CHAPTER XI

Of the Pictures of the _Sibyls_.

The Pictures of the _Sibyls_ are very common, and for their Prophesies of Christ in high esteem with Christians; described commonly with youthful faces, and in a defined number. Common pieces making twelve, and many precisely ten; observing therein the account of _Varro_, that is, _Sibylla_, _Delphica_, _Erythræa_, _Samia_, _Cumana_, _Cumæa_, or _Cimmeria_, _Hellespontiaca_, _Lybica_, _Phrygia_, _Tiburtina_, _Persica_. In which enumeration I perceive learned men are not satisfied, and many conclude an irreconcilable incertainty; some making more, others fewer, and not this certain number. For _Suidas_, though he affirm that in divers ages there were ten, yet the same denomination he affordeth unto more; _Boysardus_ in his Tract of Divination hath set forth the Icons of these Ten, yet addeth two others, _Epirotica_, and _Ægyptia_; and some affirm that Prophesying women were generally named _Sibyls_.

Others make them fewer: _Martianus Capella_ two; _Pliny_ and _Solinus_ three; _Ælian_ four; and _Salmasius_ in effect but seven. For discoursing hereof in his _Plinian_ Exercitations, he thus determineth; _Ridere licet hodiernos Pictores, qui tabulas proponunt Cumanæ, Cumeæ, et Erythrææ, quasi trium diversarum Sibyllarum; cum una cademque fuerit Cumana, Cumæa, et Erythræa, ex plurium et doctissimorum Authorum sententia._ _Boysardus_ gives us leave to opinion there was no more than one; for so doth he conclude, _In tanta Scriptorum varietate liberum relinquimus Lectori credere, an una et eadem in diversis regionibus peregrinata, cognomen sortita sit ab iis locis ubi oracula reddidisse comperitur, an plures extiterint_: And therefore not discovering a resolution of their number from pens of the best Writers, we have no reason to determine the same from the hand and pencil of Painters.

As touching their age, that they are generally described as young women, History will not allow; for the Sibyl whereof _Virgil_ speaketh is termed by him _longæva sacerdos_, and _Servius_ in his Comment amplifieth the same. The other that sold the books unto _Tarquin_, and whose History is plainer than any, by _Livie_ and _Gellius_ is termed _Anus_; that is, properly no woman of ordinary age, but full of years, and in the dayes of dotage, according to the Etymology of _Festus_[SN: Anus, quasi Ἀnoῦs, sine mente.]; and consonant unto the History; wherein it is said, that _Tarquin_ thought she doted with old age. Which duly perpended, the _Licentia pictoria_ is very large; with the same reason they may delineate old _Nestor_ like _Adonis_, _Hecuba_ with _Helens_ face, and Time with _Absolons_ head. But this absurdity that eminent Artist _Michael Angelo_ hath avoided, in the Pictures of the _Cumean_ and _Persian_ Sibyls, as they stand described from the printed sculptures of _Adam Mantuanus_.