Quantcast
  Due to a new server, slow response may occur for which we apologize Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/king-natural-history/page_010 - 2
 

Introduction

Introduction Page of 453 Introduction Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
2 NATURAL HISTORY OF PRECIOUS STONES, &c.
who had devoted himself, besides speculative philosophy, to the study of Natural History in general. Zoroastres, a Magian evi­dently from his name, quoted for his definition of the Daphnaea and the Exebenus: and also by Marbodus on the virtues of Coral.1 That however he did not confine himself to the declaration of the mystical properties of stones, appears from what he says of the Exebenus, that it was used in the arts for burnishing gold, was opaquely white and pretty-looking.8 Callistratus, a writer on precious stones exclusively. Metrodorus of Scepsis, probably the councillor of king Mithridates, that great amateur in gems. Zachalias the Babylonian, who had dedicated to the same monarch a treatise on the mystic virtues of stones.8 Archelaus, "who reigned in Cappadocia," and is probably Herod's father-in-law. Iacchus and Bocchus, the latter, judging from his name, a Cartha­ginian. King Juba II., the Numidian, the contemporary of Au­gustus : the loss of whose treatise, considering his position and opportunities4 for exact information, is perhaps the greatest we have to deplore in this sad catalogue of desiderata. Latest of all came AEsarubas, apparently of Punic race, and Pliny's contem­porary, for he cites him (xxxvii. 11) as "qui de his nuperrime scripsit, vivitque adhuc AEsarubas." His African origin may be inferred not only from his name, but from his being quoted as describing a lake in Mauritania that produced amber.
Of all this extensive literature nothing whatever is extant, except the meagre treatise by Theophrastus, written shortly before B.C. 300; and the elegant, but almost, in a scientific point of view, valueless, poem of the Pseudo-Orpheus, the date of which is altogether conjectural.5 Theophrastus has treated chiefly of the
Introduction Page of 453 Introduction
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page