arose and in that mutinie or insurrection forsooke the city and withdrew themselues to the fort Ianiculum made a law published it within a certain groue hard by called Esculetum where there grew a number of trees named Esculi and the said statute ran in this forme That whatsoeuer ordinance should be enacted by the said Commonaltie it should bind all Citisens of Rome whomsoeuer to obserue and keepe In those daies the Pine and Fir and generally all trees that yeeld pitch were held for strangers and aliéns because none of them were knowne to grow neere vnto the city of Rome wherof now we will speak the rather because the beginning whole maner of confecting and preseruing wines might be thereby throughly knowne First and formost some of the trees aforesaid in Asia or in the East parts do bring forth pitch In Europe there be six sorts of trees seeming all of one race which yeeld the same Of which the Pine and the Pinaster cary leaues thin and slender in manner of haires long also and sharp pointed at the end The Pine beareth least rosin of all others howbeit otherwise some it hath in the very fruit thereof which we call Pine nuts or apples wherof we haue already written yet so little it is that hardly a man would reckon the Pine among those kinde of trees that yeeld rosin The Pinaster is nothing els but the wild Pine it growes wonderful tall putting forth arms from the mids of the trunk or body vpward wheras the other Pine brancheth only in the head This of the twain is more plentifull in rosin whereof we will speake more anon These wild Pines grow also vpon plains There be trees vpon the coast of Italy which mencal Tibuli and many think they be the same although they carry another name slender they are and shorter altogether without knots and little Rosin they haue in them or none but they serue well for shipwrights to build frigats brigandines The Pitch tree loueth the mountains and cold grounds a deadly and mournful tree it is for they vsed in old time to sticke vp a branch thereof at the dores of those houses where a dead corps was to giue knowledge therof abroad and commonly it grew green in churchyards and such places where the maner was to burn the bodies of the dead in funeral fires but now adays it is planted in courtyards and gardens neer our houses because it may be easily kept with cutting and shredding it brancheth so well This tree puts forth great aboundance of rosin with white grains or kernels comming between so like vnto frankincense that if it be mixt therwith vnneth or hardly a man may discern the one from the other by the eye And hereupon it commeth that Druggists and Apothecaries do sophisticate frankincense and deceiue folk with it All the sort of these trees are leaued with short thick and hard pricky bristles in manner of the Cypres The Pitch tree beginneth to shoot forth branches euen from the very root almost and those be but small bearing out like armes and sticking one against another in the sides Semblably do the Fir trees which are so much sought for to serue shipping and yet this tree delighteth in the highest mountains as if it fled from the sea of purpose and could not away with it and surely the form and maner of growing is all one with the pitch tree The wood thereof is principal good timber for beams and fitteth our turn for many other necessaries of this life Rosin if it be found in the Fir is thought a fault in the wood whereas the only commoditie of the pitch tree is her rosin and yet somtime there frieth and sweateth out a little thereof in the extreme heate of the sun The timber of them both is not alike for that of the Fir is most faire and beautifull the pitch tree wood serueth only for clouen lath or rent shindles for coopers to make tubs and barrels and for some few other thin boords and painels As for the Larch tree which is the fift kind of those that beare rosin like it is to the rest and loueth to grow in the same places but the timber is better by ods for it rots not but will last and endure a long time the tree wil hardly be killed besides it is red of colour caries an hoter and stronger sme than the other There issueth forth of the tree as it growes good store of liquid rosin in colour like hony somwhat more clammy which will neuer grow to be hard A sixt sort there is of these trees and it is properly called Teda 〈◊〉 the Torch tree the same yeelds more plenty of moisture and liquor than the rest lower it is of growth than the Pitch-tree but more liquid and thin very commendable also to maintain fire at sacrifices to burn in torches for to giue light These trees I mean the male only bring forth that strong and stinking rosin which the Greeks call Syce Now if it happen that the Larch tree proue Teda i. to be Torch-wood it is a signe that it doth putrifie and is in the way of dying The wood of all these kinds before named if it be set a fire maketh an exceeding grosse and thick smoke and presently turneth into a cole spitting and sparkling a far off except that only of the Larch tree which neither burneth in light flame nor maketh cole ne yet consumeth in the fire otherwise than a very stone All these trees whereof we speake continue greene all the yeare long and very like they are in leafe that men otherwise of cunning and good experience haue enough to do to discern one from the other by it so neere of kin they be and their race so much intermingled But the pitch tree is not so tall as the Larch for the Larch is thicker in body of a thinner and lighter barke more shag leaued and the said leaues fattier growing thicker more pliable and easier to wind and bend whereas the leaues of the pitch tree hang thinner they be of a drier substance more slender and subiect to cold and in one word the whole tree is more rough and hideous to see to and withall full of rosin the wood also resembleth the Firre rather than the Larch The Larch tree if it be burnt to the very stumpe of the root will not spring againe and put forth new shoots whereas the pitch tree liueth stil for all the fire and wil grow afresh the experience whereof was seen in the Island Lesbos at what time as the Forrest Pyrrhaeum was set on fire and clean burnt to the ground Moreouer euery one of these kinds differ in the very sex for the male of each kind is shorter and harder the female taller hauing fattier leaues and the same soft and plain nothing stif and rugged The wood of the male is tough and when it is wrought keepeth not a direct grain but windeth and turneth so as
changed and in another the paces in iournying were either more or lesse also considering the seas in so long continuance of time haue incroched here vpon the land and the banks again gotten thereof the sea and beare farther in also for that the reaches of the riuers haue either turned crooked or gone streight direct ouer and besides for that some haue begun to take their measure from this place others from that and gon diuers waies it is by these means come to passe that no twain accord together in one song as touching their measure Geographic CHAP. II. ¶ The length and breadth of Boetica THe length of Boetica at this day from the bound of the town Castulo vnto Gades is 475 miles and from Murgi the maritine coast or lands end more by 22 miles The bredth from the edge or border of Carteia is 224 miles And verily who would beleeue that Agrippa a man so diligent and in this worke principally so curious did erre when he purposed to set out a map of the whole world openly to be seene of the whole city and namely when Augustus Caesar of happie memorie ioined with him For he it was that finished the Porch or gallerie begun by Agrippa's sister according to his will appointment and direction which contained the said pourtraict CHAP. III. ¶ The hither or higher Spaine THe old forme of the hither Spaine is somwhat changed like as of many other prouinces considering that Pompey the great in his triumphant trophies which he erected in Pyrenaeus restifieth That 846 townes between the Alps and the marches of the farther or lower Spain were subdued by him and brought to obedience Now is the whole prouince diuided into 7 counties the Carthaginian the Tarraconian Caesar Augustani Cluniensis Asturia Lucensis Bracarum There are besides Islands setting aside which without once naming them and excepting the cities that are annexed to others the bare prouince containeth 294 townes In which there be 12 colonies townes of Roman citizens thirteen of old Latines seuenteen of allies within the league one tributarie 136. The first in the very frontiers thereof be the Bastulians behind them in such order as shall be said namely those Inlanders that inhabit within-forth the Mentesanes Oretanes and the Carpetanes vpon the riuer Tagus Neere to them the Vaccaeans Vectones Celtiberians and Arrebaci The townes next to the marches Vrci and Barea laid to Boetica the countrey Mauritania then Deitania after that Contestania and new Carthage a colonie From the promontorie whereof called Saturnes cape the cut ouer the sea to Caesaria a citie in Mauritania is of 187 miles In the residue of that coast is the riuer Tader the free colonie Illici of which a firth or arme of the sea tooke the name Illicitanus To it owe seruice and are annexed the Icositanes Soon after Lucentum a towne of the Latines Dranium a tributarie the riuer Sucro which was sometime the frontier towne of Contestania The region Edetania which retireth inward to the Celtiberians hauing a goodly pleasant poole bordering along the front of it Valentia a colonie lying three miles from the sea The riuer Turium and iust as far from the sea Saguntum a towne of Roman citizens renowned for their fidelitie The riuer Idubeda and the region of the Ilergaones The riuer Hebre yeelding such riches of trassicke and commerce by reason that it is nauigable which beginneth in the Cantabrians countrey not far from the towne Inliobrica and holdeth on his course 430 miles and for 260 of them euen from the towne Varia carrieth vessels of merchandise in regard of which riuer the Greekes named all Spaine Iberia the region Cossetania the riuer Subi the colonic Tarraco built by the Scipioes like as Carthage by the Africans The countrey of the Illergetes the towne Subur the riuer Rubricatum and from thence the Lacetanes and Indigetes After them in this order following within-forth at the foot of Pyrenaeus the Ausetanes Itanes Lacetanes and along Pyrenaeus the Cerretanes and then the Vascones In the edge or marches thereof the colony Barcino surnamed Fauentia Towns of Roman citizens Baetulo Illuro the riuer Larnum Blandae the riuer Alba Emporiae two there be of these to wit of the old inhabitants and of the Greeks who were the off-spring descended from the Phocaeans The riuer Tichus From whence to Pyrenaea Venus on the other side of the promontorie are fortie miles Now besides the forenamed shall be related the principall places of marke as they lie in euery countie At Tarracon there plead in court foure and fortie States The most famous and of greatest name among them be of Roman citizens the Dertusanes and Bisgargitanes of Latines the Ausetanes and Cerretanes surnamed Iulianes they also who are named Augustanes the Sedetanes Gerundenses Gessarians Tearians the same that Iulienses Of Tributaries the Aquicaldenses Onenses and Baetulonenses Caesar Augusta a free colony on which the riuer Iberus floweth where the towne before was called Salduba these are of the region Sedetania and receiueth 52 States and among these of Roman citizens the Bellitanes and Celsenses and out of the Colonie the Calaguritanes surnamed also Nascici The Ilerdians of the Surdaons Nation neere vnto whom runneth the riuer Sicoris The Oscians of the region Vescetania and the Turiasonenses Of old Latins the Cascantenses Erganicenses Gracchuritans Leonicenses Ossigetdenses Of confederats within the league the Tarragenses Tributaries besides the Arcobricenses Andologenses Arocelitans Bursaonenses Calaguritans surnamed Fibularenses Complutenses Carenses Cincenses Gortonenses Dammanitanes Larrenses Iturisenses Ispalenses Ilumbeâ—…tanes Lacetanes Vibienses Pompelonenses and Segienses There resort to Carthage for law 62 seuerall States besides the Islanders Out of the colonie Accitana the Gemellenses also Libisosona surnamed Foroaugustana which two are indued with the franchises of Italy out of the colonie Salariensis the Oppidans of old Latium Castulonenses whom Caesar calleth Vaenales The Setabitanes who are also Augustanes and the Valerrienses But of the Tributaries of greatest name be the Babanenses the Bascianes the Consaburenses Dianenses Egelestanes Ilorcitani Laminitani Mentesami the same that Oritani and Mentelani who otherwise are Bastuli Oretanes who also are called Germani the chiefe of the Celtiberians the Segobrigenses and the Toletanes of Carpetania dwelling vpon the riuer Tagus Next to them the Viacienses and Virgilienses To the assises or law-court Cluniensis The Varduli bring 14 nations of which I list to name none but the Albanenses but the Turmodigi foure among whom are the Segisamonenses Sagisameiulienses To the same assises the Carietes the Vennenses do go out of fiue cities of which the Velienses are Thither repaire the Pelendones with 4 states of the Celtiberians of whom the Numantins were famous like as in the 18 cities of the Vaccaeans the Intercatienses Pallantini Lacobricenses Caucenses for in the foure states of the Cantabrici only Iuliobrica is named in the 10 states of the Autrigones Tritium Vironesca To the Areuaci the riuer
together with the Lucane and Brutian countries and there also the inhabitants changed not a few times For held and possessed it was by the Pelafgi Oenotri Italy Morgetes Sicilians people all for the most part of great Greece and last of all by the Lucanes descended from the Samnites who had to their leader and gouernour Lucius In which standeth the town Paestum called by the Greeks Posidonia the Firth or creeke Paestanus the town Helia now Velia The promontory Palinurum from which creeke retired within-forth there is a direct cut by water to the columne regia 100 miles ouer Next vnto this the riuer Melphes runneth also there standeth the towne Buxentum in Greeke Pyxus and hard by is the riuer Laus a towne there was likewise of the same name And from thence beginneth the sea coast of Brutium where is to be seen the towne Blanda the riuer Batum the hauen Parthenius belonging to the Phocaeans the Firth Vibonensis the groue Clampetia The towne Temsa called of the Greeks Temese and Terina held by the Crotonians and the mighty arme of the sea called the gulfe Terinaeus the towne Consentia Within-forth in a demy Island the riuer Acheron whereof the townesmen are called Acherontium Hippo which now we call Viboualentia the Port of Hercules the riuer Metaurus the towne Taurentum the hauen of Orestes and Medua the towne Scylleum the riuer Cratais mother as they say to Scylla Then after it the columne Rhegia the Sicilian streights or narrow seas and two capes one ouer-against the other namely Caenis from Italy side and Pelorum from Sicily hauing a mile and a halfe betweene them from whence to Rhegium is 12 miles and a halfe and so forward to a wood in the Apennine called Sila and the promontorie or cliffe called Leucopetra 12 miles off From which Locri carrying the name also of the promontorie Zephyrium is from Silarus distant 303 miles Here is determined the first gulfe of Europe wherin be named these seas First Atlanticum from which the Ocean sea breaketh in called of some Magnum the passage whereas it entreth is of the Greeks called Porthmos of vs Fretum Gaditanum i. The streights of Gebralter when it is once entred the Spanish sea so farre as it beateth vpon the coasts of Spaine Of others Ibericum or Balearicum and anon it taketh the name of Gallicum or the French sea right before the prouince Narbonensis and after that Ligusticum from whence all the way to the Island Sicilie it is called Tuscum which some of the Grecians terme Notium others Tyrrhenum put most of our countrimen Inferum i. The nether sea Beyond Sicily as farre as to the Salentines Polybius calleth it Ausonium but Eratosthenes nameth all the sea Sardonum that is between the mouth of the Ocean and Sardinia and from thence to Sicilie Tyrrhenum and from it as far as to Creta Siculum from which it is hight Creticum The Islands discouered along these seas were these The first of all those which the Greeks named Pityusae of the Pine shrub or plant but now Ebusus they are both a State confederate and a narrow arme of the sea runneth between them they are 42 miles ouer From Dianeum they lie 70 stadia and so many are there betweene Dianeum and Carthage by the maine land and as much distance from Pityusae into the maine Ocean lie the two Baleare Islands and toward Sucro Colubraria These Baleares in their warre-seruice vse much the sling and the Greeks name them Gymnesiae The bigger of them is an hundred miles in length and in circuit 380. Townes it hath of Romane citizens Palma and Pollentia of Latines Cinium and Cunici as for Bochri it was a towne confederate From it the lesser is thirtie miles off taking in length 60 miles and in compasse 150. Cities in it be Iamno Sanisera and Mago From the bigger 12 miles into the sea lieth the Isle Capraria which lies in wait for all shipwrack ouer-against the city Palma Menariae and Tiquadra and little Annibalis The soile of Ebusus chaseth serpents away but that of Colubraria breeds them and therefore dangerous it is for all that come into it vnlesse they bring with them some of the Ebusian earth The Greeks call this Island Ophiusa Neither doth Ebusus breed any Conies which are so common in the Baleares that they eate vp their corne There be as it were 20 more little ones among the shelues of the sea Now in the maritime coast of Gallia in the very mouth of Rhodanus there is Metina and soone after that which is called Blascon and the three Stoechades called so of their neighbors the Massilians for the order and ranke wherein they stand and they giue them euery one a seuerall name to wit Prote Mese which also is called Pomponiana and the third Hypea After them are Sturium Phoenice Phila Lero and Lerina oueragainst Antipolis wherein also is a token or memoriall of the towne Vergaonum CHAP. VI. ¶ Of Corsica IN the Ligurian sea is Corsica the Island which the Greekes called Cyrnos but nearer it is to the Tuscan sea it lyeth out from the North into the South and containeth in length an hundred and fiftie miles in breadth for the most part it beareth fiftie in circuit 322 distant it is from the Washes or Downes of Volaterrae 62 miles Cities it hath 35 and these colonies to wit Mariana planted there by C. Marius Aleria by Dictatour Sylla On this side of it is Oglasa but within 60 miles of Corsica there is Planaria so called of the forme thereof so flat it is and leuell with the sea and therefore deceiueth many a ship that runneth aground vpon it Bigger than it are Vrgo and Capraria which the Greekes called Aegilos In like manner Aegilium Dianium the same that Artemisia both lying ouer-against the coast Cosanum Other small ones also as Maenaria Columbrarie Venaria Ilua with the yron mines in circuit a hundred miles ten miles from Populonia called of the Greeks Aethalia from it is Planasia 39 miles off After them beyond the mouthes of Tybre in the Antian creeke is Astura and anon Palmaria Sinonia and iust against Formiae Pontiae But in the Puteolan gulfe Pantadaria and Prochyta so called not of Aeeneas his nource but because it was broken off by the gushing betweene of the sea from Aenaria Aenaria it selfe tooke that name of Aeeneas his ships that lay in rode there called by Homer Inarime of the Greeks Pithecusa not for the number of Alps there as some haue thought but of the worke houses and furnaces of potters that made earthen vessels as tunnes and such like to furnish Italy with Betweene Pausilypus and Naples Megaris and soon after eight miles from Surrentum Capraee renowned for the castle there of Prince Tyberius and it beareth in compasse foure hundred miles Anon you shall see Leucothea but without your kenning lyeth Sardinia fast vpon the Africke sea but lesse than nine miles from the coast of Corsica and still those streights
Attilius Regulus were Consuls vpon newes brought of a sudden rising and tumult of the Gauls alone by it selfe without any forrein aids and euen them without any nations beyond Padus armed 80000 horsemen and 700000 foot In plenty of all mettal mines it giueth place to no land whatsoeuer But forbidden it is to dig any by an old act of the Senat giuing expresse order to make spare of Italy CHAP. XXI ¶ Illyricum THe Nation of the Liburnians ioineth vnto Arsia euen as farre as the riuer Titius A part thereof were the Mentores Hymani Encheleae Dudini and those whom Callimachus nameth Pucetiae Now the whole in generall is called by one name Illyricum The names of the nations are few of them eitherworthy or easie to be spoken As for the iudiciall court of Assises at Scordona the Iapides and foureteene States besides of the Liburians resort vnto Of which it grieueth me not to name the Lacinians Stulpinians Burnistes and Albonenses And in that Court these Nations following haue the libertie of Italians to wit the Alutae and Flanates of whom the sea or gulfe beareth the name Lopsi Varubarini and the Assesiates that are exempt from all tributes also of Islands the Fulsinates and Curiolae Moreouer along the borders and maritime coasts beyond Nesactum these townes Aluona Flauona Tarsatica Senia Lopsica Ortopula Vegium Argyruntum Corinium the city Aenona the riuer Pausinus Tedanium at which Iapida doth end The islands lying in that gulfe together with the townes besides those towns aboue noted Absirtium Arba Tragurium Issa Pharos beforetime Paros Crexa Gissa Portunata Again within the continent the colony Iaderon which is from Pola 160 miles From thence 30 miles off the island Colentum and 18 the mouth of the riuer Titius CHAP. XXII ¶ Liburnia THe end of Liburnia and beginning of Dalmatia is Scordona which frontier towne is 12 miles from the sea scituate vpon the said riuer Titius Then followeth the antient countrie of the Tariotes and the castle Tariota the Promontory Diomedis or as some would haue it the demy island Hyllis taking in circuit a hundred miles also Tragurium inhabited by Roman citizens well knowne for the marble there Sicum into which place Claudius late Caesar sent the old souldiers the Colony Salona 222 miles from Iadera There repaire to it for law those that are described into Decuries or tithings 382 to wit Dalmatians 22 Decunum 239 Ditions 69 and Mezaei 52 Sardiates in this tract are Burnum Mandetrium and Tribulium castles of name for the battels of the Romanes There came also forth of the islands the Issaeans Collentines Separians and Epetines Besides them certaine castles Piguntiae and Rataneum and Narona a colonie pertaining to the third Countie-court 72 miles from Salona lying hard to a riuer of the same name and 20 miles from the sea M. Varro writeth that 89 States vsed to repaire thither for justice Now these only in a manner be knowne to wit Cerauni in 33 Tithings Daorizi in 17 Destitiates in 103 Docleates in 34 Deretines in 14 Deremistes in 30 Dindari in 33 Glinditiones in 44 Melcomani in 24 Naresij in 102 Scirtari in 72 Siculote in 24 and the Vardaei who sometime wasted and forraied Italy in 20 decuries and no more Besides these there held and possessed this tract Oenei Partheni Hemasini Arthitae Armistae From the riuer Naron a hundred miles is the colony Epidaurum Townes of Roman citizens be these Rhizinium Ascrinium Butua Olchinium which beforetime was called Colchinium built by the Colchi The riuer Drilo and the towne vpon it Scodra inhabited by Roman citizens eighteen miles from the sea Ouer and besides many other towns of Greece yea strong cities out of all remembrance For in that tract were the Labeates Enderudines Sassaei Grabaei and those who properly were called Illyrij the Taulantij and Pyraei The Promontorie Nymphaeum in the coast thereof keepeth still the name also Lyssum a towne of Romane citizens a hundred miles from Epidaurum C XXIII ¶ Macedonie FRom Lissum is the prouince of Macedonie the nations there be the Partheni and on their backe side the Dassaretes Two mountaines of Candauia 79 miles from Dyrrhachium but in the borders thereof Denda a towne of Roman citizens also the Colonie Epidamnum which for that vnluckie names sake was by the Romans called Dyrrhachium The riuer Aous named of some Aeas Apollonia sometime a Colonie of the Corinthians scituate within the countrey seuen miles from the sea in the marches wherof is the famous Nymphaeum The borderers inhabiting thereby are the Amantes and Buliones But in the very edge therof the town Oricum built by the Colchi Then beginneth Epirus the mountaines Acroceraunia at which we haue bounded this sea of Europe as for Oricum it is from Salentinum a promontorie of Italy 85 miles CHAP. XXIIII ¶ Noricum BEhind the Carni and Iapides whereas the great riuer Ister runneth the Norici ioine to the Rhaeti Their towns be Virunum Celeia Teurnia Aguntum Viana Aemona Claudia Flavium Tolvense Vpon the Norici there lie fast the Lake Peiso the deserts of the Boij Howbeit now by the colonie of the late Emperor Claudius of famous memorie Salaria and the towne Scarabantia Iulia they be inhabited and peopled CHAP. XXV ¶ Pannonia THence beginneth Pannonia so fruitfull in Mast wheras the hils of the Alps waxing more mild and ciuil turning through the midst of Illyricum from the North to the South settle lower by an easie descent both on the right hand and the left That part which regardeth the Adriatick sea is called Dalmatia and Illyricum aboue-named Pannonia bendeth toward the North and is bounded by the riuer Danubius In it are these Colonies Aemonia Siscia And these riuers of speciall name and nauigable run into Danubius Draus with more violence out of the Noricke Alps and Saus out of the Carnicke Alpes more gently 115 miles between As for Draus it passeth through the Serretes Serrapilles Iasians Sandrozetes but Saus through the Colapians and Bruci And these be the chiefe States of that country Moreouer the Ariuates Azali Amantes Belgites Catari Corneates Aravisci Hercuniates Latovici Oseriates and Varciani The mount Claudius in the front whereof are the Scordisci and vpon the back the Taurisci The island in Saus Metubarris the biggest of all the riuer islands Besids notable good riuers Calapis running into Saus neere Siscia where with a double channell it maketh the island called Segestica another riuer Bacuntius running likewise into Saus at the towne Sirmium where is the State of the Sirmians and Amantines Fiue forty miles from thence Taurunum where Saus is intermingled with Danubius Higher aboue there run into it Valdanus and Vrpanus and they ywis be no base and obscure riuers CHAP. XXVI ¶ Moesia VNto Pannonia ioineth the Prouince called Moesia which extendeth along Danubius vnto Pontus It beginneth at the confluent aboue-named in it are the Dardanians Celegeri Triballi Trimachi Moesi Thranes and the Scythians bordering
which they call Capotes 12 miles higher into the countrey than is Simyra and that in the beginning it was called Pyxirates It runs first directly to Derxene and so forth to Ana also excluding the regions Armeniae the greater as wel as the lesse from Cappadocia The Dastusae from Simyra are 75 miles from thence it is nauigable to Paestona 50 miles from it to Melitene in Cappadocia 74 miles So forward to Elegia in Armenia ten miles where he receiueth these riuers Lycus Arsania and Arsanus Neere to Elegia he meeteth afront with the hil Taurus yet stayeth he not there but preuaileth a pierceth thorow it although it beare a bredth there of 12 miles At this entry where he breaketh thorow the hill they cal him Omiras and so soon as he hath made way and cut thorow it he is named Euphrates Being past this mountaine he is full of rocks and very violent howbeit he passeth through the country of the Moeri where he carieth a stream of 3 Schoenes bredth where he parts Arabia on the left hand from Comagene on the right And neuerthelesse euen there wheras he conquereth and getteth the vpper hand of Taurus he can abide a bridge to be made ouer him At Claudiopolis in Capadocia he courseth Westward and now the mountain Taurus though resisted and ouercome at first impeacheth and hindereth him of his way and notwithstanding I say he was ouermatched and dismembred one piece from another he gets the better of him another way breaking his course now and driuing him perforce into the South Thus Nature seems to match the forces of these two champions equally in this maner That as Euphrates goes on stil without stay as far as he will so Taurus will not suffer him yet to run what way he wil. Now when these Cataracts and downfalls of the riuer are once past it is nauigable againe and forty miles from that place standeth Samosata the head city of Comagena Now hath Arabia beside the townes aforesaid Edessa somtime called Antiochea Callirrhoe taking name of the fountain and Carrae so famous and renowned for the defeature there of Crassus and his army Hereunto ioineth the gouernment and territorie of Mesopotamia which also taketh the first beginning from the Assyrians in which stand the townes Anthemusa and Nicephorium Hauing passed this country ye straitway enter vpon the Arabians called Rhetavi whose capitall city is Singara Now to returne to Samosatae from it in the coast of Syria the riuer Marsyas runneth into Euphrates As Gingla limiteth Comagene so the land of the Meri beginneth there The towns Epiphania and Antiochia haue the riuer running close to them and hereupon they haue this addition in their names Standing vpon Euphrates Zenyma likewise 72 miles from the Samosatae is innobled for the passage ouer Euphrates for ioined it is to Apamia right against by a bridge which Seleucus the founder of both caused to be made The people that ioine hard to Mesopotamia be called Rhoali As for the townes of Syria which be vpon this riuer are Europum Thapsicum in times past at this present Amphipolis and last of all the Arabian Scaenitae Thus passeth Euphrates as far as to the land Vra where turning his course to the East hee leaueth behinde him the Desarts of Palmyra in Syria which reach to the city Petra and to the country of Arabia Foelix CHAP. XXV ¶ Palmyra THe noble city Palmyra is passing well seated as well for the riches of the soile as for aboundance of waters which imbelish and set out the country on euery side As rich and long as it is the territory all about is inuironed and inclosed with bars of sand And as if Nature had a desire to exempt it from all other lands to liue apart in peace shee hath set it iust in the middest and confines between two puissant and mighty empires to wit the Romans and Parthians for there is not so soone any war proclaimed between those two States and Monarchies but at first they haue on both sides a regard of it as a neutre It is from Seleucia of the Parthians namely that vpon Tigris 537 miles and from the next port or coast of Syria 252 and from Damasco 27 neerer CHAP. XXVI ¶ Hierapolis BEneath the desarts and wildernesse of Palmyra lieth the countrey Stelendena wherein are the cities named at this day Hierapolis Beroea and Chalcis Beyond Palmyra also Hemesa taketh vp some part of those said desarts and likewise Elutium neerer to Petra by one halfe than is Damascus And next to Afura standeth Philiscum a towne of the Parthians vpon Euphrates from which by water it is a iourney of ten daies to Seleucia and from thence as many likewise to Babylon for Euphrates 83 miles from Zeugma about the village Massice diuideth it selfe into two armes On the left side he passeth into Mesopotamia euen thorow Seleucia and about it entreth into the riuer Tygris which runneth hard by but on the right hand he carieth a current in his chanell toward Babylon the chiefe city somtime of Chaldaea and passing through the midst thereof as also of another called Otris he parts asunder into sundry lakes and meeres And there an end of Euphrates He riseth and falleth at certain times after the order of Nilus yet some little difference there is betweene them in the manner for he ouerfloweth Mesopotamia when the Sun is in the 20 degree of Cancer and begins againe to diminish and slake when the Sun is past Leo and newly entred into Virgo so as in the 29 degree of Virgo he is downe again and come to his ordinary course CHAP. XXVII ¶ Cilicia and the nations adioyning to wit Isauricoe Homonades Pisidia Lycaonia Pamphylia the mountaine Taurus and Lycia BVt time it is to returne now to the coasts of Syria and to Cilicia that confronts it Where in the first place we meet with the riuer Diaphanes the mountain Crocodilus the streights and passages of the mount Amanus more riuers also to wit Andricon Pinarus and Lycus as also the gulfe Issicus The towne Issa standeth vpon it then come we to Alexandria to the Riuer Chlorus the free towne Aege the riuer Pyramus and the streights in the entrance to Cilicia Beyond them we encounter the townes Mallos Magarsos as for Tarsos it is more within the countrey From this towne we enter vpon the plaines of Aleij and so forward to these townes Cassipolis and Mopsum which is free and standeth vpon the riuer Pyramus Thynos Zephyrium and Anchialae On forward you shal haue the riuers Saros and Sydnus which runs through Tarsus a free city far from the sea then are ye in the country Celeuderitis together with the capitall towne thereof And anon ye shall set foot in a place called Nymphaeum and Soloe Cilicij now Pompeiopolis Adana Cibira Pinara Pedalie Halix Arsinoe Tabae Doron and neere the sea side you shall finde a towne an harbour and a caue named all Corycos Soon after the
which parteth Bithynia from Galatia Beyond Chalcedon stood Chrysopolis then Nicopolis of which the gulfe still retaines the name wherein is the hauen of Amycus the cape Naulocum Estia wherein is the temple of Neptune and the Bosphorus a streight halfe a mile ouer which now once again parteth Asia and Europe From Chalcedon it is 12 miles and an halfe There beginneth the sea to open wider where it is 8 miles a quarter ouer in that place where stood once the towne Philopolis All the maritime coasts are inhabited by the Thyni but the inland parts by the Bithynians Lo here an end of Asia and of 282 nations which are reckoned from the limits and gulf of Lycia vnto the streights of Constantinople The space of the streights of Hellespont and Propontis together vntill you come to Bosphorus in Thracia containeth in length 188 miles as we haue before said From Chalcedon to Sigeum by the computation of Isidor are 372 miles and a halfe Islands lying in Propontis before Cyzicum are these Elaphonnesus from whence commeth the Cyzicen marble and the same Isle was called Neuris and Proconnesus Then follow Ophyusa Acanthus Phoebe Scopelos Porphyrione and Halone with a towne Moreouer Delphacia and Polydora also Artacaeon with the towne Furthermore ouer against Nicomedia is Demonnesos likewise beyond Heraclea iust against Bithynia is Thynias which the Barbarians call Bithynia Ouer and besides Antiochia and against the fosse or riuer Rhyndacus Besbicos 18 miles about Last of all Elaea two Rhodussae Erebinthus Magale Chalcitis and Pityodes THE SIXTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS CHAP. 1. ¶ Pontus Euxinus THe sea called Pontus Euxinus and named by the Greeks in old time Axenos for the hard vsage that passengers found at the hands of those sauage Nations vpon the coasts thereof is spred also betwixt Europ and Asia vpon a very spite and speciall enuy of Nature as it seems to the earth and a wilfull desire to maintaine the sea still in his greatnesse and to fulfill his greedy and endlesse appetite For shee was not contented to haue inuironed the whole earth with the main Ocean yea and taken from it a great part thereof with exceeding rage ouerflowing the same and laying all empty and naked it sufficed not I say to haue broken through the mountaines and so to rush in and after the sea had dismembred * Caspe from Affricke to haue swallowed vp much more by far than is left behind to be seen no nor to haue let Propontis gush through Hellespont and so to encroach again vpon the earth and gaine more ground vnlesse from the streights of Bosphorus also he enlarge himselfe into another huge and vast sea and yet is neuer content vntill the lake Moeotis also with his streight meet with him as he thus spreadeth abroad and floweth at liberty and so ioine together and part as it were their stolne good betweene them And verily that all this is happened maugre the earth and that it made all resistance that it could appeareth euidently by so many streights and narrow passages lying between these two elements of so contrary nature considering that in Hellespont the space is not aboue 875 paces from land to land and at the two Bosphori the sea is so passeable that oxen or kine may swim at ease from the one side to the other and hereupon they both tooke their name the which vicinitie serueth very wel to entertaine and nourish amity among nations separated by nature one from another and in this disunion as it were appeareth yet a brothely fellowship and vnitie For the cocks may be heard to crow and the dogs to bark from the one side to the other yea and men out of these two worlds may parly one to another with audible voice and haue commerce of speech together if the weather be calme and that the windes doe not carry away the sound thereof Well the measure some haue taken of the sea from Bosphorus Thracius to the lake of Moeotis and haue accounted it to be 1438 miles and a halfe But Eratosthenes reckoneth it lesse by one hundred Agrippa saith that from Chalcedon to Phacis is a thousand miles and so to Bosphorus Cimmerius 360 miles As for vs we will set downe summarily and in generall the distances of places according to the moderne knowledge of our nation in these daies forasmuch as our armies haue warred in the very streight and mouth of this Cimmerian streight Being passed then from the streight of Bosphorus Thracius we meet with the riuer Rhebas which some haue called Rhoesus and beyond it Psillis another riuer then come we to the port of Calpas and Sangarius one of the principall riuers of Asia it ariseth in Phrygia it receiueth other huge riuers into it and among the rest Tembrogius and Gallus The same Sangarius was called also Coralius After this riuer begin the gulfes Mariandini vpon which is to be seen the towne Heraclea scituate vpon the riuer Lycus It is from the mouth of Pontus 200 miles Beyond it is the port Acone cursed for the venomous herbe and poisonous Aconitum which taketh name thereof Also the hole or caue Acherusia Riuers also there be Pedopiles Callichorum and Sonantes One towne Tium eight and thirty miles from Heraclea and last of all the riuer Bilis CHAP. II. ¶ The nation of the Paphlagonians and Cappadocians BEyond this riuer Bilis is the countrey Paphlagonia which some haue named Pylemerina and it is inclosed with Galatia behinde it The first towne ye meet in it is Mastya built by the Milesians and next to it is Cromna In this quarter the Heneti inhabit as Cornelius Nepos saith Moreouer from thence the Venetians in Italy who beare their name are descended as he would haue vs beleeue Neere to the said towne Cromna is another called Sesamum in times past and now Amastris Also the mountaine Cytorus 64 miles from Tium When you are gone past this mountain you shall come to Cimolus and Stephane two townes and likewise to the riuer Parthenius and so forward to the cape and promontory Corambis which reacheth forth a mighty way into the sea and it is from the mouth of the sea Pontus 315 miles or as others rather thinke 350. As far also it is from the streight Cimmerius or as some would rather haue it 312 miles and a halfe A towne there was also in times past of that name and another likewise beyond it called Arminum but now there is to be seen the colony Sinope 164 miles from Citorum Being past it you fall vpon the riuer Varetum the people of Cappadocia the townes Gazima and Gazelum and the riuer Halyto which issuing out of the foot of the hill Taurus passeth through Cataonia and Cappadocia Then meet you with these towns following Gangre Carissa and the free city Amisum which is from Sinope 130 miles As you 〈◊〉 farther you shall see a gulfe carrying the name of the said towne where
Dioscurias Some there be that think how it was first founded by Amphitus and Telchius who had the charge of the chariots of Castor and Pollux for certain it is that the fierce and wild nation of the Heniochi are from them descended Being past Dioscurias you come vp the towne Heraclium which from Sebastopolis is 80 miles distant and so forward to the Achaei Mardi and Cercetae and after them to the Serri and Cephalotomi For within that tract stood the most rich and wealthy town Pitius which by the Heniochians was ransacked and spoiled On the backe part thereof inhabit the Epagerites a nation of the Sarmatians euen vpon the mountaine Caucasus and on the other side of that hill the Sauromatae the country is at this day called Tartaria the great Hither retired and fled king Mithridates in the time of Claudius Caesar the Emperor who made report that the Thali dwell thereby and confine East-ward vpon the very opening of the Caspian sea which by his report remaineth dry whensoeuer the sea doth ebbe But now to turne vnto the coast neer vnto the Cercetae you meet with the riuer Icarusa with a towne and riuer called Hierum 136 miles from Heracleum Then come yee to the cape Cronea in the very ridge and high pitch whereof the Toretae inhabit But beneath it you may see the citie Sindica 67 miles scituate from Hierum and last of all you arriue vpon the riuer Sceaceriges CHAP. VI. ¶ Maeotis and the streights thereof called Bosphorus Cimmerius FRom the said riuer to the very entrance of the Cimmerian Bosphorus are counted 88 miles and a halfe But the length of the very demy Island which extendeth and stretcheth out between Pontus and Maeotis is not aboue 87 miles and a halfe and the breadth in no place lesse than two acres of land This the paisants of that country do call Eione The very coasts of this streight Bosphorus both of Asia side and Europa boweth and windeth like a curb to Moeotis As touching the townes here planted in the very first entry thereof standeth Hermonassa and then Cepi founded by the Milesians Being past Cepi you come soone after to Stratilia Phanagoria and Apaturos in manner vnpeopled and void and last of all in the very vtmost point of the mouth where it falleth into the sea you arriue at the towne Cimmerius named before-time Cerberian CHAP. VII ¶ Nations about Moeotis BEing passed Cimmerium yon come to the very broad lake Moeotis whereof we spake before in the Geography of Europe Vpon the coast wherof beyond Cimmerium on the side of Asia inhabite the Moeotici Vati Serbi Archi Zingi and Psesij After this you come to the great riuer Tanais which runneth into Moeotis with two armes or branches and on the sides of it dwell the Sarmations an off-spring descended in old time as men say from the Medians but so multiplied now that they themselues are diuided and dispersed into many nations And first of all are the Sauromatae surnamed Gynaecocratumeni i. as one would say subiect to women from whence the Amazones are prouided and furnished of men to serue their turne in stead of husbands Next to them are the Euasae Cottae Cicimeni Messeniani Costobocci Choatrae Zigae Dandari Thussagerae and Turcae euen as far as the wildernesses forrests chases and rough vallies But beyond them are the Arnuphaei who confine vpon the mountaine Rhiphaei As for as the riuer Tanais the Scythians call it Silys and Moeotis they name Temerinda that is to say the mother of the sea or rather the seas end In ancient time there stood a great towne vpon the very mouth of Tanais where it falleth into the sea As for the neighbour borders of this sea inhabited they were sometime by the Lares afterwards by the Clazomenij and Moeones and in processe of time by the Panticapenses Some Authours write that about Moeotis toward the higher mountaine Ceraunij these nations following doe inhabit to wit first vpon the very coast and sea side the Napaeae and aboue them the Essedones ioyning vpon the Colchy and the high mountain Corax After them the Carmaces the Oranes Anticae Mazacae Ascantici Acapeates Agagammatae Phycari Rhimosoli and Ascomarci Moreouer vpon the hill Caucasus the Icatales Imaduches Ranes Anelaks Tydians Charastasci and Asuciandes Moreouer along the riuer Lagous issuing out of the mountaines Cathei and into which Opharus runneth these nations ensuing do dwell to wit the Caucadians and the Opharites beyond whom runneth the riuers Menotharus and Imitues out of the mountaines Cissij which passeth through the Agedi Carnapes Gardei Accisi Gabri and Gregari and about the source or spring of this riuer Imitues the people Imitui and Aparrheni Others say that the Suites Auchetes Saternei and Asampates inuaded and conqered these parts and that the Tanaites and Nepheonites were by them put to the edge of the sword and not one person of them spared Some write that the riuer Opharius runneth through the Canteci and the Sapaei and that the riuer Tanais trauersed sometime through the Phatareans Herticei Spondolici Synthietae Amassi Issi Catareti Tagori Catoni Neripi Agandei Mandarei Saturchei and Spalei CHAP. VIII ¶ Cappadocia HItherto haue wee treated and gone through the nations and inhabitants of the coasts vpon the Mediterranian sea Now are wee to speake of the people inhabiting the very midland parts of the maine within wherein I protest and deny not but that I will deliuer many things otherwise than the ancient Geographers haue set downe forasmuch as I haue made diligent search into the state of those regions as wel by enquiry of Domitius Corbulo who lately went with an army through those quarters as of diuers kings and princes who made repaire to Rome with sutes and supplications but especially of those kings sons that were left as hostages in Rome And first to begin with the nation of the Cappadocians This is a country that of all others which bound vpon Pontus reacheth farthest within the firm land for on the left hand it passeth by both Armenias the greater and the lesse Comagene and on the right all those nations in Asia before-named confining many others and still preuailing with great might growing on and climing Eastward vp to the mountain Taurus it passeth beyond Lycaonia Pisidia and Cilicia and with that quarter which is called Cataonia pierceth aboue the tract of Antiochia and reacheth as far as to the region Cyrrhestica which lyeth well within that country And therefore the length of Asia there may containe 1250 miles the breadth 640. CHAP. IX ¶ Armenia the greater and the lesse THe greater Armenia beginning at the mountains Pariedri is diuided from Cappadocia by the riuer Euphrates as hath bin said before where the riuer Euphrates beginneth to turne his course from Mesopotamia by the riuer Tigris as renowned as the other both these riuers is it furnished withal which is the cause that it taketh the name of Mesopotamia as being scituate
no more than 5 fathom deepe howbeit in certain chanels that it hath it is so deep that it canot be sounded neither wil any anchors reach the bottom and there rest and withall so streight narrow these chanels are that a ship cannot turne within them and therefore to auoid the necessitie of turning about in these seas the ships haue prows at both ends and are pointed each way in sailing they obserue no star at all As for the North pole they neuer see it but they carry euer with them certaine birds in their ships which they send out oft times when they seeke for land euer obseruing their flight for knowing well that they wil fly to land they accompany them bending their course accordingly neither vse they to saile more than one quarter of a yeare and for 100 daies after the Sun is entred into Cancer they take most heed and neuer make saile for during that time it is winter with them And thus much we come to knowledge of by relation of antient Writers But we came to far better intelligence and more notable information by certain Embassadors that came out of that Island in the time of Claudius Gaesar the Emperor which happened vpon this occasion and after this manner It fortuned that a free slaue of Annius Plocamus who had farmed of the Exchequer the customs for impost of the red sea as he made saile about the coasts of Arabia was in such wise driuen by the North windes besides the realme of Carmania and that for the space of 15 daies that in the end he fell with an harbour thereof called Hippuros and there arriued When he was set on land he found the King of that Countrey so curteous that hee gaue him entertainment for six moneths and entreated him with all kindenesse that could be deuised And as he vsed to discourse and question with him about the Romanes and their Emperour he recounted vnto him at large of all things But amongst many other reports that he heard he wondred most of all at their iustice in all their dealings was much in loue therewith and namely that their Deniers of the money which was taken were alwaies of like weight notwithstanding that the sundry stamps and images vpon the pieces shewed plainly that they were made by diuers persons And hereupon especially was he mooued sollicited to seeke for the alliance and amitie of the people of Rome and so dispatched 4 Embassadours of purpose of whom one Rachias was the chiefe and principall personage By these Embassadours we are informed of the state of that Island namely that it contained fiue hundred great townes in it that there was a hauen therin regarding the South coast lying hard vnder Palesimundum the principall citie of all that realme and the kings seat and pallace that there were by iust account 200000 of commoners citizens moreouer that within this island there was a lake 270 miles in circuit containing in it certain Islands good for nothing else but pasturage wherein they were fruitfull out of which lake there issued 2 riuers the one Palesimundas passing neere to the citie abouesaid of that name and running into the hauen with three streames whereof the narrowest is fiue stadia broad and the largest 15 the other Northward on India side named Cydara also that the next cape of this country to India is called Colaicum from which to the neerest port of India is counted foure daies sailing in the midst of which passage there lieth in the way the Island of the Sunne They said moreouer that the water of this sea was all of a deepe greene colour and more than that full of trees growing within it insomuch as the pilots with their helmes many times brake off the heads and tops of those trees The stars about the North-pole called Septentriones the Waines or Beares they wondred to see here among vs in our Hemisphere as also the Brood-hen called Vergiliae in Latine as if it had been another heauen They confessed also they neuer saw with them the Moone aboue the ground before it was 8 daies old nor after the 16 day That the Canopus a goodly great and bright star about the pole Antarcticke vsed to shine all night with them But the thing that they maruelled and were most astonied at was this that they obserued the shadow of their own bodies fell to our Hemisphere and not to theirs and that the Sun arose on their left hand and set on their right rather than contrariwise Furthermore they related that the front of that Island of theirs which looked toward India contained 10000 stadia reached from the South-East beyond the mountains Enodi Also that the Seres were within their kenning whom they might easily discouer from out of this their Island with whom they had acquaintance by the meanes of trafficke and merchandise and that Rachias his father vsed many times to trauell thither Affirming moreouer that if any strangers came thither they were encountred and assailed by wild sauage beasts and that the inhabitants themselues were gyants of stature exceeding the ordinary stature of men hauing red haire eies of colour blewish their voice for sound horrible for speech not distinct nor intelligible for any vse of traffick and commerce In all things else their practise is the same that our merchants and occupiers do vse for on the farther side of the riuer when wares and commodities are laid downe if they list to make exchange they haue them away and leaue other merchandise in lieu thereof to content the forrein merchant And verily no greater cause haue we otherwise to hate abhor this excessiue superfluitie than to cast our eie so far and consider with our selues what it is that we seeke for from what remote parts we fetch it and to what end we so much desire al this vanitie But euen this Island Taprobane as farre off as it is seeming as it were cast out of the way by Nature and diuided from all this world wherein we liue is not without those vices and imperfections wherwith we are tainted and infected For euen gold siluer also is there in great requestand highly esteemed and marble especially if it be fashioned like a tortois shell Iemmes and pretious stones pearles also such as be orient and of the better sort are highly prised with them and herein consisteth the very height of our superfluous delights Moreouer these Embassadors would say that they had more riches in their Island than we at Rome but we more vse thereof than they They affirmed also that no man with them had any slaues to command neither slept they in the morning after day-light ne yet at all in the day time That the maner of building their houses was low somewhat raised aboue the ground and no more adoe that their markets were neuer deare nor price of victuals raised As for courts pleading of causes and going to law they knew not what it meant
city Alexandropolis bearing the name of Alexander the first founder CHAP. XXVI Media Mesopotamia Babylon and Seleucia REquisit now it is and needfull in this place to describe the positure and situation of the Medians kingdom and to discouer all those countries round about as farre as to the Persian sea to the end that the description of other regions hereafter to be mentioned may the better be vnderstood Wherein this first and formost is to be obserued that the kingdome of Media on the one side or other confronteth both Persis and Parthia and casting forth a crooked and winding horne as it were toward the West seemeth to enclose within that compasse both the said realmes Neuerthelesse on the East side it confineth vpon the Parthians and Caspians on the South Sittacene Susiane and Persis Westward Adiabene and Northward Armenia as for the Persians they alwaies confronted the red sea whereupon it was called the Persian gulfe Howbeit the maritime coast thereof is called Cyropolis and that part which confineth vpon Media Elymais In this realme there is a strong fort called Megala in the ascent of a steep high hill so direct vpright that a man must mount vp to it by steps and degrees and otherwise the passage is very streight and narrow And this way leadeth to Persepolis the head city of the whole kingdome which Alexander the great caused to be rased Moreouer in the frontiers of this Realme standeth the city Laodicea built by king Antiochus From whence as you turn into the East the strong fort or castle Passagarda is seated which the sages or wise men of Persia called Magi do hold and therein is the tomb of Cyrus Also the citie Ecbatana belonging to these sages which Darius the king caused to be translated to the mountaines Between the Parthians and the Arians lie out in length the Parotacenes These nations and the riuer Euphrates serue to limit and bound the seuen lower realmes abouenamed Now are we to discourse of the parts remainitg behind of Mesopotamia setting a side one point and corner thereof as also the nations of Arabia wherof we spake in the former booke This Mesopotamia was in times past belonging wholly to the Assyrians dispersed into pettie villages and burgades all saue Babylon Ninus The Macedonians were the first that after it came vnder their hands reduced it into great cities for the goodnesse and plenty of their soile and territorie For now besides the abouenamed townes it hath in it Seleucia Laodicea and Artemita likewise within the quarters of the Arabians named Aroei Mardani Antiochea and that which being founded by Nicanor gouernor of Mesopotamia is called Arabis Vpon these ioine the Arabians but well within the countrey are the Eldamarij And aboue them is the citie Bura situat vpon the riuer Pelloconta beyond which are the Salmanes and Maseans Arabians Then there joine to the Gordiaeans those who are called Aloni by whom the riuer Zerbis passeth and so discharged into Tigris Neere vnto them are the Azones and Silices mountainers together with the Orentians vpon whom confronteth the city Gaugamela on the West side Moreouer there is Sue among the rocks aboue which are the Sylici and Classitae through whom Lycus the riuer runneth out of Armenia Also toward the Southeast Absitris and the town Azochis Anon you come down into the plains champion country where you meet with these towns Diospage Positelia Stratonicea Anthemus As for the city Nicephorium as we haue already said it is seated neer to the riuer Euphrates where Alexander the great caused it to be founded for the pleasant seat of the place and the commodity of the country there adioining Of the city Apamia we haue before spoken in the description of Zeugma from which they that goe Eastward meet with a strong fortified town in old time carrying a pourprise compasse of 65 stadia called the royall pallace of their great dukes potentates named Satrapae vnto which from all quarters men resorted to pay their imposts customs and tributes but now it is come to be but a fort and castle of defence But there continue still in their entire and as flourishing state as euer the city Hebata and Oruros to which by the fortunat conduct of Pompey the Great the limits and bounds of the Roman empire were extended and is from Zeugma 250 miles Some writers report that the riuer Euphrates was diuided by a gouernor of Mesopotamia and one arme thereof brought to Gobaris euen in that place where we said it parted in twain which was done for feare lest one day or other the riuer with his violent streame should indanger the city of Babylon They affirme also that the Assyrians generally called it Armalchar which signifieth a royall riuer Vpon this new arme of the riuer aforesaid stood sometime Agrani one of the greatest towns of that region which the Persians caused to be vtterly rased and destroyed As for the city of Babylon the chiefe city of all the Chaldaean nations for a long time carried a great name ouer all the world in regard whereof all the other parts of Mesopotamia and Assyria was named Babylonia it contained within the walls 60 miles the walls were 200 foot high and 50 thick reckoning to euery foot 3 fingers bredth more than our ordinary measure Through the middest of this goodly great city passeth the riuer Euphrates a wonderfull piece of worke if a man consider both the one and the other As yet to this day the temple of Iupiter Belus there stands entire This prince was the first inuenter of Astronomie It is now decayed and lieth waste and vnpeopled for that the city Seleucia stands so neere it which hath drawne from it all resort and traffique and was to that end built by Nicator within 40 miles of it in the very confluent where the new arm of Euphrates is brought by a ditch to meet with Tigris notwithstanding it is named Babylonia a free state at this day and subiect to no man howbeit they liue after the lawes and manners of the Macedonians And by report in this city there are 600000 citisens As for the walls thereof it is said they resemble an Eagle spreading her wings and for the soile there is not a territorie in all the East parts comparable to it in fertilitie The Parthians in despight again of this city and to do the like by it as somtime was done to old Babylon built the city Ctesiphon within three miles of it in the tract called Chalonitis euen to dispeople and impouerish it which is now the head city of that kingdom But when they could do little or no good thereby to discredit the said new Babylon of late dayes Vologesus their king founded another city hard by called Vologeso Certa Moreouer other cities there are besides in Mesopotamia namely Hipparenum a city likewise of the Chaldaeans and innobled for their learning as well as Babylon scituate vpon the riuer Narragon which
may wonder the more at this matter and come to the full conceit thereof if he do but consider that it was counted an exceeding great iourny that Tiberius Nero made with three chariots shifting from one to the other fresh in a day and a night riding post haste vnto his brother Drusus then lying sicke in Germany and all that was but 200 miles CHAP. XXI ¶ Examples of good Eie-sight VVE find in histories as incredible examples as any be as touching quicknesse of Eie-sight Cicero hath recorded that the whole Poeme of Homer called Ilias was written in a piece of parchment which was able to be couched within a nut shel The same writer maketh mention of one that could see and discerne out-right 135 miles And M. Varro nameth the man and saith he was called Strabo who affirmeth thus much moreouer of him that during the Carthaginian war he was wont to stand and watch vpon Lilybaeum a cape in Sicily to discouer the enemies fleet loosing out of the hauen of Carthage and was able to tel the very just number of the ships Callicrates vsed to make Pismires and other such like little creatures out of yvorie so artificially that other men could not discerne the parts of their body one from another There was one Myrmecides excellent in that kinde of workmanship who of the same matter wrought a chariot with foure wheeles and as many steeds in so little roome that a silly flie might couer all with her wings Also he made a ship with all the tackling to it no bigger than a little bee might hide it with her wings CHAP. XXII ¶ Of Hearing AS for hearing there is one example wonderfull For the bruit of that battell whereupon Sybaris was forced sacked was heard the very same day as far as Olympia in Greece As touching the news of the Cimbrians defeature as also the report and tidings of the victorie ouer the Persians made by the Roman Castores the same day that it was atchieued were held for diuine reuelations rather than humane reports and the knowledge thereof came more by way of vision than otherwise CHAP. XXIII ¶ Examples of Patience MAny are the calamities of this life incident to mankind which haue affoorded infinite trials of mens patience in suffering paines in their body Among others for women the example of Leaena the courtisan is most rare and singular who for all the dolorous tortures that could be deuised would neuer bewray Harmodius and Aristogiton who slew the tyranous king And for men Anaxarchus did the like who being for such a cause examined vpon the racke in the midst of his torments bit off his own tongue with his teeth the only means wherby he might haply reueale and disclose the matter in question and spit it in the face of the ty rant that put him to his torture CHAP. XXIIII ¶ Examples of Memorie AS touching memorie the greatest gift of Nature and most necessary of all others for this life hard it is to iudge and say who of all others deserued the chiefe honor therein considering how many men haue excelled and woon much glory in that behalfe King Cyrus was able to call euery souldier that he had through his whole army by his owne name L. Scipio could do the like by all the citizens of Rome Semblably Cineas Embassador of king Pyrrhus the very next day that he came to Rome both knew and also saluted by name all the Senate the whole degrees of Gentlemen and Cauallerie in the citie Mithridates the king reigned ouer two and twentie nations of diuers languages and in so many tongues gaue lawes and ministred justice vnto them without truchman and when he was to make speech vnto them in publicke assembly respectiuely to euery nation he did performe it in their own tongue without interpretor One Charmidas or Charmadas a Grecian was of so singular a memory that hâ—… was able to deliuer by heart the contents word for word of all the books that a man would call for out of any librarie as if he read the same presently within book At length the practise hereof was reduced into an art of Memory deuised and inuented first by Simonides Melicus and afterwards brought to perfection and consummate by Metrodorus Sepsius by which a man might learne to rehearse againe the same words of any discourse whatsoeuer after once hearing and yet there is not a thing in man so fraile and brittle againe as it whether it be occasioned by disease by casual iniuries or occurrents or by feare through which it faileth somtime in part and otherwhiles decaieth generally and is clean lost One with the stroke of a stone fell presently to forget his letters onely and could reade no more otherwise his memorie serued him well enough Another with a fall from the roofe of a very high house lost the remembrance of his owne mother his next kinsfolks friends and neighbors Another in a sicknesse of his forgot his own seruants about him and Messala Corvinus the great Orator vpon the like occasion forgot his own proper name So fickle and slipperie is mans memorie that oftentimes it assaieth and goeth about to leese it selfe euen whiles a mans body is otherwise quiet and in health But let sleep creepe at any time vpon vs it seemeth to be vanquished so as our poore spirit wandreth vp and downe to seeke where it is and to recouer it againe CHAP. XXV ¶ The praise of C. Iulius Caesar. FOr vigor and quicknesse of spirit I take it that C. Caesar Dictatour went beyond all men besides I speake not now of his vertue and constancie neither of his high reach and deep wit whereby he apprehended the knowledge of all things vnder the cope of heauen but of that agilitie of minde that prompt and ready conceit of his as nimble and actiue as the verie fire I haue heard it reported of him that he was wont to write to reade to indite letters and withall to giue audience to suiters heare their causes all at one instant And being emploied as you know he was in so great and important affairs he ordinarily indited letters to foure secretaries or clerkes at once and when he was free from other greater businesse he would otherwise finde seuen of them work at one time The same man in his daies fought 50 set battels with banners displaied against his enemies in which point he alone out-went M. Marcellus who was seene 40 times saue one in the field Besides the carnage of citizens that hee made in the ciuill wars when he obtained victory he put to the sword 1192000 of his enemies in one battell or other And certes for mine owne part I hold this for no speciall glory and commendation of his considering so great iniurie done to mankind by this effusion of bloud which in some part hâ—… hath confessed himselfe in that he hath forborne to set downe the ouerthrowes bloud-shed of his aduersaries fellow citizens during the
pittifull groning of a man they are saddle-backed their snout is camoise and flat turning vp And this is the cause that all of them after a wonderfull sort know the name Simo and take great pleasure that men should so call them The Dolphin is a creature that carries a louing affection not only vnto man but also to musicke delighted he is with harmony in song but especially with the sound of the water instrument or such kind of pipes Of a man he is nothing affraid neither auoides from him as a stranger but of himselfe meeteth their ships plaieth and disportes himselfe and fetcheth a thousand friskes and gamboles before them He will swim along by the mariners as it were for a wager who should make way most speedily and alwaies outgoeth them saile they with neuer so good a fore-wind In the daies of Augustus Caesar the Emperour there was a Dolphin entred the gulfe or poole Lucrinus which loued wondrous well a certain boy a poore mans son who vsing to goe euery day to schoole from Baianum to Puteoli was woont also about noone-tide to stay at the water side and to call vnto the Dolphin Simo Simo and many times would giue him fragments of bread which of purpose he euer brought with him and by this meanes allured the Dolphin to come ordinarily vnto him at his call I would make scruple and bash to insert this tale in my storie and to tell it out but that Mecenas Fabianus Flauius Alfius and many others haue set it downe for a truth in their chronicles Well in processe of time at what houre soeuer of the day this boy lured for him called Simo were the Dolphin neuer so close hidden in any secret and blind corner out he would and come abroad yea and skud amaine to this lad and taking bread and other victuals at his hand would gently offer him his back to mount vpon and then downe went the sharpe pointed prickles of his fins which he would put vp as it were within a sheath for fear of hurting the boy Thus when he had him once on his back he would carry him ouer the broad arme of the sea as farre as Puteoli to schoole and in like manner conuey him backe again home and thus he continued for many yeeres rogether so long as the child liued But when the boy was fallen sicke dead yet the Dolphin gaue not ouer his haunt but vsually came to the wonted place missing the lad seemed to be heauie and mourne againe vntill for very griefe sorrow as it is doubtles to be presumed he also was found dead vpon the shore Another Dolphin there was not many yeeres since vpon the coast of Affricke neere to the citie Hippo called also Diarrhytus which in like manner would take meat at a mans hand suffer himselfe gently to be handled play with them that swom and bathed in the sea and carrie on his backe whosoeuer would get vpon it Now it fell out so that Flauianus the Proconsull or lieutenant Generall in Affrick vnder the Romans perfumed and besmeered this Dolphin vpon a time with a sweet ointment but the fish as it should seem smelling this new strange smel fell to be drow sie and sleepie and hulled to and fro with the waues as if it had bin halfe dead and as though some iniurie had bin offered vnto him went his way and kept aloufe and would not conuerse any more for certaine moneths with men as before-time Howbeit in the end he came again to Hippo to the great wonder astonishment of all that saw him But the wrongs that some great persons and lords did vnto the citizens of Hippo such I mean as vsed to come for to see this sight and namely the hard measure offered to those townesmen who to their great cost gaue them entertainement caused the men of Hippo to kill the poore Dolphin The like is reported in the citie Iassos long before this time for there was seene a Dolphin many a day to affect a certaine boy so as he would come vnto him wheresoeuer he chanced to espy him But whiles at one time aboue the rest he followed egerly after the lad going toward the towne he shot himselfe vpon the dry sands before he was aware and died forthwith In regard hereof Alexander the Great ordained that the said young boy should afterwards be the chiefe priest and sacrificer to Neptune in Babylon collecting by the singular fancie that this Dolphin cast vnto him That it was a great signe of the speciall loue of that god of the sea vnto him and that he would be good and gracious to men for his sake Egesidemus writeth that in the same Iassus there was another boy named Hermias who hauing vsed likewise to ride vpon a Dolphin ouer the sea chanced at the last in a sodaine storme to be ouer-whelmed with waues as he sat vpon his backe and so died and was brought backe dead by the Dolphin who confessing as it were that he was the cause of his death would neuer retire againe into the sea but launced himselfe vpon the sands and there died on the drie land The semblable happened at Naupactum by the report of Theophrastus But there is no end of examples in this kinde for the Amphilochians and Tarentines testifie as much as touching Dolphins which haue bin enamoured of little boies which induceth me the rather to beleeue the tale that goes of Arion This Arion being a notable musition plaier of the harpe chanced to fall into the hands of certain mariners in the ship where he was who supposing that he had good store of mony about him which he had gotten with his instrument were in hand to kill him and cast him ouer boord for the said monie and so to intercept all his gaines he seeing himselfe at their deuotion and mercie besought them in the best manner that he could deuise to suffer him yet before he died to play one fit of mirth with his harpe which they granted at his musicke and sound of harpe a number of Dolphins came flocking about him which done they turned him ouer shipbord into the sea where one of the Dolphins tooke him vpon his backe and carried him safe to the bay of Taenarus To conclude and knit vp this matter In Languedoc within the prouince of Narbon and in the territorie of Naemausium there is a standing poole or dead water called Laterra wherein men and Dolphins together vse to fish for at one certain time of the yeare an infinite number of fishes called Mullets taking the vantage of the tide when the water doth ebbe at câ—…tain narrow weares and passages with great force break forth of the said poole into the sea and by reason of that violence no nets can be set and pitched against them strong enough to abide and beare their huge weight and the streame of the water rogether if so be men were not cunning and craftie to wait and espie their
least birds of all others howbeit they be very docible Doe they will whatsoeuer they are taught bidden not only in their voice but also with their feet and bils as if they were hands In the territorie about Arelate there is a bird called Tautus because it loweth like a bull or cow for otherwise a small bird it is There is another also named Anthus which likewise resembleth the neighing of horses and if haply by the approch of horses they be driuen from their grasse wherof they feed they will seem to neigh and flying vnto them chase them away and so be reuenged of them again But aboue all other birds of the aire the Parrats passe for counterfeiting a mans voice insomuch as they will seeme to parle and prate our very speech This foule commeth out of the Indies where they call it Sittace It is all the body ouer greene onely it hath a collar about the necke of vermilion red different from the rest of her feathers The Parrat can skil to salute Emperors and bid good morrow yea and to pâ—…onounce what words she heareth She loueth wine well and when shee hath drunk freely is very pleasant plaifull and wanton She hath an head as hard as is her beak when she learns to speak she must be beaten about the head with a rod of yron for otherwise she careth for no blowes When she taketh her flight down from any place she lighteth vpon her bil and resteth therupon and by that means fauoreth her feet which by nature are but weake and feeble and so carrieth her owne weight more lightly There is a certain Pie of nothing so great reckoning and account as the Parrat because shee is not far fet but here-by neere at hand howbeit she pronounces that which is taught her more plainly and distinctly than the other These take a loue to the words that they speak for they not only learn them as a lesson but they learn them with a delight and pleasure Insomuch that a man shall find them studying thereupon and conning the said lesson and by their carefull thinking vpon that which they learn they shew plainly how mindfull and intentiue they be thereto It is for certain knowne that they haue died for very anger and griefe that they could not learn to pronounce some hard words as also vnlesse they heare the same words repeated often vnto them their memory is so shittle they will soone forget the same againe If they misse a word and haue lost it they wil seeke to call it againe to remembrance and if they fortune to heare the same word in the mean time they will wonderfully ioy thereat As for their beautie it is not ordinary although it be not very louely But surely amiable enough they are in this that they can so well resemble mans speech It is said that none of their kinde are good to bee made scholers but such only as feed vpon mast and among them those that haue fiue toes to their feet But euen these also are not fit for that purpose after the first two yeares of their age And their tongue is broader than ordinarie like as they be all that counterfeit mans voice each one in their kind although it be in maner general to all birds whatsoeuer to be broad tongued Agrippina the Empresse wife to Claudius Caesar had a Black-bird or a Throstle at what time as I compiled this boook which could counterfeit mans speech a thing neuer seen nor knowne before The two Caesars also the yong princes to wit Germanicus Dâ—…usus had one Stare sundry Nightingales taught to parle Greeke and Latine Moreouer they would studie vpon their lessons and meditate all day long and from day to day come out with new words still yea and were able to continue a long speech discourse Now for to teach them the better these birds must be in a secret place apart by themselues where they can heare no other voice and one is to sit ouer them who must repeat often that which he would haue them to learn yea and please them also with giuing them such meat as they best loue CHAP. XLIII ¶ The vnderstanding and wit that Rauens haue LEt vs not defraud the Rauens also of their due praise in this behalfe considering that the whole people of Rome hath testified the same not only by taking knowledge but also by a publick reuenge exemplarie punishment And thus stood the case In the daies of Tiberius the emperor there was a yong Rauen hatched in a nest vpon the church of Castor Pollux which to make a triall how he could flie took his first flight into a shoomakers shop just ouer-against the said church The master of the shop was well enough content to receiue this bird as commended to him from so sacred a place and in that regard set great store by it This Rauen in short time being acquainted to mans speech began to speak euery morning would fly vp to the top of the Rostra or publick pulpit for Orations where turning to the open Forum market place he would salute and bid good morrow to Tiberius Caesar and after him to Germanicus and Drusus the yong princes both Caesars euery one by their names and anon the people of Rome also that passed by And when he had so don afterwards would flie again to the shoomakers shop aforesaid This duty practised yea and continued for many yeres together to the great wonder and admiration of all men Now it fell out so that another shoomaker who had taken the next coruiners shop vnto him either vpon a malicious enuie that he occupied so neer him or some sudden spleene and passion of choler as he would seeme to plead for his excuse for that the Rauen chanced to meut a little and set some spot vpon a paire of his shooes killed the said Rauen. Whereat the people tooke such indignation that they rising in an vptore first droue him out of that street and made that quarter of the city too hot for him and not long after murdered him for it But contrariwise the carkasse of the dead Rauen was solemnly enterred and the funerals performed with all ceremoniall obsequies that could be deuised For the corps of this bird was bestowed in a cosfin couch or bed and the same bedecked with chaplets and garlands of fresh floures of all sorts carried vpon the shoulders of two blacke-Mores with minstrels before sounding the Haut-boies and playing on the Fife as far as to the Funeral fire which was piled and made in the right hand of the causey Appia two miles without the city in a certain plain or open field called Rediculi So highly reputed the people of Rome that ready wit and apt disposition in a bird as they thought it a sufficient cause to ordaine a sumptuous buriall therefore yea and to reuenge the death thereof by murdering a citizen of Rome in that city wherein many a braue man and
old and loses the strength Of late daies there was an herbe found in Thracia the leaues wherof differ in nothing from the Indian Nard As for the grape of Amomum which now is in vse and much occupied some say it groweth vpon a wilde vine in India Others haue thought that it commeth from a shrubbe like Myrtle carieth not aboue a hand-bredth or 4 inches in height Plucked it is together with the root and gently must be laid and couched in bunches by handfuls for if great heed be not taken it will soone burst and breake The best Amomum and most commendable is that which carrieth leaues like to those of the Pomegranate without riuels and wrinckles and besides of a red colour The next in goodnesse is that which is pale The greene or grasse coloured is not all out so good but the worst of all is white and that colour comes by age and long keeping a pound of these grapes intire and whole in the cluster is worth 60 Roman deniers But if they be crumbled and broken it will cost but 48. This Amomum groweth likewise in a part of Armenia named Otene also in the kingdomes of Media and Pontus It is sophisticated with the leaues of the Pomgranate and with some other liquid gum besides that it may hang vnited together and roll round into the forme of grapes Now as touching that which is called Amomis it is lesse full of veins and nothing so sweet smelling but harder than Amomum whereby it appeareth that it is either a diuers plant from it or els if it be the same it is gathered before it be full ripe Cardamomum is like to these aboue rehearsed both in name and also in making and ferme but it bears a longer graine for seed The maner also of gathering and cutting it downe in Arabia is the same Foure kinds there be of it The first is most green and fatty withal hauing foure sharp corners and if a man rub it between his fingers he shal find it very tough and stubborne and this is most esteemed of all the other The next to it is somwhat reddish but inclining to a whitish colour A third sort is shorter lesser and blacker than the rest Howbeit the worst is that which hath sundry colours is pliable and gentle in the rubbing and smelleth but a little The true Cardamomum ought to come neare in resemblance to Costus And it grows in Media A pound of the best will cost 12 deniers The great affinitie or kinred rather in name that Cinnamon hath with these spices before rehearsed might induce me to write therof in one suit euen in this place but that more meet it is to shew first the riches of Arabia and to set down the causes why that country should be syrnamed Happy and Blessed Wee will begin therefore with the chiefe commodities thereof namely Frankincense and Myrrhe and yet Myrrhe is found as wel in the Troglodites country as in Arabia CHAP. XIV ¶ Of Happy Arabia that yeeldeth plenty of Frankincense THere is no region in the whole world that bringeth forth frankincense but Arabia and yet is it not to be found in al parts therof but in that quarter only of the Atramites Now these Atramites inhabit the very heart of Arabia and are a county of the Sabaei The capitall city of the whole kingdom is called Sabota seated vpon a high mountain from whence vnto Saba the only country that yeelds such plenty of the said incense it is about 8 daies journey As for Saba which in the Greek tongue signifieth a secret mysterie it regards the Sunne rising in Summer or the North-East enclosed on euery side with rockes inaccessible and on the right hand it is defended with high cliffes and crags that beare into the sea The soile of this territorie by report is reddish inclining to white The forrests that carry these Incense treesly in length 20 Schaenes and beare in bredth half as much Now that which we cal Schaenus according to the calculation of Eratosthenes contains forty stadia that is to say fiue miles how soeuer some haue allowed but 32 stadia to euery Schaenus The quarter wherein these trees grow is full of high hills howbeit go down into the plains and valley beneath you shall haue plenty of the same trees which come vp of their own accord and were neuer planted The earth is fat and standeth much vpon a strong clay as all writers do agree Few Springs are there to be found and those that be are full of Nitre There is another tract by it selfe confronting this country wherein the Minaeans do inhabit and through them there is a narrow passage whereby the frankincense is transported into other parts These were their first neighbours that did traffique with them for their Incense and found a vent for it and euen so they doe still at this day whereupon the frankincense it selfe is called of their name Minaeum Setting these people of the Sabeans aside there be no Arabians that see an Incense tree from one end of the yere to another neither are all these permitted to haue a sight of those trees For the common voice is that there be not aboue 3000 families which can claime and challenge by right of succession that priuiledge to gather incense And therefore all the race of them is called Sacred and Holy for looke when they go about either cutting and slitting the trees or gathering the Incense they must not that day come neere a woman to know her carnally nay they must not be at any funerals nor approch a dead corps for being polluted By which religion and ceremonious obseruation the price is raised and the incense is the dearer Some say these people haue equall liberty in common to go into these Woods for their commodities when they will but others affirme that they be diuided into companies and take their turns by yeares As concerning the very tree I could neuer know yet the perfect description of it We haue waged warres in Arabia and our Roman armie haue entred a great way into that country C. Caesar the adopted son of Augustus wan great honour and glory from thence and yet verily to my knowledge there was neuer any Latine Author that hath put down in writing the form and fashion of the tree that carrieth incense As for the Greeke Writers their bookes doe vary and differ in that point Some giue out that it hath leaues like to a Peare tree only they be somewhat lesse and when they come forth they be of a grasse green colour Others say that they resemble the Lentiske tree and are somwhat reddish There be again who write that it is the very Terebints and none else that giueth the Frankincense of which opinion king Antigonus was who had one of these shrubs brought vnto him King Iuba in those books which he wrot and sent to C. Caesar son to the Emperor Augustus who was inflamed with an ardent desire to
is it brought into the citie For by law forbidden it is on pain of death to take any other way Which done the Priests there of the god whom they call Sabis take the disme or tenth part of the Incense by measure and not by weight and set it apart for that god Neither is it lawful for any man to buy or sell before that duty be paied which serues afterwards to support certaine publick expenses of the citie For al strangers and trauellers within the compasse of certain daies journey if they come to the citie are courteously receiued and liberally entertained at the cost and charge of the said god Sabis Caried forth of the country it cannot be but thorough the Gebanites and therfore there is a custome paid to their king The head citie of that kingdome Thomna is from Gaza the next port-towne in Iudaea toward our coast seuen and twentie miles fourscore times told and this way is diuided into 62 daies journy by Camels Moreouer besides the tyth aforesaid there be measures bestowed vpon the Priests to their owne vse and others likewise to the kings Secretaries and Scribes And not only these haue a share but also the Keepers Sextons and Wardens of the temple the Squires of the bodie the Guard and Pensioners the kings officers the Porters Groomes and other seruitors pill and poll and euery one hath a snatch Moreouer all the way as they trauell in one place they pay for their water in another for fodder and prouender or else fortheir lodging stable-room euery where for one thing or other they pay toll so as the charge of euery Cammell from thence to the sea vpon our coast commeth to 688 deniers and yet we are not come to an end of paiments For our Publicanes and customers also belonging to our Empire must haue a fleece for their parts And therefore a pound of the best Incense will cost 16 deniers of the second 15 and the third 14. With vs it is mingled and sophisticated with parcels of a white kind of Rosin which is very like to it but the fraud is soone found by the meanes aboue specified The best Incense is tried and knowne by these markes viz. If it be white large brittle and easie to take a flame when it comes neare a coale of fire last of all if it still not abide the dent of the tooth but flie in pieces and crumble sooner than suffer the teeth to enter into it CHAP. XV. ¶ Of Myrrhe and the Trees that yeeld it SOme haue written That the Trees which beare the Myrrhe doe grow confusedly here and there in the same woods among the Incense Trees but more there are who affirme That they grow apart by themselues And in truth found they are in many quarters of Arabia as shall be said when we treat of the seuerall species of Myrrh There is very good Myrrh brought out of the Islands and the Sabaesns passe ahe seas and trauell as far as to the Troglodites countrey for it There is a kind of Myrrhe tree planted by mans hand in Hort-yards and much preferred it is before the wild that groweth in the woods These Trees loue to be raked bared and cleansed about the roots they delight I say to haue the superfluous spurnes rid away from the root and the more that the root is cooled the better thriueth the Tree The plant groweth ordinarily fiue cubits high but not all that length is smooth and without pricks the bodie and trunke is hard and wrythen thicker than the Incense trees it is greatest toward the root and so arises smaller and smaller taperwise Some say that the bark is smooth and euen like vnto that of the Arbute Tree others againe affirme that it is prickly and full of thornes It hath a lease like to the Oliue cut more crisped and curled and withall it is in the end sharp-pointed like a needle But King Iuba writes that it beareth the lease of Loueach or Alisanders There be who write that it resembles the Iuniper saue only that it is more rough and beset with sharp pricks And some let not to dream talke that both Myrrhe and also Incense came from one and the same Tree Indeed the Myrrhe trees are twice cut and launced in one yeare and at the same seasons as wel as the Incense trees but the slit reacheth from the very root vp to the boughes if they may beare and abide it Howbeit before that incision be made they sweat out of themselues a certain liquor called Stacte which is very good Myrrh and none better As wel of this franke and garden myrrh tree as of the wild in the woods the Myrrh is better that is gathered or runs in Suâ—…mer time There is no allowance of myrrh offered and giuen to the god Sabis as there was of Incense because it is found in other countries Howbeit the King of the Gebanites hath payed vnto him for toll and custome a fourth part of all that passeth through his kingdome To conclude whatsoeuer is bought in any market or place abroad they put and thrust it hard together in leather bags one with another but the Druggists and Apothecaries can soon separate the better from the worse and be very cunning and ready to digest them according to the marks that they go by as well of smell as fattinesse CHAP. XVI ¶ Diuers kindes of Myrrhe the nature vertue and price thereof MAny sorts there be of Myrrh Of all the wild kinds the first is that which groweth in the Troglodites country Next to it is Minaea in which rank you may place Attramittica and Ausaritis which both come out of the realme of the Gebanites In a third place reckon that which they call Dianitis A fourth sort is gotten here and there in all parts and hudled together In the fift range is Sembracena so called of a city within the kingdom of the Sabaeans and is next vnto the sea The sixt they call Dusaritis Besides all these a white myrrh there is found but in one place which ordinarily is brought to the city Mesalum there sold. The Trogloditick myrrh they chuse by the fattinesse thereof and for that it seemes to the eye greener it shewes also foule rude and ilfauoured but sharper it is and more biting in mouth than the rest The Sembracene hath none of these faults but is pleasant and cheerful to see to howbeit of small operation and strength But to speake in a word and once for all the best myrrh is known by little pieces which are not round and when they grow together they yeeld a certain whitish liquor which issueth and resolueth from them and if a man break them into morsels it hath white veines resembling mens nailes and in taste is somewhat bitter A second degree there is in goodnes when it sheweth sundry colors within And the worst of all is that which within-forth is black and the same is worse yet if it be as black
that by our prophane and vnkind ciuill wars the world is grown to this passe that it is reputed a singular demerit and gracious act not to kill a citizen of Rome but to let him liue To this kind of garland none other be comparable for the Murall and Vallare coronets bestowed vpon them that either skaled the walls or entred the breach first into an enemy city or els mounted ouer the rampier of a camp albeit they were of gold and of greater price by far yet they gaue place to these Yea the very Nauall coronets fashioned like the three forked pikes of ship beake-heads wherewith they were honored who had performed some braue seruice at sea came behind these Ciuicke garlands due to them who haue rescued citizens and saued them out of the enemies hands and yet in these our daies there haue bin knowne two in that kind most renowned aboue the rest whereof the one was bestowed vpon M. Varro by Pompey the Great for defeating the pyrats and for scouring and clearing the seas of them the other likewise giuen to M. Agrippa by Augustus Caesar for vanquishing the Sicilians who also were no better than rouers Now forasmuch as we are light vpon the mention of Naual or Rostrate coronets this would be noted That in old time the said brasen beake-heads of ships woon from the enemies and set vpon the front of the Tribunall or publick pulpit in Rome serued for an ornament to beautifie the Forum or common place of the city so as the very body of the people of Rome seemed to be crowned and honored thereby But after that the Tribunes in making seditious orations began to stamp and fare like mad men there to trample I say vnder foot and to pollute that sacred place and those goodly ensignes after that they fel once euery man to make his priuat and particular profit of the common good without regard to aduance the weale publick after that each one sought to strengthen and arm himself by the benefit of authority and that to the weakening of the main state insomuch as they who were reputed by their place sacrosanct and inviolable polluted and prophaned all then the said ornaments of beak-heads which beautified the place vnder their feet serued to adorne the heads of Roman citizens So as to returne again now to the aboue named Agrippa Augustus Caesar gaue vnto him a Nauall coronet for subduing the Sicilian Pyrats and himselfe receiued of mankind a Ciuick chaplet for sparing the bloud and sauing the liues of so many citizens In antient time they vsed to crowne none but the gods And hereupon it is that the Poet Homer speaketh of no garlands and chaplets but due to the celestiall heauenly wights or at leastwise in the name of a whole army for victory atchieued in some notable battell for to one man alone he alloweth not any no not in regard of the better hand in combate or single fight And to say a truth the first that euer set a Garland vpon his owne head was prince Bacchus and the same was made of Iuie but afterwards those that sacrificed to the honour of gods not only ware chaplets themselues but also adorned therwith the heads of the very beasts which were appointed to be killed for sacrifice In the end the custome was taken vp to honour them with garlands who wan prizes at those sacred and solemne games Olympia Isthmia Pythia and Nemoea Howbeit the manner was then and so continueth to this day To giue chaplets to the said victors not in their own name but in the behalfe of their natiue country which by open proclamation they pronounce to be crowned and honored thereby And hereof it came also that such coronets and chaplets were granted to them that should triumph yea and soone after to those also who had won the prise in any publick games vpon condition to dedicate them to the temple of the gods To discourse what Roman citizen receiued this honor first of a chaplet or coronet were a long peece of worke and nothing pertinent to our purpose and matter in hand considering that they were acquainted with none at all but in regard of seruice performed in the wars Yet thus much I may auer for certain That no nation vnder heauen nay put them all together can shew so many sorts of chaplets and coronets as this one state and people of Rome K. Romulus crowned Hostus Hostilius with a garland of bare greene leaues for that in the forcing and ruining of Fidena he brake first into the city and made way for the rest This man was grandsire to Tullus Hostilius king of Rome Semblably in the war against the Samnites wherein Cornelius Cossus the Consull was L. Generall the whole army crowned P. Decius the father with a chaplet of green leaues who then was a martiall Tribune or Colonell ouer a regiment of souldiers for that hee had saued and deliuered the said army But now to come againe to our Ciuicke garland it was made at first of the Ilex or Holme tree leaues afterwards men tooke a better liking to make it of the Aesculus a tree consecrated to Iupiter They staied not there but changed soone after with the common oke neither made they any precise choise but tooke the leaues of that which came next hand wheresoeuer they found it growing prouided alwaies that it bare acorns for all the honor of these garlands consisted principally in the mast Moreouer there belong to these Ciuick garlands streight laws and ordinances in which regard these chaplets be proud and stately and we may be bold to compare them with that Paragon-coronet of the Greeks which passeth al others giuen solemnly and published in the presence of Iupiter and made of the wilde Oliue dedicated vnto him comparable I say to any crowne or chaplet whatsoeuer euen to that for which a city in token of ioy would not stick to lay open a breach in their very wall to receiue it when it should enter in The lawes ordained in this behalfe run in this forme Imprimis He that is to enioy the honour of a Ciuicke chaplet ought first to haue rescued a citizen and withall to kill the enemie in whose danger hee was Item It is required That the enemies the same day held the verie ground and were Masters hereof wherein the rescue was made and the seruice performed Item That the partie himselfe so saued doe confesse the thing for otherwise all the witnesses in the World auaile not in this case Item the man thus deliuered must bee a free Citizen of Rome in anie hand for sit case that hee were a King which was thus rescued if hee were a stranger and came onely amongst the auxiliaries to aide the Romanes it would not boot nor gaine any man this honour for to saue his life Item Say that the Generall himselfe were rescued and deliuered out of danger the partie for his good seruice should haue no more honour done vnto
Italy men hold the Elmes about Atinum to be the tallest and of those they prefer them which grow in dry grounds and haue no water comming to them before those by riuers sides A second sort of them which are not all out so great they call the French Elmes The third kinde be the Italian Elmes thicker growne with leaues than the rest and those proceeding in greater number from one stem In the fourth place be ranged the wilde Elmes The Atinian Elmes aboue said beare no Samara for so they cal the seed or grain of the Elme All the kind of them are planted of sets taken from the roots whereas others come of seeds CHAP. XVIII ¶ The nature of trees as touching the place where they grow HAuing thus discoursed in particular of the most famous and noble trees that are I think it not amisse to say somewhat of their natures in generall And first to beginne with the mountain high countries the Cedar the Larch and the Torch-tree loue to grow among the hills like as all the rest that ingender rosin semblably the Holly the Box tree the Mast-Holme the Iuniper the Terebinth the Poplar the wilde Ash Ornus the Cornell tree and the Carpin Vpon the great hill Apennine there is a shrub named Cotinus with a red or purple wood most excellent for in-laid works in Marquetry As for Firs the wild hard okes Robora Chestnut trees Lindens Mast-holmes and Cornell trees they can away with hills and vallies indifferently The Maple the Ash the Seruis tree the Linden and the cherry tree delight in the mountains neere to waters Lightly a man shall not see vpon any hills Plum trees Pomegranat trees wild Oliues Walnut trees Mulberry trees and Elders And yet the Cornel tree the Hasel the common Oke the wild Ash the Maple the ordinary Ash the Beech and the Carpin are many times found to come downe into the plaines like as the Elme the Apple tree the Peare tree the Bay tree the Myrtle the Bloud shrubs the Holme and the Broome which naturally is so good for to dry clothes do as often climbe vp the mountains The Servis tree gladly groweth in cold places so doth the Birch and more willingly of the twaine This is a tree which is meere French and came first out of France it sheweth wonderfull white and hath as fine and small branches or twigs which are so terrible to the offenders as wherewith the Magistrates rods are made for to execute justice And yet the wood of this tree is passing good for hoopes so pliable it is and easie to bend the twigs thereof serue also for to make paniers and baskets In France they vse to boile the wood and thereof draw a glutinous and clammy slime in maner of Bitumen In the same quarters there loueth to grow for company the white thorn which in old time they were wont to burne for torches at weddings and it was thought to be the most fortunate and lucky light that could be deuised because as Massurius reporteth the Romane shepheards and heardmen who rauished the Sabine maidens were furnished euery one with a branch thereof to make them torches But now adaies the Carpine and Hazel are commonly vsed for such nuptial lights The Cypres walnut Chestnut trees and the Laburnum cannot in any wise abide waters This last named is a tree proper to the Alps not commonly known the wood thereof is hard and white it beares a blossom of a cubit long but Bees will not settle vpon it The plant likewise called Iovis Barba so handsom to be cut in arbors and garden works which groweth so thicke and round withall full of leaues and those of a siluer colour hates waterie places Contrariwise Willows Alders Poplars and Osiars the Privet which is so good for to make dice will not grow well and prosper but in moist grounds Also the Vacinia or Whortles set and sowed in Italy for the Fowlers to catch birds withall but in France for the purple colour wherewith they vse to die clothes for their seruants and slaues To conclude this is a generall rule What trees soeuer will grow indifferently as well vpon hills as plaines arise to be taller bigger and carry a fairer head to see to in the low champion grounds but timber is better and caries a more beautifull grain vpon the mountaines except only Apple trees and Pyrries CHAP. XIX ¶ A diuision of Trees according to their generall kinds MOreouer some trees lose their leaues others continue alwaies green And yet there is another difference of trees before this and whereupon this dependeth For trees there be which are altogether wild and sauage there be again which are more gentle and ciuil and these names me thinks are very apt to distinguish them Those trees therefore which are so kind and familiar vnto vs as to serue our turns either with their fruit which they bear or shade which they yeeld or any other vertue or property that they haue may be very aptly and fitly be called ciuill and domesticall CHAP. XX. ¶ Of Trees that neuer shed their leaues also of Rhododendron AMong these trees and plants which are of the gentle kind the Olive the Lawrel the Date tree Myrtle Cypres Pines Ivy and the Oleander lose not their leaues As for the Oleander although it be called the Sabine herb yet it commeth from the Greeks as may appeare by the name Rhododendron Some haue called it Nerion others Rhododaphne it continueth alwaies green leafed beareth floures like roses and brancheth very thicke Hurtfull it is and no better than poison to Horses Asses Mules Goats and Sheepe and yet vnto man it serueth for a countrepoyson and cureth the venom of serpents CHAP. XXI ¶ What trees shed not their leaues at all which they be that lose them but in part and in what countries all trees are euer greene OF the wild sort the Fir the Larch the wilde Pine the Iuniper the Cedar the Terebinth the Box tree the Mast-holme the Holly the Cork tree the Yew and the Tamariske be green all the yeare long Of a middle nature between these two kinds aboue named are the Adrachne in Greece and the Arbut or Strawberry tree in all countries for these lose the leaues of their waterboughs but are euer green in the head Among the shrubs kind also there is a certain bramble and Cane or Reed which is neuer without leaues In the territorie of Thurium in Calabria where somtime stood the city Sybaris within the prospect from the said Citie there was an Oke aboue the rest to be seen alwaies green and ful of leaues and neuer began to bud new before Midsummer where by the way I maruel not a little that the Greek writers deliuered thus much of that tree in writing and our countrymen afterwards haue not written a word thereof But true it is that great power there is in the clymat insomuch as about Memphis in Egypt and Elephantine in the territorie of Thebais
of timber like as in marble also there be found certaine knurs like kernils as hard they be as naile heads and they plague sawes wheresoeuer they light vpon them Otherwhiles they fall out to be in trees by some accidental occasion as namely when a stone is got into the wood and enclosed within it or in case the bough of some other tree be incorporat or vnited to the foresaid wood There stood a long time a wild Oliue in the market place of Megara vpon which the hardie and valiant warriors of that citie vsed to hang and fasten their armor after some worthy exploit performed which in tract and continuance of time were ouergrown with the bark of the said tree and quite hid Now was this a fatal tree vnto the same city and the inhabitants thereof who by way of Oracle were forewarned of their wofull destiny and vtter ruin which was to happen When that a tree should be with yong and deliuered of harneis which Oracle was fulfilled when this tree was cut downe for within the wombe thereof were found the mourrions jambriers or grieues of braue men in times past To conclude it is said That such stones so found in trees be singular good for a woman with child to carie about her that she may goe her full time CHAP. XL. ¶ Of diuers sorts of timber Of â—…aine trees of extraordinarie bignesse What trees they be that neuer be worme-eaten nor decay and fall What wood doth endure and continue alwaies good THe greatest tree that to this day had euer been knowne or seene at Rome was that which being brought with other timber for the rebuilding of the foresaid bridge called Naumachiaria Tiberius Caesar commanded to be landed and laid abroad in view for a singular and miraculous monument to all posteritie and it remained entire and whole vntill the time that Nero the Emperour built stis stately Amphitheatre This peece of timber was of a Larch tree it contained in length 120 foot and caried in thickenesse euery way two foot from one end to the other Whereby a man may guesse and judge the incredible height of the whole tree besides to the very top Such another tree there was to be seen in our daies which M. Agrippa left for the like singularity and wonder of men in those stately porches and cloisters that hee made in Mars field and it continued still after the building of the muster place and treasurers haâ—…l named Diribitorium Shorter it was than the former by 20 foot and caried a foot and half in thickenesse As for the Fir tree which serued for a mast in that huge ship which by the commandement and direction of C. Caligula the Emperour transported and brought out of Aegypt that Obelisk which was erected and set vp in the Vatican hil within the cirque there together with the foure entire stones which bare vp the said Obelisk as supporters it was seen of a wonderfull and inestimable height aboue all others and certaine it is that there was neuer knowne to flâ—…te vpon the sea a more wonderful ship than it was She receiued 120000 Modij of Lentils for the very ballaist she tooke vp in length the greater part of the left side of Hostia harbour for Claudius the Emperor caused it there to be sunk together with three mighty great piles or dams founded vpon it and mounted to the height of towers for which purpose there was brought a huge quantity of earth or sand from Puteoli The maine bodie of this mast contained in compasse 4 fadom full And a common by-word it is currant in euery mans mouth that Fir mast for that purpose are vsually sold for eight hundred Sesterces apeece and more monie whereas for the most part planks which are set together and serue in stead of boats ordinarily cost but forty Howbeit the kings of Egypt and Syria for default and want of Fir haue vsed by report in stead thereof Cedar wood about their shipping And verily the voice goes of an exceeding big one which grew in Cyprus and was cut downe for a mast to serue that mighty galleace of king Demetrius that had eleuen bankes of oares to a side a hundred and thirtie foot it was high and three fatham thicke And no maruell since that the pyrats and rouers who haunt the coasts of Germanie make their punts or troughs of one entire peece of wood and no more wrought hollow in manner of a boat and some one of them will hold thirtie men To proceed now vnto the sundry natures of wood The most massie and fast wood and therfore the weightest of all other by judgment of men is that of the Ebene and the Boxe both small trees by nature Neither of them twaine swims aboue the water no more will the Corke wood if it be barked nor the Larch Of all the rest the saddest wood is that of Lotus I meane that which at Rome is so called Next to it is the heart of Oke namely when it is rid of the white sappie wood the heart I say which comes neare to a black color and yet the Cytisus or Tetrifolie is blacker and seemeth most to resemble the Ebene Howbeit you shall haue some who affirme that the Terebinths of Syria be blacker than it There was one Thericles a famous Turner who was wont to make drinking cups mazers and bowles of the Terebinth which is a sufficient proofe that the wood is fine and hard This wood alone of all others loueth to be oiled and surely the better it is for the oile But a maruellous prety deuice there is to set a passing faire blacke color and a shining glosse vpon it with Walnuts and wild Peares namely boiling these together and making thereof a mixture and composition to giue the said tincture All these trees abouenamed haue a sad and fast wood Next to them in that respect is the Cornell tree and yet I cannot properly range it in the order of timber trees so small and slender it is Neither is the wood thereof in manner good for nought else but for spokes in cartwheeles also to make wedges to cleaue wood and tough pins that wil hold as fast well neer as yron spikes In like sort the Mast-holm the Oliue both wild and tame the Chestnut tree the Hornbeame and the Poplar be of an hard substance and meet for this purpose The wood hereof hath a curled graine like the Maple and surely would be as good timber as any but for often lopping the boughs which gueldeth and deminisheth the strength Moreouer many of them there bee and the Oke especially so hard that vnlesse they be soked first in water it is impossible to bore a hole into them with an augoer or to pluck forth a nail if it be once set fast water them as much as you will Contrariwise the Cedar will not hold a naile The wood of the Linden tree seemes of all other to bee most soft and hotest withal for proofe whereof this
by the testimonie of ancient records and those faithfully deliuered vnto vs there are to be seen standing or growing at this day about Linternum a towne in Campaine certain Oliue trees that Scipio Africanus the first of that name planted long since with his owne hand In the same place also there is a Myrtle tree of a rare and admirable greatnesse and vnder it a caue or hole in the ground wherein by report there lyeth a dragon that keepes the ghost and soule of the said Scipio And at Rome in the court-yard belonging to the chappell of goddesse Diana Lucina there is yet to be seen a Lote tree standing before the said chappell built in the yeare of the Anarchie what time as Rome stood desolate of all magistrates and that was 369 yeares after the foundation of the citie but how much more auncient this tree is than the said temple God knoweth for elder it is without all question considering that of the groue or tuft of trees there growing which the Latines call Lucus the said goddesse Diana tooke her name Lucina Now it is 450 yeares or thereabout since that time and so old it is doubtlesse Another Lote tree there is and elder than that but the age thereof is likewise vncertain known it is by the name Capillata i. hairie so called because the haire of the vestall Nuns heads is vsually thither brought there consecrated and yet is there a third Lotus at Rome in the court-yard and cloister about the temple of Vulcan which Romulus built for a perpetuall monument and memoriall of a victorie and defraied the charges out of the tenths of the pillage and spoile that he woone from his enimies and this tree is at least full as old as the citie of Rome if it bee true that Massurius writeth The roots thereof passing along the street where the Burgeoises vse to keep their residence doe reach as farre as the stately market-place or Hall of Caesar. There grew by it a Cypresse tree also of the same age the which by an ouersight and carlesse neglect fell downe no longer since then the last yeare of Nero the Emperour But why stand wee long hereupon there is an Holme growing in the Vatican elder than Rome it selfe with a plate of brasse vpon it engrauen in Tuscan letters containing an inscription or title wherby it appeareth that euen in those daies the said tree for antiquity was worthy of peoples deuotion Moreouer it is well knowne that the Tyburtines are more antient than the Romans and their citie Tybur founded many a yeare before Rome and yet certain it is that there be yet three Holmes there remaining aliue elder than Tyburtus himselfe their first founder vpon which trees as the voice goeth he obserued the flight of birds and thereby tooke his auspices and warrant from the gods to build the said citie And by report the sonne he was of Amphiaraus who died at Thebes an hundred yeares before the Trojane warre Writers therebe who affirme that both that Plane tree which groweth before the temple of Apollo at Delphos was set by king Agamemnons owne hand as also another in the second groue of Caphys in Arcadie Furthermore at this day there be trees neere vnto the streight of Callipolis sometime called Hellespontus ouer-against the citie of the Ilians where old Troy stood growing close vnto the tombe or sepulâ—…re of Protesilaus which euery fourteene yeres so soon as they are shot vp so tall only as they may seeme to discouer and see the citie Ilium immediatly begin to wither and fade and afterwards spring againe and grow anew vnto that age and height aforesaid Hard by the citie of Ilium there be certain Okes also as folke say neer vnto the tomb of Ilus which were then planted or set of acornes when Troy began to be called Ilium It is reported moreouer that the Oliue tree remaines yet aliue at Argos vnto which Argus tied lady Io after she was transformed or turned into an Heifer About Heraclea in Pontus there be certaine altars erected to the honor of Iupiter surnamed Stratius ouer which there stand two Okes both set by the hands of Hercules In the very same tract there is an hauen ennobled and renowmed by the name of Amycus the K. of the Bebrycians there slaine His tombe from the very day of his sepulture hath been ouershadowed with a Bay tree planted there and then for that purpose which the people of that countrey do call The raging or mad Lawrell for pluck but a branch or twig thereof be it neuer so small and carie it into a ship all the marriners and passengers within will fall a brawling and neuer agree vntill it be cast out and throwne away out of the vessell that was brought thither from the tree aforesaid Of a certain region we haue before written called Aulocrene lying in the way between Apamia and Phrygia there the paisants of that countrey can shew you that very Plane tree on which Marsyas the musitian hung himselfe in a melancholly mood for that he was ouermatched in his owne cunning and professed skill by Apollo and surely like it is that euen then he made choise of that tree for the bignes ouer and besides in the Isle Delos there is a Date tree to be seen which hath remained there euer since that the said god Apollo was borne and reared there The wild Oliue tree at Olympia wherof Hercules ware the first coronet or guirland is kept and tended still with great deuotion The very same Oliue tree also by folks saying continueth this day at Athens which sprung vp at the very time that Minerua and Neptune stroue together about giuing the name to the citie Athens And thus much of long-liued trees Contrariwise Pomgranat trees Fig trees and Apple trees liue a very short time of these the hastie kind or Ienitings continue nothing so large as those that bear and ripen later neither yet those that carie sweet fruit last so wel as they that bring ' forth sower The Pomgranat tree also with the more pleasant fruit is shorter liued than the other The like is to be said of Vines and namely such as bear greater burden of grapes veeld most wine Howbeit Graecinus saith That there haue been vine trees known to liue threescore yeres It seems also that trees which come vp in waterish and moist places are not of any long continuance but soone die In deed Bay trees Apple trees and Pomgranat trees do age looke old quickly howbeit they spring fresh again from the root Well then the Oliue trees hold out life and liue very long for after the common opinion and agreement of all writers they continue ordinarily 200 yeares There is a little hil named Carne within the territory of Tusculum not far from Rome city side clad and beautified with a goodly groue and tuft of Beech trees so euen and round in the head as if they were curiously kept cut and
winds hurt all spiked corne as well Wheat as Barly at three seueral times to wit in their floure presently vpon their blooming and last of all when they begin to ripen for then namely when they are vpon the point of maturitie those blasts consume the grain and bring it to nothing which before was full whereas at the two former seasons they hinder it altogether from knitting and growing The hot gleames moreouer of the Sun betweene often clouding do much harme to corne Furthermore there be certaine little wormes breeding in the root that do eat it which happeneth by occasion of much raine falling immediatly after the seednesse especially when some sudden heat and drowth ensueth therupon which bindeth the earth aboue and so encloseth the moisture conceiued within the very cause nourice of putrifaction Ye shall haue other such like vermin engender likewise in the very grain of the corn namely when the ear doth glow within and is chafed with sultry hot rains Ouer and besides there be certain green flies like small Beetles called Cantharides which do gnaw and eat the corne But al these and such like worms or flies die presently when the corn which was their food is gone Moreouer Oile Pitch and Tarre all manner of greace also be contrarie to seed-corne especially and therefore take heed that you sow none such as hath caught oile pitch or grease As for showers of raine good they are for corne so long only as it is in the green blade when corne is blooming be it either wheat or barley or such like raine is hurtfull Mary Pulse takes no harme thereby vnlesse it be the Cich-pease All kinds of wheat and other bread corne when they be toward ripenesse catch hurt by showers but Barley more than any Besides all this there is a certaine white hearbe or weed resembling Panicke growing among corne and ouerspreading whole fields which not onely hindereth corne but also killeth all the cattell that feedeth thereupon For as touching ray or darnel burs thistles and brambles I may hold and reckon them not so much for faults and imperfections of corn as rather the plagues and infections proceeding from the very earth And for blasting which commeth of some distemperature of the aire a mischiefe common as well to corn as vines it is as hurtful as any other malady whatsoeuer This vnhappie blast falleth most often in places subject to mists and dewes and namely hollow vallies and low grounds lying vnder the winde for contrariwise windie quarters and such as are mounted high are not subiect to this inconuenience Also we may number among the faults incident to corne their rankenesse namely when the blade is so ouergrowne and the stalke so charged and loden with a heauie head that the corn standeth not vpright but is lodged lieth along Moreouer when there fals a great glut of rain insomuch as the ground stands with water there befalleth vnto all corn and pulse yea and whatsoeuer is sowne a certaine disease called in Latine Vrica insomuch as the very Cich-pease taketh hurt therby for by reason that the rain washed from them that salt quality which was naturall thereunto it becommeth sweeter than it should be and loseth the kind tast There is a weed that claspeth and tieth about Ciches and Eruiles wherby it choketh and killeth them both and thereupon it is called Orobanctum i. Choke Eruile After the same maner dealeth Ray or Darnel by wheat wild Otes likewise named by some Aegilops with barly as also the weed Securidaca i. Ax-fitch which the Greeks also for the resemblance that it hath to an axe head call Pelicinon with Lentils These weeds I say kill corne by winding about it Another herb there is growing neere to the city Philippi which killeth Beans if the ground be fat and good they name the said weed Ateramnon but if it be found in a hungry and leane soile and namely when being wet some vnhappy wind bloweth vpon it they call it Teramnon As for the graine of Raie or Darnell it is very small and lieth inclosed with a sharpe-pointed husk The bread which hath any of this seed in it soone causeth dizinesse and swimming of the head And by report in Asia and Greece the masters of the common Bains and Stuphes when they would keep away the great resort of multitude thither haue a deuise to cast Darnell seeds vpon burning coles for this perfume will quickly set them farther off Moreouer if the Winter proue to be wet and waterish ye shall haue in the Pulse called Eruile a little vermin ingendred there called Phalangion and it is of the kind of these spiders Likewise vpon Vetches there wil breed naked dew-snails yea otherwhile those little ones with shels or houses on their backs which creeping from the ground wil gnaw eat them that it is a wonder to see what foul work they will make Thus much concerning all the maladies and inconueniences to speak of incident to corne It remaineth now to treat of the remedies As touching the cure of those harms that come by hurtful weeds to the corn in blade it consisteth principally in two things namely either in the vse of the weeding knife or hooke when they be newly come vp or els in strewing ashes when the corn is a sowing But as for those dangers that touch the seed or grain in the eare and cod as also that settle about the root they must be preuented by good forecast euen before it be thrown into the ground It is generaly thought that if seed-corn lie steeped beforehand in Wine it will be better able afterwards to resist all diseases whatsoeuer Virgil giueth order to infuse or soke the Beanes that must be sown in nitre and oile lees or dregs and he assureth vs that they will prosper mightily besides and become exceeding great But others are of opinion that if for 3 daies before they be cast into the earth they lie in vrine shere water mingled together they wil being thus prepared come on apace and thriue passing well It is said moreouer That if Beans be thrice raked and rid from weedes one Modius of them being whole and solid wil yeeld a Modius again after it is husked broken As for other seed-corn it wil escape the danger of the worme if either it lie before among Cypresse leaues bruised or be sowed in and about the change of the Moon namely when she is not to be seen aboue the earth in our hemisphaere Many there be who practise other remedies namely for the Millet they would haue a toad to be caried round about the field before that it be harrowed which done to be put close within an earthen pot and so buried in the middest of the said field and by this meanes for sooth neither Sparrows will lie vpon the corn nor any worm hurt it Mary in any case this same toad must be digged out of the ground againe before the field be mowed
especially I say if it thunder much Secondly they wil not last aboue one yere Item The tenderest daintiest be those that breed in the Sprinâ—… and that indeed is the best time for them Item In some countries the ouerflow of riuers engender Mushromes and namely at Mitylene where by report they will not otherwise grow but vpon floten grounds and namely in such places whither the water hath brought from Tiara a certain vegetatiue seed to breed them And verily That Tiara is wonderfully stored replenished with such As touching the Truffles or Mushroms of Asia the most excellent of all others be neer vnto Lampsacum and Alopeconnesus but the best that Greece yeeldeth are in the territorie about the citie Elis. In this Toad-stoole or Mushrome kind are those flat Fusses and Puffes to be reckoned which the Greekes name Pezitae as they haue no root at all so they be altogether without either stele or taile In the next place to these I must needs speake of the most noble and famous plant Laserpitium which the Greeks name Silphium discouered and found first in the abouesaid prouince of Barbarie Cyrenaica The juice or liquor drawne out of this hearb they cal Laser a drug so magnified of such singularitie and vse in Physicke especially that it was sold by weight and a dram thereof cost commonly Romane denier For these many yeares of late there is none of this plant to be found in that country of Cyrenaica beforesaid for that the Publicans and Farmers of the pastures and grounds there vnder the people of Rome doe put in their cattell among these plants and eat al downe by that means finding thereby a greater gaine or commodity than by letting them stand for the juice or liquor aforesaid One only stalk or stem thereof hath bin found in our days which was sent vnto Emperor Nero as a present for a great nouelty If it chance at any time that either sheepe or goat which commonly bite neer to the ground do light vpon a yong plant thereof newly peeping forth and not euident to be seene you shall know it by these signes The sheepe presently so soone as she hath tasted it will drop asleep and the goat fal a neesing For these many yeres the merchants haue brought vs into Italy no other Laser than that which grows abundantly in Persis or Media and in Armenia but it is far inferior to this of Cyrenaica and commeth short of it for goodnes And this that we haue is no better than it should be for they sophisticate and corrupt it with gum with Sagapeum or else with bruised Beans In regard of which scarsity I canot chuse but remember that which befell at Rome in that yere wherin C. Valerius and M. Herennius were consuls when by great good fortune there was brought from Cyrenae thirtie pound weight of the best Laser and set abroad to be seene in open place of all commers As also I may not let passe another occurrent namely how Caesar Dictatour at the beginning of the ciuile war tooke forth openly out of the chamber of the citie with other treasure both of gold and siluer an hundred and eleuen pounds of the best Laser Moreouer this one thing more I canot forget the best and most renowned Greeke Authors haue left in writing That 7 years before the foundation of the citie Cyrenae which was built 143 yeres after our citie of Rome this plant Laserpitium that beareth the said Laser was engendered at one instant by occasion of a certain thicke grosse and black shewer of raine in manner of pitch which sodainely fell and drenched the ground about the hortyards or gardens of the Hesperides the greater Syrtis The which rain was effectual and left the strength thereof for the compasse of foure thousand stadia within Affricke or Barbarie They affirme moreouer That the herb Laserpitium there growing is of so sauage and churlish a nature that it canot abide any culture or good ordering by mans hand but if one should goe about to tend and cherish it it would rather chuse to be gon into the desart and vnpeopled parts of the countrey or else winder away and die Moreouer they set downe this description of it That it hath many roots and those bigge and thicke a stemme or stalke resembling the hearb Sagapeum or Fennell-geant howbeit not altogether so great the leaues of this plant which they termed by the name of Maspetum come very near in all respects to those of Smallach or Persely As touching the seed that it beareth flat and thin it is in maner of leaues but the leafe it selfe therof sheddeth in the Spring time The cattell that vse to feed thereupon and whereof they be very greedy first fall a scouring but afterwards when they be clensed and rid of il humors begin to wax fat and their flesh by this means becommeth wonderfull sweet and pleasant They report moreouer that after the leaues be fallen men also were wont in old time to eat the stem or stalk thereof either rosted and baked vnder the cindres or else boiled and sodden in water and their bodies likewise for the first 40 daies ensuing did nothing but purge til they were cleared of al diseases breeding by occasion of any Cacochymie or collection of ill humours within them Now concerning the juice or soueraigne liquor before said the manner was to draw it after two sorts to wit by scarification either out of the root or forth of the stem and maister stalke And hereof it came to haue two names Rhizias and Caulias But the later of these two to wit that which came of the stem was counted the worst fubiect to putrifaction and sold cheaper than the other To come now to the root of Laserpitium it hath a blacke rind or barke vpon it wherewith the merchants vse to sophisticat many of their drugs As for the manner of dressing and ordering the juice thereof it was no sooner drawne but they put it into certaine vessels together with brans among then euer and anone they plied it with stirring and shogging vntil it had lost the cruditie and verdure thereof and by that working came to the maturity and perfection for if it were not thus well followed soon would it catch a vinew begin to putrifie and so continue but a while In this worke of theirs they had an eye vnto the color how it changed for when they perceiued it to be high that they saw it once drie and haue don sweating breathing out the raw humidity and vapor within then they knew therby that it was wrought sufficiently and come to the full ripenesse Others there be who say that the root of Laserpitium beareth more than a cubit in bignesse and that out of it there swelleth an excresence aboue the ground out of which there was wont by way of incision to issue forth a certaine white juice in manner of milke vpon which grew the stalke or
and verily there came Physitians and Chirurgions out of Egypt a countrey apt to breed the like diseases and where they be common such as professed only the skill in this kind of cure who filled their purses well and mightily enriched them selues by their practise at Rome for well known it is that Maâ—…lius Cornutus late L. Pretor and lieutenant general for the state in the prouince of Guienne or Aquitane in France dealt with one of these Egyptian leeches for to be cured of this disease and agreed to pay him 200000 Sesterces for his paine And thus much of Mentagra Moreouer what a wonderfull thing is this obserued in these new kind of maladies that many times contrary to the course of other sicknesses they come together in troupes that some of them should all on a sudden light vpon a particular country that they should take to one certaine member of mans body assaile those of such an age and no other haue a spight to persons of this or that quality and spare the rest as if they made choice some to plague young children others elder folk some to punish none but the rich and mighty others to be doing with the poore and needy In our Annals or Chronicles we find vpon record That while Lucius Paulus and Q. Marcius were Censors of Rome the pestilent carbuncle a disease appropriat to Prouance and Languedoc in France came first into Italy Of which maladie there died within the compasse of one yeare about that very time when I compiled this worke and history of mine two noble men of Rome and late Consuls to wit Iulius Rufus and Q. Lecanius Bassus of which two the former was cut for it by the counsell of vnskilfull Physitians and by that means lost his life As for the other hauing it vpon the thumb of his left hand he chanced to pricke it himselfe with a needle and although the wound was so small that hardly it could be seene and discerned yet it cost him his life This carbuncle riseth ordinarily in the most hidden and secret parts of the body and for the most part vnder the tongue it is hard and red in manner of the swelling veines called in Latine Varices and yet in the head it looketh blackish the skin also about it seemeth swe rt and dead it stretcheth the skinne and the flesh in some sort stiffe but without any great swelling no paine at all no itching no other symptome but sleepe wherewith it so possesseth the Patients that in three daies it will make an end of them Otherwhiles it causeth the party to fall into a quiuering and shaking as it were for cold and raiseth certaine blisters or angry pimples round about it and verie seldome causeth an Agúe but looke in whomsoeuer it taketh to the stomacke or throat it quickely dispatcheth and maketh an end of them As touching the white leprosie called Elephantiasis according as I haue before shewed it was not seen in Italie before the time of Pompey the Great This disease also began for the most part in the face and namely it tooke the nose first where it put forth a little specke or pimple no bigger than a small Lentill but soone after as it spread farther and ran ouer the whole body a man should perceiue the skin to be painted and spotted with diuers and sundry colors the same vneuen bearing out higher in one place than another thicke here but thin there and hard euery where rough also like as if a scurfe or scab ouerran it vntil in the end it would grow to be blackish bearing downe the flesh flat to the bones whiles the fingers of the hands and toes of the feet were puffed vp and swelled againe A peculiar malady is this and naturall to the Egyptians but look when any of their kings fell into it wo worth the subjects and poore people for then were the tubs and bathing vessels wherein they sat in the bain filled with mens bloud for their cure But surely this disease continued not long in Italy before it was quite extinguished like as another before it and in old time Gemursa which began between the toes and so long agoe it is since any haue bin troubled therwith that the very name also is forgotten and grown out of vse Where by the way this is to be noted as a strange and wonderfull thing That some of our diseases should haue an end and lose their course for euer and others againe continue still as for example the cholique passion which came among vs no longer agoe than in the daies of Tiberius Caesar the Emperor and the first that euer felt it was the prince himselfe whereupon arose no small question throughout the whole city of Rome for when as the said Emperour published a certain proclamation wherein he excused himself for not comming abroad to manage the affaires of the State because he was sick of the cholique the Senat and people reading this strange name of an vnknowne maladie entred into a deep discourse with themselues what to thinke and make of it But what should we say of all these kinde of diseases and what an anger and displeasure of the gods is this thus to plague and punish vs Was it not enough to haue sent amongst men into the world a certaine number of maladies otherwise and those not so few as three hundred but we must be in feare and danger still euery day of new and yet see as many as there be of them comming by the hand of God yet men thorow their owne excesse and disorders bring as many more vpon themselues and be causes still of farther troubles miseries Well thus you see by that which I haue written in the former bookes what was the old Physicke in times past namely consisting of the simples onely found in dame Natures garden and how she alone at the first and for a long time was our Physitian and furnished vs with remedies for all diseases CHAP. II. ¶ The praise of Hippocrates and other Physitians meere Simplests HIppocrates verily had this honor aboue all men That he was the first who wrote with most perspicuity of Physicke and reduced the precepts and rules thereof into the bodie of an art howbeit in all his bookes wee find no other receits but herbes Semblably the writings of Diocles the Carystian were no lesse stored with the like medicines and yet a famous Physitian he was and both in time and reputation next and second to Hippocrates Praxagoras also and Chrysippus yea and after them Erasistratus held on the same course As for Herophylus although he was the first that went more exquisitly to work and brought in a more subtill and fine method of Physick yet none esteemed better of simples than hee But surely practise and experience which as in all things else is found to be most effectuall so in the profession of Physick especially began in his daies by little and little to slake vntil
the antient Romans were wont to doe at the siege and assault of any towne or city was by their priests to conjure and call forth that god or goddesse which was the patron or patronesse therof and withal to promise vnto the said god or goddesse either the same place againe or else a greater and more spacious seat yea and the like diuine worship or better among the Romanes and euen at this day our Pontifies or Bishops haue the charge of this sacred ceremony amongst other functions belonging to their ministery And hereupon well known it is that for this cause and nothing else it was neuer divulged obroad what god was the protector and patron of Rome city for feare least some of our enemies should assay to coniure him forth and deale by vs as we do by them Furthermore who is there that is not afraid of all maledictions and cursed execrations and especially when the names of the infernall fiends or vnluckie foules are vsed in such bannings For feare likewise of some harme see we not that it is an vsuall thing to crush and break both egge and fish shels so soon as euer the meat is supped and eaten out of them or els to bore the same through with a spoone stele or bodkin From hence came those amatorious eidyls and eclogues of Theocritus among Greek Poets of Catullus and Virgil among vs full of amorous charmes in imitation of such exorcismes and coniurations indeed I assure you many folke there be of this beleefe That by certaine spells and words in manner of charmes all the pots and vessels of earth baking in a furnace may be cracked and broken without touching them at all And there are not a few who are persuaded for certaine that euen the very serpents as they may be burst by inchantment so they can vnwitch themselues and that as brutish otherwise and earthly as they be yet in this one thing they haue a quicke sence and vnderstanding insomuch as at the charms of the Marsians they will shrink from them and draw in their bodies round into a knot though it were in the night season when they lie asleepe Some there be also that when a skare-fire hath taken an house write certaine words vpon the walls and thereby limit and confine the fire that it shall go no farther Certes I am not able to say whether strange forraine and ineffable words hard to be pronounced are more auailable to the effecting of these incredible things or our Latin words comming out at a venture vnlooked for and spoken at random which must needs seem ridiculous in our judgement seeing that the spirit and mind of man expecteth alwaies some great and mighty matter in these coniurations and exorcismes which may carry a majesty therewith to incline and moue the gods to mercy and fauour or rather indeed to command their heauenly power perforce But to proceed Homer the Poet hath written that prince Vlyxes being wounded in the thigh stanched the bloud with a charme And Theophrastus testifieth that there be proper spels to cure the Sciatica Cato hath left in writing that there is a special charm for dislocations wherby any bone put out of ioint may be set again And M. Varro reporteth the like vertue of certain good words for the gout As for Caesar the Dictatour it is commonly said of him that hauing beene once endangered with the fall or ouerthrow of his coach wherein he rode would neuer afterwards ride in coach againe vnlesse so soone as euer hee had taken his place and before that he set forward vpon his way he had pronounced a certaine charm that he had in store and persuaded he was that if he said it ouer three times together he should come by no mischance in his journey but trauel in security A thing that I know many now adaies to practise ordinarily as well as he But for farther proofe and confirmation of this opinion I report me to euery mans conscience and knowledge to that I say which there is not one but knoweth What is the cause I pray you that the first day of euery yeare we salute one another for luck sake with wishing a good new yere What is the reason tel me that in all our publick processions and generall solemnities euery fifth yeare for the health and good estate of the city they made choice of such persons for to lead the beasts appointed to sacrifice whose names were good and fortunat or how commeth it about that for to preuent or diuert witchcraft and sorcery we obserue a peculiar adoration and inuocat vpon the Greekish goddesse of vengeance Nemesis in which regard onely we haue her statue or image set vp in the Capitoll notwithstanding we know not yet what name in Latine to giue her How is it that in making mention of those that be dead we speake with reuerence and protest that we haue no meaning to disquiet their ghosts thereby or to say ought preiudiciall to their good name and memoriall If there be nothing in words how hapneth it I would fain know that we haue such an opinion of odd numbers beleeuing that they be more effectuall in all things than the euen a matter I may tell you of great consequence if we do but obserue the criticall daies in feuers Also in the gathering of our first fruits be they Pears Apples Figs c. wherfore vse we to say These be old God send vs new What mooueth vs to wiâ—…h health and say God helpe or blesse when one sneezeth for euen Tiberius Caesar who otherwise was known for a grim sir and the most vnsociable and melancholick man in the world required in that manner to be salued and wished well vnto whensoeuer he sneezed though he were mounted in his chariot And some there be who in this case do ceremoniously salute the party by name and thinke there is a great point of religion lies in that Moreouer is not this an opinion generally receiued That when our ears do glow and tingle some there be that in our absence doe talke of vs Attalus auoucheth for a certainty that if a man chance to espie a scorpion and do no more but say this one word * Duo i. two the serpent wil be stil quiet and neuer shoot forth his sting And now seeing by occasion of mentioning a scorpion I am put in mind of Africk you shal vnderstand thus much that throughout all that country there is not one goeth about to do any thing but before he begins he saith this word * Africai Africk As for other nations in euery enterprise that men take in hand they vse the name of their gods pray ordinarily that it would please them to giue a grace and blessing to their attempts As for this ceremony namely when the table is spread and furnished with viands to lay a ring from the finger vpon it we see it commonly orderly practised and that it
that violence and causing such trouble and broils as if the world were at war within it selfe And can there bee any thing more wonderfull and miraculous than to see the waters congealed oboue in the aire and so to continue pendant in the skie And yet as if they were not contented to haue risen thus to that exceeding height they catch and snatch vp with them into the vpper region of the aire a world of little fishes otherwhiles also they take vp stones and charge themselues with that ponderous weighty matter which is more proper to another Element The same waters falling downe againe in raine are the very cause of all those things here below which the earth produceth and bringeth forth And therefore considering the wonderfull nature thereof and namely how the corne groweth vpon the ground how trees and plants doe liue prosper and fructifie by the means of waters which first ascending vp into the skie are furnished from thence with a liuely breath and bestowing the same vpon the herbs cause them to spring and multiply we cannot chuse but confesse that for all the strength and vertue which the Earth also hath shee is beholden to the Waters and hath receiued all from them In which regard aboue all things and before I enter into my intended discourse of Fishes and beasts liuing in this Element I meane first to set down in generaility the maruellous power and properties of water it selfe and to illustrat the same by way of sundry examples for the particular discourse of all sorts of waters what man liuing is able to performe CHAP. II. ¶ The diuersitie of waters their vertues und operations medicinable and other singularities obserued therein THere is in maner no region nor coast of the earth but you shall see in one quarter or other waters gently rising and springing out of the ground here and there yeelding fountains in one place cold in another hot yea and otherwhils there may be discouered one with another neere adioyning as for example about Tarbelli a towne in Guienne and the Pyrenaean hills there do boile vp hot and cold springs so close one vnto the other that hardly any distance can be perceiued between Moreouer sources there be which yeeld waters neither cold nor hot but luke-warme and the same very holesome and proper for the cure of many diseases as if Nature had set them apart for the good of man only and no other liuing creature beside To these fountains so medicinable there is ascribed some diuine power insomuch as they giue name vnto sundry gods and goddesses and seeme to augment their number by that means yea otherwhiles great towns cities carrie their names like as Puteoli in Campane Statyellae in Liguria Aquae Sextiae in the prouince of Narbon or Piemont but in no countrey of the world is there found greater plenty of these springs and the same endued with more medicinable properties than in the tract or vale Baianus within the realm of Naples where you shall haue some hold of brimstone others of alume some standing vpon a veine of salt others of nitre some resembling the nature of Bitumen and others again of a mixt qualitie partly soure and partly salt Furthermore you shall meet with some of them which naturally serue as a stouph or hot-house for the very steeme and vapour only which ariseth from them is wholesome and profitable for our bodies and those are so exceeding hot that they heat the bains yea and are able to make the cold water to seeth boile again which is in their bathing tubs as namely the fountaine Posidianus whithin the foresaid territory Bajanus which name it tooke of one Posidius a slaue sometime and enfranchised by Claudius Caesar the Emperour Moreouer there be of them so hot that they are able to seeth an egg or any other viands or cates for the table As for the Licinian springs which beare the name of Licinius Crassus a man may perceiue them to boile and reeke again euen out of the very sea See how good Nature is to vs who amid the waues and billows of the sea hath affourded healthfull waters But now to discipher their vertues in Physick according to their seuerall kinds thus much in generality is obserued in these baths That they serue for the infirmities of the sinews for gout of the feet sciatica Some more properly are good for dislocations of ioints and fractures of bones others haue a property to loosen the bellie to purge and as there be of them which heale wounds and vlcers so there are again that more particularly be respectiue to the accidents of the head and ears and among the rest those which beare the name of Cicero and be called Ciceronianâ—… besoueraign for the eies Now there is a memorable manour or faire house of plaisance situat vpon the sea side in the very high way which leadeth from the lake Auernus to the cittie Puteoli much renowmed for the groue or wood about it as also for the stately galleries porches allies and walking places adioyning therunto which set out and beautifie the said place very much this goodly house M. Cicero called Academia in regard of some resemblance it had vnto a colledge of that name in Athens from whence he tooke the modell and patterne where he compiled those books of his which carrie the name of the place and be called Academice quaestiones and there he caused his monument or sepulchre to be made for the perpetuitie of his memoriall as who would say he had not sufficiently immortalized his name throughout the world by those noble works which he wrote and commended vnto posteritie Well soone after the decease of Cicero this house and forrest both fell into the hands and tenure of Antistius Vetus at what time in the very forefront as it were and entrie thereof there were discouered certaine hot fountaines breaking and springing out of the ground and those passing medicinable and wholesome for the eies Of these waters Laurea Tullus an enfranchised vassall of Cicero made certaine verses and those carying with them such a grace of majestie that at the first sight a man may easily perceiue how affectionat and deuout he was to the seruice of his lord and master and for that the said Epigram is worthy to be read not onely there but also in euery place I will set it downe here as it standeth ouer those baines to be seene in this Decasticon Quo tua Romanae vindex clarissime linguae Sylva loco melius surgere jussa viret Atque Academiae celebratam nomine villam Nunc reparat cultu sub potiore Vetus Hîc etiam apparent lymphae non ante repertae Lanquida quae infuso lumina rore levant Nimirum locus ipse sui Ciceronis honori Hoc dedit hacfontes cum patefecit ope Vt quoniam totum legitur sine fine per orbem Sint plures oculis quae medeantur aquae O prince of
is to seeth it wel vntil the one halfe be consumed Now if a man desire to know the vertue and commoditie of cold water first it ordinarily stancheth any flux of bloud if it be cast vpon the place Also if one be not able to endure the heate in a bain or hot-house the best way to auoid this inconuenience is to hold in his mouth cold Water all the while Moreouer many a man hath found by a verie familiar experience that the coldest water in the mouth is not alwaies the coldest in the hand And contrariwise when it is exceeding cold without to be felt it is not so sensibly cold within to be drunk Of all Waters in the world that which wee call here in Rome Martia carrieth the greatest name by the generall voice of the whole City in regard both of coldnesse and wholesomnesse And verily we may esteeme this water for one of the greatest gifts that the gods haue bestowed vpon our city In times past it was called Auffeia and the very fountaine from whence it commeth Piconia The head or source thereof ariseth at the foot of the vtmost mountains of the Pelignians it runneth through the Marsians country and passing through the lake Fucinus it tendeth no doubt euen then directly toward Rome but anon it is swallowed vp within a hole vnder the ground so as it is no more seen vntill it shew it selfe again in the territorie of the Tiburtines from which place it is conueyed vnder vaults and so carried through to Rome by arch-worke for the space of nine miles The first that began to bring this water to the city was Ancus Martius one of the Roman Kings Afterwards Qu. * Martius Rex in his Pretorship finished the said worke and when in processe of time it was fallen to decay M. Agrippa repaired it againe who also brought the water named Virgo to the city which hath her head eight miles from Rome in a certaine nouke or by-corner about two miles turning from the great port way leading to Praeneste Neere vnto it runneth the riuer Herculaneus but this water keepeth stil behinde as though it fled from it whereupon it tooke the name Virgo Compare these two riuers together which are conueyed to Rome you shall see the difference beforesaid as touching the coldnesse of waters for looke how cold Virgo is to the hand so much is Martia in the mouth But long ago haue wee of Rome lost the pleasure and commoditie of these two Rills through the ambition and auarice of some great men who haue turned away these waters from the City where they yeelded a publique benefit to the Commonwealth and deriued them for their priuat delight and profit into their owne mannors and houses in the country for to water their gcrdens and serue to other vses And here in this place I thinke it not impertinent to adioine to this present treatise the maner and skill of searching and finding out waters And first to speake in general terms springs ordinarily be found in Vallies in the pitch or crest of some little hill where it hath a fall and descent or else at the foot of great mountaines Many are of opinion That in any tract whatsoeuer that side or coast which regardeth the North is giuen to haue water in it And verily it were not amisse to shew how Nature disporteth her selfe and worketh variably in this behalfe First a man shall neuer see it raine on the South side of the mountaines in Hyrcania which is the reason that on that part onely which lieth to the North they are giuen to beare wood and be full of forrests But Olympus Ossa Pernassus Apenninus and the Alpes be replenished with Woods on all sides and are furnished with their Springs and Riuers euerie where In some countries the hills be greene and watered on the South side onely As for example in Candy the mountaines called Albi so that there is no heed to be taken by this for the rule holdeth not alwayes But to come now vnto particulars Looke where you see growing Rushes Reeds or the Herbe whereof I made relation before be sure you shall find water vnderneath Item Wheresoeuer you finde Froggs lying in any place vpon their breasts make account of good store of water there As for the wilde and wandering Sallow the Aller tree Agnus-Castus or Yvie they come vp many times of their owne accords in some low grounds where there is a setling or stay of raine water fallen from higher places insomuch as they that goe by these signes to finde some Spring may soone be deceiued A surer aime yet by farre is a mist or exhalation which a man may discouer a farre off a little before the Sunne rising And for to espie it the better some there be who get vp into an high place and lay themselues grouelong with their chinnes touching the ground and by that meanes discerneth where any such smoke or vapor doth arise There is also another speciall means besides to find out Waters but knowne it is vnto those onely who be skilfull and expert in this feat For they that are guided by this direction to Water goe forth in the hottest season of the yeare and about the noone-tide of the day to marke the reuerberation of the Sunne beames in any place for if this repercussion and rebounding appeare moist and namely when the face of the earth looketh dry and thirstie they then make nodoubt but to finde Water there But they had need to looke so intentiuely and earnestly that oftentimes their eyes ake and be pained withall For auoiding which trouble and inconuenience some betake themselues to other experiments and namely they dig a trench or ditch fiue foot deep within the ground the mouth wherof they couer all ouer with earthen vessels of potters worke vnbaked or els with a barbars brasen bason well enhuiled and withall a lamp burning ouer all which they make a little arch-work of leaues and boughs and mould thereupon Now if they come within a while after to this place and either see the earthen pots broken or wet or perceiue a dew or sweat standing vpon the brasse or finde the lamp aforesaid gon out and yet no want of oile to maintaine light or if they feele a lock of wool which they hung within the trench to be moist they assure themselues they shall find water if they sink the pit deeper Some there be who for better assurance hereof make a fire in the place and burne it throughly for then the vessels aforesaid if they proue to be wet giue a more infallible hope of a spring Moreouer the very leire it selfe of the soile if it be spotted with white specks or be altogether of a reddish bright colour promiseth spring water to be vnderneath for if the ground look black lightly the water wil soon fail if there be any spring there found If you chance to light vpon a vein of potters clay or chalk make
Of Statues and Images of Siluer of the workemanship in grauing Siluer and of other things pertinent thereto MEn commonly haue thought that the first statues of siluer seene in Rome were made in the honour of the Emperour Augustus by way of courting and flatterie to winne his grace and fauour as those times did require but it is altogether vntrue for before his daies we finde that Pompey the Great when he rode in triumph caused the siluer statue of K Pharnaces the first of that name that euer raigned in the realme of Pontus to be carried in a solemn shew like as the image also of Mithridates his father besides chariots as well of gold as of siluer Moreouer it falleth out sometimes that siluer is vsed in stead of gold also vpon some vrgent cause and just occasion as we may see by our proud sumptuous dames that are but commoners and artizans wiues who are forced to make themselues carquans and such ornaments for their shooes of siluer because the rigour of the statute prouided in that case will not permit them to weare the same of gold And I my selfe as I remember haue seen Aurelius Fuscus a gentleman of Rome who being put beside his place and hauing lost the dignity of a man of arms by reason of a notable calumniation framed against him when as young gentlemens sons vsed to accompany him because he had the name of a braue souldier weare his rings of siluer But to what purpose do I collect these examples seeing our soldiers make no reckoning of yvorie but the hilts of these swords and the hafts of their daggers bee garnished with siluer damasked and ingrauen their scabberds and sheaths bee set out with siluer chapes and their sword-girdles hangers and bawdricks gingle again with thin plates of siluer And do we not see how our yong boies are kept in and restrained with siluer during the time that they be vnder mans age how our fine dames vse to wash and bath in siluer disdaining and setting light before any other bathing vessels in the bains insomuch as the same mettall and matter which we are serued with at the table is imployed also in shamefull and vncleanly vses Oh that Fabricius were aliue now again to behold these things if hee saw our women bathing together with men in one and the same bains and those paued as it were vnder foot with siluer so smooth and slipperie that they cannot hold their feet Fabricius I say who forbad expressely that any warriours and Generall captains should haue in plate more than one drinking boll or goblet and a saltsellar if hee saw siluer which was wont to be giuen in presents and rewards to braue men and valiant captains thus to be melted and broken to serue for these purposes what would he say but What a world is this we passe not for Fabricius nay we are ashamed of him and his frugality But to leaue these abuses and complaints one thing I wonder much at that among so many excellent artizans as haue been there is not one who took any pleasure to graue in gold nor became renowned thereby whereas many are famous for their workemanship in siluer howbeit Mentor of whom I spake erewhile excelled them all in this kinde and yet I doe not find that euer he made in all aboue eight peeces that were curiously and exquisitly wrought and those as it is said be all lost And no maruell for why the temple of Diana at Ephesus lieth along the Capitoll of Rome likewise and all within it hath perished by fire Howbeit Varro hath left in writing That among his antiquities one brasen image he had of Mentors hand-worke Next to him the world had Acragas Boethus and Mys in great admiration for their excellent skill and at this day there be extant peeces of all their workemanship to be seen in the Isle of the Rhodians for in the temple of Minerva which is at Lindus a city in that Island there is one statue of the said goddesse of Boethus his making within the temple of god Bacchus in the very city it selfe of Rhodes there are certain cups wrought by Acragas wherein bee ingrauen the religious Priestresses called Bacchae and the Centaurs Within the same Church are the pourtraicts of Silenus and the pretty Cupids expressed liuely in imagerie by Mys Moreouer Acragas pourtraied the resemblance of chaces or hunting in certain pots most artificially for which he became very famous After these there are to be ranged in another degree Calamis and Antipater together with Stratonicus who wrought within a broad-mouthed cup one of the Satyres sound asleepe but with such dexterity and so liuely that he is judged and said to haue couched and fitted him to the cup rather than barely ingrauen him Then followes Tauriscus of Cyzicum semblably Aristus and Eunicus both Mityleneans are highly commended as also Hecataeus and Praxiteles who flourished about the time of Pompey the Great Posidonius also of Ephesus and Ledus the Stratiat who was in great name for ingrauing of battels and armed men at the point to joyne skirmish Likewise Zopirus who made two singular cups in the one hee represented the honourable Court of the Areopagites in the other the triall and judgement of Orestes which were esteemed worth twelue talents In another age liued Pytheas a singular Artificer whose workemanship was so rare and exquisite that euery two ounces of his siluer plate was sold commonly for twentie thousand Sesterces and verily a broad goblet or standing piece there was of his making with a deuise appendant to it for to be set too and taken off by a vice and the same resembled Vlixes and Diomedes stealing the Palladium out of the temple of Minerua in Troy The same workeman deuised to set into little cups prettie images or mannikins resembling cookes which he termed Magiriscia but so finely delicatly wrought they were that the patterns of them could not be taken out in any mould without hurting and spoiling so subject were they to any outward injuries in the handling Furthermore Teucer was famous in his time for his dexterity and light hand in shallow imbossing Well in as great request as these artificers were in times past yet this cunning decaied all on a sudden and grew so far out of vse that nothing now commendeth such pieces of work but only antiquity in which regard how neare soeuer they be worne with continuall handling insomuch as the shapes and proportions of the imagerie ingrauen cannot be discerned yet great store is set by any such antique plate wheresoeuer it is to be had Ouer and besides it is to be noted that siluer will rust in medicinable waters such as stand vpon some especiall mine yea the salt aire breathing from them is able to infect it as wee may see in the Mediterranean parts of Spaine far remote from the sea Also in mines of gold siluer there are ingendred certain mineral colours seruing for painters to wit
by the strange manner of charge laid vpon them that had the keeping and custodie thereof for no reall caution of mony was thought sufficient to be pledged and pawned for the warrantise or to counteruaile the worth thereof Order therefore was giuen by the state and the same obserued from time to time that the sextons or wardens of the said chappell should performe the safety and forth-comming of it vnder paine of death As touching the bold and venturous pieces of worke that haue been performed and finished by this art we haue an infinite number of such examples for we see what huge and gyant-like images they haue deuised to make in brasse resembling high towers more like that personages and such they called Colossi Of this kind is the image of Apollo within the Capitoll transported by M. Lucullus out of Apollonia a city within the kingdome of Pontus which in height was thirtie cubits and cost a hundred and fifty talents the making Such another is that of Iupiter within Mars field dedicated by Claudius Caesar the Emperour which because it standeth so neere vnto Pompeys theatre men commonly call Iupiter Pompeianus and full as big he is as Apollo abouenamed Like vnto these is the colosse or stately image of Hercules at Tarentum the handiwork of the said Lysippus but he is forty cubits high and miraculous is the deuise of this colosse if it be true which is commonly reported thereof namely that a man may mooue and stirre it easily with his hand so truly ballanced it stands and equally counterpoised by Geometry and yet no wind no storme or tempest is able to shake it Certes it is said that the workeman himselfe Lysippus prouided well for this danger in that a pretty way off he reared a columne or pillar or stone full opposit to the winds mouth for to breake the force and rage thereof from that side where it was like to blow and beat most vpon the colosse and verily so huge it was to weld and so hard to bee remoued that Fabius surnamed Verrucosus durst not meddle withall but was forced to let it alone leaue it behind him notwithstanding be brought with him from thence another Hercules which now standeth within the Capitoll But the Colosse of the Sun which stood at Rhodes and was wrought by Chares of Lyndus apprentice to the abouenamed Lysippus was aboue all others most admirable for it carried seuenty cubits in height well as mighty an image as it was it stood not on end aboue threescore yeares and six for in an earth quake that then happened it was ouerthrowne but lying as it doth along a wonderfull and prodigious thing it is to view and behold for first and foremost the thumbs of the hand and great toes of the foot are so big as few men are able to fadome one of them about the fingers and toes are bigger than the most part of other whole statues and images and looke where any of the members or lims were broken with the fall a man that saw them would say they were broad holes and huge caues in the ground for within these fractures and breaches you shall see monstrous big stones which the workemen at the first rearing and setting of it had couched artificially within for to strengthen the colosse that standing firme and vpright so ballaised it might checke the violence of wind and weather Twelue yeares they say Chares was in making of it before he could fully finish it the bare workemanship cost three hundred talents This mony was raised out of K. Demetrius his prouision which he had set by for that purpose paid from time to time by his officers for that he would not himselfe endure to stay so long for the workemanship thereof Other images there are besides of the nature of colosses in the same citie of Rhodes to the number of one hundred lesser indeed than the foresaid colosse of the Sun yet there is not one of them but for the bignesse were sufficient to giue a name to the place and ennoble it wheresoeuer it should stand Ouer and aboue there be in the said citie fiue other gyant-like images or colosses representing some gods and those of an huge bignesse which were of Bryaxes his making Thus much of workemen strangers And to come somewhat nearer home we Italians also haue practised to make such colosses forsurely we may see and go no further than to the librarie belonging to the temple of Augustus Caesar here in Rome a Tuscan colosse made for Apollo and the same is fiftie foot high from the great toe vpward but the bignesse thereof is not so much as the matter and workemanship for hard it is to say whether is more admirable the beautifull feature of the body or the exquisit temperature of the mettall Moreouer Sp. Carvilius long agoe made the great image of Iupiter which standeth in the Capitoll hill after the Samnites were vanquished in that dangerous war wherein they bound themselues by a sacred lay and oth to fight it out to the last man vnder paine of death to as many as seemed to turne backe or once recule to the making whereof he tooke the brasen cuiraces grieues and morions of the enemies that lay dead and slaine vpon the ground which is so exceeding bigg and large that hee may very plainely and euidently bee discouered and seene from the other Iupiter in Latium called therefore Latiarius The pouder dust which the filme made in the workmanship polishing of this colosse Carvilius himselfe cast again and thereof made his own image and pourtraiture and the same standeth as you may see at the foot of the other Within the said Capitoll there be two brasen heads worthy of admiration which P. Lentulus when he was Consull thought good to dedicat to that place The one was made by Chares the foresaid founder the other wrought by Decius but this of Decius his making compared with the other commeth so farre short that one would not take it to be the doing of an artificer that was his crafts-master but rather of some bungler prentice or learner But to speake indeed of a great image and that which surpasseth in bignes all the rest of that kinde looke but vpon the huge and prodigious colosse of Mercurie which Zenodorus in our age and within our remembrance made in France at Auvergne ten yeares he was about it and the workmanship came to foure hundred thousand sesterces Now when hee had made sufficient proofe of his Art there Nero the Emperour sent for him to come to Rome where he cast indeed and finished a colosse a hundred and ten foot long to the similitude and likenesse of the said Emperor according as it was first appointed and as he began it but the said prince being dead and his head laid dedicated is was to the honour and worship of the Sun in detestation of that most wicked monster whose vngratious acts the city condemned and abhorred
new deuise of his was not very well liked and accepted for no man tooke example by him afterwards to do the semblable The Aegyptians also found in Aethyopia another kind of Marble which they call Basaltes resembling yron as well in colour as hardnes and thereupon it took the name The greatest piece of this marble that euer was found Vespasian Augustus the Emperor dedicated in his temple of Peace and it was a statue resembling the riuer Nilus with 16 little children playing about it whereby is signified the number of cubits to which height the said riuer riseth when it is at the highest It is said also that within the temple of Serapis in Thebes a city of high Egypt there is another statue not vnlike to this marble Bazaltes and many think it was made for Memnon by report euery day at the Sun-rising so soon as the raies or beames do beat thereupon it seemeth to cracke or cleaue As for Onyx our antient writers were of opinion That it was found in those daies vpon the mountains of Arabia and no where els yet Sudines saith that it is gotten in Germany Cornelius Nepos affirmeth That there was at first great wonder made at the drinking cups of this stone and afterwards at the feet of tables and beds of chaires and stooles likewise thereof howbeit afterwards quoth he L. Lentulus Spinter shewed at Rome wine vessells as big as good barrels such as came out of the Isle Chios with wine but within fiue yere after by his saying hee saw pillars also and those 32 foot long all of Onyx or Chalcedonie But in processe of time this stone altered and varied much for Cornelius Balbus brought foure small pillars thereof and shewed them in his Theatre for a strange and miraculous sight And in my time I haue seen of them aboue thirty much fairer and bigger which went to the making of a Summer parlour for pleasure that Callistus one of the infranchised slaues of Claudius Caesar a man wel known for his exceeding riches and power built for his owne selfe CHAP. VIII ¶ Of the stone called Alabastrites likewise of Lygdinus and Alabandicus THis Onyx stone or Onychitis aforesaid some name Alabastrites whereof they vse for to make hollow boxes pots to receiue sweet perfumes and ointments because it is thought that they will keepe and preserue them excellently well without corruption The same being burnt and calcined is very good for diuers plasters This Cassidony or Alabaster is found about Thebes in Aegypt and Damascus in Syria and this Alabaster is whiter than the rest Howbeit the best and principall simply is that which commeth out of Carmania next to it in goodnesse is that of India and then the Alabaster of Syria and Asia The least esteemed of all other is brought out of Cappadocia and no beauty or lustre it hath at all In sum come it from what country it will those pieces which stand most of a yellowish colour like hony spotted also in the head and nothing transparent goe for the best And generally throughout look where you meet with any in colour white or resembling horne is rejected for naught like as whatsoeuer of it is like glasse As touching the stones Lygdinus found in the mountaine Taurus many are of opinion that they be well neare as good as the former for to keep odoriferous ointments and those for bignesse and capacity exceed not bowls and good broad platters passing faire and white they be and in times past were wont to be brought only out of Arabia Moreouer there be two kindes besides of Marble well esteemed both and in great price notwithstanding in nature they be very contrary the one is called Coraliticus found in Asia you shal not light vpon any aboue two cubites long in whitenesse they come passing neare vnto yvorie and otherwise also they haue a certaine resemblance vnto it The other called Alabandicus after the name of the countrey that yeeldeth it is contrariwise blacke howbeit there is of it to be found growing in Miletus but not altogether so blacke for it inclineth or declineth rather to a purple colour This stone of Miletus will resolue in the fire and commonly they vse to melt it for drinking cups in manner of glasses To come now to the Thebaicke marble marked it is with certain drops here and there of a golden colour and naturally it is found growing in that part of Africke which confineth vpon the Aegyptians and lyeth vnder their iurisdiction A peculiar propertie it hath by a secret in Nature respectiue vnto the eies to serue for to grinde collyries with that is to say those pouders which are appropriat to the diseases of that part But about Syene in the prouince of Thebaies there is a marble thereupon called Syrenites which sometime they named Pyrrhopoecilos the kings of Aegypt in times past as it were vpon a strife and contention one to exceed another made of this stone certaine long beames which they called Obeliskes and consecrated them vnto the Sun whom they honoured as a god And indeed some resemblance they carry of Sun-beames when they are made to the forme of Obeliskes and the very Egyptian name implieth so much The first that euer began to erect these Obeliskes was Mitres king of Aegypt who held his royall seat and court in Heliopolis the citie of the Sunne where hee was admonished in a dreame by a vision so to doe and thus much may appeare by the inscription of certaine letters engrauen vpon the said Obeliske for those Characters figures and formes that wee doe see inchased in them be the verie letters that the Aegyptians vse themselues After him other princes also set vp more of these Obeliskes in the aboue named citie and namely king Sochis for his part foure in number those carrying in length eight and fortie cubits apiece And Ramises in whose reigne Troy was woon by the Greekes erected an Obeliske fortie cubits long in the said city but being departed from thence for that he took pleasure in another city where sometimes stood the royal pallace of king Mâ—…evis he pitched on end another Obeliske which carried in length a hundred foot wanting one and on euery side foure cubits square CHAP. IX ¶ Of three Obelisks The first of Thebes in high Egypt the second of great Alexandria in Egypt and the third which standeth at Rome in the large Cirque or Shew-place IT is said that Ramises abouenamed kept 20000 men at work about this Obeliske The King himselfe in person when it should be reared on end fearing lest the engins deuised to raise it and hold the head thereof betwixt heauen and earth in the rearing should faile and not be able to beare that monstrous weight because hee would lay the heauier charge vpon the artificers that were about this enterprise vpon their vtmost perill caused his own son to be bound to the top thereof imagining withall that the care of the enginers who
child was able to weld the wheele that turned them the pins and poles wherby they hung were so artificially poysed The master deuisers and architects of this Labyrinth were Zmilus Rholus and a third vnto them one Theodorus who was borne in the same Island Of this there remaine some reliques to be seene at this day wheras a man shall not find one smal remnant either of the Italian or Candian Labyrinths for meet it is that I should write somewhat also of our Labyrinth here in Italy which Porsena K. of Tuscane caused to be made for his own sepulchre and the rather because you may know that forein KK were not so vain in expences but our princes in Italy surpassed them in vanity but for that there go so many tales and fables of it which are incredible I think it good in the description therof to vse the very words of my author M. Varro King Porsena quoth he was interred vnder the citie Clusinum in Tuscane in which very place he left a sumptuous monument or tombe built all of square stone thirty foot it carried in bredth on euery side and fifty in height within the base or foot whereof which likewise was fouresquare he made a Labyrinth so intricat that if a man were entred into it without a bottom or clue of thread in his hand and leauing the one end therof fastned to the entry or dore it was impossible that euer he should find the way out again Vpon this quadrant there stood fiue Pyramides or steeples foure at the foure corners and one in the mids which at the foot or foundation caried 75 foot euery way in bredth were brought vp to the height of 150 these grew sharpe spired toward the top but in the very head so contriued that they met all in one great roundle of brasse which wrought from one to the other couered them all in manner of a cap and the same rising vp in the mids with a crest most stately from this couer there hung round about at little chains a number of bels or cimbals which being shaken with the wind made a jangling noise that mought be heard a great way off much like to that ring of bels which was deuised in times past ouer the temple of Iupiter at Dodona yet are we not come to an end of this building mounted aloft in the aire for this couer ouer head serued but for a foundation of 4 other Pyramides and euery one of them arose a hundred soot high aboue the other worke vpon the tops whereof there was yet one terrace more to sustaine fiue Pyramides and those shot vp to such a monstrous height that Varro was ashamed to report it but if we may giue credit to the tales that go currant in Tuscane it was equall to the whole building vnderneath O the outragious madnesse of a foolish prince seeking thus in a vaineglorious mind to be immortalized by a superfluous expence which could bring no good at all to any creature but contrariwise weakened the state of the kingdome And when all was done the artificer that enterprised and finished the worke went away with the greater part of the praise and glory CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of a garden made vpon Terraces Of a citie standing all vpon vaults and arches from the ground And of the temple of Diana in Ephesus WE reade moreouer of gardens made in the aire nay it is recorded that a whole city and namely Thebes in Aegypt was built so hollow that the Aegyptian KK were wont to lead whole armies of men vnder the houses of the said city and in such sort as none of the inhabitants could beware thereof yea and sodainly appeare from vnder the ground a maruellous matter I assure you but much more wonderfull in case the riuer Nilus also ran thorow the mids of the said towne But surely of this opinion I am that if this be true Homer no doubt would haue written of it considering he hath spoken so much in the praise and commendation of this city and especially of the hundred gates that it had But to speake of a stately and magnificent work indeed the temple of Diana in Ephesus is admirable which at the common charges of all the princes in Asia was two hundred and twenty yeres a building First and foremost they chose a marish ground to set it vpon because it might not be subiect to the danger of earthquakes or feare the chinkes and opening of the ground againe to the end that so mighty and huge building of stone-worke should stand vpon a sure and firme foundation not withstanding the nature of the soile giuen to be slipperie and vnstead fast they laid the first couch and course of the ground-worke with charcole well rammed in manner of a pauement vpon it a bed of wool-packs this temple carried in length throughout four hundred twenty and fiue foot in breadth two hundred and twenty in it were a hundred and seuen and twenty pillars made by so many KK and euery one of them threescore foot high of which six and thirtie were curiously wrought and engrauen whereof one was the handiworke of Scopas Chersiphron the famous architect was the chiefe deuiser or master of the workes and who vndertooke the rearing thereof the greatest wonder belonging thereto was this How those huge chapters of pillars together with their frizes and architraues being brought vp and raised so high should be fitted to the sockets of their shafts but as it is said he compassed this enterprise and brought it to effect by the meanes of certaine bags or sacks filled with sand for of these he made a soft bed as it were raised aboue the heads of the pillers vpon which bed rested the chapters and euer as he emptied the nethermost the foresaid chapters settled downeward by little and little and so at his pleasure he might place them where they should stand but the greatest difficultie in this kind of worke was about the very frontispiece and maine lintle-tree which lay ouer the jambes or cheekes of the great dore of the said temple for so huge and mighty it was that hee could not weld it to lay bestow the same as it ought for when he had done what he could it was not to his mind nor couched and settled in the right place whereupon the workman Chersiphron was much perplexed in his mind and so wearie of his life that he purposed to make himself away but as he lay in bed in the night season and fell asleep all wearie vpon these dumpish and desperat cogitations the goddesse Diana in whose honor this temple was framed and now at the point to be reared appeared sensibly vnto him in person willing him to be of good cheare and resolue to liue still assuring him that she her self had laid the said stone of the frontispice and couched it accordingly which appeared true indeed the morrow morning for it seemed that the very weight thereof
triumphed ouer the enemy Howbeit as sumptuous in this kind as either C. Caligula or Nero was yet shal they not enjoy the glory of this fame though you put them two and two together for I wil shew that al this pride excesse of theirs in building their pallaces princes though they were mighty monarchs came behind the priuat works of M. Scaurus Whose example in his Aedileship was of so ill consequence as I wot not whether euer there were any thing that ouerthrew so much all good manners and orderly ciuility in such sort as hard it is to say whether Sylla did more dammage to the state in hauing a son in law so rich mighty than by the proscription of so many thousand Romane citizens And in truth this Scaurus when he was Aedile caused a wonderfull piece of worke to be made and exceeding all that euer had been knowne wrought by mans hand not only those that haue been erected for a moneth or such a thing but euen those that haue bin destined for perpetuitie and a theatre it was the stage had three lofts one aboue another wherin were there hundred and threescore columnes of marble a strange and admirable sight in that citie which in times past could not endure six small pillars of marble hewed out of the quarry in mount Hymettus in the house of a most honourable personage without a great reproch and rebuke giuen to him for it the base or nethermost part of the stage was all of marble the middle of glasse an excessiue superfluitie neuer heard of before or after as for the vppermost the bourds planks and floores were guilded the columnes beneath were as I haue said before fortie foot high wanting twaine and between these columns as I haue shewed before there stood of statues and Images in brasse to the number of three thousand The theatre it selfe was able to receiue fourescore thousand persons to sit well and at ease Whereas the compasse of Pompeies Amphitheatre notwithstanding the city of Rome so much enlarged and more peopled in his time was deuised for to contain no greater number than fortie thousand seats at large As touching the other furniture of this Theatre of Scaurus in rich hangings which were cloth of gold painted tables the most exquisit that could be found plaiers apparrell and other stuffe meet for to adorne the stage there was such abundance thereof that there being caried back to his house of pleasure at Tusculum the surplusage therof ouer and aboue the daintiest part wherof he had daily vse at Rome his seruants and slaues there vpon indignation for this wast and monstrous superfluitie of their master set the said country house on fire and burnt as much as came to a hundred millions of sesterces Certes when I consider and behold the monstrous humours of these prodigall spirits my mind is drawn away stil from the progresse of mine intended iourny and forced I am to digresse out of my way and to annex vnto this vanity of Scaurus as great follie of another not in masonry and marble but in carpentry and timber and C. Curio it was he who in the ciuile warres betweene Caesar and Pompey lost his life in the quarrell of Caesar. This gentleman desirous to shew pleasure vnto the people of Rome at the funerall of his father deceased as the manner then was and seeing that he could not outgo Scaurus in rich and sumptuous furniture for where should he haue had such a father in law again as Sylla Where could he haue found the like mother to dame Metella who had her share in all forfeitures and confiscations of the goods of outlawed citizens and where was it possible for him to meet with such another father as M. Scaurus the principall person of the whole city so long together who parted stakes with Marius in pilling and polling of the prouinces and was the very receptacle gulfe which receiued and swallowed all their spoiles and pillage and Scaurus himselfe verily if he might haue had all the goods in the world could not haue done as he did before nor make the like Theatre againe by reason that his house at Tusculum was burnt where the costly and rich furniture the goodliest rare ornaments which he had gotten together from al parts of the world were consumed to ashes by which fire yet this good hee got and prerogatiue aboue all other That no man euer after him was able to match that sumptuositie of his Theatre This gentleman I say Curio al things considered was put to his shifts deuised to surpasse Scaurus in wit since hee could not come neere him in wealth And what might his inuention be Certes it is worth the knowledge if there were no more but this that we may haue ioy of our own conceits and fashions and call our selues worthily as our manner is Majores that is to say superiour euery way to all others To come then to C. Curio his cunning deuise he caused two Theatres to be framed of timber and those exceeding big howbeit so as they might be turned about as a man would haue them approch neere one to the other or be remoued farther asunder as one would desire all by the means of one hooke apiece that they hung by which bare the weight of the whole frame the counterpoise was so euen all the whole therfore sure and firme Now he ordered the matter thus that to behold the seuerall stage plaies and shews in the forenoone before dinner they shall be set back to back to the end that the stages should not trouble one another and when the people had taken their pleasure that way he turned the Theatres about in a trice against the afternoone that they affronted one another and toward the latter end of the day and namely when the fencers and sword-plaiers were to come in place he brought both the Theatres nearer together and yet euery man sat stil kept his place according to his rank and order insomuch as by the meeting of the horns and corners of them both together in compasse he made a faire round Amphitheatre of it and there in the middest between he exhibited indeed vnto them all jointly a sight and spectacle of sword-fencers fighting at sharpe whom he had hired for that purpose but in truth a man may say more truly that he caried the whole people of Rome round about at his pleasure bound sure enough for stirring or remoouing Now let vs come to the point and consider a little better of this thing What should a man wonder at most therin the deuiser or the deuise it selfe The workeman of this fabricke or the master that set him on worke Whether of the twaine is more admirable either the venturous head of him that deuised it or the bold heart of him that vndertook it to command such a thing to be don or to obey and yeeld to goe in hand with it But when we haue
Col sar-yron * Some read à stringeÌ„da oculoruÌ„ atie i of dazeling the eies which iroÌ„ red hot or the bright blade of sword other weapons doth but nether any copies of the author haue the word oeulorum neither haue I read stringere but perstringere to signifie to dazle others vnderstand it of drawing a naked sword yet it is not so proper in Latine to say in that sence stringereaciem as stringere ferruÌ„ or gladium howbeit I incline rather to this for that Pliny a little after calls the best steele Acies which word haply is the primitiue from whence acies also is vsed for an edg c. and yet it may be that those stricturae i. sparkling skales flying froÌ„ iron vnder the smiths haÌ„mer froÌ„ no other mettall which do perstringere acieâ—… oculoruÌ„ if any thing els may giue occasion herof Sed haec viderint Critici * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Which some hold to be Tin-glosse Our ordinary lead * i. Pewter as some take it * This place seemeth to be corrupt * Quae non alligantur it is thought that Plinie mistook in Dioscor and for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which he hath translated without any sence at all or congruity to the place * Yellow orpiment * Numidicus * Oâ—…atus * Sinadicus * for they were so made that they might be taken off and set on againe * These images were no â—…ther than thevisâ—…ge head aâ—… aâ—… as to the shoul ders * Ptolomaeus Philadelphus * Attalus * Quasi glypâ—…i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Caelendâ—… * i. Atalanta * VI. M. Sestertium * Sub veteribus which some interpret Tabernis Quintilianus reporteth this otherwise * i. White and blacke 1 Because they be rich and costly 2 Minium 3 Armenium 4 Cinnabaris 5 Chrysocolla 6 Iâ—…dicum Lacca mixta cum caeruleo 7 Purpurissum 8 Sincpis 9 Rubrica 10 A white kind of fattie earth like plastre 11 A white earthlike chalke 12 A whitish earth or ash-colour white 13 Auripigmentum * Or rather three denarij for otherwise there were no proportion betweene it and the other of that kind * With the image of a goat as Diose saith or of Diana according to Galen Thus Dalechamp reades this placâ—… according to Philander out of Dioscor and Theophrast * Selibrâ—… others read Sex libâ—… * i. To staunch bloud * In singulaâ—… libras ad denarios trigiâ—…a * our painters in stead therof vse Lac. * They say it is made of Oad and in those countries from wheÌ„câ—… it commeth Galâ—… Nil This argumeÌ„t or title reacheth to many chapters following * For Olympias was counted the space of fiue yeares * Graece melius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Iambick verse some attribute to Apollodorus * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * li. fine delicat and sumptuos for he would be in his purple or his golden chaplets his staffe tipt with gold and his shooebuckles of the same * Minoris talento annis decem yet Budaeus readeth annuis talentis decem i. ten talents by the yeare * i. Ortam marâ—… i. rising out of the sea * Of this piture Apelles was wont to say That there were two Alexaders the one begotten by Philip who was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the other painted by Apelles and he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. inimitable * The manner was to expresse lightening by three shafts bond together in the middest * Some thinke he meaneth Hero Leandere and they read He ro LeandruÌ„ pinxit i' he painted Hero and Leander * Viler Maae reporteth tâ—…t he painted a mare * Mâ—…ac * Names of gallies * A worthy knight sonne of Ochiâ—…us * One at rest or reposing himselfe Some reade Triptolemus * Phaestiâ—… * In token of nobility as Pierius noteth in his Hieroglyphicks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Encaustice * 781 lib. 5 â—…h * i. Diuers valiant knights whoaccompanied prince Iason in his voiage to Colchos for the golden fleece * Circumlitioni others read circumdu ctioni i. the the first draught or pourfiling * This Saint Iulius Caesar honored most for that hee would seem to bee descended from Iulus or Ascanius son of Aeneas and nephew to Venus by Anchises 1 I am not of Dâ—…echampius his opinioÌ„ who takes Iaso here for the valiant knight Iason For the termination of the word is meere teminine as Io Iâ—o Sappho such like besides who sees not that Iaso is respect ue to Physick for that Jäsis in Greek signifieth curing or healing and it so sotteth well with the names of her other sisters which are likewise significant 2 i. leuelling his shot at the Deere or wild beast â—…s Dalecoampius doth interpret it or els according to Scalieer hol ding his hand ouer his ies to spie his game â—…ake his mark the better 3 or 〈◊〉 according to 〈◊〉 Herod 4 raedonibus otherwise iscaâ—…oribus i. fishermen 5 for he was the challenger none would comeforth against him 6 for at wrestling especially they caught vp dust in their hands to take hold the better of one anothers bodies which were glib with oile * i. that knew how to handle the pensill * i. The race of Bacchis who for a time reig ned at Corinth * i Moulds or patterns * Hee meaneth those whereby images of brasse were cast * Vini amphoram I suppose that he means the vessell it selfe for wine and not full of wine * Decies sestertiûm according to Budaeus but if you read according to Hotomanus ducenties it is twenty times as much more * This platter be called the targuet of Minerva and hee got himselfe therby a name to be called Patinarius See Sueton. * Some reade fornacei i arched walls * For by reason that Romewas so populous they made many lofts ouer head so that the building was raised to 60 and 70 foot in vpright wals 〈◊〉 these serued as â—…enements were called Coenacula and one paire of staires leading into the street serued them all wheras the lord and master of the house kept beneath with his houshold and was not troubled with these ten ants or in-mates * Hereupon it is an ordinary medicine to giue Mumia which is PissasphaltoÌ„ vnto those that are falne from on high and bee inwardly bruised * Some take this for Alume de plume others for the stone Amiantus * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Papularâ—… * Some reade 〈◊〉 * Vt bibatur glacie for hey held Crystall to be a kinde of yce * By tursit euident Olympias was but the space of foure yeares compleat although it be taken for fiue yeare * Some read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est without the citie * Out of yvorie which when he had finished being demanded after what pattâ—… he had made the said imagâ—… and how hâ—…weÌ„t vp into heaueÌ„ for to
Certes I my selfe haue been in that workhouse of Zenodorus where I beheld and considered not onely that great master-patterne in cley of the said colosse but also another consisting of very small pieces as branches which serued as it were for moulds and the first induction to the worke as the assay and proofe thereof Surely the workemanship of this one statue or colosse shewed plainly that the true science skil of founderie or casting brasse into forms was clean decaied and gone considering that Nero was ready and willing to giue siluer and gold enough for the doing thereof artificially and with expedition Zenodorus also himselfe was not thought inferiour to any workeman in old time either for counterfeiting a similitude or grauing the same for during the time that he made the statue beforesaid in Auvergne he counterfeited two drinking cups grauen and chased by the hand of Calamis but belonging to Vibius Avitus the president and gouernor at the same time of that prouince which he had receiued of Cassius Syllinus his vncle by the mothers side tutor and schoolemaster somtime to Caesar Germanicus which prince notwithstanding that he loued them wel yet hee bestowed them freely vpon his said instructer Cassius whom he loued better and Zenodorus did it so well that hardly there could be discerned any difference in the workemanship But to conclude the more consummat and accomplished that Zenodorus was for his skill and cunning the more euidently it appeareth that the true Art of founderie was in his time cleane lost and out of knowledge and practise CHAP. VIII ¶ Of 366 excellent pieces of worke in Brasse and as many cunning artificers in that kind THe images aad wrought pieces of Brasse commonly called Corinthian works many men take such pleasure delight in that they loue to carry the same with them whither soeuer they goe as Hortensius the famous orator who would neuer be without the counterfeit of Sphinx which hee had from Verres his client at what time as he was in trouble and called into question for his extortions and oppressions in Sicilie in which triall of Verres wherein Cicero was his aduersarie and accuser vpon occasion that Hortensius who pleaded at the barre against him in the behalfe of Verrus among other crosse words that passed petweene happened to say That he vnderstood no parables and riddles and therefore willed him to speake more plainly Cicero made answer readily againe that by good reason he should be well acquainted with riddles seeing he had a Sphinx at home in his house Likewise Nero the Emperour had a great fancie to a piece or counterfeit of an Amazon wherof I meane to write more hereafter which by his good will he would neuer be without And C. Cestius somewhat before Nero a man that in his time had bin Consul was so addicted to a little image that he had that it went with him into the campe yea and he would haue it about him in the very conflict and battell with his enemies Moreouer K. Alexander the Great had four statues or images by report which ordinarily were wont and none but they to support his tent when he lay abroad and kept the field wherof twain stand now before the temple of Mars called the Reuenger other 2 before the Palatium As touching images statues and counterfeits of a lesser size there are an infinite number of artificers who are ennobled renowned by them yet to begin with the image of Iupiter made at Olympia Phidias the Athenian aboue all other was of great name therefore and wrought it was of yvorie gold together howbeit many other pieces of brasse there were of his making which greatly commended the workman he flourished in the 83 Olympias and about the yere after our computation at Rome 300. And at the same time there liued those concurrents of his who endeauoured to match him to wit Alcamenes Critias Nestocles and Hegias After these and namely in the 87 Olympias there succeeded and had their time Agelades Callon Polycletus Phragmon Gorgias Lacon Myron Pythagoras Scopas and Perelius of which Polycletus brought vp diuers braue and worthy apprentices and by name Argius Asapodorus Alexis Aristides Phrynon Pynon Athenodorus Dameas of Clitore Myron the Lycian In the 95 Olympias there flourished Naucides Dinomedes Canochus and Patrocles In the 102 Olympias there came in place Polycles Cephissodorus Leochares and Hypatodorus In the 104 liued Lysippus at what time also K. Alexander the Great flourished likewise Lysistratus and his brother Sthenis Euphronides Sostratus son and Silanion of which Silanion this is wonderfull that hauing no master at all to teach and instruct him in the art yet he became himselfe so excellent that he brought vp vnder him Zeuxis and Iades In the 120 Olympias Eutychides Euthycrates Lahippus Sephissodorus Tymarchus and Pyromachus were famous artificers for the time Then lay the art asleep and as it were dead for a while vntill such time as about the 155 Olympias it seemed to reuiue and awaken again then there arose Antheus Callistratus Polycles Athenaeus Callixenus Pythocles Pythias and Timocles indifferent good workemen but nothing comparable to the other before named Thus hauing ranged the most famous Artificers distinctly according to their seuerall Ages I will runne ouer them againe as many I meane as excell the rest and yet howsoeuer I make haste I will not ouerpasse the multitude of others but interlard as it were and disperse them among as occasion shal be offered In the first place this is to be vnderstood that the principal and singular of al these founders came in question notwithstanding they liued in sundry ages which of them should be esteemed chiefe by reason of diuers Amasons wrought by their hands for when these images should be dedicated in the temple of Diana in Ephesus it was thought good to make choise of one that should be deemed approued best by the iudgment of those workmen who then liued were present for plaine it was that the image whom they all iudged to be next and second to their own the same was simply best and so to be reputed This principal Amason hapned to be of Polycletus his making in a second degree was the Amason made by Phidias that of Ctesilas was counted the third of Cydon the fourth in a fift place was reckned the workmanship of Phragmon As for Phidias besides the Iupiter Olympius of his making wherin no man seeketh to come neere vnto him he made likewise Minerva of ivorie at Athens which standeth there in the temple Parthenon But ouer and aboue the foresaid Amason there was of his workmanship Minerva in brasse so faire and beautifull that of her beauty she tooke the sirname Kallimorphos Of his doing was the image called Cliduchos and another of Minerva which Aemilius Paulus dedicated at Rome in the temple of Fortuna hujusce diei i. Of the daies of Fortune Also two other statues or images portraied