[369]. We = Allah.
[370]. The “two-horned.” According to the commentaries, this refers to Alexander the Great, who in the Arabian legends plays nearly the same rôle as the German Dietrich von Bern. The “two-horned” refers to the strength of the sun-bull. Alexander is often found upon coins with the horns of Jupiter Ammon. It is a question of identification of the ruler around whom so many legends are clustered, with the sun of spring in the signs of the bull and the ram. It is obvious that humanity had a great need of effacing the personal and human from their heroes, so as finally to make them, through a μετάστασις (eclipse), the equal of the sun, that is to say, completely into a libido-symbol. If we thought like Schopenhauer, then we would surely say, Libido-symbol. But if we thought like Goethe, then we would say, Sun; for we exist, because the sun sees us.
[371]. Vollers: “Chidher. Archiv für Religionswissenschaft,” p. 235, Vol. XII, 1909. This is the work which is my authority on the Koran commentaries.
[372]. Here the ascension of Mithra and Christ are closely related. See Part I.
[373]. A parallel is found in the Mithra mysteries! See below.
[374]. Parallel to this are the conversations of Mohammed with Elias, at which the sacramental bread was served. In the New Testament the awkwardness is restricted to the proposal of Peter. The infantile character of such scenes is shown by similar features, thus by the gigantic stature of Elias in the Koran, and also the tales of the commentary, in which it is stated that Elias and Chidher met each year in Mecca, conversed and shaved each other’s heads.
[375]. On the contrary, according to Matthew xvii: 11, John the Baptist is to be understood as Elias.
[376]. Compare the Kyffhäuser legend.
[377]. Vollers: Ibid.
[378]. Another account says that Alexander had been in India on the mountain of Adam with his “minister” Chidher.