The history of the world

§. III. THE TRIBE OF ASHER. [unspec 10]

†. I. The bounds of the Tribe of Asher.

THe Asherites descended of Asher the Sonne of Iacob by Zelpha, the hand-maid of Lea, were increased while they abode in Aegypt, to the number of 41500. and odde persons, all men aboue twentie yeeres of age, and able to beare armes at the time, when they were mustered by Moses at Mount Sinai: all which number perishing in the Desarts, [unspec 20] there remained of their issues, besides women and children 53400. bodies fit for the warres: which past the Riuer of Arnon, into the Plaines of Moab, and after the Conquest of Canaan, had for their portion that part of Phoenicia, from Zidon and the fields of Libanus, vnto Ptolomais Acon alongst the Sea-coast: containing thirtie Eng∣lish miles or thereabout: and from the Mid-land sea to the East border some twelue miles: though Antoninus makes it somewhat larger. This part of Canaan* 1.1 was very fruitfull, abounding in Wine, Oile, and Wheate, besides the Balsamum, with other pleasant and profitable commodities: according to that Prophecie, ASSER pinguis panis: concerning Asser, his bread shall be fat: And he shall giue plea∣sures* 1.2 for a King. [unspec 30]

†. II. Of Zidon.

THe first Citie seated on the North border of the Territorie of Asser, was Zidon, which Iosua calleth the great Zidon, both for ftrenght and magnitude. The Greekes and Q. Curtius make Agenor the founder thereof: and Iustine deriues the* 1.3 name from the abundance of Fish found on those shores: whereof it hath been cal∣led Zidona. But that it was farre more ancient, Moses, Iosua, and Iosephus witnesse,* 1.4 [unspec 40] the same being founded by Zidon the eldest of Canaans Sonnes: and so strong it was in Iosuas time, as neither did himselfe attempt it, neither could the Asserites, or any of their Successors master it: but it continued all the time of the Iudges and Kings, e∣uen vnto the comming of Christ, a Citie interchangeably gouerned, by their owne Princes or other Magistrates: though according to the warnings, and threats of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Esay, Hieremie, Ezekiel, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, it was often afflicted both by the ene∣mies* 1.5 sword, and by the pestilence.

Zidon is seated on the very wash of the Phoenician Sea, which is a part of the Me∣diterran or Mid-land Sea. It hath to the North the Citie of Berythus, and the Riuer Leontis: and to the South Sarepta, or Sarphat: which standeth betweene it and Tyre, [unspec 50] the distance betweene which two great and famous Cities, to wit, Zidon and Tyre, is fourteene thousand paces, saith Seiglerus: but Vadianus makes it two hundred fur∣longs,* 1.6 and so doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his description of the holy Land, and both from Strabo: which two hundred furlongs make fiue and twentie miles. This difference* 1.7

of distance as well betweene these two knowne Cities, as all the rest, make it ouer dif∣ficult to deuise any new scale to the Map, and description of the holy Land.

What Kings it had till Agenors time there is no memorie: The Storie which Zeno the Philosopher, who was a Zidonian, wrote thereof, being by time consumed and lost. It seemeth to bee more ancient than Tyre: which was also built by the Zi∣donians. For as Strabo noteth, Homer speaking of Zidon, neglecteth the memorie of* 1.8 Tyre: because it was but a member of Zidon, and a Citie subiect to the Kings thereof: though it bee true that in after-times it contended with Zidon for Primacie, and be∣came farre more renowned, opulent, and strong: From Zidon had Salomon and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, their principall workmen, both in Timber and Stone; for the building of [unspec 10] the Temple. For as it flourished in all sorts of learning, so did it in all other Mecha∣nicall Arts and Trades: the Prophet Zacharie calling them the wise Zidonians. The* 1.9 Citie was both by nature and art exceeding strong, hauing a Castle or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the North-side, standing vpon an vnaccessible Rocke, and compassed by the Sea, which after the Citizens became Christians, was held and defended by the Knights of the Dutch Order: and another Castle it hath on the South side by the Port of Aegypt, which the Templers guarded. It also sent many other Colonies besides that of Tyre, into places remote: as vnto Thebes, and Sephyra, Cities of Boeotia in Greece.* 1.10

Strabo and Plinie giue the Zidonians the inuention of* 1.11 Glasse, which they vsed to make of those sands which are taken out of the Riuer Belus, falling into the Mediter∣ran [unspec 20] Sea, neere Ptolomais or Acon: and from whence the Venetians fetch the matter of those cleare Glasses which they make at Murana: of which S. Hierome and Plinie. ZI∣DON insignis artifex vitri: ZIDON vitarijs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nobilis; ZIDON a famous Glasse∣maker, or a skilfull worker in Glasse-houses.

They were in Religion Idolaters (as the rest of the Canaanites) worshippers of Baal and 〈◊〉〈◊〉: which Idols though common to the other of the issue of Canaan (as Pineda gathers out of 1. Sam. 31. 10. and Iud. 10. 6.) yet especially and peculiar∣ly were accounted the Gods of the Zidonians: as appeares 1. Kings 11. 5. in the sto∣rie of Salomons Idolatrie: where Astaroth is called the God of the Zidonians: and 1. Reg. 16. 33 in the storie of Achab, the chiefe worshipper of Baal, where it is said that [unspec 30] hee marrying Iezabel the Daughter of the King of the Zidonians, worshipped their Baal. Diuers Baals and diuers Astaroths in their Idolatries they acknowledged: as it appeares by the plurall names of Baalim and Astaroth, 1. Sam. 12. 10. and elsewhere: for euen the name Astaroth, as I am informed by a skilfull 〈◊〉〈◊〉, is plurall: the singular being Astoreth: whence Iud. 2. 13. the Septuagint reade 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: They worshipped the Astarties. The occasion of this their multiplying of their Baals, and Astoreths, may be diuersly vnderstood: either in respect of the diuersitie of the formes of the Images, or of the worship in diuers places, or of the stories depending vpon them: which (as fables vse to bee) were doubtlesse in diuers Cities diuers. Au∣gustine quaest. 16. in Iudg. thinkes Baal and Astarte to bee Iupiter and Iuno. For the Car∣thaginians (which were Tyrians) call Iuno by some such name as Astarte. Tullie, lib. 3.* 1.12 de Nat. Deorum, making diuers Goddesses of the name of Venus, expounds the fourth [unspec 40] to be Astarte: whom hee makes to bee borne of Tyrus and Syria, and to haue beene the wife of Adonis: as also Macrob. 2. Saturn. cap. 21. saies that Adonis was with great veneration commonly worshipped of the Assyrians: and Hierome vpon Ezek. 8. 44. notes that Thammuz (whom there the Idolatrous women are noted to bewaile) is the name of Adonis among the Syrians. So that it may seeme that in the worship of Astarte, or Venus, they did bewaile her husband Adonis: as also the Graecians did in their songs of ADONIS. Mourne for ADONIS the faire, dead is ADONIS the faire, How be it others in that place of Ezekiel not without good probabilitie, expound the [unspec 50] mourning for Thammuz, to be the mourning for Osiris in the sacrifices of Isis: whose losse of her husband Osiris, was as famous in the Aegyptian Idolatrie, as with the Graecians, Venus losse of Adonis. And to this agreeth that which Plutarch hath, de Isi∣de & Osiride; that Osiris with the Aegyptians is called Ammuz: which word may

seeme to be the same with Ezekiels Thammuz. But how soeuer these Zidonians were thus anciently 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the milke of Idolatrie: yet they were more apt to re∣ceiue the Doctrine and Gospell of Christ after his Ascension, than the Iewes: who had beene taught by Moses, and the Prophets so many yeeres, whereof our Sauiour in Matthew and Luke. Woe bce to thee Corazin, &c. for if the great works which were* 1.13 done in thee, had beene done in Tyrus and Zidon, they had repented long agone, &c. but I say vnto you, it shall be easier for Tyrus and Zidon, at the day of iudgement than for you.

It receiued a Christian Bishop with the first: who was afterward of the Diocesse of Tyre. But in the yeere of our Redemption 636. it fell into the hands of the Sa∣racens: [unspec 10] and continued in their possession till Baldwinus the first, then King of Hieru∣salem, in the yeere IIII. by the helpe of the Danes and Norwaies, who came with* 1.14 a Fleete to visite the holy Land, and tooke Port at Ioppa, it was againe recouered,* 1.15 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof being giuen to Eustace Gremer, a Noble man of that Countrie. And againe in the yeere 1250. it was reedified and strengthned by Lodo∣wicke the French King: while hee spent foure yeere in the Warre of the holy Land. Lastly, in the yeere 1289. it was reconquered by the Saracens: and is now in posses∣sion* 1.16 of the Turke, and hath the name of Zai.

†. III. Of Sarepta, with a briefe Historie of Tyre in the same coast. [unspec 20]

SArepta, or after the Hebrew, Sarphath, is the next Citie Southward from Zidon, betweene it and the Riuer called Near, or Fons hortorum Libani (of which more hereafter) standing in the way towards Tyre, a Citie very famous for the excellent Wine growing neere it: of which Sidonius.

Vina mihi non sunt Gazetica, Chia, Falerna, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sareptano palmite missa bibas. [unspec 30]

I haue no wine of Gaza, nor Falerna wine, Nor any for thy drinking of Sarepta's vine.

This Citie had also a Bishop of the Diocesse of Tyre: after it came to the Saracens and Turkes, as the rest: and is now called Saphet, saith Postellus.

Not farre from Sarepta was situate that sometime famous Citie of Tyre, whose fleets of ships commanded, and gaue the law ouer all the Mediterran Sea, and the borders thereof: during which time of greatnesse and power, the Tyrians erected V∣tica, Leptis, and Carthage in Affrica, of which VIRGIL. Vrbs antiqua fuit Tyrij te∣nuere* 1.17 [unspec 40] Coloni Carthago. And Carthage was therefore called Punica quasi Phoenicum, a Colonie of the Phoenicians. In Spaine they founded Gades, now Caliz. In Italie, Nola:* 1.18 in Asia the lesse, Dromos Achillis, which Citie the Scholiast of Apollonius placeth neere* 1.19 the Riuer Phyllis, in Bithynia.

It had anciently the name of Zor, or Tzor; and so it is written in Iosua the 19. ta∣king name from the situation; because built on a high Rocke, sharpe at one end. The Latines, as it seemes, knew it by the name of Sarra; for Virgil calleth the purple* 1.20 of Tyre, ostrum Sarranum, by which name Iuuenal and Silius remember it. The Zidoni∣ans built it vpon a high Hill, whereof many ruines remaine to this day; the place be∣ing still knowne by the name of the ancient Tyre: and because it was a Colonie of the [unspec 50] Zidonians, the Prophet Esay calleth it the Daughter of Zidon; which Trogus also* 1.21 confirmeth, though Berosus by affinitie of name makes Thir as the Sonne of Iaphet to be the Parent thereof: and though no doubt it was very ancient (for so much the Prophet Esay also witnesseth, Is not this your glorious Citie whose antiquitie is of ancient* 1.22

daies:) yet, that Thir as the sonne of Iaphet set himselfe in the bosome of the Canaa∣nites who built Zidon, and peopled all that Region: I see nothing to perswade mee.

But that new Tyre in after-times so renowned, seemeth to bee the worke of Age∣nor:* 1.23 and of this opinion was Curtius: and Iosephus, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make this Citie el∣der than Salomons Temple 240. yeeres: Cedrenus 361. who also addeth that Tyrus* 1.24 the Wife of Agenor gaue it her name: but of Agenor I will speake more at large in the storie of their Kings.

For strength and for the commoditie of the harbour, and the better to receiue Trade from all places, it was in this new erection founded in an 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 700. paces [unspec 10] from the continent: and therefore Ezekiel placeth it in the middest of the Sea, as* 1.25 some reade, or as others in the inner-most part of the Sea, whence hee calleth it situate at the entrie of the Sea, as also the same Prophet calleth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the people* 1.26 for many Iles: and ESAY a Mart of the Nations: and so Proude, Wealthie, and Magni∣ficent was this Citie, as the Prophet Esay calleth the Merchants thereof Princes, and* 1.27 their Chapmen the Nobles of the world.

It excelled both in learning, and in manu-facture: especially in the making and dying of Purple, and Scarlet-cloth: which, saith Iulius Pollux, was first found out by Hercutes Dogge, who passing alongst the Sea-coast, and eating of the Fish Con∣chilis or Purpura: the haire of his lips became of that colour. It worshipped the [unspec 20] same Idolls that Zidon did: sauing that Hercules became their Patron in after-times. For Alexander Macedon, when the Tyrians presented him with a crowne of gold, and other gifts, desiring to remaine his friends and allies, answered them, that he had vowed a sacrifice to Hercules, the Defender of their Citie: and the Ancester of the Macedonians Kings: and must therefore enter it. Whereupon they sent him word, that Hercules his Temple was in the Mountaine of old Tyre: where he might performe that ceremonie: but this auailed not. For Alexander was not so super∣stitious, as ambitious, hee desired to enter the Towne, which being denied, he as one whom no perill could feare, nor labour wearie, gathered together as many ships as he could; and brought from Libanus so great a number of Cedars, and so [unspec 30] many waightie Stones, from the old Citie of Tyre adioyning, as not withstanding that his materialls were often washt away with the strength of the Sea, and the Tides, yet he neuer rested, till hee had made a foote passage from the Continent to the Iland: and hauing once approched their Walls, hee ouer. topt them with Tur∣rets of wood, and other frames: from whence (hauing filled the body of force with the violent mouing Spirit of resolution) he became Lord thereof, putting all to the sword that resisted, after which he caused 2000 more to bee hung vp in a ranke all a∣longst the Sea-shore: which exequution vpon cold bloud hee performed (as some Authors affirme) vpon the issues of those slaues which had formerly slaine all their Masters, taking their Wiues, Children, Riches, and power of Gouernement to [unspec 40] themselues. This victorie of Alexander ouer the Tyrians, Iosephus remembreth:* 1.28 and how Sanaballat reuolted from Darius, and came to Alexander with 8000. Soul∣diers: who was the last Satrapa or Prouinciall 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which Darius seated in Samaria: the same who hauing married his Daughter to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, brother to Iaddus the high Priest of Hierusalem, obtained of Alexander that a Temple might bee built on the Mountaines Garizim ouer Samaria: that the forces of the Iewes being diuided, Alexander might the better hold them in obedience. The Honour of which Priest∣hood he bestowed on his sonne-in-law Manasse, whom the Iewes oppugned, for that he had married out of their Tribes, and with a Gentile: but while Alexander besieged* 1.29 Gaza, Sanaballat, whom Guil. Tyrius calleth Sanabula, died. [unspec 50]

Long before this desolation of Tyre, by the crueltie of Alexander, it was attempted by Salmanasser the Assyrian King: when the growing pride of the Assyrians, after that they had conquered the ten Tribes, with the rest of Syria, became 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the beautie, riches, and power of that Citie. Hee besieged it both on the Land-side,

and with three-score ships of Warre held the Port: to the end that neither any vi∣ctualls nor any supply of men might enter it: but the Tyrians with twelue saile scat∣tered that fleete, and tooke 500. prisoners of the Assyrians: notwithstanding, the* 1.30 Assyrian continued his resolution and lay before it by his Lieutenants fiue yeeres, but with ill successe. And this siege Menander Ephesius, cited by Iosephus, made re∣port* 1.31 * 1.32 of in his Chronicles, as hee found the Storie among the Annalls of the Tyrians (which the said Menander 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into Greeke) adding that Elulaeus, whom Tyrius calleth Helisaeus, was then King of Tyre, hauing gouerned the same sixe and twentie yeeres. Soone after this repulse of Salmanassar, and about 200. yeeres before the victorie of Alexander, Nabuchodonosor at such time as hee destroyed Hierusalem with [unspec 10] the Temple, came before this Citie: who indeed gaue to Alexander the example of that despairefull worke, of ioyning it to the Continent. For Nabuchodonosor had formerly done it: though by the diligence of the Citizens, and the strength of the Sea, the same cawsey and passage was againe broken downe, and demolished.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nabuchodonosor, for many yeeres, the Tyrians defended themselues: for so long did these Babylonians continue before it, As euery head was made bald, and eue∣ry* 1.33 shoulder made bare, saith Ezekiel, who with the Prophet Esay had manifestly fore∣told the destruction of this proude place. In the end and after thirteene yeeres siege or more, the Tyrians despoiled of all their hopes, and remembring ouer-late the pre∣dictions and threatnings of Gods Prophets, hauing prepared a conuenient number [unspec 20] of ships, abandoned their Citie, transporting with themselues the ablest of all that remained: and with their wiues, children, and portable riches sailed thence into Cy∣prus, Carthage, and other Maritimate Cities of their Tributaries, or Confederates: so as the Babylonians finding nothing therein, either to satisfie so many labours and perills, or any person vpon whom to auenge themselues for the losse of so many bo∣dies in that Warre: It pleased God in recompence thereof (who strengthened this resolution, as in a worke of his owne) to make Nabuchodonosor victorious ouer the Aegyptians: and gaue him that Kingdome and the spoile thereof, as it were in wages* 1.34 for his Armie. Whereupon Saint Hierome noteth, that God leaueth not the good deeds of the Heathen vnrewarded: who though they cannot hope by any laudable [unspec 30] worldly action, to attaine vnto that eternall happinesse reserued for his Seruants and Saints: yet such is the boundlesse goodnesse of God, as he often repaieth them with many worldly gifts and temporall blessings.

Now of this enterprise of Nabuchodonosors against Tyre, prophane Historians haue not beene silent. For both Diocles, and Philostratus (as Iosephus citeth them) the one* 1.35 in his second Booke, the other in his Phoenician Histories remember it.

After these two great Vastations by the Kings of Babylon and Macedon: this Citie of Tyre repaired and recouered it selfe againe: and continued in great glorie about 300. yeeres, euen to the comming of our Sauiour Christ: and after him flourished in the Christian Faith neere 600. yeeres: the Archbishop whereof gaue place to none [unspec 40] but to the Patriarke of Hierusalem only: who within his owne Diocesse had fourteene great Cities, with their Bishops and Suffragans: namely 〈◊〉〈◊〉, otherwise Porphi∣ria,* 1.36 Acon or Ptolomais, Sarepta, Zidon, Caesarea Philippi, Berytus, Byblus, Botrys, Tripolis, Orthosia, Archis, Aradus, Antaradus (or Tortosa) and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. But in the yeere 636. it was with the rest of that beautifull Region of Phoenicia and Palaestina, subiected to the cruell and faithlesse Saracen. Vnder the burthen and yoke of whose tyrannie it suffered with the other Palestine Cities 488. yeeres.

In the yeere 1112. it was attempted by Baldwine King of Hierusalem; but in* 1.37 vaine: yet in the yeere 1124. by Guaremonde, Patriarke of Hierusalem, Vicegerent to Baldwine the second, with the assistance of the Venetians, and their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Gallies, [unspec 50] it was againe recouered, and subiected to the Kings of Hierusalem, and so it remained 165. yeeres.

Finally, in the yeere 1189. Saladine hauing first taken Hierusalem, remoued his whole Armie and sate downe before Tyre: drawing his fleete of ships and Gallies

from Alexandria into the port, this Citie as then onely remaining in the Christian power.

The citizens finding themselues reduced into great famine, and many other mi∣series, they at once with certaine rafters of timber, fiered, burnt, and brake the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fleete, and sallying out resoluedly vpon his armie, slew so great numbers of them, and followed their victorie with such furie, as that the Saracens forsaking their Trenches and Tents, remoued in great disorder and dishonour. Two yeeres after which victorie the bodie of that famous Fredericke Barbarossa (who by the la∣mentable accident of following the Christians enemies ouer a Riuer vnfoordable, perished by the weight of his armor therein) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brought and interred in the Cathe∣drall [unspec 10] church of Tyre, neere vnto that glorious Sepulchre of Origen, garnished and grauen with guilt pillars of Marble, 940. yeeres before therein buried: but in the yeere 1289. the Saracens againe attempted it, and carried it, and it now remaineth subiect to the Turks.

†. IIII. Of Ptolomais or Acon.

THe third Citie alongst the coast of the Sea, which the Asserites could not ob∣taine, [unspec 20] on the South bound of Asser was Acho, which was the ancient name there∣of after Hierome, though other good Authors affirme that it tooke name from Acon the brother of Ptolomie. Plinie calleth it Ace: and otherwise the Colonie of Claudius.* 1.38 It had also the name of Coth or Cod, and by Zeiglerus it is called Hactipos.

But lastly, it was intituled Ptolomais after the name of one of the Aegyptian Ptolo∣mies: which Citie also as it is 1. Mac. 11. another of the Ptolomies, infideliously wre∣sted* 1.39 from his sonne in law Alexander, which called himselfe the sonne of Antiochus Epiphanes: the same Alexander hauing married Cleopatra daughter of the said Ptolo∣mie not long before. Therein also was Ionathan Macchabaeus treacherously surprized and slaine, as it is 1. Macc. 12. 48. by the perfidiousnesse of Tryphon, whom soone af∣ter* 1.40 [unspec 30] Antiochus pursued as it is in the Storie ensuing: and by like reason about the same time was the aforesaid Alexander in the warre against Demetrius one of the sonnes of Antiochus the great with whom Ptolomie ioyned, ouerthrowne and trea∣cherously murthered by Zabdiel the Arabian: to whom he fled for succour: and his head presented vnto his father in law Ptolomie: who enioyed not the glory of his vi∣ctorie and treason aboue three dayes, for God strucke him by death.* 1.41

For the beautie and strength of this Citie, this Alexander made it his regall seate; two parts of the same being inuironed by the Sea, and the Port for safetie and ca∣pacitie not inferiour to any other in all that Tract. This Citie is distant from Hie∣rusalem some foure and thirtie miles: foure miles to the North from the Moun∣taine [unspec 40] Carmel, and as much to the South from Castrum Lamberti: from Tyre, Antoni∣nus* 1.42 maketh it two and thirtie Italian miles. In the middest of the Citie there was a Tower of great strength sometime the Temple of Bel-zebub: and therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Castle of Flies, on the toppe whereof there was maintained a perpetuall light,* 1.43 like vnto that called Pharus in Aegypt: to giue comfort in the night to those ships, which came neere and sought that part. It had in it a Bishops seate, of the Dio∣cesse of Tyre, after it became Christian: but in the yeere 636. (a fatall yeere to the Chri∣stians in those parts) it was forced and taken by Haomarus the Saracen. In the yeere 1104. it was regained by Baldwine the first, by the helpe of the Gallies of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: to* 1.44 whom a third of the reuenew was giuen in recompence. Againe, in the yeere of [unspec 50] our Lord God, one thousand one hundred foure-score and seuen Saladine King of Aegypt, and Syria, became Lord thereof. In the yeere of Christ, one thousand one hundred ninetie and one, by Richard King of England, and Philip King of France it was repossessed and redeliuered to the Christians. Lastly, in the yeere 1291. it

was by the furie of the Saracens besieged with an Armie of 150000. entred, sackt, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 demolished: though in some sort afterward reedified, and it is now Turkish.

†. V. Of the Castle of S^t. GEORGE.

FIue miles from Ptolomais towards the East, is the Castle of S^t. George seated, in* 1.45 which he was borne: the Valley adioyning bearing the same name. And though [unspec 10] for the credit of S. Georges killing the Dragon, I leaue euery man to his owne beliefe:* 1.46!* 1.47 yet I cannot but thinke, that if the Kings of England had not some probable record of that his memorable act, among many others: it was strange that the Order full of Honour, which Edward the third founded, and which his Successours Roially haue continued, should haue borne his name, seeing the world had not that scarcitie of Saints in those dayes, as that the English were driuen to make such an erection vp∣on a Fable, or Person fained. The place is described by Adrichomius in his de∣scription of Asser, to haue beene in the fields of Libanus: betweene the Riuer 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Zidon: his owne wordes are these: Hoc loco qui ab incolis Cappadocia appellatur, non longè à Beryto, memorant inclytum Christi Militem D. GEORGIVM; Regis filiam [unspec 20] ab 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dracone asseruâsse: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mactata bestia parenti restituisse. In cuius rei memoriam Ecclesia postmodum fuit aedificata; In this place, which by the Inhabitants is called Cappadocia, not farre from Berytus, men say that the famous Knight of Christ Saint GEORGE, did rescue the Kings Daughter from a huge Dragon: and hauing killed the beast, deliuered the Virgin to her Parent. In memorie of which deede a Church was after built there: Thus farre 〈◊〉〈◊〉. His Authors he citeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Roman. Patric. Nauigationum, l. 1. c. 3. and Bridenbach Itin. 5. The Valley vnder this Castle some∣time called Asser, was afterward called the Valley of S. George. If this authoritie suf∣fice not, we may rather make the Storie allegoricall, figuring the victorie of Christ, than accept of George the Arrian Bishop, mentioned by Am. Marcellinus. [unspec 30]

†. VI. Of Acziba, Sandalium, and others.

BEtweene Ptolomais and Tyre alongst the Sea coast, was the strong Citie of Acziba, or Achazib, which S. Hierome calleth Achziph, and Iosephus Ecdippos, Plinie Ec∣dippa, one of those which defended it selfe against the Asserites. Belsorrest findes Acziba and Sandalium, or the Castle of Alexander to be one, but I know not whence he had it. [unspec 40]

The twelue searchers of the Land which Moses sent from Cadesbarne, trauailed* 1.48 as farre to the North as Roob, or Rechob, in the Tribe of Asser, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as al∣so Berothae which by Ezekiel cap. 47. v. 16. is placed in these North borders, belonged* 1.49 in Dauids time to the King Hadarhezer, as it may bee gathered out of the second of* 1.50 Samuel the 8. cap. and 8. verse, and cap. 10. vers. 6. and it defended it selfe against the Asserites, as Zidon, Tyre, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Ptolomais, Alab, Helbah, and Aphek did.

This Aphek it was, whose Wall falling downe, slew seuen and twentie thousand of Benhadads Souldiers, after that a hundred thousand had beene slaughtered by the Israelites, vnder the conduct of Ahab. Here Iunius finds that the Philistims incamped a little before the battaile at Gilboa, though in his Note vpon the first of Samuel, the [unspec 50] 9. and 1. he takes Aphek there mentioned (at which battaile the Arke was taken) to* 1.51 haue beene in Iuda. Of which Ios. 15. and 53. and in the second of Kings 13. 17. hee reades, Fortiter, for, in Aphek. Where others conuert it, Percutiens Syrosin Aphek.

The next place alongst the coast is Sandalium, first called Schandalium of Schander, which we call Alexander, for Alexander Macedon built it, when hee besieged Tyre: and set it on a point of Land which extendeth it selfe into the Sea, betweene Acziba and Tyre: which Castle Baldwine the first rebuilt and fortified; in the yeere of Christ 1157. when he vndertooke the recouerie of Tyre.

Not much aboue a mile from this Castle, there ariseth that most plentifull spring* 1.52 of water, which Salomon remembreth, called the Well of liuing waters: from whence not only all the fields and plaines about Tyre are made fruitfull by large pipes hence drawne: but the same Spring, which hath not aboue a bow-shot of ground to tra∣uaile till it recouer the Sea, driueth sixe great Mills in that short passage, saith* 1.53 [unspec 10] Brochard.

Within the Land, and to the East of Acziba, and Sandalium, standeth Hosa: and* 1.54 beyond it, vnder the Mountaines of Tyre, the Citie of Achsaph, or Axab, or after S. Hierome Acisap, a Citie of great strength, whose King amongst the rest was slaine by Iosua, at the waters of Merom.

†. VII. Of Thoron, Giscala, and some other places.

FArther into the Land towards Iordan, was seated the Castle of Thoron, which [unspec 20] Hugo de Sancto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 built on the Easter-most Hills of Tyre, in the yeere 1107. thereby to restraine the excursions of the Saracens, while they held Tyre a∣gainst the Christians: the place adioyning being very fruitfull, and exceeding plea∣sant. From this Castle the Lords of Thoron, famous in the Storie of the Warres for the recouerie of the Holy Land, deriue their names, and take their Nobilitie. It had in it a curious Chappell, dedicated to the blessed Virgin, in which Humphrey of Tho∣ron, Constable to Baldwine the third, King of Hierusalem, lieth buried. There were fiue Castles besides this within the Territorie of Asser: whereof foure are seated al∣most of equall distance from each other: to wit, Castrum Lamperti, Montfort, Indin [unspec 30] (or Saron) Castrum Regium, and Belfort: The first neere the Sea vnder the Hills of Saron: the next three, to wit, Indin, Montfort, and Regium, stand more within the Land, and belonged to the Brother-hood and Fellowship of the Teutonici, or Dutch Knights (by which they defended themselues, and gaue succour to other Christians at such time as the Saracens possest the best part of the vpper Galilee) the chiefe of which Order was in Ptolomais Acon. The first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was for beautie and strength called Belfort, seated in the high ground vpon the Riuer Naar, neere the Citie Rama: of which in this Tribe Ios. 19. 29. for which the Vulgar reades Horma: making the ar∣ticle a part of the word, and mistaking the vowells: from the siege of this Castle of* 1.55 Belfort, the great Saladine King of Syria and Aegypt, was by the Christians Armie rai∣sed, [unspec 40] and with great losse and dishonour repulsed.

To the East of Belfort, is the strong Citie of Alab (or Achlab) which S. Hierome 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chalab, one of those that defended themselues against Asser, as Roob (or Re∣chob) not farre thence did.

Towards the South from Roob they place Gabala (which Herod, surnamed the Ascalonite rebuilt) making it of the Territorie of Chabol, Quod 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lingua dispi∣cere* 1.56 significat (saith Weishenburg) so called, because Hiram of Tyre was ill pleased with those twentie Cities, seated hereabout, which Salomon presented vnto him in recom∣pence of those prouisions sent him for the building of the Temple. Others thinke this Chabol or Cabul, containing a circuit of those twentie Cities giuen to Hiram, to* 1.57 [unspec 50] haue beene without the compasse of the holy Land: though bordering Asher on the North side: as it is said, 1. Reg. 9. 11. that they were in Regione limitis: that is, in li∣mite Regionis, in the border of the Countrie: for it was not lawfull, say they, to giue to strangers any part of the possessions allotted to the Israelites: howsoeuer, that af∣ter

Hiram had refused them, they were peopled by the Israelites, it appeares 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 8. 14. And it seemes they were conquered by Dauid from the Syri Rechobaei, whose* 1.58 Citie Roob, or Rechob, was in these parts.

Almost of equall distance from the Castle of Thoron, they place the Cities of Gis∣cala, and Gadara: of which Gadara is rather to be placed ouer Iordan: Giscala was made famous by Iohn the Sonne of Leui, who from a meane estate gathering together foure hundred Theeues, greatly troubled all the vpper Galilee: at such time as the Ro∣mans attempted the conquest of Iudaea: by whose practice Iosephus, who then com∣manded in the vpper Galilee, was greatly indangered: whereof himselfe hath written at large, in his second Booke of those Warres. This Iohn betraying in all hee could [unspec 10] * 1.59 the Citie of Giscala (whereof he was natiue) to the Roman State: and finding a resi∣stance in the Citie, gaue opportunitie, during the contention, to the Tyrians and Ga∣darims, to surprize it: who at the same time forst it, and burnt it to the ground: but being by Iosephus authoritie rebuilt, it was afterward rendred to Titus by composi∣tion. They finde also the Cities of Cana Maior, and * 1.60 Cades: (or Cedessa) of the first was that Syro-phoenician, whose Daughter Christ deliuered of the euill Spirit. Neere the other, they say, it was that Ionathas Machabaeus ouer-threw the Armie of De∣metrius.* 1.61 * 1.62

There are besides these forenamed Cities within the Tribe of Asser, diuers others: as on the South border, and neere the Sea, Messall or Misheall: within the Landa 1.63 Be∣sara, [unspec 20] b 1.64 Bethdagon, and Bethemec, standing on the South border betweene Asher and Zabulon: on the North side ioyning to Syro-phoenicia, is the Citie of Hethalon, or Cheth∣lon, the vtmost of the holy Land that way: vnder which towards the Sea is Chali, and thenc 1.65 Enoch supposed to bee built by Cain, and named of his Sonne Enoch, but without probabilitie, as I haue formerly proued: there are others also besides these, as Ammon or Chammon, of which Ios. 19. 28. where also wee reade of Nehiel, Rama, Alamelec, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉: the Cities of Alcath, or Chelcath, Habdon, and Rechob, and Misheal, which we haue already mentioned, were by the Asserites giuen to the Leuites. Of o∣thers* 1.66 held by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, mention is made, Iudg. 1. 30. to which out of Iosua wee may adde Ebron, Amhad, and others, on which no storie dependeth; and therefore I [unspec 30] will not pester the description with them.

†. VIII. Of the Riuers and Mountaines of Asser.

THe riuers to the North of Asser, are Adonis, afterward Canis, to which Ziegler ioy∣neth Lycus, Ptolomie, Leontis: both which fall into the Sea neere Berytus: which Riuer of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Montanus drawes neere vnto Zidon: finding his head notwithstan∣ding, where Ptolomie doth, betweene Zidon and Tyre. It hath also a Riuer called [unspec 40] * 1.67 fons hortorum Libani, which Adrichome out of Brochard 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Eleutherus: for which hee also citeth Plinie; and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Machabees the 11. Chap. but neither of* 1.68 those authorities proue Eleutherus to be in Asser: for this Riuer falleth into the Sea at the Ile of Aradus: not farre from Balanaea, witnesse Ptolomie: and therefore Pine∣tus* 1.69 calleth it Valania, and Postellus Velana: which Riuer boundeth Phoenicia on the* 1.70 North side: to which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also agreeth: but this principall Riuer of Asser, Arias Montanus calleth Gabatus. Christianus Schrot out of the mouth and Papers of Peter Laicstan (which Laicstan in this our age both viewed and described the Holy Land) calleth the maine Riuer Fons hortorum Libani: and one of the streames which run∣neth into it from the North side, Naar, and another from the South-west, Chabul: [unspec 50] of the Citie adioyning of the same name: for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it cannot be. There is also an∣other Riuer described by Adrichome, named Iepthael, which I finde in no other Au∣thor, and for which he citeth the nineteenth of Iosua, but the wordd 1.71 Ghe which is added there to Iepthael, is not taken for a Riuer, but for a Valley: and for a Valley

the Vulgar, the Geneua, and Arius Montanus turne it. There is also found in Asser,* 1.72 the Riuer of Belus, remembred by Iosephus and Tacitus, which is also called Pagidas, saith * 1.73 Plinie: out of the sands of this Riuer are made the best Glasse, which some∣time the Zidonians practised: and now the Venetians at Murana. Arias Montanus makes Belus to be a branch of Chedumim, which it cannot be: for Belus is knowne to flow from out the Lake Cendeuia, as all Cosmographers both Ancient and Moderne, and the later Trauailers into those parts witnesse. It is true that the Riuer of Chi∣son taketh water from Chedumim: but not in that fashion which Montanus hath de∣scribed it: neither doth it finde the Sea at Ptolomais Acon; according to Montanus: but farther to the South betweene Caiphas and Sicaminum, witnesse Ziegler, Adricho∣mius, [unspec 10] and Schrot.

Besides these Riuers there are diuers famous Springs and Fountaines, as that of liuing waters adioyning to Tyre: and a 1.74 Maserephot, or after S. Hierome, Maserephot∣maim, whose Well filled by the floud of the Sea adioyning, (they say) the Inhabi∣tants by seething the water make salt thereof, as at Nantwich.

The Mountaines which bound Asser on the North, are those of Anti-libanus, which with Libanus bound Coelesyria: two great ledges of Hills, which from the Sea of Phoenicia and Syria, extend themselues farre into the Land Eastward: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 han∣dreth stadia or furlongs, according to Strabo: for that length he giueth to the Valley of Coelesyria: which those Mountaines inclose: but Plinie giues them 1500, furlongs [unspec 20] in length from the West (where they beginne at Theipsophon, or Deifacies, neere Tripolis) to the Mountaines of Arabia beyond Damascus: where Anti-libanus turneth towards the South. These ledges where they beginne to part Traconitis and Basan, from the Desart Arabia, are called Hermon: which Moses also nameth Sion, the Phoe∣nicians Syrion, and the Amorites Sanir, neither is this any one Mountaine apart; but a continuation of Hills: which running farther Southerly, is in the Scriptures called Galaad or Gilead: the same being still a part of Libanus, as the Prophet Hieremie pro∣ueth: Galaad tu mihi caput Libani: noting that this Galaad is the highest of those Hils of Libanus. Strabo knowes them by the name of Traconitae: and Ptolomie by Hip∣pus. Arias Montanus calleth these Mountaines bordering Asser, Libanus, for Anti∣libanus, [unspec 30] contrary to all other Cosmographers, but hee giueth no reason of his opi∣nion.

They take the name of Libanus from their white tops, because according to Ta∣citus,* 1.75 the highest of them are couered with Snow all the Summer, the Hebrew word* 1.76 Libanon (saith Weissenburg) signifieth whitenesse. Others call them by that name of* 1.77 the Frankincense which those trees yeeld: because 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is also the Greeke word* 1.78 for that Gumme.

Niger out of Aphrodiseus affirmeth, that on Libanus, there falleth a kinde of honie* 1.79 dew, which is by the Sunne congealed into hard sugar, which the Inhabitants call Sacchar, from whence came the Latine word Saccarum. [unspec 40]

The Riuers which Libanus bestoweth on the neighbour Regions are, Chrysor∣rhoas, Iordan, Elentherus, Leontes, Lycus, Adonis, Fons hortorum Libani, and others.

The rest of the Mountaines of Asser, are those Hils aboue Tyre, and the Hills of Saron, both exceeding fruitfull: but those are but of a low stature, compared with Libanus: for from Nebo, or the Mountaine of Abarim, in Reuben, Moses beheld Libanus three-score miles distant. [unspec 50]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ant. Itin.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 4. 9.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. l. 18.
• * 1.4

  Gen. 10. Ioseph.
• * 1.5

  Esa. 23. Hier. 47 Ezek. 28. & 32. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 9.
• * 1.6

  Palaest. Seig. f. 19. Vidian. Phoen. f. 278.
• * 1.7

  Strab. l. 16.
• * 1.8

  Strab. l. 16.
• * 1.9

  Zach. 9. v. z.
• * 1.10

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. l. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Plin. l. 5. c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.11

  It seemes that euen in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 glasse making, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 us for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is as much as combustiones a∣quarum, reades fornaces vitrari∣as. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11. 8. as it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, because these Fornaces were wher ther 〈◊〉〈◊〉 store of wa ter, either for the mouing of the bellows by the force of the water, or for o∣ther necessarie vses. But there are others that take them for salt pits, and o∣ther againe for hot baths.
• * 1.12

  The forme of Astoreth (or A∣starte) seemeth to haue beene a sheepe, for Deut. 7. 13. the word in the plu rall number fi∣gnifieth sheep: and this may confirme Au∣gustins opinion, that Astarte was Iuno: for the forme of her husband Iu∣piter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was a Ramme. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.13

  Math. 11. v. 20.
• * 1.14

  Tyr. 11. Bell. Sacr. 14.
• * 1.15

  Vitriac. c. 27.
• * 1.16

  Niger Postellus.
• * 1.17

  Virgil. l.
• * 1.18

  Plin. l. 5. c. 19.
• * 1.19

  Mercelin. l. 22.
• * 1.20

  Gellius. l. 4. c. 6.
• * 1.21

  Cap. 23.
• * 1.22

  Cap. 23.
• * 1.23

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. l. 18. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. l. 4.
• * 1.24

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. in. Cron. Ioseph. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. lit. 8. cap. 2.
• * 1.25

  Ezek. 28. 2. 27. vers 3.
• * 1.26

  Esai. 23. 3.
• * 1.27

  27. 8.
• * 1.28

  Iosep. ant. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. l. 11. c. 8.
• * 1.29

  De. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sacr l. 13. c. 4.
• * 1.30

  Iosep. Ant. lib. 9. cap. 14.
• * 1.31

  Et cont. Ap.
• * 1.32

  1. Guil. Tyrius. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Sacr. 13. 4. Iosep. Ant. lib. 9. cap. 15.
• * 1.33

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 29. 18. Esai. 23. &c.
• * 1.34

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 29. v. 19.
• * 1.35

  Iosep. ant. l. 10. c. 13.
• * 1.36

  Gul. Tyr. bell. sac.
• * 1.37

  Gul. Tyr. 11. Bell. sacr. 17.
• * 1.38

  Plin. lib. 5. c. 19. In descrip. terr. sanct.
• * 1.39

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Phi∣lometer.
• * 1.40

  1. Maccab. 1. 10.
• * 1.41

  1. Macc. 11. 18.
• * 1.42

  Ant. Itin.
• * 1.43

  Herrold.
• * 1.44

  G. Tyr. bell. sacr. lib. 10. cap. 28. Herrold. lib. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 7. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.45

  Broch.
• * 1.46

  Itin. 4.
• * 1.47

  Of the place & memorie of his death. See Chap. 9. §. 1.
• * 1.48

  Hieron. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hebr.
• * 1.49

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Iud. l. 1. c. 11.
• * 1.50

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. l. 5. c. 19.
• * 1.51

  1. Kings 20. 29. 1. Sam. 29. 1.
• * 1.52

  Cant. 4.
• * 1.53

  Itin. 1.
• * 1.54

  Ios. 12. 20.
• * 1.55

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. l. 2. c. 4. Continuation is Bell. sac.
• * 1.56

  Iosep. ant. 13. 21. & 15. 10.
• * 1.57

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. annot. in 1. Reg. 9. 11.
• * 1.58

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Sam. 10. 6.
• * 1.59

  Cap. 26.
• * 1.60

  See Kadesh in 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Matth. 15.
• * 1.61

  Marc. 7.
• * 1.62

  Maccab. 11. 73. Iosephus Antiq. 13. cap. 8.
• a 1.63

  Of which Iosephus in vita sua.
• b 1.64

  Of both which Ios. 19. 27 Ezek. 47. 15.
• c 1.65

  Or Enosa. Ioseph. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. lib. 1. cap. 4.
• * 1.66

  Ios. 21. 30.
• * 1.67

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Tab. 4.
• * 1.68

  Plin. l. 9.
• * 1.69

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Tab. 4.
• * 1.70

  Post 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est Tripolis.
• d 1.71

  The word Nacbal is am∣biguous, either for a Valley or for a Riuer: but this word Gbe is alway a Val∣ley, as in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.72

  Iosep. lib. 2. Bell. Iud. c. 3.
• * 1.73

  L. 5. c. 19. in Iosua, c. 19. v. 26 It is called Shi∣chor, of which name many vnderstand an other 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Ios. 13. 3. which running by Pe∣tra of Arabia, falleth into the Lake Sirbonis, & diuideth Ae∣gypt from the promised Land whereabout they place Rhi∣nocolura, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which city Iu∣nius taketh Shichor in that place of Iosua: but howsoeuer whether this Shichor, Ios. 13. 3 be a Riuer or a city, it appears that this name is found, both in the North bound of the holy Land, Ios. 19. 26. & in the South bound, Ios. 13. 3.
• a 1.74

  See the mar∣ginall Note a∣boue in the se∣cond Section of this Para∣graph.
• * 1.75

  Strab. l. 10. Plin. l. 5. c. 20.
• * 1.76

  Deut. 4. 48.
• * 1.77

  Strab. l. 10.
• * 1.78

  Pto. Asiae. Tab. 4 Sueton.
• * 1.79

  Nig. pag. 503.