All which, with many more, how far they consent with truth, we shall not disparage our Reader to dispute; and though some way allowable unto wiser conceits, who could distinctly receive their significations: yet carrying the majesty of Hieroglyphicks, and so transmitted by Authors: they crept into a belief with many, and favourable doubt with most. And thus, I fear, it hath fared with the Hieroglyphical Symboles of Scripture: which excellently intended in the species of things sacrificed, in the prohibited meats, in the dreams of _Pharoah_, _Joseph_, and many other passages: are oft-times wrackt beyond their symbolizations, and inlarg'd into constructions disparaging their true intentions. CHAPTER XXI Of the Picture of _Haman_ hanged. In common draughts, _Haman_ is hanged by the Neck upon an high Gibbet, after the usual and now practised way of suspension, but whether this description truly answereth the Original, Learned pens consent not, and good grounds there are to doubt. For it is not easily made out that this was an ancient way of Execution, in the publick punishment of Malefactors among the _Persians_; but we often read of Crucifixion in their Stories. So we find that _Oroetes_[6] a _Persian_ Governour crucified _Polycrates_ the _Samian_ Tyrant. And hereof we have an example in the life of _Artaxerxes_ King of _Persia_; (whom some will have to be _Ahasuerus_ in this Story) that his Mother _Parysatis_ flead and crucified her _Eunuch_. The same also seems implied in the letters patent of King _Cyrus_. [SN: _In_ Ezra 6.] _Omnis qui hanc mutaverit jussionem, tollatur lignum de domo ejus, et erigatur et configatur in eo._ [6] _Oroetes_, 1672, 1686, etc. The same kind of punishment was in use among the _Romans_, _Syrians_, _Egyptians_, _Carthaginians_ and _Grecians_. For though we find in _Homer_, that _Ulysses_ in a fury hanged the strumpets of those who courted _Penelope_, yet is it not so easie to discover, that this was the publick practice or open course of justice among the _Greeks_. And even that the _Hebrews_ used this present way of hanging, by illaqueation or pendulous suffocation in publick justice and executions; the expressions and examples in scripture conclude not beyond good doubt. That the King of _Hai_ was hanged, or destroyed by the common way of suspension, is not conceded by the learned _Masius_ in his comment upon that text; who conceiveth thereby rather some kind of crucifixion; at least some patibulary affixion after he was slain; and so represented unto the people untill toward the evening.