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 like might we affirm from credible histories both of _France_ and
_Germany_, and perhaps also of our own Country. For omitting the
fabulous and _Trojan_ original delivered by _Jeofrey_ of _Monmouth_, and
the express text of Scripture; that the race of _Japhet_ did people the
Isles of the _Gentiles_; the _Brittish_ Original was so obscure in
_Cæsars_ time, that he affirmeth the Inland inhabitants were
_Aborigines_, that is, such as reported that they had their beginning in
the Island. That _Ireland_ our neighbour Island was not long time
without Inhabitants, may be made probable by sundry accounts; although
we abate the Traditions of _Bartholanus_ the _Scythian_, who arrived
there three hundred years after the flood, or the relation of
_Giraldus_; that _Cæsaria_ the daughter of _Noah_ dwelt there before.
Now should we call in the learned account of _Bochartus_ [SN: Bochart.
Geog. _Sacr. part. 2._], deducing the ancient names of Countries from
_Phœnicians_, who by their plantations, discoveries, and sea
negotiations, have left unto very many Countries, _Phœnician_
denominations; the enquiry would be much shorter, and if _Spain_ in the
_Phœnician_ Original, be but the region of _Conies_, _Lusitania_, or
_Portugal_ the Countrey of Almonds, if _Brittanica_ were at first
_Baratanaca_, or the land of Tin, and _Ibernia_ or _Ireland_, were but
_Ibernae_, or the farthest habitation; and these names imposed and
dispersed by _Phœnician_ Colonies in their several navigations; the
Antiquity of habitations might be more clearly advanced.
Thus though we have declared how largely the world was inhabited within
the space of 1300 years, yet must it be conceived more populous then can
be clearly evinced; for a greater part of the earth hath ever been
peopled, then hath been known or described by Geographers, as will
appear by the discoveries of all Ages. For neither in _Herodotus_ or
_Thucydides_ do we find any mention of _Rome_, nor in _Ptolomy_ of many
parts of _Europe_, _Asia_ or _Africa_. And because many places we have
declared of long plantations of whose populosity notwithstanding or
memorable actions we have no ancient story; if we may conjecture of
these by what we find related of others, we shall not need many words,
nor assume the half of 1300 years. And this we might illustrate from the
mighty acts of the _Assyrians_ performed not long after the flood;
recorded by _Justine_ and _Diodorus_; who makes relation of expeditions
by Armies more numerous then have been ever since. For _Ninus_ King of
_Assyria_ brought against the _Bactrians_ 700000 foot, 200000 horse,
10600 Chariots. _Semiramis_ his successor led against the _Indians_
1300000 foot, 500000 horse, 100000 Chariots, and as many upon Camels:
And it is said, _Staurobates_ the _Indian_ King, met her with greater
forces then she brought against him. All which was performed within less
then four hundred years after the flood.
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