have shewed elswhere Lib. 2. cap. 7. 2. BUt for the extent East and West if Perah bee taken for Eupbrates then the land promised stretcheth it self both over Arabia Petraea and the Desert as far as the border of Babylon which the Israëlites never possest nor at anie time did so much as invade or attemt In David's and Solomon's time the Israëlites both attemted invaded and possessed these Countries as the Scripture sheweth 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chron. 18. For David went with his Armie to subdue all toward Euphrates and then hee subdued the Philistins Idumeans Moabites Ammonites Seba and all Syria as far as Euphrates And so of Solomon 1 King 4. it is said That all the nations and kingdoms from the river to the confines of Egypt were under his jurisdiction and served him all the daies of his life And so much God promised to Abraham G. n. 15. then to Moyses Exod. 23. and after him to Joshua Josh. 1. therefore Vadianus was much mistaken in thinking that by the river Perah was meant Jordan seeing Perah is never used but for Euphrates neither can bee shew that Jordan was called Perah I confess the Israëlites did not possess anie long time these countries becaus of their disobedience Idolatrie and other impieties but to saie they never possest them is to nullifie or denie God's promises and to contradict the sacred Storie Lib. 2. cap. 7. 4. THe people Ituraei were placed in the bounds of Cele-Syria and Arabia deserta they were valiant and warlike men and excellent Archers of whom Virgil Ituraeos taxi torquentur in arcus This passage as manie other Sir Walter borrow's from Vadianus and hee from Plinie who placeth these Ituraei in Syria but Probus in Scythia and Servius in Parthia which is most likelie for Ithura or Ithyra was a Citie upon mount Taurus towards Parthia Now the Parthians were famous among the Romans for their skill in Arching and excellent bows and arrows hence their best bows were called Parthici and Ithyraei and so were their arrows as their best bow-strings were called Getici nervi and their best quivers Sarmaticae Pharetrae so Ituraeus arcus in this place of d Virgil is the same with Parthum cornu in another place for hee speak's of no Archers so much as of the Parthian e Fidentemque sugâ Parthum versisque sagittis Et gens illa quidem sumtis non tar da pharetris Parthus seu Cydon telum immedicabile torsit Of these Parthian or Ithurean arrows Lucan lib. 7. speake's Creta Cydonas Misit Ituraeis cursus fuit indè sagittis Vopiscus also g speak's of three hundred Ithyraean Archers and h Tullie Cur homines omnium gentium maximè barbaros eum sagittis deducis in forum these cannot bee understood of people in Palestina though Antonie had made War there but of Parthia against whom hee fought which the Romanes alwaies accounted a most barbarous people Lib. 2. cap. 8. 2. THat fiction by Virgil of Aeneas and Dido must bee far out of square I do not see by what Justin Orofius Velleius and others do write concerning the time of the building of Carthage that Virgil is out of square for that part of Carthage which was built by Dido was Byrsa so called from the Ox hide with which shee measured the ground and by by him as also by the inhabitants the out-buildings were named Magalia or Magaria rather that is Cottages and this Byrsa was the cietadel yet somtimes bearing the name of Carthage by which the whole citie was denominate and which som derive from Charta therefore though that Carthage mentioned by Justin and others was not built till 228 years after Aeneas becaus Alba longa built by Ascanius stood 300 years and Carthage was built 72 years before Rome which beeing substracted from the 300 there remain's 228 from Aeneas to the building of Carthage I saie though this bee true it will not therefore follow that Byrsa which was also called Carthage was not built by Dido 228 years before New Carthage which was built 72 years before Rome neither was Dido the first builder of Carthage for * Appian tell's us that the Phenicians built it 50 years before the captivitie of Troie under the conduct of Xorus and Carchedon so that shee found the Phenicians there and perhaps Cadmus was the first builder thereof for in Silius the Carthaginians are called gens Cadmaea but I finde three Carthages or three parts of one Carthage the one called Cothon or the harbor for all plantations at first are built upon the shore near harbors and it 's like that this part was built before Dido came the other part was called Byrsa built by Dido at the third which incompassed Byrsa was named Magaria and the whole citie Carthage from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or Carcabe which in the Punic-tongue signifie's a Head becaus of the Hors head found there of which the learned Poët Aen. 1. was not ignorant when hee write's Effodêre loco signum quod regia Juno Monstrârat caput acris equi Hence then it appear's the Prince of Poëts was not mistaken when hee make's Dido who lived in the time of Aeneas as the builder of one part of Carthage though the other part might be built long after by som other whose founder becaus Historians know not they erroneously asscribe the work to Dido who was dead long before Lib. 2. Cap. 10. 3. NEar to which are the gardens of Balsamum the best that the world had called Opobalsamum The Balsamum is not called opobalsamum for that is properly the tree this is the liquor or juice which distill's from the tree Juvenal Sat. 2. Hirsuto spirant opobalsama collo The wood or bark of the Balsamum is called Tylobalsamum the fruit Carpobalsamum and the liquor Opobalsamum and Balsamum is as much in Hebrew as the Lord or Chief-Oil for so is Baal-shemen as exceeding all others in smell and virtue the tree then is never called Opobalsamum but the liquor is by Virgil as well as the tree or shrub called balsamum Quid tibi odorato referam sudantia ligno Balsama And though som take {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} to signifie the fruit or feed yet {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} is properly the hole which the Husband-man cut's in the tree to let out the liquor Lib. 2. cap. 12. 2. DAvid changed the name from Jebusalem the citie of the Jebusites to Jerusalem This citie was called Jerusalem long before David's time for it was so called when Adoni-bezec was King thereof Jos. 10. 1. Jos. 18 28. Jebusi is there called Jerusalem So Judg. 19. 10. And I do not finde that this citie was ever called in Scripture Jebusalem but either Jebus alone or Salem till it was called Jerusalem And doubtless Salem and Jerusalem was one and the same citie as appear's by Psal. 76. 2. In Salem is his tabernacle and his dwelling place in Sion for
the Temple and a part of Jerusalem stood upon Sion therefore I make no question but that Salem whereof Melchisedec was King was the verie same with Jerusalem for the Chaldee version call's him King of Jerusalem and * Josephus make's him to bee the first builder of it Therefore though S. Hierom in his Epistle to Evagrius by Salem understood Sichem in Samaria where Jacob dwelt and John baptised yet in his Hebrew questions hee approv'es of the common opinion to wit that Salem Melchisedec's eitie was the same that Jerusalem was Lib. 2. cap. 13. 7. IT is thought that the name of Monie was not-heard in Greece when Homer did write who measure 's the value of gold and brass by the worth of cattle saying That the golden armor of Glaucus was worth a hundred Beevs c. It is unlikelie that the name of Monie was not heard in Greece when Homer lived whereas it was used in countries not far from Greece long before Homer for Abimelech gave to Abraham a 1000 shekels as the Chaldee expresseth that place or a 1000 didrachms as the Greeks translateth it Gen. 20. So wee read that Abraham bought for monie a Burial-place It is not likelie then that in Homer's time Greece beeing so flourishing a countrie and having commerce with neighboring nations should want the use of Monie and although Homer speak's of a hundred Beevs and not of Monie yet hee may bee understood to have spoken of monie stamped with the image of an Ox for at first the usual stamp upon monie was Cattle hence pecunia à pecus So Jacob's hundred Lambs with which hee bought a plot of ground Gen. 33. may bee meant of so manie pieces of silver bearing the stamp of a Lamb for monie is named from its stamp So a hundred Angels signifie so manie pieces of gold having their picture therefore Bos doth not onely signifie an Ox but also the coin that bear's the picture of the ox hence was the proverb Bos in linguâ for one that was tongue tied beeing corrupted with monie And not onely was pecunia called so from the picture but also from the skins of cattle for monie anciently was made of leather And so wee may conceiv that Queen Dido encompassed the ground on which Carthage was to bee built with an ox hide that is with monie made of the ox hide this kinde of monie was cascalled nummus scorteus {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for anciently they called all thing made of skins scoxtea hence scortum a where in which there is nothing commendable but her skin Lib. 2. cap. 16. 6. THe third was the overtaking of a swift hate The sixth was the taking of Diomedes his Mares I think this was the Printer's fault not Sir Walter's for it was a Hart not a Hare that Hercules overtook as for the mares of Diomedes I finde them onely so called in Apollodorus and Albericus for in all others both Poëts Historians and Mythologists that I have read they were horses and not mares whose names are set down by Hyginus cap. 30. Thus Rodarius Lampon Xanthus and Dinus And for the Hart I finde in Virgil Diodorus Siculus and others that it was a Hinde commended not so much for â—â—â—â—tnes as for strength therefore Virgil in A. n. 6. call's her aerepidem cervam the brasen footed Hinde which som have taken for aêripedem aërie footed or swift-footed but the Greeks call her {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} an epithite which Homer also give's to horses and Pindarus giv's to the Colchic Bulls {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} brasen Hoofs Lib. 2. cap. 7 9. DAvid left to Solomon for the building of the Temple a hundred thousand talents of gold a 1000 thousand talents of silver a matter but for testimonie of Scripture exceeding all belief Doubtless the word Checler which wee translate Talent must sign fie som other piece of monie or els the Hebrew Talent was less then wee usually make it for the greatness of the Talent was according to the greatness of the mina of which the Talent was made up and the mina was in greatness and smalness according to the drachma which in som places was more in som less Now everie ordinarie talent conceived six thousand drachma's the great talent eight thousand and the drachma was the eighth part of an Ounce worth seven pence half penie of our monie the mina conteined one hundred drachma's but the talent seem's to bee of no great value of old by Homer in Iliad 23. who reckon's it amongst those things which are of no great esteem as a captive woman a mare a kettle and in the fourth place two talents of gold and perhaps the Hebrew talent was of the same value that the Sicilian was to wit of six drachma's or the Neapolitane of three onely * Eupolemus in Eusebius make's the talents which are mentioned in the buildings of the Temple to bee all one with the Sicle that is four drachma's and so the Sum mentioned in Scripture is not so vaste as manie take it nor is it likely that David whose condition was mean when hee came to the Kingdom who succeeded Saul an unforunate and poor King who lived continually in Wars and still had occasions of expending monie I saie it is not likely that hee should attain to greater treasures then ever anie Prince had before or after Lib. 2. cap. 22. 8. TO asscribe to Fortune the effects of another man's virtue is an argument of malice If by Fortune here is understood that blinde Idol of the Gentiles then to asscribe the effects of Virtue to Fortune is not so much malice as madness for such a Fortune is nothing But if with wise men wee mean by Fortune God's Providence then to asscribe the effects of virtue to Fortune is not malice but wisdom For even the Gentiles did acknowledg I mean the wiser sort that Fortune ruled all things * In omni re dominatur Fortuna And though Tullie in his Oration for Marcellus doth asscribe som of Cesar's succesful actions to Fortune som to his own Virtue yet David asscribe's all his victories to God not to his own hand or strength or police or sword for indeed of our selvs wee can do nothing not think a good thought seeing it is in him wee live and move and have our beeing therefore let us not sacrifice to our own nets or turn incens to our own arme for what have wee which wee have not received everie good and perfect gift is from above which the Heathen Poët acknowledged Quicquid patimur mortale genus quicquid facimus venit ab alto But if it bee malice to asscribe the effects of another man's virtue to Fortune then is Sir Walter guiltie of this malice for hee write's of Alexander that Fortune and Destinies found out and prepared for him without anie care of his own both helps of men that willingly offered their necks to the
a barbarous Countrie Pythagoras had planted his Philosophie in Italie almost two hundred years before Alexander was born therefore Italie at this time was neither ignorant nor barbarous nor was Rome at this time a village as Sir Walter will have Alexander to esteem of it but a great and warlike Citie beeing now above three hundred years old and victorious over their neighbors as the Romane stories can inform us neither was it the meanness of Rome nor barbarousness of Italie that kept off his conquering Armie from thence but the hardiness of that people the valor prowess and strength of that Nation on whom Alexander durst not adventure for if hee had hee should have found other manner of men then his loos effeminate and unskilful Asiaticks a people alwaies more fic to serv then to command apter for Venus then Mars so that the Romans themselvs never made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 state in Asia but they stil lost much of their Masculine virtues That the antient Italians were a hardie manlike people the King of Poëts tell's us Non hic Atrides nec fandi fictor Ulysses Durum à stirpe genus natos ad flumina primum Deferimur saevóque gelu duramus undis c. Omne aevum ferro teritur versáque juvencûm Terga fatigamus hast â nec tarda senectus Debilitat vires animi mutátque vigorem Caniciem gale â premimus semperque recentes Convectare juvat praedas vivere rapto Vob◠picta croco fulgenti murice vestis Desidiae cordi juvat indulgere choraeis c. And so the same Poet elswhere sheweth what men Italie brought forth Haec genus acre virûm Marsos pubemqueSabellam Assuetumque malo Ligurem Volcósque verutos Extulit haec Decios Marios magnosqueCamillos Scipiadas duros bello te maxime Caesar c. Such was the valor of the Italians that the Romans spent as * Florus sheweth above four hundred years in subduing them whereas they brought in subjection all the rest of the World in the space of little more then two hundred years Doubtless had Alexander encountred with the Gauls Germans and Britains as Cesar did hee had found more work for his Macedonians then hee did among the Perlians Therefore however Sir Walter preferr's the Eastern parts of the world to the Western in civilitie arms magnificence learning c. yet wee finde the contrarie and so did Pompeie whose vaste Eastern Armie was forced to yield to Cesar's smal Western Forces And the Turks know whether the Asians or Europeans are fittest to make his Janisaries or to which hee is most beholding for support of his Monarchie For civilitie and learning wee finde that the Western Greeks did civilize and instruct the Eastern Asiaticks The Gauls were ever more civil then the Germans though more Eastward as for the stories of China I give little credit to them nor do I believ that Printing and Artillerie with other Arts were so manie years among them before wee knew the use of them no more then that the World was created so manie thousand years before Moyses his computation which is the belief of the Chinois Lib. 1. cap. 9. 2. THe joining of Cottages together in one common field or Village the Latines call Vicus This word Vicus did not onely signifie a Countrie Cottage or Village but also a Street though in a Citie So wee read of Vicus sceleratus Vicus Cyprius and divers others in Rome and the word vicatim by Jullie is used for going from street to street And Vicinus was hee who dwelt in the same street as Vicanus was used for a Farmer or Countrie-man now pagus did signifie a Village consisting of divers Cottages not only from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a Well which was in common to them all but as I think from the old word page to bargain or covenant becaus they covenanted one with another to live justly and peaceably together or from pango to set graft or plant the proper work of husbandmen whence com's the word Paganus which at first signified a Countrie-man then it was used for those in the Citie which were exempted from war or had never used their Arms hence among Christians paganus signified a Heathen such as never fought under the Banner of Christ or becaus Christianitie was first professed in Cities and late received by the Countrie people or becaus Christianitie drove away Gentilism out of all civil and populous Cities into remote and obscure Villages Lib. 1. cap. 8. 15. 1. ASSUR the second son of Sem was father of the Assyrians This Countrie was so called not onely from Assur the first planter thereof but also from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Ashur that is blessed * for it was happie in bread wine oil and honie it abounded also with excellent fruits hence Assyrium amomum in Virgil Assyrium gramen in Statius and Assyrii odores often in the Poëts and becaus of the abundance of silk there Assyriae vestes are taken for silk garments and Assyrius tapis is a kinde of Jasper stone This Countrie also was called Atyria from the Chaldee word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Atur for the Chaldee useth to change the Hebrew {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} into {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} so they saie Cuth for Cush It was called Adiabene {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} as if the access to it were difficult by reason of the manie Rivers thereof som of which are {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Impassible yet this Countrie was not impassible to Xenophon and Alexander in their expeditions Lib. 1. cap. 8 15. 1. Lud the fourth son of Sem gave name to the Lydians in Asia the less is the common opinion but I see not by what reason hee was moved to stragle thither from his friends The same reason might move him to plant in Asia the less far from his friends which hath moved manie Europeans to plant in America much farther from their friends to wit conveniencie of habitation sweetness of aër fertilitie of soil and such like motives Now the Lydians which came of Lud were of old called by the Greeks Maeones and Lydia Moenia as a Herodotus b and Strabo shew And Claudian think's they were so called from Maeon the antient King of Phrygia and Lydia dicti post Moeona regem Moeones Afterwards they were called Lydians from Lydus the son of Atys as c Herodotus and d Dionysius Alicarnassaeus affirm Hence Attalyda a town in Lydia was so called from Atys and Lydus But the Greeks are children in Antiquitie and fabulous therefore doubtless the name of Lydia was more antient and either planted by Lud or by his Children who from their Father's name might call it Lydia which is ordinatie Near or through this Countrie of Lydia did flow the winding River Maeander as e Plinie sheweth Lydia persusa flexuosi
amnis recursibus Maeandri and perhaps the Countrie might bee called Lydia or Ludia from Lud which in the Phaenician tongue signifie's Binding Winding or Turning for divers Countries are named from their chief Rivers and becaus the River was called Maeon the Countrie might bee called Maeania These Lydians were verie antient among the Greeks Attys Tantalus Pelops Niobe Aracbne were Lydians and about the time of Jephthe 1200 years before Christ the Lydians were masters of the Sea and a war like people as may bee seen in Ezekiel 27. 10. These sent plantations into Caria Peloponnesus and Hetruria and into Africa too These are commended for their f skill in Archerie the Asiatick Lydians were good spear men and excellent horsmen as Herodotus sheweth {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} but after Cyrus had disarmed them they grew effeminate and gave themselves to all luxurie and delight So that {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} was to plaie the wanton and effeminate voluptuous men were called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and hee that sold or made sweet oils was call'd {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and becaus the Lydians were the Inventors of manie games and sports which the Romanes made use of they called all plaies and games Ludos and Plaiers Ludiones Lib. 1. cap. 9. §. 2. TOwns encompassed with Walls were called oppida ab opponendo or ab opibus Not one'y from opes wealth which for safetie they brought thither and from oppono becaus they were able to oppose their enemies but also from ope help becaus they were able to help one another I euer beeing united in a Town then dispersed and living asunder hence came the word opisices Trades-men whose abode and use are most in populous Cities as standing most in need of their help and becaus Towns were secured and fenced by walls trenches or ditches they called these fences muros or moenia à muniendo and the Towns urbes ab orbe becaus they were encompassed with a plough which by Varro is called urbare and the furrow which the plough made was the foundation of the wall to bee made humili designat moenia fossâ urbem designat aratio Lib. 1. cap. 10. 2. NImrod was the first King of Babel and it agreeth with reason that Ninus should bee the third Sir Walter here would make Nimrod Belus and Ninus three distinct Kings of Babel alleging no reason for his opinion but contradicting Eusebius Hierom Austine and the most approved writers upon no ground whereas it is generally affirmed that the name Nimrod which signifie's a Rebel was changed by his son Ninus and his posteritie into Baal or Bel or Belus which signifie's a Lord this beeing a title of honor that of ignominie besides the Scripture acknowledgeth no King of Babel before Ninus but Nimrod nor do historians mention anie before Ninus but Belus their manners dispositions and actions are the same they are both said to live about two hundred years after the Flood and to have reigned then in Babylon both are said to bee the Founders of that Citie both the Inventors of Idol atrie for the names Beliel Bielphegor Beelzebub are from Bel or Belus both are described to bee men of cruel fierce and warlike natures and ambitious in propagating their Empite And whereas Sir Walter saith that if St Austin had thought Nimrod and Belus to bee the same hee would have rather called him Nimrod with the Scripture then Belus with the Gentiles This is nothing for St Austin direct's that work of The Citie of God to the Gentiles and confuted them therefore hee had reason rather to use the name Belus which was known to them then the name of Nimrod which they knew not and who know's not that Saint Austin through all that Work make 's use of the Gentil-Stories and therefore had reason to use their own names It is true there was another Belus called Belus Tyrius far later then Nimrod famous among the Phenicians of whom the Poët Implevitque mero pateram quam Belus omnes A Belo soliti c. Lib. 1. cap. 11. 1. ZOroaster King of the Bactrians Vincentius supposeth to bee Cham the son of Noah This cannot bee though both were wicked men the one in mocking his father the other in finding out Magical Arts For Zoroaster was King of Bactria as is supposed but Cham's lot fell to bee in Africa far from Bactria therefore prophetically hee was called Cham from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Cham that is Heat and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Chum that is Black as beeing the father of those black people who inhabit the hot Countrie of Africa this blackness and heat beeing a part of his Curs Again Zoroaster was the Inventor as som think of Astrologie or at least a great lover of it therefore they called him {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a Star-gazer or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} becaus hee honored them and sacrificed to them But Cham as the Chymists will make us believ was the Inventor of their Art called Alcbimia from the Arabick article Al and Cham as if it were Alchamia but indeed it is from the Greek {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} becaus they are still powring infusing distilling and extracting or from the Arabick word Chema to Hide hence Alchimia is a Hidden Art and so it is if either wee look upon their doctrine or practice all is hid and so was the knowledg or use of it till of later years for the first that mention's it is Julius Firmicus to the Emperor Constantine Lib. 1. cap. 8. 9. MOntanus for Tharsis in Cilicia understand's Carthage in Africk but hee was much mistaken in that conjecture This town which bear's the name of Tharsis Javan's second son is by som taken for the metropolis of Cilicia called Tharsis which word also signisieth the Sea Som take it for Ophir becaus Jehosophat's ships were appointed to go to Ophir 2 King 22. 48. and in Chron. 20. 36. 37. it is said They were to go to Tharsis The like is said of Solomon's ships as wee have shewed upon Genesis Now Ophir was in the East Indies so then Tharsis must bee there which place is likely to bee Tapiobona or Sumatra called Chersonesus or aurea terra and it is not unusual for one town to have two names nor for two or three towns or places to have the same name Ophir then and Tharsis may bee two names of one place Others will have Tunis and Tharsis all one but it is most likely that Carthage not that of Africa but that of Spain was a Colonie of Tharsis or Tyrus for the Isle of Cales or Cadiz and Countrie about Batis was called Tartessus from Tharsis and wee finde that the Phaenicians had great commerce with Spain becaus that Countrie abounded in silver iron tin and lead which was the merchandise of the Tyrians as may
bee seen in Ezech. 27. 12. besides the Temple called Gaditanum near Hercules his pillars as by divers Autors thought to bee built by the Phenicians and that Countrie of Spain to bee subdued and peopled by Hercules Tyrius not Thebanus as the Greeks * would have it for the Temple that stood there was built after the Phenician manner and after the same manner were the sacrifices and solemnities performed Lastly the word Iberia by which Spain was called is a Phenician word from the Hebrew Eber or the Childee Ebra which signifieth a passage or the bound and end of a thing intimating that Spain is the bound or end of the Earth beyond which these was no passage nor navigation yea the word Spain is Hebrew too as Bochartus a observeth for Saphan is a cunnie and Spain was called the Countrie of Cunnies for it abounded with them so that the Islands called Baleares now Majorca and Minorca were so infested with them that they were not in a long time habitable To conclude I believ there was one Tharsis whither Salomon's ships went in the East another on the Mediterrane Sea whither Jonas fled Lib. 1. cap. 12 1. NInive was built in the plains of Assyria on the banks of Tygris long before Ninus's time Niniveh or Ninus for so this Citie was called from Nimrod's son Ninus though not hee but Nimrod built it and the whole countrie of Assyria is called in Scripture The land of Nimrod Mich. 5. 6. Somtimes fathers called their Cities not by their own but by their son's names so Cain called the town hee built from his son's name Henoch and in Hebrew Niniveh is as much as Nâ—â—â—nave the habitation of Ninus as b Bochart observeth but there is great diversitie of opinions among writers concerning the siituation of Niniveh som placing it near Euphrates others near Tygris but 't is likely there were two towns of this name one near Euphrates called old Niniveh in philost. lib. 1. cap. 13 14. where Apollonius travelleth from Antiochia to Mesopoâ—amia through old Niuiveh the other which was the great Niniveh of three daies journie for the circuit of it was about threescore miles in compass stood upon the West side of Tygris or els Niniveh stood on Euphrates as Diodorus lib. 2. cap. 1. saith becaus Euphrates and Tygris in one place are united and so have but one name It is now called Mosal and is the chief seat of the Nestorian Hereticks This Citie was famous not onely for the magnificence riches and greatness thereof but also for antiquitie becaus it was extant in Abraham's time as Eusebius witnesseth here dwelt Phul Tiglath Pileser Shalmaneser Sennacherib by whose arms Samaria was exhausted and the Israelites translated into into Assyria and Media yet this vaste Citie was at last so destroied as likewise * Babylon that thought her self eternal and Seleucia built by Seleucus Alexander's successor in Syria and Babylon that as h Nahum the Prophet foretold the place where it stood should not bee known and as Lucian saith {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} c. there not anie mark or footstep to bee seen of it Lib. 2. cap. 1. 10. THis Amraphel was not at this time the greatest Monarch for the vallie of Pentapolis was subject to Chedarlaomer King of Elam or Persis This contradict's Scripture historie and reason for Amraphel i still first named by Moyses as beeing the greatest Prince Histories do show us that the Kings of Shinar or Babylon were the greatest Monarchs of those parts and that the Persians had no greatness till Cyrus therefore Amraphel King of Shinar must bee greater then Chedarlaomer King of Elam And it is not unlikely but this might bee Nimrod as the Jews think for hee might bee yet alive and it is usual for one man to have two or three names though Elam here might signifie Persia as I do believ it doth not but rather it was the name of a town in Assyria as Saint Hierom think's or in Persia as others yet Persia at this time was of no great esteem as for Sir Walter's reason that Chedarlaomer was the greatest King becaus to him were subject these five pettie Kings or Majors of towns it is very weak for so hee might as weil infer that Porus was a greater King then Alexander becaus hee had divers pettie Princes under him not subject to Alexander or that Herod to whom this lake of Sodom or countrie of Pentapolis was subject was greater Prince then Augustus Cesar Lib. 2. cap. 2. 4. EGypt is now called by the naturals in their own language Mezre So the Arabians at this daie cal it Meser and the Egyptian's first moneth of old was called Mesori in Scripture it is called somtime Masor as Isa. 19. 6. The rivers of Masor shall bee dried up Kimchi explain's it the river of Mizraim or Egypt So * in two other places but wee Translate the word Masor Forts or senced places for so indeed the word signifieth and Egypt was naturally fortified from the North by the sea from the South by the cataracts of Nilus and mountains of Ethiopia from the East and West by desarts Or Egypt may bee called Masor from the narrowness thereof for it is narrow and long from the sea to Syene and becaus Egypt is divided into two parts to wit the bigher where Nilus hath but one channel the lower where it is divided into divers channels called by the Greeks Δ delta from the triangular figure it make's hence it is called Misrajim in the Dual Number Lib. 2. cap. 2. 6. IN the reign of Hercules and Typhon seven years were spent This was that Hercules who made an expedition into Spain and erected those Pillars at Gades called by his name There a temple was built to him and sacrifices offered after the manner of the Phenicians Typhon for his wickedness and crueltie was called a gyant by the Grecians Hee made War against the gods hee travelled into Caucasus and at last was struck down by Jupiter's thunder and died near the lake Serbonis as Apollonius witnesseth {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Therefore Plutarch relate's in Antonio that the Egyptians called this lake {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Typhon's exhalations The gyant also Typhaeus who rebelled against Jupiter and is buried under Aetna in Sicilie is called Typhon and somtimes Briareus For these three are taken promiscuously one for another Typheus is called by Pindarus c {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} hundreth headed and by d Virgil Centum g'minus Briareus e Apollodorus make's Typhon to have {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the nature both of a man and of a serpent Hyginus make's him the childe of earth and hell having a hundred dragon ' heads growing on his shoulders e Philostratus make's Typhon and Enceladus all one beeing fast bound under the hill Aetna {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} But of Typhon
yoke and kingdoms that invited in their own conquerors And when hee write's for the Romans hee asscribe's all their distasters to their carelesness and cowardise but their Virtues to Fortune more injurious to that noble people then a Cisero was to Cesar his enemie who though hee consesseth that Fortune claim'd som share in his victories yet in his virtues of mercie and clemencie shee had not anie Interest Illa ipsa rerum humanerum domina Fortuna inistiu se societatem gloriae non offâ—rt tibi cedit tuam esse totam propriam fatetur nunquam enim te merit as cum sapientiâ tommiscetur nec ad confi ium casus admittitur Lib. 2. cap. 23 5. THe Olympian games took name not from the hill Olympus but from the citie Olympia But indeed these games were not called Olympian either from the hill Olympus or the citie Olympia but from Jupiter to whose honor they were instituted by Hercules and his four Brothers therefore these games were called Quinquennales Now Jupiter's name was Olympus as Virgil in Aen. 10. sheweth Panditur intere a domus omnipotentis Olympi And by the Greek Poëts Olympius So Sophocles in Elect. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} And so Homeria Iliad 6. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} And Jupiter was so called from him that had the government and Education of him and these that assisted him against the gyants are called Olympii from assisting Jupiter or Olympus and heaven is called Olympus from Jupiter not Jupiter from it for God is all light as the Word sheweth and that originally the heaven hath no light but from him not hee from it and as heaven so the citie was named from him becaus there stood his Image and Temple Lib. 2. cap. 23. 5. THe Rewards given to the Victors were none other then Garlands of Palm and Olive These were not the sole Rewards for they had also Statues erected to them which by Pausanias lib. 5. are called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} although hee shew's in lib. 6. that all the Victors had not Statues bestowed on them except such as were eminent divers of whose Statues hee mentioneth and it is recorded that the Olympian Grove was full of these Statues The Victors also had this honor for a reward that with great solemnitie their praises were publickly proclamed three times and they were carried home to their own cities by their fellow-citizens not through the gates but on a bridg made over the walls Neither were their Garlands meerly of Palm and Olive but of Gold also inter-woven between the leavs or els all of Gold therefore Pindarus call's these games {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} except by Golden Garlands hee mean's comlie and fair Garlands Lib. 2. cap. 23. §. 5. THese games were exercised from everie fourth year complete They were exercised everie fift year therefore they were call'd Ludi Quinquennales and so Olympias is taken for the space of five years Ovid de Pont. lib. 4. El 6. In Scythia nobis quinquennis Olympias act a est jam tempus lustri transit in alterius So the Poëts make Olympias and lustrum which was the space of five years to bee all one By the Greeks it is therefore called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} but yet in respect there are but four years complete the same space of time is called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Lib. 2. cap. 26. 7. I Think that this Image did represent Sennacherib and that the Mous in his hand did signifie the shameful issue of his Expedition I do not think that the Egyptian would honor Sennacherib so far as to place his Image in the temple of Vulcan one of their chief gods especially hee beeing their immortal enemie therefore it is more likely that this was the Image of Vulcan who held a mous in his hand to shew that not onely by his help these mice were sent to defeat Sennacherib but also to let us see that the main caus of generation and multiplication of Mice is heat whereof Vulcan was the god for which caus also in Apollo's temple tame mice were kept and fed and hee was called Sminthius as Aelian de Animal lib. 12 cap. 5. shew's which signifies's a Mous in the Aeolian and Trojan language becaus hee was held the god of Mice for by his heat Mice do engender and multiplie Lib. 2. cap. 28. 5. PEriander was one of the seven Sages but a cruel Tyrant This Periander that was King of Corinth was not one of the seven Sages for there were two of this name the one was a Tyrant the other one of the Sages as Diogenes Laertius sheweth out of Sotion Heraclides and Pamphila but Neanthes saith that these two Perianders were cousin germans and indeed it is unlikely that the Grecians who hated Tyrannie as much as anie other nation should so far honor this cruel Tyrant as to reckon him one of their so much renowned Wisemen Lib. 3. cap. 1. 2. THe Septuagint who translated the Old Testament did also turn this book of Daniel The Septuagint translated no more of the Old Testament but onely the five books of Moses commonly called the LAW so saith Josephus in Prooem. Antiq. and the Talmudists affirm the same and so doth Aristaeus de 70 Interpret who was one of those Embassadors which Ptolomie the son of Lagus as Irenaeus thinketh or rather of Ptolomie Philadelphus his successor as most suppose sent to Eleazer the High Priest about this Translation som 290 years before Christ Of this opinion is * Philo also and so is Saint Hierom in his Hebrew Questions and on Ezec. cap. 5. and cap. 2. Micheae yet somtimes hee nameth the Greek Translation of the Prophets and call's it the Septuagints becaus it then went under that name and so may Justin Irenaeus and Epiphanius beee understood when they speak of the Septuagints Translation Lib. 3. cap. 1. 2. THe Book of Daniel so much I mean as is found in the Hebrew is Canonical But the second third fourth fifth sixth and seventh chapters of Daniel are not found in Hebrew and yet they are Canonical for they are in the Chaldee tongue which is so far different from the Hebrew that when Daniel came to Chaldea hee was fain to learn that tongue and Jeremie Chap. 5. tell's the Jews that God would bring a Nation upon them whose Language they did not understand Therefore Rabsaces was desired by Ezecbia that hee would no speak to the Jews in the Hebrew but in the Chaldee or Syriac tongue becaus they understood it not but after the Captivitie the Jewish tongue was called the Syriac as beeing made up of the Chaldee or Syriac and Hebrew So much then of Daniel as is not in Greek is Canonical Lib. 3. cap. 1. §. 7. THe numeral notes {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 5 expressing 26 c. and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}
standing for 23 Here the numerical figure 5 is put for the greek letter 5 but this was doubtless the Printers ignorance yet I do not finde that the Greeks reckoned by their letters as Sir Walter set's down here for they do not write 26 by {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 5 but by {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} which among them hath the valuation of 20 and 5 which is 6 so {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} is not 23 but {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} is 2 and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 3 which joined together make but 5 but this kinde of joining letters is not used among the Greeks Lib. 3. cap. 10. 11. NEar the river Phasis the Chalybes were seated These were the Chalybes of Scythia called by Plinie Armenochalybes Somtimes saith Strabo they were called Chaldaei and Halizones in Homer Chalybes and Alibes are thought to bee th esame These were thought to bee the first inventors or users of steel or the hardning of iron into steel but Gregorie Nazianzen make the Cyclopes the first inventors but indeed Vulcan or Tubal Cain rather was the first before the Flood perhaps after these Chalytes from whom steel is called Chalybs were the first that made use of it There were also in Spain a people called Chalybes from a river of the same name of these Justin speak's in his last book Virgil and Mela in his first book These Asian Chalybes are called by Atschylus {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} workers in Iron becaus they prepare it for steel and the Countrie hee call's {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Lib. 3. cap. 1. 1. Macedon so called of Macedon the son of Osiris I think it was rather called Macedonia from Makos or Mekos that is Long and hedone Pleasure becaus of the long and continuing pleasures of Tempe in Thessalie which was a part of Macedonia hence Macedonia was call'd of old Edonia it was called also Maketia and the inhabitants Macetae of whom Auson declar urb cap. 2. Maceturrque attollite nomen And Philip in A. Gellius l. 9. cap. 3. is called Terrae Macetiae Rex King of Macetia that is Macedon perhaps from the Hebrew Chittim for Alexander of Macedonia is said in the first book of Macab l. 1. c. 8. 5. to com out of the Land of Chittim {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} And Persius whom the Romans subdued is called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} King of the Citei and Isaiah tell's the Tyrians chap. 22. ver. 1. that their destruction should break out Meeret Kithim from the land of Chittim for Alexander overthrew Tyrus I know also that It lie is called Chittim in Scripture but of that I will not now saie anie thing This region of Macedon had other names to wit Emathia and Emonia from Emus King thereof and husband of Rhodope who both for their pride were converted into hills of their own name Lib. 3. cap. 1. 11. NEbuchadnezzar lived and fed himself after the same manner and with the same food that beasts do not that hee was changed in figure external If hee was not changed in his outward shape why should Daniel writing his historie relate it so it is more consistent with an historical phrase and description to affirm hee was truly metamorphosed in his external figure then the other was it agrce's also more with the omnipotence of God who when hee is displeased with sinners can change them into beasts and when hee pleaseth restore them again to their ancient shape This also is consonant to other transformations in Scripture as of Lot's wife into a Pillar of Salt of Moyses his rod into a Serpent of water into wine of dust into lice c. If wee saie that Nebuchadnezzar's change was not in external figure so wee may affirm that Lot's wife was not truly transformed in her outward shape Lib. 4. cap. 3. THe last act of Demosthene's poisoning himself argue's som valor in him This last act argued no valor but cowardise in him for it is a cowardly trick for a souldier to fling down his Arms and run away out of the Camp without leav of his General Everie man is a souldier in this life placed in his proper Station by Almightie God the great General which station if hee forsake without leav hee is a coward Such a coward was Demosthenes who never more deserved the name of Ripsaspis then now Such a coward was Cato uticensis as Saint Austin de civit Dei lib. 1. prov's Such was Brutus and even Hannibal when hee poisoned himself for these out of pusillanimitie durst not look their enemies in the face and rather then they would shew anie courage in enduring the disgraces or tortures that they might bee put to did cowardly run away out of their life Hee is manlie couragious that can endure miseries Fortiter ille facit qui miser esse potest Such couragious champions was Christ such were his Aposties and Martyrs If wee would behold a brave couragious Romane indeed then look upon M. Attilius Regulus who rather then hee would kill himself and die like a coward did volentarily profer himself to the Carthaginians to endure all tortures This cowardlie trick of self murther is more proper for women then men and indeed wee finde in histories more women guiltie of this vice then men as Lucretia Cleopatra Dido and her sister Anna Phyllis Amata the wife of Latinus Iuturna the sister of Turnus Sappho the Lesbian mad Jocasta the daughter of Creon Phaedra the step-mother of Hippolitus Dejanira the wife of Hercules Statyra and Roxane the sisters of Mithridates the Lemnian Virgins who usually hanged themselvs and multitudes more And when wee read that som valiant men have killed themselvs wee must know that they never did this but when they had lost their masculine courage and were becom cowards and effeminate as Sardanapalus and Hercules who sate spinning and carding among women This cowardise of self-murther was so hated by the Athenians that they did not bestow on such the honor of burial and the Lemnians used to drag the naked bodies of self-murtherers up and down the streets The Prince of Poets placeth them in Hell bewailing their cowardise and wishing they were again upon the earth to endure all miseries lucemque perosi Projecere animas quam vellent aethere in alto Nunc pauperiem duros perferre labores Fata obstent Lib. 1 cap. 1. 3. HEe recovered the citie Crenides somtimes Datus and called it Philippi Where this citie of old stood it is much controverted Florus Ovid and Servius place it in Thestalia Plinie and Mela in Thracia but Ptolomie in Macedonia and so doth Saint Luke Act. 16. nor is it certain whether there were not two towns of that name in those countries Near to Philippi were those spacious fields called Philippici where
confess to Scipio that they had unjustly broken the peace with Rome Lib. 5. cap. 3. 10. THe greatness of the Roman calamitie appeared when the golden rings were powred out which were taken from the fingers of the Roman Knights whereas the chief onely of that order were accustomed to wear that Ornament This was no mark to know the greatness of the Romane calamitie for though at first golden rings were permitted onely to Embassadors to wear and that onely in publick not in private houses and though afterward it was lawful onely for the chief of the order of Knighthood yet all Knights had this honor at last to wear rings whereby they might bee distinguished from the Plebeians But in Hanaibal's time even the Plebeians also wore them as Plinie lib. 33. 1. sheweth Although I do not think that all promiscuously wore them but such onely as were ingenui for servants wore iron rings yet somtimes they were permitted to wear gold rings when their masters pleased as may bee seen in Plaut. in Casinâ for Stalino promiseth to his servant Perdalisca Annulum in digito aureum A gold ring on her finger which was not ordinarie for servants might have and possess gold rings but not wear them yet the Libertines or those that were manumitted had leav to wear them in the Emperor's t me as may bee seen in Sueton. in Vitel. who shew's that Vitellius bestowed gold rings upon his Libertine And * Severus permitted even the common souldiers {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} saith Herodian The greatness then of the Roman Calamitie could not bee known by the rings nor was it an argument of so manie knights stain as there were rings taken for 1. All used rings promiscuously Then 2. One man might have manie rings for they used to have their summer and their winter rings of which Journal Sat. 1. aectivum ventilat aurum This hee call's aurum semestre 3. When Hannibal plundered towns hee found divers rings laid up in cabinets 4. Livie out of whom Sir Walter hath this historie make 's mention indeed of bushels of rings but hee doth not saie with Sir Walter that they were taken from the fingers of the Roman Knights Lib. 5. cap. 3. 21. IT was a barbarcus custom of the Romans to insult over the calamitie of mightie Princes by leading them contumeliously in triumph Sir Walter cannot look upon the Roman glorie but with a squint eie had hee lived in the Roman's time hee would have been a fit man to have accompanied the triumphant Chariot and to have abused the Emperors with uncivil language as the custom was then to abate their pride in the midd'st of their glorie But for the Romans to lead their captive Kings in triumph was no barbarous custom nor did they contumeliously insult over them In this custom they shewed both justice mercie and prudence justice in punishing them after this gentle manner who had wronged them or their confederates mercie in that they spared their lives whom they might have slain by the law of Arms beeing their captives prudence for by this custom they caussed other Princes both to fear and love them For they did not contumeliously lead them as Sir Walter saie's but honorably permitting them to wear their Crowns on their heads and to walk along in their Princelie robes nay the meanest of their Captives that were led in triumph were bravely and richly attired as Josephus tell's us de bell Jud. l. 7. c. 24. What if they had used their captive Kings as Adonibezee did who cut off the thumbs and great toes of so manie Kings causing them to gather up meat under his table Or as Sapores the Persian King who made Valerian the Roman Emperor his foot-stool as often as hee took hors and at last stead him alive Or as Tamerlain used Bajazet who carried him about in an iron cage Or as Selymus used Tomombeius the last King of the Mamalucs in Egypt who first tortured him then carried him up and down the streets disgracefully upon a poor base Jade at last strangled him and hanged up his bodie on an iron hook in the verie gates of the citie as a disgraceful spectacle Or what if the Emperors had caussed their Kings to draw their triumphant Chariors as Sesacus or Sesostris did * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} c. using his captive Kings instead of horses Lucan lib. 10. Et Pharios currus Regum cervicibus egit If I saie the Romans had used their Kings thus Sir Walter might have justly complained of their barbarousness What would hee have said of Joshua who hanged up the King of Ai upon a tree and trod upon the necks of five Kings and how would hee have liked of that Scripture phrase Of binding Kings in chains and Nobles in links of iron Though victorie as Tullie pro Marcel tell's us bee of it self insolent and proud yet I dare saie that never people used their victories with so great moderation as the Romans did whose glorie it was Parcere subjectis debellare superbos Lib. 5. cap. 5. 2. THis was that Seleucia whereto Antigonus who founded it gave the name of Antigonia but Seleucus getting it shortly after called it Seleucia Here is a double mistake for 1. Antigonus did not found Seleucia but Seleucus as all Historians affirm who write that hee built one Seleucia in Syria near the mouth of Orontes which is largely described by Polibius The other Seleucia hee built not far from Babylon in Chaldea which citie was afterward called Babylonia as beeing made up of the ruins of it and robbing that antient citie both of it's name wealth and inhabitants The town that Antigonus built was called by him Antigonia and it stood in Macedonia as Plinie sheweth Antigonus the son of Gonatus built it Mantinea also in Arcadia was called by Aratus in honor of Antigonus Antigonia There was also in Syria near Antioch another Antigonia I read also that Troas was called Antigonia and afterward Alexandria 2. The other mistake is that Seleucus getting the town of Antigonia called it Seleucia whereas as Diodorus lib. 20. sheweth Antigonia did not stand long but was utterly destroied by Seleucus who carried away thence the inhabitants to that citie which hee had built and which by him was called Seleucia Appian tell's us that Seleucus built nine cities called from his own name Seleucia The two chief were that of Syria upon the sea and that of Chaldea upon Tygris Hee built also sixteen Antiochs called so from his father's name and six Laodicea's from his mother's name four from his wive's to wit three Apanea's and one Stratonicea Lib. 5. cap. 5. 2. THe Parthians were commonly subjects to those that ruled in Media They were not so long subject to Media as to Assyria and Persia for they were under the Assyrians above a thousand years under the Medes they were onely three hundred fiftie years For