The Good and Evil Serpent (129 page)

The Greek that is listed in the lexicons as the messenger of the gods among themselves (cf.
Iliad
8.398),
³⁴
the Iris (as the iris of the eye), an iridescent garment, a brightly colored circle, especially the rainbow,
³⁵
also denotes a “rainbow dragon.”
³⁶
The origin of the name resides most likely in the bright or iridescent color of this snake.

This noun is previously known to denote the summer heat or heartburn;
³⁷
hence, it seems that the name of the snake derives from the burning sensation in the skin when bitten.

The noun
also denotes numerous objects: eggs of a fish,
³⁸
something reminiscent of grains of a metal (iron or gold), and eruptions on the skin. It thus seems likely that the Asian viper derives its name from the perception that it had protuberances that resembled small grains of iron.
³⁹
Epiphanius refers to a serpent by
(
Pan
. 66.88); there is no reason to imagine that this noun is to be distinguished from
. Another name for perhaps the same snake is
.
⁴⁰

The Persian horn viper apparently derives its name from the stinging sensation one feels when bit since the verb
means “to furnish with a sting.” The noun
needs to be added to LSJM and perhaps to other lexicons of ancient Greek.
⁴¹

The Horn-viper is the proper name for this snake mentioned by Nicander (
The-riaca
258) and used by the Greek translator of Proverbs 23:32, since
means the “horn” of an animal and
means something “horned.” The Horn-viper may also be associated with the
Cerastes cornutus.
⁴²