Egypt. _Retired thence with 240000 men, about the latter end of_
Abraham’_s time. The chronology of those pastor kings fixed,
somewhat more accurately than in_ Usher _and_ Cumberland.
Hercules _king in_ Egypt, _or the_ Pharaoh _with whom_ Abraham
_conversed there. He was a very great navigator: a learned
prince, an astronomer, a chronologer. The_ Hercules Ogmius. _What
the word means. He knew the secret of alphabet writing, and the
true length of the solar year. He learn’d probably of_ Abraham.
_He carried colonies about the_ Mediterranean, _and into the_
Ocean, _and brought the Druids into_ Britain. _He built many
patriarchal temples; some of serpentine form: particularly at_
Acon _in_ Palestine. _He had a son called_ Isaac. _The evidences
of_ Hercules _planting_ Britain. _Of_ Apher _his companion,
grandson of_ Abraham, _giving name to_ Britain. _Remains of_
Hercules _his people, called_ Hycsi, _in_ Britain. _Hence we
conclude our Druids had the use of Writing before_ Cadmus
_carried it into_ Greece.
Not much later in time than _Phut_, lived that other celebrated hero of
antiquity, the _Egyptian_, _Phœnician_, _Tyrian Hercules_; whom I take
to be a principal planter of _Britain_. He was of _Phœnician_ extract,
born in _Egypt_ and king there, founder of _Tyre_, and the most famous
navigator: the first that pass’d thro’ the _Mediterranean_, and
ventur’d into the great _Ocean_. I have wrote his history copiously,
from which I must recite some deductions only, useful to our present
purpose.
_Hercules_ call’d _Melcartus_, was son of _Demaroon_, as
_Sanchoniathon_ the _Phœnician_ writer informs us. _Demaroon_ was
intituled _Zeus_, whence the _Greeks_ made _Hercules_ the son of
_Jupiter_. _Demaroon_ according to our _Phœnician_ author, was son of
_Dagon_ or _Siton_ son of _Ouranus_ (who in truth is _Noah_) and begat
after the flood, but it was not his business to mention the flood.
_Hercules_ then may reasonably be suppos’d to live to the same age as
_Noah_’s other great grandsons; if we say grandsons, it alters not the
case. We need not be concerned at the seeming great distance between
_Hercules_ in the genealogy and _Apher_: for from _Sanchoniathon_
we may prove that _Melchisedec_ was _Arphaxad_. He conversed with
_Abraham_.
_Josephus_ in his first book against _Apion_ has preserv’d a valuable
and venerable piece of antiquity, call’d _Manethon_, the _Egyptians’
Dynasties_. This has given the learned much entertainment. I have
considered it too with attention, in what I have wrote concerning the
_Mosaick_ chronology. I shall here recite some conclusions from it, for
my present purpose.
[Illustration:
TAB. XXXVI.
_A Brittish bridle_
_Stukeley_
_A Brittish Urn_
_Stukeley_
_Chyndonax’ Urn_
DM
Roberti Halford Mit. Caroli Tucker Ar.
De Antiquitatibus Alburiensibus
optime meritis ex voto posuit
L. M. Q. _W. Stukeley._
_Stukeley f._]
The dynasty of the pastor kings is what we are chiefly concern’d
in, which belongs to the most early ages after the flood. Sir _John
Marsham_ has set them too low. Bishop _Usher_ and _Cumberland_ are
much nearer the truth, as I apprehend, and from whom I differ very
little. The last of this dynasty of pastors is _Assis_, _Archles_, our
_Egyptian Hercules_. They were _Canaanites_ that followed _Misraim_
into _Egypt_, and at first liv’d very peaceably, but in time the
two families quarrel’d, and wag’d terrible wars together, for 200
years. The _Misraimites_ possess’d the upper regions of the _Nile_,
_Canaanites_ the lower or marshy part upon the _Mediterranean_ sea,
call’d _Delta_. Hence the former call’d ’em _Titans_, i. e. dirty,
fenmen, bog-trotters, as we say contemptuously, of a people who are
their real descendants. The _Misraimites_ call’d themselves the
_Elohim_, or Gods, descendants of _Ilus_ or _Cham_, and that liv’d,
as it were, in a heavenly region, toward _Egyptian Ethiopia_, where
_Homer_ makes the gods to hold their festivals. So the _Greeks_ call’d
such as liv’d in the high countries, _Athamanes_, _heavenly_. Mount
_Olympus_ was heaven, the habitation of the gods. This was the way of
talking in the heroical times.
The _Canaanites_, on the other hand, call’d themselves _Hycsi_, or
_royal pastors_. And the stories of the battles between these two
people are the oldest stories we have among the poets, when they ring
about the wars between the gods and the _Titans_.
In the chronology of this pastor dynasty, I differ a little from the
great authors aforementioned. The chief reason why, is this. They
take the numbers in _Josephus_’s catalogue, as in the present copies;
but I hold ’em erroneous, and to be corrected from _Africanus_,
_Eusebius_, and _Syncellus_, who copied from _Josephus_ in earlier
times. _Josephus_’s present numbers are somewhat too short: for tho’
_Africanus_, _Eusebius_, and _Syncellus_ differ from one another,
as well as from _Josephus_, (such is the misfortune of negligence
in transcription) yet they all agree to heighten the numbers. And
_Josephus_ himself, twice in the same books, makes the sum total to
be 393 years, which is more than his particulars, by which _Marsham_,
_Usher_, and _Cumberland_ go. But take that sum total 393, and set it
at the _exodus_, and count upwards: I apprehend then we have it in its
right situation.
By this means, the head of the pastor dynasty in _Egypt_, which
commenced with _Salatis_, must be placed _anno mundi_ 1860 instead of
1920, as _Usher_ and _Cumberland_ have it: and during the reign of
_Menes_, _Misraim_, _Osiris_, according to their own chronology. This,
I am confident, is near the truth. And thus that dynasty is to be
plac’d in the list of time.
_Manethon_’s dynasties of pastor kings in lower _Egypt_.
_Salatis_ began to reign A. P. J. 2570. A.M. 1860
_Beon_ 1879
_Apachnas_ 1923
_Apophis_ 1959
_Janias Staan_ A.P.J. 2020
_Assis_, _Archles_, _Melcartus_ 2781. 2071
By this means we have an opening scene of the greatest matters of
antiquity, that relate to the world in general, as well as particularly
to the island of _Great Britain_; of which I must give some account.
In the year of the world 2083, the great patriarch _Abraham_ came out
of _Chaldea_ into the land of _Canaan_. This is in the 13th year of
the reign of our _Melcarthus_ in lower _Egypt_. About 2087, not 2084
(as _Usher_ sets it) _Abraham_, by famine constrained, goes down to
_Egypt_, that is, into lower _Egypt_. So that our _Melcarthus_ is the
real _Pharaoh_ mention’d _Gen_. xii. who would have taken _Sarah_,
_Abraham_’s wife, ’till he learn’d the truth. _Usher_, at the year
2084, calls him _Apophis_; but ’tis an error of the pen, it means
_Janias_, predecessor to _Assis_, whom he sets as regent from _anno
mundi_ 2081. _Castor_ the chronographer, in _Syncellus_, writes, “that
_Abraham_ was well learn’d in the knowledge of astronomy, and the other
sciences of the _Chaldeans_.” _Berosus_, author of the _Chaldean_
history, gave him the character of “a just and great man, expert in
astronomy.” _Josephus_ adds, “that _Hecateus_ had such a value for
his memory, that he wrote his history.” _Nicholas_ of _Damascus_ an
historian, and _Trogus_, make him a king. _Alexander Polyhistor_
relates from _Eupolomus_, “that _Abraham_ exceeded all men in wisdom;
that astronomy was founded by him among the _Chaldeans_; that he came
into _Phœnicia_, and taught the _Phœnicians_ astronomy; that he being
constrain’d by famine, went into _Egypt_, lived in _Eliopolis_ among
the priests, and taught them astronomy; yet he did not pretend to be
the inventor of the art, but had it deliver’d to him by succession
from _Enoch_.” _Artapanus_ likewise, the historian, mention’d by
_Eusebius præp. evang._ IX. 4. he speaks of “_Abraham_ going to
the king of _Egypt_, and teaching him astronomy, and that after
twenty years he return’d into _Syria_.” _Melo_, another old heathen
author, speaks much of _Abraham_’s wisdom. These writers, as wholly
disinterested, sufficiently shew that _Egypt_ hence learn’d astronomy,
and _Melcarthus_ their king in particular.
It seems, at this time, the major part of the world, thro’ ignorance
or negligence, knew not the true length of a year, making it of 360
days only. But _Abraham_ taught the _Egyptians_ better; for now we
may understand that remark in _Syncellus_, that under _Assis_ or
_Hercules_, the last of the pastor kings, the 5 additional days were
placed in their year. And then a solar year of 365 days first began
among the _Egyptians_. ’Tis somewhat odd, that the _Egyptians_ should
call these 5 additional days by the word _Nesi_, which signifies a
_snake_. I suppose they meant by it _sacred days_, _holy days_. They
were placed at the end of the year, and reckon’d birth-days of the
gods, I suppose from some fore-notices they had of the birth of Messiah
at that time of the year; for I find all antiquity had such notice. But
_Syncellus_ does not tell us the whole of the truth: _Abraham_ taught
_Assis_ likewise the intercalation of the quarter-day, and the leap-day
every fourth year. For, according to what I have been able to see
concerning this matter, the _Mosaic_ or patriarchal year was solar, and
strictly _Julian_. But when the world was o’erwhelm’d with idolatry,
providence judg’d proper to alter the year too, in order to dislocate
their heathenish and superstitious festivals. Therefore to _Moses_ God
communicated the form of the lunæ-solar year, which the _Jews_ use to
this day. But toward the advent of Messiah, providence took care to
restore the ancient patriarchal year, in the _Julian_ form.
Hence we may account for what _Herodotus_ tells us of the _Thebans_, a
people in upper _Egypt_, who intercalate the quarter-day every fourth
year: from the earliest times, no doubt from the time of _Hercules_.
Let us mention this remark. In the sacred account of _Abraham_’s
sojourning here in _Egypt_, we meet with no distaste of the _Egyptians_
to shepherds, which in his grandson _Jacob_’s time was an abomination
to them. This shews that the pastor kings now reign’d here, with
whom _Abraham_ convers’d; and it shews the reason of that abomination,
when they were expell’d; it confirms this history of _Manethon_’s
dynasty, and illustrates the scriptures. _Jacob_’s family being
_Canaanites_ and shepherds, were taken to be of those that held the
_Egyptians_ in so long a war. They were pretended to be spies by
_Joseph_, _Gen._ xlii. 9.
[Illustration:
TAB. XXXVII.
KIST VAEN
_In Cornwal_
_In Cornwal_
_In Monkton field by Abury_
_Stukeley delin._ _E. Kirkall sculp._]
Further, we have another very important piece of history from
_Abraham_’s being in _Egypt_, which the learned are not aware of;
for hence ’tis more than presumption, that the _Egyptians_ learn’d
the use of letters or alphabet-writing. If we seek into the accounts
transmitted to us by _letters_, concerning their own origin, _Philo_
the _Jew_ expressly attributes the invention thereof to _Abraham_.
Whence _Plato in Philebo_ and _in Phædro_, contends for their first
appearance in _Egypt_, discover’d by _Theut_, “who, whether he be a
god, or a man, is doubtful,” says he; meaning, the use of them must be
a divine communication. _Syncellus_ writes, “the opinion of some is,
that _Abraham_ brought letters out of _Chaldea_, and taught them to
the _Phœnicians_, and they taught them to the _Greeks_.” _Diodorus_ V.
writes, “the _Syrians_ invented letters, and the _Phœnicians_ learn’d
the great secret from them.” _Eusebius, pr. ev._ X. confirms this, but
asserts, “that by the _Syrians_ are meant the _Assyrians_ (as was often
the case in old accounts) or the _Hebrews_ more particularly.” It was,
in truth, the ancestors of _Abraham_. And this I believe is the real
truth. God first imparted this knowledge to the patriarchal family, for
preserving the sacred records of his church; and _Abraham_ now taught
their use to _Assis_, the _Hercules_, son of _Nilus Jupiter_, who wrote
in the _Phrygian_ letters, says _Cicero_.
All this is exceedingly confirm’d by the explication which Mr. _Toland_
gives us concerning _Hercules Ogmius_, in his history of the Druids.
_Lucian_ says, ’tis a word of their own language, by which the _Celts_
call _Hercules_. And the word has hitherto been inexplicable. He
relates the picture of him (in _Hercule Gallico_) which he saw in
_Gaul_, which was explain’d to him by a Druid. He was pictured as
clad with a lion’s skin, a club in his right hand, a bent bow in his
left, a quiver hanging o’er his shoulders. As for his form, he was
an old man, bald before, wrinkled, and in colour like a sun-burnt
sailor. A multitude of people were represented as drawn after him by
golden chains from their ears, center’d in his tongue. The Druid told
_Lucian_, that _Ogmius_ accomplish’d his great atchievements by his
eloquence, and reduc’d the people of this western world, from rude and
barbarous to a state of civility.
A memorial of this knowledge which _Hercules_ had of letters, we find
in _Hephæstion_ V. where he writes, “_Hercules_ gave the name of
_Alpha_ to the first letter, in honour to the river _Alpheus_, when
victor at the _olympic_ games.” My late learned friend, Mr. _Keysler_,
in his _Antiq. septentrional._ guessed well that _Ogmius_ means
_literatus_, a _man of letters_, as we commonly say; more properly
spoken of _Hercules_ than of others. But Mr. _Toland_ shews evidently,
that _Ogum_ is a word in the _Irish_ language, importing the secret
of alphabet writing; the _literarum secreta_, as _Tacitus_ calls it,
_de mor. germ._ So that _Hercules Ogmius_ fully imports the learned
_Hercules_, and especially one that was master of alphabet writing;
without which learning is but a vague and uncertain thing. This our
_Hercules_ learn’d of _Abraham_ in the east, and this he brought with
our Druids into the extremest west, in this very early age of the
world, as we have all the reason imaginable to believe. That they had
letters, we have _Cæsar_’s express testimony, and they were the same
as the _greek_ letters, because the very same. They had them from the
same fountain as the _Grecians_, tho’ somewhat earlier; for I take
our _Hercules_ to be a little prior in time to _Cadmus_, who carry’d
letters into Greece.
_Hercules_ therefore was learned and eloquent, a great astronomer, and
philosopher. A fragment of _Palæphatus_ in the _Alexandrian_ chronicle,
calls him the _Tyrian_ philosopher, who found out the purple dye:
_Suidas_ in the word _Hercules_, the like. And long before, _Heraclitus
in Allegoriis Homericis_, says, he was a wise man, a great philosopher,
και σοφιας ουρανιου Μυστης, one initiated into the wisdom from above;
we may call him a professor of divinity.
Thus he appears a worthy scholar of the great _Abraham_, and from
him the Druids learn’d the groundwork of learning, religion, and
philosophy, which they were so famous for ever after. But my purpose
is to be very short on this head at present: nevertheless I must
remark that our _Assis_ was not only acquainted with _Abraham_ in
_Egypt_, but likewise in the land of _Canaan_ or _Phœnicia_; for he
quitted _Egypt_ by compact with _Tethmosis_ _A.M._ 2120, carrying away
with him 240000 men, which enabled him to transport colonies all over
the _Mediterranean_ and the ocean. And he must dwell several years in
_Canaan_ before his projects of that kind were ripe. But _Abraham_ dy’d
_A.M._ 2183, so that there was abundantly time enough for the two great
men to renew their acquaintance, and there is much reason to think they
actually did so.
Therefore as it was the patriarchal custom to raise temples wherever
they came; so of our hero _Hercules_, whether thro’ his own pious
disposition,or in imitation of _Abraham_: we hear of his raising
pillars too, which means our temples. And thence he obtain’d the name
in antiquity, of _Hercules Saxanus_.
Thus the learned _Lud. Vives_ on St. _Augustin C. D._ viii. 9. “The
philosophy of the _Egyptians_ is very ancient, but for the most part
deriv’d from the _Chaldeans_, especially from _Abraham_, tho’ they, as
_Diodorus_ writes, refer it to _Isis_, _Osiris_, _Vulcan_, _Mercury_,
and _Hercules_.” Further from _Joseph_’s administration, the _Egyptian_
learning commenc’d, for which they became so celebrated. He not only
instructed the priests in religion and philosophy, but settled their
colleges and possessions, as we read in _Gen._ xlvii. 22, 26. so that
if _Moses_ was learned in the wisdom of the _Egyptians_, he deriv’d
it only thro’ them from his own ancestors. Which note may be useful
to give us a true notion of this matter, which some learned men exalt
too high. And this at the same time shews idolatry commenc’d in
_Egypt_, after his time. They consecrated _Joseph_ into the genius or
intelligence of their first monarch _Osiris_, _Serapis_, &c. with the
bushel on his head. But what I chiefly insist upon at present, is of
_Hercules_ making these serpentine temples, which in his history is
call’d overcoming serpents and the like. And hence the fable of his
squeezing two serpents to death in his cradle; and the _Tyrian_ coins
struck to his honour, some whereof I have exhibited.
[Illustration:
TAB. XXXVIII.
_The alate Temple of the Druids at Barrow in Lincolnshire, on the
banks of the humber._
_W. Stukeley delin. 25 July 1724_]
[Illustration:
I. _A coin in_ Vaillant’s colonies II. p. 148, 218, 340, 351. Of
the city of _Tyre_, an olive-tree with a snake between two
stones, petræ ambrosiæ. An altar; and a conch, meaning
_Tyre_.
II. _A coin_ in Vaillant’s colony coins II. p. 314, _struck at_
Ptolemais _or_ Acon.
A great and rude stone altar without any mouldings or
carvings, between two serpents, a _Caduceus_ which is truly
the _ophio-cyclo-pterygomorph_ on a staff meaning in the
hieroglyphick doctrine, the power of the deity. These
imperial coins of colonies intended to preserve the memory of
their antiquities, and this probably regards the old
serpentine temple in the foundation of their city _Acon_ or
_Ptolemais_.
III. _A coin in_ Vaillant’s colonies II. p. 111, _struck at_
Berytus. _They all regard_ Hercules’s _building serpentine
temples_.]
Of his building our Druid temples in general, of these great stones,
the two coins of _Gordian_ in _Stonehenge_ page 50, are a further
evidence. The _Ambrosiæ Petræ_ are a work of this sort, when he began
or assisted in building the city _Tyre_. And I gather he was a great
builder of serpentine temples in particular, such as we have been
describing, call’d _Dracontia_. What he did of this sort in _Britain_
I have no foundation for discovering; but in ancient history still
left us, there are sufficient traces that shew he did it, in the more
eastern parts of the world.
For instance, at _Acon_ or _Ptolemais_ as call’d afterward, a city on
the _Phœnician_ shore: it regain’d its first name and now is call’d
St. _John_ of _Acres_, from a famous church there. The first city was
probably built by our _Hercules_, at least he made one of these temples
there, as I gather from the name of the place, coins and reports
relating thereto. The _Greeks_ call it Ακη, and according to their
custom, give it a _Greek_ original, from ακεισθαι, because says the
_Etymologicum magnum_, _Hercules_ was there _heal’d_ of the bite of a
serpent. _Stephanus_ of _Byzance_ the same, in the word _Ptolemais_;
in the word _Ake_, he says, that _Claudius Julius_ in his vol. I. of
the _Phœnician_ history, writes, “that it had its name from _Hercules_,
who was order’d by the oracle to go eastward, ’till he came to a river,
and found the herb _Colocasia_, which would cure his wound. He came to
the river _Belus_, which here runs into the sea, and there found the
herb.” _Salmasius_ in his _Plinian_ exercitations, affirms, the herb
is _Dracunculus_; it grows in our gardens, called _Dragons_, from its
likeness to a snake’s head and tongue; and being spotted like a snake.
All this I can understand no otherwise, than that _Hercules_ made a
serpentine temple on the side of this river, where the city _Acon_
was afterward built, and which took its name from this temple, as our
_Hakpen_ at _Abury_; for עכן _Acan_ in the _Chaldee_, signifies a
serpent, as we observed before. _Josephus_ informs us, by the river
_Belus_ was the sepulchre of _Memnon_; which probably was made here in
regard to the temple.
When we come into _Greece_, we hear of _Hercules_ overcoming the
_Lernean_ snake, which _Heraclides Ponticus_ writes had 50 heads.
We may very well understand this of 50 stones, which compos’d the
head, as our temple on _Overton-hill_ of 58. _Hephæstion_ II. recites
from _Alexander_ the _Myndian_, that this _Hydra_ was turn’d into
stone. Thus hints and reports are drop’d, which preserve the real
truth invelop’d in fable; as was the _Greek_ method in all matters of
antiquity.
This snake was of a very unusual bulk, and lay near a great water,
call’d the _Lernean_-lake, by a large plane-tree, and the spring
_Anymone_. Further ’tis said, in overcoming this animal (by which they
mean the labour he bestow’d in accomplishing the work) he us’d the help
of _Iolaus_ the waggoner. Such help must be highly useful to him, to
bring the stones. But I observe from the name _Iolaus_ his waggoner
and companion, and _Hylas_ another great friend of his, and _Iole_ his
mistress, that the ancient druidical festival is couch’d under that
name, call’d _Yule_, which I shall speak largely upon in its proper
place. In the mean time (we are told) the snake was assisted against
him, by a very great crab. This will appear strange, ’till we are
directed to its meaning by this consideration. As the serpent means
the _Dracontian_ temple, so the crab was a symbol like in figure and
meaning to the _globus alatus_ or winged circle, which was the ancient
picture of the _anima mundi_, or divine spirit. Thus does mythology,
when rightly consider’d, help us in these ancient enquiries. We may say
of the work as _Statius_ does of the temple of _Hercules Surrentinus_,
————_Deus obluctantia saxa
Summovit nitens, & magno pectore montem
Repulit._————
There are like vestiges of other _Dracontian_ temples founded by
_Hercules_ in _Spain_, _Africa_, and elsewhere.
“_Hercules_,” says bishop _Cumberland_, “was a very learned prince,
bred or conversant in the _Phœnician_ universities, whereof _Debir_ was
one, _Josh._ xv. 15. 49. call’d for its eminence, _Kirjath-sepher_,
the _city of books_; and _Kirjath-sanna_, the _city of learning_.” The
bishop thinks he retreated from _Egypt_ about the time of _Abraham_’s
death. But, from what chronological evidence I gave before, it must be
a good while before it. And I do not doubt but he with pleasure renew’d
his acquaintance with his old friend _Abraham_, in the land of _Canaan_.
There seems to be a very pregnant proof of this, in that _Hercules_ had
a son call’d _Isaac_, to whom one would imagine _Abraham_ was sponsor
at his baptism, or perhaps his son _Isaac_; for baptism was one part of
the patriarchal religion. And they had susceptors, sponsors, or what
we call _god-fathers_ at the font, as we have. Of this _Isaac_ son of
_Hercules_, _Plutarch_ informs us, _de Isid. & Osir._ remembred by the
_Phrygians_, for he was planted in _Phrygia_ by his father _Hercules_.
Hence it became a common name there, and _Æsacus_ son of king _Priam_
is but the same name, as my learned friend Mr. _Baxter_ thinks, in his
_glossar. Antiq. Rom._ If this consideration be joined to what I wrote
in _Stonehenge_ about _Phryxus_, or _Apher_, grandson of _Abraham_,
having a concern in planting, and even naming of _Britain_, it may
afford us another hint about our _Phrygian_ extract, which the old
_Britons_ are so fond of. And we can expect no other than these kind
of hints, in matters of such extreme antiquity. And further, as he was
concern’d in settling colonies in _Spain_, we may attribute to him the
claim which the _Gallæci_ there had, to a _Trojan_ descent, of which
_Justin_ informs us.
[Illustration:
TAB. XXXIX.
_Stukeley del._
_Prospect of the British Temple at Barrow Lincolnshʳ July 25.
1724._]
This _Apher_ is the _Africus_ mention’d by _Mela_, I. 9. He calls
him an _Arabian_ king, who being driven out by the _Assyrians_, went
into _Africa_. ’Tis very remarkable, that his name, when interpreted,
signifies _Tyn_; as the great _Bochart_ makes the name of _Britain_,
come from _Bratanac, the land of tyn_; equivalent to the _greek_ word
κασσιτερος, whence _Cassiterides_ in _latin_. This expulsion seems to
be hinted at in _Gen._ xiv. 6. in the days of _Abraham_. Now a reader
not much acquainted with these kind of inquiries, will be apt to smile
at pretending to a similitude between _Apher_ and _Britain_. So in
making the _Wiltshire_ word _sarsens_ deriv’d from the same word as the
name of the city of _Tyre_; tho’ ’tis an undeniable fact, and easily
perceiv’d by the learned.