538]Ætna, and Leontina: and supposes, that they once ruled over that part of the island. And it is certain that a people styled Cyclopians did possess that [539]province. Polyphemus is imagined to have been the chief of this people: and Euripides describes the place of his residence as towards the foot of the mountain: [540]Οικεις ὑπ' Αιτνῃ τῃ πυροστακτῳ Πετρᾳ. They are represented as a people savage, and lawless, and delighting in human flesh. Hence it is prophesied by Cassandra, as a curse upon Ulysses, that he would one day be forced to seek for refuge in a Cyclopian [541]mansion. And when he arrives under the roof of Polyphemus, and makes inquiry about his host, and particularly upon what he fed; he is told, that the Cyclops above all things esteemed the flesh of strangers. [542]Chance never throws any body upon this coast, says Silenus, but he is made a meal of; and it is looked upon as a delicious repast. This character of the Cyclopians arose from the cruel custom of sacrificing strangers, whom fortune brought upon their coast. This was practised in many parts of the world, but especially here, and upon the coast of the Lamii in Italy; and among all the Scythic nations upon the Euxine sea: into all which regions it was introduced from Egypt and Canaan.