TITLES of the DEITY.
Theuth, Thoth, Taut, Taautes, are the same title diversified; and belong to the chief god of Egypt. Eusebius speaks of him as the same as Hermes. [[41]]Ὁν Αιγυπτιοι μεν εκαλεσαν Θωυθ, Αλεξανδρεις δε Θωθ, Ἑρμην δε Ἑλληνες μετεφρασαν. From Theuth the Greeks formed ΘΕΟΣ; which, with that nation, was the most general name of the deity. Plato, in his treatise, named Philebus, mentions him by the name of [[42]]Θευθ. He was looked upon as a great benefactor, and the first cultivator of the vine.
[[43]]Πρωτος Θωθ εδαη δρεπανην επι βοτρυν αγειρειν.
He was also supposed to have found out letters: which invention is likewise attributed to Hermes. [[44]]Απο Μισωρ Τααυτος, ὁς ἑυρε την των πρωτων στοιχειων γραφην.——Ἑλληνες δε Ἑρμην εκαλεσαν. Suidas calls him Theus; and says, that he was the same as Arez, styled by the Arabians Theus Arez, and so worshipped at Petra. Θευσαρης τουτ' εστι Θεος Αρης, εν Πετρᾳ της Αραβιας. Instead of a statue, there was λιθος μελας, τετραγωνος, ατυπωτος, a black, square pillar of stone, without any figure, or representation. It was the same deity, which the Germans and Celtæ worshipped under the name of Theut-Ait, or Theutates; whose sacrifices were very cruel, as we learn from Lucan.
[[45]]Et quibus immitis placatur sanguine diro
Theutates.
AB.
Ab signifies a father, similar to
אב
of the Hebrews. It is often found in composition, as in Ab-El, Ab-On, Ab-Or.