The history of the world

§. V. Of the three chiefest IVPITERS; and the strange Storie of the third.

BVT of all those Armies of Iupiters remembred by the Ancients, Cicero maketh but three, because those were of most fame: which other Wri∣ters haue also done, who sought out, and laboured in their originals. [unspec 10]

The first was Iupiter, the sonne of Aether and Dies, so called, because the one had reference to his celestiall conditions (〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is as much as shining or pure fire) the other discouered his naturall vertues, which dayes and times make more perfect, and are the witnesses of mens actions.

The second was said to bee the sonne of Coelum or Heauen, for the same former respect; and this Iupiter was an Arcadian, and King of Athens.

The third of whom all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fables were deuised, was of Creet (now Can∣die) the sonne of Saturne and Ops. The name deriued from the Latine is taken of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pater, from the Greeke Word Zeus, it signifieth life, but somewhat strained. Boccas in his Genealogie of the gods conceiueth, that his name was borrowed from [unspec 20] Iupiter the Planet; but whether that Starre had such a name, before the same was gi∣uen to men, I know not. Iupiter is hot and moist, temperate, modest, honest, aduen∣turous, liberall, mercifull, louing, and faithfull, (that is) giuing these inclinations. And therefore those ancient Kings beautified with these conditions, might be called there after Iupiter; but howsoeuer they were, or were not with those vertues en∣riched, yet, by imitation, all kings in the eldest times assumed those Titles and Sir∣names: great Princes affecting as high Titles of honor and reputation in the World, (howsoeuer deserued) as the worthiest, that euer were, acquired by their well defer∣uings. Ioues omnes Reges vocârunt antiqui, The Ancients called all Kings IVPITERS, as TZETZES in his Varia historia confirmeth: Regesolim IOVES vocârunt omnes: In olde [unspec 30] times all Nations called their Kings IVPITERS. But where this last and most remem∣bred IVPITER was borne it is vncertaine. Some there are that make him of Creet: others, that hee was but sent thither by his Mother Ops or Opis, to bee fostered and* 1.1 hidden from the furie of Titan his Vncle: because it was conditioned betweene Sa∣turne and Titan, that Saturne being a yonger brother, and raigning (for his owne life) by Titans permission, hee should put to death all his male children, lest the Titans might be interrupted by any of them in their succession; which agreement because Saturne performed in his first borne, it is fained that Saturne deuoured his owne chil∣dren. Hereof Lycophron, thus turned into Latine:

Haud fit pinguior, [unspec 40] Crudis sepulchrum quòd sit ipse 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Saturne to be the fatter is not knowne, By being the graue and buriall of his owne.

This composition betweene Titan and Saturne, Sybilla also witnesseth in these;

Conceptis verbis; TITAN iurare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 SATVRNVM, de senatum ne nutriat vllum, Quo possint regnare senis post fata Nepotes. [unspec 50]

Things thus agreed: Titan made Saturne sweare No Sonne to nourish; which by raigning might Vsurpe the right of Titans lawfull Heire.

But Opis the mother of Iupiter, being deliuered at once both of Iupiter and Iuno, conueied Iupiter (first called Lysanias) into Crete, as shee did afterwards his two brothers, Neptune and Pluto: where hee was brought vp in Gnossus, the chiefe Ci∣tie of that Iland, by Cresta the King, or by the Curetes, a people and Nation thereof.* 1.2

Other challenge him to be of Thebes, and a Thebane: others call him an Arcadian: others make him of Messena. The like contention is found among the Greekes tou∣ching his education and first fostering. Some affirme, that he was fed by Hony-bees: in recompence whereof he changed their blacke coats and skins into yellow; a re∣ward well fitting such a God: others, that he was nourished by Beares: others, by Goats: and of all these the idle Greekes haue many prettie Tales But in the end when [unspec 10] Titan had knowledge, that Saturne had broken his faith, he set on him, and tooke him and his wife Prisoners, whom Iupiter againe rescued and deliuered.

But lastly, the Father and the Sonne equally ambitious, the one doubted the other. Saturne being the lesse powerfull fled into Italie, and left his Kingdomes in Greece to his sonne. And although this Prince at the first purchased great honour, and for his many vertues the name of Iupiter was giuen him; yet, after he was once settled and became potent, he gaue himselfe ouer wholly to palliardize and adultery, without all respect of honour, Law, or Religion. And it is reported by such, as doe ascribe the actions of many to one Iupiter, that not therewith satisfied, hee was after∣wards knowne to offend in the sinne of Sodome with Ganimedes and others; and did [unspec 20] not onely begin with incest, marrying his owne sister Iuno, but he rauished, betrayed, stole away, and tooke by strong hand all the beautifull women borne in his time, within the limits of his owne Kingdomes, or bordering them. Among whom these hereafter written were of greatest fame, Niobe, Laodemia, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the wife of Amphitryon, by whom he had Pelasgus, Sarpedon, Argus, and Hercules: by Taygete he had Taygetus; of whom the Mountaine Taygetus tooke name, with another sonne called Saon, of whom Sauona: by Antiope he had Amphion and Zetus: by Leda Castor and Pollux, Helen and Clytemnestra: by Danaë Perseus: by Iordana Deucalion: by Charme (the daughter of Eubulus) Britomartis, by Protogenia hee had Athlius the Fa∣ther of Endymion; and by Io (the Daughter of Inachus) Epaphus, the Founder of [unspec 30] Memphis in Aegypt: which Epaphus married Libya, of whom that Countrey tooke name, for so the Greekes afterward called Africa. Hee rauished Aegina the Daugh∣ter of Aesopus, and carryed her into the Iland Oenopia or Oenotria, afterward called Aegina, on whom he begat Aeacus: by Torrhebia hee had Archesilaus and Carbius: by Ora Colaxes: he had also Dardanus by Electra, who built Dardanium, afterward Ilum and Troy. Hee begat the Brothers Talici, on Thalia, and on Garamantis Hiarhas. Hee had besides these (if they belye not their chiefe God) Phileus and Pilumnus, inuen∣tors of Bakers Craft; and I know not how many more; but I know well that hee could not be Father to all these, who were borne in Ages so farre differing. And of these his seuerall rauishments, betrayings, stealing away of mens Wiues, Daughters [unspec 40] and Sonnes, buying of Virgins, and the like, came in all those ancient Fables of his transformations into showres of Gold, Eagles, Buls, Birds, and Beasts; and of him, and by him (in effect) all that rabble of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Forgeries. And yet did not the Greekes and Romanes feare to entitle this Monster, Optimus Maximas, though 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his second Booke de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Deorum affirme, that he deserued nothing lesse, and in his Oration pro domo sua, reprocheth Clodius for his Incest, by the name of Iupiter. His buriall was in Crete (saith Lucian) Cretenses non solùm natum apud se & sepultum* 1.3 IOVEM testantur, sedetiam sepulchrum eius ostendunt; The Cretians or Candians doe not onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that IVPITER was borne and buried among them, but they shew his graue and sepulchre: which Epiphanius also confirmeth, for in his time there remained the Mo∣numents [unspec 50] of his Tombe in the Mountaine Iasius. This Callimachus in his Hymnes also witnesseth, but as offended thereat, sayth thus;

The Cretians euer Lyars were, they care not what they say: For they a Tombe haue built for thee, O King, that liu'st alway.

Diodorus Siculus tels by way of report from the Libyan Fables, confirmed (as hee* 1.4 saith) by some Greeke Writers, that the originall of these gods was from the Westerne parts of Africk. For there among the Atlantidae raigned one Vranus (which signifieth Heauen) called so for his great skil in Astrologie, and for his knowledge, and benefits to the people, honoured by them as a God after his death. He had by many Wiues 45. Sons; but by his principall Wife Titea, hee had 17. Sons and two Daughters, all which were called after their Mothers name the Titanes. Of Titea, likewise it is said, that she for her goodnesse was canonized as a Goddesse, being dead, and called the Earth, as her Husband was stiled Heauen. But of al the children of Titea, her Daugh∣ter Basilea (which name sounding as Queene in English, she is by the Latine Trans∣lator [unspec 10] of Diodorus called Regina) excelling the rest as far in vertue as in yeeres, was by generall consent of her Brethren, and of the people, appointed to rule as Queene af∣ter her Fathers death, being as yet a Virgin. Shee tooke to Husband her Brother Hyperion, to whom shee bare a Sonne and a Daughter, called Sunne and Moone. The beautie and towardlinesse of these children moued her Brethren to enuie, and bred in them a feare of being excluded from the Succession: wherefore they tooke the Boy and drowned him in the Riuer Eridanus, now called Poe. The losse of this childe caused his Sister to breake her owne necke; and the losse of both her Children made the Mother to play many mad prankes, dancing with Cymbals, after a wild fashion, in sight of all the people, before whom shee is said to haue vanished away. Ere shee [unspec 20] dyed, her Sonne (as the Fable hath it) signified vnto her in a Dreame, that he and his Sister by the prouidence of God should become immortall, that also the Sunne and Moone should bee called by their names, and that their death should bee reuenged vpon the Murderers. According to which it is said, that the people did so call those two Planets, and withall held her selfe as a Goddesse, and termed her the great Mo∣ther, which name they had formerly giuen to her, for her motherly care in cherishing her Brethren whilest they were young. Hyperion and his Race being extinguished, the other Sonnes of Vranus diuided the Kingdome. Of these Atlas and Saturne were chiefe. Atlas raigned ouer the Countries lying about the Mountaines, which afterward bare his name; a iust and wise Prince, deeply skilfull in Astrologie, and for [unspec 30] inuention of the Sphere, sayd to haue supported Heauen. Hee had many Sonnes; but the principall of them called Hesperus, being of his Fathers qualities and studies, was sayd to haue beene carried away by the Winde, from the top of an high Hill in the midst of his Contemplations, and his name in honour of him, imposed by the people vpon the Morning Starre. The seuen Daughters of Atlas were also sayd to haue beene excellent Ladies, who accompanying such as came to be deified, or registred among the Worthies, brought forth Children, answerable in qualitie to those that begat them. Of these it is held, that the seuen Starres called Pleiades tooke name. Saturne the Brother of Atlas raigned in Sicilia, part of Africk and Italie. Iupiter another of the Sonnes of Vranus, raigned in Crete; who had tenne Sonnes which he [unspec 40] called Curetes; he called that Iland after his Wiues name Idea; in which Ile he dyed, and was buried. But this Iupiter must not haue beene that great one, but Vncle to the Great Iupiter, if these Fables of the Libyans were true. Saturne (as these Libyans tell the Tale) was a great Tyrant, and fortified strong places, the better to keepe his people in subiection. His Sister Rhea was married to Hammon, who raigned in some part of Africk. Hammon louing others as well as his Wife, or better, got a Daughter, called Minerua, neere to the Riuer Triton, who thereupon was called Tritonia. Hee also begat on Amalthea a Sonne called Bacchus, whom he caused secretly for feare of his life to be brought vp at Nysa, an Iland in the Riuer Triton, vnder the tuition of his Daughter Minerua, and certaine Nymphes. To Amalthea he gaue in reward a goodly [unspec 50] Countrie, that lay on the Sea-coast, bending in forme of a horne, whence grew the Tale of Amaltheas plentifull Horne, famous among the Poets. When Rhea heard these newes, she fled from her Husband to her Brother Saturne, who not onely enter∣tained her as a Sister, but tooke her to wife, and at her instigation made warre vpon

Hammon, vanquished him by assistance of the Titanes, and made him flee into Crete. The Curetes, Iupiters children before mentioned, held the Iland at that time; which was new named Crete by Hammon, after the name of Creta the Kings Daughter, whom he tooke to wife, and had with her (women as may seeme being very gra∣cious in those times) the Kingdome. Bacchus was growne a proper yong man, had found out the making of wine, the arte of planting trees, and many things else com∣modious for mankinde, before the flight of his Mother in law. Now therefore hearing report of all that had hapned, and that Saturne was comming against him with the Titanes; he leuyed an Armie, to which the Amazons liuing not farre from Nysa, added great forces, in loue of Minerua, who was entred into their profession. [unspec 10] So Bacchus leading the men, and Minerua the women, they set forward against Sa∣turne, met him, ouerthrew him, and taking many of the Titanes prisoners, returned to Nysa; where pardoning the prisoners, that promised to become his true followers, he prepared for a second Expedition. In the second Expedition he behaued him∣selfe so well, that he wan the loue of all the people by whom he passed; insomuch that partly for good affection to him, partly in hatred of Saturnes rigorous gouerne∣ment, he was greatly strengthened, and the Enemie as much infeebled by daily re∣uolts. Comming to the Citie of Hammon, he wan a battaile of Saturne, before the very walls. After which Saturne with his wife Rhea fled by night, setting the Towne on fire to despight Bacchus. But they were caught in their flight, pardoned by Bac∣chus, [unspec 20] and kindly entreated. Saturne had a yong sonne by Rhea, called Iupiter. This child Bacchus tooke with him in a great Expedition that he made into the East coun∣tries; and comming into Aegypt, he left this Iupiter, being then a Boy, Gouernour of the Countrie; but appointed vnto him as an Ouer-seer, one Olympus, of whom Iupiter grew to be called Olympius. Whilest Bacchus trauayled through all Nations, as far as into India, doing good in all places, and teaching many things profitable to the life of man; the Titanes had found out his Father Hammon in Crete, and began to warre vpon him. But Bacchus returned out of India, with whom Iupiter from Ae∣gypt, and his sister Minerua, together with the rest that afterwards were held as gods, ioyning all their forces, went into Crete, ouerthrew the Titanes, chased them, [unspec 30] tooke, and slue them, and freed the world of them all. After all this, when Hammon and Bacchus were dead, they were deified; and the great Iupiter the sonne of Saturne succeeding them, reigned Lord alone ouer all the world, hauing none of the Titanes left aliue, nor any other to disturbe him. Betweene this tale of the Libyan Gods, and the Aegyptian fables of Osiris, there is a rude resemblance, that may cause them both to be taken for the crooked Images of some one true historie. For the expeditions of Osiris, and of Bacchus; the warres of the Giants in the one storie, of the Titanes in the other; the Kingdome of Aegypt giuen by Hercules Lybicus to Orus, by Bacchus to Iupiter, the Rattles of Isis, and the Cymbals of Basilea, with many pettie circumstan∣ces, neerely enough resemble each other, howsoeuer not alike fitted to the right [unspec 40] persons, Sanchoniato (as Eusebius cites him) would haue all these to be Phaenicians,* 1.5 and is earnest in saying, That it is a true storie, and no Allegorie. Yet he makes it seeme the more allegoricall, by giuing to Vranus or Heauen for Daughters, Fate and Beautie, and the like, with addition of much fabulous matter, omitted by Diodorus, though Diodorus haue enough. To the Genealogie he addes Elius or the Sunne, as Fa∣ther of Vranus, and among the children of Vranus, Iapetus, Baetilus, and Dagon (whom Diodorus doth not mention by their names) giuing withall to Vranus the proper name of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Indigena, and of Illus to Saturne, but omitting Iupiter of Crete. The Pedigree of them is this: [unspec 50]

[illustration]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Nat. Com. l. 1. c. 7
• * 1.2

  Euseb. in Temp.
• * 1.3

  Luc. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Diod. l. 2. c. 5.
• * 1.5

  Euseb. l. 1. c. 7.