_Of the_ Cursus. _Games exercis’d on holy festivals. The Druids
understood geometry._
About half a mile north of _Stonehenge_, across the first valley, is
the _cursus_ or _hippodrom_, which I discover’d _august_ 6. 1723. ’Tis
a noble monument of antiquity: and illustrates very much the preceding
account of _Stonehenge_. It was the universal custom, to celebrate
games, feasts, exercises and sports, at their more publick and solemn
meetings to sacrifice. Which was done quarterly and anniversarily, at
certain stated seasons of the year. _Macrob. Satur._ I. says, “Upon
holy days dedicated to the gods, there are sacrifices, feasts, games
and festivals. For a sacred solemnity is, when sacrifices are offer’d
to the gods, or holy feastings celebrated, or games perform’d to their
honour, or when holy days are observ’d.” This great work is included
between two ditches running east and west in a parallel, which are 350
foot asunder. When I mention 350 foot, I speak in the gross, and as we
should set it down in an _English_ scale: but if we look into _Plate_
VI. where I have given a comparative view of our _English_ foot, and
the most ancient cubit; at first sight we discern, this measure means
200 of the Druid cubits. This _cursus_ is a little above 10000 foot
long: that is, it is made of 6000 Druid cubits in length. A most
noble work, contriv’d to reach from the highest ground of two hills,
extended the intermediate distance over a gentle valley: so that the
whole _cursus_ lies conveniently under the eye of the most numerous
quantity of spectators. To render this more convenient for sight, it
is projected on the side of rising ground, chiefly looking southward
toward _Stonehenge_. A delightful prospect from the temple, when this
vast plain was crouded with chariots, horsemen and foot, attending
these solemnities, with innumerable multitudes! This _cursus_, which is
two miles long, has two entrances (as it were:) gaps being left in the
two little ditches. And these gaps, which are opposite to each other,
in the two ditches, are opposite to the strait part of _Stonehenge_
avenue.
I mention’d before, that at the bottom of the strait part of
_Stonehenge_ avenue, in the valley, the avenue divides itself into
two parts. One goes directly east toward _Radfin_, the other goes
northwestward, and enters our _cursus_ nearly at the same distance west
from the gaps or entrances before-mention’d: as those gaps are from the
east end of the _hippodrom_. These gaps being at a convenient distance
from that east end, may be thought to be in the nature of distance
posts. It seems to me, that the turf of the adjacent ground on both
sides, has been originally taken off, and laid on the whole length of
this _cursus_, because it appears somewhat higher in level. Tho’ this
was an incredible labour, yet a fine design for the purpose of running.
The earth of the _vallum_ is likewise thrown inward.
The east end of the _cursus_ is compos’d of a huge body of earth,
a bank or long barrow, thrown up nearly the whole breadth of the
_cursus_. This seems to be the plain of session, for the judges of the
prizes, and chief of the spectators. The west end of the _cursus_ is
curv’d into an arch, like the end of the _Roman circus’s_. And there
probably the chariots ran round, in order to turn again. And there is
an obscure barrow or two, round which they return’d, as it were, a
_meta_.
This is the finest piece of ground that can be imagin’d for the purpose
of a horse-race. The whole is commanded by the eye of a spectator in
any part. In the middle is a valley, and pretty steep at present: yet
only so, as that a _British_ charioteer may have a good opportunity
of showing that dexterity, spoken of by _Cæsar_. But the exquisite
softness of the turf prevents any great damage by a fall. The ground
of it hereabouts declines somewhat northward. The main part of this
_hippodrom_ is upon a gentle ridge running east and west. This render’d
the place cooler.
On the southern ridge, toward the west end of it, are many considerable
barrows: but none towards the east end, for that would obstruct the
view of _Stonehenge_. There are many barrows but of no considerable
bulk, on the north-side, upon the extensive ascent, toward the great
north long barrow. This magnificent work of the _cursus_ is drawn due
east and west: except a small variation of 4 or 5 degrees southward
from the east. If we measure along the bank, from the eastern _meta_,
at 700 cubits exactly, we come over against the middle line of the
strait part of the avenue to _Stonehenge_: 500 cubits further conducts
us to the gaps or opposite entrances, I before mention’d; which we
suppose as distance posts. The whole interval between the eastern
_meta_ and these gaps, is 1200 cubits. At 1000 cubits more, we come to
the place where the west wing of the avenue enters the southern ditch
of the _cursus_. That west wing too, is just 1000 cubits long to its
union, with the strait part of _Stonehenge_ avenue. Likewise the strait
part of _Stonehenge_ avenue is just 1000 cubits long, as mention’d in
its proper place. This west wing begins, in the bottom of that valley,
which crosses the middle of the _cursus_ and sweeping along by the
bottom of the hill, in a gentle curve, meets with the lower end of the
strait part of _Stonehenge_ avenue, where the wing or avenue unites
to it, with an equal angle. So that the whole work is laid out with
great judgment and symmetry; and curiously adapted to the ground, which
was well consider’d, before the plot was mark’d out, by the first
surveyors. From the bottom of the valley crossing the middle of the
_cursus_, to the western _meta_ is 3800 cubits more, making in the
whole 6000 cubits. The north end of the eastern _meta_ does not extend
so far as the northern bank of the _cursus_: I suppose, the reason is,
that there might be liberty that way, to stop the horses, at the end of
the course. Therefore they set out, on the south side of the _cursus_
and return’d by the north side. I observe the ditch and bank towards
the eastern end of the _cursus_ much obscur’d, by the trampling of
men and horses, frequenting the spectacles here: this being the most
throng’d.
The _Cursus_ is directly north from _Stonehenge_: so exactly, that the
meridian line of _Stonehenge_ passes precisely thro’ the middle of the
_Cursus_. And when we stand in the grand entrance of _Stonehenge_ and
observe the two extremities of the _Cursus_ the eastern and western
_meta_, they are each exactly 60 degrees from the meridian line; on
each hand: making a third part of the circle of the horizon. By which
we see, the Druids well understood the geometry of a circle, and its
measure of 360 parts.
Pausanias _in Beotic._ says, ‘among the _Thebans_, by the gate _Prætis_
is the _Gymnasium_ of _Jolaus_ and likewise the _stadium_, which
is a bank of earth thrown up, such as that at _Olympia_ and of the
_Laurii_. In the same place is the heroical monument of _Jolaus_. A
little beyond, to the right is the _hippodrom_, and in it _Pindar_’s
monument.’ The same author in _Arcad._ VIII. writes, ‘that before the
walls of _Mantinea_, in a field, was a _stadium_ made for horse-races,
in honour of _Antinous_. Not far from it was the temple of _Neptunus
equestris_ and others.’ So that we see it was the manner of the ancient
_Greeks_ thus to define their places for sports by banks of earth, and
that near their temples.
After the _Romans_ had borrow’d the use of the _British_ chariots for
travelling and the like, they us’d them too in the _Circensian_ games.
Thus _Sidonius Apollinaris_ his poem upon it, _Lib._ XXII.
_Instant verberibus simul regentes,
Jamque & pectora prona de covinno
Extensi rapiuntur._——————————
[Illustration: _P. 42._ TAB. XXII.
_Stukeley del._ _Toms sculp._
_An inward view of the Cell obliquely._]
Again,
_Tunc cœtus juvenum sed aulicorum
Elæi simulachra torva Carapi
Exercent, spatiantibus quadrigis.
————tandem murmura buccinæ strepentis
Suspensas tubicen vocans quadrigas,
Effundit celeres in arva currus.
Hinc agger sonat, hinc Arar resultat,
Hinc se se pedes atque eques reflectit,
Stridentum & moderator essedorum._
Such, we may well imagine, was the scene of this place, in ancient
days. And as the poet mentions the river _Arar_, I may take notice, in
passing, that I have seen, several other places of sports and racings,
which I take to have belong’d to the ancient _Britons_. As particularly
those two great banks call’d _Rawdikes_ in the meadow near _Leicester_,
which spectators look on as unaccountable. Another such work, I have
seen in the meadow by _Dorchester_, the ancient _Roman_ city and
episcopal see, in _Oxfordshire_. Both are by the side of rivers.
Another upon the river _Lowther_ by _Perith_ in _Cumberland_.
These places by rivers, were more agreeable to the _Greek_ taste, as
in a hotter country. Another like place of sports, was in the chalky
valley just without the town of _Royston_, on the south side of it,
by the _London_ road. The old _Roman_ road there, or _Hermen-street_
passes over one corner of the work, as being of later date. I may,
perhaps, describe these more largely, another time. We read in _Homer_
and _Virgil_ that races were celebrated at funerals.