LETTER XV. DESCRIPTION OF PHRYGIA, ESPECIALLY THE GREATER-ITS INHABITANTS, AND THEIR RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. TURNING our thoughts from the ruins of Jerusalem and the sad fate of Judah, we hasten to make a nearer acquaintance with some of the people, who in ancient times inhabited the charming peninsula known under the name of Asia Minor. Among these eople the Phrygians appear to in small numbers, gradually melt away, and are absorbed in the surrounding tribes; if settled in larger masses, remote from each other, they grow up in distinct commonwealths; but in a generation or two, the principle of separation, which is perpetually at work, effectually obliterates all community of interest or feeling. If a traditionary remembrance of their common origin survives, it is accompanied by none of the attachment of kindred; there is no family pride or affection; there is no blood between the scattered descendants of common ancestors. For time gradually loosens all other ties; habits of life change; laws are modified by the circumstances of the state and people; religion, at least in all polytheistic nations, is not exempt from the influence of the great renovator. The separate communities have outgrown the common objects of national pride; the memorable events of their history during that time that they dwelt together; their common traditions, the fame of their homes, the songs of their poets, are superseded by more recent names and occurrences; each has his new stock of reminiscences, in which their former kindred cannot participate. Even their languages have diverged from each other. They are not of one speech; they have either entirely or partially ceased to be mutually intelligible. If, in short, they meet again, there is a remote family likeness, but they are strangers in all that connects man with man, and tribe with tribe. "One nation alone [?] seems entirely exempt from this universal law. During the Babylonian captivity, as in the longer dispersion under which they have been for ages afflicted, the Jews still remained a separate people. However widely divided from their native country, they were still Jews; however remote from each other, they were still brethren. What then were the bonds by which Divine Providence held together this single people? What were the principles of their inextinguishable nationality?-their law and their religion, their law, of the irreversible perpetuity of which they were steadfastly convinced, and to which at length they adhered too long and too pertinaciously. Their religion which, however it might admit of modifications in its main principles, remained unal terable."-History of the Jews, vol. i. book viii. * In reading the ancient historians and geographers, we frequently meet with the following terms: "The Greater" and "Lesser Asia," " Asia Proper," or "Asia Properly so called," the "Lydian Asia," the "Proconsular Asia," and the "Asiatic Diocese." Now we have to observe, that the vast continent which was known to the Greeks and Romans under the name of Asia, was divided by the ancient geographers first into the Greater and Lesser Asia. The latter, commonly termed Asia Minor, comprehended a great many provinces or states. Asia Proper, or Asia Properly so called, would seem from Cicero (In Oratione pro Flacco.) to have comprehended Phrygia, Mysia, Caria, and Lydia. But though Cicero, in enumerating the countries contained in Asia Proper, makes no mention of Æolis and Ionia, these claim our first attention. But as the works of the most ancient writers who treated on the history of the Phrygians are lost,* our information on this subject is very scanty. countries belonged undoubtedly to Asia Proper, because they were comprehended partly in Lydia and partly in Mysia. Lydia, besides the inland country commonly known by that name, contained also the adjoining countries both of Ionia, lying on the sea-side, between the rivers Hermes and Mæander, and of Æolis, extending from Hermes to the river Caicus, according to Ptolemy, (lib. v.); or, according to Strabo, (lib. xii.) to the promontory Lectum, the ancient boundary between Troas and the sea-coast of the Greater Mysia. The remaining parts of Æolis and Ionia, Pliny, Strabo, and Hellanicus place in Mysia; nay, Mysia itself, after the Eolians possessed themselves of it, was commonly called Æolis, according to what Pomp. Mela tells us (lib. i. cap. 18), but of which Stephanus appears to have been ignorant, as he makes Assos of Æolis a different city from Assos in Mysia, near Antandrus. From what is now said, it is evident that Asia Proper comprehended Phrygia, Mysia, Lydia, Caria, Æolis, and Ionia. This region was, according to Ptolemy, bounded on the north by Bithynia and Pontus, extending from Galatia, to Propontis; on the east by Galatia, Pamphilia, and Lydia; on the south by part of Lydia, and the Rhodian Sea; on the west by the Ægean and Ionian Seas, and by the Hellespont, lying between the thirty-fifth and forty-first degrees of north latitude, and extending in longitude from the fifty-fifth to the sixty-second degree. As Asia Proper thus was but a part of Asia Minor, so the Lydian Asia was only a part of Asia Proper. The Lydian Asia comprehended Lydia, Æolis, and Ionia, according to the description already given, and is that Asia of which mention is made in the Acts and the Apocalypse. Aristotle places Pergamus in Lydia, and tells us that Smyrna was at first possessed by the Lydians, and Scylax Coryandensis reckons it among the cities of Lydia, as also Ephesuswherein he agrees with Herodotus, lib. i. Sardis, Philadelphia. and Thyatyra, are reckoned by Ptolemy among the cities of Lydia, as is Laodicea by Stephanus. The Proconsular Asia, so called because it was governed by a Roman Proconsul, comprehended-according to the distribution of the provinces of the empire made by Augustus -the following countries, viz: Lydia, Ionia, Caria, Mysia, Phrygia, and the Proconsular Hellespont. And this is the region to which Ptolemy gives the appellation of Asia Proper. Augustus made also Pontus and Bithynia a pretorian province; and that part of Asia which lay on this side of the river Halys and Mount Taurus, he ordained to be a consular province. In the time of Constantine the Great, the Proconsular Asia was much abridged, and a distinction made-the Proconsular Asia and the Asiatic Diocese, the one being governed by the Proconsul of Asia, and the other by the Vicarius or Lieutenant of Asia. In the reign of Theodosius the Elder, the Consular Hellespont was taken from the Vicarius of Asia, and added to the Proconsular Asia; but under Anadius the Proconsular Asia was abridged of all the inland part of Lydia. "This is the reason why Palladius (In vita Chrysost.) makes a distinction between the bishops of Lydia and those of Asia."-English Universal History, vol. ii. As to the origin of the name of Asia, there is a great variety of opinions among the learned, some deriving it from Asia, the alleged daughter of Oceanus and Thetis, wife of Japetus, and by him mother to Prometheus; others from Asius, son of Asia, king of Lydia, alleging that from him the kingdom first, and in length of time the whole continent was called Asia. Bockart is of opinion that it took its name from the Phoenician word Asi, signifying the middle, because Asia Minor, which, says he, communicated its name to Asia the Greater, lies, as it were, in the middle, between Europe and Africa. This opinion he endeavors to support with the authority of Pliny and Pomponius Mela. Plin. in Prefat. lib. iii. &c., Pomp. Mela de Asia, lib. i. c. 2. But all these opinions seem to be mere conjectures. See for further infermation of Asia Minor, vol. i. pp. 35-37 of this work. Among those who treated on this subject, we find mentioned Democritus, Hermesianetes, Timolaus, Aretazes, and Cornelius Alexander, but the works of these writers have been lost, The exact boundaries of the country which was inhabited by the Phrygians, and is known under the name of Phrygia,* has been so variously stated by writers, that it has given rise to the proverb related by Strabo,f that the Phrygians and Mysians had distinct boundaries, but that it was scarcely possible to ascertain them. The same writer adds that the Trojans, Mysians, and Lydians, are by the poets blended under the common name of the Phrygians.‡ Phrygia proper, according to Ptolemy, whose statement in this respect has been adopted by several eminent writers of modern times, was bounded on the north by Pontus and Bithynia, on the west by Mysia, Troas, the Ægean sea, Lydia, Maronia, and Caria; on the south by Lycia; on the east by Pamphylia. It lies between the 37th and 41st degrees of north latitude, extending in longitude from 56 to 62 degrees. Phrygia is commonly divided into the Greater and Lesser Phrygia, called also Troas. But this division did not take place till Troas was subdued by the Phrygians; and hence it is no more considered by some Roman writers as a part of Phrygia, than Bithynia, Cappadocia, or any other of the adjacent provinces. In later times-that is in the reign of Constantine the Greatthe Greater Phrygia was divided into two districts, the one called Phrygia Pacatiana, the other Phrygia Salutoris.¶ This country, as indeed all Asia Minor, was in ancient times greatly celebrated for its fertility. It abounded in all sorts of grain, being chiefly a plain region, covered with a deep rich soil, and plentifully watered by • Whence Phrygia, or the Phrygians, derived their name seems very uncertain. Some derive the name Phrygia from the river Phryx-now Sarabot-which divides Phrygia from Caria, and empties itself in the Hermes, (Plin. lib. xc. 29;) others from Phrygia, the alleged daughter of Asopus and Europa. The Greek writers tell us that the country took its name from the inhabitants, and these from the town of Brygium in Macedonia, from whence they emigrated into Asia, and gave the name of Phrygia, or Brigia, to the country in which they settled. This opinion, however, seems not well founded, as it is not probable that a country so ancient as Phrygia, was first settled by emigrants from Macedonia; but it appears more likely that Brygium was founded by Phrygians from Asia. Bockart is of the opinion that Phrygia got its name from the Greek verb, ppvysiv, to burn or parch. This may have been the case, as the country of which we speak consists of a dry soil, in some places impregnated with sulphur and bitumen; and that consequently it bore a name denoting its external appearance, and which the Greeks translated accordingly, being a name of an identical signification. t Lib. xii. and xix. Claudius (Claud. lib. iii. in Eutrop.) says, that even the Pisidians, Bithynians, and Ionians, were sometimes comprehended in the name of the Phrygians. Pliny places Ascania in Phrygia; while it is, together with Dardania, reckoned by Strabo (lib. xii.) among the provinces of Mysia. The inhabitants of this country mentioned by Ptolemy, are the Lycaones and Anthemisenii, towards Lycia; the Moceadeles or Moceadine, the Cyddesses or Cydesses, towards Bithynia; and between these the Peltini and Zeltini; the Moxiani, Phylacensis and Hierapolita. To these may be added the Berocyntes and Cerberas, as mentioned by Strabo. From Pacatianus, who, under that emperor, was Prefectus Prætoris of the East. ¶ From some miraculous cure alleged to have been performed there by the archangel Michael. small rivers. In some parts it was productive of bitumen, and other combustible substances. On its large plains and rich pastures, numerous herds of cattle were seen feeding. The air was then deemed very pure and wholesome, but this is not now in all places the case, in consequence of the many fields which its present indolent inhabitants allow to remain. uncultivated. The cities of note in Phrygia Major, or Greater, were: Apamea or Apamia a famous mart, and the metropolis of Phrygia until the division above alluded to, by Constantine, took place-seated at the confluence of Marsya and Mæander ;* and Laodicea, now Eskihissar, seated on the banks of the river Lycus, not far from Apamea.† Laodicea was famous for its wool, which was universally preferred, on account of its softness, as the same writer testifies, even to that of Miletus, so much lauded by the ancients, and besides, was of an extraordinary blackness. Among the cities of Phrygia the Greater, were also Hieropolis, famous for its mineral waters; Gordium, the seat of Gordius, an ancient king of Phrygia ; Colosse, now Chonos, on the south side of the Mæander, to the people of which the Apostle Paul wrote the epistle; Sipylus, the residence of King Tantalus; and Synnada or Synnade, which Constantine the Great made the metropolis of Phrygia Salutoris. The principal river of this country is the Mæander, now Modre or Mindre, a river so celebrated by the ancients on account of its windings, that all obliquities are from thence termed mæanders. It passes through Phrygia, divides Caria and Lydia, and after six hundred windings, by which it seems to flow back to its fountain, empties itself into the Archipelago, between Priene and Miletus. The other rivers are, Marsya, so named as it is alleged, from a celebrated musician who chal * Pliny places it at the foot of the hill of Signio, surrounded by the rivers Marsya, Obrima, and Orga, which empty themselves into the Mæander; whereiu he seems to confound the situation of the ancient Celæne with that of the more modern city of Apomea. Celæne, indeed, stood at the foot of the hill by which the Marsya has its spring; but Antiochus Soter, son of Antiochus Seleucus, who built Apamea of Syria, carried the inhabitants from Celæne to the new city which he built about ten miles from thence, where the Marsya and Mæander begin to flow in one channel; this city he named Apamea, from his mother Apame, wife to Seleucus Nicanor.-Strabo, lib. xvi.; Liv. lib. xxxviii; Marianus, lib. vi. This city is generally called Apamea Libertas, as a mark of distinction from several other cities of the same name in the neighborhood. + Laodicea was first called Diospolis, afterwards Rheas, and at last Dio-cæsarea and Laodicea. We are told by Stephanus, that Jupiter appearing to Antiochus, the son of Stratonice, in his sleep, commanded him to build a city, which he did accordingly, calling it Diospolis. It was afterwards greatly increased by Hiero, by Zeno the Rhetorician, and his son Poleman, (Strabo, lib. xii.) who, being honored by Augustus Cæsar with the title of king, might perhaps, as a compliment to that prince, have added his own name to that of Jupiter, calling the city Dio-cæsarea, the city of Jupiter and Cæsar. The name of Laodicea, however, which Strabo derives from the river Lycus, prevailed. Dia Prusecus, lib. i. The Cayster, now Minderscare, bears such a resemblance to the Mæander, that many of our modern travellers have mistaken the former for the latter. lenged Apollo, but was by the god surpassed, and flayed for his presumption. Hermus, much celebrated by the poets for gold sands, takes its rise near Dorylaum and falls into the Archipelago near Smyrna. The Phrygians claim to be the most ancient people of the globe, which claim in the time of Psammiticus was admitted even by the Egyptians,* who assured of their own antiquity, were wont to look down with contempt upon the claims of other nations, to rival themselves in this point. Still the claim of the Phrygians cannot be considered as valid. As to the origin of this people, some suppose them to be descended from Togarmah, one of Gomer's sons; and of this opinion are Josephust and St. Hierome, who intimate that they were known to the Hebrews under the name of Tigrammanes or Thrugrammeans. Herodotus,; Strabo,|| and Pliny, led by the similarity of names, derive them from the Brigians or Bryges, a people of Macedonia, who after their alleged immigration into Asia Minor, were called Phrygians. Bockart is of opinion that the Phrygians were the offspring of Gomer,** the eldest son of Japhet; the word Phrygia being the Greek translation of his name. "Before the reign of their king Psammiticus, (says Herodotus, lib. ii. ch. 2,) the Egyptians esteemed themselves the most ancient of the human race; but when this prince came to the throne, he took considerable pains to investigate the truth of the matter, and the result of which was, that they believed the Phrygians more ancient than themselves, and themselves than the rest of mankind. While Psammiticus was engaged in this inquiry, he contrived the following as the most effectual means of removing his doubt. He procured two children just born, of humble parentage, and gave them to a shepherd to be brought up among his flocks. He was ordered never to speak before them; to place them in a sequestered hut, and at proper intervals to bring them goats, whose milk they might suck while he was attending to other employments. His object was to know what word they would first pronounce articulately. The experiment succeeded to his wish; the shepherd complied with all that he had ordained, and at the end of two years, on his one day opening the door of their apartment, both the children extended their arms towards him, as if in supplication, and pronounced the word, "becos." [These infants, in all probability, pronounced the word bec, the cry of the animals which they imitated, os being a termination appropriate to the Greek language.'-Larcher.] It did not at first excite his attention, but on their repeating the same expression whenever he appeared, he related the circumstance to his master, and at his command brought the children to his presence. When Psammiticus had heard them repeat the same word, he endeavored to discover among what people it was in use; he found it was the Phrygian name for bread. From seriously reflecting on this incident, the Egyptians were induced to allow the Phrygians to be of greater antiquity than themselves." ↑ Ant. lib. i. ch. 6. § Lib. vii. c. 73. Lib. vii. x. xii. Hierom. in quæst. Hebraicis. ** As Gomer was the father of Togarma, (Genesis x. 3,) Bockart's opinion seems to coincide with that of Josephus and St. Hierome; and Josephus, when he makes Gomer the father of the Galatians, must necessarily mean the Phrygians inhabiting that part of Phrygia, of which the Galatians had made themselves masters; the descendants of Gomer being placed by Ezekiel, xxxviii. 6, northward of Judah, near Togarmah—which Bockart takes to to be Cappadocia-long before the Gauls passed over into Asia, and took possession of that tract which from them was called Galatia. Many of the modern writers consider the Cimmerians to be the offspring of Gomer; thinking that their country was what in the Scrip |