The Court of the Gentiles, Discourse · Part 1 · Book 1 · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. Phenicians on the VVeſterne Ocean of France, and England, as alſo in the Eaſt.
The Greek foreign, which ſignifies the ocean, from the Phenician foreign the ſea ambient Eſa. 40.22. Phenicians on the weſterne ocean. Caſſiterides, the Britiſh Ilands. Britannia ſo ſtiled from the Phenician foreign, thence foreign &c. Whence it was called by the Greeks foreign, the Iland of Tin and Led. Hercules's landing Phenicians in the Caſſiterides. Ireland called foreign, from foreign Ibernae, i.e. the utmoſt habitation. Phenicians in France. Hercules his fight with the Ligurians. The Identity betwixt the old Britains, and Gauls in Language, Gods, names and things. Their Cognation with the Phenicians. Brennus, Mar, Rix, or Rich, Patera, Druides, Bardi of Phenician origination. The Phenicians Navigations into the Eaſt. Solomon, by the aſſiſtance of the Phenicians, ſends his Navy unto Ophir, called Tabrobana, from foreign 2 Chron. 3.6. whence he had his Gold &c. How far theſe, or ſuch like conjectures may be uſeful. How the Phenicians and Egyptians conveyed Jewiſh Letters and Dogmes unto the Grecians.
§. 1. Phenician Navigations Weſt and Eaſt.BEfore Homers time the Phenicians circuited the greateſt part of the habitable world; from whom he learned ſome things of the Ocean, and the ut moſt Inhabitants of the Earth. Strabo lib. 1. ſpeaking of the Phenicians, ſaies, that they went beyond Hercules's pillars, and built there many Cities a little after the Trojan wars: namely under David and Solomons reign; in which age the moſt conceive Homer to have been borne. And Herodotus reports that the Phenicians ſailed under Neco from Egypt, and the Red Sea into the Weſt; ſo that they had the Sun on their right hand; whence they returned by the Gades unto Egypt, and their own Countrey yearly. Ocean in Greek foreign from foreign Og i.e. the Sea compaſſing.And that the vaſt Ocean received its name, from the Phenicians, ſeems probable, if we conſider its old name, which among the Grecians was foreign; ſo Heſychius, foreign. The like in Alexandra Lygophronis. Now the Greek foreign in probability was derived from the Phenician foreign Og, i.e. the ſea ambient. And indeed foreign Og (whence the Greek foreign ocean) according to the Scripture account, ſeems to be a Coſmographical name: Eſa. 40.22.ſo Eſa. 40.22. upon the circle foreign of the earth: the like Job 22.14. Prov. 8.27. as Bochart Gan. lib. 1. cap. 35.
§. 2. Phenicians viſit the weſterne Ocean of Africa.Although it appears not that the Phenicians ſailed about the world; yet this, I think, is evident, that, at ſeveral times, they viſited moſt ſhores of the Weſterne Ocean. That they ſailed beyond Hercules's pillars, on the weſterne ſhore of Africa, and there built ſeveral Cities towards the Ocean; we are informed by the Periplum of Hanno; who being commanded, by the Decree of the Carthaginian Senat, to ſail beyond Hercules's pillars, and to build the Lybiphenician Cities; and furniſhed with a Navy of ſixty ſhips: he diſperſed thirty thouſand men into ſeveral places, to build Cities, and inhabit the ſame. Which done, he returnes to his own Countrey, and writes his Periplum of Africa, in the Punick tongue. But touching the Phenician Navigations into Africa and Spain, we have already largely treated (chap. 5.) and England.We are now to treat of the Phenicians viſiting France, and the Britiſh Ilands. So Bochart Can. lib. 1. cap. 36. tels us, That Himilco being ſent to find out the utmoſt parts of Europe, penetrated into Britanny, and the Caſſiteridan Ilands, about the ſame time that Hanno went towards the South &c.
§. 3. Phenicians in the Caſſiterides that is the Britiſh Ilands.Srabo lib. 3. makes mention of, the Caſſiterides, who in times paſt, were known to the Phenicians only, who traded with them for Tin, Led and Skins &c. Bochart (Can. lib. 1. cap. 39.) by theſe Caſſiterides underſtands the Britiſh Ilands; becauſe there are are no other Ilands beſides theſe, to which Strabo's deſcription agrees, viz: that they are ſituated on the Ocean beyond the Artabri Northward, abounding with Tin, and Led. This may be farther collected from the very name Britannie. For in the book de mundo, which they attribute to Ariſtotle, foreign, are called Albion and Ierne. Britannie ſo ſtiled from the Phenician name foreign the land of Tin or Led: thence it was called by the Greeks Caſſiterides.And Strabo oft cals Britannie foreign, or with a ſingle foreign, which ſeems to be no other than foreign Barat. Anac, i.e. the field, or land of Tin and Led. foreign bara, and in Regimen foreign, in the Syriack ſignifies a field, as Dan. 2.38. and 4.12. As in like manner foreign, is by the Hebrews rendred Led, or Tin: as Amos 7.7. So foreign, whence Caſsiterides, is by the Greeks uſed for Tin. Mela renders it Led. And Pliny tels us, that the Caſsiterides were ſo called by the Greeks, from the abundance of Led therein found. Tin and Led, according to Pliny, being but one and the ſame Species: and Britannie, as it is well known, is moſt plentifully furniſhed with both theſe, beyond all other Countreys. Whence we may conclude that from foreign, the Greeks firſt framed foreign, and thence the contracts foreign & foreign as Bochart Can. l. 1. c. 39.
§. 4. Yea, the ſame Bochart makes the Greek foreign, which ſignifies Tin (whence theſe Britiſh Ilands were called Caſſiterides) to be of a Phenician origination; becauſe the Chaldees call Tin foreign Kaſtira: whence, ſaies Pliny lib. 7. cap. 56. The firſt that brought Led from the Ilands Caſsiterides, was Midacritus. Hercules called Melicarthus landed Phenicians in Caſſiterides.Bochart for Midacritus, reads Melicarthus, or Melcarthus, which name Sanchoniathon gives to the Phenician Hercules (to whom the Phenicians refer their firſt Weſterne Navigations) who is ſuppoſed to have landed Phenicians both in Britannie, and Gallia or France. Farther, that the Phenicians frequented Britannie, is proved out of Strabo lib. 4. who mentions that Ceres and Proſerpina were worſhipped in or about Britannie, according to the Samothracian i.e. the Phenician Rites.
That Ireland was not unknown to the Phenicians, Bochart conjectures from the name, which ſeems altogether Phenician: Ireland called Hibernia from foreignfor Hibernia, is no other then foreign Ibernae, i.e. the utmost habitation; becauſe beyond Ireland, towards the Weſt the ancients knew nothing but the vaſt Ocean. Boch. Can. l. 1. c. 39. Ireland by the Greeks was called foreign, as by the Latines Hibernia, Ierna, Juverna. Which ſeem all derivations from the Phenician foreign Ibernae.
§. 5. Phenicians in France.As the Britiſh Ilands, ſo alſo Gallia (now called France) was viſited by the Phenicians, under the conduct of Hercules; who is reported to have invaded the Gauls, about the ſame time he ſet foot in Spain; and that, not by the Pyrenean Mountains, which was too difficult a paſſage, but by the Liguſtick Sea. Hercules's Battel with the Ligurians.This is made evident by that famous battel, fought betwixt Hercules and the Ligurians: of which, not only the Poets and Hiſtorians, but alſo the Aſtronomers make mention. Hercules might alſo find a way into France, from the Gades, by the Ocean. However it were, this is certain, that the Gauls, as long as Carthage flouriſhed, had no ſmall commerce with the Carthaginians: for Polybius, Livy, and Appian tell us, that in the firſt & ſecond Carthaginian war, the Gauls ſerved them. Whence it was that Scipio being Conquerour, gave peace to the Carthaginians upon this condition, that it ſhould not be lawful for them, for the future, to entertain any ſtipendiary Soldiers from Gallia, or Laguria. Moreover, Hiſtorie teacheth us, that Aquitania, which is part of Gallia Narbonenſis, was poſſeſſed, and long held by Hannibal. And, before Hannibals time, it is not likely, that the Phenicians, in their Voyages into Britannie, paſſed by the Gallick Shores unſaluted Bochart Can l. 1. c. 41.
§. 6. The Affinity betwixt the old Britains and and Gauls in Language, Gads and Officers.The great Identity, or, at leaſt, Affinity that was betwixt the old Britans, and Gauls, both among themſelves, as alſo with the Phenicians in names, Gods and cuſtomes, does much conduce to prove our Aſsertion; that the Phenicians, had not a little correſpondence in theſe parts. Concerning the old Language of the Gauls; what it was, and whence it ſprang the Learned diſpute much: but yet it is agreed by the moſt, that the Britiſh Tongue (which at this day, is in uſe among the Welch in England, and the Britains in France) is but the Reliques of that Tongue, which both the old Britains, and Gauls uſed. In this opinion were Rhenanus, Geſnerus, Hottomanus of old, with our famous Camden; who has lately put it beyond doubt, that the old Britans and Gauls uſed one and the ſame Language. The old Briti… tongue, its Affinity with the Phenicians.Whereto Bochart has added this: The old Britain… and Gauls agree with the Phenicians. 1. In Gods. 2. In Officers.that this common Tongue, wherein both the Gauls and Britains agreed, agrees alſo in many things with the Phenician Tongue. This Bochart Can. l. 1. c, 42. proves 1. From the names of their Gods, which were Taramis, Heſus, Teutates, Belenus, Onvana, Hogmius &c. all of Phenician original, and offpring; as will hereafter appear. 2. From the names of Officers and Dignities, wherein the Gauls, and Britains agreed, Brennus.as 1. Brennus was a name of Dignity amongſt the Gauls and Britains. We read of two of this name famous for their exploits amongſt the Gauls; the one was Brennus the elder, who ſacked Rome; the other Brennus the younger, who pillaged the Delphick Temple. And there are ſome that think the name Brennus was common to the Emperors of thoſe times, becauſe the Welch to this day (as Camden obſerves) call their King Brennis: and ſo amongſt the Britains in France, Barne ſignifies a Judge, and Barner is to judge, as amongſt the Phenicians, foreign Parnas is uſed for a Prince or Governor, as the Chaldee Eſa. 3.4. Prov. 14.28. The Radix of foreign ſignifies to feed; thence a Prince, whom Homer ſtiles foreign. Mar Lord.2. Mar, (which the Britains now ſound Maur; whence the Gallick Condomarus &c.) is derived from the Phenician foreign Mar a Lord. Rix or Rich.3. Rix alſo was much uſed in the names of the Gallik and Britiſh Nobles as Sinorix &c. which the French, Engliſh and Germans at this day pronounce Rich; that is, ſtrong or potent; from the Arabick foreign, ſtrength, or force. 4. Patera a Prieſt, from the Hebrew foreign to interpret, Gen. 40.41. as Coenae from foreign: Druides from an Oke, as hereafter. Laſtly Bardi, which ſignified Poets, or Singers, is derived from foreign to ſing, Amos 6.5. as Bochart Can. l. 1. c. 42.
§. 7. Phenician Navigations into the East.Neither had the Phenicians their navigations only Weſtward, but likewiſe into the Eaſterne parts. So Bochart Canaan Praef. tels us: that in the time of David and Solomon, the Phenicians ſailing through the Red Sea, viſited the Aſian Shores. Yea India itſelf, for traffique ſake, taking Colonies from Elana, the chief Mart towne of the Arabick Gulf, and ſailing even unto Tyrus and Aradus, Ilands in the Perſian Gulf, of Phenician original. Solomon, by the aſſiſtance of Hiram, ſends his Fleet unto Ophir, and has thence Gold &c.Whence Solomon entring into a Strict League with Hiram King of Tyre, by the aſſiſtance of the Phenicians, furniſhed himſelf with a Navy, which evry three years he ſent forth, from Elana and Eſion Gaber, unto Ophir, that is (as he proves in his Phaleg. lib. 2. cap. 27.) the Iland Taprobana, now called Zeilan; whence they brought Gold, Silver, Ebury, pretious ſtones, Apes, Peacocks &c. as 1 Kings 9.26,27,28. and 10.11,12,22. and 2 Chron. 8.19. That Ophir was the Iland Taprobana is made evident from Cant. 5.11. Dan. 10.5. Taprobane i.e. in the Phenician tongue foreign Taph parvan, which ſignifies the Shore of Parvan, whence we read of the Gold of Parvaim 2 Chron 3.6. Neither are we without ſtrong conjectures, that the Phenicians frequented this Hand; in that we find, both in Pliny, and Solinus, Hercules the Phenician God, was worſhipped here. Boch. Can. l. 1. c. 46. That Ophir mentioned in theſe places is the ſame with that we now call Peru, ſee Glaſſius Grammat. S. lib. 4. Tract. 3. Obſer. 15. pag. 847 Edit. 2….
§. 8. …ow far theſe conjectures may be of uſe.Thus have we ſhewn how the Phenicians frequented moſt of the Sea Coaſts of Europe, Africa, and Aſia; wherein, conſider though many of the Arguments are built on conjectures, yet 1. They are not conjectures of mine own framing, but of the Learned. 2. Some conjectures may amount to moral demonſtrations, or certainty. 3. Conjectures in things ſo obſcure, are not to be rejected altogether. 4. Take the whole together, and I think, no ſober judgment will deny the concluſion viz. That the Phenicians frequented the chiefeſt Maritime parts of Europe, Africa, and Aſia.
§. 9. Phenician learning from the Jews, Ut ex Hebraeis ad Phaenices, itae ex Phaenicibus ad Gr…cos cum literis veaerunt Scientiae. Bo…h. Phal. l. 1 c. 15.And that the Phenicians traduced their choiceſt Myſteries, and Traditions, which they tranſported into other parts, from the Jewiſh Church, will be hereafter evident. At preſent take the Teſtimonie of Lud: Vives in theſe words: the Phenicians, for lucres ſake, ſailed throughout the world, where they conveyed Science and Philoſophie from the Jews. So Grot. on Mat. 24.38. Bochart Ganaan lib. 2. c. 17. Voſſius de Philoſophorum Sectis lib. 2. c. 1. of which ſee Part 2. of Philoſophie book 1. chap. 3.
§. 10. How the Egyptians conveyed Jewiſh Dogmes and Inſtitutes unto the Gre…ians.To conclude this our General account touching the Traduction of human Literature from the Scriptures and Jewiſh Church. As we have ſhewen how the Phenicians, by reaſon of their Navigations, traduced Hebrew Letters and Myſteries into Greece, and other parts of the world; ſo the ſame might be very far demonſtrated, touching the Egyptians, who gave a great vent to Jewiſh Learning and Inſtitutes though in a different mode of conveyance. For, as the Phenicians propagated Jewiſh Literature, and Dogmes by Navigation and tranſplantation of Colonies, ſo the Egyptians promoted the ſame deſigne, by reception of, and dayly converſation with Forreiners, and Travellers. Hither it was that many of the firſt Grecian Poets, Orpheus, Homer &c. reſorted, and furniſhed themſelves with Jewiſh Traditions. Here the firſt Sophiſts Thales and Solon; as alſo the Philoſophers, Pythagoras, Plato &c. gleaned up the choiceſt of their Jewiſh Dogmes, and Inſtitutes, which they tranſported into Greece. This we have endeavored to demonſtrate at large in our ſecond part of Philoſophie, Book 1. Chap. of Egyptian Philoſophie, and in what follows.