No wonder these matters are well nigh lost, in the mist of extreme
antiquity, when even the meaning of the word _ambrosius_ was hardly
known, either to the antients or moderns, till Mr. _Baxter_ discover’d
it, in his glossary. It signifies oil of roses, _rosaceum_: the most
antient kind of perfume. In the 4th _Odyssy_, v. 445. _Edothea_ a sea
goddess, teaches _Menelaus_ and his companions, to cure the odious
smell of the sea calves.
Ἀμβροσίην ὑπὸ ῥῖνα ἑκάστῳ θῆκε φέρουσα
Ἡδὺ μάλα πνείουσαν.————————————————
She put _ambrosia_ to their noses, sweetly smelling. Again, in his hymn
to _Venus_, the graces washt the goddess, and anointed her with oil
ambrosial: such as becomes the immortals.
——————————————καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳ
Ἀμβρότῳ, οἷα Θεοὺς ἐπενήνοθεν αἰὲν ἐόντας.
Lastly, in _Iliad._ XXIII. _Venus_ anoints _Hector_’s body with
ambrosial oil of roses,
——————ῥοδόεντι δὲ χρῖεν ἐλαίῳ
Ἀμβροσίῳ————————————
Which is a tautology. For from length of time, they scarce knew the
true meaning of the word in _Homer_’s age.
_Virgil_ seems to understand but somewhat of the original meaning of
the word, speaking of _Venus_; her hair was anointed with ointment
perfum’d.
_Ambrosiæq; comæ divinum vertice odorem
Spiravere_———————————————— Æneid.
In _Pliny_ Nat. Hist. XIII. 1. we find the _oleum rhodinum_ most
antient, common and simple. And this is the true _ambrosia_, which from
its very antient use in sacred rites, had almost lost its meaning; and
was us’d to signify, one while, the food of the gods, another time,
immortality; again, whatever is divine, or appropriate to the gods.
But simply, it signifies oil of roses, still from its first use, in
sacred matters, it imports anointed, in a religious sense; consecrated,
dedicated. Then _main ambres_, _ambres_, _petræ ambrosiæ_, signify the
stones anointed with holy oil, consecrated; or in a general sense a
temple, altar, or place of worship.
The truth is, it was a patriarchal custom to consecrate their altars,
pillars, or in a general word temples, by anointing with oil, either
simple or perfum’d. Rose oil being the oldest, engross’d the general
name of the action; so that a stone anointed with oil of roses, is a
_main amber_, or _lapis ambrosius_. The same is an altar, or stone
dedicate to religious use. The plural number, _petræ ambrosiæ_, import
a church or temple, in our way of speaking.
We have an illustrious instance of this practice in the holy
Scriptures, and the earliest. _Gen._ xxviii. This is not commonly
understood by writers. ’Tis the moving and memorable history of young
_Jacob_, sent away from his father’s house alone, to take a long
journey to some unknown relations. He came to a place, call’d afterward
_Bethel_, and sleeping with his head on a stone for a pillow, had a
celestial vision; and a promise from God, of the highest importance
to him and all mankind. Awaking, he thought the place had been holy
ground, where, perhaps, his grandfather _Abraham_ had before-time built
an altar; an house of God, or gate of heaven, as he elegantly names it.
“Therefore he rose up early in the morning, which was one circumstance
(in patriarchal times) of the work he was going about, and took the
stone that he had put for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar; and
poured oil upon the top of it, and called the place _Beth-el_, _i. e._
the house of God. Then he vowed, that if God would please to prosper
him in his journey, and bring him back into his own country, he would
build a temple there, and consecrate to God the tythe of his substance,
as was the manner in those times.”
This is in reality a votive, patriarchal temple, altar or house of
God, which he not only vows to build, but at the same time endows it.
The stone which _Jacob_ anointed, was not an altar properly, lying on
the ground whereon to make a libation, but he set it up as a pillar.
It was one of the upright stones, which the scripture calls pillars,
as standing of itself; a part of the circle of stones, inclosing the
altar. And by the act of anointing, _Jacob_ consecrated it, as the
manner then was, destined it for a sacred purpose, as an earnest of his
will in good time to fulfil it. And this he did fulfil, _chap._ xxxv.
building the celebrated temple of _Bethel_. Here _Jeroboam_ set up one
of his golden calves. At last it was destroy’d by _Vespasian_.
In _Exod._ xxiv. 4. “we have an instance of _Moses_ rising up early in
the morning and building an altar, and setting up 12 pillars around
it.” This was before the tabernacle was made, which introduced the
custom of cover’d temples.
But so famous was that patriarchal temple of _Jacob_’s, which he built
at _Bethel_; that the heathen called all their temples of that sort,
when they were perverted to idolatrous purposes, _Bæthylia_, _lapides
Bætyli_, and the like. Which indeed is but another manner of expressing
_lapis Ambrosius_, or our _Main Ambre_. And according to custom, the
fabulous _Greeks_ having lost the true history of its origin, affix’d
many strange stories to it; as of _Saturn_ devouring such a stone,
wrapt up in a skin, instead of his Son _Jupiter_: which seems to be
form’d from the memory of praying at these places, in the name of the
mediatorial deity, as the patriarchs did. And _Sanchoniathon_ tells us,
the god _Ouranus_ devised _Bætylia_, or animated stones. He means our
rocking stones, _gygonian_ stones. I shall show in my discourse on that
subject, that by _Ouranus_, he means righteous _Noah_, who, according
to patriarchal usage, builded an altar unto _Jehovah_, _Gen._ viii. 20.
meaning one of these patriarchal temples. In time, by the corruption
of mankind, these places were desecrated to idolatrous purposes; and
writers pervert the intent of them. So that God Almighty, raising up
the Mosaic Dispensation, was oblig’d to interdict the very use and
practice of these open temples, and introduce the cover’d one of the
tabernacle; by way of opposition to heathenism, as well as with other
important views.
We find now the meaning of anointed stones in antiquity, and the
olive-tree set by the stones on the _Tyrian_ coins. As the very learned
Author of _Archæologia Græca_ observes, on the affair of consecration,
“they were more or less sumptuous and expensive, as other parts of
divine worship, according to the ability of the worshippers.” Young
_Jacob_ a traveller us’d plain oil, part of his _viaticum_, others us’d
perfum’d oil, or _ambrosia_. That author cites us from _Athenæus_,
the method of consecrating _Jupiter Ctesias_’s statue with a libation
call’d _ambrosia_: and others by anointing with oil, prayers and
libations, _Exodus_ xxx. 22. We have the holy precious ointment made
under the _Jewish_ dispensation for the like purpose. And we use such,
for inauguration of our kings, to this day.
The _Tyrian Hercules_ who built _Tyre_ and set up the _petræ Ambrosiæ_
in those coins, (if I mistake not) liv’d as early as the time, of
_Jacob_’s anointing the stone at _Bethel_. The great _Bochart_, who
penetrated very deep into the _Phœnician_ learning, looks upon it
as a clear matter, that in _Joshua_’s time, the _Phœnicians_ sent
innumerable colonies, into the mediterranean coasts, and even to the
ocean. In the preface to his admirable work _Canaan_, he says, “he has
a great suspicion, that colonies went abroad this way, before that
time. Particularly, he asserts, that _Hercules_, in _Eusebius_ sirnamed
_Desanaus_, who was famous in _Phœnicia_ before the _Exodus_, is the
same, who conquer’d _Antæus_ in _Africa_: which in _Eusebius_, is set
56 years before. He is call’d _Hercules primus_, and that is 63 years
before the _Exodus_, in _Eusebius_’s chronology.” Again, he judges it
to be 2000 years distance between the later _Roman_ times and the first
_Hercules_. Now from _Constantine_ the great, 2000 years carries us up
to _Jacob_’s time. And he proves, from _Aristotle de mirabilibus_, that
_Hercules_ built _Utica_ in _Africa_, at that time; wherein _Eusebius_
says he was famous in _Phœnicia_, and this must be when _Hercules_ was
old. He having conquer’d _Antæus_ in that country, when he was young.
[Illustration: _P. 52._ TAB. XXVII.
_The Beginning of the Avenue to Stonehenge, where it is Plow’d up._
A. _The 7 Kings Barrows_ B. _The Avenue going towards Stonehenge_ C.
_The 6 Old Kings Barrows._]
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_.
[Illustration: _P. 54._ TAB. XXVIII.
_A direct View of Stonehenge from the union of the two Avenues._
_Stukeley delin._