Asphaltus

ASPHALTUS. This word signifies a kind of Bitumen. Hence the name is derived of Lacus Asphaltites, given to the lake of Sodom ⸸, because of the great quantity of Bitumen in it; so that no fish can live in its waters¹, and a man cannot without difficulty sink in them, by reason of the weight and density of them. Sometimes there are pieces of Bitumen to be seen upon the surface of the waters, as large as a Bull without its head, at other times much smaller², which they fish up, and make great use of in the preparation of medicines; particularly in imbalming dead bodies. As the Hebrews call Nitre and Bitumen Salt, the Dead Sea is likewise called by them the Salt Sea. Galen³ says, that it is not only salt to the taste, but bitter too, and so impregnated with salt, that they who sink deep in it come out all covered with brine; and if any one throws salt into it, it will scarce be made to melt. Lastly, it is called the Dead Sea, because no animal can live in it⁴; and if by chance the impetuosity of the water brings any fish into it, they die instantly, and swim upon the surface of the lake⁵. According to Josephus’s account, the lake of Sodom is five⁶ hundred and fourscore furlongs in length, from the mouth of the river Jordan to Zohar; that is to say, about two and twenty leagues, at three miles to a league; and an hundred and fifty furlongs wide; that is to say, about five leagues of the same measure.

The lake Asphaltites receives all the water of Jordan, of the brooks Arnon and Jabbok, and other waters which descend from all the neighbouring Mountains, and notwithstanding it has no visible issue, it does not overflow. It is believed that it discharges itself by some subterraneous channels into the Red Sea, or into the Mediterranean. In the Article Sodom there will be notice taken of the remains that are still at present observable about this lake, which prove the prodigy related in the Scripture. The land of Sodom waste and smoaking (says the Author of the Book of Wisdom) Wisd. x.7.with plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness, and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul.

Demetrius Son of Antigonus King of Macedonia, being sent by King Antigonus his Father against the Nabathæans, marched with his Army to the lake Asphaltites, there he observed, that a considerable revenue might be raised from the Bitumen; and at his return spoke of it to the King his Father⁷. Antigonus was very well pleased with a discovery which might bring him in considerable sums, and immediately sent Jerom the Cardian to examine into the matter, and execute the design which had been formed, of settling a sort of manufacture there; but he had scarce got the boats ready which were necessary for this fishing, and begun to fill his magazines and ware-houses, but the Arabians, to the number of six thousand, fell upon him, burnt his boats, killed a great part of his workmen, and obliged him to retire. Thus the project miscarried.

The Asphaltus, or Bitumen of Judæa, or the Dead Sea, is thought to be the best of any that is known; it rises at particular seasons from the bottom of the lake, and appears upon the water sometimes as large as an Ox, at other times like a Boat or Vessel. The Arabians thereabout fish for it diligently, or gather it upon the shore, as often as the wind drives it thither. It serves for several uses in medicines; formerly it was employed in embalming bodies, particularly in Egypt. The true Asphaltus or Bitumen of Judæa is shining, of a purple colour, very weighty, and of a strong smell. There is no more Bitumen brought from Judæa, but that which we see in Apothecaries shops is a composition of oil, brimstone and pitch.

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