The Christian Topography of Cosmas, an Egyptian Monk: Translated from the Greek, and Edited with Notes and Intro - John Watson McCrindle (Extremely rare Christian Cosmographer , Cosmic and Sacred geography ,Cosmology text - Cosmas Indicopleustes (550 (2024)

1897, Printed for the Hakluyt Society -Rare Manuscript association-

the universe can best be learned from a study of the structure and furniture of the Tabernacle which Moses prepared in the wilderness. This wonderful conception did not originate with himself. Some of the Christian Fathers who preceded him had entertainedit in a vague and general way, believing it might be warranted by the expressions in Hebrews, ix, 23 and 24, where the Tabernacle and its contents are said to be patterns and antitypes or figures of the true It was left to Cosmas to develop the conception and work it out into all its details. So he explains again and again that the division of the Tabernacle into two places, by means of the veil, typified the division of the universe into two worlds—an upper and a lower, by means of the firmament. The table of shew-bread, again, with its waved border, represented the earth surrounded by the ocean, while its other parts and the things upon it symbolized each some object or other in the natural world. Now, as the table was twice as long as it was broad, and was placed lengthwise from east to west, and breadthwise from north to south, from this we learn that the earth is a rectangular plane which extends in length from east to west, and in breadth from north to south, and is twice as long as it is broad. The ocean, he further gives us to know, is unnavigable, and, while encompassing this earth of ours, is itself encompassed by another earth, which had been theseat of Paradise and the abode of man until the Ark, floating on the billows of the Flood, wafted Noah and his family over into this earth. The heavens come downward to us in four walls, which, at their lower sides, are welded to the four sides of the earth beyond ocean, each to each. The upper side of the northern wall, at the summit of heaven, curves round and over, till it unites with the upper side of the southern wall, and thus forms, in the shape of an oblong vault, the canopy of heaven, which Cosmas likens to the vaulted roof of a bathroom. This vast rectangular hall is divided at the middle into two stories by the firmament, which thus serves as a ceiling for the lower story and a floor for the upper. The lower story is this world, where men and angels have their abode until the Resurrection, and the story above is heaven—the place of the future state.As to the position (#ecrt?) of the earth in the scheme of things, Scripture left Cosmas in no doubt. The Psalmist had declared that the Creator had founded the earth upon its own stability Job, that He had hanged it upon nothing; and Isaiah, that, while heaven was His throne, the earth was His footstool. Clearly, therefore, the place of the earth was at the bottom of the universe— a position to which it must have naturally sunk (as he shows in a very curious passage) at the very instant of its creation. 1 What then can be more absurd than the Pagan doctrine that the earth is in themiddle of the universe? Were it in the middle, there must be something below it as well as above it ; but there is nothing- below it, since we learn from Genesis that God made heaven and earth, and nothing else beyond these. Here then the Pagans are at war with divine Scripture ; but, not content with this, they are at war also with common sense itself and the very laws of nature, declaring, as they do, that the earth is a central sphere, and that there are Antipodes, who must be standing head-downward and on whom the rain must fall up. (Introduction pages xv -xvi )Contents - (each chapter I added a custom summary for this abstract below )**Prologue I (Page 1):** The author begins with a supplication for divine aid, setting the tone for the work's theological and philosophical underpinnings.**Prologue II (Page 2):** Another introductory section, likely providing further context or rationale for the author's undertaking.**Book I: The Places and Figures of the Universe; the heresy of affirming that the Heavens are spherical, and that there are Antipodes; Pagan errors as to the causes of rain and of earthquakes (Page 7):** This book explores ancient cosmological beliefs, critiquing notions such as spherical heavens and antipodes while delving into pagan explanations for natural phenomena like rain and earthquakes.**Book II: The position, figure, length and breadth of the earth; the site of Paradise; the Greek inscriptions at Adule; extract from Ephorus; the ancient empires; the Fall of Man and its effect on the Angels; the circumscription of angels, demons, and souls (Page 23):** Topics covered include geographical descriptions of the earth, the location of Paradise, historical references to ancient empires, and theological discussions on the Fall of Man and its implications for angelic beings.**Book III: The Tower of Babel; the Mission of Moses to the Israelites; comments on his history of the Creation of the World; the conversion of the nations to Christianity (Page 91):** This section delves into biblical narratives such as the Tower of Babel and the mission of Moses, alongside theological reflections on creation and the spread of Christianity.**Book IV: A recapitulation of the views advanced; theory of eclipses; doctrine of the sphere denounced (Page 129):** Here, the author summarizes previous discussions while engaging with topics like eclipse theory and criticisms of spherical cosmology.**Book V: Description of the Tabernacle: Patriarchs and Prophets who predicted the coming of Christ and the future state; the agreement of these with the Ap (Page 201):** This book likely discusses the Tabernacle's significance in Jewish tradition, alongside discussions on biblical prophecies and their relationship to Christian theology.**Book VI: The size of the Sun; a dissertation on the two states (Page 244):** Topics may include astronomical measurements related to the sun's size and discussions on dualistic philosophical concepts.**Book VII: The Duration of the Heavens (Page 263):** Likely focusing on cosmological concepts of time and the eternal nature of the heavens.**Book VIII: Interpretation of the Song of Hezekiah; the retrogression of the Sun; ancient dials; predictions referring to Cyrus (Page 304):** This section may involve interpretations of biblical texts, astronomical observations related to solar movement, and historical references to figures like Cyrus.**Book IX: Courses of the Sun and Moon and other heavenly bodies; their movements effected by the angels (Page 321):** Likely delving into celestial mechanics and theological beliefs regarding divine influence on astronomical phenomena.**Book X: Passages from the Christian Fathers confirming the Author’s views (Page 331):** This book may consist of excerpts from early Christian writings that align with the author's theological perspectives.**Book XI: Description of certain Indian animals and plants, and of the island of Taprobane (Ceylon) (Page 358):** This section may provide ethnographic and geographical descriptions of Indian fauna, flora, and the island of Taprobane (modern-day Sri Lanka).**Book XII: Old Testament narratives confirmed by Chaldaean, Babylonian, Persian, and Egyptian records; the island Atlantis (Page 375):** Likely involving comparative studies of biblical narratives with historical records from ancient civilizations and possibly speculations on mythical places like Atlantis.**Appendix: Plates with figures illustrative of the Text, and explanations of them (Page 387):** This section likely includes visual aids such as diagrams or illustrations referenced in the main text, along with explanatory notes.**Index (Page 393):** A comprehensive index of topics, names, and concepts mentioned throughout the work, aiding readers in navigating its contents.Each chapter appears to engage with a diverse array of subjects, ranging from theological and cosmological debates to historical narratives and ethnographic descriptions, all contributing to a multifaceted exploration of ancient knowledge and belief systems.About Author - John Watson McCrindleThe esteemed scholar, McCrindle, hailed from a lineage rooted near Maybole, Ayrshire, and embarked on a remarkable journey of academic pursuit and contribution. After honing his intellect at the venerable University of Edinburgh, where he distinguished himself with the prestigious Stratton Gold Medal in 1853, McCrindle delved into a multifaceted career that traversed continents and epochs.His scholarly trajectory commenced with a stint in the educational sphere of Edinburgh, where he imparted knowledge in local schools. However, the allure of distant lands beckoned, and in 1859, McCrindle set sail for the vibrant intellectual landscape of India. There, he ascended to the role of Principal at Doveton College in the bustling metropolis of Calcutta, laying the groundwork for a legacy of educational excellence.His scholarly pursuits took him further inland, where he assumed professorial positions at esteemed institutions such as Patna College and Krishnagar College, further enriching his understanding of ancient Indian civilizations and their intersections with the wider world. Not content with merely disseminating knowledge within the confines of academia, McCrindle's passion for education extended to the empowerment of women, evidenced by his founding of a pioneering school for girls in Patna.McCrindle's intellectual oeuvre stands as a testament to his deep-seated curiosity and erudition. His writings, initially disseminated through esteemed academic journals like the Indian Antiquary before coalescing into authoritative tomes, illuminated various facets of ancient India. From unraveling the enigmatic narratives of Ctesias, Megasthenes, and Arrian to charting the maritime pathways detailed in the Periplus Maris Erythraei, McCrindle's scholarship traversed epochs and geographies with precision and insight.Among his notable contributions, McCrindle's analyses of Ptolemy's geographical treatises on India and the epochal inv...

Paradise Found the Cradle of the Human Race at the North Pole - William R. Warren - Cosmology and Myth , Inner Earth theorys of the Hebrew , Egyptian , Akkadian , Babylonian , The Sabaean , Vedic, Buddha , Phoenician , ,Etruscan , Roman, Japanese ,Chinese Concepts ( Rarest buried book Found)

The river side press of Cambridge - Boston -Houghton , Mifflin and Conpany, 1885

" one of the greatest and most fascinating of all problems connected with the history of mankind. That this true solution has not been furnished before is not strange. The suggestion that primitive Eden was at the Arctic Pole seems at first sight the most incredible of all wild and willful paradoxes. And it is only within the lifetime of our own generation that the progress of geological discovery has relieved the hypothesis of fatal antecedent improbability. Moreover, when one considers the enormous variety and breadth of the fields from which its evidences of truth must be derived ; when one remembers how recent are those com parative sciences on whose results the argument must chiefly depend ; when one observes that many of the most striking of our alleged proofs, The indication of the polocentric character com mon to the mythical systems of sacred geography among all ancient peoples will probably be new to every reader. The new light thrown upon such questions as those relating to the direction of the Sacred Quarter, the location of the Abode of the Dead, the character and position of the Cosmical Tree, the course of the backward-flowing Oceanriver, the correlation of the ; Navels " of Earth and Heaven, not to enumerate other points, can hardly fail to attract the lively attention of all students and teachers of ancient mythology and myth ical geography. To teachers of Homer the fresh contributions to ward a right understanding of Homeric cosmology are sure to prove of value. And if, in the end, trie work may only lead to a systematic and intelligent teaching of the long neglected, but most important science of ancient cosmology and mythical geography in all reputable universities and classical schools, it will surely not have been written in vain. ( THESE 2 MAIN/EXCITING PARTS ARE TAKEN FROM THE PREFACE SEE BOOK FOR FULL PREFACE) PAGE 121 Now, to make this key a graphic illustration of Homeric cosmology, it is only necessary to write in place of LOFTY OLYMPOS ; in place of 555, THE OCEAN STREAM;in place of 666, ; HOUSE OF HAIDES ; (Hades) ; and in place of 7 7 7 7, ; GLOOMY TARTAROS. magine, then, the light as falling from the upper heavens, the lower terrestrial hemisphere, therefore, as forever in the shade ; imagine the Tartarean abyss as filled with Stygian gloom and blackness, fit dungeon-house for de throned gods and powers of evil ; imagine the ; stars, silently wheeling round the central upright axis of the lighted hemispheres, and sud denly the confusions and supposed contradictions of classic cosmology disappear. We are in the very world in which immortal Homer lived and sang. It's no longer an obscure crag in Thessaly, from which heaven-shaking Zeus proposes to suspend the whole earth and ocean. The eye measures for itself the nine days fall of Hesiod s brazen anvil from heaven to earth, from earth to Tartarus. The Hyperboreans are now a possibility. Now a descmsus ad inferos can be made by voyagers in the black ship. Un numbered commentators upon Homer have pro fessed their despair of ever being able to harmonize the passages in which Hades is represented as ; beyond the ocean t; with those in which it is represented as subterranean. Conceive of mans dwelling-place, of Hades, and the ocean, as in this key, and the notable difficulty instantaneously vanishes. Just some of the : Mountain of the world Passages from the book- Page 137 Everywhere, therefore, in the most ancient ethnic thought, in the Egyptian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Indian, Persian, Chinese, and Greek, everywhere is encountered this conception of what, looked at with respect to its base and magnitude, is called the " Mountain of the World," but looked at with respect to its glorious summit and its celestial inhabitants is styled the " Mountain of the Gods." We need not pursue the investigation further. Enough has been said to warrant the assertion of Dr. Samuel Beal : ;It is plain that this idea of a lofty central primeval mountain belonged to the undivided human race. ! Elsewhere the same learned sinologue has said,;I have no doubt I can have none that the idea of a central mountain, and of the rivers flowing from it, and the abode of the gods upon its summit, is a primitive myth derived from the earliest traditions of our race.2 The ideas of the ancients respecting the Under world, that is the southern hemisphere of the earth beyond the equatorial ocean, are sufficiently set forth in the writer s essay on " Homer s Abode of the Dead, printed in the Appendix of the present work. PAGE 148 - CHAPTER IV. THE CRADLE OF THE RACE IN EAST ARYAN OR HINDU THOUGHT. The reader cannot have failed to be struck, as the first explorers of Sanskrit literature have been, with tfa close analogy, -we might even say the perfect identity , of all the essential features of the typical description of Mount Meru in the Puranas with the topography of Eden in the second chapter of Genesis. The garden of Eden (gan-Eden], the garden of God (gan-Elohim, Ezek. xxviii. 13), which is guarded by the anointed and protecting Kerub (Ezek. xxviii. 14, 16), is placed, like the garden of delight of the gods of India, on the summit of a mountain, the holy mountain of God (har qodesh Elohim (Ezek. xxviii. 14, 16), all sparkling with precious stones (Ibid.).*- LENORMANT. IN what kind of a world lived the ancient Brahman ? And what was his conception of the location of the cradle of the race ? One of the oldest of the elaborate geographical treatises of India is the Vishnu Purana. Taking this as a guide, let us place ourselves alongside one of the ancients of the country, and look about us. PAGE 155 THE CRADLE OF THE RACE IN IRANIAN, OR OLD-PER SIAN, THOUGHT. . ACCORDING to the sacred books of the ancient Persians all the five-and-twenty races of men which people the seven "keshvares" of the earth descended from one primitive pair, whose names were Mashyoi and Mashya. The abode of this primitive pair was in the keshvare Kvaniras, the central and the fairest of the seven. 1 Let us see if we can determine its location. As a key to the old Iranian conception of the world let us investigate the nature and location of ; Chinvat bridge. PAGE 164 With their ideas probably no archseologist was more familiar than the late Francois Lenormant, and he expresses himself as follows : " The Chaldees, says Diodorus Siculus (lib. ii., 31), have quite an opinion of their own about the shape of the earth ; they imagine it to have the form of a boat turned upside down, and to be hollow underneath. This opinion remained to the last in the Chaldaean sacerdotal schools ; their astronomers believed in it, and tried, according to Diodorus, to support it byscientific arguments. // is of very ancient origin, a remnant of the ideas of the purely Akkadian period. . . . Let us imagine, then, a boat, turned over ; not such an one as we are in the habit of seeing, but a round skiff, like those which are still used under the name of Kufa on the shores of the lower Tigris and Euphrates, and of which there are many represen tations in the historical sculptures of the Assyrian palaces ; the sides of this round skiff bend upwards from the point of the greatest width, so that they are shaped like a hollow sphere deprived of two thirds of its height [?], and showing a circular open ing at the point of division. Such was the form of the earth according to the authors of the Akkadian magical formulae and the Chaldaean astrologers of after years TABLE OF CONTENTS (Page numbers inside book) This will get you a feel of the book in my costum abstracts - Part First: The Location of Eden: State of the Question Chapter I: The Results of Explorers, Historians, and Legendary Accounts • Columbus approaching the gate • The report of Sir John de Mandeville • The adventures of Prince Eirek • The voyages of St. Brandan and of Oger • The success of the author of The Book of Enoch • An equestrian’s anticipations • David Livingstone, a searcher for Eden • Unanimous verdict: Non est inventus Chapter II: The Results of Theologians • Ideas of the church fathers • Opinions of Luther and of Calvin • Contemporary opinion entirely conflicting • Inconclusive character of the Biblical data • The garden “eastward” • The “Euphrates” • The problem “unsolved if not insoluble” Pages below are 33- 57 - Here is the revised and formatted table of contents for the provided text: The Results of Non-Theological Scholars: Naturalists, Ethnologists, etc. • The Unity of the Human Species • But one “mother-region” • Its location: ten different answers • Views of Darwin, Hackel, Peschel, etc. • Views of Quatrefages, Obry, etc. • Locations of lost Atlantis • Theory of Friedrich Delitzsch • Theory of E. Beauvois • Theory of Gerald Massey • The Utopians • Despair of a solution Part Second: A Fresh Hypothesis: Primitive Eden at the North Pole Chapter I. The Hypothesis, and the Conditions of Its Admissibility • Statement of the hypothesis • Seven sciences to be satisfied Chapter II. Important New Features at Once Introduced into the Problem of the Site of Eden and the Significance of These for a Valid Solution • Seven peculiarities of a polar Eden • Our hypothesis consequently most difficult • Its certain break-down if not true Part Third: The Hypothesis Scientifically Tested and Confirmed Chapter I. The Testimony of Scientific Geognosy • Popular prepossessions • Secular refrigeration of the earth Page 58 -86 (now the chapter content subjects will be numbered thr out this abstract I was having technical difficulties earlier in the abstract) Implications of the Doctrine • Inevitable implications of the doctrine (58) • Bearing of these upon our problem (59) II. The Testimony of Astronomical Geography • Length of the polar day (60) • Mistakes of Geikie and Lyell (60) • The actual duration of daylight (61) • Experience of Weyprecht and Payer (62) • Experience of Barentz (63) • Citation from Baron Nordenskjöld (63) • The statement of Captain Parr (64) • The explanation of discrepancies (65) • A safe settlement of the question (66) • The polar night (68) • Aspects and progress of the polar day (69) • A paradisaic abode (70) III. The Testimony of Physiographical Geology Chapter III. The Testimony of Physiographical Geology: • A primitive circumpolar continent: 71 • Anticipated by Klee: 71 • Speculations of Wallace: 72 • Postulated by Professor Heer: 73 • Also by Baron Nordenskjöld: 73 • Testimony of Starkie Gardner: 74 • Testimony of Geikie: 74 • Theories as to its submergence: 75 • Adhémar's theory: 75 • Theory of tidal action: 75 • Leibnitz's theory of crust-collapse: 79 • Summary of evidence under this head: 82 Chapter IV. The Testimony of Prehistoric Climatology: • Primeval temperature at the Pole: 83 • The evidence of scientific geogony: 84 • The evidence of paleontological botany: 84 • Testimony of life-history: 85 • Estimates of Professor Heer: 85 • Declaration of Sir Charles Lyell: 86 • Conclusion: 86 Chapter V. The Testimony of Paleontological Botany • The starting-point of all floral types (87) • A remarkable recent discovery (87) • Sir Joseph Hooker (88) • The contribution of Heer (89) • Of Professor Asa Gray (90) • The claim of Count Saporta (90) • The conclusions of Otto Kuntze (92) Chapter VI. The Testimony of Paleontological Zoology • Geographical distribution of animals (93) • First remarkable fact (93) • Second remarkable fact (94) • Language of Professor Orton (94) • Language of Professor Packard (94) • Mr. Alfred Russel Wallace cited (95) • Conclusion (95) Chapter VII. The Testimony of Paleontological Anthropology and General Ethnology • One traveler who has been in Eden (97) • His note-books lost (97) • What says Paleoethnique science? (97) • The first conclusions of Quatrefages (98) • His premonitions of a new doctrine (98) • Count Saporta's conclusions (99) • F. Muller and M. Wagner's views on Anthropogony by virtue of ice and cold (100) • An unacceptable theory (101) Chapter VIII. Conclusion of Part Third • A word from Principal Dawson (102) • Summary of results thus far (102) • An unexpected reinforcement (103) • "Where did Life Begin?" (103) • Confirmatory (103) Part Fourth: The Hypothesis Confirmed by Ethnic Tradition Chapter I: Ancient Cosmology and Mythical Geography * The mistaken modern assumption (117) * The "True Key" (120) * General statement (121) * The "Mountain of the World" (123) * The same in Egyptian Mythology (124) * In the Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian (126) * In the Chinese (128) * In the Indo-Aryan (129) * In the Buddhistic (131) * In the Iranian (133) * In the Greek and Roman (135) * The Underworld (137) * Cautions as to interpretation (137) * The chorography of Christian hymns (138) Chapter II: The Cradle of the Race in Ancient Japanese Thought * The most ancient Japanese book (140) * Japanese cosmogony (140) * Izanagi's spear (140) * "The Island of the Congealed Drop" (141) * Sir Edward Reed places it at the Pole (141) * Mr. Griffis reaches the same conclusion (141) Chapter III: The Cradle of the Race in Chinese Thought * The Taoist paradise (143) * Descriptions (143) * The stupendous world-pillar (144) * Connects the terrestrial and celestial paradises (145) * Same idea in the Talmud (145) * "The Strength of the Hill of Sion" (145) * Shang-te's upper and lower palaces (146) * At the celestial and terrestrial Poles (146) Chapter IV. The Cradle of the Race in East Aryan or Hindu Thought * The world of the Brahmans (148) * The abode of Yama (149) * The varshas of the upper world (150) * The northward journey to Mount Meru (150) * The descent to Uttarakuru (151) * Illustrations of the Puranic world (151) * Ilavrita, the Hindu's Eden (151) * Its north polar position (151) * Lenormant's language (151) * Ritter's unwitting testimony (154) * "The polar region is Meru" (154) * "Meru the Garden of the Tree of Life" (154) Chapter V. The Cradle of the Race in Iranian or Old-Persian Thought * The primitive pair and their abode (155) * Key to the Iranian cosmography (155) * The Chinvat Bridge (155) * Current misinterpretations (156) * Twelve questions answered (156) * True nature of the bridge (158) * Its position (158) * Position of Kvaniras (158) * The mythic geography of the Persians (159) * Diagram of the Keshvares (159) * Polar position of "Iran the Ancient" (161) Chapter VI. The Cradle of the Race in Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian Thought * The sacred mountain (163) * Chaldaean cosmology (163) * Lenormant's exposition (163) * Three inconsistencies (165) * Location of the world-mountain (166) * Lenormant's difficulties (166) * The true solution (168) * Two Akkads (168) * The mount of the Underworld (169) * It determines the site of Kharsak (170) * And this the site of the Akkadian Eden (171) Chapter VII. The Cradle of the Race in Ancient Egyptian Thought * Underestimates of Egyptian science (172) * Six theses in Egyptian cosmology (173) * Its earth a sphere (174) * Northern and southern termini (174) * Four supports of heaven at the North (174) * A parallel in Buddhist cosmology (175) * The southern hemisphere the Underworld (176) * The highest North the abode of the gods (179) * An interesting hieroglyph (179) * Plato's Egyptian Eden-story (181) Chapter VIII. The Cradle of the Race in Ancient Greek Thought * Supposed discrepancies of tradition (182) * Possible agreement (182) * A reminiscence of Mount Meru (183) * Renan and Lenormant (183) * Lost Atlantis (184) * Deukalion, a man of the North (186) * The Isles of Kronos (187) * The Golden Age (187) * Wolfgang Menzel's verdict (187) * Conclusion and transition (187) Part Fifth. Further Verifications of the Hypothesis Based Upon a Study of the Peculiarities of a Polar Paradise Chapter I. The Eden Stars * Stellar motion at the Pole (191) * Has tradition any reminiscence of such? (191) * The strange doctrine of Anaxagoras (191) * Chaldaean and Egyptian traditions (193) * A natural explanation (194) * The myth of Phaethon (195) * Iranian and Aztec traditions (196) * Result (196) Chapter II. The Eden Day * Length of day at the Pole (197) * Sunrise in the South (197) * The tradition of the Northmen (197) * The tradition of the ancient Persians (197) * The tradition of the East Aryans (198) * The year-day of Homer (200) * The tradition of the Navajos (201) Chapter III. The Eden Zenith * The polar zenith is the Pole (202) * This the true heaven of the first men (202) * The Hebrew conception (203) * The Egyptian conception (208) * The Akkadian conception (209) * The Assyrio-Babylonian conception (209) * The Sabaean conception (210) * The Vedic conception (210) * The Buddhistic conception (211) * The Phoenician conception (212) * The Greek conception (212) * The Etruscan and Roman conception (213) * The Japanese conception (215) * The Chinese conception (215) * The ancient Germanic conception (217) * The ancient Finnic conception (218) * How came the Biblical Eden to be in the East? (219) * Solution of the problem (219) * Confirmations and illustrations (222) Chapter IV. The Navel of the Earth * Prevalence of the expression (225) * Its symbolical and commemorative character (228) * The Jerusalem earth-center (234) * That of the Greeks (234) * That of the Babylonians (239) • * That of the Hindus (240) That of the Persians 243 That of the Chinese 244 That of the Japanese 245 That of the Northmen 246 That of the Mexicans 246 That of the Peruvians and others 247 Result 248 CHAPTER V. THE QUADRIFURCATE RIVER. Chapter V: The Quadrifurcate River * Origin and nature of this river (250) * Sacred hydrography of the Persians (251) + All waters have one headspring (251) + Also one place of discharge (251) * Exposition of the system (252) * Similar ideas among the Greeks (254) * The Vedic system (257) * The Puranic (259) * Traces in Christian legend (260) Chapter VI: The Central Tree * The tree in the midst of the garden (262) * Were there two? (262) * Its inevitable significance if at the North Pole (263) * The Yggdrasil of the Northmen (264) * The World-tree of the Akkadians (264) * The Tat-pillar of the Egyptians (265) * The Winged Oak of the Phoenicians (266) * The White Horn of the Persians (267) * The cosmic Asvattha of the Hindus (269) * The holy Palm of the Greeks (270) * The Bodhi tree of the Buddhists (271) * The Irmensul of the Saxons (272) * The Arbre Sec of the Middle Ages (273) * The Tong of the Chinese (274) * The World-reed of the Navajos (274) * The Apple-tree of Avalon (276) * The star-bearing World-tree of the Finns (276) Here are the organized chapter contents: Chapter I. The Exuberance of Life - Ethnic traditions of the Earth's deterioration (279) - Also of the deterioration of mankind (281) - Stature and longevity of primeval men (281) - All credible on our hypothesis (284) - Language of Professor Nicholson (285) - A citation from Figuier (285) - The gigantic Sequoia of Arctic origin (286) - Animal life in the Tertiary period (289) - Primitive forms by no means monstrosities (294) - All this wealth of fauna from the North (297) Chapter II. Review of the Argument - Nature of the argument (300) - Seven tests applicable to any location (300) - Seven others peculiar to a location at the Pole (300) - A double demonstration (301) - Bailly's approximation to the truth (303) - Another independent line of evidence (303) - Philosophy of previous failures (304) - Philosophy of mediaeval confusion (304) - Patristic descriptions made plain (305) - The world of Cosmas Indicopleustes (35) - The world of Columbus (36) - The world of Dante (37) - How highest heaven came to be under foot (39) Part Sixth. The Significance of Our Results Chapter I. Their Bearing Upon the Study of Biology and Terrestrial Physics - The sciences immediately affected (3) - The services of biology to archaeology (3) - The services of archaeology to biology (3*4) - Narrowness of many biologists (3*5) - Evils thereof (3*5) Chapter II. The Bearing of Our Results on the Study of Ancient Literature - Darwin's primeval man (326) - His discovery of the sky (327) - And of trees of infinite height (327) - The "short memories" of Vedic worshipers (327) - Their ocean-producing imaginations (328) - Bunbury on Homeric science (328) - Exegetical distortions of ancient thought (328) - Homer's cosmology re-expounded (329) - Its fruitfulness in the future (360) Chapter III. The Bearing of Our Results on the Problem of the Origin and Earliest Form of Religion - The pan-ethnic account (363) - Hume's dissent (364) - The doctrine of Comte (369) - Miiller's refutation of primitive fetichism (370) - Sir John Lubbock's scheme (372) - Refutation by Roskoff and others (375) - Caspari's theory (375) - The theory of Jules Baissac Current approximations of teaching 385 As to the origin of the arts 386 As to intellectual powers of the first men 386 As to their super-fetichistic attitude 390 As to their monogamous family form 392 As to their capacity for monotheism 397 Seven conclusions "... 403 CHAPTER IV. THE BEARING OF OUR RESULTS ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY AND ON THE THEORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVILIZATION. The apostles of primeval savagery 407 Their doctrine 407 Sub-savage stupidity of the first men 408 Dr. Wilhelm Mannhardt s representation 409 A most important primitive discovery 410 Daphne not a tree 410 Emphatic demand for antediluvian longevity .... 410 The new Babel 411 Nine memoranda 41 1 Primeval human history 418 The ancient ethnic view Biblical and true 419 Plato s antediluvian age 420 The consensus of all ancient religions 422 The " Stone Age " in the light of our results .... 422 Origin of postdiluvian laws and states 423 An imaginary conversation 424 A pagan testimony 432 To those who hear not Moses and the Prophets . . . 432 Conclusion 432 APPENDIX. I The Earth of Columbus not a True Sphere . . .435 II. How the Earth was Peopled 437 III. Reception of " The True Key " 45 IV. The Earth and World of the Hindus . . . -459 V. The World-Pillar of the Rig Veda 465 VI. Homer s Abode of the Dead 46? VII. Latest Polar Research 47 VIII. Trustworthiness of Early Tradition .... 492 IX. Index of Authors cited 497 - organize this please

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Cosmotheologies: A Comparative Study of Cosmogony +Mythology of Phoenician +Hebrew Traditions + Bene-El +Cabiri Myths, Philo's Works to Christian Miracles of Christ+ the Scandinavians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Romans, Ancient Germans, Gauls, Britons Celts, to American tribes -5Vol.in 1-Robert Shaw M.A.

St. Louis: Becktold + Company , 1889

Main Contents below to all 5 Volumes to Cosmotheologies that focuses on various ancient and religious cosmogonies: • 1 .Phoenician Cosmogonies (Page 50): This section examines the Phoenician creation myths, likely drawing from sources such as Sanchuniathon and Philo of Byblos, exploring their theological views and creation stories. • 2. Sketch of the Ancient Cosmotheologies of the World (Page 56): Shaw provides a brief overview of the cosmogonies from different ancient cultures, summarizing their theological perspectives on the origins of the universe. • 3. Hebrew Cosmogony in the Book of Genesis (Page 50): This section interprets the creation narrative in Genesis, analyzing the Hebrew worldview of creation and its comparison to other cosmogonies. • 4. Origin of the Mosaic Dispensation (Page 178): Shaw reflects on the Mosaic Law and its impact on the Israelites, particularly focusing on the miracles and heroic figures in the Old Testament. • 5. Inquiry into the Origin of Christianity (Page 230): This analysis covers the Gospels, the miracles of Jesus, and the Acts of the Apostles, attempting to reconcile the apparent duality in the narrative with an underlying unity in meaning. 1st treatise on Phoenician Cosmogonies in Cosmotheologies by Robert Shaw is organized as follows: The section begins with a comprehensive exploration of Phoenician theology and cosmogonies, primarily through Philo of Byblos' Greek translation of Sanchuniatho's Phoenician History. This spans from pages 1 to 80. The text is divided into three main cosmogonies, each followed by commentaries. First Phoenician Cosmogony (Pages 1-3) – Shaw introduces the first cosmogony, setting the foundation for understanding Phoenician views of creation. Commentary on the First Phoenician Cosmogony (Pages 3-5) – Analyzes the symbolism and theological implications of the first cosmogony. Second Phoenician Cosmogony (Pages 5-9) – Describes another Phoenician creation myth. Commentary on the Second Phoenician Cosmogony (Pages 9-11) – Provides deeper insights and reflections on this version of Phoenician creation stories. Figures in Phoenician Mythology (Pages 11-16) – This section covers important mythological figures such as Saminrum and Usoos (interpreted as allegories for Israel and Esau), alongside other characters like fishermen, agriculturists, demigods, and champions. Bene-El and Cabiri (Pages 16-20) – Discusses the "Sons of God" and the Cabiri, who are often considered giants and dwarfs in ancient mythological traditions. Third Phoenician Cosmogony (Pages 20-23) – The third version of the Phoenician cosmogony is introduced here. Genealogies (Pages 23-27) – Shaw presents various genealogies related to Uranos, Cronos, and other divine figures like Nereus, Pontos, and Poseidon. Commentary on the Third Phoenician Cosmogony (Pages 27-30) – Further elaborates on the third cosmogony and its symbolic significance. Phoenician Traditions (Pages 30-36) – Covers the traditions of the Syrians or Sidonians regarding the reign of Cronos, the invention of letters by Taut (Thoth), and later mythological developments. Commentary on these traditions (Pages 32-36) – Provides critical reflections on the reign of Cronos, the invention of the alphabet, and sacrifices. Extracts from Philo’s Works (Pages 36-41) – This section includes additional extracts concerning the originators of Phoenician theology, Taut (the god of letters), and the practice of human sacrifices. Origin of the Phoenician or Hebrew Alphabet (Pages 41-46) – Shaw explores the development and origins of the alphabet, tying Phoenician history with Hebrew traditions. The 2ND treatise on the Cosmogonies of :(Sketch of the Ancient Cosmotheologies of the World ) The Scandinavians. The Chinese, Hindoos, Etc. ; Confucianism; Bkahminism; Buddhism. The Iranians (Bactrians, Medes and Persians); Ormuzd and Ahriman, Zoroaster in the Zenda vesta. The Babylonians or Chaldeans. The Phoenicians. The ^Egyptians. The Pelasgians and Greeks of Heoric and Historic Times. The Romans. The Ancient Germans. The Gauls and Britons or Ancient Celts. The American Indians. The Mahometans. The 3RD +4th Treatise of the book Hebrew Cosmogony in the Book of Genesis The section begins with the Connection of Genesis with Exodus (Pages 7-9), where Shaw examines the relationship between these two foundational books of the Torah. He then proceeds to discuss Who the Israelites of the Exodus Were (Pages 9-17), exploring the historical identity and lineage of the Israelite people who left Egypt under Moses' leadership. The treatise continues with a detailed account of the Birth and Life of Moses Until He Receives His Commission at Sinai (Pages 17-21), outlining Moses' early life, his time in Egypt, and eventual flight to Midian. This is followed by an examination of Moses in Midian (Pages 21-23), where he resides after leaving Egypt, and Moses at the Burning Bush (Pages 23-25), the moment when Moses is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Shaw then discusses Moses' Inability as in Himself (Pages 25-27), emphasizing Moses' reluctance and perceived inadequacies, and follows with Moses Accepting His Commission and Returning to Egypt (Pages 27-29), where Moses finally agrees to lead the Israelites. The next segment, The Miracles of Moses (Pages 29-37), describes the miraculous signs performed by Moses, including the plagues sent upon Egypt. Next, Shaw examines The Route of the Israelites in Their Exodus (Pages 37-38), analyzing the path they took after leaving Egypt. The dramatic event of The Israelites Passing the Red Sea, Wherein the Egyptians Are Drowned (Pages 38-39) is then recounted, followed by their journey to Marah, Elim, and the Wilderness of Sin (Pages 39-41). Shaw discusses Moses Drawing Water from the Rock at Rephidim and Joshua Discomfiting Amalek (Pages 41-42), highlighting two key episodes during the journey. The treatise moves on to the reunion between Moses and his father-in-law in Moses' Father-in-Law Comes Out to Meet Him (Pages 42-43), followed by The Israelites Going Forward to Mount Sinai (Pages 43-45). The giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai (Pages 45-48) is covered next, one of the most pivotal moments in the Hebrew scriptures. However, soon after, the Israelites Worship the Golden Calf at Sinai (Pages 48-53), a moment of great betrayal, after which Moses intervenes. The Tabernacle Set Up at Sinai (Pages 53-54) is discussed as a key institution in Israelite worship, followed by The Book of Leviticus (Pages 54-55), with an emphasis on the sacrificial laws and priestly codes. Shaw then reflects on The Sin of Blasphemy and the Year of Jubilee (Pages 55-58), considering the importance of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years in Israelite law. The next section delves into The Tabernacle (Pages 58-62), with a detailed description of its construction and significance. The Book of Numbers (Pages 62-64), examining the census, laws, and the Israelites' further journey. The Tabernacle Moved Forward from Mount Sinai (Pages 64-65) describes the people's migration from the holy mountain, followed by The People Murmur and Are Supplied with Manna and Quails (Pages 65-66), highlighting God's miraculous provision for His people. The final part addresses The Twelve Spies and the Sequel to Their Investigation (Pages 67-69), recounting the critical moment when the spies return from Canaan and its implications for the Israelites' future. The treatise begins with a Sentence Against the Rebellious Israelites (Pages 69-71), discussing God's judgment on those who defied Him during the wilderness wanderings. This is followed by the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Pages 71-72), where these leaders challenge Moses' authority and face divine punishment. The next section recounts how Aaron's Rod Buds, and Miriam Dies at Kadesh (Pages 72-73), signifying God's choice of Aaron and the loss of Moses' sister. The Israelites move on, and Aaron Dies on Mount Hor (Pages 73-74), a key moment of transition in the priesthood. Shaw then discusses Balak, King of Moab, and Balaam, the Prophet (Pages 74-80), including Balaam’s prophecy and his role in Israel’s journey. After this, Israel in Moab (Pages 80-82) details the interactions and conflicts between the Israelites and the Moabites before they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The next treatise covers The Book of Deuteronomy and the Death of Moses on Mount Nebo (Pages 82-83), as Moses passes leadership to Joshua before his death. The Book of Joshua (Pages 83-85) follows with the Passage of the Jordan and the capture of Jericho and Ai (Pages 85-87), recounting Israel’s initial victories in Canaan. Shaw also highlights the Stratagem of the Gibeonites and Joshua’s Conquest of the Five Kings of the Amorites (Pages 87-90), leading to Joshua’s Conquest of the Whole Country (Pages 90-91). The section concludes with Joshua Addressing the People and His Death, as also the Death of Eleazar, the Priest, the Son of Aaron (Pages 91-92), marking the end of an era in Israelite leadership. The Book of Judges (Pages 92-93) begins with the Angel at Bochim, setting the stage for the cycle of judges who ruled Israel. Shaw covers notable judges like Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar (Pages 93-94) and Deborah the Prophetess and Barak (Pages 94-95). The story of Gideon and His Exploits (Pages 95-99) is followed by the rise and fall of his family, including Abimelech, Tola, and Jair (Pages 99-100). Other judges, including Jephthah (Pages 100-101), Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (Pages 101-102), are also briefly discussed. The narrative then turns to Samson, Judge and Hero, and His Exploits (Pages 102-110), recounting his legendary strength and battles with the Philistines. This leads to the First Book of Samuel and the Judgeship of Eli (Pages 110-111), which describes the decline of Eli’s house and the rise of Samuel the Prophet and Judge of Israel (Pages 111-118), who plays a pivotal role in transitioning I...

Literature extract from Christopher Woods: AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD: COSMOLOGICAL CONCEPTIONS OF THE EASTERN HORIZON IN MESOPOTAMIA

2023

1. Preface ………………………………………………........................................ 1 2. The Edges of the Earth ………………….………….................................1 3. Of Animals, Trees, and Insects: Iconography of the Eastern Horizon ……………………………………………….............................…... 2 4. Gilgameš …………………………………………………...............................….. 4 5. The Babylonian oikoumenē ‘Known World’, Immortality, and the Path of the Sun ………………………………………...............................……. 6 6. Creation and the Space-Time Metaphor ……………………....………… 8 7. The Future and the Bourne of the Unknown ………………….……..… 9 8. The Cutting of Fates and Judgments on the Horizon …………… 10 9. The Saw of Šamaš ……………………………….……………......................... 11 10. The Cosmography of Birth ……………………………………….............……. 11

Literature extract of Iurii Mosenkis: Historicity of the Bible astronomically decoded

2021

Contents: 1. SCIENCE AND SCRIPTURE: 2 1.1 How to resolve contradictions 2 1.2 Why astronomy might be concealed in the Bible 3 1.3 Some key terms to understand of following text 3 2. DECIPHERING BIBLICAL CALENDARS 4 2.1 Three sons of Noah and three seasons of the year 4 2.2 Twelve sons of Jacob and the zodiac 4 2. THE CREATION OF THE WORLD AND THE EXPULSION FROM THE PARADISE: 5 When did it occur and what does it mean? 5 3.1 Primordial Heaven 5 3.2 What happened on the 6th of October 3760 BCE? 5 3.3 What might Eden symbolize? 6 3.4 The meaning of Cain-Abel story 7 3. THE GLOBAL FLOOD AND THE BABEL TOWER: 7 Where and when were they? 7 4.1 The centuries-old enigma of the Great Deluge 7 4.2 The Babel Tower is found 8 5. THE AGE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE PATRIARCHS: 9 Precise astronomy, synchronization with neighbors, and the Santorini volcano eruption 9 5.1 Why did the Patriarchs live so long? 9 5.2 Contemporaries of Patriarchs in the neighboring 9 5.3 Seven years of famine after the Santorini eruption 400 years before the Exodus 10 6. REALITY OF THE EXODUS: 10 From the Plagues of Egypt to the capture of Jericho 10 6.1 The pharaoh of the oppression and the pharaoh of the Exodus 10 6.2 The Egyptian evidence of Moses? 11 6.3 The Biblical evidence of Merneptah? 11 6.4 Forty years from the Egyptian darkness to the eclipse of lunar Jericho: a chronological key ……………………………………………………………………………..…….…………. 11 7. JUDGES, KINGS, AND PROPHETS 12 The standing sun, the fiery chariot, the sky circles 12 7.1 When the sun and the moon stood and stones were falling from the heaven 12 7.2 Samson the hero among other Judges 12 7.3 Precise chronology of the first kings Saul, David, and Solomon 12 7.4 The celestial fiery chariot of Elias 13 7.5 Ezekiel the astronomer, a predecessor of Pythagoras 13 7.6. Daniel’s astronomy 14 8. THE CELESTIAL SIGNS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT 14 8.1 Sky symbols of Jesus Christ and the Apostles 14 8.2 Heavenly Signs in the Book of Revelation: 15 9. APOCRYPHICAL BOOKS OF ENOCH: 16 Manuals of Megalithic Astronomy 16 9.1 What are these books? 16 9.2 Megalithic Observatory 17 9.3 1 Enoch: The Length of Day and Latitude 17 9.4 2 Enoch: Shift of the Sunrise Point and Latitude 18 9.5 The Seasonal Stars 19 9.6 The circumpolar Constellations 19

[892.23]. Singh, Rana P.B. (2023) Geographical Thoughts in Ancient India: Envisioning Cosmology and Nature. In: Chakrabarti, Dilip K. (ed.) History of Ancient India, Vol. IX: Science and Technology, Medicine (pp. 209-221, chapter 13). Aryan Books International, New Delhi. ISBN-13: ‎978-8173054884.

Chakrabarti, Dilip K. (ed.) History of Ancient India, Vol. IX: Science and Technology, Medicine , 2023

The research dealing with ancient India, has put less emphasis on the ‘geographical thought’ and metaphysical context, which may be compared with the scientific notion of modern geography; some such examples are presented here. The Vedic sages, living close to nature were enlightened by the inherent messages that they communicated, taught, professed, and transferred to the seekers and followers through writings and sacred teachings. Among such thoughts, different attributes and dimensions are narrated; here the chosen ones included narrating the manifestation of the cosmos and human transcendence, illustrated with evolution and unity, the eternity of time, spirality of the cosmic rhythm, spiritual correspondences, the Mother Earth as Goddess, and some messages for the sustainable future are described in nutshell. Together with the physical order exists an invisible principle of order linking the human soul to the earth and further up to the stars. This way one can propose micro-, meso- and macro cosmos. The harmonic integrity in Cosmos Spirit Man has been a major issue of debate in ancient mythologies. Let us re-interpret, re-orient, and re-appraise the deep issues of Indian thought, so as to make the prophecy a reality. Keywords: manifestation, eternity, transcendence, sacredscape, Kālī, Vedas, Purāṇas.

Of Sky, Land, Riverbanks, Islands, and Cities: Notes on the Creation of Spatial Dimension(s) in the Religious Hymns of the New Kingdom (c. 1539-1077 BCE)

24th Annual Mediterranean Studies Association International Congress, 2022

In the religious hymns of the New Kingdom (c. 1539-1077 BCE), Space partakes in the vast ontological array brought into existence by the Creator deity. The mentions to what could be globally labelled as ‘creation of space(s)’ therein range from the ontological structuring of the Cosmos, expressed namely via the allusion to the creation of sky and land (e.g., TT 194 (4), 2), to the establishment of administrative-territorial units, such as cities, villages, and districts (e.g., Great Hymn to Aten, 11; Leiden I 344 verso, II.2 ). The lexical and/or phraseological strategies to refer to such a cosmogonical deed in these texts are diverse and multifaceted. This paper will consider the place of Space in the religious hymns of the New Kingdom, revolving around the different manners these texts encompass space creation, while pondering their implications for the cosmogonical understanding(s) embodied in this corpus as a whole.

Ra’anan S. Boustan and Annette Y. Reed, “Introduction: In Heaven as It Is on Earth,” in Ra’anan S. Boustan and Annette Y. Reed, eds., Heavenly Realms and Earthly Realities in Late Antique Religions (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), 1–15