Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry From Seleucus Nicator To The Death Of Herod The Great.
MASONRY FROM SELEUCUS NICATOR TO THE DEATH OF HEROD THE GREAT .
riu . i'Ai-Ei . m : o . it . F . o ' couxon . MASOXI . Y flourished most in Egypt , where thc Grecian architecture was highly admired , and ivhere Ptolemy Soter , another of Alexander ' s generals , liad set up his throne . Euclid , the famous geometer of Tyre , came to the court of Ptolemy Soter , and was by him encouraged to collect the scattered elements of geometry , and he accordingly digested them into such order , improved ancl
demonstrated them so accurately , as to have left no room for any others to exceed him therein ; for which his memory will he ever fragrant in thc Lodges . According to the old Constitutions , Ptolemy , Grand Master , with his AVardens , Euclid the geometrician , aud Stratan the philosopher , built his palace at Alexander , with the curious museum or college of the learned , with the library of Brucheum near the palace , that was filled with
forty thousand manuscripts , or valuable volumes , before it was burned in thc wars of Julius Caisar . Tlie succeeding king of Egypt , Ptolemy Philadclphus , finished thc famous tower on the island of Pharos , that was begun by his father , ivhich became the sixth of thc seven wonders of art , and built the Ilcptastadium , or seven furlong bank , for joining the said island to the continent . This famous piece of architecture served as a lighthouse for thc
harbour of Alexandria . It was built under the direction and care of his Grand Wardens , Dexcphancs , of Cnidus , and his son , Sostratus . Philadelphia also founded the City of Mios llormus , or the Red Sea ; built thc temple of Venus in Crete , and rebuilt old Kabbah , of the Amenities , calling it Philadelphia . Nay , he ivas so excellent an architect , that all fine masonry for some years , was called Philadelphia !! in honour of this place
, . Ptolemy , thc son of Philadclphus , called Euergetes , succeeded , and ivas the last good Grand Master in Egypt . His Wardens were his two learned librarians , Eratosthenes , of Gyrene , and Appolonius , of Rhodes . The library of Brucheum being nearly
lull , he erected another at Seraphium , which in time contained 1100 , 000 manuscripts , and Cleopatra afterwards added 200 , 000 more from the library of Pergamus , given to her by Mark Antony . But all this vast library was burnt hy the ignorant , stupid , and besotted Saracens , when they took the city of Alexandria , to thc irreparable loss of the learned . It had often been rifled in the revolutions and commotions that happened in the
Roman Empire , yet it was as often repaired and replenished again with its full number of hooks , till this , its final destruction , by the Saracens . This happened as follows : —Johannes G-rammaticus , the famous Aristotelian philosopher , being then living at Alexandria , aud having much ingratiated himself with Amrus Elmol As , thc general of the Saracen army , and by reason of his great learning made himself acceptable to him , he begged of him thc
royal library ; to this Amrus replied that it was not in his power , but was wholly at the disposal of tlie Caliph , or Emperor of thc Saracens , to whom he would write about it , ivho returned for an answer , that if these hooks contained what was agreeing with thc Alcoran , there was no need of them , for that alone was sufficient of itself for all truths : but if they contained ivhat disagreed with the Alcoran , they were not to be endured ; and , therefore , he ordered that whatsoever the contents of them were , they should all be destroyed . Whereupon , being distributed among the public baths , they served as fuel for six months to
heat all .-Hie baths of Alexandria , which shows how great tlie number of them was , and what an inestimable treasure of learning was wholly destroyed . The glorious temple of Cyzicus , on the Hellespont , had threads cf beaten gold in the joints , on the insides of exquisitely polished marble stones , that cast a most dazzling lustre on all the pillars , statues , ancl images in the temple . Besides thc curious echo of
the seven towers at the Thracian gate of Cyzicus , and a large town house without one pin or nail in the carpenter ' s work , so that the beams ancl rafters could be taken off , and again put on without laces or keys to bind them . The Rhoclians employed tlie famous architect Chares , of Lindus , to erect the great Colossus at Rhodes , which employed him and his craftsmen for twelve years . It was esteemed the
hist of the seven wonders of art , and thc greatest human statute under thc sun , to whicli it was dedicated . It was 70 cubits high , and duly proportioned in every part and limb , striding over the harbour ' s mouth , and wide enough to receive between its legs the largest ( save thc Great Eastern ) ships , and appeared at a distance like a hi gh tower . It was thrown down by an earthquake after it had stood 6 'G years , and lay where it fell S 9-I years more ; till at length in the year of Christ 672 , Moawias , the sixth Caliph of thc Saracens , having taken Rhodes , sold the brass to a Jew merchant , who loaded with it 000 camels , allowing 800 pounds weight to
every camel's burden , thc brass of this Colossus , after thc waste of so many years by the rust and wear of thc brass itself , and thc purloinings and embezzlement of men , amounted to 720 , 000 pounds . Thc Greeks continuing to propagate thc science and art in thc very best manner , other distant countries began to follow their examples , especially the Carthagcnians and Sicilians , who now to vie with the Greeks
began , and most of all at Syracuse , under thc great and learned geometrician , architect , mechanic , and engineer , Archimedes , who was unfortunately slain in Syracuse , when that city was taken by Marcellus . ' Many of thc Greek , African and Sicilian Masons had now travelled into tlie North and AVest of Europe , and propagated their useful art in Italy , Spain and the Balearic Islandseverywhere being well received
, and cordially entertained . In all nations , hitherto , we find the Mason above all other artists , to have been highly favoured by the eminent and noble , who wisely joined thc Lodges for the better conducting of their various undertakings in architecture . Thc Tuscans , ivho had long imitated the Greeks in arts and sciences , instructed the Romans in the science and the improvements of architecture . Eor Marcellus about this time erected his
famous theatre , with a temple to virtue , and another to honour ; and when , under Scipio Asiaticus , they beheld witli astonishment the Grecian and Asiatic buildings standing in full splendour , they resolved to imitate thc same , especially after thc destruction of Carthage and Corinth . In a short time were built the palace of Paulus Emilus , the triumphal arch of Marius , the three amazing theatres of Scaurusthe library of Lucullusthe theatre of
Pom-, , pey , with his palace and temple of victory ; the great circus of Julius C-csar , and his fine palace and temple of Venus . Caisar intended after the reduction of the Parthiaus , as Grand Master of the Roman Republic , to have employed the craft in many other great works in Rome , but was basely murdered by Brutus and others , before he had put these great designs in execution . His
death was soon followed by thc conquest of Egypt , thc death of Cleopatra , and end of thc Grecian monarch y , and the commencement of tlie Roman Empire 1 ) 3 ' the victory Octavius gained over Antony at Actium .-Rome became now the centre both of learning and supreme power , under Augustus , the illustrious Grand Master , with his Deputy , Agrippa , who erected the great portico of the Pantheon ; and his
principal Warden , the learned Vitruvius , became the father of true architecture by his admirable writings . This mighty patron employed the Fellow Crafts in repairing the public edifices after the wars , and in building the bridge of Arminium , the temple of Apollo , of Mars , the Avenger , and of the Rotundo , called Gallacio , the great forum , and his own principal palace , the fine mausoleum , the statue in the capital , the curious library , and the and the eminent
park ; , following his example , built above 100 marble palaces for the greatest kings , whereby many Lodges were constituted in the city ancl suburbs , so that Augustus justly said when dying , " I found Rome built of brick , but 1 leavc ' it built of marble . " The remains of ancient Rome arc so just and elegant , that they are thc best patterns of true Masonry ' extant , being all the old Grecian architecture in Epitome . The Asmonaean princes , and thc high priest ofthe Jews , had been Grand Masters , and had the directions of the fraternity for many years in Judca ; till Herod the Idumcan , came to be king , ivho , by cutting off thc
Asmonacans , made the Sanhedrim useless , and set up high priests at pleasure , and after the battle of Actium , being reconciled to Augustus , he began to show his mighty skill in Masonry , and became au excellent Grand Master , or patron of the Lodges , sent for the most expert Fellow Crafts of Greece to assist his own masons ; and soon built a splendid Grecian theatre at Jerusalem , and rebuilt Samaria , whicli he called Sebaste , with a little but most delicate lelike to that of
temp , Jerusalem . He made Cesarea the best harbour of Palestine , and built a temple of white marble at Paneas , together with the cities of Antipatris , Phasaelis and Cypron , aud the admirable tower of Phasael at Jerusalem , larger in dimensions than thc Pharos of Alexandria . Herod being- in full enjoyment of peace and plenty , formed a design of building anew the temple at Jerusalem , whereby he thought he should not only reconcile
to himself thc affections of thc Jews , hut afso erect a monument of lasting honour to his own name . The temple built after thc return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity , though an admirable building , fell much short of that of Solomon ' s in the height , magnificence , and other particulars , and 500 years having elapsed since its erection , several decays had happened to it both by the length of time , and also by the violence of enemies . For the amending and repairing of all those defects and decays , Herod proposed to build the whole temple anew , ancl , in a general assembly of the people , offered them what he intended . But when he
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry From Seleucus Nicator To The Death Of Herod The Great.
MASONRY FROM SELEUCUS NICATOR TO THE DEATH OF HEROD THE GREAT .
riu . i'Ai-Ei . m : o . it . F . o ' couxon . MASOXI . Y flourished most in Egypt , where thc Grecian architecture was highly admired , and ivhere Ptolemy Soter , another of Alexander ' s generals , liad set up his throne . Euclid , the famous geometer of Tyre , came to the court of Ptolemy Soter , and was by him encouraged to collect the scattered elements of geometry , and he accordingly digested them into such order , improved ancl
demonstrated them so accurately , as to have left no room for any others to exceed him therein ; for which his memory will he ever fragrant in thc Lodges . According to the old Constitutions , Ptolemy , Grand Master , with his AVardens , Euclid the geometrician , aud Stratan the philosopher , built his palace at Alexander , with the curious museum or college of the learned , with the library of Brucheum near the palace , that was filled with
forty thousand manuscripts , or valuable volumes , before it was burned in thc wars of Julius Caisar . Tlie succeeding king of Egypt , Ptolemy Philadclphus , finished thc famous tower on the island of Pharos , that was begun by his father , ivhich became the sixth of thc seven wonders of art , and built the Ilcptastadium , or seven furlong bank , for joining the said island to the continent . This famous piece of architecture served as a lighthouse for thc
harbour of Alexandria . It was built under the direction and care of his Grand Wardens , Dexcphancs , of Cnidus , and his son , Sostratus . Philadelphia also founded the City of Mios llormus , or the Red Sea ; built thc temple of Venus in Crete , and rebuilt old Kabbah , of the Amenities , calling it Philadelphia . Nay , he ivas so excellent an architect , that all fine masonry for some years , was called Philadelphia !! in honour of this place
, . Ptolemy , thc son of Philadclphus , called Euergetes , succeeded , and ivas the last good Grand Master in Egypt . His Wardens were his two learned librarians , Eratosthenes , of Gyrene , and Appolonius , of Rhodes . The library of Brucheum being nearly
lull , he erected another at Seraphium , which in time contained 1100 , 000 manuscripts , and Cleopatra afterwards added 200 , 000 more from the library of Pergamus , given to her by Mark Antony . But all this vast library was burnt hy the ignorant , stupid , and besotted Saracens , when they took the city of Alexandria , to thc irreparable loss of the learned . It had often been rifled in the revolutions and commotions that happened in the
Roman Empire , yet it was as often repaired and replenished again with its full number of hooks , till this , its final destruction , by the Saracens . This happened as follows : —Johannes G-rammaticus , the famous Aristotelian philosopher , being then living at Alexandria , aud having much ingratiated himself with Amrus Elmol As , thc general of the Saracen army , and by reason of his great learning made himself acceptable to him , he begged of him thc
royal library ; to this Amrus replied that it was not in his power , but was wholly at the disposal of tlie Caliph , or Emperor of thc Saracens , to whom he would write about it , ivho returned for an answer , that if these hooks contained what was agreeing with thc Alcoran , there was no need of them , for that alone was sufficient of itself for all truths : but if they contained ivhat disagreed with the Alcoran , they were not to be endured ; and , therefore , he ordered that whatsoever the contents of them were , they should all be destroyed . Whereupon , being distributed among the public baths , they served as fuel for six months to
heat all .-Hie baths of Alexandria , which shows how great tlie number of them was , and what an inestimable treasure of learning was wholly destroyed . The glorious temple of Cyzicus , on the Hellespont , had threads cf beaten gold in the joints , on the insides of exquisitely polished marble stones , that cast a most dazzling lustre on all the pillars , statues , ancl images in the temple . Besides thc curious echo of
the seven towers at the Thracian gate of Cyzicus , and a large town house without one pin or nail in the carpenter ' s work , so that the beams ancl rafters could be taken off , and again put on without laces or keys to bind them . The Rhoclians employed tlie famous architect Chares , of Lindus , to erect the great Colossus at Rhodes , which employed him and his craftsmen for twelve years . It was esteemed the
hist of the seven wonders of art , and thc greatest human statute under thc sun , to whicli it was dedicated . It was 70 cubits high , and duly proportioned in every part and limb , striding over the harbour ' s mouth , and wide enough to receive between its legs the largest ( save thc Great Eastern ) ships , and appeared at a distance like a hi gh tower . It was thrown down by an earthquake after it had stood 6 'G years , and lay where it fell S 9-I years more ; till at length in the year of Christ 672 , Moawias , the sixth Caliph of thc Saracens , having taken Rhodes , sold the brass to a Jew merchant , who loaded with it 000 camels , allowing 800 pounds weight to
every camel's burden , thc brass of this Colossus , after thc waste of so many years by the rust and wear of thc brass itself , and thc purloinings and embezzlement of men , amounted to 720 , 000 pounds . Thc Greeks continuing to propagate thc science and art in thc very best manner , other distant countries began to follow their examples , especially the Carthagcnians and Sicilians , who now to vie with the Greeks
began , and most of all at Syracuse , under thc great and learned geometrician , architect , mechanic , and engineer , Archimedes , who was unfortunately slain in Syracuse , when that city was taken by Marcellus . ' Many of thc Greek , African and Sicilian Masons had now travelled into tlie North and AVest of Europe , and propagated their useful art in Italy , Spain and the Balearic Islandseverywhere being well received
, and cordially entertained . In all nations , hitherto , we find the Mason above all other artists , to have been highly favoured by the eminent and noble , who wisely joined thc Lodges for the better conducting of their various undertakings in architecture . Thc Tuscans , ivho had long imitated the Greeks in arts and sciences , instructed the Romans in the science and the improvements of architecture . Eor Marcellus about this time erected his
famous theatre , with a temple to virtue , and another to honour ; and when , under Scipio Asiaticus , they beheld witli astonishment the Grecian and Asiatic buildings standing in full splendour , they resolved to imitate thc same , especially after thc destruction of Carthage and Corinth . In a short time were built the palace of Paulus Emilus , the triumphal arch of Marius , the three amazing theatres of Scaurusthe library of Lucullusthe theatre of
Pom-, , pey , with his palace and temple of victory ; the great circus of Julius C-csar , and his fine palace and temple of Venus . Caisar intended after the reduction of the Parthiaus , as Grand Master of the Roman Republic , to have employed the craft in many other great works in Rome , but was basely murdered by Brutus and others , before he had put these great designs in execution . His
death was soon followed by thc conquest of Egypt , thc death of Cleopatra , and end of thc Grecian monarch y , and the commencement of tlie Roman Empire 1 ) 3 ' the victory Octavius gained over Antony at Actium .-Rome became now the centre both of learning and supreme power , under Augustus , the illustrious Grand Master , with his Deputy , Agrippa , who erected the great portico of the Pantheon ; and his
principal Warden , the learned Vitruvius , became the father of true architecture by his admirable writings . This mighty patron employed the Fellow Crafts in repairing the public edifices after the wars , and in building the bridge of Arminium , the temple of Apollo , of Mars , the Avenger , and of the Rotundo , called Gallacio , the great forum , and his own principal palace , the fine mausoleum , the statue in the capital , the curious library , and the and the eminent
park ; , following his example , built above 100 marble palaces for the greatest kings , whereby many Lodges were constituted in the city ancl suburbs , so that Augustus justly said when dying , " I found Rome built of brick , but 1 leavc ' it built of marble . " The remains of ancient Rome arc so just and elegant , that they are thc best patterns of true Masonry ' extant , being all the old Grecian architecture in Epitome . The Asmonaean princes , and thc high priest ofthe Jews , had been Grand Masters , and had the directions of the fraternity for many years in Judca ; till Herod the Idumcan , came to be king , ivho , by cutting off thc
Asmonacans , made the Sanhedrim useless , and set up high priests at pleasure , and after the battle of Actium , being reconciled to Augustus , he began to show his mighty skill in Masonry , and became au excellent Grand Master , or patron of the Lodges , sent for the most expert Fellow Crafts of Greece to assist his own masons ; and soon built a splendid Grecian theatre at Jerusalem , and rebuilt Samaria , whicli he called Sebaste , with a little but most delicate lelike to that of
temp , Jerusalem . He made Cesarea the best harbour of Palestine , and built a temple of white marble at Paneas , together with the cities of Antipatris , Phasaelis and Cypron , aud the admirable tower of Phasael at Jerusalem , larger in dimensions than thc Pharos of Alexandria . Herod being- in full enjoyment of peace and plenty , formed a design of building anew the temple at Jerusalem , whereby he thought he should not only reconcile
to himself thc affections of thc Jews , hut afso erect a monument of lasting honour to his own name . The temple built after thc return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity , though an admirable building , fell much short of that of Solomon ' s in the height , magnificence , and other particulars , and 500 years having elapsed since its erection , several decays had happened to it both by the length of time , and also by the violence of enemies . For the amending and repairing of all those defects and decays , Herod proposed to build the whole temple anew , ancl , in a general assembly of the people , offered them what he intended . But when he