Pilgrimage, Book 3 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
Of ARABIA, and of the auncient Religions, Rites, and Customes thereof.
ARABIA is a very large Region, aMaginus.lying betweene two Bayes or Gulfes of the Sea, the Persian on the East, and that which hereof is called the Arabian, on the West: On the South is the Ocean; on the North is Syria and Euphrates. bPlin.l.6.28. Orosius, l.1.Plinie sets downe the Northerne Limits, the Hill Amanus, oueragainst Cilicia and Commagena; many Colonies of them being there planted by Tigranes the Great: it thence (sayth he) declineth to our Sea and the Aegyptian shore, and to the heart of Syria to Mount Libanus. By a certaine workmanship of Nature it much resembleth the forme and site of Italie. cSolin.36.Arabia signifieth Holy. The Nations in this wide Tract of Land are many. It is the next to be spoken of in this our Discourse, according to our Geographicall method, as confining vponupon Iudaea, whence we last departed.
dDraudius in Solin. Beros.l.4.Some deriue the name from Arabus, the sonne of Apollo and Babylonia. And the forged Berosus of Annius telleth, That Ianus pater sent one Sabus into Arabia Foelix; Arabus into Arabia Deserta; and Petreius into Petraea, all nephewes of Cham; all indeed the sonnes of Annius his braine. True it is, that Arabia is commonly diuided into those three parts, Petraea, Deserta, and Foelix. Of the Nations in Arabia, Plinie writeth largely, amongst the rest naming the Saracens, of which wee are anon to speake at large. But long before Plinie, the Scripture speaketh of the people of this Region (not onelyonly those which are said to descend of Cush, the sonne of Cham, but of many others which descended of Abraham. as Ishmael the sonne of Abraham, by Hagar; and eGen.25.2.Zimran, and Iokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak and Shuah with their posteritie, the issue of Abraham by Keturah: who, after that Seba and Sabbetha, and Rama and Sabtheca had peopled some parts of Arabia, were sent away with their portions Eastward to the East Countrey, that is, into Arabia; where it is likely they mingled their Seed and Generations with those former of the posteritie of Cham: for therefore it seemeth Moses wife, Zipporah, was called a fNum.12.1.Cushite, or (as some reade) an Aethiopian, not that shee was of the Countrey Aethiopia, but a Midianite of Arabia, of Abrahams race: which Countrey, because the posteritie of Cush had first inhabited, and happily had mingled themselues in marriages with them, shee is called a Cushite, which some wrongly expound an Aethiopian; although Cush were also the father of the Aethiopians. This posteritie of Abraham are, in Scripture, often called the children of the East.
The name Foelix, or Happie, is giuen to the Southerly parts of Arabia, for the fertilitie thereof: gArias Montan. Caleb.the name Petraea to a second part, of Petra the Seat royall, after called Arach, of Aretas an Arabian King.
The Desert Arabia hath a name answerable to the nature thereof; being, in great part, without inhabitants, for the barrennesse of the soyle: as is also a great part of that which is called Petraea. This Desert Arabia is also hMaginus, Plotom.l.5.called Aspera, Inferior, C…ua, and of the Hebrewes Cedar. It is bounded on the East with Babylonia, and part of the Persian Gulfe; on the North with Mesopotamia, neere to Euphrates; on the West, with Syria and Arabia Petraea; on the South, are the Mountaines of Arabia Foelix. Neere to them and to Euphrates it hath some Townes, and is frequented with Merchants, otherwhere partly vnpeopled, partly (Strabo therefore tearmeth it iScenitae, vel Nymades, foreignScenitis) fedde with such jI entorys.Roming Arabians, as hauehave no dwelling-houses, but remoue to and fro, seeking where to finde pasture for their Beasts, and lodge in Tents.
Dauid accounteth himselfe kPs.120.5.miserable for this dwelling in the Tents of Kedar or (as Tremellius reades it) lTanquam Scenita Kedareni.as the Scenites of Kedar. Thus did the Patriarchs of old, thus did the Scythians, and thus doe the Tartars and the Arabians in Asia, Africa, and Europe, at this day, roming, rouing, robbing.
They mBoter. relat. part.1.l.2.which dwell in Townes and Cities, obseruing a more ciuill life, are called Moores, the other Arabians, in more proper appellation. The name Moores was giuen them of the Spaniards, because out of Mauritania they inuaded Spaine, and now nAdrichem. Theat.T.S.is taken vsually, not so much for the inhabitants of the Arabian Cities, as for all of the Arabian and Mahumetane Superstition. Bosra is the chiefe Citie.
Arabia Petraea adioyneth on the West and North to Syria; on the East to the Desert Arabia; on the South to the Happie. Plinïe, Strabo, and Ptolomey call it Nabathaea. Some thinke, of Nebaioth, sonne of Ishmael. Tyrius calls it Arabia Secunda. Now it is called by Ruscelli, Baraab; or after Ziglerus, Barra; or Bathalatha, after Castaldus.
Nigh to Syria it is more plentifull, then in other parts. The scarcitie of wood and water, with the barrennesse of the Soyle in other places, shew how it is maligned of the Elements. Both in this part, and the former, they had neede goe strong and well accompanied, for feare of Robberie and Spoyle, which the Arabians attend.
This part is famous vntounto all Generations, not so much for the Amalekites, Midianites, and other their bordering Neighbours (of whome and their Religion somewhat is spoken oLib.1.c.vlt.before) as pR.Volaterran.for the miraculous passage of the Israelites through the same, and abode therein fortie yeares, in which time they receiued the Law, were fedde with Mauna; their Meat, Drinke, Clothing, Iudgements, Mercies, continually yeelding miraculous euidence of GODS presence amongst them.
Bellonius visited the Mount Sinai: he qObser.l.2.c.co.& d.saith, it is a mile and a halse from Horeb, and farre higher: from whose top, (which is hard stone of iron colour) may both shores of the Red Sea be seene. rSome say it is called Mare Erythraeum, or red, of Erythraeus a King of that name.This Sea is not therefore called Red, because either the ground, or the sand or the water thereof is Red, as Bellonius hath obserued, for none of them are *Of this see more.l.6.c.vlt.so. The people thereabouts take care for no other houses then the boughes of Palme-trees, to keep them from the heate of the fun (for raine they hauehave but seldome:) the cattell are lesse there then in Egypt. In the ascent of Mount Sinai are steps cut out in the Rocke: they began to ascend it at breake of day, and it was after noone before they could get to the Monasterie of Maronite-Christians, which is on the top thereof. There is also a Meschit there for the Arabians and Turkes, who resort thither on pilgrimage as well as the Christians. There is a church also on the top of Mount Horeb, and another monastery at the foote of the hill: besides other Monasteries, wherein liue religious people, called Caloieri, obseruing the Greek rites who shew all (& more then all) the places renouned in scriptures and antiquities to Pilgrims. They eat neither flesh nor white meates. They allow foode vntounto strangers such as it is, rice, wheate, beanes, and such like, which they set on the floore without a cloth, in a woodden dish, & the people compose themselues to eate the same, after the Arabian manner, (which is to fit vponupon their heeles touching the ground with their toes, wheras the Turks fit crosse-legged like Tailors.)
Arabia Foelix sMaginus. Dom. Niger.com. Asiae l.6.trendeth from hence Southwards, hauing on all other parts the Sea: against which it doth abut the space of 3000. fiue hundreth & foure miles. Virgil calls it Panchaea, now tAdrich. saith it is now called Mamotta.Ayaman, or Giamen. It hath store of riuers, lakes, townes, cities, cattell fruits of many forts. The chiefe Cities are Medina, Mecca, Ziden, Zebit, Aden. There is store of siluer, gold, & varietie of gemmes. There are also wilde beasts of diuers kindes. As for the Phoenix, because I (and not I alone) thinke it a Fable, as neither agreeing to reason nor likelihood, and plainely disagreeing to the History of the Creation and of Noahs Arke, in both which GOD made all Male & Female, and commanded them to increase and multiply, I thinke it not vvorthy recitall.
Ludomeus Vertomannus, or Barthema (as Ramusius nameth him) tels uEud.vertom.l.1.c.7.at large his iourney through all this threefold Arabia: he trauelled from Damasco to Mecca Anno 1503. with the Carauan of Pilgrims and Marchants, beeing often by the way set vponupon by Armies of those theeuish and beggerly Arabians. This iourney is of fortie dayes trauell, trauelling two and twenty houres, and resting two for their repast. After many daies they came to a Mountaine inhabited with Iewes, tenne or twelue miles in circuite, which went naked, and were of small stature about fiue or sixe spannes high, blacke of colour, circumcised, speaking with a womanish voice. And if they get a Moore in their power, they flay him aliue. They saw there certaine whitethornes, and in the same two Turtles, which seemed to them as a miracle: for in fifteene daies and nights they had neither seene birds nor beasts. They giuegive their Camels by the way not aboue fiue barly Loaues at a meale, as bigge as a Pomegranate, and drinke once in three daies. At the ende of eight daies they staid a day or two to rest them. Their pilote directed their iourney by the compasse (in Diodorus times, they obserued the North-starre) no lesse then if it had beene at Sea. They trauelled fiue daies and nights through the sandy Sea, which is a great plaine Champaine, full of a small white sand like meale: where if, by some disaster, the winde blowe from the South they are all dead men. And although they had the winde at North, yet could they not see one another aboue ten paces off. And such as ride on Camels are inclosed with wood, with holes to receiue the aire; the Pilots going before vvith their compasse for direction. Many died there for thirst, and many with fulnesse, drinking too much when once they came at water. When the North windes blowe, those sands are driuen to a heape. He supposed that Mummia was made of such as the sands had surprised and buried quicke: but the truer xIul.Scaliger. Exerc.104.Mummia is made of embalmed bodies of men, as they vse to doe in Egypt, and other places. As for the other parts of Arabia, they which list, may by this our author, by Pliny, Niger, and others, be informed further.
To come to the disposition of the people, they are small, naked, beggerly. What they hauehave done in Asia, Afrike, and Europe by force of Armes vnderunder the name of Saracens, and pretence of Religion shall follow in the next Chapter: VVhat they still doe, if they meete with purchase, Trauellers know to their cost. The practise of Marchandise amongst some of the Arabian people, and namely the Ismaelites, the yGen.37.28.Scripture recordeth. For their auncient Religion, it is not like it could bee good, when as they had so bad an Author of their stocke, accursed Cham: the sounes of Abraham vvere better instructed: but as they were borne after the flesh, and not according to promise, so if they and some of their posteritie did a while hold the truth, (as the Historie of Iob and his friends euinceth) yet this lasted not long: but soone after zPsal.76.1.&147.20.in Iewrie was GOD knowne, and he dealt not so with any other Nation. Herodotus aHerodot l3.(father of the Greeke Historie) affirmeth in his Thalia, that the Arabians worshipped Dionisius, whom they named Vrotalt; and Vrania, whom they called Alilat: these alone they esteemed Gods. They shaue their maidens like to Dionisius, in a round forme about the temples. Suidas telleth bSuid.hist.that they were excellent Archers, their Arrowes were as long as themselues: their bowes they bent not with hands, but with feete.
Curio cCoelius Aug. Curio hist. Sar. l.1.in his Saracenicall Historie testifieth of them, that as they descended in great part of Abrahams race by Ishmael, the sonnes of Keturah, and by Esan: so they of olde had and still reteine many rites obserued by the Hebrewes: as numbring by Tribes, and marrying onelyonly within their owne Tribe: eueryevery Tribe also had their owne King. (which it seemeth the Tent wandring or Scenite-Arabians obserue still) That son succeedeth not which is eldest, but he which is borne first after hee is proclaimed King or Ruler, being of Noble race on both sides. They vsed also Circumcision. For their religion in olde times; some were Christians, of which (about the times of Mahomet) there were many sects: some were Iewes; others worshipped the Sunne and Moone: others, certaine Serpents; others, some kindes of Trees; and some a Tower called Alcaba, which they supposed Ismael had built; and some others, some other deities.
Eusebius dEuseb. de laudib.Constant.tels that they vsed humane sacrifices, which not onelyonly Sardus confirmeth, saying, that they sacrificed eueryevery yeare a childe whom they buried vnderunder the Altar: but eSardusl 3. c 15.Nicephorus fNiceph. hist. Ec.l.18.23.also reported of one Naaman a Scenite-Arabian, a chiefetaine amongst them, who in zeale of that superstition, killed men with his owne hands, and sacrificed them on the Altars to his gods. He in the time of Mauricius, warned by a vision, became a Christian, and with him an innumerable company of his, whom he offered a liuing vnbloudy sacrifice in baptisme vntounto CHRIST.
When they entred league with any, their manner was, that one standing in the mids betweene both parties did wound the hand with a sharpe stone, in the palme neere to the thummes of them both, and taking flockes of the garments of them both, annointed, with that bloud, seuen stones set in the mids of them: Meane-while inuoking Dionisius and Vrania: and then this Mediator becommeth surety for the party, who thereby esteemeth himselfe bound to obserue it. And thus did gHerod l.3.they make league with Cambyses. To these two Arabian Gods Great Alexander vvould hauehave added himselfe a third (saith hArrian.l.7.Arrianus, in his life.) He made great prouision to inuade them, both because they had sent him no Embassage, and for that they worshipped onelyonly these two deities; Heauen, for that it containeth the Sun and Starres; and Dionisius, because hee had inuaded the Indians: and therefore aequalling this his owne expedition to that of Dionisius, he would also for robbing of men, be reckoned a God. Strabo iStrabo l.15.saith, that in respect of the wealthinesse of this countrey, he had thought (had not death preuented him) to hauehave made Arabia the imperiall seate. He affirmeth also that Sesostris the Aegyptian King, passing through Arabia, in that his renowmed expedition, erected there in diuers places Egyptian temples and superstitions: that the Troglodytae which dwelt in Caues, and bordering on the Aegyptians, by some reputed Arabians, were circumcised, as the Arabians and Egyptians were.
The Nabathaeans worship the Sunne, burning Frankincense on an Altar vntounto him. They neglect the bodies of the dead, burying euen their Kings in a dunghill. Of the other Arabians hee reporteth that they vsed incestuous copulation vvith sister and mother. Adulterie with them is death: but that onelyonly is Adulterie, which is out of the same kindred, otherwise all of the same bloud to vse the woman is their (incestuous) honesty. When fifteene brothers (Kings sonnes) had by their continuall company tired their one and onelyonly Sister, shee deuised a meanes to rid her selfe, or at least to ease her somewhat of that trouble. And therefore whereas the custome was, that hee which went in, left his staffe at the doore to prohibite others entrance, shee got like slaues, and alway hauing one at the doore, was disburthened of their importunitie; eueryevery one that came, thinking some other had beene there before them. But they being once altogether, one of them stole from his fellowes, and finding this staffe at the doore, accused his Sister to his Father of Adulterie, whereof by discouerie of the Truth shee was cleared. Linschoten kLinschoten. History of the Indies.telleth of the like practise obserued by the Nairos in Cochin, leauing their Armes at the doore, when they enter to their Nairo-kinswomen which they vse likewise in common, being neuer married.
Their Circumcision they obserued, as lDraudius in Solin.some write, at the thirteenth yeare of their age, imitating Ismael herein. EueryEvery one abideth in his Fathers profession. The possessions and wealth are common to the whole kindred. Alexander ab Alexandro nameth Dyasares an Arabian deitie. Their Priests he saith were attired in linnen garments, with Mitres and Sandals. mSol.Polyhist.Solinus affirmeth, that they abstaine from Swines flesh: neither will that sweet aire of Arabia breath life to that sordide & stinking creature. This is in the Happy Arabia, where happinesse maketh them vnhappy: their sweets nStrab.l.16.breeding bitter effects in diseasing their bodies, which they are forced to cure with the sents of brimstone and Goates beards burnt. That which others admire and almost adore for rarenesse and excellencie, is here their common sewell for their fire: oD. Sic.l.3.Vulcans deuouring iawes being fed with hearbs, shrubs, trees, gummes, spices, for humane and diuine vses most esteemed.
Frankinsence (saith pPlin.l.12.c.14.Plinie) groweth onelyonly in Arabia, but not in eueryevery place thereof. About the midst of the countrey is Sabota (the chiefe Citie of the Sabaeans) in a high mountaine: eight mansions from thence is the Region of Frankincense, which is called Sabba, that is, a mysterie: looking toward the East, eueryevery way garded and made vnpassable with Rockes. The soile is reddish, inclining to vvhite. The length of the Fankinsence-wood, is twentie sehoeni, the bredth halfe as much. (a schoenus in this account is fiue miles) Other Arabians besides (these and the Minaei) see not this tree, nor all of these, but onelyonly some three hundred Families, vntounto whom the right of these rites deuolueth by succession. Therefore are they called sacri, Holy, neither may they in the time, when they cut them, be polluted with knowledge of women or with Funerals. What manner of tree it is, Plinie saith hee knew not, nor any Romane to his knowledge. They gathered it in the spring and autumne: they cut the trees from whence it sweateth. There needes no watch to keepe them, but the innocencie of the inhabitants. When Alexander in his Youth bestowed large store of Frankincense in his deuotions, Leonides his Mr. told him, he should so doe when he had conquered the countrey where it grew: He after enioying (some part of) Arabia, sent him a ship laden with Frankinsence, and bad him serue the Gods plentifully. The Frankincense, when it is gathered, is carried on Camels to Sabota by one way, out of which to goe were capitall. There they pay the tithes to a God which they call Sabis. The Priests take it by measure, not by weight. Certaine portions are allowed to them and to the Kings scribes. Plantus therefore qPl.in Poenulo & in Milite.cals Frankincense Odor Arabicus. Virgil cals it Panchaean, & Sabaean Frankincense. The manifold rites which the Heathens vsed in their holy things with this drugge, Stuckins rStuckins de sacris.sheweth at large. Here also grew the Mirth in the same woods, and among the Trogloditae. But this and Cinamon and other things which grew elsewhere as well as here, neede not much discourse. They vsed yet some religion in gathering of their Cinamon, as sIoan.Boemus.some obserue, sacrificing before they began, and after diuiding what they had gathered, with a sacred speare assigning a portion to the Sun: if the diuision be iustly made, the Sun sealeth his consent by fire, with his beames consuming the same. Thus much of their spices, and holy drugges.
Of their other riches I meane not to speake, saue of their sheepe with great tailes, some of which weigh forty pound. tLeo.Africanus.Leo saith he saw one at Cairo, whose taile, supported by a Cart with wheeles (for else shee could not hauehave carried it) weighed fourescore pound, and heard of such as weighed a hundred and thirtie pound. *Gal.1.17.Paul presently after his conuersion preached the Gospell in Arabia.
Panchaea and an other Iland, called Sacra, are adioined by uDiod.Sic. l.6. c. 10.Diodorus to Arabia, both fertile (as he saith) of Frankinsence. In Panchaea is the Citie Panara, whose inhabitants are called the Ministers of Iupiter Triphylius, whose Temple is thence distant threescore furlongs, admirable for the Antiquitie, magnificence & nature of the place: it is two hundred foote long, the bredth answerable, hauing in it large Statues, and about it the houses of the Priests. Many Fountaines there springing make a nauigable streame, called the water of the Sunne, which is medicinable to the bodie. The countrey about, for the space of two hundred surlongs, is consecrated to the Gods, and the reuenue thereof spent in sacrifices. Beyond is a high mountaine, called the seate of Heauen, and Olympus Triphylins: where Coelus is said to hauehave instituted the rites there yeerely observed. The Priests rule all in Panchaea both in ciuill and religious cases: and liue very deliciously, attired with linnen stoales and mitres, and parti-coloured sandals. These spend their time in singing hymnes, and recounting the acts of their gods. They deriue their generation from the Cretan Iupiter. xEadem ferè Euseb.de praeparat.Eu l,2.They may not goe out of their sacred limits assigned them, if they doe, it is lawfull to kill them. The Temple is enriched with gifts and offerings. The doores excell for matter and workmanship. The bed of the God is sixe cubites long, and foure broad, all of golde faire wrought. The Table stands by, nothing inferiour. In the mids is another bed of golde, very large, grauen with Aegyptian Letters; in which are contained the gefts of Iupiter, Coelus, Diana and Apollo, written by Mercury. Thus farre Diodorus. Iustine yIustin.bift. l.39.mentioneth Hierotimus an Arabian King, which had sixe hundred children by Concubines. Some zGramay As Arab.are of opinion that the Wisemen which by the auncient conduct of a Starre came to Ierusalem, (the first fruits of the Gentiles) came out of Arabia. Scaliger aIos. Scal.Can. I sag.l.2.mentioneth a conquest aunciently made and holden by the Arabians in Chaldaea. Philostratus bPhilost. de vita Ap.l.1.saith, the Arabians are skilfull in auguries, or diuinations, because they eate of the head and heart of a Dragon. That they eate Serpents, Solinus affirmeth. Atheneus cAthaeneus l.6.c.6.saith that the Arabians vsed to maime themselues, if their King hapned to be maimed, and that in the same member: and in dAth.l.12.c.4.another place he citeth out of Heraclides Cumaens, the delicacies of this Arabian King, and his quiet or idle course of life, committing matters of iudgement to officers: and if any thinke himselfe wronged by them, he puls a chaine fastened to a window in the highest part of the Pallace: Wherevpon the King takes the matter into his hand, and whether part he findes guiltie dies for it. ePlutarch de Inuid. & odio.His expences were fifteene Babylonian talents a day. The Arabians kill Mice, as a creature supposed enemie to the gods, a custome common to them with the Persians and Aethiopians. The fTertullian de veland.Virg.women couer their faces, contented to see with one eye, rather then to prostitute the whole face. They kill not Vipers, but scarre them away with Clappers from their balsame-trees saith, gPansania Baeotica.Pansanias, when they gather that commoditie, because they thinke them consecrated to those balsame-Trees, vnderunder which they liue and feede of that liquor, with which also they cure themselues if they are bitten by them.
The Arabian tongue is now the common language of the East, especially among such as embrace the Mahumetan religion: this language in the first diuision of tongues, according to hEpiph.contra Sethian.Epiphanius, was begunne in Armot, the first speaker and Author thereof.