Which seeing stoutBunducaup arose,And taking arms, theBritonsto her drew;With whom she marched straight against her foes,And them vnwares besides theSeuernedid enclose.Suetonius, when resolving for fight,Tacit. Ann. lib. 14.deligit locum artis faucibus, & à tergo silvâ clausum, satis cognito, nihil hostium nisi in fronte, & apertam planitiem esse sine metu insidiarum. Choosed a place with a narrow entrance, enclosed behind with a wood, being well assured, he had no enemies but before him, and the Plain being open was without fear of Ambush.ThusTacitusdescribes the field, theRomanArmy consisting of scarce ten thousand armed men. In what part ofBritansoever this Plain lay, it was, for certain, of no great extent, being hardly able to contain the vast multitudes ofBoadicia’sArmy; computed two hundred and thirty thousand fighting men, byDion, and therefore could not possibly beSalisburyPlain. For, theBritansplacing their carts and wagonssupra extremum ambitium campi, in the utmost borders of the field, had so environed their Army therewith, that upon the rout given, they could hardly flee away,quia circumjecta vehicula sepserant abitus, by reason the carts(saithTacitus)hedged in the passages on every side, and (to useAnonymusown words)Ner. Cæs. fo. 179.were like a wall against evasion. Now, if theBritanshad so surrounded the utmost borders ofSalisburyPlain, and in such manner barricado’d up all the passages thereof, their numbers should rather have been millions then thousands, as every man knowing those Plains must needs confesse. Besides,Anonymusself tels us,Ner. Cæs. fo. 178.after theBritansin the head of their battel began to shrink and turn, that alone was a blow to all behind, who being many score of thousands, remain’d untoucht, during the fight, because they could never come up to handy-strokes, forwant of roomin the narrowings of the field. He told us even now there was scope enough.Whereabout in these parts ofBritain, (saith he)Ner. Cæs. fo. 161.that very place was, unlesse it were uponSalisburyPlain, where there is a black heath, andscope enough,is not for me to imagine. Now, on the contrary, when coming to the issue, he tels us the Plain was narrow, and theywanted room. Did theBritanswant room in the field, and were onSalisburyPlain? Surely, in the heat of his describing the BattelAnonymusforgot his own invention; the fury of theRomans, in beating down theBritishsquadrons, therewith dasht the main force of his conceit to peeces. Suspicious and jealous men had need of good memories. Upon the aforesaid situation he might rather have observed, the great experience of theRomane Generallin martiall affairs, then from thence suggested, theBritansin point of honour erectedStonehengto the memory ofBoadicia,Suetoniusnot onely choosing to make good a straight enclosed behinde with a wood, for securing his own small Troops, but such a straight also, where the Plain, or field before it, was not of sufficient extent forBoadiciato marshall her great Army in. Furthermore,Anonymusdetermining (it seems) to parcell out his ground proportionable to the numbers, undertakes to give posterity an exact survey of this Plain, telling us, itwas a Plain of five or six miles over: This makes it more apparent ’twas notSalisburyPlain, which far and wide so expatiates it self through the middle ofWiltshire, that it is not onelyfive or six miles, but (as I may say) five times six miles over. This famous battell then, being struck upon a Plain hardly capable ofBoadicia’sArmy, was not fought uponSalisburyPlain; but, on some other, whichSuetonius Paulinusfound best for his own advantage, and thereforeStoneheng(asAnonymuswould fain have it) could not be the Sepulchre ofBoadicia.Dion. Cass. lib. 62.ConcerningBoadicia’smagnificent obsequies; a mighty Prince may be buried with great solemnity, yet no materiall Monument dedicated to his memory. Examples of this kinde are so frequent, there needs no mention of them.Humaverunt magnificè, (they areDionswords) theBritanslaid her into the earth magnificently, with as much pomp, happily, and honour, attending her to the grave, as their barbarous customs for their glorious Chieftain would admit; but, that they raised any Monument, or erected whatsoever kinde of Sepulchre for her, much lesse so notable a structure asStoneheng, he no where tels us. Which had theBritansdone, the Historian could not avoid, taking more knowledge thereof, then of her bare enterment, and would undoubtedly have recorded it. Again, grantSalisburyPlain the place of Battell, yet,Dionsaith not, they buried her magnificently where the battell fought, only,Humaverunt magnificè: adding withall, those, that escaped the field, prepared to re-enforce themselves for a new triall, in the mean while a disease seizing onBunduica, she died. Now then, after so terrible an overthrow, wherein ’tis reported she lost fourscore thousandBritans;Boadicia, in all likelihood, endevoured to recover theIcenianCountreys, her principall strength; havingin her speech before the Battell insinuated the fenny parts thereof, as a refuge if the worst should happen. In what Countreys else could they recruit? where falling sick she died, (whether by violent or naturall death is not materiall) and as ever observed among all Nations, was, no doubt, buried in her own territories, among the graves of her renowned Ancestors.That theBritans, untillJulius Agricolastime,Ner. Cæs. fo. 117.had learned nothing (asAnonymustakes speciall notice) butto fight, and were no handicraftsmen, whereby they might be capable of erecting such works asStoneheng, being already fully proved fromTacitus, I will adde, the ringleaders or heads of commotions against Empires and Commonwealths were anciently, (in many Countreys at this day) not only themselves punishable by the Laws with death, but their whole families and kindred though guiltlesse, suffered in like manner; their very houses also, being razed to the ground, lest any knowledge of such pernicious undertakings should remain visible to posterity: and a capitall crime it was, in whomsoever that restor’d them. How comes it then,Boadiciathe principall promoter,Sueton. in Ner.and Head of an insurrection so fatall, as accounted bySuetonius Tranquillus, among the infortunate losses of theRomanEmpire,Dion. Cas. lib. 62.and the more ignominious by a womans conduct, should be permitted by the conqueringRomans, a monument to eternize her fame to succeeding Ages?Boadicia, that ript up the bellies of theRomanLegionaries, and cutting out their bowels impal’d their bodies upon burning stakes; that hanged up the most noble and honourableRoman Damesnaked, and slicing off their paps, sowed them to their mouths, as in act of eating them; that in scalding water boiled theRomaninfants, and young children to death; their Parents, Husbands, and Commanders unable to relieve them, but enforced to give way, and happy in so saving themselves from the cruell inhumanities of theConqueresse.We fought for to live, saithTacitus. Yet, when ere long afterwards, victoriously recoveringBritaintoCæsar, by so memorable a battell as compared totheir victories of old, should theRomanssuffer the enthralledBritansto erect a Trophy to her memory, whose purpose was absolutely to root out all that wasRomanhere? what greater infamy to theRomanname, except the permission of it? They, who rased and broke in peeces whatever titles and inscriptions, bearing the names of theirCæsars; pulled down and demolished the royallEnsigns,Trophies,Statues,Temples, or whatever else sacred, to their own Emperors, when actively administring to the prejudice of theRomaneState; would they permit any publick monuments be erected to the memory of a conquered Prince, of an Enemy so barbarously cruell asBoadicia? That she lives in History, they could not prevent; so live their worst of Emperors. Moreover, publick Monuments were in all ages set up in honour of the Vanquishers, not vanquished; respecting which,Anonymusshould also, either have madeBoadiciaVictresse, or never supposedStonehengher Sepulchre.The time assigned byAnonymus,Ner. Cæs. fo. 182.for erecting theseorderly irregular, and formlesse uniform heaps of massive marble, (as he cals them)to the everlasting remembrance of Boadicia, is much above fifteen hundred years since:Petronius TurpilianussucceedingSuetonius Paulinusin the Leivtenancy ofBritain; who by his idle and lazy life, making the world beleeve there was peace here:Anonymuswill have it a proper time, for permittingsuch an office to the Britans, inBoadicia’shonour. Times of peace, ’tis confest, whenArtsflourish under nobly minded Governours, are chiefly proper for erecting magnificent buildings. The Government underPetroniuswas guilty of none of these. As for the State ofBritainin generall,Tacitusin the life ofAgricolatels us,Petroniushad composed the former troubles; but in what sort, the fourteenth book of hisAnnalsdeclares;non irritato hoste, neque lacessitus, neither the Enemy, incensed him; nor he, provoked the Enemy: otherwisePetroniusdurst not do. And, if peace setled, why doth the Historian call them Enemies? Concerning his own person in particular,Petroniusgave himself over to an unprofitable life, disguising it under the honourable nameof peace.Honestum pacis nomen segni otio imposuit, saithTacitus. And, theBritans(as said before) were not then civilized, nor friends to such Arts as either nourish or are nourished by peace, therefore such a work of wonder as thisAntiquityfamed, not to be expected from them. For, as through the malignities of the Age, whereinAurelius Ambrosiuslived, theBritanshad utterly lost the practice of all thoseSciences, in times foregoing, learned by their Auncestors from theRomans: so, through the neglect of civil policy in the precedingRomanGovernours, in this Leivtenancy ofPetronius, theBritanshad not attained the knowledge of any thoseArts, not many years afterwards, taught their posterity by theRomans. Whole imperiall Eagles took not wing inBritainwith such lofty speed, as over other Countreys;TheBritansbeing a fierce Nation, slowly giving ear to any peace,Tacit. Ann. lib. 14.theRomanshad work enough in subduing them.Julius Cæsarrather shewed the Island to his successors, then left them possession of it:AugustusandTiberiusheld it policy to neglect it:Caligulaintending to invadeBritain, was diverted by his Wars inGermany:Claudiusfirst prosecuting the conquest with effect, established the colony atCamalodunum, and his LeivtenantsAulus Plautius,Flavius Vespasianus,Ostorius Scapula, andDidius Gallusby little and little, after much contest, and various successe, subdued certain Countries; and reducing the nearest part of the Island to the form of a Province, built also, or rather cast up some few fortifications further within the land:Nero’sGenerals had much to do in keeping, what their predecessors gained;Suetonius Paulinus(under him) struck that fortunate battell withBoadicia, else theRomansbeaten out of all. So that, in the time ofPetronius, theRomanshaving obtained no such assured dominion over theBritans, as might make them, themselves confident to undertake great and stately buildings here, for their own either publick, or private accommodations; (the ruine ofCamalodunumbeing too fresh in memory) occasion was not offered, nor the time yet come, to let theBritansknow by whatArtsall civill Nations ofthe world, did erect their excessive, rather then not magnificent structures, for eternizing their names to succeeding generations. And therefore, the Leivtenancy ofPetronius Turpilianus, not proper for building thisstony marvell, asAnonymussuspects. For, beside what’s delivered, whensoeverStonehengbuilt, the preparation only of materials for the work, and bringing them to the place, whatEnginesorArtssoever used, necessarily, spent more time, thenPetroniusconsumed in the whole continuance of his government here. What tumults succeeded him, let others declare.Furthermore,if thosetimes ofPetroniuswould not,yet(saithAnonymus)other ensuing seasons might permit such an office to theBritans,her name for ever glorious among them. The hainousnesse of her Rebellion, horridnesse of her cruelties, and inveterate hatredBoadiciabore to theRomans, wherebyher name for ever infamous among them, clearly manifest all otherensuing seasons, equally improper for those ancient inhabitants of this Island, to erectStoneheng. If theBritans, once attaining theRomanemanner ofArchitecture, in any succeeding times had expelled theRomans, and been triumphant; some probable reason, at least,Anonymusmight have alledged, towards advancing his opinion. ButBoadiciaand herComplicesoverthrown, theRomanPower in this Island encreasing dayly, and the liberty of theBritansas fast declining, no followingseasoncould be opportunely favourable, for undertaking such a work by them; the erecting whereof, yea the sole endeavouring to commemorate by such publick means, so mortall an enemy to theRomansasBoadicia: nothing but the dearest lives of the bold attempters, could, certainly, expiate. TheTempleupon MountCœliusatRome, begun toClaudiusSuet. in Vespas.sacred memory byAgrippina, was destroyed to the very foundations byNero. If then, insultingAgrippinamight not erect a memorable structure, to the glory of her deceasedCæsar; whom theSenateandPeopleofRome, in all solemne manner deified: What oppressedBritan, durst undertake the raising a publick Monument to the honour of vanquishedBoadicia, whom the State (in allreason) for ever declared enemy to theRomanEmpire? And though, after a long succession of years, theRomansabandoned this Island, yet, when departed, theBritanswere left in such deplorable condition, (at large declared before) that, albeither namenever so glorious among them, they had much more to do, in saving their own miserable lives from plague, famine, and the sword, then any opportunity, or ability to erect whatever Monument to the glory ofBoadicia. But, of this enough; the invalidity ofAnonymusopinion especially respected. The discovering the originall foundation of anAntiquityso famous, being not to be enforced by jealous suspicions, raised upon bare and groundlesse conjectures.THISAntiquity(call’d byHenry Huntingdon, The second: byPoly-olbion——First wonder of the land)because theArchitravesare set upon the heads of the upright stones, and hang (as it were) in the air, is generally known by the name ofStone-heng. It is sited upon the Plain in the County ofWiltshireinEngland, not far fromAmbresbury(the foundations of whose ancient buildings, frequently digged up, render it to have been in times past aTownof no small fame) six miles at least from newSalisburynorthwards.The whole work, in generall, being of a circular form, is one hundred and ten foot diameter, double winged about without a roof, anciently environed with a deep Trench, still appearing about thirty foot broad. So that, betwixt it, and the work it self, a large and void space of ground being left, it had, from the Plain, three open entrances, the most conspicuous thereof lying North-east. At each of which, was raised, on the outside of the Trench aforesaid, two huge stones gate-wise, parallel whereunto, on the inside two others of lesse proportion. The inner part of the work, consisting of anExagonallfigure, was raised, by due symmetry, upon the bases of four equilaterall triangles, (which formed the whole structure) this inner part likewise wasdouble, having, within it also, anotherExagonraised, and all that part within the Trench sited upon a commanding ground, eminent, and higher by much, then any of the Plain lying without, and, in the midst thereof, upon a foundation of hard chalk, the work it self was placed. Insomuch, from what part soever they came unto it, they rose by an easie ascending hill.Which, that it may be the more clearly demonstrated, (being by me, with no little pains, and charge measured, and the foundations thereof diligently searched) I have reduced intoDesign, not onely as the ruine thereof now appears, but as (in my judgement) it was in its pristine perfection. And that the groundplot, with the uprights, and profyle of the whole work may the more distinctly be understood, I have purposely countersigned eachDesignof them withNumbers, and the particular parts thereof withLetters.Nu. 1Signifies the Plant of the whole work in generall, with the Trench round about it, drawn by a small scale, that it may be seen all at one view.AThe Trench.BThe Intervall betwixt the Trench and Work.CThe Work it self; in the inmost part whereof, there is a stone appearing not much above the surface of the earth, (and lying towards the East) four foot broad, and sixteen foot in length. Which, whether it might be anAltaror no, I leave to the judgement of others, because so overwhelmed with the ruines of the Work, that I could make no search after it, but even with much difficulty, took the aforesaid proportion thereof. Yet for my part, I can apprehend no valid reason to the contrary, except that the whole constructurebeing circular in form, the Altar should rather have been placed upon the center of the Circle, then enclining to the circumference. Neverthelesse it cannot be denied, but being so sited, theCell(as I may call it) was thereby left more free, for the due performance of those severall superstitious rites, which their Idolatry led them to. Besides, though theAltareamongst theAncientswas exalted and raised somwhat high above the earth; yet, theirArawas made quadrangular, not very high, and as some will have it close to the ground, being consecrated as well to the supernall as infernall Deities:Rosin. lib. 2.and therefore in respect of the form, it may hold well enough it was anciently an Altar.DThe supposed Altar.EThe great stones which made the entrances from the outside of the Trench, seven foot broad, three foot thick, and twenty foot high.FThe parallel stones, on the inside of the Trench, four foot broad, and three foot thick; but they lie so broken, and ruined by time, that their proportion in height cannot be distinguisht, much lesse exactly measured.GThe scale of fifty foot.TheDesignfollows.Nu. 2The Groundplot of the work, as when first built, in a greater form, with the foure equilaterall triangles making theScheame, by which the whole work was composed.HThe six principall entrances, three whereof directly opposite to those of the Trench.IThe stones which made the outward Circle, seven foot in breadth; three foot and an half thick, and fifteen foot and an half high: each stone having two tenons mortaised into theArchitrave, continuing upon them, throughout the whole circumference. For, theseArchitraves, being joynted directly in the middle of each of the perpendicular stones that their weight might have an equall bearing, and upon each side of the joynt a tenon wrought, (as remains yet to be seen) it may positively be concluded thereby, theArchitravecontinued round about this outward circle.KThe smaller stones of the inner circle, one foot and an half in bredth, one foot thick, and six foot high. These had noArchitravesupon them, but were raised perpendicular, of a pyramidall form. That, there was noArchitraveupon these, may be hence concluded, the stones being too small to carry such a weight, the spaces being also too wide, to admit of anArchitraveupon them without danger of breaking, and being but six foot high, there could not, possibly, be a convenient head-height remaining for a passage underneath, especially, considering fully the greatnesse of the whole work.LThe stones of the greaterHexagon, seven foot and an half in breadth, three foot nine inches thick, and twenty foot high, each stone having one tenon in the middle.MThe stones of theHexagonwithin, two foot six inches in breadth, one foot and an half thick, and eight foot high, in form pyramidall, like those of the inner circle.The Scale which hath this mark,X, is of thirty foot, by which likewise all the ensuingDesignsare drawn.TheDesignfollows.Nu. 3The upright of the work, as when entire, in which the perpendicular stones of the outward circle, are countersigned with the LetterI, as in the groundplot.NTheArchitravelying round about upon them, being mortaised into them, and joynted in the middle of each of the perpendicular stones. ThisArchitraveis three foot and an half broad, and two foot and an half high.OTheArchitravelying on the top of the great stones of theHexagon, and mortaised also into them, sixteen foot long, three foot nine inches broad, and three foot four inches high. ThisArchitravecontinuing onely from stone to stone, left betwixt every two and two, a void space free to the Air uncovered. For, if they had been continued throughout the wholeHexagon, then necessarily there must have been two tenons upon each of the said stones, as those of the outward circle had, but being disposed as aforesaid, that one, which was in the middle, and yet remains apparent, was sufficient for the thing intended.Nu. 4The Profyle, or cut, through the middle of the work, as entire, countersigned with the Letters of the Groundplot.TheDesignsfollow.Nu. 5The whole work inProspective, as when entire, whereby the generall composure of the particular parts of the uprights, are together all seen: and, by which also, the stately Aspect, and magnificent greatnesse thereof, are fully, and more apparently conspicuous.Nu. 6The Groundplot of the work, as it now stands, countersigned with the same Letters by which the Plant markedNu. 2is described. The stones of the greaterHexagon, and outward circle, after so long contest with the violence of time, and injury of weather, are for the most part standing at this day; which, though not all at their full height, as when first set up, yet the Footsteps neverthelesse, of so many of them as exprest in theDesign, are still remaining in their proper places. Those of the inner circle, and lesserHexagon, not only exposed to the fury of all devouring Age, but to the rage of men likewise, have been more subject to ruine. For, being of no extraordinary proportions, they might easily be beaten down, or digged up, and at pleasure, made use of for other occasions. Which, I am the rather enduced to beleeve, because, since my first measuring the work, not one fragment of some then standing, are now to be found.Nu. 7The Ruine yet remaining drawn inProspective.PThe manner of the tenons, of a round form, mortaised into theArchitraveof the outward Circle.QThe tenons of like form in the middle of the stones of the greaterHexagon.RThe English foot (by which the work it self was measured) divided into twelve inches, and each inch subdivided into four parts.TheDesignsfollow.Hitherto, upon what occasionStonehengbuilt (you may easily perceive) is very doubtfull, the true History of those times, when first erected, and by which the memory of things especially made over to succeeding Ages, being either not written, or if written, utterly lost. Likewise, as for what use set up, not yet known; so, by whom also founded, is equally uncertain.You cannot but remember, in what manner the ancient Inhabitants of this Island lived, before reduced to civility by theRomansI have formerly delivered: also, how they were first instructed by them, in severallArtsandSciences, whereof theBritanswholly ignorant, before theRomansarrivall here, and teaching them. I have given you in like manner, a full description of thisAntiquity, whereby doubtlesse it appears to you, as in truth it is, a work built with muchArt,OrderandProportion. That the ancientBritans, before the discovery of this Island by theRomans, could not be theFoundersthereof, by the former reasons, I suppose, is clearly manifested. For, whereArtis not, nothing can be performed byArt. As, for that which concerns theBritishNobility,Aurelius Ambrosius, orBoadicia, enough already.It rests now, to endeavor the discovering by whomStonehengbuilt; in what time, and, for what use anciently erected. But, it is not expected (I hope) any absolute resolution should be given by me, in so doubtfull a matter; for,as it hath been always lawfull for every man in such like matters(saithCamden)both to think what he will, and relate what others have thought: So pardon me, if I take upon me, what others have done before me, and interpose mine own opinion also, grounded neverthelesse upon such Authorities, customes, and concurrence of time, as very probably may satisfie judicious and impartiall Readers.Touching theFoundersofStoneheng. Among theÆgyptian Antiquities, or thoseEasternNations from whom theGræciansdeduced their learning, I find not any such composure ever used: or with theGreeksthemselves, mention made ofany work conformable to this, in point ofOrder, (as the mod conversant in those Histories cannot contradict) I read neverthelesse, inPausanias,Pausan. fo. 392.of aTempleamongst theEleanserected without walls:novam quandam inEleorumforo templi formam vidi. I saw(saith he)in the market place of theEleans,a Temple of a new form. Modicæ est ædes altitudinis, sine parietibus, tectum è quercu dolatis fulcientibus tibicinibus. A low thing, without walls, having the roof supported with props of oaken timber(instead, it seems, of Columnes)neatly wrought. He remembers aTemplealso inAtticaIdem fo. 75:sacred toJovewithout a roof. TheThracians(as I read likewise) used to buildTemplesdedicated toSol,of a round form, open in the middle, and also without aroof: by the form, or roundnesse thereof, they signified the Suns figure; by making them open, and rooflesse, they expressed his surmounting, and dilating light equally to all things.Thraces soli rotunda templa faciebant(saithDaniel Barbaro)In Vitr. lib. 4.in medio sub divo, & aperta erant: hac forma Solis figuram innuebant: quòd autem aperta essent, & sine tecto, innuebant Solem supra omnia esse, & lumen suum diffundere.Howsoever, considering what magnificence theRomansin prosperous times anciently used in all works, both publick, and private: their knowledge and experience in allArtsandSciences: their powerfull means for effecting great works: together with theirOrderin building, and manner of workmanship accustomed amongst them:Stonehengin my judgement was a work, built by theRomans, and they the soleFoundersthereof. For, if look upon thisAntiquity, as an admired and magnificent building, who more magnificent then theRomans?Scamoz. lib. 1. fo. 9.Essi soli frà i populi dell’ vniverso, con ogni termine di magnificenza edificarono tutti i generi d’edifici. They only amongst all the Nations of the Universe, erecting all sorts of buildings, with all kinds of magnificence, saithScamozzoin the first Book of hisArchitecture. If consider theArt, and elegant disposition thereof, allArtsandSciences(we must know) were in full perfection with them, andArchitecture, which amongst theGreekswas youthfull only, and vigorous; under theRomanstheirEmpiregrown to the full height became manly and perfect, not ininventions, and elegancy of forms alone, but also in exquisitenesse of Art, and excellency of materials. Salito al colmo l’imperioRomano,ella pure divenne virile e perfetta: non solo nelle inventioni, e nella elleganza delle forme, mà parimente nell’ esquisitezza dell’ artificio, e nella singolarità della materia. As the same Author hath it. If take notice of their power and ways by which they effected such goodly structures, their means were not ordinary according to the common custome of otherPeople; and why? because, besides particularArtisanspractised in severallArts, they employed in those their works whole bodies of their ownArmies, and whatever Nations subdued by them.TheRomanswere wont to exercise therein(saithCamden)Camden fo. 64.their Souldiers, and the common multitude, upon great policy doing the same, left being idle they should grow factious, and affect alteration in the State. TheBritanscomplained(saithTacituslikewise)corpora & manus contrivisse, that their bodies and hands were worn out, and consumed by theRomans,in bringing to effect their great and admired undertakings: in that kind employing their slaves and prisoners also, as holding it, rather then by violent deaths to cut them off; more profitable for theCommonwealth, more exemplary for others, and far greater punishment for their Prisoners, to enjoyn them continuall labour.If observetheir Orderin building; the onlyOrderofArchitecture, whichItalymay truly glory in the invention of, is theTuscane Order, so called, because first found out by theTuscans, that in a more then ordinary manner they might reverence theirDeitiesinTemplescomposed thereof.Choul. fo. 5.(Janustheir first King, according to the common opinion of divers ancient Historians, being the first of all others, that builtTemplesto the Gods) WhichOrder, though first used by theTuscans, certain it is, theRomanstook from them, and brought it in use with otherArts, in severall parts of the world, as their conquests led them on. Now of thisTuscan Order, a plain, grave, and humble manner ofBuilding, very solid and strongStonehengprincipally consists. So that, observing theOrderwhereofStonehengbuilt, there being no such Elements known in thisIslandas distinctOrdersofArchitecture, untill theRomansintroduced them, the very work it self, of so greatAntiquity, declares theRomans Foundersthereof. Who, that hath right judgement inArchitecture, knows not the difference, and by the manner of their works how to distinguishÆgyptian,Greek, andRomanstructures of old, alsoItalian,FrenchandDutchbuildings in these modern times? Is not our Shipping by the mould thereof, known throughout the worldEnglishbuilt? Who did not by the veryOrderof the work, assure himself, the body of the Church of S.Paul London, from its Tower to the West end anciently built by theSaxons: as the Quire thereof, from the said Tower to the East end by theNormans, it beingGothickwork? yet that there might be aRoman Templein old time standing in that place, I will not deny, the numbers of Oxeheads digged up and anciently sacrificed there, setting all other reasons aside, so probably manifesting the same. And in all likelihood, theRomansfor so notable a structure asStoneheng, made choice of theTuscanerather then any otherOrder, not only as best agreeing with the rude, plain, simple nature of those they intended to instruct, and use for which erected; but also, because presuming to challenge a certain kind of propriety therein, they might take occasion thereby, to magnifie to those then living the virtue of theirAuncestorsfor so noble an invention, and make themselves the more renowned to posterity, for erecting thereof, so well ordred a building.Besides, theOrderis not onlyRoman, but theScheamalso (consisting of four equilaterall triangles, inscribed within the circumference of a Circle) by which this workStonehengformed, was anArchitectonicall ScheamVitr. lib. 5.used by theRomans. Whereof, I shall have more occasion to speak, when I come to set down, for what use thisAntiquityat first erected.Again, thePorticoatStoneheng, is made double, as in structures of great magnificence the ancientRomansused; so atthe foot of theCapitoltheTempletoJove the Thunderer, built byAugustus Cæsar; so thePantheonatAthens, royally adorned with one hundred and twenty vast columnes of richPhrygianmarble, by theEmperour Adrian. But, some may alledge, theRomansmade the Pillars of their doublePortico’s, of one and the same symmetry, or very little different, which in thisAntiquityotherwise appearing, cannot be aRomanwork. To as much purpose it may be alledged theTempleofDianaatMagnesia, was noGreekwork, because the Pillars of the innerPorticowere wholly left out. Yet it’s true, theRomansusually made them as is objected, and the reason was, because of the weight the inner Pillars carried: now, in this work, no roof being to be sustained, nor any manner of weight born up, though the judgement of theArchitect, thereby to save labour and expence, ordered the stones making thePorticowithin, of a far lesse proportion then those of the outward circle, it retains neverthelesse the properAspect(principally aim’d at by the ancientArchitects) in use amongst theRomans, and consequently for ought alledged to the contrary by them built.In thisAntiquity, there is aPorticoalso (as I may rightly term it) within theCell, or greaterHexagon, reduced likewise into the same figure. Now, that theRomansused to makePortico’son the inside of their buildings, as well sacred as secular, by the ruines of theirBasilicaesor Courts ofJudicature; by thatTemplewithout a roof anciently dedicated toJovein MountQuirinalis, now theHorseMount inRome; by theTemple of Bacchusthere of a round form, at this day consecrate to S.Agneswithout the gateViminalis, manifestly appears. But in what ever structures else theRomansused them, certain it is, within their most statelyTempleswhich lay uncovered, and had no roofs, they always made suchPortico’s; and though in otherTemplesthey sometimes dispos’d them, yet fromVitruviusit may be gathered, they properly belonged to theAspect Hypæthros, which was uncovered and rooflesse as thisAntiquity Stoneheng, he peremptorily assigningPortico’sto be made on the inside of no kind ofTemples,Vitr. lib. 3. cap. 1.but those; His words are,Hypæthros in interiore parte habet columnas, remotas à parietibus ad circuitionem (ut porticus) peristyliorum. Temples open to the air, and without roofs, have columnes on the inside, distant from the walls, as Courts Portico’s about them.Even, after the samedecorumas atStoneheng.Furthermore, if cast an eye upontheirartifice and manner of workmanship,Stonehengappears built directly agreeable to those rules, which theRomansobserved in great works. For, theRoman Architects, in distinguishing the manner of theirTemples, always observed (asVitruviusin his third book teacheth us) the greater the Columnes were, the closer they set them together; so in thisAntiquity, the stones being great, the spaces betwixt them are likewise narrow.TheArchitravesalso, in this work were all of them set without morter, and fixed upon the upright stones by tenons (as formerly described) in the very same manner, as in great structures, where the stones solid, and of more then ordinary greatnesse, theRomanswere wont to doe.Leo Bap. Alber. lib. 3.They laid them without any unctuous incorporating matter, nullo fulta glutino, saithLeo Baptista Albertus. And divers examples of this kind might be brought, I my self amongst otherAntiquitieshave seen the ruines of anAquaeduct, built by theRomansinProvynce, running through a deep valley, and raised in height equall to the adjacent Mountains, upon huge Arches fifty eight foot wide, the stones whereof, being of extraordinary scantlings, were laid without any cement or morter, to incorporate them with the rest of the work. And, where occasion guided their judgements to the observance of this rule, they united and compared the stones together, by certain ligatures or holdfasts, (theItalianscall themPerni, pegs or tops, for such they resemble, and we, from the verbtenereto hold, not improperly calling themtenons)quæ inferiores, & unà superiores in lapides infixæ, cavatæ fuere, ne quid fortè protrusi ordines alteri ab alteris distrahantur. Which(saithAlbertus)Leo Bap. Alber. lib. 3.being formed in the inferiour stones, were hollowed or mortaised into those above, left by any chance they should start one from another, and break the order of the work. Here theFlorentine Architectgivesus the self same manner of banding stones, when theRomanslaid them without morter, as if he had seen this veryAntiquity Stoneheng.Moreover, what ever footsteps of theRomansfound in other places of this Island, it’s not inconsiderately to be past over, that inWiltshire, the County (as is said before) where ourStonehengremains,Roman Antiquitiesare most perspicuous, not only, by the apparent testimonies of the coyns of their Emperors in divers places digged up, but by severall their encamping places yet to be seen, asLeckham,Camden.in times of yore a seat of theRomans: the place also where oldSalisburynow sheweth it self, within six miles ofStoneheng: and within three miles thereofYanesburyCastle, supposed a work ofVespasianswhen he conquered, and after kept in subjection theBelgæ, ancient inhabitants of that tract. Likewise the mines nearer yet toStoneheng,Speed.of a fortresse our Historians hold anciently a garrison of theRomans, and in many other forts of that Shire (both by their form and manner of making well known to have beenRoman) the tract of their footing is yet left.But it is objected, IfStonehengaRomanwork, how comes it, noRomanAuthor makes mention of it? I answer, their Historians used not to commit to writing every particular work, or action theRomansperformed: if so, how vast would their volumes have been?Stoneheng’tis granted, is much admired by us, yet, how far more admirable works were theRomansFounders of, not mentioned in any of their ancient stories? That notable bridge invented and built byCæsar, for passing his Army over theRhine, himself at large describes, remembring little or nothing neverthelesse concerning divers other as great works inGaulandBatavia, suppos’d to be performed by him also.Dion,Herodian,Eutropiusand other their Historians tell us, theRomansbuilt the so famed wall, commonly by us called thePicts wall, extending crosseover our Island from theIrishSea to theGermanOcean, above fourscoreItalianmiles in length, with many towers and fortresses erected upon it; when works of asgreat admiration inBritainthey have past in silence: those wonderfull causeys made throughout the land, by dreining and drying up Fens, levelling hils, raising valleys, and paving them with stones of such breadth, that Wains might without danger passe one by another, not any ancientRomanAuthor (for ought appears) directly mentioning. Yet, who doubts themRomanworks?Cam. fo. 64.I dare confidently avouch, the Romans by little and little founded and raised them up, saithCamden. And why? mark I pray, because, whilstAgricolagovernedBritain,Tacitustels us,severall ways were enjoyned. If then, becauseTacitusaffirms in generall terms only,severall ways enjoyned,Camdenconfidently concludes themRoman works, noRomanHistory otherwise remembring them; Why may it not, the sameTacitustelling us in like manner,Agicola exhorted the Britans in private, and helpt them in common, to build Temples, Houses, and Places of publick resort, as peremptorily be inferr’d,Stonehengwas a work built by theRomans, though not particularly remembred by them in their stories? In a word,Templesand places of publick resort,Tacitus.Beda.theRomansbuilt here, and were the first that did so, leaving it to after ages to find out by theirMannerofbuilding,Orderinbuilding, andPowerandMeansforbuilding, such lofty ruines, as appears in thisAntiquity, could be remains of none butRomanbuilding.The next thing to be enquired after, is, in what timeStonehengbuilt. Happily, about those times, when theRomanshaving setled the Country here under their ownEmpire, and, together with bringing overColoniesreduced the naturall inhabitants of this Island unto the society of civill life, by training them up in the liberall Sciences. For,then also(saithCamden)Camden fo. 63.did they furnish theBritans,with goodly houses, and stately buildings, in such sort, that the reliques and rubbish of their ruines, cause the beholders now, exceedingly to admire the same, and the common sort of People plainly say, thoseRomanworks were made by Giants, of such exceeding great admiration, and sumptuous magnificence they are.This relation ofCamdens, reflects chiefly upon the time ofAgricola; neverthelesse, thatStoneheng(though fabled Giants work) was then built, I dare not affirm: the great works of theRomans, brought to perfection in this Island, being not the work of a day. It hath been the invention of wiseRomansof old, affecting civility, to raise goodly buildings here: but the precise times when, in things so far from all knowledge, cannot be with any certainty avouched. For my part, I should choose to assign those times for building thereof, when theRomansin their chief prosperity most flourished here, and refer the first erection to the time betwixtAgricolasgovernment formerly mentioned, and the reign ofConstantinethe Great: in order to which, the times rather somwhat afterAgricola, if not during his own Lievtenancy, then next precedingConstantine. For, long beforeConstantineacquired the Soveraignty (which was not till the year of our Lord three hundred and ten) the magnificent splendor of that mightyEmpirebegan sensibly to wane, and the ambition of the great Captains ofRome, (some few excepted) tended rather to make parties for obtaining thePurple Robe, then (after the manner of their ancestors) to eternise their names by great and admirable works, or patronizing goodArts, for want whereof they began likewise to decay apace;Serlyin his third Book speaking of those times, telling us, thatid temporis Architecti, si cum superioribus conferantur, rudiores & ineptiores extitisse videntur. In those days although there were many Architects, yet, compared with such as lived in the preceding Ages, they were very rude and unskilfull.Besides, the condition wherein this Island was, divers years precedingConstantine, would not admit such undertakings. For, by the civil discord of theRomans, theBritanstaking occasion to make frequent revolts, in hope to recover their lost liberty, theRomanswere put upon other manner of Councels then to think of building; namely to reduce theBritansto their wonted obedience, and keep the Province in some reasonable quiet, by expelling theScotsandPicts(savage and perfidiousPeopleeven from timesof old) making daily inroads and incursions thereunto.Now, as for these reasons, it’s not likelyStonehengcould be built in the times next beforeConstantine, so, by what follows, it will manifestly appear, it was not erected after his Reign. For, after his transplanting the seat of the Empire into the East, and the government of the then known world, under theRomans, distinguished byEastandWesternEmperours, a deluge of barbarous Nations (like so many Locusts) swarmed over all. Who, as with their vast multitudes they oft had formerly attempted it, so, thence forward, till bringing that mighty Empire unto its finall and fatall period; and thereby utterly destroying in like manner allArtsandSciences, together withArchitecture, (not restored again, even inItalyit self, untill, as formerly remembred) they never desisted. Moreover, in the times afterConstantine, noTemplesto HeathenDeities(such as I shall make appear thisAntiquity Stonehengwas) were erected here, they being times of defacing, rather then erecting idolatrous places. For, most of the succeeding Emperors becomingChristians, the tempestuous storms of perfection were over, and the thick clouds of superstition beginning to be dissolved by the bright beams of the Gospel, and true light of CHRIST, every whereTempleswere shut up against false Gods, and set open to the true GOD. According to that ofGildas,Gildas.No sooner was the blustering tempest, and storm of persecution blown over, but the faithfull Christians, who in the time of trouble and danger had hidden themselves in woods, deserts, and secret caves, being come abroad in open sight, renovant Ecclesias ad solum usque destructas, basilicas sanctorum martyrum fundant, construunt, perficiunt &c. Churches ruinate to the very ground they reedifie, Temples of holy Martyrs they found, build, and finish &c.So that, in stead of idolatrousTemples, built in the Ages precedingConstantine, during his reign and after, whilst theRomanscontinued in any prosperous state here, by erectingChristian Churches, they began generally to neglect, and suffer fall to decay, rather then new buildTemplesto theirPaganGods.These pressing occurrences therefore, to wit, civill broyls amongst theRomansthemselves, frequent insurrections of theBritans, daily inrodes by thePictsandScots, together with thedownfallofPaganism,decayofArts, and fatallruineof the wholeEmpire, making the times both long before and afterConstantineincompatible for undertaking such works as thisAntiquity, it may safely enough be concluded, ifStonehengnot founded byAgricola, yet created it might be about fifteen hundred and fifty years ago, in the times somewhat after his government,Tacit. in Vit. Agr.theProvincebeing formerly left by him in good and peaceable state, theBritansreduced fromBarbarityto order and civill conversation, and theRomansflourishing in all manner ofArtsandSciences.Now, concerning the use for whichStonehengat first erected, I am clearly of opinion, it was originally aTemple, it being built with all accommodations properly belonging to a sacred structure. For, it had an intervall or spacious Court lying round about it, wherein theVictimesfor oblation were slain, into which it was unlawfull for any profane person to enter: it was separated from the circumadjacent Plain, with a large Trench in stead of a wall, as a boundary about theTemple, most conformable to the main work, wholly exposed to open view: Without this Trench, the promiscuous common multitude, with zeal too much, attended theceremoniesof their solemne though superstitious Sacrifices, and might see the oblations, but not come within them: It had likewise its peculiarCell, withPortico’sround about, into whichCell, as into theirSanctum sanctorum(pardon the expression) none but thePriestsentred to offer Sacrifice, and make atonement for thePeople: Within theCellanAraorAltarwas placed, having its proper position towards theEast, as theRomansused.Aræ spectent ad Orientem, saithVitruvius.Vitr. lib. 4. cap. 8.And, that there hath been the heads of Bulls, or Oxen, of Harts, and other such beasts digged up, or in, or near thisAntiquity(as divers now living can testifie) is not to be omitted; for who can imagine, but these were the heads of such, as anciently there offered in Sacrifice? together with which also, were heaped up great quantities of Charcole, happily used about the performance of their superstitious ceremonies. That the ancientRomanshad Charcole in use amongst them,Plinyaffirms.Plin. lib.16.Tom. 1. lib. 33.Tom. 2.And when I caused the foundations of the stones to be searched, my self found, and yet have by me to shew the cover of aThuribulum, or some such like vase (I suppose) whereinChoulin his discourse of their Religion, reportsRosin. lib. 3.Choul fol. 217, 229.the ancientRomansused to carry Incense, wine or holy water, for service in their Sacrifices, lying about three foot within the ground, near one of the stones of the greaterHexagon.TheOrderwhereof thisTempleconsists, according to the rules ofArtobserved by the ancientRomansin works of this kinde, is mingled ofGreekandTuscanework. For, as the plainnesse and solidnesse of theTuscane Order, appears eminently throughout the wholeAntiquity: so the narrownesse of the spaces betwixt the stones, visibly discovers therein, the delicacy of theCorinthian Order. Which commixture amongst theRoman Architectswas very usuall, in regardVitruvius(in his fourth Book and seventh Chapter) treating somwhat largely (his method otherwise considered) of severall sorts of the like composedTemples, mixt of theGreekandTuscanemanners tels us:Vitr. lib. 4. cap. 7.that,Nonnulli de Tuscanicis generibus sumentes columnarum dispositiones, transferunt in Corinthiorum & Ionicorum operum ordinationes. Some taking the qualities of the columns of the Tuscane Order, transfer them into the symmetry of the Corinthian and Ionick works.Whereby (to please themselves it seems in their own inventions)efficiunt Tuscanicorum & Græcorum operum communem ratiocinationem. They make of the Tuscane and Greek works one common composure.As the same Author likewise remembers.TheAspectof thisTemple; by which we understand that first shew whichTemplesmake to those that draw near unto them, isDipteros Hypæthros, which is double winged about uncovered.Dipteros circa ædem duplices habet columnarum ordines(saithVitruvius)Vitr. lib. 3. cap. 1.Dipteros hath double orders of columnes about the Temple. Hypæthros sub divo est, sine tecto, (as thesame Author)Hypæthros is open to the air, without a roof.The Manner of thisTempleisPycnostylos, ornarrow spaces.Pycnostylosis that kinde ofTemples,Vitr. lib. 3. cap. 2.which hath the columnes set thick, and close togethercrebris columnis, asVitruviusalso hath it.But it may be objected, though it appears from very good Authorities, the Artifice, and workmanship of thisAntiquity, together with theScheamwhich formed it, wereRoman: and theOrderof which consisting, invented inItaly, and so consequentlyRomanin like manner: as also, by the severall peculiar accommodations, the probable reliques ofHeathenishSacrifices, and determinate rules ofArchitecture, it was anciently aTemple: Neverthelesse it appears not, theRomansever used any whatever profane structure like this, much lesse any manner ofTemplesof this kinde of invention,Where the Temple lies open without walls, surrounded only with pillars. For, that the upright stones which make this workStoneheng, are in stead of them, may well enough be granted.To this I answer, the learned inAntiquitiesvery well know, those things which oblivion hath so long removed out of mind, are hardly to be discovered. Yet, as to the first part of the objection, that theRomansnever used any whatever profane structure like this,Varro de re rustica(as I find him cited byPhilander) tels us,Phil. in Vitr. lib. 4.that they had in use amongst them a round building without any wals, having a doubleOrderof columns round about, this he cals by the name ofTholus, ædificium rotundum, columnatum duplici columnarum ordine. A round edifice(saith he)environed about with a double order of columns. Which doubleOrderofColumnsPyrrho Ligorioa famousNeapolitane Architect, and great discoverer ofAntiquities, in his description thereof designes without a roof also.But to come to their sacred works, which in regard of thisAntiquity, are (it’s true) of most concernment, I find theRomansused (asVitruviuswitnesseth)Vitr. lib. 4. cap. 7.such manner ofTemples. For (in his fourth Book, and seventh Chapter) hedelivers, there were amongst others two forms of roundTemples, commonly in use amongst them, the one calledMonopteros; the otherPeripteros. This, had theCellenclosed about with a continued wall, and at a proportionate distance from it, the columns placed which made aPorticoround about it, clean different fromStoneheng: the other made open, and in stead of a wall encompassed with a row of pillars only, having no enclosedCellwithin it at all, as much conducing to our purpose in hand. His words are these,Ædes sacræ Templa dicta fuerunt, quòd essent quasi ædes Deorum.Rosin. lib. 2. cap. 2.Fiunt autem ædes rotundæ, è quibus aliæ sine cella columnatæ constituuntur. They make also(saith he)round Temples, of which some are built without a Cell, environed with Pillars only. These were without any wals, (as his Commenter hath it) lying open to the Air. And truly (as I may presume to say)Dan. Barbar.from this very manner the invention ofStonehengwas principally taken, in ordering whereof, theArchitectdisdaining usuall and common forms, of both the aforesaid forms composed one. For, taking the outward circle from theMonopteros, he made it open also as in that, but in stead of the continued wall circularly enclosing theCellof thePeripteros, atStonehenghe made only anHexagonabout theCell, leaving the same open in like manner. And, asHermogenes(whom I shall have occasion to remember again) to illustrate his work, leaving out the inner row of Pillars, made a singlePorticoabout theTempleatMagnesia, whereby it came to be a new invention, for which he is famous to posterity: so the subtileArchitect, whosoever he was, to ennoble this his work, adding the saidHexagonhere, made a doublePorticoround about thisTemple, and thereby a new invention likewise, no lesse famous to succeeding Ages. OurAntiquity Stonehenghad otherwise been of the self sameAspectwithout aCell, asVitruviushath before delivered. ThatTemple Monopteros, was environed with a row of pillars; thisTemple Stoneheng, in stead of them, supplied with a rank of pillasters (as they may well be called) continuing round about it. That, lay open to the air without any walls: so doth this atStoneheng. That, had over the pillars anArchitrave,Freese, andCornice, theOrderbeing delicate: this atStoneheng, over the pillasters anArchitraveonly, as most conformable to the solidnesse of theOrderand plainnesse of the work.Thus it fully appears, the ancientRomansused to erectTemples, which lay open without walls, surrounded only with pillars; in invention like this atStoneheng. But, let us see whether the formMonopteros, had any roof over it. That theRomanshadTemplesuncovered, and without roofs, likeStoneheng, is in part already, and shall more manifestly be hereafter proved: and searching curiously into theirAntiquities, it will be found the greatest, most splendid, and most magnificent work of all others, which theAncientsmade for service of theirDeities, were those kinde ofTemplesof theAspect Hypæthros. Whether theMonopteroswas one of that kind, appears not yet, andVitruviusis very obscure therein; neverthelesse, that it was built without a roof, I shall illustrate by these reasons.First,Vitruviustels us not it had a roof; for, in his precepts of all severall kinds ofTemples, after he hath delivered theAspect,Form, andMannerof them with much exactnesse, he omits not throughout his fourth Book to demonstrate aswell the contignation, as proportion of timbers of the roofs, belonging to all thoseTemples, which had any, and when vaulted he gives us likewise the form thereof, if theTemplesso covered: but, in the description of the formMonopteros, there is no manner of timber work, nor form of vault, nor the least word mentioned of any roof at all, in what place soever throughout his whole work speaking thereof. In which respect, considering allTempleshaving roofs, those roofs are described byVitruvius, and that he describes no roof belonging to this, it must necessarily follow, theTemplesin formMonopteroshad no roofs over them.Again, after giving the proportion of theArchitraveover the columnes of theMonopteros, he saith,Zophorus & reliqua quæ insuper imponuntur, ita uti in tertio volumine de symmetriis scripsit. The Freese and other ornaments laid upon them, are as inhis third Book of symmetries made mention of.Now, in his third Book, he only treats of proportions, and not one word is so much as mentioned by him of any manner of roofs at all, only in the close of the said Book, he gives the proportion of frontispices belonging to quadrangularTemples: the same referment in like manner he makes for the ornaments of thePeripteros, and withall proceeds to a full description, in what manner the roof of itsCellwas made, which questionlesse, he would likewise have done in the other form, if it had been covered. For, he saith, whatever is to be laid above theFreeseof theMonopteros, is, as set down in his third Book: but, in his third Book, there is not One word mentioned of any roofs; the conclusion then follows theMonopteroswas without a roof.Lastly, he positively tels us it wassine Cella, without a Cell: now theCell(and which for distinction sake I have so called in describing thisAntiquity, because it was applied to the same use, to perform their sacred rites in) was indeed properly, the inner,Bern. Baldo.or chief part of theTemple, quam nos corpus Templi vulgò dicimus, we commonly call it the body of the Church, which enclosed with wals, was covered with a roof, asVitruviusdeclares in the formPeripteros, tecti ratio ita habeatur &c. The manner of a roof(saith he)was thus &c.But, theMonopteroswas without aCell, and consequently without a roof also, as having no walls to bear it. For, in regard of the manner of theArchitecture, the pillars standing inIsland(as we say) the work could not securely bear a roof, if made of any great capacity: either therefore, they madeTemplesof this form very little (in which respect only,Palladiosupposeth it might be vaulted) inconsistent with theRomangreatnesse, or else, likeStonehengthey were wholly uncovered and rooflesse. Howsoever, it is manifest, theAspectwas just the same. And if I should say, the ruines of one after the same form also, remains yet inOxfordshire, which the common people usually callRolle-rich-stones, take it but as my conjecture only, as likewise one or two built after the like manner inScotland,no man unlesseHector Boetiusknowing by what Kings.Moreover, the proportions appearing in thisAntiquity Stoneheng, are much conformable to those, assigned byVitruviusto the parts of theMonopteros: He tels us,Tribunal habent & ascensum ex suæ diametri tertia parte: they had the Tribunal, (by which is understood that levell upon which theTempleplaced)and the ascent, consisting of one third part of the Diameter. So atStoneheng, the work it self is onethird part of the Diameterof the circumvallation: And, acording to the proportion allowed by him tothe Ascent, it seems thoseTempleswere sited more stately then others, (by consequence great also) and certain it is, whosoever views thisAntiquityattentively with judgement, upon the place where remaining (for theFoliobeing too little I could not expresse it in Design) and doth allow a proportionate depth to the Trench surrounding it; considering also, together therewith, the levell of the plain lying without, he will then finde it standing upon such a rising ground, that theAscentunto it, was not much lesse magnificent, then whatVitruviushath declared.Furthermore, besides the aforementioned roundTemples, Vitruviusin the same Chapter tels us, that,generibus aliis constituuntur ædes, ex iisdem symmetriis ordinatæ, & alio genere dispositiones habentes. TheRomansbuilt them after other manner of inventions, following the same proportions, and having their disposures after another kinde. Of which, if vouchsafed to posterity the descriptions, some of them might have been found, not only agreeable inAspect, but happily of the very self same form also, as thisTemple Stonehengdoth appear.Now considering this discourse may happen into the hands of those, who cannot by words so easily apprehend things of thisArt, I have for their satisfaction brought intoDesign, the plants of both the aforesaidTemplesmentioned byVitruvius, whereby their conformity withStoneheng, and the invention thereof taken from them, is more clearly manifested.
Which seeing stoutBunducaup arose,And taking arms, theBritonsto her drew;With whom she marched straight against her foes,And them vnwares besides theSeuernedid enclose.
Which seeing stoutBunducaup arose,And taking arms, theBritonsto her drew;With whom she marched straight against her foes,And them vnwares besides theSeuernedid enclose.
Which seeing stoutBunducaup arose,And taking arms, theBritonsto her drew;With whom she marched straight against her foes,And them vnwares besides theSeuernedid enclose.
Which seeing stoutBunducaup arose,
And taking arms, theBritonsto her drew;
With whom she marched straight against her foes,
And them vnwares besides theSeuernedid enclose.
Suetonius, when resolving for fight,Tacit. Ann. lib. 14.deligit locum artis faucibus, & à tergo silvâ clausum, satis cognito, nihil hostium nisi in fronte, & apertam planitiem esse sine metu insidiarum. Choosed a place with a narrow entrance, enclosed behind with a wood, being well assured, he had no enemies but before him, and the Plain being open was without fear of Ambush.ThusTacitusdescribes the field, theRomanArmy consisting of scarce ten thousand armed men. In what part ofBritansoever this Plain lay, it was, for certain, of no great extent, being hardly able to contain the vast multitudes ofBoadicia’sArmy; computed two hundred and thirty thousand fighting men, byDion, and therefore could not possibly beSalisburyPlain. For, theBritansplacing their carts and wagonssupra extremum ambitium campi, in the utmost borders of the field, had so environed their Army therewith, that upon the rout given, they could hardly flee away,quia circumjecta vehicula sepserant abitus, by reason the carts(saithTacitus)hedged in the passages on every side, and (to useAnonymusown words)Ner. Cæs. fo. 179.were like a wall against evasion. Now, if theBritanshad so surrounded the utmost borders ofSalisburyPlain, and in such manner barricado’d up all the passages thereof, their numbers should rather have been millions then thousands, as every man knowing those Plains must needs confesse. Besides,Anonymusself tels us,Ner. Cæs. fo. 178.after theBritansin the head of their battel began to shrink and turn, that alone was a blow to all behind, who being many score of thousands, remain’d untoucht, during the fight, because they could never come up to handy-strokes, forwant of roomin the narrowings of the field. He told us even now there was scope enough.Whereabout in these parts ofBritain, (saith he)Ner. Cæs. fo. 161.that very place was, unlesse it were uponSalisburyPlain, where there is a black heath, andscope enough,is not for me to imagine. Now, on the contrary, when coming to the issue, he tels us the Plain was narrow, and theywanted room. Did theBritanswant room in the field, and were onSalisburyPlain? Surely, in the heat of his describing the BattelAnonymusforgot his own invention; the fury of theRomans, in beating down theBritishsquadrons, therewith dasht the main force of his conceit to peeces. Suspicious and jealous men had need of good memories. Upon the aforesaid situation he might rather have observed, the great experience of theRomane Generallin martiall affairs, then from thence suggested, theBritansin point of honour erectedStonehengto the memory ofBoadicia,Suetoniusnot onely choosing to make good a straight enclosed behinde with a wood, for securing his own small Troops, but such a straight also, where the Plain, or field before it, was not of sufficient extent forBoadiciato marshall her great Army in. Furthermore,Anonymusdetermining (it seems) to parcell out his ground proportionable to the numbers, undertakes to give posterity an exact survey of this Plain, telling us, itwas a Plain of five or six miles over: This makes it more apparent ’twas notSalisburyPlain, which far and wide so expatiates it self through the middle ofWiltshire, that it is not onelyfive or six miles, but (as I may say) five times six miles over. This famous battell then, being struck upon a Plain hardly capable ofBoadicia’sArmy, was not fought uponSalisburyPlain; but, on some other, whichSuetonius Paulinusfound best for his own advantage, and thereforeStoneheng(asAnonymuswould fain have it) could not be the Sepulchre ofBoadicia.
ConcerningBoadicia’smagnificent obsequies; a mighty Prince may be buried with great solemnity, yet no materiall Monument dedicated to his memory. Examples of this kinde are so frequent, there needs no mention of them.Humaverunt magnificè, (they areDionswords) theBritanslaid her into the earth magnificently, with as much pomp, happily, and honour, attending her to the grave, as their barbarous customs for their glorious Chieftain would admit; but, that they raised any Monument, or erected whatsoever kinde of Sepulchre for her, much lesse so notable a structure asStoneheng, he no where tels us. Which had theBritansdone, the Historian could not avoid, taking more knowledge thereof, then of her bare enterment, and would undoubtedly have recorded it. Again, grantSalisburyPlain the place of Battell, yet,Dionsaith not, they buried her magnificently where the battell fought, only,Humaverunt magnificè: adding withall, those, that escaped the field, prepared to re-enforce themselves for a new triall, in the mean while a disease seizing onBunduica, she died. Now then, after so terrible an overthrow, wherein ’tis reported she lost fourscore thousandBritans;Boadicia, in all likelihood, endevoured to recover theIcenianCountreys, her principall strength; havingin her speech before the Battell insinuated the fenny parts thereof, as a refuge if the worst should happen. In what Countreys else could they recruit? where falling sick she died, (whether by violent or naturall death is not materiall) and as ever observed among all Nations, was, no doubt, buried in her own territories, among the graves of her renowned Ancestors.
That theBritans, untillJulius Agricolastime,Ner. Cæs. fo. 117.had learned nothing (asAnonymustakes speciall notice) butto fight, and were no handicraftsmen, whereby they might be capable of erecting such works asStoneheng, being already fully proved fromTacitus, I will adde, the ringleaders or heads of commotions against Empires and Commonwealths were anciently, (in many Countreys at this day) not only themselves punishable by the Laws with death, but their whole families and kindred though guiltlesse, suffered in like manner; their very houses also, being razed to the ground, lest any knowledge of such pernicious undertakings should remain visible to posterity: and a capitall crime it was, in whomsoever that restor’d them. How comes it then,Boadiciathe principall promoter,Sueton. in Ner.and Head of an insurrection so fatall, as accounted bySuetonius Tranquillus, among the infortunate losses of theRomanEmpire,Dion. Cas. lib. 62.and the more ignominious by a womans conduct, should be permitted by the conqueringRomans, a monument to eternize her fame to succeeding Ages?Boadicia, that ript up the bellies of theRomanLegionaries, and cutting out their bowels impal’d their bodies upon burning stakes; that hanged up the most noble and honourableRoman Damesnaked, and slicing off their paps, sowed them to their mouths, as in act of eating them; that in scalding water boiled theRomaninfants, and young children to death; their Parents, Husbands, and Commanders unable to relieve them, but enforced to give way, and happy in so saving themselves from the cruell inhumanities of theConqueresse.We fought for to live, saithTacitus. Yet, when ere long afterwards, victoriously recoveringBritaintoCæsar, by so memorable a battell as compared totheir victories of old, should theRomanssuffer the enthralledBritansto erect a Trophy to her memory, whose purpose was absolutely to root out all that wasRomanhere? what greater infamy to theRomanname, except the permission of it? They, who rased and broke in peeces whatever titles and inscriptions, bearing the names of theirCæsars; pulled down and demolished the royallEnsigns,Trophies,Statues,Temples, or whatever else sacred, to their own Emperors, when actively administring to the prejudice of theRomaneState; would they permit any publick monuments be erected to the memory of a conquered Prince, of an Enemy so barbarously cruell asBoadicia? That she lives in History, they could not prevent; so live their worst of Emperors. Moreover, publick Monuments were in all ages set up in honour of the Vanquishers, not vanquished; respecting which,Anonymusshould also, either have madeBoadiciaVictresse, or never supposedStonehengher Sepulchre.
The time assigned byAnonymus,Ner. Cæs. fo. 182.for erecting theseorderly irregular, and formlesse uniform heaps of massive marble, (as he cals them)to the everlasting remembrance of Boadicia, is much above fifteen hundred years since:Petronius TurpilianussucceedingSuetonius Paulinusin the Leivtenancy ofBritain; who by his idle and lazy life, making the world beleeve there was peace here:Anonymuswill have it a proper time, for permittingsuch an office to the Britans, inBoadicia’shonour. Times of peace, ’tis confest, whenArtsflourish under nobly minded Governours, are chiefly proper for erecting magnificent buildings. The Government underPetroniuswas guilty of none of these. As for the State ofBritainin generall,Tacitusin the life ofAgricolatels us,Petroniushad composed the former troubles; but in what sort, the fourteenth book of hisAnnalsdeclares;non irritato hoste, neque lacessitus, neither the Enemy, incensed him; nor he, provoked the Enemy: otherwisePetroniusdurst not do. And, if peace setled, why doth the Historian call them Enemies? Concerning his own person in particular,Petroniusgave himself over to an unprofitable life, disguising it under the honourable nameof peace.Honestum pacis nomen segni otio imposuit, saithTacitus. And, theBritans(as said before) were not then civilized, nor friends to such Arts as either nourish or are nourished by peace, therefore such a work of wonder as thisAntiquityfamed, not to be expected from them. For, as through the malignities of the Age, whereinAurelius Ambrosiuslived, theBritanshad utterly lost the practice of all thoseSciences, in times foregoing, learned by their Auncestors from theRomans: so, through the neglect of civil policy in the precedingRomanGovernours, in this Leivtenancy ofPetronius, theBritanshad not attained the knowledge of any thoseArts, not many years afterwards, taught their posterity by theRomans. Whole imperiall Eagles took not wing inBritainwith such lofty speed, as over other Countreys;TheBritansbeing a fierce Nation, slowly giving ear to any peace,Tacit. Ann. lib. 14.theRomanshad work enough in subduing them.Julius Cæsarrather shewed the Island to his successors, then left them possession of it:AugustusandTiberiusheld it policy to neglect it:Caligulaintending to invadeBritain, was diverted by his Wars inGermany:Claudiusfirst prosecuting the conquest with effect, established the colony atCamalodunum, and his LeivtenantsAulus Plautius,Flavius Vespasianus,Ostorius Scapula, andDidius Gallusby little and little, after much contest, and various successe, subdued certain Countries; and reducing the nearest part of the Island to the form of a Province, built also, or rather cast up some few fortifications further within the land:Nero’sGenerals had much to do in keeping, what their predecessors gained;Suetonius Paulinus(under him) struck that fortunate battell withBoadicia, else theRomansbeaten out of all. So that, in the time ofPetronius, theRomanshaving obtained no such assured dominion over theBritans, as might make them, themselves confident to undertake great and stately buildings here, for their own either publick, or private accommodations; (the ruine ofCamalodunumbeing too fresh in memory) occasion was not offered, nor the time yet come, to let theBritansknow by whatArtsall civill Nations ofthe world, did erect their excessive, rather then not magnificent structures, for eternizing their names to succeeding generations. And therefore, the Leivtenancy ofPetronius Turpilianus, not proper for building thisstony marvell, asAnonymussuspects. For, beside what’s delivered, whensoeverStonehengbuilt, the preparation only of materials for the work, and bringing them to the place, whatEnginesorArtssoever used, necessarily, spent more time, thenPetroniusconsumed in the whole continuance of his government here. What tumults succeeded him, let others declare.
Furthermore,if thosetimes ofPetroniuswould not,yet(saithAnonymus)other ensuing seasons might permit such an office to theBritans,her name for ever glorious among them. The hainousnesse of her Rebellion, horridnesse of her cruelties, and inveterate hatredBoadiciabore to theRomans, wherebyher name for ever infamous among them, clearly manifest all otherensuing seasons, equally improper for those ancient inhabitants of this Island, to erectStoneheng. If theBritans, once attaining theRomanemanner ofArchitecture, in any succeeding times had expelled theRomans, and been triumphant; some probable reason, at least,Anonymusmight have alledged, towards advancing his opinion. ButBoadiciaand herComplicesoverthrown, theRomanPower in this Island encreasing dayly, and the liberty of theBritansas fast declining, no followingseasoncould be opportunely favourable, for undertaking such a work by them; the erecting whereof, yea the sole endeavouring to commemorate by such publick means, so mortall an enemy to theRomansasBoadicia: nothing but the dearest lives of the bold attempters, could, certainly, expiate. TheTempleupon MountCœliusatRome, begun toClaudiusSuet. in Vespas.sacred memory byAgrippina, was destroyed to the very foundations byNero. If then, insultingAgrippinamight not erect a memorable structure, to the glory of her deceasedCæsar; whom theSenateandPeopleofRome, in all solemne manner deified: What oppressedBritan, durst undertake the raising a publick Monument to the honour of vanquishedBoadicia, whom the State (in allreason) for ever declared enemy to theRomanEmpire? And though, after a long succession of years, theRomansabandoned this Island, yet, when departed, theBritanswere left in such deplorable condition, (at large declared before) that, albeither namenever so glorious among them, they had much more to do, in saving their own miserable lives from plague, famine, and the sword, then any opportunity, or ability to erect whatever Monument to the glory ofBoadicia. But, of this enough; the invalidity ofAnonymusopinion especially respected. The discovering the originall foundation of anAntiquityso famous, being not to be enforced by jealous suspicions, raised upon bare and groundlesse conjectures.
THISAntiquity(call’d byHenry Huntingdon, The second: byPoly-olbion——First wonder of the land)
because theArchitravesare set upon the heads of the upright stones, and hang (as it were) in the air, is generally known by the name ofStone-heng. It is sited upon the Plain in the County ofWiltshireinEngland, not far fromAmbresbury(the foundations of whose ancient buildings, frequently digged up, render it to have been in times past aTownof no small fame) six miles at least from newSalisburynorthwards.
The whole work, in generall, being of a circular form, is one hundred and ten foot diameter, double winged about without a roof, anciently environed with a deep Trench, still appearing about thirty foot broad. So that, betwixt it, and the work it self, a large and void space of ground being left, it had, from the Plain, three open entrances, the most conspicuous thereof lying North-east. At each of which, was raised, on the outside of the Trench aforesaid, two huge stones gate-wise, parallel whereunto, on the inside two others of lesse proportion. The inner part of the work, consisting of anExagonallfigure, was raised, by due symmetry, upon the bases of four equilaterall triangles, (which formed the whole structure) this inner part likewise wasdouble, having, within it also, anotherExagonraised, and all that part within the Trench sited upon a commanding ground, eminent, and higher by much, then any of the Plain lying without, and, in the midst thereof, upon a foundation of hard chalk, the work it self was placed. Insomuch, from what part soever they came unto it, they rose by an easie ascending hill.
Which, that it may be the more clearly demonstrated, (being by me, with no little pains, and charge measured, and the foundations thereof diligently searched) I have reduced intoDesign, not onely as the ruine thereof now appears, but as (in my judgement) it was in its pristine perfection. And that the groundplot, with the uprights, and profyle of the whole work may the more distinctly be understood, I have purposely countersigned eachDesignof them withNumbers, and the particular parts thereof withLetters.
Nu. 1
Signifies the Plant of the whole work in generall, with the Trench round about it, drawn by a small scale, that it may be seen all at one view.
A
The Trench.
B
The Intervall betwixt the Trench and Work.
C
The Work it self; in the inmost part whereof, there is a stone appearing not much above the surface of the earth, (and lying towards the East) four foot broad, and sixteen foot in length. Which, whether it might be anAltaror no, I leave to the judgement of others, because so overwhelmed with the ruines of the Work, that I could make no search after it, but even with much difficulty, took the aforesaid proportion thereof. Yet for my part, I can apprehend no valid reason to the contrary, except that the whole constructurebeing circular in form, the Altar should rather have been placed upon the center of the Circle, then enclining to the circumference. Neverthelesse it cannot be denied, but being so sited, theCell(as I may call it) was thereby left more free, for the due performance of those severall superstitious rites, which their Idolatry led them to. Besides, though theAltareamongst theAncientswas exalted and raised somwhat high above the earth; yet, theirArawas made quadrangular, not very high, and as some will have it close to the ground, being consecrated as well to the supernall as infernall Deities:Rosin. lib. 2.and therefore in respect of the form, it may hold well enough it was anciently an Altar.
D
The supposed Altar.
E
The great stones which made the entrances from the outside of the Trench, seven foot broad, three foot thick, and twenty foot high.
F
The parallel stones, on the inside of the Trench, four foot broad, and three foot thick; but they lie so broken, and ruined by time, that their proportion in height cannot be distinguisht, much lesse exactly measured.
G
The scale of fifty foot.
TheDesignfollows.
Nu. 2
The Groundplot of the work, as when first built, in a greater form, with the foure equilaterall triangles making theScheame, by which the whole work was composed.
H
The six principall entrances, three whereof directly opposite to those of the Trench.
I
The stones which made the outward Circle, seven foot in breadth; three foot and an half thick, and fifteen foot and an half high: each stone having two tenons mortaised into theArchitrave, continuing upon them, throughout the whole circumference. For, theseArchitraves, being joynted directly in the middle of each of the perpendicular stones that their weight might have an equall bearing, and upon each side of the joynt a tenon wrought, (as remains yet to be seen) it may positively be concluded thereby, theArchitravecontinued round about this outward circle.
K
The smaller stones of the inner circle, one foot and an half in bredth, one foot thick, and six foot high. These had noArchitravesupon them, but were raised perpendicular, of a pyramidall form. That, there was noArchitraveupon these, may be hence concluded, the stones being too small to carry such a weight, the spaces being also too wide, to admit of anArchitraveupon them without danger of breaking, and being but six foot high, there could not, possibly, be a convenient head-height remaining for a passage underneath, especially, considering fully the greatnesse of the whole work.
L
The stones of the greaterHexagon, seven foot and an half in breadth, three foot nine inches thick, and twenty foot high, each stone having one tenon in the middle.
M
The stones of theHexagonwithin, two foot six inches in breadth, one foot and an half thick, and eight foot high, in form pyramidall, like those of the inner circle.
The Scale which hath this mark,X, is of thirty foot, by which likewise all the ensuingDesignsare drawn.
TheDesignfollows.
Nu. 3
The upright of the work, as when entire, in which the perpendicular stones of the outward circle, are countersigned with the LetterI, as in the groundplot.
N
TheArchitravelying round about upon them, being mortaised into them, and joynted in the middle of each of the perpendicular stones. ThisArchitraveis three foot and an half broad, and two foot and an half high.
O
TheArchitravelying on the top of the great stones of theHexagon, and mortaised also into them, sixteen foot long, three foot nine inches broad, and three foot four inches high. ThisArchitravecontinuing onely from stone to stone, left betwixt every two and two, a void space free to the Air uncovered. For, if they had been continued throughout the wholeHexagon, then necessarily there must have been two tenons upon each of the said stones, as those of the outward circle had, but being disposed as aforesaid, that one, which was in the middle, and yet remains apparent, was sufficient for the thing intended.
Nu. 4
The Profyle, or cut, through the middle of the work, as entire, countersigned with the Letters of the Groundplot.
TheDesignsfollow.
Nu. 5
The whole work inProspective, as when entire, whereby the generall composure of the particular parts of the uprights, are together all seen: and, by which also, the stately Aspect, and magnificent greatnesse thereof, are fully, and more apparently conspicuous.
Nu. 6
The Groundplot of the work, as it now stands, countersigned with the same Letters by which the Plant markedNu. 2is described. The stones of the greaterHexagon, and outward circle, after so long contest with the violence of time, and injury of weather, are for the most part standing at this day; which, though not all at their full height, as when first set up, yet the Footsteps neverthelesse, of so many of them as exprest in theDesign, are still remaining in their proper places. Those of the inner circle, and lesserHexagon, not only exposed to the fury of all devouring Age, but to the rage of men likewise, have been more subject to ruine. For, being of no extraordinary proportions, they might easily be beaten down, or digged up, and at pleasure, made use of for other occasions. Which, I am the rather enduced to beleeve, because, since my first measuring the work, not one fragment of some then standing, are now to be found.
Nu. 7
The Ruine yet remaining drawn inProspective.
P
The manner of the tenons, of a round form, mortaised into theArchitraveof the outward Circle.
Q
The tenons of like form in the middle of the stones of the greaterHexagon.
R
The English foot (by which the work it self was measured) divided into twelve inches, and each inch subdivided into four parts.
TheDesignsfollow.
Hitherto, upon what occasionStonehengbuilt (you may easily perceive) is very doubtfull, the true History of those times, when first erected, and by which the memory of things especially made over to succeeding Ages, being either not written, or if written, utterly lost. Likewise, as for what use set up, not yet known; so, by whom also founded, is equally uncertain.
You cannot but remember, in what manner the ancient Inhabitants of this Island lived, before reduced to civility by theRomansI have formerly delivered: also, how they were first instructed by them, in severallArtsandSciences, whereof theBritanswholly ignorant, before theRomansarrivall here, and teaching them. I have given you in like manner, a full description of thisAntiquity, whereby doubtlesse it appears to you, as in truth it is, a work built with muchArt,OrderandProportion. That the ancientBritans, before the discovery of this Island by theRomans, could not be theFoundersthereof, by the former reasons, I suppose, is clearly manifested. For, whereArtis not, nothing can be performed byArt. As, for that which concerns theBritishNobility,Aurelius Ambrosius, orBoadicia, enough already.
It rests now, to endeavor the discovering by whomStonehengbuilt; in what time, and, for what use anciently erected. But, it is not expected (I hope) any absolute resolution should be given by me, in so doubtfull a matter; for,as it hath been always lawfull for every man in such like matters(saithCamden)both to think what he will, and relate what others have thought: So pardon me, if I take upon me, what others have done before me, and interpose mine own opinion also, grounded neverthelesse upon such Authorities, customes, and concurrence of time, as very probably may satisfie judicious and impartiall Readers.
Touching theFoundersofStoneheng. Among theÆgyptian Antiquities, or thoseEasternNations from whom theGræciansdeduced their learning, I find not any such composure ever used: or with theGreeksthemselves, mention made ofany work conformable to this, in point ofOrder, (as the mod conversant in those Histories cannot contradict) I read neverthelesse, inPausanias,Pausan. fo. 392.of aTempleamongst theEleanserected without walls:novam quandam inEleorumforo templi formam vidi. I saw(saith he)in the market place of theEleans,a Temple of a new form. Modicæ est ædes altitudinis, sine parietibus, tectum è quercu dolatis fulcientibus tibicinibus. A low thing, without walls, having the roof supported with props of oaken timber(instead, it seems, of Columnes)neatly wrought. He remembers aTemplealso inAtticaIdem fo. 75:sacred toJovewithout a roof. TheThracians(as I read likewise) used to buildTemplesdedicated toSol,of a round form, open in the middle, and also without aroof: by the form, or roundnesse thereof, they signified the Suns figure; by making them open, and rooflesse, they expressed his surmounting, and dilating light equally to all things.Thraces soli rotunda templa faciebant(saithDaniel Barbaro)In Vitr. lib. 4.in medio sub divo, & aperta erant: hac forma Solis figuram innuebant: quòd autem aperta essent, & sine tecto, innuebant Solem supra omnia esse, & lumen suum diffundere.
Howsoever, considering what magnificence theRomansin prosperous times anciently used in all works, both publick, and private: their knowledge and experience in allArtsandSciences: their powerfull means for effecting great works: together with theirOrderin building, and manner of workmanship accustomed amongst them:Stonehengin my judgement was a work, built by theRomans, and they the soleFoundersthereof. For, if look upon thisAntiquity, as an admired and magnificent building, who more magnificent then theRomans?Scamoz. lib. 1. fo. 9.Essi soli frà i populi dell’ vniverso, con ogni termine di magnificenza edificarono tutti i generi d’edifici. They only amongst all the Nations of the Universe, erecting all sorts of buildings, with all kinds of magnificence, saithScamozzoin the first Book of hisArchitecture. If consider theArt, and elegant disposition thereof, allArtsandSciences(we must know) were in full perfection with them, andArchitecture, which amongst theGreekswas youthfull only, and vigorous; under theRomanstheirEmpiregrown to the full height became manly and perfect, not ininventions, and elegancy of forms alone, but also in exquisitenesse of Art, and excellency of materials. Salito al colmo l’imperioRomano,ella pure divenne virile e perfetta: non solo nelle inventioni, e nella elleganza delle forme, mà parimente nell’ esquisitezza dell’ artificio, e nella singolarità della materia. As the same Author hath it. If take notice of their power and ways by which they effected such goodly structures, their means were not ordinary according to the common custome of otherPeople; and why? because, besides particularArtisanspractised in severallArts, they employed in those their works whole bodies of their ownArmies, and whatever Nations subdued by them.TheRomanswere wont to exercise therein(saithCamden)Camden fo. 64.their Souldiers, and the common multitude, upon great policy doing the same, left being idle they should grow factious, and affect alteration in the State. TheBritanscomplained(saithTacituslikewise)corpora & manus contrivisse, that their bodies and hands were worn out, and consumed by theRomans,in bringing to effect their great and admired undertakings: in that kind employing their slaves and prisoners also, as holding it, rather then by violent deaths to cut them off; more profitable for theCommonwealth, more exemplary for others, and far greater punishment for their Prisoners, to enjoyn them continuall labour.
If observetheir Orderin building; the onlyOrderofArchitecture, whichItalymay truly glory in the invention of, is theTuscane Order, so called, because first found out by theTuscans, that in a more then ordinary manner they might reverence theirDeitiesinTemplescomposed thereof.Choul. fo. 5.(Janustheir first King, according to the common opinion of divers ancient Historians, being the first of all others, that builtTemplesto the Gods) WhichOrder, though first used by theTuscans, certain it is, theRomanstook from them, and brought it in use with otherArts, in severall parts of the world, as their conquests led them on. Now of thisTuscan Order, a plain, grave, and humble manner ofBuilding, very solid and strongStonehengprincipally consists. So that, observing theOrderwhereofStonehengbuilt, there being no such Elements known in thisIslandas distinctOrdersofArchitecture, untill theRomansintroduced them, the very work it self, of so greatAntiquity, declares theRomans Foundersthereof. Who, that hath right judgement inArchitecture, knows not the difference, and by the manner of their works how to distinguishÆgyptian,Greek, andRomanstructures of old, alsoItalian,FrenchandDutchbuildings in these modern times? Is not our Shipping by the mould thereof, known throughout the worldEnglishbuilt? Who did not by the veryOrderof the work, assure himself, the body of the Church of S.Paul London, from its Tower to the West end anciently built by theSaxons: as the Quire thereof, from the said Tower to the East end by theNormans, it beingGothickwork? yet that there might be aRoman Templein old time standing in that place, I will not deny, the numbers of Oxeheads digged up and anciently sacrificed there, setting all other reasons aside, so probably manifesting the same. And in all likelihood, theRomansfor so notable a structure asStoneheng, made choice of theTuscanerather then any otherOrder, not only as best agreeing with the rude, plain, simple nature of those they intended to instruct, and use for which erected; but also, because presuming to challenge a certain kind of propriety therein, they might take occasion thereby, to magnifie to those then living the virtue of theirAuncestorsfor so noble an invention, and make themselves the more renowned to posterity, for erecting thereof, so well ordred a building.
Besides, theOrderis not onlyRoman, but theScheamalso (consisting of four equilaterall triangles, inscribed within the circumference of a Circle) by which this workStonehengformed, was anArchitectonicall ScheamVitr. lib. 5.used by theRomans. Whereof, I shall have more occasion to speak, when I come to set down, for what use thisAntiquityat first erected.
Again, thePorticoatStoneheng, is made double, as in structures of great magnificence the ancientRomansused; so atthe foot of theCapitoltheTempletoJove the Thunderer, built byAugustus Cæsar; so thePantheonatAthens, royally adorned with one hundred and twenty vast columnes of richPhrygianmarble, by theEmperour Adrian. But, some may alledge, theRomansmade the Pillars of their doublePortico’s, of one and the same symmetry, or very little different, which in thisAntiquityotherwise appearing, cannot be aRomanwork. To as much purpose it may be alledged theTempleofDianaatMagnesia, was noGreekwork, because the Pillars of the innerPorticowere wholly left out. Yet it’s true, theRomansusually made them as is objected, and the reason was, because of the weight the inner Pillars carried: now, in this work, no roof being to be sustained, nor any manner of weight born up, though the judgement of theArchitect, thereby to save labour and expence, ordered the stones making thePorticowithin, of a far lesse proportion then those of the outward circle, it retains neverthelesse the properAspect(principally aim’d at by the ancientArchitects) in use amongst theRomans, and consequently for ought alledged to the contrary by them built.
In thisAntiquity, there is aPorticoalso (as I may rightly term it) within theCell, or greaterHexagon, reduced likewise into the same figure. Now, that theRomansused to makePortico’son the inside of their buildings, as well sacred as secular, by the ruines of theirBasilicaesor Courts ofJudicature; by thatTemplewithout a roof anciently dedicated toJovein MountQuirinalis, now theHorseMount inRome; by theTemple of Bacchusthere of a round form, at this day consecrate to S.Agneswithout the gateViminalis, manifestly appears. But in what ever structures else theRomansused them, certain it is, within their most statelyTempleswhich lay uncovered, and had no roofs, they always made suchPortico’s; and though in otherTemplesthey sometimes dispos’d them, yet fromVitruviusit may be gathered, they properly belonged to theAspect Hypæthros, which was uncovered and rooflesse as thisAntiquity Stoneheng, he peremptorily assigningPortico’sto be made on the inside of no kind ofTemples,Vitr. lib. 3. cap. 1.but those; His words are,Hypæthros in interiore parte habet columnas, remotas à parietibus ad circuitionem (ut porticus) peristyliorum. Temples open to the air, and without roofs, have columnes on the inside, distant from the walls, as Courts Portico’s about them.Even, after the samedecorumas atStoneheng.
Furthermore, if cast an eye upontheirartifice and manner of workmanship,Stonehengappears built directly agreeable to those rules, which theRomansobserved in great works. For, theRoman Architects, in distinguishing the manner of theirTemples, always observed (asVitruviusin his third book teacheth us) the greater the Columnes were, the closer they set them together; so in thisAntiquity, the stones being great, the spaces betwixt them are likewise narrow.
TheArchitravesalso, in this work were all of them set without morter, and fixed upon the upright stones by tenons (as formerly described) in the very same manner, as in great structures, where the stones solid, and of more then ordinary greatnesse, theRomanswere wont to doe.Leo Bap. Alber. lib. 3.They laid them without any unctuous incorporating matter, nullo fulta glutino, saithLeo Baptista Albertus. And divers examples of this kind might be brought, I my self amongst otherAntiquitieshave seen the ruines of anAquaeduct, built by theRomansinProvynce, running through a deep valley, and raised in height equall to the adjacent Mountains, upon huge Arches fifty eight foot wide, the stones whereof, being of extraordinary scantlings, were laid without any cement or morter, to incorporate them with the rest of the work. And, where occasion guided their judgements to the observance of this rule, they united and compared the stones together, by certain ligatures or holdfasts, (theItalianscall themPerni, pegs or tops, for such they resemble, and we, from the verbtenereto hold, not improperly calling themtenons)quæ inferiores, & unà superiores in lapides infixæ, cavatæ fuere, ne quid fortè protrusi ordines alteri ab alteris distrahantur. Which(saithAlbertus)Leo Bap. Alber. lib. 3.being formed in the inferiour stones, were hollowed or mortaised into those above, left by any chance they should start one from another, and break the order of the work. Here theFlorentine Architectgivesus the self same manner of banding stones, when theRomanslaid them without morter, as if he had seen this veryAntiquity Stoneheng.
Moreover, what ever footsteps of theRomansfound in other places of this Island, it’s not inconsiderately to be past over, that inWiltshire, the County (as is said before) where ourStonehengremains,Roman Antiquitiesare most perspicuous, not only, by the apparent testimonies of the coyns of their Emperors in divers places digged up, but by severall their encamping places yet to be seen, asLeckham,Camden.in times of yore a seat of theRomans: the place also where oldSalisburynow sheweth it self, within six miles ofStoneheng: and within three miles thereofYanesburyCastle, supposed a work ofVespasianswhen he conquered, and after kept in subjection theBelgæ, ancient inhabitants of that tract. Likewise the mines nearer yet toStoneheng,Speed.of a fortresse our Historians hold anciently a garrison of theRomans, and in many other forts of that Shire (both by their form and manner of making well known to have beenRoman) the tract of their footing is yet left.
But it is objected, IfStonehengaRomanwork, how comes it, noRomanAuthor makes mention of it? I answer, their Historians used not to commit to writing every particular work, or action theRomansperformed: if so, how vast would their volumes have been?Stoneheng’tis granted, is much admired by us, yet, how far more admirable works were theRomansFounders of, not mentioned in any of their ancient stories? That notable bridge invented and built byCæsar, for passing his Army over theRhine, himself at large describes, remembring little or nothing neverthelesse concerning divers other as great works inGaulandBatavia, suppos’d to be performed by him also.Dion,Herodian,Eutropiusand other their Historians tell us, theRomansbuilt the so famed wall, commonly by us called thePicts wall, extending crosseover our Island from theIrishSea to theGermanOcean, above fourscoreItalianmiles in length, with many towers and fortresses erected upon it; when works of asgreat admiration inBritainthey have past in silence: those wonderfull causeys made throughout the land, by dreining and drying up Fens, levelling hils, raising valleys, and paving them with stones of such breadth, that Wains might without danger passe one by another, not any ancientRomanAuthor (for ought appears) directly mentioning. Yet, who doubts themRomanworks?Cam. fo. 64.I dare confidently avouch, the Romans by little and little founded and raised them up, saithCamden. And why? mark I pray, because, whilstAgricolagovernedBritain,Tacitustels us,severall ways were enjoyned. If then, becauseTacitusaffirms in generall terms only,severall ways enjoyned,Camdenconfidently concludes themRoman works, noRomanHistory otherwise remembring them; Why may it not, the sameTacitustelling us in like manner,Agicola exhorted the Britans in private, and helpt them in common, to build Temples, Houses, and Places of publick resort, as peremptorily be inferr’d,Stonehengwas a work built by theRomans, though not particularly remembred by them in their stories? In a word,Templesand places of publick resort,Tacitus.Beda.theRomansbuilt here, and were the first that did so, leaving it to after ages to find out by theirMannerofbuilding,Orderinbuilding, andPowerandMeansforbuilding, such lofty ruines, as appears in thisAntiquity, could be remains of none butRomanbuilding.
The next thing to be enquired after, is, in what timeStonehengbuilt. Happily, about those times, when theRomanshaving setled the Country here under their ownEmpire, and, together with bringing overColoniesreduced the naturall inhabitants of this Island unto the society of civill life, by training them up in the liberall Sciences. For,then also(saithCamden)Camden fo. 63.did they furnish theBritans,with goodly houses, and stately buildings, in such sort, that the reliques and rubbish of their ruines, cause the beholders now, exceedingly to admire the same, and the common sort of People plainly say, thoseRomanworks were made by Giants, of such exceeding great admiration, and sumptuous magnificence they are.
This relation ofCamdens, reflects chiefly upon the time ofAgricola; neverthelesse, thatStoneheng(though fabled Giants work) was then built, I dare not affirm: the great works of theRomans, brought to perfection in this Island, being not the work of a day. It hath been the invention of wiseRomansof old, affecting civility, to raise goodly buildings here: but the precise times when, in things so far from all knowledge, cannot be with any certainty avouched. For my part, I should choose to assign those times for building thereof, when theRomansin their chief prosperity most flourished here, and refer the first erection to the time betwixtAgricolasgovernment formerly mentioned, and the reign ofConstantinethe Great: in order to which, the times rather somwhat afterAgricola, if not during his own Lievtenancy, then next precedingConstantine. For, long beforeConstantineacquired the Soveraignty (which was not till the year of our Lord three hundred and ten) the magnificent splendor of that mightyEmpirebegan sensibly to wane, and the ambition of the great Captains ofRome, (some few excepted) tended rather to make parties for obtaining thePurple Robe, then (after the manner of their ancestors) to eternise their names by great and admirable works, or patronizing goodArts, for want whereof they began likewise to decay apace;Serlyin his third Book speaking of those times, telling us, thatid temporis Architecti, si cum superioribus conferantur, rudiores & ineptiores extitisse videntur. In those days although there were many Architects, yet, compared with such as lived in the preceding Ages, they were very rude and unskilfull.Besides, the condition wherein this Island was, divers years precedingConstantine, would not admit such undertakings. For, by the civil discord of theRomans, theBritanstaking occasion to make frequent revolts, in hope to recover their lost liberty, theRomanswere put upon other manner of Councels then to think of building; namely to reduce theBritansto their wonted obedience, and keep the Province in some reasonable quiet, by expelling theScotsandPicts(savage and perfidiousPeopleeven from timesof old) making daily inroads and incursions thereunto.
Now, as for these reasons, it’s not likelyStonehengcould be built in the times next beforeConstantine, so, by what follows, it will manifestly appear, it was not erected after his Reign. For, after his transplanting the seat of the Empire into the East, and the government of the then known world, under theRomans, distinguished byEastandWesternEmperours, a deluge of barbarous Nations (like so many Locusts) swarmed over all. Who, as with their vast multitudes they oft had formerly attempted it, so, thence forward, till bringing that mighty Empire unto its finall and fatall period; and thereby utterly destroying in like manner allArtsandSciences, together withArchitecture, (not restored again, even inItalyit self, untill, as formerly remembred) they never desisted. Moreover, in the times afterConstantine, noTemplesto HeathenDeities(such as I shall make appear thisAntiquity Stonehengwas) were erected here, they being times of defacing, rather then erecting idolatrous places. For, most of the succeeding Emperors becomingChristians, the tempestuous storms of perfection were over, and the thick clouds of superstition beginning to be dissolved by the bright beams of the Gospel, and true light of CHRIST, every whereTempleswere shut up against false Gods, and set open to the true GOD. According to that ofGildas,Gildas.No sooner was the blustering tempest, and storm of persecution blown over, but the faithfull Christians, who in the time of trouble and danger had hidden themselves in woods, deserts, and secret caves, being come abroad in open sight, renovant Ecclesias ad solum usque destructas, basilicas sanctorum martyrum fundant, construunt, perficiunt &c. Churches ruinate to the very ground they reedifie, Temples of holy Martyrs they found, build, and finish &c.So that, in stead of idolatrousTemples, built in the Ages precedingConstantine, during his reign and after, whilst theRomanscontinued in any prosperous state here, by erectingChristian Churches, they began generally to neglect, and suffer fall to decay, rather then new buildTemplesto theirPaganGods.
These pressing occurrences therefore, to wit, civill broyls amongst theRomansthemselves, frequent insurrections of theBritans, daily inrodes by thePictsandScots, together with thedownfallofPaganism,decayofArts, and fatallruineof the wholeEmpire, making the times both long before and afterConstantineincompatible for undertaking such works as thisAntiquity, it may safely enough be concluded, ifStonehengnot founded byAgricola, yet created it might be about fifteen hundred and fifty years ago, in the times somewhat after his government,Tacit. in Vit. Agr.theProvincebeing formerly left by him in good and peaceable state, theBritansreduced fromBarbarityto order and civill conversation, and theRomansflourishing in all manner ofArtsandSciences.
Now, concerning the use for whichStonehengat first erected, I am clearly of opinion, it was originally aTemple, it being built with all accommodations properly belonging to a sacred structure. For, it had an intervall or spacious Court lying round about it, wherein theVictimesfor oblation were slain, into which it was unlawfull for any profane person to enter: it was separated from the circumadjacent Plain, with a large Trench in stead of a wall, as a boundary about theTemple, most conformable to the main work, wholly exposed to open view: Without this Trench, the promiscuous common multitude, with zeal too much, attended theceremoniesof their solemne though superstitious Sacrifices, and might see the oblations, but not come within them: It had likewise its peculiarCell, withPortico’sround about, into whichCell, as into theirSanctum sanctorum(pardon the expression) none but thePriestsentred to offer Sacrifice, and make atonement for thePeople: Within theCellanAraorAltarwas placed, having its proper position towards theEast, as theRomansused.Aræ spectent ad Orientem, saithVitruvius.Vitr. lib. 4. cap. 8.And, that there hath been the heads of Bulls, or Oxen, of Harts, and other such beasts digged up, or in, or near thisAntiquity(as divers now living can testifie) is not to be omitted; for who can imagine, but these were the heads of such, as anciently there offered in Sacrifice? together with which also, were heaped up great quantities of Charcole, happily used about the performance of their superstitious ceremonies. That the ancientRomanshad Charcole in use amongst them,Plinyaffirms.Plin. lib.16.Tom. 1. lib. 33.Tom. 2.And when I caused the foundations of the stones to be searched, my self found, and yet have by me to shew the cover of aThuribulum, or some such like vase (I suppose) whereinChoulin his discourse of their Religion, reportsRosin. lib. 3.Choul fol. 217, 229.the ancientRomansused to carry Incense, wine or holy water, for service in their Sacrifices, lying about three foot within the ground, near one of the stones of the greaterHexagon.
TheOrderwhereof thisTempleconsists, according to the rules ofArtobserved by the ancientRomansin works of this kinde, is mingled ofGreekandTuscanework. For, as the plainnesse and solidnesse of theTuscane Order, appears eminently throughout the wholeAntiquity: so the narrownesse of the spaces betwixt the stones, visibly discovers therein, the delicacy of theCorinthian Order. Which commixture amongst theRoman Architectswas very usuall, in regardVitruvius(in his fourth Book and seventh Chapter) treating somwhat largely (his method otherwise considered) of severall sorts of the like composedTemples, mixt of theGreekandTuscanemanners tels us:Vitr. lib. 4. cap. 7.that,Nonnulli de Tuscanicis generibus sumentes columnarum dispositiones, transferunt in Corinthiorum & Ionicorum operum ordinationes. Some taking the qualities of the columns of the Tuscane Order, transfer them into the symmetry of the Corinthian and Ionick works.Whereby (to please themselves it seems in their own inventions)efficiunt Tuscanicorum & Græcorum operum communem ratiocinationem. They make of the Tuscane and Greek works one common composure.As the same Author likewise remembers.
TheAspectof thisTemple; by which we understand that first shew whichTemplesmake to those that draw near unto them, isDipteros Hypæthros, which is double winged about uncovered.Dipteros circa ædem duplices habet columnarum ordines(saithVitruvius)Vitr. lib. 3. cap. 1.Dipteros hath double orders of columnes about the Temple. Hypæthros sub divo est, sine tecto, (as thesame Author)Hypæthros is open to the air, without a roof.
The Manner of thisTempleisPycnostylos, ornarrow spaces.Pycnostylosis that kinde ofTemples,Vitr. lib. 3. cap. 2.which hath the columnes set thick, and close togethercrebris columnis, asVitruviusalso hath it.
But it may be objected, though it appears from very good Authorities, the Artifice, and workmanship of thisAntiquity, together with theScheamwhich formed it, wereRoman: and theOrderof which consisting, invented inItaly, and so consequentlyRomanin like manner: as also, by the severall peculiar accommodations, the probable reliques ofHeathenishSacrifices, and determinate rules ofArchitecture, it was anciently aTemple: Neverthelesse it appears not, theRomansever used any whatever profane structure like this, much lesse any manner ofTemplesof this kinde of invention,Where the Temple lies open without walls, surrounded only with pillars. For, that the upright stones which make this workStoneheng, are in stead of them, may well enough be granted.
To this I answer, the learned inAntiquitiesvery well know, those things which oblivion hath so long removed out of mind, are hardly to be discovered. Yet, as to the first part of the objection, that theRomansnever used any whatever profane structure like this,Varro de re rustica(as I find him cited byPhilander) tels us,Phil. in Vitr. lib. 4.that they had in use amongst them a round building without any wals, having a doubleOrderof columns round about, this he cals by the name ofTholus, ædificium rotundum, columnatum duplici columnarum ordine. A round edifice(saith he)environed about with a double order of columns. Which doubleOrderofColumnsPyrrho Ligorioa famousNeapolitane Architect, and great discoverer ofAntiquities, in his description thereof designes without a roof also.
But to come to their sacred works, which in regard of thisAntiquity, are (it’s true) of most concernment, I find theRomansused (asVitruviuswitnesseth)Vitr. lib. 4. cap. 7.such manner ofTemples. For (in his fourth Book, and seventh Chapter) hedelivers, there were amongst others two forms of roundTemples, commonly in use amongst them, the one calledMonopteros; the otherPeripteros. This, had theCellenclosed about with a continued wall, and at a proportionate distance from it, the columns placed which made aPorticoround about it, clean different fromStoneheng: the other made open, and in stead of a wall encompassed with a row of pillars only, having no enclosedCellwithin it at all, as much conducing to our purpose in hand. His words are these,Ædes sacræ Templa dicta fuerunt, quòd essent quasi ædes Deorum.Rosin. lib. 2. cap. 2.Fiunt autem ædes rotundæ, è quibus aliæ sine cella columnatæ constituuntur. They make also(saith he)round Temples, of which some are built without a Cell, environed with Pillars only. These were without any wals, (as his Commenter hath it) lying open to the Air. And truly (as I may presume to say)Dan. Barbar.from this very manner the invention ofStonehengwas principally taken, in ordering whereof, theArchitectdisdaining usuall and common forms, of both the aforesaid forms composed one. For, taking the outward circle from theMonopteros, he made it open also as in that, but in stead of the continued wall circularly enclosing theCellof thePeripteros, atStonehenghe made only anHexagonabout theCell, leaving the same open in like manner. And, asHermogenes(whom I shall have occasion to remember again) to illustrate his work, leaving out the inner row of Pillars, made a singlePorticoabout theTempleatMagnesia, whereby it came to be a new invention, for which he is famous to posterity: so the subtileArchitect, whosoever he was, to ennoble this his work, adding the saidHexagonhere, made a doublePorticoround about thisTemple, and thereby a new invention likewise, no lesse famous to succeeding Ages. OurAntiquity Stonehenghad otherwise been of the self sameAspectwithout aCell, asVitruviushath before delivered. ThatTemple Monopteros, was environed with a row of pillars; thisTemple Stoneheng, in stead of them, supplied with a rank of pillasters (as they may well be called) continuing round about it. That, lay open to the air without any walls: so doth this atStoneheng. That, had over the pillars anArchitrave,Freese, andCornice, theOrderbeing delicate: this atStoneheng, over the pillasters anArchitraveonly, as most conformable to the solidnesse of theOrderand plainnesse of the work.
Thus it fully appears, the ancientRomansused to erectTemples, which lay open without walls, surrounded only with pillars; in invention like this atStoneheng. But, let us see whether the formMonopteros, had any roof over it. That theRomanshadTemplesuncovered, and without roofs, likeStoneheng, is in part already, and shall more manifestly be hereafter proved: and searching curiously into theirAntiquities, it will be found the greatest, most splendid, and most magnificent work of all others, which theAncientsmade for service of theirDeities, were those kinde ofTemplesof theAspect Hypæthros. Whether theMonopteroswas one of that kind, appears not yet, andVitruviusis very obscure therein; neverthelesse, that it was built without a roof, I shall illustrate by these reasons.
First,Vitruviustels us not it had a roof; for, in his precepts of all severall kinds ofTemples, after he hath delivered theAspect,Form, andMannerof them with much exactnesse, he omits not throughout his fourth Book to demonstrate aswell the contignation, as proportion of timbers of the roofs, belonging to all thoseTemples, which had any, and when vaulted he gives us likewise the form thereof, if theTemplesso covered: but, in the description of the formMonopteros, there is no manner of timber work, nor form of vault, nor the least word mentioned of any roof at all, in what place soever throughout his whole work speaking thereof. In which respect, considering allTempleshaving roofs, those roofs are described byVitruvius, and that he describes no roof belonging to this, it must necessarily follow, theTemplesin formMonopteroshad no roofs over them.
Again, after giving the proportion of theArchitraveover the columnes of theMonopteros, he saith,Zophorus & reliqua quæ insuper imponuntur, ita uti in tertio volumine de symmetriis scripsit. The Freese and other ornaments laid upon them, are as inhis third Book of symmetries made mention of.Now, in his third Book, he only treats of proportions, and not one word is so much as mentioned by him of any manner of roofs at all, only in the close of the said Book, he gives the proportion of frontispices belonging to quadrangularTemples: the same referment in like manner he makes for the ornaments of thePeripteros, and withall proceeds to a full description, in what manner the roof of itsCellwas made, which questionlesse, he would likewise have done in the other form, if it had been covered. For, he saith, whatever is to be laid above theFreeseof theMonopteros, is, as set down in his third Book: but, in his third Book, there is not One word mentioned of any roofs; the conclusion then follows theMonopteroswas without a roof.
Lastly, he positively tels us it wassine Cella, without a Cell: now theCell(and which for distinction sake I have so called in describing thisAntiquity, because it was applied to the same use, to perform their sacred rites in) was indeed properly, the inner,Bern. Baldo.or chief part of theTemple, quam nos corpus Templi vulgò dicimus, we commonly call it the body of the Church, which enclosed with wals, was covered with a roof, asVitruviusdeclares in the formPeripteros, tecti ratio ita habeatur &c. The manner of a roof(saith he)was thus &c.But, theMonopteroswas without aCell, and consequently without a roof also, as having no walls to bear it. For, in regard of the manner of theArchitecture, the pillars standing inIsland(as we say) the work could not securely bear a roof, if made of any great capacity: either therefore, they madeTemplesof this form very little (in which respect only,Palladiosupposeth it might be vaulted) inconsistent with theRomangreatnesse, or else, likeStonehengthey were wholly uncovered and rooflesse. Howsoever, it is manifest, theAspectwas just the same. And if I should say, the ruines of one after the same form also, remains yet inOxfordshire, which the common people usually callRolle-rich-stones, take it but as my conjecture only, as likewise one or two built after the like manner inScotland,no man unlesseHector Boetiusknowing by what Kings.
Moreover, the proportions appearing in thisAntiquity Stoneheng, are much conformable to those, assigned byVitruviusto the parts of theMonopteros: He tels us,Tribunal habent & ascensum ex suæ diametri tertia parte: they had the Tribunal, (by which is understood that levell upon which theTempleplaced)and the ascent, consisting of one third part of the Diameter. So atStoneheng, the work it self is onethird part of the Diameterof the circumvallation: And, acording to the proportion allowed by him tothe Ascent, it seems thoseTempleswere sited more stately then others, (by consequence great also) and certain it is, whosoever views thisAntiquityattentively with judgement, upon the place where remaining (for theFoliobeing too little I could not expresse it in Design) and doth allow a proportionate depth to the Trench surrounding it; considering also, together therewith, the levell of the plain lying without, he will then finde it standing upon such a rising ground, that theAscentunto it, was not much lesse magnificent, then whatVitruviushath declared.
Furthermore, besides the aforementioned roundTemples, Vitruviusin the same Chapter tels us, that,generibus aliis constituuntur ædes, ex iisdem symmetriis ordinatæ, & alio genere dispositiones habentes. TheRomansbuilt them after other manner of inventions, following the same proportions, and having their disposures after another kinde. Of which, if vouchsafed to posterity the descriptions, some of them might have been found, not only agreeable inAspect, but happily of the very self same form also, as thisTemple Stonehengdoth appear.
Now considering this discourse may happen into the hands of those, who cannot by words so easily apprehend things of thisArt, I have for their satisfaction brought intoDesign, the plants of both the aforesaidTemplesmentioned byVitruvius, whereby their conformity withStoneheng, and the invention thereof taken from them, is more clearly manifested.