A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume 2 (of 6)Bryant, Jacob
History
A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume 2 (of 6)
Bryant, Jacob
History, Ancient; Mythology
Carthage itself was of old called [1096]Cadmeia: so that he may be ranked
among the founders of that city. Καρχηδων, Μητροπολις Λιβυης--εκαλειτο δε
Καινη πολις, και Καδμεια. He is mentioned by Moses Chorenensis to have
settled in [1097]Armenia, where there was a regio Cadmeia not far from
Colchis. He reigned here; and is said to have been of the giant race, and
to have come from [1098]Babylonia. And as the city Carthage in Libya was
called Cadmeia, so in this region Cadmeia, there was a city Carthage:
[1099]Καρχηδων πολις Αρμενιας.
Such are the expeditions of Cadmus. But is it credible that any person
could have penetrated into the various regions, whither he is supposed to
have gone? to have founded colonies in Phenicia, Cyprus, Rhodes, Thera,
Thasus, Anaphe, Samothracia? to have twice visited the Hellespont? to have
worked the mines in the Pangean mountains, and in other places? to have
made settlements in Eubœa, Attica, Bœotia, and Illyria? and, above all, to
have had such territories in Afric? He is represented as heir to the
kingdom of Egypt: this he quitted, and obtained a kingdom in Phenicia. He
leaves this too; and after much wandering arrives in Greece; where he
founds several cities, and reigns sixty-two years. After this, hard to
conceive! he is made king in Illyria. He must also have reigned in Afric:
and his dominions seem to have been considerable, as he founded an hundred
cities. He is represented as a king in Armenia; and had there too no small
territory. Sure kingdoms in those times must have been very cheap, if they
were so easily attainable. But the whole is certainly a mistake; at least
in respect to [1100]Cadmus. No person could possibly have effected what is
attributed to him. They were not the achievements of one person, nor of one
age. And place Cadmus at any given æra, and arrange his history, as may
appear most plausible; yet there will arise numberless inconsistencies from
the connexions he must have in respect to time, place, and people; such as
no art nor disposition can remedy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account