The general history of Spain from the first peopling of it by Tubal, till the death of King Ferdinand, who united the crowns of Castile and Aragon : with a continuation to the death of King Philip III / written in Spanish by the R.F.F. John de Mariana ; to which are added, two supplements, the first by F. Ferdinand Camargo y Salcedo, the other by F. Basil Varen de Soto, bringing it down to the present reign ; the whole translated from the Spanish by Capt. John Stevens.

CHAP. IV. Of the coming of several Nations into Spain, as the Celts, Rhodians, Carthaginians, and Phenicians, also of Abides, and a wonderful Dearth.

IT is impossible particularly to assign the Time that each of the above-mentioned Kings Reigned, or in what Year of the World. The nearest we can guess, is, that the Geryons lived about the 4th or 5th Century after the Deluge, and Siculus above 200 Years before the Destruction of Troy. In his Time, or not long after, a great Fleet sailed from Zant, an Island in the Ionian Sea on the West of Peloponnesus, or Morea, and Landing in Spain, they built a strong Town, which they called Zazynthus of their own Country, afterwards, Saguntum, now Monviedro, These People in process of time gathering Strength, spread * 1.1 farther along the Coast, and at length built the most famous Temple of Diana, from which the Promontory Diaium, now Denia, took Name. In this Temple they placed Idols and Priests, and offered great Sacrifice, to the Admiration of the ignorant Natives, who looked upon them as something more than Men. All the Timber-work was of Juniper, a sort of Wood sweet and incorruptible, in so much, that Pliny affirms it was standing in his Time without the least sign of Decay. After the coming of the Zazynthians, Authors say there came ano∣ther Dionysius, or Bacchus, who was the Son of Semele, about 150 Years before the Trojan War, and in the farthest parts of Spain, betwixt the two Mouths of Guadalquivir, Founded Nebrixa, so called from Nebridae, which in Greek, signifies, Deer-skins, worn by Dionysius and his Followers, especially when they offered Sacrifice. The Name Veneria was afterwards * 1.2 given to Nebrixa. Diodorus Siculus Writes, there were three Dionysii or Bacchi. The first Son of Deucalion or Noah, the same, above called Ostris; the second, Son of Proserpine or Ceres, who was Painted with Horns, to show he was the first that yoak'd Oxen to Plow the Land; the third, the Son of Semele, Bornin Adultery in the City Meros, which signifies, a Thigh; whence the Poets feign that Jupiter bread him in his Thigh. Of him 'tis said, in imi∣tation of the first Dionysius, he Travelled the World, gained many Victories, and delivered Spain from Tyranny and Oppression. About this same time Milico, the Son of Mirica, is said to have had great Power and Authority among the Spaniards; and that his Successors not far from the Place where Baeça now stands, built Castulon among the Oretani, formerly one of the noblest Cities in Spain, now no other Memory of it is remaining but in the Cottages of Gazlona. Dionysius at his departure, left two of his Companions behind, the one Lusus, of whom the Lusitani took Name; the other Pan, whom the ignorant People worshiped as a God, and from him (as Varro and Plutarch will have it) the Country was first called Pania, * 1.3 and after by the addition of one Letter, Spania; Jason the Thessalian desiring to gain Ho∣nour, and Enrich himself, built a great Ship, and taking into it Hercules the Thèban, Orphe∣us, Linus, Castor, and Pollux, and many more, after Pillaging all the Coasts of Asia, came * 1.4 as far as the Mouth of the Streights, where Hercules built a Fort called Heraclea, now Gibral∣tar; whence they made Incursions, Robbing the Country, and had several Encounters with the Natives; thence they Sailed about to Saguntum, and were well received, as being all Greeks. From Saguntum they went over to Majorca, and took Bocorris the King of that Island; but understanding there was no Gold there, having taken in Provision, and some

large Oxen, they passed into Italy, where Hercules slew Cacus, and then returned into Greece. Hecateus denies that ever this Hercules came into Spain; but Diodorus, and all other Au∣thors testifie the contrary. To him it is that Virgil attributes the Killing of the Geryons; but this is a Poetical Licence, and great mistake of Times. After the coming of Hercules, and Death of Milico, Gargoris Reigned in Spain, and was called Mellicola, being the first that found out the taking of Honey. In this King's time hap'ned the famous Trojan War; which ended, the remainders of the Greeks and Trojans spread themselves, and Planted in several Parts of the World, and among the rest, in Spain. The first reckoned among those that came, is Teucrus, the Brother of Ajax, who not being permitted by his Father Telamon to * 1.5 return home alone, went first to Cyprus, where he built the City Salamina, now Famagosta, and thence passed into Spain, and is there said to have erected another City called Teucria, in the place where Carthagena now stands. Justin and St. Isidorus, both mention his coming to Spain, but not his building any City. But all agree that he passed out of the Streights, and sailing along the Coast, landed in Galicia, where he Founded the City Helene, now Ponteve∣dra; and add that he erected another called Amphilochia, by the Romans called Aquae Calidae, by the Suevi, Auria, now Orense. Next, Tydeus is said to have attempted several parts of the Spanish Coast, but that meeting Opposition, he sailed on to the Northern Coast of Portugal, where betwixt the Rivers Minho and Lima, he Founded the City Tuy, in Latin, Tude or Tyde. Strabo writes, that Mnesteus the Athenian with a Fleet came to the Mouth of the River Be∣lon, now Guadalete, where he built a City of his own Name, and is the same that is now Port St. Mary; and besides, a Temple between the two branches of Guadalquivir, which was cal∣led Oraculum Mnesteum. To conclude, Strabo and Solinus affirm, that Ʋlysses came into Spain, and built the City of Lisbon, from him in Latin called Ʋlysippo; but others reject this Opi∣nion, in regard the ancient Name was Olysippo, not Ʋlysippo, and because there are no Grounds to believe that ever Ʋlysses was there.

About this time (according to Justin) Gargoris Reigned over the Curetes, and resided in the * 1.6 Forest of the Tarresii, where Ancients feigned the Titans waged War with the Gods. This King stained all the Virtues with which he was endowed, with the Cruelty he used towards his Grandson Abides. This Child was Born of his Daughter out of Wedlock; the Grand-Father to hide this shame, caused him to be exposed to wild Beasts, who forgetting their * 1.7 Fierceness, Nursed him with their Milk. Gargoris no way Mollified, caused him to be laid in a Path where Cattle was to pass, to be trod to Death; and having escaped this danger, cast him to Dogs that had been kept Hungry on purpose that they might Devour him; in fine, he was thrown into the Sea, which laid him again on the Shore, where he was Suckled by a Doe. Being grown up, Abides of the nature of his Nurse, became so nimble, that he out ran the swiftest Beasts, and withall so wild, that he lived on the Mountains by Rapine. The neighbouring People having suffered much laid a Toil, into which he fell, and was by them carried to his Grandfather; Gargoris by some natural Instinct, as also by Marks that had been observed in the Body of him when a Child, discovered who he was, and changing his Severity into Love, named him Abides; kept him as long as he lived as became his Grandson, and at his Death appointed him his Heir. Abides being seated on the Throne, sur∣passed * 1.8 all his Predecessors in the Administration of the Government; he persuaded his Sub∣jects who before lived dispersed, to gather themselves into Towns and Cities, whereby the Wildness of those People was much Polished, he restored the use of Wine, and manner of Tilling the Ground, which had been long forgot; the People living upon such things as Nature produced. He instituted Laws, erected Tribunals, and named Judges and Ma∣gistrates. By these means he gained the good Will of his Subjects, and purchased great re∣nown among Strangers; and having lived to a great Age, departed this Life, leaving behind an immortal Fame. He was Contemporary with King David; but Justin will have it, that he lived at the same time with the Geryons, and was King only of some part of Spain. It is said his Progeny Reigned for many Years after him, but none of their Actions, or so much as their Names can be found, nor any other remarkable Occurrence for a long Tract of Time; only a most wonderful Dearth that hap'ned, which lasted 26 Years, so that all the Rivers, except Ebro and Guadalquivir were dryed up, and the Earth gaping, the rich People * 1.9 who stay'd longest, were deprived of means to fly to other Countries, the Poor having at first withdrawn themselves to the neighbouring Provinces. Thus the greatest part of Spain, especially the Inland was not only strip'd of all manner of Trees, but totally unpeopled, and left Desart. This season being past, and the Land again moistened with Rain, the Na∣tives that had escaped, mixed with other Nations, returned, and restored the Spanish Race, almost extinct. Most of our Authors agree in this Account, but others, and those very Learned, will no way allow of it, and the Reasons they give, are, that no Greek nor Latin Author makes any mention of it, and so remarkable a Transmigration could not have escap∣ed their Knowledge; that it is impossible Ebro and Guadalquivir could have preserved any moisture during so many Years, if we consider how many great Rivers are almost dryed up in one hot Summer; that such a Drought would not cause the Ground to open, but rather fall away all to Dust; as may be seen in Libya, and other parts of Africk, because Moisture unites, and Driness dissipates Bodies. This is what our Historians write; my Opinion is,

that as things at a great distance, are always represented greater than really they are, so it hap'ned in this Dearth, which doubtless, was much less than it is made; and it is probable it Rained sometimes, and so much as might unite the Earth, and preserve the Rivers, yet not enough to produce any sort of Grain or Fruit.

The Fame of this Desolation being spread, moved many of the neighbouring People once it was past, to come over with their Stocks and Families to re-people the Country; every one possessed himself of that Part he liked best, and Multitudes resorting from all Parts, thro' their Industry and the great Number of their Off-spring, the Beauty of Spain was again soon restored, the Land improv'd, and many Towns and Cities built. The Celtae, a People of France passing the Pyrenean Mountains, possest themselves of all that part of France which lies on the North * 1.10 of Ebro, and East of the River Idubeda, a fertile and pleasant Country, where is now the City Tarracona, and formerly those of Netobriga and Arcobriga. From these Celtae, and the Native Iberi, great part of Spain was called Celtiberia. These People increased and spread far Southward, as appears by Segobriga, Belsino, Ʋrcesia and other Towns, reckoned among the Celtiberi; on the Northern Borders of the Celtiberi were the Arevaci, where are now Osma, and Agreda, the Duraci, Neritae, Pelendones, Presamarci and Cileni, all included under the ge∣neral Name of Celtiberi, and joyned to them by Affinity. It is a received Opinion, that the Rhodians, who were great Sailers, built Rhodope or Rhoda, now Roses, upon a large Bay near the * 1.11 Foot of the Pyreneans, which in the time of the Goths, was a great City and Bishoprick, tho' now small and inconsiderable. The Rhodians are said to be the first who taught the Spaniards to make Cables, and Weave Rushes for many uses, and also to make Horse-mills to grind their Corn; they were also the first that taught them the use of Copper Coin, which then appeared very ridiculous to the Spaniards. In process of Time, they built a Temple to Di∣ana, and another to Hercules. About 12 Miles from Roses, is Empurias, at the Foot of the Pyreneans, at which Place, about this same time, the Mountain was Fired, whether acciden∣tally or by design, is not known; but certain it is, these Hills by the Greeks were called Pyr, that is, Fire, either by reason of this Accident, or for the great Lightning that is often on the Tops of them. This great Fire melted the Veins of Gold and Silver, which were very plentiful there, and in many other Parts of Spain, in such manner, that those Metals ran down the sides of the Mountain, to the great surprise of the Inhabitants, who admired the Beauty, but understood not the Value of them. But the Fame hereof being spread Abroad, induc'd Foreigners to flock thither, in hopes to gather that neglected Treasure, or to purchase it of the Natives for things of small value.

The Phenicians are esteemed the first that durst venture out with great Fleets into the * 1.12 open Sea, and steer their Course by the North Star. These having gained the Sovereignty of the Seas from the Rhodians, and Phrygians, are said to have set out from the famous City of Tyre, in quest of the Riches of Spain. What part of Spain they first landed in, Authors do not agree. Aristotle says, the Phenicians were the first, who coming to the Streights∣mouth, purchased of the People of Tartesso, or Tarifa, for Oil, more Silver than their Ships could carry away. It is more likely, this was about the Pyreneans, as being nearer to them, and the Silver, to be some of that melted by the great Conflagration abovementioned. Our Historians relate, that Sicheus commanded one of their Fleets, and got here, those great Riches, which tempted his Brother-in-law Pygmalion, to murther him. This Voyage being for some time laid aside, by reason of the Death of Sicheus, Pygmalion set out with a Fleet from Tyre, and landed among the Turduli, that is, in Andaluzia, at the Place where now stands Almun̄ecar; he built a Town for the security of Trade, calling it Axis, or Exis; and returning home with much Treasure, made afterwards several Voyages, till he came as far as Cadiz; which Island before called Erythrea, from that time was known by the Name of Gadira, that is, a Bulwark, either in respect it is the Bulwark of Spain against the swelling Sea, or in regard of the Fortifications raised by the Phenicians. They also built a Temple to Hercules, on that point of Land which is opposite to the Continent, and is thence called Promontorium Herculeum. The Phenicians grown Rich with the Trade of Spain, and having built Malaga and Abdera, thought of nothing less than possessing themselves of the whole Country. At this same time the Foundation of the City of Rome was laid; Heze∣kiah Reigned in Jerusalem, after Salmanasar King of the Assyrians had extirpated the Kingdom of Israel. This is the same Salamanasor, who laid Siege to Jerusalem, and design∣ing to Conquer the whole World, went with a mighty Army into Egypt, where he was o∣verthrown by Taracho, King of Egypt and AEthiopia. Taracho after that Victory, subdu'd many Kingdoms; Strabo testifies, he passed over into Europe; and our Historians say he came into Spain, where not far from the River Ebro, he built the City Tarragona, which the Scipio's long after rebuilt, and made the Metropolis of the Roman Empire in Spain; which gave occasion not only to the Ignorant, but to learned Authors, and among them, Pliny and Solinus, to attribute the Foundation of it to them.

After the Death of Queen Dido, the Power of the Carthaginians increased by Sea and Land. Their chief aim was to extend their Empire in Europe, to this end, they attempt∣ed * 1.13 Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica; but being repulsed by the Natives, thought fit to try their Fortune upon lesser Islands; in order hereunto, directing their Course towards Spain, they

possessed themselves of Iviça, which is an Island girt with Rocks, and difficult of Access, unless toward the South, where is a large and spacious Harbour. This Island is opposite to Cape Denia, about 100 Miles distant from the Coast of Spain; it is small, being not above 20 Miles in Circumference, at that time it was Wild, and covered with Woods of Pine-trees, whence the Greeks called it Pytuissa. It produces great plenty of Salt, the Air is temperate. and the nature of the Soil such, it does not only breed no Vermin or venomous Creatures, but if any are brought thither, they presently die. This is the more wonderful, for that as ancient Cosmographers affirm, near it was another Island, not Habitable, by reason of the Multitudes of Snakes and poisonous Animals, whence it was called Ophiusa, that is, Island of Snakes. We cannot certainly determine which Island this should be, at present; some say it is Formentera, because but two Miles from Iviça; others will have it to be Dragonera, by reason of the likeness of the Names. The most Learned are of Opinion, that a Mountain called Colubre, joyning to the Continent, and opposite to Pen̄iscola, was called in Greek Ophiusa, and in Latin Colubraria; notwithstanding, ancient Geographers place their Ophiusa near to Iviça. The Carthaginians being possessed of Iviça, and having built there a City of the same Name, resolved next to attempt Majorca, and Minorca, distant 30 Miles from one another, and 60 from the Coast of Spain. The Greeks sometime called them Gynesiae, by reason the Inhabitants went Naked, and other whiles, Baleares, for their skill in casting Stones with Slings; but in particular, the greatest was called Clumba, and the lesser, Nura, as An∣toninus testifies, and from him Florian. Before they would attempt to Land, the Carthaginians went round these Islands to view all their Creeks and Harbours, and being terrified by the * 1.14 fierceness of the Inhabitants, having lost some of their forwardest Men that durst go a Shore, they despaired of Success there, and stoodover for the Coast of Spain, with a design to make Discoveries, and gain some Footing there. But with little Success, for the People of Saguntum foreseing the danger of such Neighbours, persuaded the Natives to have no Com∣merce with them; which together, with the Distress of their own Country, at that time labouring under Civil Broils, and set upon by the Neighbouring Africans, obliged the Car∣thaginians to return home. Where to appease their Gods, they Instituted an inhuman Sacri∣fice of Young-men, which was afterwards used in Spain, with such Rigour, that in their greatest Distress, they thought none a sufficient Sacrifice, but the King's eldest Son; a Custom taken from the Moabites, and sometimes practised by the Idolatrous Jews.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Saguntum built by the Greeks.
• * 1.2

  Bachus builds Ne∣brixa.
• * 1.3

  Lusitani so call'd from Lusus.
• * 1.4

  Argonauts in Spain.
• * 1.5

  Trojaus come into Spain.
• * 1.6

  Gargoris, or Melli∣cola.
• * 1.7

  Abides's Birth and Educa∣tion.
• * 1.8

  His Reign.
• * 1.9

  A won∣derful Dearth.
• * 1.10

  The Celtae, a People of France, come into Spain.
• * 1.11

  Coming of the Rho∣dians.
• * 1.12

  Phenicians build Towns and settled in Spain.
• * 1.13

  Carthigi∣nians their undertak∣ings.
• * 1.14

  Beleares Islands.