Euhemerus
4th c. BCE
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NOTE |
Atlantis theorists often claim that Plato's fictional creation must have been real because Plato's dialogues sound like history. They argue that the ancients were not capable of fabricating history or employing their imagination. Euhemerus' Panchaea, a fictive utopian island kingdom almost coeval with Plato's composition, poses great difficulties for this view.
This text poses an insoluble problem for both Atlantis believers and ancient astronaut theorists. In this rarely seen text, Euhemerus discusses a voyage into the Arabian Sea, where he visits the Atlantis-like island of the Panchaeans and reads the records of their kings, whom the Greeks ignorantly worship as gods. Unfortunately, Euhemerus' original text is lost. It survives in a summary made by Diodorus Siculus. Unfortunately, however, part of his discussion was lost along with book 6 of his Library, and it in turn survives only in fragments preserved in Eusebius of Caesaria. The first part of the following comes from G. Booth's 1814 translation of Diodorus 5.41-67. The final section, covering material from Eusebius, comes from the 1876 edition of Cory’s Ancient Fragments (pp. 172-174). A much longer and expanded version of this commentary can be found here with much more analysis of the implications of Euhemerus' Panchaea for alternative theorists. |
DIODORUS SICULUS 5.41-67
There are many things observable in Panchaea, that deserve to be taken notice of. The natural inhabitants are those they call Panchaei; the strangers that dwell among them are people of the western parts, together with Indians, Cretans, and Scythians. In this island there is a famous city, called Panara, not inferior to any for wealth and grandeur. The citizens are called the suppliants of Jupiter Triphylius, and are the only people of Panchaea, that are governed by a democracy, without a monarch. They choose every year the presidents or governors, that have all matters under their cognizance, but what concerns life and death; and the most weighty matters they refer to the college of their priests. The temple of Jupiter Triphylius is about sixty furlongs distant from the city, in a champaign plain. It is in great veneration because of its antiquity and the stateliness of the structure, and the fertility of the soil.
The fields round about the temple are planted with all sorts of trees, not only for fruit, but for pleasure and delight; for they abound with tall cypresses, plane trees, laurels, and myrtles, the place abounding with fountains of running water: for near the temple there is such a mighty spring of sweet water rushes out of the earth, as that it becomes a navigable river: thence it divides itself into several currents and streams, and waters all the fields thereabouts, and produces thick groves of tall and shady trees; amongst which, in summer, abundance of people spend their time, and a multitude of birds of all sorts build their nests, which create great delight, both by affecting the eye with the variety of their colours, and taking the ear with the sweetness of their notes. Here are many gardens, sweet and pleasant meadows decked with all sorts of herbs and flowers, and so glorious is the prospect, that it seems to be a paradise worthy of the gods themselves.
There are here likewise large and fruitful palms, and abundance of walnut trees, which plentifully furnish the inhabitants with pleasant nuts.
Besides all these, there are a multitude of vines of all sorts, spiring up on high, and so curiously interwoven one amongst another, that they are exceeding pleasant to the view, and greatly advance the delights of the place.
The temple was built of white marble, most artificially jointed and cemented, two hundred yards in length, and as many in breadth, supported with great and thick pillars, curiously adorned with carved work. In this temple are placed huge statues of the gods, of admirable workmanship, and amazing largeness. Round the temple are built apartments for the priests that attend the service of the gods, by whom every thing in that sacred place is performed. All along from the temple, is an even course of ground, four furlongs in length, and a hundred yards in breadth; on either side of which are erected vast brazen statues, with four-square pedestals; at the end of the course, breaks forth the river from the fountains before mentioned, from whence flows most clear and sweet water, the drinking of which conduces much to the health of the body. This river is called the water of the sun.
The whole fountain is lined on both sides and flagged at the bottom with stone at a vast expense, and runs out on both sides for the space of four furlongs. It is not lawful for any but the priests to approach to the brink of the fountain. All the land about for two hundred furlongs round, is consecrated to the gods, and the revenues bestowed in maintaining the public sacrifices, and service of the gods: beyond these consecrated lands, is a high mountain, dedicated likewise to the gods, which they call the throne of Coelus and Triphylius Olympus; for they report that Uranus, when he governed the whole world, pleasantly diverted himself in this place; and from the top of the mount observed the motion of the heavens and stars, and that he was called Triphylius Olympus, because the inhabitants were composed of three several nations, Panchaeans, Oceanites, and Doians, who were afterwards expelled by Ammon; for it is said, that he not only rooted out this nation, but utterly destroyed all their cities, and laid Doia and Asterusia even with the ground. The priests every year solemnize a sacred festival in this mountain, with great devotion.
Behind this mount, in other parts of Panchaea, they say there are abundance of wild beasts of all kinds, as elephants, lions, leopards, deer, and many other wonderful creatures both for strength and proportion. In this island there are three chief cities, Hyracia, Dalis, and Oceanis. The whole country is very fertile, and especially in the production of all sorts of wine in great plenty,
The men are warlike, and use chariots in battles, after the antient manner. The whole nation is divided into three parts: the first class is of the priests, with whom are joined the artificers. The other tribe consists of the husbandmen; and the third are the militia and the shepherds,
The priests govern all, and are the sole arbitrators in every matter; for they give judgment in all controversies, and have the power and authority in all public transactions of state. The husbandmen till the land, but the fruit is brought into the common treasury, and who is judged the most skilful in husbandry, receives the largest share of the fruits for a reward in the first place; and so the second, and the rest in order to the tenth, as every one merits less or more, receives his reward by the judgment of the priests. In the same manner the shepherds and herdsmen carefully bring into the public stock, the victims and other things both by number and weight, as the nature of the things are; for it is not lawful for any to appropriate any thing to themselves particularly, except a house and a garden. For all the young breed of cattle, and other things, and all the revenues, are received by the priests, and they justly distribute to every one as their necessity does require; only the priests have a double proportion.
They wear soft and fine garments; for their sheep's wool is much finer here than any where else; both men and women likewise deck themselves with golden ornaments; for they wear necklaces of gold, and bracelets about their arms, and like the Persians, have rings hanging in their ears. Their shoes are such as others wear, but richly beautified with divers sorts of colours.
Their soldiers, for ordinary pay, defend the country, fortifying themselves within camps and bulwarks; for there is a part of the island infested with most daring thieves and robbers, who often lurch and surprise the husbandmen.
To conclude, these priests for delicacy, state, and purity of life, far excel all the rest of the inhabitants: their robes are of white linen, and sometimes of pure soft wool. They wear likewise mitres, embroidered with gold. Their shoes are sandals curiously wrought with exquisite workmanship, and in their ears hang golden ear-rings like to the women's.
They attend chiefly upon the service of the gods, singing melodious songs in their praises, setting forth their glorious acts and benefits bestowed upon men. The priests say they came originally from Crete, and were brought over into Panchaea by Jupiter, when he was upon earth, and governed all the world; and allege their language for a confirmation of this assertion, inasmuch as they retain many words of the Cretan speech among them. And further say, that they derived from their ancestors that civility and kindness wherewith they entertain the Cretans, the fame and report of their antient consanguinity descending continually in a perpetual succession to their posterity: they shew likewise a record written, as they say, by Jupiter's own hand, at the time when he was on earth, and laid the foundation of the temple.
There are in this island likewise mines of gold, silver,, brass,, and iron, but not lawful for any to export them. Nay, it is not lawful, for any of the priests to go out of the verge of the consecrated ground; and if any do it is lawful for any man that finds them to kill them. They have under their charge innumerable vast vessels, and other consecrated things, both of gold and silver, which have been laid up there in honour of the gods for many ages. The gates of the temple are of admirable workmanship, beautified with gold, silver, ivory, and thyme wood.
The bed of the god is six cubits long, and four broad, of massy gold, most curiously wrought in every part; near adjoining, stands the table, as large, and of the like materials and workmanship with the other in every respect.
In the middle of the bed, is placed a great golden pillar, whereon are letters inscribed, called by the Egyptians, sacred writing, expressing the famous actions of Uranus, Jupiter, Diana, and Apollo, written, they say, by Mercury himself. But this may suffice concerning the islands lying in the ocean over against Arabia.
There are many things observable in Panchaea, that deserve to be taken notice of. The natural inhabitants are those they call Panchaei; the strangers that dwell among them are people of the western parts, together with Indians, Cretans, and Scythians. In this island there is a famous city, called Panara, not inferior to any for wealth and grandeur. The citizens are called the suppliants of Jupiter Triphylius, and are the only people of Panchaea, that are governed by a democracy, without a monarch. They choose every year the presidents or governors, that have all matters under their cognizance, but what concerns life and death; and the most weighty matters they refer to the college of their priests. The temple of Jupiter Triphylius is about sixty furlongs distant from the city, in a champaign plain. It is in great veneration because of its antiquity and the stateliness of the structure, and the fertility of the soil.
The fields round about the temple are planted with all sorts of trees, not only for fruit, but for pleasure and delight; for they abound with tall cypresses, plane trees, laurels, and myrtles, the place abounding with fountains of running water: for near the temple there is such a mighty spring of sweet water rushes out of the earth, as that it becomes a navigable river: thence it divides itself into several currents and streams, and waters all the fields thereabouts, and produces thick groves of tall and shady trees; amongst which, in summer, abundance of people spend their time, and a multitude of birds of all sorts build their nests, which create great delight, both by affecting the eye with the variety of their colours, and taking the ear with the sweetness of their notes. Here are many gardens, sweet and pleasant meadows decked with all sorts of herbs and flowers, and so glorious is the prospect, that it seems to be a paradise worthy of the gods themselves.
There are here likewise large and fruitful palms, and abundance of walnut trees, which plentifully furnish the inhabitants with pleasant nuts.
Besides all these, there are a multitude of vines of all sorts, spiring up on high, and so curiously interwoven one amongst another, that they are exceeding pleasant to the view, and greatly advance the delights of the place.
The temple was built of white marble, most artificially jointed and cemented, two hundred yards in length, and as many in breadth, supported with great and thick pillars, curiously adorned with carved work. In this temple are placed huge statues of the gods, of admirable workmanship, and amazing largeness. Round the temple are built apartments for the priests that attend the service of the gods, by whom every thing in that sacred place is performed. All along from the temple, is an even course of ground, four furlongs in length, and a hundred yards in breadth; on either side of which are erected vast brazen statues, with four-square pedestals; at the end of the course, breaks forth the river from the fountains before mentioned, from whence flows most clear and sweet water, the drinking of which conduces much to the health of the body. This river is called the water of the sun.
The whole fountain is lined on both sides and flagged at the bottom with stone at a vast expense, and runs out on both sides for the space of four furlongs. It is not lawful for any but the priests to approach to the brink of the fountain. All the land about for two hundred furlongs round, is consecrated to the gods, and the revenues bestowed in maintaining the public sacrifices, and service of the gods: beyond these consecrated lands, is a high mountain, dedicated likewise to the gods, which they call the throne of Coelus and Triphylius Olympus; for they report that Uranus, when he governed the whole world, pleasantly diverted himself in this place; and from the top of the mount observed the motion of the heavens and stars, and that he was called Triphylius Olympus, because the inhabitants were composed of three several nations, Panchaeans, Oceanites, and Doians, who were afterwards expelled by Ammon; for it is said, that he not only rooted out this nation, but utterly destroyed all their cities, and laid Doia and Asterusia even with the ground. The priests every year solemnize a sacred festival in this mountain, with great devotion.
Behind this mount, in other parts of Panchaea, they say there are abundance of wild beasts of all kinds, as elephants, lions, leopards, deer, and many other wonderful creatures both for strength and proportion. In this island there are three chief cities, Hyracia, Dalis, and Oceanis. The whole country is very fertile, and especially in the production of all sorts of wine in great plenty,
The men are warlike, and use chariots in battles, after the antient manner. The whole nation is divided into three parts: the first class is of the priests, with whom are joined the artificers. The other tribe consists of the husbandmen; and the third are the militia and the shepherds,
The priests govern all, and are the sole arbitrators in every matter; for they give judgment in all controversies, and have the power and authority in all public transactions of state. The husbandmen till the land, but the fruit is brought into the common treasury, and who is judged the most skilful in husbandry, receives the largest share of the fruits for a reward in the first place; and so the second, and the rest in order to the tenth, as every one merits less or more, receives his reward by the judgment of the priests. In the same manner the shepherds and herdsmen carefully bring into the public stock, the victims and other things both by number and weight, as the nature of the things are; for it is not lawful for any to appropriate any thing to themselves particularly, except a house and a garden. For all the young breed of cattle, and other things, and all the revenues, are received by the priests, and they justly distribute to every one as their necessity does require; only the priests have a double proportion.
They wear soft and fine garments; for their sheep's wool is much finer here than any where else; both men and women likewise deck themselves with golden ornaments; for they wear necklaces of gold, and bracelets about their arms, and like the Persians, have rings hanging in their ears. Their shoes are such as others wear, but richly beautified with divers sorts of colours.
Their soldiers, for ordinary pay, defend the country, fortifying themselves within camps and bulwarks; for there is a part of the island infested with most daring thieves and robbers, who often lurch and surprise the husbandmen.
To conclude, these priests for delicacy, state, and purity of life, far excel all the rest of the inhabitants: their robes are of white linen, and sometimes of pure soft wool. They wear likewise mitres, embroidered with gold. Their shoes are sandals curiously wrought with exquisite workmanship, and in their ears hang golden ear-rings like to the women's.
They attend chiefly upon the service of the gods, singing melodious songs in their praises, setting forth their glorious acts and benefits bestowed upon men. The priests say they came originally from Crete, and were brought over into Panchaea by Jupiter, when he was upon earth, and governed all the world; and allege their language for a confirmation of this assertion, inasmuch as they retain many words of the Cretan speech among them. And further say, that they derived from their ancestors that civility and kindness wherewith they entertain the Cretans, the fame and report of their antient consanguinity descending continually in a perpetual succession to their posterity: they shew likewise a record written, as they say, by Jupiter's own hand, at the time when he was on earth, and laid the foundation of the temple.
There are in this island likewise mines of gold, silver,, brass,, and iron, but not lawful for any to export them. Nay, it is not lawful, for any of the priests to go out of the verge of the consecrated ground; and if any do it is lawful for any man that finds them to kill them. They have under their charge innumerable vast vessels, and other consecrated things, both of gold and silver, which have been laid up there in honour of the gods for many ages. The gates of the temple are of admirable workmanship, beautified with gold, silver, ivory, and thyme wood.
The bed of the god is six cubits long, and four broad, of massy gold, most curiously wrought in every part; near adjoining, stands the table, as large, and of the like materials and workmanship with the other in every respect.
In the middle of the bed, is placed a great golden pillar, whereon are letters inscribed, called by the Egyptians, sacred writing, expressing the famous actions of Uranus, Jupiter, Diana, and Apollo, written, they say, by Mercury himself. But this may suffice concerning the islands lying in the ocean over against Arabia.
FRAGMENTS FROM DIDORUS, BOOK 6
Euemerus, (the historian), was a favourite of Cassander the king, and being, upon that account constrained by his master to undertake some useful, as well as extensive, voyage of discovery, he says that he travelled southwards to the ocean, and having sailed from Arabia Felix, stood out to sea several days, and continued his course among the islands of that sea, one of which far exceeded the rest in magnitude, and this island was called Panchaea.
He observes, that the Panchaeans who inhabited it were singular for their piety, honouring the gods with magnificent sacrifices, and superb offerings of silver and gold. He says, moreover, that the island was consecrated to the gods, and mentions several other remarkable circumstances relative to its antiquity, and the richness of the arts displayed in its institutions and services, some of which we have related in the books preceding this. He relates also, that upon the brow of a certain very high mountain in it, there was a temple of the Triphylaean Zeus, founded by him at the time he ruled over all the habitable world, whilst he was yet resident amongst men. In this temple stood a golden column, on which was inscribed, in the Panchaean characters, a regular history of the actions of Ouranos, and Kronus, (Saturn), and Zeus (Jupiter).
In a subsequent part of his work, he relates that the first king was Ouranos, a man renowned for justice and benevolence, and well conversant with the motion of the stars; and, that he was the first who honoured the heavenly Gods with sacrifices, upon which account he was called Ouranos (Heaven). He had two sons by his wife Hestia, (Vesta), who were called Pan and Kronus; and daughters Rhea and Demetra. And Kronus reigned after Ouranos; and he married Rhea, and had by her Zeus, and Hera, and Poseidon. And when Zeus succeeded to the kingdom of Kronus he married Hera, and Demetra, and Themis, by whom he had children; by the first, the Curetes; and Persephone, (Proserpine), by the second, and Athena, (Minerva), by the third. He went to Babylon, where he was hospitably received by Belus, and afterwards passed over to the island of Panchaea, which lies in the ocean, where he erected an altar to Ouranos, (Heaven), his forefather. From thence he went into Syria to Cassius, who was then the ruler of that country, from whom Mount Casius, (on the borders of Egypt), receives its name. Passing thence into Cilicia, he conquered Cilix, the governor of those parts; and, having travelled through many other nations, he was honoured by all and universally acknowledged as a god.
Eusebius Praep. Evang. ii., as quoted from Diodorus Siculus Ecl. p. 681.
Note: Portions of my introduction to these fragments first appeared on my blog (see here).
