Part 9

Moreover, whether or no this opinion maybe consistent with any of those qualities, the Ancients endowed this Goddesse with, let us examine further the Nature of the Deity it self. Is _Stoneheng_ consecrated to _Diana_ because she presided over ways? what publick roads then, or common high-ways are to be read of, which anciently led over the Downs near this _Antiquity_? The most ancient ways we meet with, and which the _Romans_ first made in this _Island_, as _Camden_ sets them down, are four, _Watling-street_, _Ikemild-street_, _Ermin-street_, and the _Fosse_. _Watling-street_ led through _Verolamium_ directly as it were by a streight line to the West side of _Leicestershire_, and from thence through the Northerly Counties into _Wales_. _Ikemild-street_ began in the Countrey of the _Iceni_, tending Eastward. _Ermin-street_ in the same quarter, running through _Cambridgeshire_, _Huntingdonshire_, and so on towards _Lincolnshire_ led the right way into the Northern Countreys on that side: (this street-way, happly, may be that which among the inhabitants passeth now by the name of _High Dike_.) The _Fosse_ passing through _Warwickshire_, came down to _Stow_ on the _Would_, thence to _Cirncester_, from _Cirncester_ continuing on towards _Bath_ and beyond it to _Somerton_ into the Western Provinces: the ridge whereof is yet to be seen in divers places of that tract. All of them lying so far from _Stoneheng_ that none of them are remembred to come nearer then _Cirncester_ to any part of the Plains whereon it stands, and therefore in this respect there can be no cause to imagine this _Antiquity_ should be dedicated to her. Or, is _Stoneheng_ sacred to _Diana_, because she was the Patronesse of Gates? for which reason the Ancients built her Temples, either near to them within their Cities, or not far from them in the pleasant suburbs. But what Cities, or places having any such Gates, were ever found anciently so near _Stoneheng_, as might cause the dedication of so great a work to her? surely none. Or, is _Stoneheng_ hallowed to _Diana_ because she had the tutelage of Mountains? if so, then where are those Mountains to be found near this _Antiquity_ on _Salisbury_ Plains? which Plains, North, South, East and Westward through the midst of _Wiltshire_ are so open, that they terminate the Horizon. If any such Mountains there, why do all Historians call them Plains? But admit Mountains somtimes on _Salisbury_ Plain, what then became of them? were they removed by Earthquakes, swallowed into the ground by an _Hiatus_ of the earth, or levell’d by inundations? then let it be made apparent when such like accidents fell out. Or is _Stoneheng_ dedicated to _Diana_, because she delighted to bath her self in fountains and fresh springs? where are those fountains and fresh springs to be found? haply, in the utmost borders they may be had, none certainly in the body of the Plains, or any thing near _Stoneheng_: spring veins being not there to be found, unlesse by sinking wells or pits very deep, which the inhabitants are enforced to make in severall places for watering their sheep, and as glad they are there, as the Patriarchs of old in the deserts of _Canaan_ to come by them. Or is _Stoneheng_ sacred to _Diana_, because reputed Goddesse of hunting? then, who ever desirous of a Temple for her, may finde it in _Daphne_, the anciently famous suburbs of _Antiochia_, where was not onely a Temple dedicated to her, but an _Asylum_ also, as _Strabo_ witnesseth: such places only being held proper for her mysteries, where interven’d variety of pleasures, goodly shadowy groves, delicate walks, and pleasant springs of most cool and fresh waters. In the midst of these delights the Ancients sited her Temples, not in wilde Downs, or vast Plains, so wide and open that hardly see from one side of them to another, affording neither shelter for travellers against canicular heats, nor succour for cattell against the boisterous blasts of blustering _Boreas_. Lastly, is _Stoneheng_ dedicated to _Diana_, because the supposed guardian of woods? then remains it to be made apparent by them, those Plains in ancient times bore another countenance then at present. That they were full of Forrests, woods and groves, with variety of lawns, replenished and stored with such sorts of game, and wilde beasts in chase whereof _Diana_ and her companions are said to recreate themselves: from whence some are of opinion she was called _Diana_, as much to say _Deviana, quoniam venantes per devia & silvas deviare solent, captantes feras. Because of huntsmens deviating, or wandring out of the way, through uncouth paths and woods in pursuit of their game._ That those Plains afforded as much pleasure and delights as the _Thessalian Tempe_, the _Syrian Daphne_, or what place else as famous where her _Temples_ anciently stood: and, in what unknown age they were disafforrested and laid wast. Which, if ever so, certainly some signs thereof would remain, or at least be found there, as well as in other parts of the Island, in times past overgrown with woods. As in _Anglesey_ formerly mentioned; in _Cheshire_, where, in digging their marlepits are often found huge trees, demonstrating to posterity the forrests there anciently growing; in the Isle of _Axholm_ in _Lincolnshire_, where the inhabitants have hardly any fewell, but what such trees afford so digged out of the earth; in _Somersetshire_, where I my self have seen trunks of trees lying under ground, and expressing the places in times past overgrown with trees, very few or none being in those places now standing. Besides, some remembrance of the aforesaid forrests and woods History questionlesse would yeeld; now what occasion soever Historians take for mentioning this tract, not one word is delivered by them to that purpose, all unanimously consenting ’twas never other then at present an open and champion Countrey. A Theater on which _Bellona_ often displayed her bloody ensigns, and acted severall tragedies in times of old: A field of _Mars_, where _Romans_, _Saxons_ and after _Danes_ for obtaining the dominion of this Island decided their ambitious controversies. Of which actions we have visible testimony unto this day, witnesse those burrows, and places where they cast the bodies of their slain, over all quarters of the plain dispersed, which in long time are so shrowded by nature with ever growing grasse, that their memory will remain by their sepulchres to all posterity; that which consumes all works of Art, making them still more fresh and flourishing: witnesse spoils of war there frequently digged up, as formerly remembred: severall encamping places of those severall Nations in all parts of the plain even yet appearing, no place in the whole Island, respecting the circuit, having more remains of them: Also that huge Trench, mentioned before by the name of _Wansdike_, running through the very bowels of them, such manner of trenches appearing no where in any part of _England_ beside, saving where the like plains interveen; so at _Newmarket Heath_ the like trench vulgarly called _Devils Dike_, as if _made by Devils not by men_, is to be seen; though in ancient times it was the limits of the Kingdome of the East _Angles_, and it took end, as _Camden_ very well observes, _where the passages by reason of woods grew cumbersome_: Which, if the like be granted for _Wansdike_ (as is very probable, it ending also with the Plains) then without controversie there were no more woods in times of old on _Salisbury_ Plains then at this day; it running overthwart them, as in a direct line from East to West. And who knows not, that other manner of fortifications then running trenches upon direct lines are to be cast up for defence of woody situations? But why urge more Authorities, when the Inhabitants of the Countrey tell us, the soil or ground being hot, dry, and chalky is altogether improper for the growth of trees. Thus then the situation of the place, so antipathizing in all respects with the nature and qualities anciently attributed to _Diana_, and the _Manner_, _Form_, and _Order_ of this _Antiquity_, so contrary to the custome used by the _Ancients_ in erecting her Temples, no reason wherefore this _Temple Stoneheng_ should be conceiv’d as erected for celebration of the superstitious ceremonies anciently ascribed unto her _Worship_.

Some, again, would have _Stoneheng_ consecrated to _Pan_; because _Pan_ a _Greek_ word signifying the _Universe_, under him the whole frame of _Nature_ was adored. And therefore, the _Ancients_ made his statues with horns, saith _Servius_, expressing thereby the beams of the _Sun_, and horns of the _Moon_; those issuing from his forehead, and turning upwards towards _Heaven_, as _Boccace_ will have it, signified the Celestiall bodies: feigning also, as the world moves with extraordinary swiftnesse, he excelled likewise in speed of running. By the purple, ruddy, and enflamed face, attributed to _Pan_, that pure fire, above all other _Elements_ holding his place in the confines of the Celestiall Sphears was demonstrated: by his large long beard descending down upon his breast, the two superiour Elements _Aire_ and _Fire_ of a masculine nature, sending down their impressions upon the other two naturally feminine was shewed: by the spotted skin covering his breast and shoulders, the eighth sphear wholly embelished with glorious stars; inveloping in like manner all appertaining to the nature of sublunary creatures was represented: by the sheep-hook which he held in one hand, Natures dominion over all things (according to _Boccace_) was signified: and as _Servius_ saith, because this staffe, or rod was crooked, the year revolving into it self, was thereby expressed: in the other hand holding a Pipe, consisting of seven reeds, whereby, the Celestiall harmony conceived by some to have seven sounds, and seven different tunes, according to the number of the _Planets_, and their _Sphears_ which are seven, was so set forth.

After this manner _Mythologists_ discourse of _Pan_, with various opinions, according to the subtile niceties of their severall fancies: and in these respects as having relation to the _Heavens_, this _Antiquity Stoneheng_ is imagined sacred to _Him_. ’Tis true, if _Mythologie_, and not demonstrative reasons were to be fixt upon in matters of _Architecture_, the former conceptions might be some ground to frame conjectures _Stoneheng_ sacred to _Pan_. But, _Architecture_ depending upon demonstration, not fancy, the fictions of _Mythologists_ are no further to be embraced, then as not impertinently conducing to prove reall truths. Wherefore, the aforesaid ancient rules for building _Temples_ considered, and comparing the _Order_, _Form_, _Aspect_ and _Situation_ of the _Temples_ to _Pan_, with the like in this _Antiquity_, so much contrariety is found betwixt them, as may convince any reasonable judgement _Stoneheng_ not dedicated to _Him_.

[Sidenote: _Nat. Com. lib. 5._]

[Sidenote: _Dion. Hali. lib. 1._]

[Sidenote: _Rosin. lib. 2._]

[Sidenote: _Pausan. fo. 496._]

[Sidenote: _Vitr. lib. 1. cap. 2._]

[Sidenote: _Alexan. Don._]

[Sidenote: _Pomp. Totti._]

[Sidenote: _Pausan. fo. 114. & 317._]

[Sidenote: _Ibid. fo. 516._]

_Pan pastorum, venatorum, & universæ vitæ rusticanæ præsidem crediderunt Antiqui_, saith _Natalis Comes_. _Pan_ was the reputed _God_ amongst the _Ancients, of Shepherds, Huntsmen, and all those that led an agrestick life_. The same Author also calling him _Piscatorum Deum_, the _God of Fishermen_ as well as _Shepherds_. _Arcadibus Deorum antiquissimus & honoratissimus est Pan_, saith _Dionysius_. _Pan is the most ancient, and most honoured Deity of the Arcadians._ And in _Arcadia_ itself where he was principally adored, they built his _Temples_ for the most part in Towns of the same _Form_ and _Order_ as to _Juno_: In the _Town of Heræa_, _habet Pan templum suum_ (saith _Pausanias_ in his description of _Arcadia_) _quod olim_ Junoni _dicatum fuit_, Pan _had his Temple which anciently was dedicated to_ Juno. Now, the _Order appropriated_ to _Juno_ by the _Romans_, was the _Ionick_, as is manifest from _Vitruvius_, who tels us, _To Juno, Diana, and Bacchus_, and to the other _Deities_ of the same quality, _they built Temples of the Ionick Order_. The _Form_ in like manner of her sacred structures was quadrangular, as in Mount _Aventine_, in _foro Olitorio_ (or the herb Market) in Mount _Quirinal_, and elswhere amongst the _Romans_ the _ruines_ of her _Temples_ do evidently witnesse: as also, her _Temples_ anciently at _Argos_, and amongst the _Elians_ in _Greece_, built of the like _Form_, and of the _Dorick Order_. But this _Antiquity_ is of the severe _Tuscane_ work, and of a round figure. The _Temples_ to _Pan_ had a _Portico_ onely in _front_, at _Stoneheng_ it continues round about the _Cell_. The _Temples_ to _Pan_ were not exposed to the open _Aire_, and built uncovered as _Stoneheng_ was, but had roofs upon them. For, _Ignis ei perpetuus ardebat_, therein _they kept perpetuall fire_, as at _Acacesium_ a _Town_ also of _Arcadians_; all _Temples_ wherein they kept such fires being covered, as the _Temple_ to _Apollo_ at _Delphos_ amongst the _Greeks_, and to _Vesta_ at _Rome_ amongst the _Romans_. But, if at any time they did erect them distant from a _Town_, reserving always the _Form_ and _Order_, they chose such situations as wholly environed with trees; for example, the _Temple_ to _Pan_ in Mount _Lycæus_, was compassed in with a thick wood, _condenso circumseptum luco_, as _Pausanias_ hath it: so likewise, that _Temple_ sacred to _Him_ in the _Parthenian_ Forrest, according to the said Author. Now, this _Temple Stoneheng_ is sited in an open champion Countrey, where scarce a bush or tree, much lesse thick woods, or forrests to be seen throughout the whole Plain; nor was there ever any in times of old as History remembers, and the nature of the soil, as I am informed, is no wise prosperous for their growing there, as is sufficiently before declared.

But _Pan_ (say they) being the God of _Shepherds_, why might not _Stoneheng_ to gratifie them be erected, and consequently by the _Romans_ dedicated to their God _Pan_? no place in the whole Island more abounding with sheep, then the circumadjacent Plains; the almost innumerable flocks whereof, not only most plentifully satisfying the bordering inhabitants for food; but, from their delicate fleeces, a great part of the known universe are clad also. I answer, amongst the _Romans_ (declared at large before to be _Founders_ of _Stoneheng_) I do not finde any one _Temple_, _Holy House_, _Sanctuary_, _Grove_, _Altar_, or any such like sacred structure consecrated to _Pan_ in their own Country; much lesse any _Temple_ dedicated unto Him by them in _Britain_: and therefore, utterly improbable this _Temple Stoneheng_ should be erected by the _Romans_ unto _Pan_.

[Sidenote: _Dion. Hal. lib. 1._]

[Sidenote: _Rosin. lib. 2. cap. 20._]

[Sidenote: _Justin. lib. 43._]

[Sidenote: _Plutarch. in Rom._]

[Sidenote: _Rosin. lib. 3. cap. 2._]

[Sidenote: _Plut. in Rom._]

There was a _Temple_ indeed, built to _Pan Lycæus_ on Mount _Palatine_, by those _Arcadians_ which accompanied _Evander_ into _Italy_; in which, though the _Romans_ in succeeding times performed the same rites, as the _Arcadians_ anciently had instituted; yet, _He_ passed with the _Romans_ under the name of _Lupercus_, and in honour of _Him_, as some Authors of opinion, certain festivals or games called _Lupercalia_, at _Rome_ onely, not in Provinces conquered by them, were solemnized by the _Romans_; Noblemens sons running in those games, according to the primitive institution setting forth and beginning their course at Mount _Palatine_, and so round about the City to the same place again. I may not omit, neverthelesse, that severall Authors deliver the _Lupercalia_ were instituted in thankfulnesse to _Lupa_, or the wolf that gave _Romulus_ suck, and the course of those games beginning at Mount _Palatine_ (not so much in remembrance it seems of _Pans_ Temple there, as) from the _Lupercal_ or _the very place they say where_ Romulus _was cast out_.

[Sidenote: _Dion. lib. 1._]

_Dionysius_ of _Halicarnassus_ tels us the _Arcadians_ built the aforesaid _Temple_ to _Pan_, _idoneo invento loco &c._ when they had found out a _convenient place_ for it adjoyning to their habitations: the condition or nature of which place is not unworthy your observation; for by his description thereof we shall easily perceive what manner of situation was by the _Arcadian_ Shepherds held proper for performing the ceremonies of their God _Pan_. His words are, _Erat tum, ut fertur, spelunca sub tumulo magna, denso querceto contecta, & sub petris profundi fonticuli, solúmque rupibus contiguum nemorosum, & frequentibus ac proceris opacum arboribus: ibi ara deo extructa, more patrio sacra fecerunt. Under the Hill_ (to wit, Mount _Palatine_) _was anciently, as report goes_ (saith he) _a great cave or den, covered over by a thick grove, deep wells or riverets running amongst the stones of the cave, and round about it a wood, by the many and tall trees growing therein very dark and obscure: there the Altar of the God was placed, and his Sacrifices after their Country manner performed_. Now is _Stoneheng_ thus sited, or was there ever any such like place near this _Antiquity_? of all the places in _England_ that I know, none comes nearer that cave, then _Ochy-hole_ in _Somersetshire_: And if the Ancients held such dismall situations only proper for _Pans Temples_, then without peradventure _Stoneheng_ was never erected in honour of him, they being no innovators in their superstitions.

[Sidenote: _Dion. lib. 1._]

A further observation may be made to our purpose, upon the aforesaid description, _Erat tum antrum magnum, it was anciently_ (saith _Dionysius_) _a great cave_. But in his own time, which was under _Augustus_, the _Romans_ had so choked up the place with building, that the manner how _Pans Temple_ in old time stood, was hardly to be discovered: _nunc quidem ædificiis_ (saith he) _fanum circumquaque sepientibus, difficilis conjectura est qualis olim loci natura fuerit. At this present, verily, the Temple being every way environed with buildings, it is hardly to be conjectured in what manner of place it anciently stood_. This was the cause which enforced him to deliver to posterity the former description meerly upon report. Certainly then, the _Romans_ employing the place to profaner uses, _Pans_ Deity was little esteemed by them; otherwise, they would never have polluted it, by setting up private houses upon the place consecrated to him. Now the _Romans_ slighting him after this manner at home, little reason appears so magnificent a structure as _Stoneheng_, should be erected by them for adoration of _Pan_ in other Countreys.

[Sidenote: _Nat. Com. lib. 5._]

Furthermore, the Sacrifices in times of old offered to _Pan_ were milk and honey, offered up in simple Shepherds crocks or earthen pitchers: _quare non ritè sacrificabant, qui tauros illi immolabant, aut qui in aureis poculis lac aut vinum offerebant &c. Wherefore, they sacrificed not aright_, saith _Natalis Comes, who immolated Buls or Oxen unto him, or out of golden cups poured forth milk or wine upon his Altars_; for goblets of that metall were proper onely for the supernall and celestiall _Deities_, not to terrestriall, and such as had care of Heardsmen or Shepherd Swains. To which purpose also, the same Author out of _Apollonius Smyrnæus_ remembers _Pan_, thus speaking of himself.

_Sum Deus agrestis, cur his sunt aurea sacris Pocula? quo vinum funditis Italicum? Ad petram cur stat taurus cervice ligatus? Parcite: non hæc est victima grata mihi. Pan montanus ego sum, ligneus, ipsáque vestis Pellicea est: mustum è fictilibúsque bibo._

In English thus:

_A rurall God am I, in golden cup The Falern wine, why then d’yee offer up? Why at mine Altar, stands the stern Bull bound, Or Oxe that’s fat, with laurell girland crown’d? Spare ye such cost: no gratefull victimes these Are unto me, others lesse costly please. A Mountaineer, a wood-man clad in skin Am I: your wine in earthen vessels bring._

But the Sacrifices anciently offered at _Stoneheng_ (already remembred) were _Buls_ or _Oxen_, and severall sorts of beasts, as appears by the heads of divers kinds of them, not many years since there digged up.

[Sidenote: _Platin. in Bon._]

[Sidenote: _Dion. lib. 53._]

As for that of the _Pantheon_, it is very well known the _Ancients_ so called it, not in any relation to _Pan_, but because it was sacred to _Jove_ the _Revenger_, and according to others to _Cibele_, and all Gods. For which reason, _Boniface_ the fourth obtained licence from the Emperour _Phocas_, to consecrate it to the _Virgin Mary_, and all Saints. And who knows not the _Architecture_ thereof wholly different from this of _Stoneheng_? The _Pantheon_ hath its _Cell_ enclosed with a continued solid wall, and the _Portico_ only in front, of the delicate _Corinthian Order_; of which _Order_ the inner part consisted likewise, being vaulted in most admirable and magnificent manner. From whence _Dion Cassius_ delivers his opinion, _inde id nominis habere, quod forma convexa fastigiatum, cœli similitudinem ostenderet, it to be called the_ Pantheon, _because by the form of that vault wherewith covered, it represented the concave of Heaven_, or (as others will) the figure of the world; for the world being mans house, the firmament is as the vaulted roof thereof. At the crown of the vault it had an opening, by which only it received light and air. But, this _Antiquity Stoneheng_ built of a grave and humble _Order_ (as is said before) had a double _Portico_ continuing round about it, the Cell thereof free and open, and every way exposed to the air, received light from all parts.

Wherefore leaving these, _Stoneheng_ was dedicated, as I conceive, to the God _Cœlus_, by some Authors called _Cœlum_, by others _Uranus_, from whom the Ancients imagined all things took their beginning. My reasons are, First, in respect of the _situation_ thereof; for it stands in a Plain, remote from any _Town_ or _Village_, in a free and open air, without any groves or woods about it.

[Sidenote: _Vitr. li. 1. cap. 2._]

[Sidenote: _Godw. Antiq. l. 1. cap. 20._]

Secondly, in regard of the _Aspect_; for _Stoneheng_ was never covered, but built without a roof. Which _Decorum_ the _Romans_ ever observed, both in the _Situation_ and _Aspect_ of the _Temples_ dedicated to this their God, and to _Jove_ the _Lightner_, the _Sun_, and the _Moon_. _Jovi fulguratori, & Cœlo, & Soli, & Lunæ, ædificia sub divo Hypæthráque constituuntur. To_ Jove _the Lightner, and to Cœlus, and to the Sun, and to the Moon, they erected buildings in the open air and uncovered_, saith _Vitruvius_ in the second Chapter of his first Book. Take with you also his reason. _Horum enim Deorum & species & effectus in aperto mundo atque lucenti præsentes videmus, because both the forms and effects of these Deities, we behold present before our eyes, in a clear and open view._ Another reason I find also why they built their Temples to _Cœlus_, and those other Deities uncovered as _Stoneheng_: because they counted it an hainous matter to see those Gods confined under a roof, whose doing good consisted in being abroad.

[Sidenote: _Pier. Valer. Hier. lib. 39._]

[Sidenote: _Leo Bapt. Alb. lib. 7._]

[Sidenote: _Philand. in 4. lib. Vitr. cap. 7._]