209

NATOLIA, OR ASIA MINOR.

NATOLIA, or Asia Minor, is a peninsula, being nearly surrounded by the Propontis, Mediterranean, Ægean, and Euxine Seas. It is situate between the thirty-sixth and fortyfirst degrees of north latitude, and between the twenty-eighth and forty-first degrees of east longitude. This country is said to have been for the most part settled by the sons of Japheth, and very soon after the flood. In process of time the Greeks settled several colonies on, or near, its coasts. The early settlement of this peninsula is highly probable; for its excellent climate, vicinity to the supposed centre of postdiluvian population, and contiguity to three navigable seas— must have invited the early attention of the first inhabitants of the renovated world. A further proof of the antiquity of its settlement, may be drawn from its being the seat of many of the fables in the Metamorphoses in Ovid; who undertakes to deduce his poem "ab prima origine mundi."

Asia Minor corresponds, in latitude, with that portion of the United States which lies between New York and South Carolina, and does not much, if at all, exceed in extent the two most southern states in this range, inclusive of the states of Kentucky and Tennessee, which formerly belonged to them; yet it has been the seat of from eight to twelve co-existing kingdoms, all of which were respectable within a few cen turies after the deluge, some very powerful, and one, in particular, Pontus, of such extraordinary resources, as to be able with an army of 150,000 men, under Mithridates, to contend for forty-six years with the Romans for the sovereignty of the East. This check was given to the conquerors of the world, before the Christian æra, when the western countries of Europe, which are now great and polished kingdoms, were either uninhabited, or in the occupation of nations unknown in history, and not more civilized than the Indians on the banks of the Missouri.

The first settlers of Asia Minor were probably well instructed in the true religion of Noah; but there must soon have been a lamentable falling off. The earliest records of them, that have descended to us, represent them, not only as gross idolaters, but as indulging such indecencies in the worship of their fancied gods, as tended to deprave the morals of their youth. On the introduction of Christianity, Asia Minor was the seat of much of the labours of the Apostolic founders of that divine system. It gave birth to Paul, the most illustrious of their number. Of the ten epistles, in the New Testament, addressed to particular churches, three are directed to those in Asia Minor. Of the fifteen nations, whose inhabitants were present at, and witnesses of, the miraculous gift of tongues at Pentecost, four were of this same peninsula. And in it were located the seven churches of Asia, which are particularly addressed by St. John in the Apocalypse.

Asia Minor being in the vicinity of the oldest and most powerful kingdoms recorded in history, was at an early period the seat of many wars, and the subject of many revolutions. Besides domestic wars between neighbouring kings, the peninsula was the battle ground, for several centuries, between the Persians, Grecians, and Romans, contending with each other, and separately, against the natives of the country. The last revolution was in the fifteenth century, when, with Constantinople, it was conquered by the Turks. Since that period, it has fallen from its ancient activity and energy of character, into the torpid calm of despotism. The Christian religion has been exchanged for the Mahometan; and the seven churches of Asia are become mosques, in which religious services are conducted, on the idea, that Mahomet was the last and greatest prophet ever sent from God to man. From this general view of Asia Minor, we proceed to a survey of it in detail, and shall begin with Phrygia, the north-easternmost of the illustrious groupe of ancient kingdoms planted within its narrow limits.

PHRYGIANS.

PHRYGIA Major is bordered by Mysia and Lydia, but it is not easy to fix its precise limits. These advanced or receded according to times and circumstances. Its principal cities, were Apamea, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Gordium, Synnada, Sipylus, and Colosse. Phrygia Minor bordered on navigable water. In it were the cities of Abydos, famous for the poetical story of Hero and Leander; Rhætium, memorable for the tomb of Ajax; Troy or Ilium, immortalized by the poets Homer and Virgil; and Troas Alexandrina.

The Phrygians deemed themselves the most ancient nation of the world; but with respect to the particulars of their origin, all is dark and uncertain. They are generally supposed to have descended from Gomer, the eldest son of Japheth. Their character, in ancient history, is that of a superstitious, voluptuous, and effeminate people, of such a servile temper, that nothing but stripes and ill usage could make them comply with their duty. Their music, commonly called the Phrygian mood, was chiefly calculated to enervate the mind.

Their early government was monarchical. Ninacus, Midas, Manis, Gordius, and some others, were sovereigns of all Phrygia. But some time before the commencement of the Trojan war, the country seems to have been divided into several petty kingdoms, sometimes consisting only of a single city and its territories: and several contiguous princes reigned at the same time.

The commerce of the ancient Phrygians was very considerable. They were, for some time, masters of the sea. Their country afforded many valuable exports. They had a safe coast and convenient harbours; and their city of Apamea is said to have been the chief emporium of all Asia Minor. Of their laws nothing satisfactory is recorded; but with respect

to learning, they seem to have possessed a competent skill in geography, geometry, and astronomy, with a more than ordinary knowledge of music.

As they were greatly addicted to superstition, they had many idols. But their principal deities were Bacchus and Cybele, whose rites tended exceedingly to deprave the morals of the inhabitants.

The first king of Phrygia mentioned in history is Ninacus. Midas appears next; but no particulars are recorded of him, except that he resided at Pessinus.

Manis is said, by Plutarch, to have been a prince of such virtue and prowess, that the word manic, derived from his name, became synonymous with great.

The elevation of Gordius to the regal dignity is thus related. As he was one day pursuing his usual business of tillage, an eagle settled on his plough, and continued there all day. Gordius, alarmed at this prodigy, went to consult the soothsayers of Telmissus, a city of Lydia, on the extraordinary event. At his entering into the city, he was met by a beautiful young woman, who upon hearing the motives of his journey, assured him that a kingdom was presaged by the omen, and proposed to share with him, in wedlock, the hopes with which she had inspired him. Shortly afterwards, a sedition breaking out among the Phrygians, the oracles unanimously advised them to stop the growing evils by committing their government to a king; and observed, that the first man, who, after the ambassador's return, should, in a cart, visit the temple of Jupiter, was destined by the gods to wear the Phrygian diadem. The messengers had scarcely delivered the response of the oracle when Gordius appeared, riding in his cart, and was immediately proclaimed king of Phrygia. Grateful for so signal a favour, Gordius consecrated his cart to the goddess, called Regal majesty, and fastened a knot to its beam, which was so artfully woven, that the empire of the world was promised by the oracles to him whơ should untie it. Alexander the Great having attempted it in vain, cut it with his sword, and thus either fulfilled or eluded the prediction of the oracle. Cutting the Gordian knot has

hence become a common expression for a decisive solution of difficulties. Nothing further is related of Gordius, but that he built the city of Gordium, which was his residence, and that of all the princes of his family.

He was succeeded by his son Midas, who is accounted by all the ancients to have been one of the richest princes that ever reigned.

Upon the demise of Midas, his eldest son Gordius ascended the throne; and surrounded the city of Gordium with a strong wall.

Lityerses reigned at Celænæ, and is characterised as a rustic, cruel, and inhuman tyrant, who frequently laboured in the fields as a common husbandman; and, after cutting off the heads of his fellow labourers, bound up their bodies. in the sheaves. For these, and similar acts of barbarity, he was put to death by Hercules.

Midas the third seized on the Phrygian crown, in the following manner: One night, under pretence of offering sacrifice to the gods, he marched out of the city of Gordium, attended by a numerous band of musicians, with weapons concealed under their garments. The citizens, led by curiosity, followed them out of the town, without suspecting any treachery; but the conspirators, suddenly throwing away their musical instruments, fell upon them sword in hand; seized the city; and, in the midst of the general confusion, proclaimed Midas king of Phrygia.

This prince was succeeded by Gordius the third, who is mentioned by Herodotus as being father to Midas. This monarch was succeeded by another Gordius, for the kings of Phrygia took, alternately, the names of Gordius and Midas. In the reign of Midas the fourth, the Cimmerians invaded Asia Minor-possessed themselves of Sardis, and made a dreadful slaughter among the Lydians, Paphlagonians, and Phrygians. Midas, foreseeing the heavy calamities to which his country was exposed, and finding himself unable to oppose so formidable an army, put a period to his unhappy life. Adrastus, his son, also killed himself. In him ended the royal family of Phrygia, which now became a pro