The history of the world

§. XV. Of the issue of SEM.

†. I. [unspec 40] Of ELAM, ASSVR, ARPHAXAD, and LVD.

It remayneth lastly to speake of the Sonnes of Sem, who were these:

• 1. Alam, or Elam,
• 2. Ashur,
• 3. Arphaxad,
• 4. Lud, and
• 5. Aram.

THe posteritie of Sem, Moses recounteth after the rest: because from [unspec 50] them he proceedeth in order with the Genealogie and Storie of the Hebrewes: For of Sem was Abraham descended.

Of these fiue sonnes the Scriptures remember the length of the life of Arphaxad only, and only the children of him and Aram, the rest

are barely spoken of by rehearsal of their names, sauing that it may be gathered, that Assur (who was supposed to found Niniueh) was also said to be the Father of the Assyrians, whose issues, and the issues of Cham, instantly contended for the Em∣pire of the East: which sometimes the Assyrians, sometimes the Babylonians obtay∣ned, according to the vertue of their Princes. This is the common opinion, which also teacheth vs, that all the East parts of the World were peopled by Assur, Elam, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (sauing India) which I beleeue Noah himselfe first inhabited: and to whom Ophir and Hauilah the sonnes of Ioctan afterward repayred. Hij filij SEM ab Euphrate 〈◊〉〈◊〉 partem Asiae vs{que}, ad Oceanum Indicum tenuerunt; These sonnes of SEM (saith S. HIEROME) held all those Regions from Euphrates to the Indian Ocean. [unspec 10]

Of Elam came the Elamites, remembred Acts 2. vers. 9. and the Princes of Persia;* 1.1 which name then began to be out of vse and lost, when the Persians became Masters of Babylonia: the East Monarchie being established in them. Some prophane Wri∣ters distinguish Elam from Persia, and make the Elamites a people apart. But susa (which the Scriptures call Susan) in Elam was the Kings seate of Persia (witnesse DANIEL:) And I saw (saith he) in a vision, and when I saw it, I was in the Palace of Su∣san, * 1.2 which is in the Prouince of Elam. This Citie is embraced by the Riuer Eulaeus (ac∣cording to Ptolemie) in Daniel, Vlai: and seated in the border of Susiana.* 1.3

Ashur (as most Historians beleeue) the second sonne of Sem, was Father of the Assyrians, who disdayning the pride of Nimrod, parted from Babel, and built Niniue, [unspec 20] of equall beautie and magnitude with Babylon, or exceeding it. But we shall in due place disproue that opinion. Euery mans hand hath beene in this Storie, and there∣fore I shall not neede herein to speake much: for the Assyrians so often inuaded and spoyled the Israelites, destroyed their Cities, and led them Captiues, as both in Diuine and Humane letters there is large and often mention of this Nation.

But howsoeuer Herodotus and D Siculus extend this Empire, and honor this Na∣tion with ample Dominion; yet was not the state of the Assyrians of any such power, after such time as Sardanapalus lost the Empire. For Senacherib who was one of the powerfullest Princes among them, had yet the Mountayne Tanrus for the vtmost of his Dominion toward the North-east, and Syria bounded him toward the West, [unspec 30] notwithstanding those vaunts of Senacherib in Esay the 37. Haue the gods of the Na∣tions* 1.4 deliuered them whom my Fathers haue destroyed? as GOZAN, and HARAN, and RESEPH, and the Children of EDEN which were at Telassar. Where is the King of Ha∣math, and the King of Arphad, and the King of the Citie Sepharuaim, Hena and Iuah? All these were indeede but pettie Kings of Cities, and small Countries; as Haran in Mesopotamia: Reseph in Palmyrena: Hamath or Emath in Ituraea, vnder Libanus: the Ile of Eden: Sepher, and others of this sort. Yea, Nabuchodonosor, who was most powerfull, before the conquest of Aegypt had but Chaldaea, Mesopotamia, and Syria, with Palaestina and Phoenicia parts thereof. But in this question of Assur, I will speake my opinion freely when I come to Nimrod, whose plantation I haue omitted among [unspec 40] the rest of the Chusites, because he established the first Empire: from whom the most memorable storie of the World taketh beginning.

Of Arphaxad came the Chaldaeans, saith S. Hierome, and Iosephus, but it must be those Chaldaeans about Vr: for the sonnes of Cham possest the rest. It is true that he was the Father of the Hebrewes: for Arphaxad begat Shela; and Shela, Heber; of whom hereafter.

And that Lud, the fourth Sonne of Shem, gaue name to the Lydians in Asia the lesse, is the common opinion, taken from Iosephus and S. Hierome; but I see not by what reason he was moued to straggle thither from his friends. [unspec 50]

†. II. Of ARAM, and his Sonnes.

ARAM the fift and last Sonne of Shem was the parent of the Syrians: of which Damascus was head. Their name was changed from Aram or Aramites by Sy∣rus* 1.5 (sayth Eusebius out of Iosephus) which Syrus liued before Moses was borne; the* 1.6 same which others call the sonne of Apollo. Mesopotamia also being but a Prouince of Syria had the name of Aram 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which is as much to say, as Syria duorum fluuiorum, Syria compassed with two Riuers: (to wit) Tigris and Euphrates. The Scrip∣tures [unspec 10] call it Mesopotamia, Syria, and Padan Aram: and the Greekes Mesopotamia simply.

Arise and get thee to Padan Aram (sayth Isaac to Iacob) to the house of BETHVEL* 1.7 thy mothers father, and thence take thee a wise. Strabo also remembreth it by the ancient name of Aram or Aramea, as these his owne words conuerted witnesse: Quos nos Sy∣ros vocamus, ipsi Syri Aramenios & Arameos vocant; Those which we call Syrians (sayth hee) themselues call Aramenians and Arameans.

Against this opinion, that Aram the sonne of Sem was the Father and Denomina∣tor of the Syrians in generall; (and not only of those in Syria, Inter-amnis, which is Mesopotamia) some reade, Genes. 22. 21. Kemuel, the Father of the Syrians: where o∣ther [unspec 20] out of the originall read Kemuel, the sonne of Aram. Neither is it any inconue∣nience for vs to vnderstand the word (Aram) here, not for the Nation, but for the name of some one of note; the rather, because in the Historie of Abraham and Isaac (which was in time long before Kemuels Posteritie could bee famous) wee find Mesopotamia called Aram; and that with an addition: sometimes with Naharaijm, and sometimes of Padan, to distinguish it from another Aram, which (as it seemes) then also was called Aram. For whereas Iunius thinkes in his note vpon Genes. 25. 20. that Padan Aram ought to bee restrained to some part of Mesopotamia, (to wit) to that part which Ptolomie cals Ancobaritis (so called from the Riuer Chaboras, which diuiding it runneth into Euphrates) the promiscuous vse of Padan Aram, and Aram [unspec 30] Naharaijm (which latter appellation qhestionlesse comprehends the whole Mesopo∣tamia) may seeme to refute this opinion: especially seeing the signification of this appellation agreeth with the whole Region. For it signifieth as much as the yoke of Syria, which name agrees with this Region: because the two Riuers, (as it were) yoked together goe along it. The Reliques of the name Padan appeare in the name of two Cities in Ptolomie, called Aphadana: (as Iunius hath well noted) the one vpon Chaboras, the other vpon Euphrates.

The Sonnes of Aram were, [unspec 40]

• Vz or Hus,
• ...Hul,
• Gether, and
• Mesch or Mes.

Vz or Hus inhabited about Damascus, and built that Citie, saith Iosephus and Saint Hierome. But Tostatus mistaking this opinion, both in them and in Lyra, who also* 1.8 followeth Iosephus, affirmeth that Abrahams Steward Eliezer was the Founder there∣of; though it were likely that Hus the eldest sonne of Aram dwelt neere vnto his fa∣ther, who inhabited the bodie of Syria. For Hus was a Region of the same, adioyning to Arabia the Desart, and to Batanea or Traconitis: whereof the Prophet Hieremie: Reioyce and be glad O Daughter of Edom that dwellest in the Land of Hus. Hus therefore* 1.9 [unspec 50] is seated beyond Iordan, in the East Region of Traconitis, adioyning to Basan, hauing Batanea Gaulonitis, and the Mountaine Seir to the East, Edrai to the South, Damascus North, and Iordan West: hauing in it many Cities and people, as may also bee ga∣thered out of HIEREMY: And all sorts of people: and all the Kings of the Land of Hus.* 1.10

In this Region dwelt Iob, descended of Hus, the sonne of Nahor, the brother of A∣braham (sayth Saint Hierome) and married Dina the Daughter of Iacob, sayth Philo.

Hul the second sonne of Aram, Saint Hierome makes the Father of the Armenians: and Gether the third sonne, parent to the Arcananians or Carians: which opinion, (because I find not where to set him) I doe not disprooue, though I see no reason why Gether should leaue the fellowship of his owne brethren, and dwell among Strangers in Asia the lesse. Iunius giues Hul (whom hee writes Chul) the Desart of Palmyrena, as farre as Euphrates, where Ptolomie setteth the Citie of Gindareni.

Gether (sayth Iosephus) founded the Bactrians: but Iosephus gaue all Noahs children feathers, to carrie them farre away in all haste. For mine owne opinion I alwayes [unspec 10] keepe the rule of Neighbour-hood, and thinke with Iunius: (to wit) That Gether seated himselfe neere his brothers, in the bodie of Syria, and in the Prouince of Cas∣siotis, and Seleucis, where Ptolomie placeth Gindarus, and the Nation by Plinie called Gindareni.

Iunius also giueth to Mes or Mesch the North part of Syria, betweene Cilicia and Mesopotamia, neere the Mountaine Masius. The certaintie of those Plantations can no otherwise be knowne then by this probabilitie, that Aram the father (of whom that great Region tooke name) planted his sonnes in the same Land about him: for hee wanted no scope of Territorie for himselfe and them; neyther then when the World was newly planted, nor in many hundred yeeres after: and therefore there is [unspec 20] no reason to cast them in the Desart parts of the World, so farre asunder. And as necessitie and policie held them together for a while: so Ambition (which began to∣gether with Angels and Men) inhabiting the hearts of their children, set them a∣sunder. For although these sonnes of Aram, and the sonnes of the rest of Noahs chil∣dren, kept themselues within the bounds of some one large Kingdome; yet therein euery one also sought a Prouince apart, and to themselues; giuing to the Cities there∣in built their owne names, thereby to leaue their memorie to their Posteritie: the vse of Letters being then rare, and knowne to few.

In this sort did the pride of the Spaniards in America cast them into so many Pro∣uinces: euery one emulating and disdayning the greatnesse of other, as they are [unspec 30] thereby to this day subiect to inuasion, expulsion, and destruction: so as (Noua Hi∣spania and Peru excepted, because those Countries are vnaccessable to Strangers) an easie force will cast them out of all the rest.

Mes the fourth sonne is made the parent of the Moeonians: of whom something hath beene spoken alreadie. Arphaxad the third sonne of Shem, begat Shelah, and* 1.11 Heber. Heber had two sonnes, Phaleg and Ioctan: and in Phalegs time was the Earth diuided.

†. III. [unspec 40] Of the diuision of the Earth in the time of PHALEG, one of the sonnes of HEBER, of the issue of SEM.

THE many people which at the diuision (at Phaleghs birth) were then liuing, and the through Plantation of all the East part of the World (at his death) hath made a doubt, whether the Earth were diuided at eyther. The Hebrewes (sayth Pererius out of Sedar Holam, one of their Chronicles) affirme that this partition hap∣pened at the death of Phaleg: and Phaleg was borne in the yeere after the Floud 101. and liued in all 239. yeeres, which numbers added makes 340. And therefore was it so many yeeres after the Floud, ere the children of Noah seuered themselues. But [unspec 50] to this opinion of the Hebrewes, and the doubt they make how in so few yeeres as 101. (the time of Phalegs birth) so many people could bee increased, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 giues this answere, that if 70 persons of the Family of Iacob increased to 600000. fighting men in 215. yeeres, (besides women, children, and impotent persons) how much

more is it likely, that so soone after the Floud the children of Noah might in a shor∣ter time bring forth many multitudes, hauing receiued the blessing of God, Increase and multiply, and fill the Earth? What strength this answere hath, let others iudge: for the children of Israel were 70. and had 215. yeeres time: and the sonnes of Noah were but three, and had but 101. yeeres of time, to the birth of Phalegh.

Others conceiue that Phalegh tooke that name after the diuision, in memorie thereof: as Iosephus and Saint Augustine, who reason in this manner. If the diuision* 1.12 were at Phaleghs death (which happened in the yeere, which is commonly held to be the 48. of Abraham, but was by more likely computation 12. yeeres before his birth) then was the diuision 38. yeeres after Ninus, who gouerned 52. yeeres: in the 43. yeere [unspec 10] of whose raigne Abraham was borne. But when Ninus began to rule the Assyrians, 80* 1.13 yeeres before this diuision (as this diuision is placed by the Hebrewes, Hiercme and Chrysostome) then was the earth so peopled in all the East and Northerne parts, as greater numbers haue not beene found at any time since. For Ninus associating to himselfe Ariaeus King of Arabia, a people who at that time (sayth DIOD. SICVLVS) plurimum opibus at{que} armis praestabant, Exceeded both in riches and bodies of men, sub∣dued many Cities in Armenia; receiued Barzanis into grace; then inuaded Media, and crucified Pharnus the King thereof, with his Wife and seuen Children; vanqui∣shed all those Regions betweene Nilus and Tanais, the Aegyptians, Phoenicians, the Kingdomes of Syria, and all the Nations of Persia, to the Hyrcanian Sea. For the [unspec 20] numbers which followed Ninus (alreadie remembred out of Ctesias) against Zoro∣after and others: and Zoroaster on the other side, who made resistance with foure hundred thousand, prooue it sufficiently, that if the diuision had not happened be∣fore the death of Phaleg, there had needed no diuision at that time at all. For some of them were so ill satisfied with their partitions, as they sought to be Masters of all; and greater Armies were there neuer gathered then by Ninus and Semiramis: wherefore in this opinion there is little appearance of the truth.

But for that conceit that if the diuision had beene made at the birth of Phaleg, there were not then sufficient numbers borne to fill the earth: It was neuer meant that the earth could bee filled euery where at the instant, but by times and degrees: [unspec 30] And surely whatsoeuer mens opinions haue beene herein, yet it is certaine, that the diuision of tongues and of men must goe neere together with the ceasing of the worke at Babel: and that the enterprize of Babel was left off instantly vpon the confu∣sion of Languages, where followed the execution of the diuision; and so neyther at the birth nor death of Phaleg: for Phaleg was borne in the yeere 101. after the Floud, which was the yeere that Nimrod came into Shinaar, or 10. yeeres after hee arriued, sayth Berosus.

Now if it bee obiected that Phaleg (the Etymologie of whose name signifieth di∣uision) must haue liued without a name, except the name had beene giuen him at the time of this confusion and partition: to this obiection it may be answered, That the [unspec 40] change of names vpon diuers accidents is not rare in the Scriptures: for Iacob was called Israel after he had wrestled with the Angell; Abraham was first Abram; and E∣dom Esau; and that Phaleg being a principall man in this diuision had his first name vpon this accident changed, it is most probable.

And lastly, whereas the Hebrewes, Saint Hierome and Chrysostome account Heber a great Prophet, if that by giuing his sonne the name of Phaleg, hee foretold the diui∣sion which followed: to this I say, I doe not find that Heber deserued any such ho∣nour, if he had thereupon so called his sonne: for diuision and dispersion followeth increase of people of necessitie; and this Prophesie (if any such had beene) might also haue reference to the diuision, which afterwards fell among the Hebrewes them∣selues. [unspec 50]

But if we giue a reasonable time to the building of the Towre and Citie of Babel, by which time many people (by reason and by demonstratiue proofe) might bee in∣creased: and that vpon the fall thereof the confusion and diuision followed (where∣vpon

Phaleg tooke name) then in this opinion there is nothing either curious or monstrous.

†. IIII. Of the sonnes of IOCTAN, the other sonne of HEBER.

The sonnes of Ioctan were

• 1. Elmodad. [unspec 10]
• 2. Saleph, or Selep, or Sheleph.
• 3. Asamath, or Chatzar.
• 4. Iare, or Iarahh, or Ierath.
• 5. Hadoram.
• 6. Vzal, or Vxal.
• 7. Dicklach, or Dicla.
• 8. Obal, or Ebal, or Hobal.
• 9. Abimael.
• 10. Sheba, or Seba.
• 11. Ophir, or Opir. [unspec 20]
• 12. Hauila, or Chauila, and
• 13. Iobab.

ALL those sonnes of Ioctan (according to Saint Hierome) dwelled in the East parts of the World, or India, euen from the Riuer Cophe or Choas, which is one of the branches or heads of Indus.

But the certaine places of those thirteene Sonnes cannot bee gathered out of the Scriptures, the words of Moses being generall. And their dwelling was from Mesha* 1.14 as thou goest vnto Sephar a Mount in the East. Of all these thirteene Sonnes, there were only three memorable, (to wit) Sheba, Ophir, and Hauilah. Concerning whose [unspec 30] names, to auoide confusion it is to bee obserued, that among the Sonnes of Chush, two of them had also the names of Seba and Hauilah. Abraham had also a third Saba or Sheba, his grand-child by his wife Ketura. But Seba the sonne of Chush, and Sheba the sonne of Rhegma his Nephew, wee haue left in Arabia Foelix: and Hauilah the sonne of Chush vpon Tigris. Saba the grand-childe of Abraham was (as some haue thought (the Father of the Sabaeans in Persia: of which Nations Dionysius de Orbis si∣tu, maketh mention. Primùm Sabaei; post hos sunt Passagardae; prope verò hos sunt Tasci,* 1.15 The first are Sabaeans: after these be Passagardae; and neere these the Tasci. And whereas it is written: But vnto the Sonnes of the Concubines which ABRAHAM had, ABRAHAM gaue gifts, and sent them away from ISAAC his sonne (while hee yet lined) Eastward to [unspec 40] the East-Countrey: hereupon it is supposed, that this Saba the sonne of Abraham wan∣dered into Persia: for Persia was accounted the furthermost East-Countrey in respect of Iudaea; which also Ouid setteth vnder the Sun-rising. Yet seeing the rest of Abra∣hams* 1.16 sonnes seated themselues on the borders of Iudaea, I rather choose to leaue Saba the sonne of Abraham in Arabia the Desart, where Ptolomie setteth a Citie of that name.

But Saba the sonne of Ioctan, the sonne of Heber, (as I conceiue) inhabited India it selfe. For Dionysius Afer in his Periegesis, (or description of the World) which hee* 1.17 wrote in Greeke Verse, among the Regions of India findeth a Nation called the Sa∣baei. Taxilus hos inter medios habitat{que} Sabaeus: In the middest of these dwell the Sabaei, and [unspec 50] the Taxili, sayth this Dionysius.

†. V. Of OPHIR one of IOCTANS sonnes, and of Peru, and of that voyage of SALOMON.

OPHIR also was an Inhabitant of the East India, and (as S. Hierome vnderstands it) in one of the Ilands plentifull of gold, which are now knowne by the name of Moluccae. Iosephus vnderstands Ophir to be one of those great head-lands in India, which by a generall name are called Chersonesi, or Peninsulae: of which there are two very notorious; Callecut, and Malacca. Pererius takes it rightly for an Iland, as Saint [unspec 10] Hierome doth, but he sets it at the head-land of Malacca. But Ophir is found among the Molucces farther East.

Arias Montanus out of the second of Chronicles, the third Chapter and sixt Verse, gathers that Ophir was Peru in America, looking into the West Ocean, commonly called Mare del Sur, or the South Sea; by others Mare pacificum. The wordes in the second of the Chronicles are these: And be ouerlayed the house with precious stones for* 1.18 beautie; and the gold was gold of Paruaim. IVNIVS takes this gold to be the gold of Hauilah, remembred by Moses in the description of Paradise: And the gold of that* 1.19 Land is good: finding a Towne in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Prouince of Susiana called Barbatia; so called (as he thinkes) by corruption for Paruaim: from whence those Kings sub∣iected [unspec 20] by Dauid brought this gold, with which they presented him; and which Da∣uid preserued for the enriching of the Temple.

But this fancie of Peru hath deceiued many men, before Montanus, and Plessis, who also tooke Ophir for Peru. And that this question may be a subiect of no farther di∣spute; it is very true, that there is no Region in the World of that name: sure I am that at least America hath none, no not any Citie, Village, or Mountayne so called. But when Francis Pisarro first discouered those Lands to the South of Panama, arri∣uing in that Region which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 commanded (a Prince of magnificence, Riches and Dominion inferior to none) some of the Spaniards vtterly ignorant of that lan∣guage, demanding by signes (as they could) the name of the Countrie, and poin∣ting [unspec 30] with their hand athwart a Riuer, or Torrent, or Brooke that ranne by, the In∣dians answered Peru, which was either the name of that Brooke, or of water in ge∣nerall. The Spaniards thereupon conceiuing that the people had rightly vnderstood them, set it downe in the Diurnall of their enterprise, and so in the first description made, and sent ouer to Charles the Emperor, all that West part of America to the South of Panama had the name of Peru, which hath continued euer since as diuers Spaniards in the Indies assured me; which also Acosta the Iesuite in his naturall and morall Historie of the Indies confirmeth. And whereas Montanus also findeth, that a part of the Indies (called 〈◊〉〈◊〉) tooke that name of Ioctan, who as he sup∣poseth nauigated from the vtmost East of India to America: it is most true, that Iu∣catan [unspec 40] is nothing else in the language of that Countrie, but [What is that] or [What say you?] For when the Spaniards asked the name of that place (no man conceiuing their meaning) one of the Saluages answered Iucatan (which is) What aske you, or What say you? The like hapned touching Paria, a mountaynous Countrie on the South side of Trinidado and Margarita: for when the Spaniards inquiring (as all men doe) the names of those new Regions which they discouered, pointed to the Hills afarre off, one of the people answered, Paria, which is as much to say; as high Hills or Moun∣taynes. For at Paria begins that maruailous ledge of Mountaynes, which from thence are continued to the Strait of Magellan: from eight degrees of North lati∣tude to 52. of South; and so hath that Countrie euer since retayned the name of [unspec 50] Paria.

The same hapned among the English, which I sent vnder Sir Richard Greeneuile to inhabite Virginia. For when some of my people asked the name of that Countrie, one of the Saluages answered, Wingandacon, which is as much to say, as, You weare

good clothes, or gay clothes. The same hapned to the Spaniard in asking the name of the Iland Trinidado: for a Spaniard demanding the name of that selfe place which the Sea incompassed, they answered, Caeri, which signifieth an Iland. And in this manner haue many places newly discouered beene intituled, of which Peru is one. And therefore we must leaue Ophir among the Moluccas, whereabout such an Iland is credibly affirmed to be.

Now although there may be found gold in Arabia it selfe (towards Persia) in Ha∣uilah, now Sufiana, and all alongst that East Indian shore; yet the greatest plentie is taken vp at the Philippines, certayne Ilands planted by the Spaniards, from the West India. And by the length of the passage which Salomons ships made from the Red [unspec 10] Sea, (which was three yeeres in going and comming) it seemeth they went to the vttermost East, as the Moluceas or Philippines. Indeede these that now goe from Por∣tugal, or from hence, finish that nauigation in two yeere, and sometimes lesse: and Salomons ships went not aboue a tenth part of this our course from hence. But we must consider, that they euermore kept the coast, and crept by the shores, which made the way exceeding long. For before the vse of the Compasse was knowne, it was impossible to nauigate athwart the Ocean; and therefore Salomons ships could not finde Peru in America. Neither was it needfull for the Spaniards themselues (had it not beene for the plentie of gold in the East India Ilands, farre aboue the mines of any one place of America) to saile euery yeere from the West part of America thi∣ther, [unspec 20] and there to haue strongly planted, and inhabited the richest of those Ilands: wherein they haue built a Citie called Manilia, Salomon therefore needed not to haue gone farther off then Ophir in the East, to haue sped worse: neither could he nauigate from the East to the West in those dayes, whereas he had no coast to haue guided him.

Tostatus also gathereth a fantasticall opinion out of Rabanus, who makes Ophir to be a Countrie, whose Mountaynes of gold are kept by Griffins: which Mountaynes Solinus affirmeth to be in Scythia Asiatica, in these wordes: Nam cùm auro & gemmis affluant, Griphes tenent vniuersa, alites ferocissimae, Arimaspi cum his dimicant, &c. For whereas these Countries abound in gold, and rich stone, the Griffins defend the one and the [unspec 30] other: a kinde of Fowle the fiercest of all other; with which Griffins a Nation of people cal∣led Arimaspi make warre. These Arimaspi are said to haue been men with one eye only, like vnto the Cyclopes of Sicilia: of which Cyclopes, Herodotus and Aristeus make men∣tion: and so doth Lucan in his third Booke: and Valerius Flaccus: and D. Siculus in the* 1.20 storie of Alexander Macedon. But (for mine owne opinion) I beleeue none of them.* 1.21 And for these Arimaspi, I take it that this name signifying One-eyed, was first giuen them by reason that they vsed to weare a vizzard of defence, with one sight in the middle to serue both eyes; and not that they had by nature any such defect. But Solinus borroweth these things out of Plinie, who speakes of such a Nation in the extreme North, at a place called Gisolitron, or the Caue of the Northeast winde. For [unspec 40] the rest, as all fables were commonly grounded vpon some true stories or other things done: so might these tales of the Griffins receiue this Morall. That if those men which fight against so many dangerous passages for gold, or other riches of this World, had their perfect senses, and were not depriued of halfe their eye-sight (at least of the eye of right reason and vnderstanding) they would content themselues with a quiet and moderate estate; and not subiect themselues to famine, corrupt aire, violent heate, and cold, and to all sorts of miserable diseases. And though this fable be fayned in this place, yet if such a tale were told of some other places of the World, where wild Beasts or Serpents defend Mountaines of gold, it might be auow∣ed. For there are in many places of the world, especially in America, many high and [unspec 50] impassable Mountaynes which are very rich and full of gold, inhabited only with Tygres, Lyons, and other rauenous and cruell beasts: into which if any man ascend (except his strength be very great) he shall be sure to finde the same warre, which the Arimaspi make against the Griffins: not that the one or other had any sense of

gold, or seeke to defend that metall, but being disquieted, or made afraide of them∣selues or their yong-ones, they grow inraged and aduenturous. In like sort it may be said that the Alegartos, (which the Aegyptians call the Crocadyles) defend those Pearles which lye in the Lakes of the Inland: for many times the poore Indians are eaten vp by them, when they diue for the pearle. And though the Alegartos know not the pearle, yet they finde sauour in the flesh and bloud of the Indians, whom they deuoure.

†. VI. [unspec 10] Of HAVILAH the sonne of IOCTAN, who also passed into the East Indies: and of MESHA and SEPHER named in the bordering of the Families of IOCTAN: with a Conclusion of this discourse touching the plantation of the World.

OF Hauilah the sonne of Ioctan, there is nothing else to be said, but that the ge∣nerall opinion is, that he also inhabited in the East India in the Continent, from which Ophir past into the Ilands adioyning. And whereas Ganges is said to water Hauilah, it is meant by Hauilah in the East India, which tooke name of Hauilah the sonne of Ioctan: but 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which Pison compasseth, was so called of Hauilah, the [unspec 20] sonne of Chush, as is formerly proued by this place of Scripture: SAVL smote the* 1.22 Amalekites from Hauilah, as thou commest to Shur, which is before Aegypt. But that Saul euer made Warre in the East India, no man hath suspected. For an end we may conclude, that of the thirteene sonnes of Ioctan, these three, Saba, Hauilah, and Ophir; though at the first seated by their brethren about the hill Masius or Mesh, GEN. 10. 30 (to wit) betweene Cilicia and Mesopotamia; yet at length either themselues or their issues remoued into East India, leauing the other Families of Ioctan, to fill the Countries of their first plantation, which the Scripture defines to haue beene from Mesh vnto Sephar. And although S. Hierome take Mesh to be a Region of the East India, and Sephar a Mountaine of the same (which Mountaine, Montanus would haue [unspec 30] to be the Andes in America) those fancies are farre beyond my vnderstanding. For the word (East) in the Scriptures, where it hath reference to Iudaea, is neuer farther extended then into Persia. But Mesch is that part of the Mountaynes of Masius in the North of Mesopotamia, out of which the Riuer Chaboras springeth which run∣neth by Charran: and in the same Region we also finde for Sephar (remembred by Moses) Sipphara by Ptolemie, standing to the East of the Mountaynes Masius; from whence Ioctan hauing many sonnes, some of them might passe into India, hearing of the beautie and riches thereof. But this was in processe of time.

The other fashion of planting I vnderstand not, being grounded but vpon mens imaginations, contrarie to reason and possibilitie. And that this Mountayne in the [unspec 40] East was no farther off then in those Regions before remembred, it appeareth by many places of the Scripture where the same phrase is vsed: as in Numbers 23. BA∣LAC* 1.23 the King of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the Mountayne of the East; which was from the East part of Mesopotamia. For Balac brought Balaam out of Me∣sopotamia, (witnesse this place of DEVTERONOMIE:) Because they hyred BALAAM* 1.24 the sonne of BEOR, of Pethor in Aram Naharaijm, to curse thee: for Aram Naharaijm was Syria fluniorum, which is Mesopotamia, as aforesaid.

This plantation of the World after the floud doth best agree (as to me it seemes) with all the places of Scripture compared together. And these be the reports of Reason and probable coniecture; the Guides which I haue followed herein, and [unspec 50] which I haue chosen to goe after, making no valuation of the opinions of men, con∣ducted by their owne fancies, be they ancient or moderne. Neither haue I any end herein, priuate, or publike, other then the discouerie of truth. For as the partialitie of man to himselfe hath disguised all things: so the factious and hireling Historians

of all Ages (especially of these latter times) haue by their many Volumes of vntrue reports left Honor without a Monument, and Vertue without Memorie: and (in stead thereof) haue erected Statues and Trophies to those, whom the darkest forget∣fulnesse ought to haue buryed, and couered ouer for euermore. And although the length and dissoluing Nature of Time, hath worne out or changed the Names and memorie of the Worlds first planters after the floud (I meane the greatest number and most part of them) yet all the foot-steps of Antiquitie (as appeares by that which hath beene spoken) are not quite worne out nor ouer-growne: for Babylon hath to this day the sound of Babel; Phoenicia hath Zidon, to which Citie the eldest Sonne of Canaan gaue name; so hath Cilicia Tharsis; and the Armenians, Medes, [unspec 10] Hiberians, Cappadocians, Phrygians, the Syrians, Idumaeans, Libyans, Moores, and other Nations, haue preserued from the death of forgetfulnesse some signes of their first Founders and true Parents.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ios. Ant. l. 1. c. 7.
• * 1.2

  Cap. 8. vers. 2.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 5. Dan. 8. 2.
• * 1.4

  Vers. 11.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 7. v. 8.
• * 1.6

  Euscb. p. 10. 6.
• * 1.7

  Gen. 28. 2. See Gen. 25. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Also Deut. 23. 4. Iudg. 3. Paral. 1. 19. Psal. 59. Strabo. l. 1.
• * 1.8

  Hieron. in trad. Hebraic.
• * 1.9

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. cap. 4. ver. 21.
• * 1.10

  C. 25. v. 20.
• * 1.11

  Chap. 8. §. 7.
• * 1.12

  Ioseph. l. 1. Ant. Aug. de Ciuit. Dei. l. 16. c. 11.
• * 1.13

  Perer. in Gen. li. 15. c. 10.
• * 1.14

  Gen. c. 10. v. 30.
• * 1.15

  Gen. 25. v. 6.
• * 1.16

  Metam. lib. 1.
• * 1.17

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.18

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.19

  Gen 2. 11. & 12 Plin. lib. 6. c. 28.
• * 1.20

  Flaccus, lib. 6.
• * 1.21

  Diod. Sicul. l. 16.
• * 1.22

  1. Sam. 15. 7.
• * 1.23

  Vers. 7.
• * 1.24

  Cap. 23. vers. 〈◊〉〈◊〉