Plutarch's Romane Questions · Plutarch
46.
_What is the cause that in ancient time they kept the temple of the goddesse_ Horta, _open alwaies_. WHETHER was it (as _Antistius Labeo_ hath left in writing) for that, seeing _Hortari_ in the Latine tongue signifieth to incite and exhort, they thought that the goddesse called _Horta_, which stirreth and provoketh men unto the enterprise and execution of good exploits, ought to be evermore in action, not to make delaies, nor to be shut up and locked within dores, ne yet to sit still and do nothing? Or rather, because as they name her now a daies _Hora_, with the former syllable long, who is a certeine industrious, vigilant and busie goddesse, carefull in many things: therefore being as she is, so circumspect and so watchfull, they thought she should be never idle, nor rechlesse of mens affaires. Or els, this name _Hora_ (as many others besides) is a meere Greeke word, and signifieth a deitie or divine power, that hath an eie to overlooke, to view and controll all things; and therefore since she never sleepeth, nor laieth her eies together, but is alwaies broad awake, therefore her church or chapel was alwaies standing open. But if it be so as _Labeo_ saith, that this word _Hora_ is rightly derived of the Greeke verbe ὁρμᾶν or παρορμᾶν, which signifieth to incite or provoke; consider better, whether this word _Orator_ also, that is to say, one who stirrith up, exhorteth, encourageth, and adviseth the people, as a prompt and ready counseller, be not derived likewise in the same sort, and not of ἀρα or εὐχὴ, that is to say, praier and supplication, as some would have it.
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