It rests now, to endeavor the discovering by whom _Stoneheng_ built; in what time, and, for what use anciently erected. But, it is not expected (I hope) any absolute resolution should be given by me, in so doubtfull a matter; for, _as it hath been always lawfull for every man in such like matters_ (saith _Camden_) _both to think what he will, and relate what others have thought_: So pardon me, if I take upon me, what others have done before me, and interpose mine own opinion also, grounded neverthelesse upon such Authorities, customes, and concurrence of time, as very probably may satisfie judicious and impartiall Readers.
Touching the _Founders_ of _Stoneheng_. Among the _Ægyptian Antiquities_, or those _Eastern_ Nations from whom the _Græcians_ deduced their learning, I find not any such composure ever used: or with the _Greeks_ themselves, mention made of any work conformable to this, in point of _Order_, (as the mod conversant in those Histories cannot contradict) I read neverthelesse, in _Pausanias_, of a _Temple_ amongst the _Eleans_ erected without walls: _novam quandam in_ Eleorum _foro templi formam vidi. I saw_ (saith he) _in the market place of the_ Eleans, _a Temple of a new form. Modicæ est ædes altitudinis, sine parietibus, tectum è quercu dolatis fulcientibus tibicinibus. A low thing, without walls, having the roof supported with props of oaken timber_ (instead, it seems, of Columnes) _neatly wrought_. He remembers a _Temple_ also in _Attica_ sacred to _Jove_ without a roof. The _Thracians_ (as I read likewise) used to build _Temples_ dedicated to _Sol_, _of a round form, open in the middle_, and also without a _roof_: by the form, or roundnesse thereof, they signified the Suns figure; by making them open, and rooflesse, they expressed his surmounting, and dilating light equally to all things. _Thraces soli rotunda templa faciebant_ (saith _Daniel Barbaro_) _in medio sub divo, & aperta erant: hac forma Solis figuram innuebant: quòd autem aperta essent, & sine tecto, innuebant Solem supra omnia esse, & lumen suum diffundere_.
Howsoever, considering what magnificence the _Romans_ in prosperous times anciently used in all works, both publick, and private: their knowledge and experience in all _Arts_ and _Sciences_: their powerfull means for effecting great works: together with their _Order_ in building, and manner of workmanship accustomed amongst them: _Stoneheng_ in my judgement was a work, built by the _Romans_, and they the sole _Founders_ thereof. For, if look upon this _Antiquity_, as an admired and magnificent building, who more magnificent then the _Romans_? _Essi soli frà i populi dell’ vniverso, con ogni termine di magnificenza edificarono tutti i generi d’edifici. They only amongst all the Nations of the Universe, erecting all sorts of buildings, with all kinds of magnificence_, saith _Scamozzo_ in the first Book of his _Architecture_. If consider the _Art_, and elegant disposition thereof, all _Arts_ and _Sciences_ (we must know) were in full perfection with them, and _Architecture_, which amongst the _Greeks_ was youthfull only, and vigorous; under the _Romans_ their _Empire_ grown to the full height became manly and perfect, not in _inventions, and elegancy of forms alone, but also in exquisitenesse of Art, and excellency of materials. Salito al colmo l’imperio_ Romano, _ella pure divenne virile e perfetta: non solo nelle inventioni, e nella elleganza delle forme, mà parimente nell’ esquisitezza dell’ artificio, e nella singolarità della materia_. As the same Author hath it. If take notice of their power and ways by which they effected such goodly structures, their means were not ordinary according to the common custome of other _People_; and why? because, besides particular _Artisans_ practised in severall _Arts_, they employed in those their works whole bodies of their own _Armies_, and whatever Nations subdued by them. _The_ Romans _were wont to exercise therein_ (saith _Camden_) _their Souldiers, and the common multitude, upon great policy doing the same, left being idle they should grow factious, and affect alteration in the State. The_ Britans _complained_ (saith _Tacitus_ likewise) _corpora & manus contrivisse, that their bodies and hands were worn out, and consumed by the_ Romans, _in bringing to effect their great and admired undertakings_: in that kind employing their slaves and prisoners also, as holding it, rather then by violent deaths to cut them off; more profitable for the _Commonwealth_, more exemplary for others, and far greater punishment for their Prisoners, to enjoyn them continuall labour.