_Serapion_, a Building of great Excellency and wonderful Art: This was
greatly adorn’d and enrich’d by the assistance of _Marc Anthony_, who
acquir’d the _Attalian_ and _Pergamæan_ Libraries, and which continu’d
during the Time of the Primitive Christianity; when, in the Days of
_Theodosius_ the Great, it was demolish’d, as a harbour of Infidelity.
Among other remarkable Places in this City of _Alexandria_, was the
_Seraglio_ call’d _Somia_, belonging to the Palace, famous for its being
the Burial-Place of the _Ptolemys_, and of _Alexander_ the Great,
[Sidenote: _Alexander_’s _Sepulchre_.] whose Body lay here inclos’d in a
Sepulchre of Gold; but _Cybiosactes_ despoil’d it of that precious
Cover, after which, it was cover’d with Glass, and so remain’d to the
Time of the _Saracens_, as _Sandys_, p. 87. informs us. Now since the
Burial of _Alexander_ the Great was manag’d, in all respects, suitably
to his Grandeur, whereby it not only exceeded all others in regard of
Expence, State and Pomp, but also in point of curiosity of Workmanship,
_Diodorus Siculus_, Lib. 18. cap. 3. thought fit to recommend to
Posterity these remarkable and entertaining Matters concerning it,
_viz._ That to _Aridæus_, Bastard Son of _Philip_, and Brother of
_Alexander_, whom he succeeded, the care of his Funeral, and preparing a
Chariot to convey his Body to the Temple of _Jupiter Ammon_, was
commited. First therefore he provided a Coffin of beaten Gold, wrought
in form and proportion to his Body: This he fill’d with Aromatic Spices,
as well to delight the Senses, as to preserve the Corps from
Putrifaction, and then fitted it exactly with a Cover of Gold, which
again was over-spread with a purple Pall, embroider’d with Gold, and
near it were plac’d the Arms of the Deceas’d, thereby to represent the
Acts of his Life. Then were these plac’d in a Chariot under a
Triumphal-Arch of Gold, beset with precious Stones, and supported by
Pillars and Chapiters of Gold also, made after the _Ionic_ Order. On
each side the Arch stood a Golden Image of _Victory_ bearing a Trophy,
and on the top was a Gold-Fringe of Net-Work, from which hung Bells so
large, that they might be heard at a great distance. Under this Portico
or Arch was plac’d a four square Throne of Gold, adorn’d with little
Coronets of various beautiful Colours. On every side of this Arch, from
a Net-Work of Gold, a Finger thick, hung four Tables or Pannels,
whereupon were pourtray’d all sorts of Creatures. In the first Table was
represented _Alexander_ sitting in a Chariot, with a Royal Scepter in
his Hand, his Armour-Bearer before him, and his Life-Guards, compleatly
arm’d, round about him. In the second follow’d Elephants, adorn’d in
their proper Habiliments, on which sat _Indians_ before, and
_Macedonians_ behind, arm’d according to the Customs of their respective
Countries. In the third might be seen Squadrons of Horse drawn up in
Battalia; and in the fourth appear’d a Fleet order’d in a Line of
Battel. At the entrance into this Arch were plac’d Golden Lions, looking
sternly towards those that should offer to enter. On the out-side of the
Arch, and middle of the Roof, was plac’d on a purple Carpet, a Crown of
Gold, so large, that by the reflection of the Sun-Beams, it darted such
an amazing splendor and brightness, that at a distance it appear’d like
a flash of Lightning. The whole Work was set upon two Axel-Trees, the
ends of which were likewise of Gold, representing Lions Heads with Darts
in their Mouths. The whole Machine was mov’d by four Wheels, whose
Spokes and Naves were also over-laid with Gold, and there were four
Poles to draw it by, to each of which were yok’d 16 of the largest and
finest Mules that could be got, in all 64. Every Mule was adorn’d with a
Crown of Gold, Bells of Gold on either side their Heads, and rich
Collars about their Necks, set off and beautify’d with precious Stones.
After this manner did the Chariot set forth, the sight of which was more
stately and pompous than can be imagin’d, so that its Fame brought
together Multitudes of Spectators; for the People out of every City,
whither it was coming, met it, and then ran back again before it, never
satisfy’d with the delight they took in gazing on it; and, suitable to
so stately a Show, attended a vast company of Workmen and Pioneers to
clear the way for its Passage. Thus _Aridæus_ (who spent two Years in
Preparations for it) brought the King’s Body from _Babylon_ to _Egypt_.
_Ptolemy_, in Honour to this great King, met the Corps with his Army as
far as _Syria_, where he receiv’d and accompany’d it with great Respect
and Observance; for he had resolv’d not to conduct it to the Temple of
_Jupiter Ammon_, but to keep it in this City which _Alexander_ had
built, being the most famous almost of any in the World. For this end he
built a Temple in Honour of _Alexander_, in greatness and stateliness of
Structure, becoming the Glory and Majesty of so great a King; and in
this Repository laid the Body, and honour’d his Exequies with Sacrifices
and magnificent Shows, agreeable to the State of a Demi-God: Thus much
for the glorious Sepulchre and Burial of the greatest Monarch perhaps
that ever liv’d. Next we shall take notice of two _Physiological_
Observations on the Earth and Water of _Egypt_, made by Father _Vansleb_
in his Voyage thither, p. 109. 111. where, speaking of _Alexandria_, he
tells us the Earth thereabouts is full of _Nitre_, which is easily
prov’d by the following Experiment, _viz._ That if you take a piece of
Earth and set it in the hot Sun, it will become white as Snow on that
side that is towards the Sun. Also in the _Grand Signior_’s Salt-Pits,
that are out of this City, near the _Khalis_ or Chanel of _Cleopatra_,
he took notice of two things very remarkable: _First_, That the Water of
_Nile_, the sweetest and freshest in the World, makes a Salt, not only
whiter than ordinary, but likewise very excellent. _Secondly_, That this
Salt has the taste of Violets. The last thing, but not the least, that I
have to say of _Alexandria_, [Sidenote: Isle of _Pharos_.] is concerning
the famous Isle of _Pharos_, which stands over-against the City, and was
formerly a Mile distant from the Land, but joyn’d to the Continent by
_Cleopatra_, on the following occasion, says _Heylin_, p. 849. The
_Rhodians_, then Lords of the Sea, us’d to exact some Tribute or
Acknowledgement from every Island within those Seas, and consequently
from this: Their Embassadors, upon this Occasion, sending to _Cleopatra_
to demand this Tribute, she deferr’d it for seven Days, under pretence
of celebrating a Solemn Festival, but in the mean Time, by raising huge
Dams and Banks in the Sea, both with incredible charge and speed, she
united the Island to the Shoar, which finish’d, she sent away the
_Rhodians_ empty-handed, with this witty Jeer, _That they were to take
Toll of the Islands, and not of the Continent_. A Work of great rarity
and magnificence this, both for its extent, taking up the space of seven
Furlongs, and thence call’d _Heptastadium_, and the incredible speed
wherewith it was finish’d. Upon a Promontory hereof, on a Rock,
environ’d by the Sea, _Ptolemy Philadelphus_ caus’d a Watch-Tower to be
built for the benefit of Sailors, (the Seas upon that Coast being very
unsafe and full of Flats) to guide them over the Bar of _Alexandria_.
This _Pharos_ or Watch-Tower was of wonderful height, ascended by Steps,
and having many Lanthorns at the top, wherein Lights burn’d nightly, as
a Direction to such as sail’d by Sea; yet oftentimes the multitude of
Lights appearing a far off as one, and being mistaken for a Star,
procur’d contrary effects to the promis’d Safety. This had the repute of
the Worlds seventh Wonder, call’d after the Name of the Island, and is
at this Day a general Name for such Towers as serve to that purpose. The
Materials of it were white Marble, and the chief Architect _Sostratus_
of _Gnidos_, who grav’d upon it this Inscription: Sostratus _of_ Gnidos,
_Son of_ Dixiphanes, _to the Gods Protectors for the safeguard of
Sailors_. This Inscription he cover’d over with Plaister, and inscrib’d
thereon the Name and Title of the King, Founder of this Tower, to the
end that when the King’s Name should be wasted and wash’d away, his own,
which was cut on Marble, might be celebrated to Eternity.
To the South side of the City of _Alexandria_, near the Lake _Mareotis_,
wherein the Sepulchres of King _Mœris_ and his Wife were Pyramidically
built, adjoins the _Labyrinth_, [Sidenote: The _Labyrinth_.] not much
inferior to that Structure, as will appear from that Description given
by _Sandys_, p. 88. where he tells us, ‘That in the midst of this
_Labyrinth_ were 37 Palaces, belonging to the 37 Jurisdictions of
_Egypt_; to which resorted the several Presidents to celebrate the
Festivals of their Gods (who had herein their particular Temples,
moreover 15 Chapels, containing each a _Nemesis_) and also to advise of
Matters of Importance relating to the Public Good. The Passages
thereunto were thro’ Caves of a miraculous length, full of dark and
winding Paths, and Rooms within one another, having many Doors to
confound the Memory and distract the Intention, and leading into
inextricable Error: Now mounting aloft, and then again re-descending,
not seldom turning about Walls infolded within each other, in the form
of intricate Mazes, not possible to thred or get out of without a
Conductor. The Building was more under Ground than above, being all of
massy Stone, and laid with that Art, that neither Cement nor Wood was
us’d in any part of the Fabric. The end at length being attain’d, a pair
of Stairs of 90 Steps, conducted into a stately _Portico_, supported by
Pillars of _Theban_ Marble, and this again gave entrance into a spacious
Hall, the place of general Conventions. All this Hall was of polish’d
Marble, and adorn’d with Statues both of Gods and Men. The Chambers were
so dispos’d, that upon their opening, the Doors gave Reports no less
terrible than Thunder. The first Entrance was of white Marble within,
adorn’d throughout with Marble Columns, and divers Figures.’ _Dedalus_
is said to have imitated this, in that _Labyrinth_ he built in _Crete_,
yet expressing hereof scarce the Hundredth part; for, as _Heylin_
observes, it fell as short of the Glories of this, as _Minos_ was
inferior to _Psammiticus_ (the Founder) in Power and Riches. ‘Whoso
mounted the top, should see as it were a large Plan of Stone, and
withal, those 37 Palaces environ’d with solid Pillars, and Walls
consisting of Stone of a mighty size. At the end of this _Labyrinth_
stood a square Pyramid of a marvelous breadth and answerable height,
being the Sepulchre of King _Ismandes_ that built it.’ [Sidenote: By
whom, and to what end built.] But who built this _Labyrinth_, and to
what end, Authors differ very much, and _Pliny_, who writes a great deal
of it, gives no certain Reason why it was made. ’Tis said it was first
built by King _Petesucus_ or _Tithoes_, altho’ _Herodotus_ affirms ’twas
the Work of all the Kings, and lastly of _Psammiticus_. The cause of
building it is as variously reported: _Demoteles_ thinks it to have been
the Palace of _Motherudis_; _Lycias_, that it was the Sepulchre of
_Mœris_ (of which Opinion is also _Diodorus_) but most believe ’twas
built as sacred to the Sun. _Bellonius_ thinks it to have been a
Sepulchre rather than any thing else, for such like magnificent Works,
as was also the _Mausoleum_, were commonly rais’d for that end, and
_Herodotus_ clearly describes this wonderful _Labyrinth_ to have been
built for a Sepulchre, telling us, ‘The Kings of _Egypt_, where they
perform’d their Sacred Rites, resolv’d to leave a common Monument of
themselves, therefore in that Place, which is a little above the Lake of
_Mœris_, and near the City of _Crocodiles_, they built a _Labyrinth_,
which _Herodotus_ himself saw, and which he says was much bigger than
Fame had represented it; for if any one should reason with himself about
the Walls and nature of this Work, according to the Narration of the
_Greeks_, he would never conceive the Labour and Charge of this
_Labyrinth_. The Temple of _Diana_ at _Ephesus_ is very well worth
mentioning, yet are the _Pyramids_ far greater, the least of which
equals the largest Labour of the _Grecians_; and tho’ this _Labyrinth_
likewise excels them, yet does the Lake _Mœris_, near which it is built,
and the Description of which you have at _p._ 141. afford much greater
admiration.’ The former of these, _viz._ the _Labyrinth_, is said to
have been for the Sepulchre of those Kings that built it, and for the
Sacred Crocodiles; and the latter to contain the Sepulchres of King
_Mœris_ and his Wife.
[Sidenote: The Wall built by _Sesostris_.]
Not to describe particularly that prodigious Wall built by _Sesostris_,
which defended the _East_ side of _Egypt_, against the Irruptions of the
_Syrians_ and _Arabians_, being 1500 Furlongs in length, and extending
from _Pelusium_ by the Desart as far as _Heliopolis_; we come next to
speak of those famous Walls belonging to the City of _Babylon_ in
_Chaldea_, built by _Semiramis_ the Wife of _Ninus_, a Princess, who
being naturally of an high aspiring Spirit, was ambitious of excelling
all others in glorious Actions. So soon therefore as she had bury’d her
Husband _Ninus_, [Sidenote: _Ninus_ his Sepulchre.] King of _Assyria_,
in the Royal Palace, and rais’d over him a Mound of Earth of wonderful
bigness, which as _Ctesias_ reports, standing at some distance from the
City that lay in the Plain, appear’d like a stately Cittadel, being 9
Furlongs high and 10 broad: She provided her self of 2000000 Artists and
Workmen to build this City of _Babylon_ in one Year, [Sidenote:
_Babylon_ in _Chaldea_.] so ordering it that the River _Euphrates_
should flow thro’ the midst of it, as _Diod. Siculus_, Lib. 2. cap. 1.
informs us. She next encompass’d it with a Wall as many Furlongs in
circuit as there are Days in the Year, _viz._ 365: This Wall was 300
Foot high and 75 broad, insomuch that Coaches might meet and turn upon
it; She adorn’d it with 250 Turrets of suitable proportion: Then she
made a Bridge 5 Furlongs in length, over the narrowest part of the
River, and Floor’d it with great Joists and Planks of Cedar, Cypress and
Palm-Tree, 30 Foot long: At each end of this Bridge, just on the Brink
of the River, she built a Palace, whence she might have a Prospect of
the whole City: Then in a low Ground she sunk a four square Pond, every
Square being 300 Furlongs and the depth of the whole 35 Foot, lining it
with Bricks, cemented together with a sort of _Bitumen_ of a very
glutinous Nature like _Asphalt_, which work’d out of the Earth so
plentifully thereabouts, that it not only supply’d the People with Fuel,
but serv’d them also instead of Mortar for their Buildings, and with
which both the Palaces and Walls of this City were cemented. Afterwards,
by turning the River aside, she made a Passage in the nature of a Vault
from one Palace to another, and then let the Water again into its former
Channel, which immediately overflow’d the whole Work, by which means she
could go under the River when she had not a mind to pass over it. She
likewise made two brazen Gates, one at each end of this Vault, as also
Banqueting-Houses of Brass, into which passages were open’d by certain
Engins. Here might be seen brazen Statues of _Ninus_, _Semiramis_ and
all the great Officers, as likewise Armies drawn up in _Battalia_. These
Palaces were moreover surrounded with Walls, 30 Furlongs in circuit,
with Turrets on them 140 Yards high, on whose Bricks were pourtray’d,
before they were burn’d, all kinds of living Creatures, with great Art
and curious Painting, particularly a general Hunting of all sorts of
wild Beasts, each Beast being four Cubits high: Among these was
_Semiramis_ on Horseback, striking a Leopard thro’ with a Dart, and near
her _Ninus_ her Husband peircing a Lion with his Lance.
In the middle of the City she built a Temple to _Jupiter Belus_ of
exceeding great height, [Sidenote: Temple of _Belus_.] by the advantage
of which, the _Chaldean_ Astrologers observ’d the setting and rising of
the Stars. Upon the top of it she plac’d three Statues of _Jupiter_,
_Juno_ and _Rhea_, all of beaten Gold. That of _Jupiter_ was about 40
Foot high, and _Juno_ held in her hand a Scepter adorn’d with precious
Stones. These three Statues weigh’d 2830 _Babylonish_ Talents, and for
these Deities, there were plac’d on an Altar of beaten Gold, 40 Cubits
long and 15 broad, Censors, Cups and Drinking-Bowls of Gold likewise,
weighing at least 3230 Talents. Besides the richness of this City, it
was so vast and great that _Aristotle_ said, it ought rather to have
been call’d a Country, adding withal, that when the Town was taken, it
was three Days before the farthest part had notice of it.
[Sidenote: The _Pensil Garden_.]
Here likewise was the _Pensil Garden_ so much fam’d, being 400 Foot
square, with an ascent to it like to the top of a Mountain, and having
Buildings and Apartments out of one into another, like a Theatre. Under
the Steps of the Ascent were Arches, gradually rising one above another,
and supporting the whole Building, the highest Arch upon which the
Platform of the Garden was laid being 50 Cubits high, and the Garden it
self surrounded with Battlements and Walls 22 Foot in thickness. The
whole Fabric was floor’d over with massy Stones, 16 Foot long and 4
broad, and these again cover’d with Reeds run over with _Bitumen_, upon
which were laid double Tiles, set together with hard Plaster, and those
cover’d with Sheet-Lead, that the wet which should drain thro’ the Earth
might not rot the Foundation. Upon all these was laid Earth of a
convenient depth, which was planted with all sorts of Trees, that for
largeness and beauty might delight the Spectators. The Arches had in
them many stately Rooms of all kinds, and for all purposes; one of these
had a certain Engin, that drew plenty of Water out of the River for
watering the Garden, after such manner as none above knew how it was
done. This Garden was built in latter Ages by _Cyrus_, at the request of
a _Persian_ Courtesan, who, coveting Meadows on the tops of Mountains,
desir’d the King, by an artificial Plantation, to imitate the Land in
_Persia_.
_Semiramis_ built other Cities on the Banks of _Euphrates_ and _Tigris_,
and likewise caus’d a great Stone to be cut out of the Mountains of
_Armenia_, 125 Foot in length and 5 in breadth and thickness, which she
convey’d to the River by the help of many yokes of Oxen and Asses, and
there putting it on board a Ship, brought it to _Babylon_, where she set
it up in the most remarkable Place, as a wonderful Spectacle to all
Beholders. [Sidenote: _Obelisk_ of _Semiramis_.] This from its shape was
term’d an _Obelisk_, signifying in _Greek_, a _Spit_, and accounted,
says _Diodorus_, one of the seven Wonders of the World; from whence we
have a very good Argument, that the _Egyptian Obelisks_ were cut out of
Rocks or Quarries, and not cast as some have suppos’d. _Semiramis_
having finish’d these Works, went to the Mountain _Bagistan_ in _Media_,
which is 17 Furlongs from top to bottom, and there caus’d her own Image
to be carv’d on the side of the Rock, and 100 of her Guards with Lances
round about her. She also made a Garden on the middle of an exceeding
high Rock, and built therein stately Houses of Pleasure, from whence she
might have both a delightful Prospect into her Garden, and view her Army
encamp’d below on the Plain: Likewise that she might leave behind her a
lasting Monument of her Name, she in a short Time, yet at vast expence,
made a shorter Passage towards _Ecbatana_, for by hewing down the Rocks,
and filling up the Valleys, she laid that Way open and plain, which to
this Day is call’d _Semiramis_’s _Way_. She plentifully supply’d
_Ecbatana_ with wholsome Waters, by means of a Canal she dug, 15 Foot
over and 40 Foot deep, beginning from the foot of the Mountain
_Orontes_, and as she went thro’ _Persia_ and _Asia_, she plain’d all
along the way before her, levelling both Rocks and Mountains. On the
other hand, in Champagne Countries, she rais’d Eminences, whereon she
either built Towns and Cities, or else Sepulchres for her Officers and
great Commanders. Many other wonderful Things were done by this Queen,
which seem to exceed common Belief; but as for those more admirable
Works of the _Egyptians_, _Herodotus_, _Diodorus Siculus_, _Strabo_,
_Pliny_ and others are full of Relations of what they have been, and the
present Remains of some of them at _Rome_ are sufficient Arguments to
evince there were such, so that we should but loose Time in endeavouring
to prove that which we now hope every one is satisfied of. Our next
business therefore, must be to enquire how these Arts came first to be
found out, and by what means they were accomplish’d and brought to so
great Perfection: What these Arts and Sciences were, suppos’d by Authors
to have been found out by the _Egyptians_, I have already shown
else-where, so shall here only add, that _Hermes_ or _Mercury_ is
reported by _Diodorus Siculus_ and other Writers, to have been the chief
Inventor of them; but as no _Art_ was ever invented and compleated at
one Time, so neither was it ever invented and perfected by one Person so
far, but another could add somewhat more commodious or advantagious to
it.