Palaestina

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

THE HOLY LAND· (Book The Holy Land)

THis famous Province of Syria, was heretofore called the Land of Chanaan the Sonne of Cham, who possessed it.* 1.1 It was called also the Land of Promise, or the promised Land, because God promised it to our Fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob. This Country when the ancient Inhabitants were beaten out, and the Israelites came in their place, began to be called Israel and Iudaea. Ptolemy and others doe call it Palaestina, from the Palaestines a people of great note, who in the sacred Scriptures are called Philistins: the Christians doe call it the Holy Land. This Country is situate in the middle of the world,* 1.2 betweene the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia, on which side beyond the River Iordan it is encompassed with a continued ridge of Mountaines, and so it reacheth from Aegypt, as Herodotus will have it, or as others from the Lake Sirbon, even to Phaenitia. The bounds thereof are these; it hath on the East Syria and Arabia: on the South the Desert of Pharan, and Aegypt: on the West the Mediterranean Sea: on the North the Mountaine libanon. The length of it reacheth on the North to the Citty of Dan, seated at the foot of the Mountaine Libanon (which was afterward called Caesarea Philippi and Paneas) & so on the South to the Citty Bearsebach, situate in the Tribe of Simeon over against the great Desert which is about 67. miles, every mile being an houres journey. But the breadth which is to be taken from the Mediterranean Sea on the West to Iordan on the East side, doth containe in some places 16. and in other places 18. miles. Of all Countries it is chiefly commended for the wholesomnesse of the Ayre, and temperature of the Climate, for the Winter is not too cold, nor the Summer too hot. And all Writers both sacred and prophane doe praise it for the fruitfulnesse of the Soyle, the abundance of all kindes of fruits,* 1.3 and the plenty of all things necessary for the sustentation and delectation of mans life. Moyses concerning this Country prophesi'd thus to the Israelites, Deut. Cap. 8. Vers. 7. For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good Land, a Land of Brookes, of Water, of Fountaines, and depths, that spring out of Valleys and Hills, a Land of Wheate, and Barley, and Vines, and Fig-trees, and Pomegranates, a Land of Oyle, Olive, and Hony, a Land wherein thou shalt eate Bread without scarcenesse, thou shalt not lack any thing in it: a Land whose Stones are Iron, and out of whose Hills thou mayest digge Brasse, a Land flowing with Milke and Honey. Iosephus also and Pliny doe praise the fertility of this Country. But of all those things which serve either for delight or medicinable use, the Balsame is especially commended, which God heretofore gave to this part of the World, but now it wanteth it, also the Aromatick sweet Spices, and Mastix, and two kindes of Nuts, the one called Almonds, and the other Pistack Nuts. In the Mountaines also there is Iron and Brasse. It hath abundance of sweet Springs, and pleasant Meddowes which are cloathed with Flocks and Heards of Cattell, which doe yeeld great store of Milke. And here is good hunting of Boares, Goates, Hares, and Hawking after Partridges, Stares, and other Birds. Moreover, the Land of Chanaan had 31. Kings, which were Philistins, but after Israelites entred into this Country, the most part of the Philistins and ancient Kings were slaine and droven out. And the Children of Israel were governd by Captaines about 450. yeeres, untill the Prophet Samuel. Neither did they rule by Succession, or Election, but it was a kinde of Aristocracy, where the Seniors in every Tribe did governe, but afterward at the request of the people, God changed this forme of government into a Kingdome, and this government continued many yeeres. For in processe of time the Israelites suffered many calamities, untill at length they lost their Kingdome. For both sacred and prophane Histories doe witnesse, that this Nation had beene subject to divers changes, and had beene vexed continually with warres, either through the disposition of the people, who could neither endure their own nor others government, or through their sinnes which provoked Gods anger toward them, or through the felicity and happinesse of this Country which tempted Strangers to invade them. Sometimes they were overcome, sometime carried away into captivity, so that they were unfit to live either in prosperity or adversity. Sometimes they were under the yoke of servitude, and in bondage to their neighbours, and sometimes to remote people farre off, as the Aegyptians, Chaldaeans, Medes, Persians, Macedons, and Romanes: and they never ceased to tread downe and overthrow themselves, and their Common-wealth by their evill counsell, untill at length they fastned and nayled the Sonne of God, and the Saviour of mankinde, with their wicked hands to the Crosse, than which there could bee no greater sinne or impiety. After that there ensued new calamities and miseries. For Titus Vespasian having conquerd Iudaea tooke Ierusalem, and carried away many thousand Jewes into Captivity, and many of them being slaine by famine, pestilence, fire, and sword, he wasted and destroyed the Temple and all the sacred and prophane buildings, in the yeere from the birth of Christ 73. which Christ himselfe while hee lived here on Earth had foretold. Aelius Adrianus did re-edifie the Citty, but hee changed the Situation thereof. And the old Temple of Salomon lay ruinate and wasted, even untill the yeere 363. when Iulian the Apostata gave the Jewes leave to re-edifie it, who being dismaid by a miracle desisted from their enterprise, and left it off againe. In the yeere 615. Chosr•es King of Persia tooke the Citty, and put 90000. men to the sword: but he being overcome and taken by Heraclius was punisht for his cruelty. In the yeere 636. Haumer Prince of the Sarazens subdued all Iudaea and it continued 450. yeeres under the power and dominion of the Sarazens. But in the yeere 1097. when it was decreed in the Counsell of Clarimont in the time of Pope Vrban the second, that a Voyage should be made to recover the Holy Land, Godfr•y of Boloyne having raised a great Army of Christians, which consisted of 300000. Foote, and 100000. Horse, did beat out the Sarazens. In the yeere 1185. Saladine King of Persia did restore the Sarazens to their first estate. But not long after the Christians invaded them againe. And the Sarazens invaded them againe in the yeere 1217. untill at length after divers mu•ations and changes, the Turkes got possession of it in the yeere 1517. This Country containeth Idumaea, Iudaea, Samaria, and Galiley. Idumaea beginneth from the Mountaine Cassius, or according to others from the Lake Sirbon, and stretche•h Eastward even to Iudaea. There are these Citties in it, Maresa, Rhinocorur•, Raphia, Anthedon, Ascalon, Asotus, and Gaza. Iudaea is the most famous part of Palestine, being situate betweene the Mediterranean Seas and the Lake Asphaltites▪ and betweene Samaria and •dumaea. It was so called from Iudah which was the chiefe Tribe, in which there were many Citties and Townes, but the fairest of them all was Hierusalem the Metropolis of Iudaea, and the most famous Citty in the World. In Ptolemies time it was called Ae•ia Capatolia, and now the barbarous Inhabitants doe call it Coz or Godz, or Chutz. There are also other Townes and famous places in Iudaea, beside Hierusalem, as Iericho, Ioppe which is now called I•ffa: Stratoes Towre, afterward call Caesars Towre, also Bethlehem; Chebron, or Hebron, before called Arbee▪ and Mambre, and Cariatharbe, that is, the Citty of foure men. And the Towne Macherus with a strong Castle beyond Iordane. •ere were also Sodom and Gomorrah, which were destroyed for their abominable wickednesse. Samaria followeth which is situate in the middle betweene Iudaea, and Galile. It was so called from the Metropolis of the same name, which Amri King of Israel built, it is now called Sebaste: here are these Townes Sichem, afterward called Neapolis, also Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin. Galiley is situate beweene the Mountaine Liba•us and Samaria; and it is devided into the higher and the lower: the higher is otherwise call'd the Galiley of the Gentiles, neere to Tyre. The lower is situate by the Sea of Tiberias, or Genezareth. The Citties in it are Naim, Cana, Nazareth, and Gadara. Butthe whole Country is situate betweene two Seas, and the River Iordane. It hath many Lakes which are Navigable, and have great store of good Fish. But the Riuer Iordane which the Hebrewes call Iarden, runneth thorow all the length of this Country. This River as Hierome writeth, issueth from two Fountaines, not farre distant one from another, namely, •or, and Dan, and afterward these two forked streames joyning together doe make the River Iordan. It hath two chiefe Mountaines Hermon on the East, and Tabor on the West, which are very high, and all the other Mountaines are but armes and parts of them. For Ebal, Bethoron, and Misha, or Maspha, and Be•el by Hermon: Gelboe, Gerizim, Sarona, and lastly Carmel neere to the Sea, are but part of the Mountaine Tabor. There are also these Mountaines, Mount Sion, Mount Moriah, Mount Olivet, Mount Calvary, and others. It hath also many Woods, Wildernesses, and Groves. Here are many faire buildings, and especially at Hierusalem. But of all those workes which were famous in ancient time, the chiefe is Mons Domus, and the Jebusians Tower, into which King David carried the Arke of the Lord, and there is continued untill Salomons Temple was built and consecrated, of which there are some ruines yet remaining, where it is thought that Christ supped at the time of the Passeover. There are also some Monuments of David and the Kingdome of Iudah. There was also Davids House, which is still preserved, and called by the name of Davids Tower. Here also some ruines of Mello at the farthest part of the Mountaine Moriah. Here was Salomons famous Temple, which was 7. yeeres building, and had 50000. men working daily at it. Concerning the magnificence and statelinesse whereof you may reade in Lib. 1. of the Kings, Cap. 6.7. & Chron. Lib. 2. Cap. 3. & 4. Concerning their Lawes and Customes for brevity sake I will adde nothing, but referre the Reader to the Bookes of Moyses, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Of PALESTINE and the Cities thereof.

THE next Countrey in order is Palestina, having on the East Euphrates, on the West the Mediterranean Sea; on the North Phenicia, and on the South Arabia; this Countrey hath so often changed its name that it hath bin called by 6 severall names, 1 Canaan, 2 the land of promise, 〈◊〉 Israel, 4 Iudea, 5 Palestina, and lastly the holy land; and now divided into 4 parts, Galilea, Iudea, Idumea and Samaria.

In Galilea is not found any City either of note nor trading, though in times past it was famous for many, as Bethsaida the birth place of Peter, Andrew and Philip; and Nazareth second to none, where the Virgin Mary was saluted with those joyfull tydings by an Angell: in this Countrey ariseth the two spring heads of Iord•…, Ior and Dan, of which two that united River doth derive its name.

Neither doth Samaria now afford any City of commerce, though many notable places were there found in the flourishing dayes of the Israelites.

Idumea is also destitute of trading, though it have the commodious Sea Por•… I•…ppa in it, where our Westerne Pilgrims are seen to land and foot it to Ierusalem; where also in times past Ionah took shipping to fly to Tarsus, and where Peter lying in the house of one Simon a Tanner, was in a vision taught the conversion of the Gentiles: here also was Gasa where the Persians did hord up in the greatnes of their Empire the customes and tributes of their westerne dominions: take what I finde in trade here worthy observation.

1676. A most exact and accurate map of the whole world by Donald Lupton.

XXI. From Caelosyria, over Hermon we go to Palestine,

W. Mediterranean, N. Antilibanus, S. Arabia Petrea; under the third and fourth clime, 200 miles long, and 80 broad,

where are first Rivers,

1. Chison.
2. Kidron.
3. Zared and Naphthea.
4. Arnon.
5. Jaboc.
6. Hermon.
7. Jordan, surrounded with Poplars, Tamarishes and Reeds of all sorts, and passing through the Lake of Tiberias without mixture with it into the Mediterranean, and the dead Sea.

Secondly, Hills,

1. Sion.
2. Moriah.
3. Calvari.
4. Tabor.
5. Olivet.
6. Gerizim.
7. Savon, now Capo Bianco with its Rosemary, Sweet Mayjorum, Hyssop, Bayes, and other odoriferous plants, besides Leopards, &c.
8. Gilboa.
9. Basan.
10. Abarim.

1. In Peraa, a Part of Palestine between Jordan and Arnon, from Pella N. to Petra S. was

1. Recome, 2 Kings 14.7.
2. Midian.
3. Rabbat.
4. Diblathan.
5. Gallim.
6. Muthana.
7. Nathaliel.
8. Bamath.
9. Mizpah.
10. Hor.
11. Kir-harasath.
12. Rabbah.
13. Dathema.
14. Minneth,
15. Abel vinearum.
16. Mitspa.
17. Magod.
18. Bosor.
19. Abel shittim.
20. Bethbara.
21. Machaerus.
22. Lesha.
23. Midibuh.
24. Bosor.
25. Livias.
26. Libias.
27. Hedemath.
28. Bamath Baal.
29. Heshbon.
30. Adam.
31. Aroer.
32. Dihon.
33. Bethnimrah.
34. Nolloroh.
35. Bethharan.
36. Beth-ezob.
37. Succoth
38. Jazor.
39. Mahanaim.
40. Rogelim.
41. Ramoth Gilead.
42. Penuel.

2. In Ituraea another Province, ragged, rude, and given to witch-craft;

1. Hippus.
2. Bathira.
3. Pella.
4. Edrey.
5. Carnaim.
6. Ephron.
7. Jabesh Gilead.
8. Ashteroth.
9. Gaulon.
10. Gamala.
11. Gadara.
12. Gergesa.
13. Juleus.
14. Abel.
15. Gessur.
16. Mahacath.
17. Chauran.
18. Chalsar Havan.
19. Ʋs.
20. Sueta.

3. In Galilee, rich with all manner of fruit, was

1. Hazor, now Antronia.
2. Capernaum, a poor fisher-town.
3. Hamath.
4. Kadesh.
5. Riblah.
6. Saphet, the onely place where the Jewes have the face of a Common-Wealth.
7. Bethsomes, Carthan, Musoloth and Cinereth.
8. Ascheche, Gabula, Giscala, Cana, Messal pleasantly seated, and of great importance.
9. Jokneham, Zabulon, Cana-major, Barsabe, Dothan, Bethsaida, Nazareth, Jotopata, Tiberis, Bethulia, Japha, Sephoris.
10. Tanihaea, Chishion, Remelh, Enhadda, Naim, Aphraim, Daborath the Castle of Pilgrims, now Tortora.

4. In Samaria, rich in Pastures, Cattle, and fruits, is

1. Bethsan, on the banks of Jordan, out of whose ruines many pillars, and other pieces of marble are drawn out.
2. Thirza.
3. Acrabula.
4. Thebes.
5. Ephra.
6. Bezeke.
7. Jezreel.
8. Megiddo.
9. Dora.
10. Caesarea.
11. Antipatris.
12. Saron, and Lidda, or Diospolis, Ramatha, Ajalon, Shempath, Cares, Silo, Bethoron, Michmas, now Byra, Sichem since Nicopolis, Samaria, famous for the marble pillars found there, now nothing but a few Cottages, filled with greek monks.

5. In Judea, on the Sea coasts from the South of Phaenicia, to the North of Idumaea, is

1. Gath and its New-Castle.
2. Wealthy and strong Accaron.
3. The fair village of Ashdod.
4. The goodly Sea-town, Ascalon, repaired by Rich. I. King of England.
5. Wealthy Gaza, surrounded with its rich and pleasant vallies, and its Port Majoma.
6. Joppa, Joffa with two Turrets with Harquebusses to defend the haven, which lies too open to the North-winds, whither Merchants trade for Cotton-wool, keeping their Factory at Rama on a sandy plain, in the rising of an hill.
7. Modin, where the Macchabees Sepulchre of seven Pillars, so that they are the Seamans marks.
8. Tzara.
9. Healthful Gerar in the south of Canaan.
10. Ziglag.
11. Coreath Sepher since Daema an old University.
12. The well fortified frontire-town Beersheba;

besides those Cities of the Tribe of Judah:

1. Arad.
2. Hebron.
3. Tecoa.
4. Cerioth.
5. Jether or Jethica.
6. Maresa.
7. Emaus, and its hot baths.
8. Hason, Odalla, Keila, Eleutheropolis, Azeha, Bethsur, Zoar, Mussuda, the strongest place in Judaea, Libna, Ziph, Bethlem, places renowned for Balsom,

and those of the Tribe of Benjamin; as

1. Michmas,
2. Mispah.
3. Geba.
4. Gibeah.
5. Ai.
6. Gibeon.
7. Jericho.
8. Anathoth.
9. Gilgal.
10. Bethel; Ramath.
11. Jerusalem, to whose ruines many repair out of devotion, more out of curiosity, paying the Turk nine Crowns a man, amounting yearly to 80000 Ducats, only low roofed houses built here and there for two miles compass, looking handsomly at distance; inhabited by mean Artezans of all Nations and Religions.

6. In Idumea, E. S. Arabia Petraea, W. Mediterranean that dry and sandy place, bearing nothing but Palmtrees, besides the two Hills, Mount Seir and Cassius are remarkable,

1. Dinahahath, Gen. 36.32, 35, 37.
2. Anthedon, a port town on S. River Boser against Gaza.
3. Well fortified Rhino curura.
4. Ostracine, now Stragione on the Sea-side beneath Anthedon, and some few Villages inhabited by Arabians, and Castles kept by the Turks in the way to Egypt; as Hamones, Harista, and Cario, Custome houses near Gaza, so ill watered, that the chief men there have all their water from Tena, twelve miles off, on the Coast of Aegypt; all these places under the Turk, though inhabited by the hated Jews in many places, who every Easter are in danger of that death they inflicted on our Saviour, by reason of their Ʋsury and Brocage, together with their being the Turks Publicans, and Tax-gatherers, their Nation stinks, as much as they said their bodies do.