Chapter D: E S C R I B’d (5)

But I find in the same _Eusebius_, _Prometheus_ is set 111 years still earlier, before the first mention of _Hercules_, this is during the life of the patriarch _Joseph_. _Prometheus_ and _Atlas_ were brothers, and students in Astronomy, with whom the story of _Hercules_ is always conjoin’d. And so high at least, I must place the time of our _Tyrian Hercules_, who is the same as _Desanaus_. But _Marianus_ transcribing _Eusebius_ calls him _Dosenaus_. And _Hesychius_ says _Dorsanes_ is a name of _Hercules_, with the _Indians_. But by the _Indians_, it is likely, the _Phœnicians_ and _Arabians_ are meant; for the ancient _Greeks_ call all the country to the east of the mediterranean sea, _India_. And then we may in some measure understand the report of _Ammianus Marcellinus_, who takes it from _Timagenes_, an old _Greek_ Historian, but a _Syrian_ by nation, speaking concerning the peopling of _Gaul_, “that the more ancient _Hercules_ conducted the _Dorienses_, to the countries bordering on the ocean.” Perhaps the _Dosareni_ are meant, an _Arabian_ nation, mention’d by _Ptolemy_. A Deity of the _Arabians_ was called _Dusaris_ or _Dosaris_, mention’d by _Step. Byzant_, _Suidas_ and _Tertullian_. A difficult word, which _Bochart_ cannot trace from the _Arabian_ language; nor is it easy to say, what Deity he was. No wonder such matters are obscur’d, thro’ so long distance of time. Some think him _Bacchus_, some _Mars_, and why not _Hercules_? for after mankind laps’d into idolatry, these three were much confounded.

I find sufficient testimony, of the _Tyrian Hercules_ coming from _Arabia_, about the red sea, or having companions, that were natives of that country. For this reason they nam’d an island at the city of _Gadis_, which they built, _Erythia_, _Erythræa_; which _Pliny_ IV. 22. says, was so called from the first possessors, the _Tyrians_, who came from the _Erythræan_ sea: which is the red sea. _Solinus_ says the same. That sea had its name from _Erythras_, as the _Greeks_ and the same _Pliny_ write; who is _Edom_ or _Esau_, brother of _Jacob_. The words are synonymous, signifying red. The reports of _Hercules_’s expedition to that island _Erythræa_ now _Cadiz_, is famous in all the old _Greek_ writers.

This relation we have given of the _Tyrian Hercules_, that he lived about the time of _Abraham_, or soon after, according to _Eusebius_’s chronology; that he came from about the red sea, and had companions in his travels, that lived thereabouts, is much confirm’d by what _Josephus_ writes, from _Alexander Polyhistor_; who cites it from a very antient author, called _Cleodemus_, sirnam’d _Malchus_, who wrote a history of the _Jews_, agreeable with the _Mosaic_. He says, _Abraham_ had several Sons by _Keturah_, he names _Apher_, _Suris_ and _Japhra_. That _Apher_ and _Japhra_ were auxiliaries to _Hercules_, when he fought in _Lybia_ against _Antæus_. That from _Apher_ the country was nam’d _Africa_. That _Hercules_ married his daughter, and begat of her _Dodorus_. _Josephus_ in the same _chap._ of the first book of his antiquities, writes, that _Abraham_ had six sons born of _Keturah_: men, heroic and wise. That they and their posterity were settled in _Troglodytis_, in the country of _Arabia fœlix_, reaching to the red sea. He makes _Opher_ or _Apher_ grandson to _Abraham_, by _Midian_ his son. That _Apher_ waged war in _Lybia_ and conquer’d it, and plac’d his sons there, who call’d the Country _Africa_ from their father. So _Schindler_ in his lexicon, _pag._ 1361.

Making proper allowance for relations of such very antient matters, transmitted by historians of different countries, different languages, and so often transcribed and translated, before they come down to us; here is enough to confirm and explain, what we have before advanc’d: both as to time and place, and matter. And we cannot but see what relation our _Main Ambres_ and the _gygonian_ stone by the ocean, have to the _petræ ambrosiæ_, which _Hercules_ set up at _Tyre_: which is the drift of my discourse. That very _gygonian_ stone, for ought I see, may be our rocking-stone near _Pensans_, it stands by the sea-side. Nor do I see any absurdity, if we judge, that it was erected there, by _Hercules_ in person. Near it is that other famous Druid temple call’d _Biscawoon_, consisting of 19 pillars in a circle and a central _kebla_. The entrance is made of 2 somewhat larger stones, than the rest: not improbably one of the _Herculean_ labours. It is affirm’d by the best authors, that our _Tyrian Hercules_, the more ancienter _Hercules_, built the city of _Gadis_, at _Cadiz_ now. And where-ever _Hercules_ came, there we read of his pillars. Thus _Avienus_.

_Hic Gadir urbs est, dicta Tartessus prius,
Hic sunt columnæ pertinacis Herculis._

_Arrian_ II. of the life of _Alexander_, remarks, “that _Gadis_ was built by the _Phœnicians_. There was a temple of _Hercules_. The form, the sacrifices and ceremonies there perform’d, are all after the _Phœnician_ manner.” _Strabo_ in his _Lib._ III. says there were two pillars in this temple, dedicate to _Hercules_; which the learned _Tristan_ in his commentaries on medals, p. 384. says, he doubts not, but they were _petræ ambrosiæ_, in imitation of those of the same name, in the temple of _Hercules_ of _Tyre_, which _Herodotus_ in _Euterpe_ speaks of. He appears to have been an extraordinary genius, and a man of great piety withal. Therefore where-ever he came, he made these patriarchal temples, or set up pillars of stone, as antiquity called them. Just as the patriarchal family did in the land of _Canaan_. And _Hercules_ seems to me, to have been a great man, raised up by providence, to carry the reform’d patriarchal religion, to the extremest part of the then known western world. Here, I suppose, the religion of _Abraham_ remain’d pure, for many ages, under the Druids, till perhaps corrupted by incursions from the continent. It is remarkable, that the _Romans_, who were so catholic, (different from those we now absurdly call _Roman_ catholics) as to permit all religions, persecuted only that of the Druids, and the christian: whence we are naturally led to think, there was a good deal of resemblance. Indeed, the Druids are accused of human sacrifices. They crucified a man and burnt him on the altar; which seems to be a most extravagant act of superstition, deriv’d from some extraordinary notices they had of mankind’s redemption: and perhaps from _Abraham_’s example misunderstood. But as to human sacrifices simply considered, the _Romans_ themselves and all other nations upon earth at times, practis’d them.

To this _Hercules_, antiquity affixed very many names, from different notions of him, retain’d in different countries; and after idolatry took root, he was worshipp’d under those names of consecration, according to the old method. For instance, one of his names was _Palæmon_. _Palæmon_, says _Hesychius_, is _Hercules_. The _Greeks_ made him a sea Deity, who had been so great a sea-captain. They call him _Melicerta_, which is his _Phœnician_ name _Melcartus_, king of the city. _Ovid_ tells us the story in _Met._ IV. _Nonnus_ calls him _Astrochiton_ starry-robed, from his being made a constellation in heaven. In the _Gallic_ picture of him, which _Lucian_ saw, he is represented with a sphere in one hand, under the name of _Ogmius_. Mr. _Toland_ in his history of the Druids, shews us the true interpretation of that word, from the _Irish_ language; after the learned had in vain attempted the explication of it. From thence we infer he brought the use of letters hither. _Cæsar_ informs us, the Druids had them. He is called _Assis_, by the easterns, which signifies the valiant: the same as _Hæsus_ of the _Germans_.

_A direct View of Stonehenge from the union of the two Avenues._

_Stukeley delin._

A. _the wing of the avenue going to Radfin._ B. _to the_ Cursus.]

Beside the patriarchal custom of building these places of worship, and consecrating them with oil, we find many other footsteps of that most ancient religion, in the history of _Hercules_. _Silius_ speaking of the strange rites used in the _Gaditan_ temple of _Hercules_, says, the priests officiated there barefooted, practis’d chastity, had no statues, us’d white linen surplices. And it is a notorious custom with the ancient _Phœnicians_, to pay tithe. Indeed they paid tythe to _Hercules_. Which only imports, that it was a precept and practice introduc’d by _Hercules_. And after they had deified _Hercules_ they practis’d it toward him. This was a common method, when idolatry began. I shall treat more largely of these affairs; when I discourse expressly of the patriarchal religion. Likewise, I shall prove more fully, from chronological characters, that this _Hercules_ liv’d at the time, we are speaking of, in the _canon Mosaicæ chronologiæ_. What I now recite, concerning these matters, I could not well avoid, as they in my apprehension, relate to the name of _Stonehenge_.

_Pliny Nat. Hist._ VII. 56. gives us a testimony, of our _Hercules_, under the name of _Melcartus_, (as _Bochart_ rightly corrects it) first bringing tin into _Greece_, from the _Cassiterid_ islands. By which the _British_ are meant. The tin of _Tyre_, which the merchants of _Greece_, came to buy, at the fairs of that city, is mention’d _Ezekiel_ xxvii. 12. which, no doubt, came from hence. But it is much earlier mention’d, among lead and other metals, when the _Midianites_ had it in _Moses_’s time, _Numbers_ xxxi. 22. the _Chaldee_ and _Arabic_ version there, use the word _kastira_, the _Hierosolymitan kistara_. No wonder the _Midianites_ should then abound with tin: when we were told by _Josephus_, that _Apher_ son of _Midian_, was one of _Hercules_’s companions. The LXX. in that passage of _Numbers_ call it κασσίτερος. But tin is mention’d earlier still, in _Job_ xix. 24. and _Job_ liv’d in this same country, on the borders of _Arabia_.

It is very evident from _Bochart_, that the _Phœnicians_, had sail’d quite round _Britain_, by what he writes of _Thule_. How then can we doubt but the great island, which they found in the extremest west, was _Britain_? but they kept their gainful navigation hither so secret, for many centuries, that even _Herodotus_ the earliest _Greek_ writer professes he knows not, whence the tin comes. _Britain_ was the only country, where it could come from, in any quantity, as _Pliny_ says. But from this great secrecy of the _Phœnicians_, we have lost the high antiquities of _Britain_, as unknown to the _Greeks_; the only heathen nation that had the address to commit things to writing. Therefore we must be content with what small remains of this kind, can be fish’d out of the wreck of time, by such conjectural methods, as antiquaries cannot avoid insisting on.

In _Devonshire_ is _Hartland_ point so call’d corruptly, as the excellent _Camden_ observes, for _Herculis promontorium_. And upon the _Durham_ sea coast is a town on a promontory call’d _Hartlepool_. A village call’d _Hart_ near it. I take it to have been call’d by the _Greek_ traders here _Heracleopolis_. And hence, probably came that fine old altar in _Greek_, dedicated to the _Tyrian Hercules_, which Mr. _Roger Gale_ and I copied, in _Corbridge_ church-yard.

From these and many other considerations of this kind, which I shall hereafter treat of more largely and professedly: I cannot but join in opinion with _Franc. Philelphus_ in his epistles, and _Lilius Giraldus_ in his _Hercules_ mention’d by Mr. _Camden_, in the last quoted passage, and with many other writers, that the very ancient _Phœnician_ or _Tyrian Hercules_ conducted an eastern colony hither, upon the _aborigines_; with whom came the Druids, the builders of _Stonehenge_ and the like works among us. And let this suffice for what I promis’d upon the first head of this chapter, _viz._ to speak of the antiquity of these works in general. 2. We are to speak of the time of founding _Stonehenge_.

CHAP. XII.

_A conjecture about the time of the founding of_ Stonehenge. _An
uniform variation in setting these works, not to be accounted
for, but by supposing the_ Druids _us’d a magnetical compass.
Their leader, the_ Tyrian Hercules, _was possess’d of a
compass-box. The oracle of_ Jupiter Ammon _had a compass-box.
The golden fleece at_ Colchis _was a compass-box. Both these
temples were founded by_ Apher, Hercules _his companion, and
grandson to_ Abraham. Apher, Aphricus, _or_ Phryxus _the same
person, seems to have given name to_ Britain. _The_ Druids
_set their temples and other works by it. The history of
the mariner’s compass, since that time. The history of the
variation of the magnetic needle. A conjecture of the time of
building_ Stonehenge, _from thence._

In my Enquiries into these works of the antient _Druids_ in our island, I observed a greater exactness in placing them, with regard to the quarters of the heavens, than one would expect, in works seemingly so rude; and in so remote an age, to which we must necessarily refer them. What more particularly mov’d my attention, was a certain variation from cardinal points, which I observed regular and uniform, in the works of one place. And that variation was different, in works of another place; yet equally regular and uniform in that place. Suppose (for instance) the works about _Abury_ in _Wiltshire_ generally vary 9 or 10 degrees to the left hand, from cardinal points: _i. e._ westward from the north. And the works at _Stonehenge_ generally vary to the right hand, from cardinal points, and that to the quantity of 6 or 7 degrees. The principal diameter or groundline of _Stonehenge_, leading from the entrance, up the middle of the temple, to the high altar, (from which line the whole work is form’d) varies about that quantity southward of the north east point. The intent of the founders of _Stonehenge_, was to set the entrance full north east, being the point where the sun rises, or nearly, at the summer solstice. As well because _that_ is the farthest elongation of the great celestial luminary, northward; the complement of our earthly felicity, in ripening the fruits of the earth: as because _then_ they celebrated one of their principal religious meetings or festivals, with sacrifices, publick games, and the like. Such was the custom of all the antient nations. The _Isthmian_, _Nemæan_, _Olympian_, _Pythian_ games, famous in the works of the learned nations: those of _Tyre_ II. _Maccabees_ iv. 18. dedicated to their and our founder, the antient _Tyrian Hercules_, who, I suppose, conducted the first _Phœnician_ colony, with our _Druids_, into _Britain_: these were all held at this time of the year. A custom continu’d from patriarchal times.

This exactness with which the _Druids_ set their works, and the uniformity of their variation, make me believe, this variation was not the effect of chance or negligence.

By a superficial reflexion upon it, we should be apt to suspect, it was owing to their observing the sun’s rising on the longest day of the year, or summer solstice, and setting their line by it. For this is supposed to be a method by which they formerly set our Churches: marking the sun’s rising at the equinox. But the _Druids_ were too good astronomers and mathematicians to need so mean an artifice: nor does it correspond to the quantity precisely enough. Besides, this same variation appears where it cannot possibly regard the sun’s rising at that time.

_Prospect of the Cursus & Stonehenge from the North Aug. 6. 1723._

A. _The Entrance of the Avenue._ B. _The 7 Barrows._ C. _The Kings Barrow._ D. _Salisbury Steeple._ E. _Stonehenge._]

For, I observ’d the like variation, or very near, in all the other parts relating to this temple before taken notice of; beside the avenue leading up to the temple from the north east, in a strait line; which has the before-mention’d variation all the way. At the bottom of the hill, this avenue divides into two wings, each going off from the last mention’d part, with a decent sweep; the one to the left hand, westward, the other to the right hand, eastward. They go off with a like angle, and that angle varies the like quantity. The western wing goes to the _cursus_, before observ’d, the place upon the downs, half a mile off _Stonehenge_, made for races with chariots and horses. The right hand wing of the avenue runs directly eastward for a mile together, pointing to a place on an angle of the river, called _Radfin_. This part of the avenue, which was intended by the founders, to have been drawn precisely east and west, varies about 5 or 6 degrees to the south.

Likewise, that great work of the _cursus_ itself, which stretches its length across the downs, from east to west, like a line of latitude upon the globe, varies such a like quantity, from true east and west, the same way. The meridian line of _Stonehenge_ passes exactly through the middle of this _cursus_.

Further, at the east end of this _cursus_, the huge bank of earth, above 200 foot long, made across the end of the _cursus_, as a _meta_, and whereon sat the princes and judges of the prizes: This bank of earth is drawn exactly at a right angle with the _cursus_, consequently due north and south, but with the variation before spoken of. These, and other like observations here, as well as in other _Druid_ Works, appear’d to me no otherwise to be accounted for, but that the _Druids_ us’d a magnetical compass, in laying down the works: and that the needle vary’d so much, at that time, from the true meridian line.

I remember I open’d this affair, near 20 Years ago, to Dr. _Halley_, who was of the same sentiment. Nor am I the first who suspected the _Phœnicians_ of old were possessed of this great secret, as well as the _Chinese_, from times immemorial. I am not moved to think otherwise by what _Bochart_ writes against it. The very name of the magnet _lapis Heraclius_ strongly suggests, the _Tyrian_ navigator before-mention’d knew it, as is well argued by _Fuller_ in his Miscellanies, IV. 19. And many things occur, in the mythology of the antients, wherein (if I mistake not) I discern most evident traces of this knowledge of the directive power of the magnet. We are not to despise the fables of the antients, but to make the best use of them, and search out for their latent truths. My predecessor _Cumberland_, observes in _Sanchoniathon_, p. 325. “that _Apollodorus_ (for instance) hath many truths in his mythic history, deriv’d from the tradition of _Phœnicians_ and _Egyptians_, planting _Athens_.” And the _Greeks_, those happy practitioners in writing, as well as other arts, took the unlucky turn of the _marvellous_, to so exorbitant a degree, as to write nothing without it. In _Apollodorus_, put out by the learned Dr. _Gale_, p. 114. we have an account of the 10th labour of _Hercules_, his conquest of _Cadiz_, or _Gadira_, as then call’d, or _Erythea_. We are told, the hero set up the 2 pillars at the Streights mouth, at _Gibralter_, or then _Tartessus_; which we may reasonably suppose some temple made of these rough stones, or some _main ambres_, like those we mention’d before, the _petræ ambrosiæ_ in the _Tyrian_ coins. Then, says our author, going on his journey, “the rays of the sun were so vehement upon him, that he had the boldness to draw his bow against him. The god admiring the intrepidity of the man, gave him a golden cup with which he sail’d over the ocean.” _Pisander_ in his IId. book, (in _Atheneus Deipnos._ XI.) writes the same, only that _Oceanus_ lent him the cup. _Panyasis_ in his I. of the history of _Hercules_, says, he begg’d it of _Nereus_, son of _Sol_, and with it sail’d to _Erythea_. (Macrob. _Saturn._ XXI. 5.) _Theoclytus_, in _Atheneus_ aforesaid, in his II. _de tempest._ mentions the same thing. He said it before in his _Titanomachia_. _Pherecydes_, in his III. of history, quoted both in _Atheneus_ and _Macrobius_, tells a story somewhat like that of _Apollodorus_, but more particular. _Servius_ Æn. VII. mentions it, but as some of the former, makes the cup of brass, instead of gold. _Alexander Ephesius_ the like. All very ancient writers. _Lucian_ says, that _Hercules_ sail’d in a sea-conch shell. What can we understand by all this, mention’d by so many grave authors, but a compass-box, which enabled him to sail the great ocean, and penetrate to our northern island, less obnoxious to the suns vehement heat? Add to this, in the same place, _Apollodorus_ speaks of his fighting _Albion_ and _Dercynus_, by _Mela_, called _Bergion_, Sons of _Neptune_; which were the most antient names of the _Britannic_ Isles, before the name of _Britain_. _Diodorus Siculus_, in his IV. book delivers a like account of this 10th labour of _Hercules_, but in a mere historical manner. And adds, that when he return’d by _Sicily_, he dedicated a grove to _Geryon_ the hero, where, to his time, the people did religious rites. For this affair of sacred groves, we know our _Druids_ were famous. He built a temple likewise at _Gades_. We are not to suppose it a cover’d edifice, like what posterity call’d a temple, but an open one, according to the mode of those days. Cover’d temples, at that time, being a thing unknown in the world. Afterward, a magnificent temple, properly, was there built to him. _Mela_ witnesses, that it was our _Egyptian Hercules_, who was there worshipped. For I suppose our _Egyptian_ and the _Tyrian Hercules_ to be all one. The same mention’d by the name of _Assis_, in _Manethons_ XVII. _Dynasty_, in _Josephus_ c. App. in _Africanus_, _Eusebius_, and _Syncellus_. _Apollonius_ II. 14. writes, it was not the _Theban_ but the _Egyptian Hercules_ that came to _Gades_: which is confirm’d by _Hecateus_. And _Herodotus_, in _Euterpe_ says, _Hercules_ is a very antient deity among the _Egyptians_, not so, among the _Greeks_. And I suppose this hero lived at, or very near the time of the patriarch _Abraham_.

These were the times about the beginning of idolatry. And _Hercules_ was far from being an idolater himself, though worshipp’d afterwards, for his great exploits, and perhaps on this very account of his inventing or knowing the use of the compass. This is the _Hercules_ kneeling on one knee, a constellation in heaven, taken notice of by _Dionysius Halycarn._ by _Tzetzes_, _Hyginus_, _Æschylus_ and others. It seems to indicate his piety; for which the astronomers his disciples plac’d him in the heavens. He kneels upon the arctic circle, and supports the zodiac on his shoulders; tho’ this is not understood by the painting on our modern globes. The _Phœnicians_, his successors in the tin trade of _Britain_, kept the trade and the very name of the Island as a great secret; as well as the use of the compass, till it was lost with them. But it seems highly probable, because _Lucian_ describes _Hercules_ with a sphere in his hand, that he affixed the present Asterisms of the zodiac: and his successors, the _Phœnicians_, propagated them.

’Tis next to our present purpose, to consider that famous oracle of _Jupiter Ammon_ in _Africa_, to be referr’d to the most early times of idolatry: render’d illustrious by _Alexander_ the Great taking a journey to it. Which gives us the opportunity of knowing somewhat of it.

_Quamvis Æthiopum populis, Arabumq; beatis
Gentibus, ac Indis, unus sit Jupiter Ammon._ Lucan.

All these nations, with _Egypt_ and _Africa_, were peopled by the posterity chiefly of _Ham_. They were the first that fell into idolatry, and worshipped their common progenitor, call’d _Amynus_, in _Sanchoniathon_. _Hecateus_ says, _Amoûn_, as the _Egyptians_ write it, is the word of those that invoke god, and that they meant somewhat very mysterious by it. The history of its origin is this. _Bacchus_, the hero, or demigod, travelling through the sandy desarts of _Africa_, with a great army, was perishing with thirst; he pray’d to his father _Jupiter_ for relief, who sent a _ram_ that show’d him a spring, sav’d him and his host. Out of gratitude, the hero builds a temple there, to the deity who thus aided him under the form of a _ram_. There is no room to doubt, that this is in part copied from the transaction of the children of _Israel_, in the _Arabian_ wilderness. They have added to it, a name and notion borrowed from patriarchal tradition, of a divine person, symboliz’d by a ram; horned, anointed, which is all one. We christians mean _Messiah_. Innumerable passages in old authors, which I might cite, innumerable monuments of antiquity in sculpture, shew, that _Jupiter Ammon_ was figur’d as a ram, with a ram’s head, with rams horns. They applied the patriarchal notion of the _Messiah_, to their progenitor _Ham_, in an idolatrous way: and deified him under that character. There is a very remarkable passage in _Herodotus_, which, it is worth our while, to transcribe.

_Prospect from the west end of the Cursus of Stonehenge._

_Stukeley. d._

A. _the eastern meta._ B. _the eastern wing of the avenue._ C. _Stonehenge._]

In _Euterpe_ cap. 42. that author tells us, why the _Theban Egyptians_ pay so great a regard to the sheep. “_Hercules_ on his importunity to _Jupiter_, that he might have the honour personally to see him, at length prevail’d. And the god consented to exhibit himself to his view, under this device. _viz._ _Jupiter_ cut off a ram’s head, put the skin over his own head, and thus appear’d to _Hercules_. Whence the _Egyptians_ made the statue of _Jupiter_, with a ram’s head, and call _Jupiter Ammôun_. Whence they hold sheep for sacred animals, never kill them but once a year, upon the festival day of _Jupiter_, when only one ram is sacrificed, and his head put upon the statue of _Jupiter_; all that are there present, beat the ram, and at last he is buried in a sacred urn.”

It is impossible not to see, that this is derived from that history recorded, _Exodus_ xxxiii. _Moses_ desires of _Jehovah_ repeatedly, that he might see him. He calls it seeing his glory. He is answer’d at length. “I will make all my _goodness_ pass before thee, and I will proclaim the _name_ of _Jehovah_ before thee. Thou canst not see my face, but I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and cover thee with my hand, whilst I pass by. Thou shalt see my back parts only.” Here he notoriously promises _Moses_, that he shall see him, in a symbolical form. In the next chapter, _Jehovah_ descended in the luminous cloud, or _Shechinah_, and proclaimed the _name_ of _Jehovah_; recites those attributes that relate to his dealings with mankind, in the strongest point of light; “his goodness and mercy, and long-suffering, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin: but adds, he will by no means clear the guilty, but visit the fathers iniquity upon the children.” Wherein our original and fatal transgression is sufficiently intimated, and that God’s justice is equal to his mercy; and the necessity of a divine redemption by sacrifice, which in scripture language is call’d, “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

All this the most ancient nations had a knowledge of, from patriarchal tradition. When they laps’d into idolatry, they applied these good notions to their new idolatry, and made statues from the symbolical and figurative forms of speech, us’d in true religion. Their sacrificing the ram on the festival day of _Jupiter_, their beating the ram, putting his head on the statue of their deity, burying him in a sacred urn: all most evidently pointing out the notions they had, in the most early times, of the suffering state of the _Messiah_. And such was the origin, in short, of _Jupiter Ammon_. But it appears, by what learned authors write, on _Curtius_’s description of his statue, that a magnetical compass box made one considerable part of his sacreds. This we read in _Hyde_ Pers. relig. p. 495. in _Curtius_ publish’d by _Pitiscus_, and by _Rader_ the jesuite, and _Schottus_ in _Ortelius_, by _Fuller_, _Herwart_ and others. “This compass box with the statue of the deity, was set in a golden ship (the golden cup of _Hercules_) and carried in procession on the shoulders of the priests, accompanied by women singing an hymn in their own language.” I doubt not, but the circumstance of carrying this golden ship, on the shoulders of the priests, is an imitation of the _Mosaic_ ark in the march of the _Israelites_, thro’ the wilderness, during their forty years pilgrimage. Tho’ they mistook the reason of the thing; the _Jewish_ church then being in a military and travelling state. But where the camp rested, the ark was reposited, in the _adytum_ of the tabernacle: so likewise when in possession of the land of _Canaan_. This is sufficient proof, that the _Lybians_ herein, copied after the _Israelites_, not _vice versa_, as our moderns are willing to think, in these cases.

_Curtius_ tells us, the habit of _Ammon_’s statue was made of _Smaragd_ and other precious stones, wrought in _Mosaic_ work. Which I take to be too, in imitation of the pontifical attire, under _Moses_’s administration: particularly of the sacred, oracular pectoral, made of _Mosaic_ work, with gems. I apprehend, that beside the statue of _Ammon_, there was a figure of (the upper part at least of) a _ram_, on the compass box: which was the oracle. And it is easy to guess how this may be managed for the purpose; even beyond the trick of _Januarius_’s blood, and other _Popish_ devices.

Hence we may better understand the famous golden fleece, which occasioned the _Argonautic_ expedition, one of the earliest and most memorable _Æra’s_ of the _Grecian_ history. If we suppose this golden fleece to be a compass box, we see the reason why the choice youth of _Greece_ set out upon that voyage: which, as all other matters of ancient history, among the _Greeks_, is so unaccountably puft up with the leaven of fable. It became navigators to run any hazard for such a treasure. If we enquire into its origin, it is thus. _Phrixus_ son of _Athamas_ and _Nepheles_ (according to the _Greeks_) had a ship given him by his mother. The ship is call’d in the fable a golden _ram_, or the ram with a golden fleece (the same thing as _Hercules_’s golden cup.) In this, he and his sister _Helle_, flying the ill-usage of their mother-in-law _Ino_, sail away by sea. _Helle_ affrighted in the voyage, falls overboard and gives name to the _Hellespont_. _Phrixus_ continues the voyage, and goes to _Æetes_ king of _Colchis_, where he hangs up his golden _ram_ in the temple, to _Jupiter Phyxius_, (one would be apt to imagine they meant _Pyxius_, alluding to the box.) _Jason_ made his far-fam’d expedition thither afterward, and stole it. But the ram was placed in the heavens, among the constellations, as a memorial; the first sign in the _Zodiac_: which shews the high antiquity of the story.

This account manifestly pretends very great antiquity, and some signal event. I observe this _Ino_ their mother-in-law, is said to be the nurse of _Bacchus_, and throwing herself with her son _Melicerte_ into the sea, became a goddess, under the name of _Leucothea_. Her son became a god, under the name of _Palæmon_. This _Melicerte_ is allowed by all the learned, to be no other than our _Melcartus_ above-mention’d. _Palæmon_ is _Hercules_, says _Hesychius_. _Palæmon_ is his name of deification. _Pausanias_ in the beginning of his _corinthiaca_ informs us, this _apotheosis_ of _Ino_ and _Melicerta_ was the occasion of founding the famous _Isthmian_ games. _Plutarch_ says the same, and _Phavorinus_. Again, I observe, _Phrixus_ is said to be son of _Nephele_ (a cloud) whence call’d _nubigena_ by _Columella_. We must hence expect somewhat very secret and obscure. Further, all writers say openly this _ram_ or ship of _Phrixus_ was oracular and could speak upon occasion. So all the writers of the _Argonautics_ too will have the ship _Argos_ to be loquacious and oracular. _Magnes_ another name of the load-stone is often call’d _Adamas_, which seems to be no other than _Athamas_. _Apollodorus_ makes _Magnes_ the son of _Æolus_, who marrying _Nais_, inhabited the isle _Seriphus_. _Æolus_ was a great sailor, invented sails, and studied the winds, therefore deified and made the god of the winds. I suppose it all ends in the mysterious invelopement of the knowledge of the magnetic compass.

I hope for the readers candour, in reciting thus much from antient fable, which I did as concisely as possible. But in matters of obscure antiquity, we must make use of all helps. And in heathen antiquity we have no other. A strictly historical way of writing in former times, is only to be expected in the sacred canon of the _Jews_. And what is remarkable, after God’s holy spirit had deserted _them_, their writers became the greatest fablers in the world, and, if possible, out-did the _Greeks_, in that way.

_A Prospect of the barrows in Lake field called the Eleven barrows & lately the prophets barrows._

_2^d. Sep^r. 1723._

_Stukeley d._

A. _Stonehenge._ P. _barrow open’d by_ .L. _Pembroke_. SS. _by Stukeley_.]

One would imagine, the fashion of these most antient charts, was to divide the circle into 12 parts, and affix the celestial signs of the zodiac to them; beginning with the east at _aries_, where the sun rises at the equinoxes; and thence they might call the box by the name of _aries_, as shewing the east where _aries_ is plac’d. As now the _Turks_ and _Arabians_ call it _kibla noma_, _i. e._ shewing the _kibla_, or south point, the way toward which they turn their faces in devotion. So we only enquire for the north point; and call it the lode-stone, because it shews the lode-star or north pole. But ’tis all one; any one point in a circle being found, the rest are found too.

From what has been said, it seems probable, that the fable of the hero finding out the spring in the sandy desarts of _Africa_, by the help of a ram sent from _Jupiter_, means the travelling over those immense plains by the help of a compass, which they call’d by the name of a _ram_, or a golden ram. And that the possessors of the antient oracle of _Ammon_ had such a secret, which they cunningly applied to the sacreds of their deity. Probably, in that most early age, they had not improv’d the use of it to the pitch and manner that we enjoy, with a needle; and _that_ set upon a central pin: but having found out the veracity of the magnet, they put it into a boat, which was to swim on water, and therein it would have liberty to turn itself to its proper direction. And this is the sentiment of the learned Dr. _Wallis_, in the _Philosophical Transactions_, N^o. 278. This boat was the better a handle for the mythologists to call _Hercules_’s vessel a golden cup, because cups were made in the shape of a boat, and had the same denomination, _cymbium_.

Those learned commentators upon _Curtius_ abovementioned agree, there was a stone along with the statue of _Ammon_, carried about in the golden ship; and perhaps, hence the antient navigators took the hint of applying the figure of the ram to their compasses, however form’d, and gave it the name of the _ram_, or golden fleece, which the _Greek_ fables, their most antient history, ring of: and hence their ships deriv’d their oracular quality. _Phrixus_’s ship, the golden _ram_, being said to speak on occasion, as well as the ship _argos_. The stupendous properties of this stone, without difficulty, would persuade even those above the vulgar, that there was a divine principle in it, quite metaphysical, consequently oracular. And in the dawnings of idolatry, the evil agent who was vigilant to pervert every thing to his own purpose, would not fail to make great use of the secrets of the magnet. The intire notion of oracles among the heathen, is caused by the devil’s mimickry of God’s transactions among the patriarchs and the _Jews_. But I believe the _Egyptians_ took their notion of carrying a boat in all their religious processions, from this magnetic boat, of which both _Herodotus_ and _Plutarch_ inform us. For they intended it to signify the movement and descent of the divine ideas from the supreme mind; especially the very fountain and principal of those ideas: and it must be own’d to be admirably well chose. Hence the top and the bottom of the verge or _limbus_ of the celebrated _Isiac_ tablet, is adorn’d with a boat. In one a ram, in the other a bull. Meaning the origin of the chain of ideas flowing from the divine mind. ’Tis highly probable, _that_ with the ram is the copy of _Jupiter Ammon_’s boat, mention’d by _Curtius_. And I suppose this is _Herwart_’s opinion, but I have not yet seen his book. Of this I shall discourse larger in my explication of the _Bembin_ table. However _Herodotus_ tells us in his II. book, that the temple of _Jupiter Ammon_ took its rise from _Phœnicia_. I only mention this for the sake of those that are over acting the credit of antiquities in _Egypt_.

We learn in _Plutarch_’s discourse _de Isid. & Osir_, that the ship _argos_ of the _Greeks_, was in reality the ship that our _Hercules_ sail’d round the world in. Further, this oracular ship has its name _argos_, says my friend Mr. _Baxter_, _gloss. ant. rom._ from the _Hebrew_ and _Syrian_ word _argan_, an ark. Which confirms what I said above, concerning the carrying about the ship of _Ammon_ on the shoulders of the priests. _Strabo_ in II. of his geography, mentions the temple of _Leucothea_, built by _Phrixus_ at _Colchos_; that there was an oracle there; and that the sheep was never slain at the place. This shews its relation to that of _Jupiter Ammon_. _Leucothea_ is the name of consecration of _Hercules_ his mother, _Hercules_ himself being call’d _Palæmon_; both made sea deities: from the extraordinary fame of _Hercules_, the first and great sea captain. _Pausanias in Atticis_ says, he was buried in the _Corinthian Isthmus_; where the _Isthmian_ games were kept to his memory. But _Mela_ writes, that his remains were at _Gades_. It’s probable there was only an honorary monument of him at the _Isthmus_, as founder: as the honorary monument of _Jolaus_ mention’d to be among the _Thebans_, by the _Stadium_, p. 42.

Mr. _Baxter_ in _gloss. ant. rom. v. ascania_ makes _Phrixus_ to be _Aphricus_, and the same person as _Jupiter Ammon_, or the founder of the temple of _Jupiter Ammon_; rather, of that prior to _Jupiter Ammon_. We are not to regard the little artifices of the _Greeks_, who draw all celebrated events and persons of antiquity, into their own country. _Aphricus_, no doubt, is the _Aphre_ before-mentioned, son of _Midian_, son of _Abraham_; whom _Cleodemus_ makes an associate of _Hercules_, in his _Lybian_ wars. _Josephus_ makes him the conqueror of _Lybia_, and that he gave name to _Africa_. ’Tis not unlikely but that he is the hero that travell’d over these barren sands by the help of the compass, as his countrymen the _Arabians_ have from times immemorial practised, in travelling over their own desarts. And might probably erect a patriarchal temple there; and in times of his posterity it degenerated into the idolatrous temple of _Jupiter Ammon_. And there the compass box of the hero remain’d, and was converted into part of the heathen sacreds.

’Tis no very strange matter, if they at another time call this same hero _Bacchus_, therein confounding him with the like travels of the _Israelites_, through the _Arabian_ desarts. We are not to expert these histories of old times involv’d in fable, absolutely consistent. But if this account be agreeable to truth or near it; then we may imagine the same _Aphre_, by the _Greeks_ call’d _Phrixus_, according to Mr. _Baxter_, pass’d the _Hellespont_, made the expedition into _Colchis_, and built a like temple there. And a compass box called the golden _ram_, was made alike part of the object of their adoration. This is exceedingly confirm’d by the report of _Herodotus_ and _Diodorus S._ who say, the _Colchi_ practised the rite of circumcision, a matter which the learned cannot account for; but appears plain from hence: these being the descendants of _Abraham_. They say, at the same time, that the _Ethiopians_ practise the like: and that ’tis no recent custom among them, but from the beginning. I apprehend by _Ethiopians_ are meant _Arabians_, who are people descended from _Abraham_. _Herodotus_ says likewise the _Egyptians_ circumcis’d, which must be accounted for in this same manner; some _Arabian_ or _Ethiopian_ nation bringing the custom among them. As a further confirmation of _Phrixus_ being _Aphricus_, _Bochart_ shews the _Colchic_ and _Hebrew_ tongue is much a-kin. And thus we may account for what Mr. _Toland_, p. 133. says, that the idiom of the _Irish_ language (which we suppose the remnant of the most antient oriental,) has a mixture of _Arabic_ in it.

I saw a book in Dr. _Mead_’s library, _Museo de las medallas desconocidas Espanolas_, p. 35. N^o. 82, 83. are two ancient unknown medals, such as they often find in _Spain_. The first a head (not of the best workmanship) on the obverse, young, but heroical enough, a necklace on. Behind it Α Φ Ρ Α in the old _Phœnician_ character, like the _Samaritan_. Reverse a horseman, and under the exergue another word in like _Punic_ character. The other N^o. 83. has the same head in the obverse, but without the necklace: and Α Φ Ρ Α before, in plain _Greek_, behind a dolphin. The reverse as the last. There is another such coin in the same book, no difference, but the name and dolphin transpos’d. I verily believe this is our _Aphra_, or _Apher_ in our _English_ translation call’d _Epher_, _Gen._ xxv. 4. struck by some city in _Spain_, who acknowledged him their founder.

_Female Celtic ornaments found in a barrow north of Stonehenge which I open’d 5 July 1723. among burnt bones, all drawn as big as the Life._]

It is remarkable enough, what Mr. _Norden_ writes, in his history of _Cornwall_. The _Cornish_ men universally suppose that the _Jews_ are the people who first work’t in their rocks, for tin: and in old neglected tin-works, they find some of their tools. The workmen call them _attal sarazin_, the _Jews_ cast off works, in their _Hebrew_ speech, says _Norden_. Now I apprehend he means our _Arabians_: and it is a circumstance confirming the former notions. And to it we may refer the origin of the odd reports, of our _Stonehenge_ coming from _Africa_ and the like. By the _Greeks_, _Hercules Melcartus_ or _Melicerta_, and _Phrixus_ or _Apricus_ are made half brothers: by _Josephus_, _Hercules_ is son-in-law to _Aphricus_. The _Phœnicians_ paid tythe. So the _Arabians_, in _Pliny_, the like: being patriarchal customs.

_Aphricus_ or _Phryxus_ we may very well suppose to be father of the _Phrygians_. And his expedition thro’ the _propontis_ to the _Euxine_ sea, the _Greeks_ colour over with their _Helle_ and _Hellespont_. But we cannot entertain too high a respect for him, because I see it no less reasonable, to refer the origin of the _Britons_ to him. I mean that eastern colony that came hither with _Hercules_, upon the old possessors or _aborigines Albionites_, which gave the more famous name of _Britain_ to the island. The _Brigantes_ is the same name, says Mr. _Baxter_ the common and more ancient name of this people: who being driven northwards by inundations of foreigners from the continent in after times, the name became more appropriate to the inhabitants of _Yorkshire_ and the neighbouring counties. In _Tacitus_ the _Brigantes_ are called _maxima Brittanorum natio_. At the same time they forc’d the ancientest possessors, the _Albionites_ or _Albanians_ still more northwards. Likewise many of these _Brigantes_ pass’d into _Ireland_, where they became a famous nation. The _Bryges_, _Phryges_, _Phrixi_, _Brisones_, _Brigantes_, _Britones_ are intirely synonimous words in different dialects. And this assignment of the origin of our ancestors, very well accounts for that notion of their _Phrygian_ or _Trojan_ descent, so riveted in the minds of the old _Britons_. A notion which prevail’d among some of the _Gallic_ nations on the continent, and they had retain’d the memory of it, in the time of _Ammianus Marcellinus_, who mentions it. Likewise in _Cæsar_’s time, some _Gallic_ nations, claimed kindred with the _Romans_; probably upon this very account.

This is, in short, some presumptive evidence we have, of _Hercules_ and _Aphricus_ planting _Britain_, introducing the Druids with the patriarchal religion: and concerning the knowledge they had of the use of the compass. This whole matter will be further considered, when I come to treat of it expressly. At present we will continue the history of the compass, as it became more fully known to the world.

_Martinius_ in his _Atlas_, and _Gilbertus de magnete_, _Lib._ I. 2. show us, the _Chinese_ have us’d the magnetic needle from times immemorial: that they have a trick of telling fortunes with it: as the heathen afore-mentioned made it oracular. The _Arabians_ likewise have us’d it, for travelling over the great and wild desarts, of weeks together, where there is no track to guide them; nor have they any notion of time when they began this practice. _Herwartius_ published _admiranda ethnicæ theologiæ_, wherein he endeavours to prove that the old _Egyptians_ had the use of the magnetic needle, and that the _Bembin_ table contains the doctrine of it, invelop’d in hieroglyphicks. The learned _Fuller_ in his _Miscellanies Lib._ 4. 19. asserts, that the _Phœnicians_ knew the use of it, which they endeavour’d to conceal by all possible means, as they did their trading in general. That it was lost with them, as many other arts, their _ars plumaria_, the dying of purple, (the invention of our _Hercules_ of _Tyre_) the _Hebrew_ poetry, and other curious knowledge, which is perished.

’Tis not unlikely that the lodestone being applied to religious use, was one cause of its being forgot: together with the secrecy of the _Phœnician_ voyages. _Suetonius_ in _Nero_, speaks of a prophetic needle, which the emperor us’d to pay his devotions to. The learned _Burman_ shews, that most, or all of the old MSS. and printed books, read it _acuncula_, _acucula_, or _acungula_; which, in my opinion, the criticks have causelesly corrected into _icuncula_: because they had no notion of the magnetic needle being understood by it.

Monsieur _Fauchet_, a famous _French_ antiquary, in his antiquities of _France_, quotes some verses from a poet in that country, who wrote A. D. 1180, wherein is as plain a description of the mariner’s box, as words can make. The poet mentions it by accident, not as a thing new and strange. _Osorius_ in his discourse of the acts of king _Emanuel_, refers the use of the compass among the _Europeans_, to _Gama_ and the _Portuguese_, who found it among some barbarous pyrates, about the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_; who probably were some remains of the old _Phœnicians_, or _Arabians_, or at least have preserved from them, this practice. About A. D. 1260. _Paulus Venetus_ is said to have brought it from _China_; by the great author on the magnet, our countryman _Gilbert_. _Genebrand_ in his _chron._ says, the use of the lode-stone reviv’d among us about A. D. 1303. by _Fl. Melvius_ a _Neapolitan_, and others attribute it about that time to _John Goia_ a _Neapolitan_. _Joseph de Costa_ says, some _Mahometan_ seamen whom _Vasquez de Gama_ met with near _Mosambick_, who had sail’d those seas by the use thereof, taught it him. I observe our ancient _Britons_, the _Welsh_, call a steers-man or pilot _llywydd_, whence no doubt comes our _English_ word lode-stone, and lode-star, the north-pole. _Llyw_ is the helm of a ship in _British_. _Lodemanage_ in _Skinner_’s _etymology_ an old _English_ word, signifying the price paid to the pilot. Our lords of the _Cinque Ports_ keep a court at _Dover_, by that name. These things seem to indicate some memorial of the magnet left among the _Welsh_, from the oldest times: and of its application to sailing.

Thus have we given a kind of history of this prodigy in nature, the magnetic needle: to confirm, our suspicion, that the _British_ Druids knew the use of it, and used it in these works of theirs, which we have been treating of. We learn in the _Philosophical Transactions_, _Lowthorp_, Vol. II. p. 601. that there are considerable veins of the magnet, in our own country, in _Devonshire_; where the _Phœnicians_ and Druids must needs be very conversant.

We return now to our first subject _Stonehenge_, and apply what has been said, to the observation we there made. It is not to be thought, that the Druids, men who employed themselves in those noble studies, which _Cæsar_ gives us an account of, and who were at the pains of bringing these vast stones together, from such a considerable distance of 16 miles: I say, it is not to be thought, but that they would be nice and exact in placing them. And this, not only particularly, in respect of each other, upon the projected ground-plot: but also in general, in respect of the quarters of the heavens. And this I found to be a just surmise, when I examined their works for several years together, with sufficient accuracy, with a _theodilite_. As I took notice before, the works of one place regarded the cardinal points, but with a certain uniform variation therefrom. Whence I grounded my conjecture, that they were set by a compass, which at that time varied, according to that quantity observ’d. Of which property of variation we may well suppose, the Druids were ignorant. This I now propose for the rule of investigation, of the time when _Stonehenge_ was erected. Hoping the reader will judge as favourably of the attempt, as things of this great antiquity require.

_P. 64._

_Prospect from Bushbarrow_

_Stukeley delin._

a. _Rundway hill_ b. _Oldbury_ D. _Stonehenge_.]

The variation at _Stonehenge_ is about 6 or 7 degrees, from the north eastward. I have in order to form our hypothesis, set down a scheme of the state of the variation in _England_, from the best observations I could meet with. Dr. _Halley_ takes notice, that the variation at _Paris_ is always 2 degrees and a half more easterly than with us. _Orontius Finæus_ in 1550 observ’d it to be there, about 9 degrees, easterly, therefore to reduce it, I have stated it at 11 degrees 30. and from thence continued it, to the present time, as in the ensuing table.

_Anno Dom._ Observation. Variation.
deg. min.
1550 By _Finæus_ 11 30 east.
1580 Mr. _Burroughs_ 11 15 east.
1600 8 0 east.
1622 Mr. _Gunter_ 6 0 east.
1634 Mr. _Gellibrand_ 4 5 east.
1642 3 5 east.
1657 Mr. _Bond_ 0 0
1665 Mr. _Bond_ 1 22 west.
1666 Capt. _Sturmy_ 1 27 west.
1667 Capt. _Sturmy_ 1 33 west.
1672 Dr. _Halley_ 2 30 west.
1683 4 30 west.
1685 5 5 west.
1692 6 0 west.
1723 11 0 west.
1733 12 0 west.
1740 15 45 west.

By this table it appears, that in the space of 180 years, the variation of the magnetic needle in _England_, has shifted from 11 degrees and a half eastward, to 11 degrees and a half westward. In 90 years the medium of those extremes, which was 1657, there was no variation at all; the needle pointing due north and south. But alas our observations extend no farther. We know not the bound of the variation, on either hand: nor the quantity of its motion, when thereabouts. Mr. _Geo. Graham_ thinks it is now near the western bound. It is very slow, in all probability, when upon the return, and as it were, stationary: like the sun’s motion at the tropics, when it is returning. So that the nice determination of its circle, and of its motion, is reserved for remote posterity. Dr. _Halley_ conjectures, that the whole period of variation, is perform’d in about 700 years. Upon this supposition, in gross, we may thus found our conjecture, of the time of building of _Stonehenge_.

By what we can find, the variation is about 9 minutes in a year, or a degree and a half in 10 years, at this part of its circle. Now I observ’d at _Stonehenge_, that the eastern wing of the avenue, the _cursus_ and other parts belonging to the temple, abated somewhat in their variation, eastward, being somewhat less than that of the temple itself. It is highly reasonable to believe, that the great work of _Stonehenge_ could not take less than half a score years in building: and that those other works were made in succeeding years, not long after it was finished. From hence I gather, which way the magnetic variation was moving, at the time of founding _Stonehenge_, _viz._ from east toward no variation and so to west. This must be the foundation of our _calculus_.