The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
The Pictures of the nine Worthies are not unquestionable, and to
critical spectators may seem to contain sundry improprieties. Some will
enquire why _Alexander_ the Great is described upon an Elephant: for, we
do not find he used that animal in his armies, much less in his own
person; but his horse is famous in History, and its name alive to this
day. Beside, he fought but one remarkable battel, wherein there were any
Elephants, and that was with _Porus_ King of _India_; in which
notwithstanding, as _Curtius_, _Arrianus_, and _Plutarch_ report, he was
on Horseback himself. And if because he fought against Elephants, he is
with propriety set upon their backs; with no less or greater reason is
the same description agreeable unto _Judas Maccabeus_, as may be
observed from the history of the _Maccabees_; and also unto _Julius
Cæsar_, whose triumph was honoured with captive Elephants, as may be
observed in the order thereof, set forth by _Jacobus Laurus_[SN: In
splendere urbis Antiquæ.]. And if also we should admit this description
upon an Elephant, yet were not the manner thereof unquestionable, that
is, in his ruling the beast alone; for beside the Champion upon their
back, there was also a guide or ruler, which sat more forward to command
or guide the beast. Thus did King _Porus_ ride when he was overthrown by
_Alexander_; and thus are also the towred Elephants described, _Maccab._
2. 6. Upon the beasts there were strong towers of wood, which covered
every one of them, and were girt fast unto them by devices: there were
also upon every one of them thirty two strong men, beside the _Indian_
that ruled them.
Others will demand, not only why _Alexander_ upon an Elephant, but
_Hector_ upon an Horse: whereas his manner of fighting, or presenting
himself in battel, was in a Chariot, as did the other noble _Trojans_,
who as _Pliny_ affirmeth were the first inventers thereof. The same way
of fight is testified by _Diodorus_, and thus delivered by Sir _Walter
Rawleigh_. Of the vulgar little reckoning was made, for they fought all
on foot, slightly armed, and commonly followed the success of their
Captains; who rode not upon horses, but in Chariots drawn by two or
three Horses. And this was also the ancient way of fight among the
_Britains_, as is delivered by _Diodorus_, _Cæsar_, and _Tacitus_; and
there want not some who have taken advantage hereof, and made it one
argument of their original from _Troy_.
[Sidenote: _The use of stirrops not ancient._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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