Historical Dissertation on Abaris

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§. I.

A large ornamental letter 'C' decorated with a woodcut of a rose and foliage.Since I have determined to bring forward whatever I can regarding Abaris, insofar as the measure of my strength allows, I deem that, before all else, one must inquire briefly from where his name draws its origin. Therefore, I judge that the term Ἄβαρις Abaris should be sought from no language other than that of the Greeks, and I deduce it from the word βάρις baris, which, according to the opinion of the most excellent Lexicographers, designates a species of boat, or, according to Herodotus (α), that type of boat which the Egyptians used in transporting burdens. Added to this word βάρις boat is the alpha privative. Thus, Ἄβαρις signifies one who dwells on the continent and who does not have a boat (namely, for crossing the sea). Thus, Hesychius (β) says: "Abaris is the mainlander, and one who does not have a boat."

(α) Book II, p. 78, ed. Heinr. Stephani, 1570.
(β) In the entry for Abaris.

§. II.

For me, considering these things, it must be confessed that a not insignificant doubt has arisen regarding the name of this philosopher: whether, namely, it is a proper name, or rather an agnomen a nickname or epithet attributed to this philosopher for the reason that, as it is told, he could cross rivers without a boat. That Ἄβαρις was otherwise a proper name is confirmed by Virgil (γ), who mentions that a certain soldier serving under Turnus, killed by Euryalus, bore this name, when he says: