Cocytus

COCYTUS, a River of Arcadia; it takes its rise from the Styx, and the Poets feigned, that it was one of the four Rivers of Hell. There was one of the same name in the Campania, which fell into the Lucrine Lake. The Latin Translator of the Book of Job has inserted this term in his Translation, in order to describe the descent of the wicked into Hell, Job xxi. 33. There is nothing in the Hebrew, or in the old Versions, which has any relation to Cocytus, and there is no probability at all, that Job ever intended to speak of it. These fables are of a much later invention, than the time he lived in. In the Hebrew it is said only, The clods of the Valley shall be sweet unto him, whereas in the Vulgate we read, Dulcis fuit glareis Cocyti. His presence was agreeable to the Banks of Cocytus.

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