Pilgrimage, Book 1 · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV.
Of Syria, and the ancient Religions there: of the Syrian Goddesse; and her Rites at Hierapolis: Of the Daphnean, and other Syrian superstitions.
SYRIA is called, in Scripture, Aram, of Aram the sonne of Shem, Gen. 10. 22. as before is said. And Strabo (lib. 1.) calleth the Syrians Arammaei. Hence also his Arinsi are deriued and Arami (lib. 13.) It is diuersly bounded by diuers Authors: some confounding the names of Syria and Assyria. Eustathius doth reckon these fiue parts thereof, viz. Commagena, Seleucide, Coelesyria, Phoenicia, and Iudaea. Mela extendeth it further, lib. 1. and Pliny, lib. 5. cap. 12. nameth, as part of Syria, Palaestina, Iudaea, Coele, Phoenice, Damascena, Babylonia, Mesopotamia, Sophene, Commagene, Adiabene, Antiochia. And in this large sense doth aG. Post. Bar. Syr. descrip. Broc. descrip. Ter. san.Postellius and Brocardus stretch it beyond Tigris Eastward from the Mediterranean sea, and from Armenia to Arabia. But Dom. Niger, and before him bLib. 5. c. 15.Ptolomey (whome wee especially follow) make it abutte on the North vponupon Cilicia, and part of Cappadocia, by the Mount Amanus; on the South, vponupon Iudaea, and part of Arabia Petraea; on the East, vponupon Arabia Deserta and Euphrates; on the West, vponupon the Syrian sea.
This Countrey is thought to hauehave beene the habitation of our first parents, before the Floud, and of Noah and his sincerer familie (as wee hauehave said) after. Yet how soone, and how much, they degenerated in the wicked off-spring of cursed Cham whose posteritie peopled a great part hereof, till they were thence by the Israelites expelled, the Scripture is sufficient record. Yea, euen from Noahs time did they deriue their Idolatrie, as appeareth by cLucian. de D… a Syria.Lucians narration of the Syrian Goddesse, which he partly saw with his eyes, and partly receiued of the Priests report. This Goddesse was with godlesse Rites serued and obserued at Hierapolis; which, although Strabo dLib. 16.placeth it beyond the Riuer in Mesopotamia, is by Pliny eLib. 5. c. 23.accounted in Coelesyria, called also Bambyce, and, of the Syrians themselues, Magog; and by Ptolomey named among the Syrian Cities of the diuision Cirristica, in 71. 15. Longit. and 56. 15. Latit. And Lucian (who himselfe was there; for fGilh… Cognat. in Annot.hee calleth himselfe an Assyrian, and was borne at Samosata in Commagena) placeth it on this side the Riuer. Plinie and Strabo (deceiued in the name) mention the worship of Atargatis (called of the Greekes Derceto) in this place: but Lucian (other-where a scoffer, here an Historian) at large describeth it, making this difference betweene This and That, that Atargetis was halfe a fish, but the Syrian Goddesse wholly resembled a woman.
The Citie he thinketh to hauehave receiued the name Hierapolis (Holy Citie) of these holy things here obserued; in which respect in giueth place to none other place in Syria: hauing a stately Temple, enriched with gifts, Statues, and (as they esteemed them) Miracles. Arabia, Phoenicia, Babylonia, Cappadocia, Cilicia, and Assyria brought her Presents, and celebrated her solemne-Feasts.
This Temple was (in the Syrians opinion) first founded by Deucalion, whose Historie you would thinke Lucian had learned of the Hebrewes, not of the Syrians, or Greekes; so liuely doth he expresse the infidelitie and crueltie of the old World; the manner of the Floud; the Arke wherein, with himselfe, his wife, and children, he saued also all other creatures that liued on the earth, which came to him by couples, by dispensation of Iupiter. Hereunto these Hierapolitans adde, That in their Territorie was made a great Clift, which swallowed vp those waters: which Clift (but then verie little) was shewed to our Author: to whome also they reported, That, in memorie hereof, Deucalion instituted that Rite, which to his time continued; that twice eueryevery yeare, not the Priests onelyonly, but many out of all Syria, Arabia, and beyond Euphrates, went to the Sea, and from thence brought water, which they poured downe in the Temple which he had built ouer that Clift vntounto Iuno; all which water was receiued into the same.
Some ascribe the building of this Temple to Semiramis, in honour of her mother Derceto: others to Attes, for the worship of Rhea: which Attes was a Lydian, and was author of the superstitions of Rhea, to the Phrygians, Lydians, and Samothracians: but the opinion most probable was, that Dionysius or Bacchus was founder of it; two substantiall witnesses, besides others, affirming the same, namely two Phalli, or Priapi (huge Images of the priuie part of a man) erected at the entrie of the Temple, with an inscription, That Bacchus had consecrated them to Iuno. That auncient foundation being consumed by time, this later Temple was erected by Queene Stratonice, who being in a dreame enioyned this office of Iuno, and, for neglecting the same, punished with sicknesse, vowed vponupon her recouerie to performe it. The King ioyned in Commission with her, as Generall of his Armie, and ouerseer of these holy workes, a beautifull young man, named Combabus: who fearing what might happen, gelded himselfe, and closing those his dismembred members (first for their preseruation embalmed) in a boxe sealed, as some great treasure, he committed to the Kings fidelitie, to be safely reserued to his vse. Which his practise saued his life accordingly, being after produced to cleare him of adulterie with Stratonice, which had been layd to his charge by his enuious accusers, and by the iealous King greedily apprehended. In memorie whereof, a brazen Statue of Combabus was set vp in this Temple, and both then (whether to solace Combabus, or by inspiration of Iuno) and yearely euer after, many in this Temple gelded themselues, and put off together the nature and habit of men, attyring themselues like women. These Man-women Priests were called Galli.
The Temple was built in the middest of the Citie, compassed with a double wall; the Porch looking Northwards, almost an hundred fadome high; where stood those Priapi aforesaid, about the height of three hundred fadome: vp to one of these one ascendeth twice a yeare, and abideth in the top thereof seuen dayes. He carrieth with him a long chayne, which he letteth downe, and thereby draweth vp to him such things as he needeth. Many offer Gold, and Siluer, and Brasse, and one appointed receiueth their names, which he sheweth to him aboue, and he maketh his prayers for eueryevery of them, sounding, while hee prayeth, a little Bell. The Temple within shineth with gold, and the Roofe is wholly of this Mettall; it yeeldeth so fragrant a smell, that the Garments of those, which come thither, retame this sent long after.
There is also another inner Roome or Quire, whereinto the chiefe of the Priests onelyonly hauehave entrance; yet is it open without any dore. In this Sanctuarie are the Images of the Gods; Iupiter, supported with Bulls, but Iuno sitteth vponupon Lyons, holding in one hand a Scepter, and in the other a Distasfe, in some thing or other resembling diuers other Goddesses, by the Aegyptians, Indians, Armenians, Babylonians, Aethiopians, and Medes, adorned with many Iewels: and among the rest she hath on her head a stone called the lampe, of the effect, yeelding light in the night season, as if all the Temple were hanged with Lampes. This statue goeth twice a yeere to the sea, for the water before mentioned: neither of the Syrians is called by any name, but onelyonly the Image, not expressing of whom.
In the temple is the image of Apollo cloathed, with a beard, (contrarie to the custome of the Greekes, and in a farre more glorious manner) giuing forth Oracles: for it moueth it selfe, which, the Priests espying, lift it vp alost (otherwise it sweateth and moueth it selfe forward neuerthelesse) and being thus supported, it turneth it selfe and them about, and leapeth from one place to another. Then doth the chiefe of the Priests, make supplication and request for all things: which if it misliketh, it goeth backwards; if it approueth, it carrieth them forwards: and without these Oracles they enterprise nothing neither priuate nor sacred: and Lucian saith hee saw it leauing the Priests (the supporters) and mouing it selfe aboue in the ayre. Here are also the statues of Atlas, Mercury, and Lucina, and without, a great brasen Altar, and many brasen images of Kings and Priests, and many others recorded in poets and histories. Among others standeth the image of Semyramis pointing to the temple with her finger, which (they say) is the signe of her repentance, who hauing giuen commaundement to the Syrians, to worship no other God but her selfe, was by plagues (sent from heauen) driuen to reuoke that former edict, and thus seemeth to acknowledge and point out another Deitie. There were also places inclosed, wherein were kept and fed; sacred Oxen, horses, Eagles, Beares, Lyons.
The Priests were in number aboue 300. some for killing sacrifices: some for offerings: some ministring fire to others at the altar: their garment all white: their head couered: and eueryevery yeare was chosen a new High-priest, which alone was cloathed with purple, and a golden head-tire. A great multitude there was besides of Musicians, Galli, and Propheticall women: they sacrificed twice a day, whereat they all assembled. To Iupiter they vse neither song, nor instrument, in sacrifice: as they doe to Iuno.
Not farre hence was a lake of 200. fadome depth, wherein were preserued sacred fishes, and in the middest thereof an altar of stone, crowned alwaies with garlands, and burning with odours. They hauehave a great feast which they call the going downe to the lake, when all their idols descend thither.
Their greatest and most solemne feast was obserued in the spring, which they called the fire: which they solemnifed in this sort. They felled great trees, and laide them in the Churchyard (as we may terme it) and bringing thither goates, sheepe, and other beasts, they hanged them on these trees; & together with them, foules, and garments, and workes of golde and siluer, which being set in due order, they carry the images of the gods about the trees, and then set all on fire. They resort to this feast out of Syria, and the coasts adioining, & bring hither their idols with them: and great multitudes resorting to the sacrifices, the Galli, and those other sacred wights beat and wound each other. Others play on instruments, and others, rauished by diuine furie, prophecie: and then doe the Galli enter into their orders: for the furie rauisheth many of the beholders. Whatsoeuer yong man commeth prepared to this purpose, hurling off his garments, with a great voice he goeth into the middest, and drawing his sword geldeth himselfe; and runneth through the Citie, carrying in his hands, that which he would no longer carry on his bodie. And into whatsoeuer house he casteth the same, he receiueth from thence his womanish habite and attire. When any of them die, his fellowes carrying him into the Suburbes, couer him and his horse with stones, and may not enter into the Temple in 7. daies after: nor after the fight of any other carkasse in one day, but none of that family where one hath died, in 30. dayes: and then also with a shauen head. Swine they hold for vncleane beasts. And the Doue they esteeme so sacred, that if one touch one against his will, he is that day vncleane. This causeth Doues in those parts to multiply exceedingly: neither doe they touch fishes: This because of Derceto, halfe a woman, halfe a fish: that, for Semiramis vvhichwhich vvas metamorphosed into a Doue.*Euseb de praep. l. 8. c. 5.
Many are the ceremonies also to be performed of the religious Pilgrims, or Votaries that visite this holy Citie: for before hee setteth forth, hee cuts off the hayre of his head and browes, hee sacrificeth a sheepe, and spreading the fleece on the ground, hee kneeleth downe on it, and layeth vponupon his head the head and feete of the beast, and prayeth to be accepted: the rest he spendeth in the banquet. Then doth hee crowne himselfe, and his fellow pilgrims, and after sets forward on his pilgrimage, vsing for his drinke and washing colde vvater, and sleepeth alway on the ground till his returne home. In this Citie vvere appointed publique Hostes, for diuers Cities diuers, called Doctors, because they expounded these mysteries: They hauehave also one manner of sacrificing, to hurle downe the beastes destinied herevnto, from the toppe of the porch, which die of the fall. They hauehave a like rite to put their Children in a Sacke, and carry them downe, branded first on the necke or palme of the hand: and hence it was that all the Assyrians were branded. The young men also consecrated their hayre from their Natiuitie, vvhichwhich being cut in the Temple, vvas there preserued in some boxe of golde or siluer, with the inscription of the owners name thereon. And this did I (saith Lucian) in my youth: and my hayre and name remaine in the Temple still. Of Atergatis see more in the chapter of Phoenicca.
Suetonius tels of Nero, that hee contemned all Religions but this of the Syrian Goddesse: of vvhichwhich also hee grewe weary, and defiled her with Vrine. After which he obserued a little Needle, supposed to hauehave a power of fore-signifying danger: and because soone after he had it, hee found out a conspiracie intended against him, he sacrificed thereto three times a day.
Plutarch *De conso' at. ad Ap.calleth the Syriane an effeminate Nation prone to teares: and saith, that some of them after the death of their friends hauehave hidden themselues in Caues, from the sight of the sunne many dayes.
Rimmon the idoll of the Syrians, and his temple is mentioned, 2 King. 5. 18. But I hauehave litle certainty to say of him.
Antiochia built by Selencus, (to whom, in honour of his memorie, in mount Cassius they obserued sacred solemnities, as to a demigod) sometimes the seate royall of the Syrian Kings, third Citie of the Roman Empire, third seate of the Christian Patriarches, and first, where that melodious name of Christian was heard: is now the Sepulchre (saith Boterus) of it selfe, or, (as Niger) a greater wildernesse, vvherein it selfe is least part of it selfe, beeing left but a small Village (saith hCartwright.another) in the middest of it's owne walles.
About fiue miles from Antiochia, was that faire and sacred Daphne, vvhichwhich Ortelius in his Theater hath presented to the spectators, with a peculiar description, and of vvhichwhich the elder Authors iS…zomen. l. 5 18. Niceph. l. 10. c. 18. Euogr. l. 1. c. 16. Strab. l. 16.hauehave plentifully written. It was 10. miles about: a place eueryevery way enuironed vvith many stately Cypresses, besides other trees, which suffered not the Sunne to kisse their mother (Earth:) vvhose lappe was according to the diuersitie of the season replenished with varietie of flowers, her breastes flowing with streames of watery nourishment. A spring there was, deriuing (as men supposed) her water from the Castalian Fountaines, to which auncient superstition (and therefore superstitious Antiquitie) attributed a diuining faculty with like name and force to that at Delphos. This also was furthered by the Legend of Daphne, kOv. Metam. l. 1recorded by the Poets, beleeued (and what will not Superstition beleeue, but the truth?) by the credulous multitude: who was said to hauehave fled from Apollo, and here turned into a tree. But thus could not Apollo bee turned from his louelove, which hee continued both to the Tree and place. This was Lettice sutable to the lips of vaine youth. lTer. in Eunicho.Et quia confimilem luserat (saith amorous Chaerea of Iupiter in the Comicke)
I am olim ille ludum, impendio magis,
Animus gandebat mihi, &c.
Ego homincio non sacerem?
There needed no other lecture of sensualitie to them, then this Legend, especially in this schoole, where eueryevery place might be a place of argument (vnderunder presence of reason and religion) to shut true Religion, and reason out of the place, especially with schollers greedy of this conclusion.
Here you might hauehave heard the whisking windes in a murmuring accent breathing this lustfull Oratorie: the Enamelled floore did offer her more then officious courtesie, (a soft, sweet, and inlayed bed) to lie in; the ayre with Temperature, seemed to further Intemperance: The eye of the Day, & watchmen of the Night, were prohibited by the Cypresse roose, with their vnwelcome light, to restifie those workes of darknes, which those guilty boughes couered from discouering: Once, the concurring obiects of each sense, did in silence speake and perswade to sensuall pleasure, insomuch that by a generall Decree, Temperance and Temperate men were hence exiled, and scarse would the vulgar allow him the name of a man, which here would not bee transformed into a beast, or would presume, without a Curtesan, to tread on this holy ground. Needs must they goe whom the diuell driueth: such God, such religion. Here were erected sumptuous buildings: the temple of Apollo Daphnaus, with a stately Image therin; the worke (as was thought) of Seleucus: also Dianas chappel & sanctuarie. Iulius Capitolinus writeth that Verus a voluptuous Emperour spent his summers here, and wintered in Antioch. Seuerus (more truely answering his name) did to death certaine Tribunes (saith Lampridius) by whose negligence the Souldiors here were suffered to ryot. The Oracles added renowne to the place, which were deluered out of these Daphnaean waters by a certaine winde or breath. Hadrian the Emperor is reported to hauehave hence receiued the faculty of Diuining, by dipping a Cypresse lease in the Fountaine. Iulian resorted hither often for that purpose. But his elder brother Gaellus, whom Constantius had called to be Casar, & after (saith Ammianus) for his outrages executed, had in the time of his abode at Antioch, remoued the bones of Babylas their Bishop & other holy Martyrs his companions in suffering, to this place, where also he built a church. Now when as Iulian in his Persian expedition had sent others to visite all the other Oracks in the Romane Empire, himselfe here consulted with Apollo, (an Apostata Emperour with an Apostata Angell) about the successe of those warres. But all his sacrifices obtained no other answere, then that he could not answere, by the countermaund of a more diuine power there liuing in those dead bones. Herevpon Iulian commanded the Christians to remoue those ill neighbours: which they did (saith Theodoret,) with a solemne procession, singing the Psalmes, & dancing with the heart of Danid; making this the burthen, and foote of each verse, Confounded be all they that worship grauen images: where with Iulian, enraged, persecuted the Christians. Euagrius affirmeth, that he built a temple in honour of Babylas: how truely, I know not. But the True GOD confounded both the Idol & Idolater, shortly after, calling the one to giuegive account of his-ill emploied stewardship; vncertaine whether by diuine or humane hand: and for the other, his temple was consumed with fire from aboue, together with the Image, one pillar wherof remained in Chrysostomes dayes. The Pagans attributed this fire to the Christians: and no maruell: for what did not that fire of blind Idolatry (kindled with Zeale) attribute to the innocent Christians? herein testifying that it came from hell, & must to Hel againe, by that hellish Character and impression, of so great fire, and as great Darknesse. Such is Hell, & such is ignorant Zeale: a fire but no light. Apollos priest by no torments could be forced to contesse any authour thereof: & the officers of the temple affirmed it was fire from heauen, which certaine country people confirmed by their owne sight. Iulian to satisfie his rage caused some temples of the Christians to be burned. Nicophorus mNic.l.16.23, & 17.14.telleth of the continuance of this Daphnaean groue, honoured with Buildings and spectacles, by Mammianus and Chosroes. Apollo's image was made of wood, couered ouer with gold. Theodosius forbade the cutting of any of those Cypresses.
Orontes is a riuer which ariseth in Coelesyria, and payeth Tribute to all the three Brethren: it visiteth Pluto's pallace, running with a long tract vnderunder the Earth, and then heauing vp his head, maketh his gladsome homage to Iupiter; and after his customes paied to the Antiochians, in fine poureth himselfe into the lappe of Neptune, entring the Sea neere to Seleucia. nStrab.l.16.It was called Typhon, vntill Orontes, building a bridge ouer it, caused it to be called by his name. They had heere a tale of Typhen a huge Dragon, which diuided the earth, as he went seeking to hide himselfe, and perished by the stroke of a thunderbolt. Thus did he indent a passage for this riuer. Not farre hence was a sacred Caue called Nymphoeum: also Mount Casius, and Anticasius, and Heraclia,: and nigh thereto the temple of Minerus. In Laodicea was this Goddesse honoured, to whome they offered oEus de laudib.constantini.in yearely sacrifice in olde time a maide, after that in steede thereof a hart.
I may here mention also that, which Tacitus pTacit.l.2.bist.reporteth of the Mount Carmel (as he placeth it,) betwixt Iudea and Syria, where they worshipped a God of that name with Ethnicke rites. They had not any Temple or Statue to this God, an Altar onelyonly and Reuerence was here seene: Vespasian did in this place offer sacrifice, where Basilides the Priest viewing the entrals, foretold him of his good successe. Laodicea, a citie of Syria, vsed this sacred butchery once a yeere, to offer a maiden in sacrifice: as testifieth Euseb.de praep. Euang.l.4.c.8.