Alban (Albion) - White Island Alban (Albion) - White Island In my article entitled The Trojan City of London I have explained that Brutus came to an island to the north of Gaul known as "Alban" (Albion), which means "White Island". Those who came with him were called "Britons", and the island became known as "Britain". In this article, I will explain the origin of the name "Alban". Dictionary Definition of Albion Virtue's Simplified Dictionary ( 1 ) gives the following definition: Albion. noun [derived from Latin albus, white: in allusion to the white cliffs as seen from the Channel], a poetic name for England: Greek Mythology, a giant son of Poseidon, slain by Hercules. Notes: I am advised by Bill Cooper ( 2 ) that in Old Welsh, the same phrase can be translated "a giant called Albion" or "a giant of Albion". So Albion was not necessarily his name, it is more likely to have been his place of origin. However, in this article we will continue to call him Albion, for the sake of identifying him in the available literature.

The Greeks and Romans had different names for the same gods: Greek Hercules Holinshed's Chronicle Holinshed's Chronicle ( 3 ) is a large work consisting of six volumes, written by Raphael Holinshed with the assistance of others who continued the work after his death in 1580. It contains a comprehensive history of England, Scotland and Ireland, from the time when it was first inhabited up to about a year before the date of publication. The first edition was published in 1578 and there was an second edition in 1587. Volumes I to IV are mainly concerned with England, while volumes V and VI deal with Scotland and Ireland respectively. Volume I gives the very early history of England, beginning with the arrival of the descendants of Japheth shortly after the Flood, known as the Samotheans . The land was invaded by Albion the giant son of Neptune who was killed by Hercules, and then Brutus arrived in the 12th century BC. The material is collected from a variety of sources that are not always clearly identified, but all you can do is compare it with other available histories and sort out the wheat from the chaff.

Some details of Holinshed and his work are given by McKisack ( 4 ). Albions England William Warner was a London attorney who held the office of the Lord Chamberlain of the Household under Elizabeth I. He wrote a rhymed history, called Albions England ( 5 ), published in several editions from 1586 to 1606. There are 16 books altogether, followed by some additional material, all bound in a single volume. The books are as follows: Book I begins with the Flood, then tells the story of the Greek Titanomachy. It continues with the adventures of Hercules, the son of Jupiter, as far as his battle with Laomedon king of Troy. Book II continues the story of Hercules up to his death, and ends with the story of the arrival of Brutus in Albion. It describes the battle between Hercules and Geron of Spain, but says nothing of his battle with Albion, which according to Holinshed, occurred immediately afterwards. However, at the end of this book, Brutus is found overcoming the giant sons of Albion. Book III gives the history of the Britons, up to the death of Cadwaller.

Book IV continues as far as the Norman Conquest in 1066. Book V continues to 1399. Book VI continues to 1485. Books VII to XIII cover the Tudor period, occasionally digressing into various religious subjects. Books XIV to XVI are a continuation of the history, published in 1606, giving: - more information on the period from 1066 to Queen Elizabeth. - the history of Wales. - the history of South Wales and Glamorgan. There is the following additional material: An addition to Book II giving the story of Aeneas and his flight from Troy. A summary of the whole history of England, from Brutus to Queen Elizabeth. Here are a few quotes. Book I begins like this: I tell of things done long agoe, of many things in few: And chiefly of this Clime of ours, the Accidents pursue.

Thou high Director of the same, assist mine artlesse pen, To write the gests of Brutons stout, and acts of English men When Arked Noah, and feaue with him, the emptyd worlds remain, Had left the instrumentall meane, of landing them againe, And that both man and beast, and all, did multiply the store, To Asia Sem, to Affrick Cham, to Europe Iapheth bore ... The first mention of the land of Albion appears in association with Brutus as follows (page 3): Not only Artes but Cheualry, from Greece deriue we may: Whereof (omitting many things) my Muse, alonely say How Naturne, Ioue, and Hercules, did fill the world with fame Of iustice, prowesse, and how they both men and Monsters tame, And so from these deriue the meane how Brute to Albion came.

Book I ends with the notion that Brutus came to Albion as a result of the Trojan wars (page 25): When ventrous Telamon, for that he entred first the gate, For Prize had faire Hesione, of Troy the latest fate: For Priamus to quit her Rape, long after sent his Sonne To rauish Hellen from the Greekes: So thirdly warre begonne: Hesione the cause to Troy, and Hellen to the Greekes, And all did worke that Troyan Brute the Albian Climate seekes. Book II ends with Brutus suppressing the Albinests. It also identifies Albion as the son of Neptune in agreement with Holinshed (page 62): Thrise fiue degrees from Noe was Brute, and fower times sixe was he From Adam: and from Iaphets house doth fetch his petigree.

Posthumus Syluius perishing in Chace amongst the brakes, Mistooke for game by Brute his Sonne, Brute Italy forsakes: And to associate his Exile, a many Troyans mo At all aduentures put to seas, vncertain where to go, To whom did Fortune, Fortunelike, become a friend and foe: Till Brute (with no lesse payne and praise then had his Grandfier late Atchieued Latium) landing here, suppressed so the state, Of all the Fiend-breed Albinests, huge Gyants fierce and strong, Or race of Albion, Neptunes Sonne (els some deriue them wrong) That of this Isle (vn-Scotted yet) he Empire had ere long. Book III begins (page 63): Now, of the Conquerour, this Isle had Brutaine vnto name, And with his Troians Brute began manurage of the same.

And at the bottom of the same page we have "New Troy" which became London: Did Brute build vp his Troy-nouant, inclosing it with wall: Which Lud did after beautifie, and Luds-towne it did call That now is London: Then we have the introduction to the story of King Lear and his daughters (page 65): And since of noble Brute his line prodigious things I tell I skipping to the tenth from him will show what then befell. About a thirtie yeeres and fiue did Leir rule this Land, When, doting on his daughters three, with them he fell in hand In the next chapter we have the settlement of the Picts and Scots (page 69): Three valiant people thus at once in Albion Empire held, Brutes, Scots and Pichts: the latter twine lesse ciuill, but as bold... This is what history looked like to the ordinary man in the street in Tudor times.

They learned about Adam, Noah, Japheth, Albion, Hercules, Brutus and all the rest of it, unaffected by the modern-day requirement of evolution to delete everything that predates Julius Caesar in case it might lead to Noah. Virgil's Aneid The Aneid gives us an alternative, and possibly complementary meaning of the name Alban. The Trojans used to call themselves Albans while they were in Latium, giving the impression that their name had something in common with the giant called Albion who was killed by Hercules. It seems that Alban (Albion) must be a very ancient name. The Aneid tells the story of the flight of Aeneas from the burning city of Troy and the re-establishment of his kingdom in Latium (Italy), in a province on the north-west coast which became known as Alba Longa. He fled from Troy with his father Anchises, his son Ascanius and many others, but his wife Creusa was left behind. They departed in ships, hoping to go straight to Latium but were caught in a storm and landed in Carthage, North Africa.

They were received by Queen Dido, and were offered hospitality, but Aeneas believed that his destiny was in Latium, so they rebuilt their ships which had been damaged and set off again. After many adventures, they eventually arrived in Latium and were received by King Latinus. He offered his daughter Lavinia to Aeneas in marriage, believing that their union was decreed by the gods, even though she was expecting to marry Turnus, king of the Rutulians. This caused a war between the Trojans and Rutulians, and there was much slaughter, until eventually Aeneas and Turnus fought each other in single combat and Turnus was killed. The story ends with the death of Turnus, but the reader is left in no doubt about the continuation of the history of Latium, that Aeneas married Lavinia and became a king within his own province. Extracts from the Aneid On a number of occasions in Virgil's Aneid, the Trojans refer to themselves as Albans. There are also a number of references to people, animals or gods being white. The page numbers in this discussion are from the Penguin Classic edition ( 6 ). Page 170.

Anchises prophesied to Aeneas how he would have a son who would be king: He has the Alban name of Silvius, and he is your son, to be born after your passing; your queen Lavinia will rear him in the forests, and he will be a king and sire of kings, and founder of our dynasty which shall rule from Alba Longa. The nearest to him, there, is Procas, the pride of the Trojan race; and next Capys and Numitor, and Aeneas Silvius, who will revive your own name and be a prince exalted alike in his righteousness and his arms, if in fact he shall ever succeed to the Alban throne. Note: It doesn't matter whether or not Anchises actually made such a prophecy. This is Virgil's way of naming just a few of the kings of Alba Longa, which became the capital of Latium, and they are not in historical order. Page 202.

Tiber, the river-god, gave a sign to Aeneas as follows: Lying under holm-oak trees near the sea shore you shall find a huge white sow, stretched on the ground with her thirty young which she has just farrowed, all white like her, gathered round her teats. This spot shall be the place for your city, and there shall you find sure rest from your toils. Within thirty circling years from this time, Ascanius shall found a city of illustrious name, Alba. My prophecy cannot fail. Page 203. While Aeneas was making his way along the river, in a boat with a rowing crew, he came to the spot where the city was to be founded: Suddenly a remarkable and imposing sight came into view. On the green river-bank was a shining-white sow with her white litter of the same colour as herself, which had lain down on the ground in a wood. Aeneas the True brought implements, and stationed both sow and litter at an altar. And he sacrificed all to Juno, to Juno only, to Juno herself, the Supreme.

Then did Tiber make smooth his heaving flood for the whole length of that night and withdrew the flow of his now voiceless waves, becoming so still as he levelled the ripples on his surface that it seemed like a kindly pool or peaceful marsh, on which no oar need strain. So then the Trojans began their journey and made good speed, encouraged by what Aeneas had been told. Note: On the basis of this, I would expect to see the white sow and her litter as an important image in the history of Alba Longa, perhaps as their national symbol. I have never found it, but perhaps I don't know where to look. Pages 210-211. The land which became known as Latium was originally inhabited by strange mythological figures. The name of Latium, and other historical names including Albula are described as follows: The first to arrive among them was Saturn, from heavenly Olympus, an exile who had lost his throne and was retreating before Jupiter's weapons.

He unified the folk, who had been living scattered among hill-tops and were slow to learn, giving them laws and choosing 'Latium' for the land's name, because he had been safe in hiding, 'latent', within its boundaries. Under Saturn's reign passed those centuries which are famed as 'golden', so gentle and peaceful was his rule, until gradually an inferior and tarnished age succeeded, mad for war and lusting to possess. Next there came a band of Ausonians and tribes of Sicanians; and Saturn's Land now began to forget its name. There followed kings, and among them a fierce giant, Thybris, so that it lost its true name, which had been Albula in ancient times. Page 212. Venus, the mother of Aeneas, is described as snow-white. So divine Venus spoke. Her husband was hesitant; but she passed her snow-white arms about him on this side and that, and coaxed him with her caressing embrace. Note: In ancient times, kings and queens were considered to be descended from gods. In the case of Aeneas, his father Anchises was human but his mother was the goddess Venus.

This could have something to do with Genesis 6:1-6 where hybrid giants were born through the union of humans and fallen angels. Aeneas and Turnus were both very big, a fact that becomes obvious during the battles between the Trojans and Rutulians. There is also a "maid" called Queen Camilla who chases away a whole army of men. Page 237-239. Two Trojans, called Nisus and Euryalus, went out among the Rutulians and killed many of them in a surprise attack. Euryalus was captured and Nisus came to rescue him, and passed the spot called Alban (presumably where the white sow and her litter were found). He killed two of the Rutulians with spears, while hiding in the woods, then he appeared and tried to intervene verbally on behalf of Euryalus, offering himself as their victim instead. But his attempt was in vain, and Euryalus died with a sword through his "white breast". Then Nisus killed Volcens, the Rutulian commander and finally met his own death.

Nisus however darted forward, and, running with never a thought, he had soon left the enemy behind and was clear of the danger. He passed the spot later called Alban after Alba Longa, but at that time used by King Latinus as a fenced cattle-station . . . But even as he spoke the sword, forced strongly home, pressed through the ribs of Euryalus and burst his white breast . . . Page 313. Shortly before an arranged duel between Aeneas and Turnus (which disintegrated into all out war between the Trojans and Rutulians before it was properly reconvened), Juno looked down from the hill which later became known as Alban. Then, streaming from their homes in high excitement, came the mothers, the weaponless multitude, and the old and feeble; and they gathered on towers and rooftops, or took their stand upon the tall gates. Juno meanwhile looked forth from a high crest, a hill now known as Alban, but in those times a nameless eminence without regard or fame; and she watched the plain, the Laurentine and Trojan hosts, and Latinus' city.

Forthwith she spoke to Turnus' sister, a goddess like herself . . . Note: This last remark means that Turnus was of divine descent, as was Aeneas. Page 330. When the duel had been reconvened, Aeneas went out to meet Turnus. It says that Aeneas was white, but it seems to be his hair rather than his skin: Then Troy's chieftain, Aeneas, hearing the name of Turnus called, left the high fortress-walls. Thrusting aside all impediment, he broke off the operations in hand, and rejoiced exultantly, striking a dread thunder from his arms. He towered like Athos or like Eryx, or like old Father Apennine himself, with his rustle of shimmering holm-oak trees, joyously lifting his snow-covered head to the sky. Pages 334-335. During a conversation between the gods, Juno says how the names Latium and Alban are to be preserved while the name of Troy should disappear.

But command not Latins, in a land which is their own, to change their ancient name, to become Trojans, or to be called Teucrians; command none to speak a different tongue or wear another garb. Let there be Latium still, and, down the centuries, Alban kings; let there be the Roman breed drawing power from Italian manliness. Troy has fallen, and fallen permit her, and her name, to stay. The 'Creator of the world' (whoever he is) confirms that the Trojans will be absorbed into Italy: The ancient folk of Italy shall retain the speech of their forefathers and their way of life; and their name shall be as now it is. The Trojans shall only blend, absorbed, in the Italian breed. Note: At the time when Virgil wrote these words, not only had the name of Troy disappeared from Latium, it was also disappearing from Britain. Troia Newydd had been re-named Caer-Ludd, and the Romans called it Londinium. But today there are still a few streets named after Troy, as I have discussed in The Trojan City of London .

Conclusions The island, now called Britain, was once called Alban and was ruled by a giant called Albion. For those who have difficulty accepting giants as part of ancient history, we have to accept that this is a feature of Roman, Greek, Biblical and also British history. We have to find out what the giants were, rather than deleting them from history, otherwise we would have no ancient history at all. The Trojans living in Latium called themselves Albans. It must be a very ancient name, originating from only a few generations after the Flood, a fact that is verified in my article on the Samotheans . Virgil's Aneid and Tysilio's Chronicle agree with each other in important details, without being copies, giving the impression that they are true historical accounts. Not only do they use the name Alban consistently, but also its meaning, in that it refers to things that are white. Virgil's Aneid and Tysilio's Chronicle should be treated as companion volumes, telling different parts of the same story. See also Back to Babylon where I have given an interpretation of the Aneid that explains why the city of Troy was doomed.

They had migrated in the wrong direction, contrary to the comandment of God (the One True God, not the pagan "gods"). References 1. The Simplified Dictionary, Encyclopedic Edition, Lewis, Canby & Brown, Virtue & Co, London. 2. Private communication with Bill Cooper. 3. Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland, 6 volumes, Raphael Holinshed and others, 1587 edition. Reprinted 1807 for J. Johnson and others, London. Facsimile reprint 1965 by AMS Press Inc, New York, NY 10003. 4. Medieval History in the Tudor Age, May McKisack, Oxford, 1971, pp.116-119. 5. Albions England, William Warner, first published by himself, reprinted 1612, Anglista & Americana facsimile reprint 131, 1971 by Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim, New York. 6. Virgil, The Aneid, translated by W.F.

Jackson Knight, Penguin Classics, 1958, ISBN 0-14-044051-8. Samotheans - First Inhabitants of Britain The Samotheans - First Inhabitants of Britain According to an ancient account that has been preserved in Holinshed's Chronicle, the earliest inhabitants of the island which is now called Britain were the Samotheans. Their first king was called Samothes, and he is believed to have been Meshech, the sixth son of Japheth. Note: This history uses source material of questionable origin, known as "pseudo-Berosus". See the Lost Works of Berosus . The Samothean Kings Holinshed's Chronicle ( 1 ) is a large six-volume work, written during the Tudor period. It contains a comprehensive history of England, Scotland and Ireland, from the earliest times to shortly before the publication date (first edition 1578, second edition in 1587). Volume I describes a succession of Samothean kings, ruling over an empire until they were invaded by a giant called Albion.

They were liberated by another powerful figure called Hercules, and then the succession of kings continued until the arrival of Brutus the Trojan. The island of Britain was first called Samothea, until Albion came and re-named it after himself. When Albion was defeated, it did not revert to Samothea, but retained the name of Albion, until Brutus arrived and called it Britain. The succession of kings was as follows: Samothes Pictus Brutus (invaded and set up a new succession of kings) The Samothean kings ruled over more than just the island of Samothea. Their kingdom included a large part of Europe from the Rhine to the Pyrennes, an area known as Gallia. Samothes is said to be the founder of Celtica, as if the Celts and Gauls were in different parts of the same empire, although they are known to have spread out all over Europe and they are the same race. Holinshed's Chronicle gives more than one possible date for the arrival of the first inhabitants of Samothea. In one place it says that they arrived 200 years after the Flood.

In another place (in Volume VI, Ireland) it gives the date of the Flood as 1650 AM (Anno Mundi - Year of the World from Creation). Going back to Volume I we have the arrival of Samothes in 1910 AM which is 260 years after the Flood. Without getting bogged down with the detail, we get the impression that the dispersion was not a gradual process. People travelled large distances in a very short time (probably to get away from Nimrod who had become a tyrant). There are other issues to be resolved, which I will return to later: Josephus ( 2 ) says that the Gauls are descended from Gomer, the eldest son of Japheth. Davis ( 3 ), using a number of sources, says that they arrived in Britain about 300 years after the Flood. If the Celts and Gauls are the same people, as is commonly thought, this is at variance with the Samothean history which associates the Celts with Meshech.

Samothes (Meshech) is thought to have been so named because he was the "Saturn" or original founder of the kingdom, although this is a pagan practice of which he would disapprove. Samothes to Bardus - The First Five Kings The first five kings of Samothea maintained the true religion that they had learned from Noah and Japheth. They are each described as follows: Samothes was a man of great learning, and he taught about astronomy, moral values and politics. He founded a sect of philosophers called the Samothei, who were skilful in the law of God and man. He delivered his knowledge in Phoenician letters, from which the Greek alphabet is derived. Magus was a man of great learning, like his father Samothes, and the Magi of Persia derived their name after him. Sarronius, otherwise known as Sarron, founded public places of learning, to encourage people to study and not to indulge in uncivilised behaviour. He was the founder of a group of philosophers called the Sarronides, who were able to offer sacrifices. Sarron believed that sacrifices should only be made by people who were skilled in divine mysteries.

Druiyus, otherwise called Druis, was the founder of the Druids. At first, this was the true religion taught by his predecessors, but after his death the Druids fell into pagan superstitions. Bardus was a poet and musician, and from him we get the word "Bard". He established an order of poets or heralds called "Bardi", and they were held in such high esteem that if two armies were engaged in battle, and the Bardi walked among them, the battle would stop until they had gone. After Bardus, the Celts departed from the strict ordinances of their former kings and fell into idleness and decadence, so that they were quickly subdued by the giant Albion. The Egyptian Family Feud Ham was the youngest of Noah's three sons, and he had four sons: Cush, who had six sons, including the notorious Nimrod who was the founder of the worst features of idolatry and paganism, and instigated the rebellion at Babylon. After the dispersion, the descendants of Cush inhabited Ethiopia. Mizraim, who succeeded his father Ham as king of Egypt. Put, who inhabited the North African coastal region to the west of Egypt.

Caanan, whose descendants occupied the land on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, until they were driven out by the Israelites. One of his sons, called Heth, founded the Hittite empire in Turkey and Carthage, but they were eventually defeated by the Romans and totally wiped out. Mizraim had seven sons, known as Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathruhim, Casluhim and Caphtorim. Two of these are of interest in this study: Naphtuhim was considered to be Neptune and was given the surname Marioticus because his dominions were among the islands of the Mediterranean sea. Lehabim was considered to be Hercules and was given the surname Lybicus. The Egyptians adopted the practice of deifying their kings, just as the Babylonians had deified Nimrod. The same practice was passed on to the Greeks and Romans and to all the pagan world, until it was subdued by Christianity. There were no unique characters called Neptune or Hercules, instead there could be any number of them, depending on how the pagans deified their kings.

In the case of these two sons of Mizraim, they were called Neptune Marioticus and Hercules Lybicus. Their father Mizraim was also deified, and was called Osiris. Neptune, the son of Osiris, sailed the seas with his 33 giant sons, leaving each of them in a different place to overthrow the kingdoms that already existed and bring the world under their own tyrannical rule. The sons that feature in this story are: Albion, who invaded the island of Samothea with an army descended from Cush. Bergion, who invaded the island to the west of Samothea. It became known as Hibernia and is now called Ireland. Lestrigo, who invaded Italy. The king(s) from whom the Lomnimi or Geriones of Spain derived their name. Osiris was opposed to their ambitions, so the giants held a judicial council, with the support of their father Neptune, and put him to death. This event was a cause of great lamentation that was regularly observed in the religion of ancient Egypt, and the practice was passed on to the Greeks and Romans who lamented the death of Bacchus.

It is also thought that Nimrod met a violent death. He may have been torn to pieces by wild beasts, but nobody seems to know for sure. Hercules Lybicus was infuriated by the murder of his father Osiris and set out to kill the giant sons of Neptune wherever they could be found. He went to Spain and defeated the Lomnimi or Geriones, then he passed through Gallia on his way to Italy, to do battle with Lestrigo. When Albion and Bergion heard that he was on his way to Italy, they set off to defend their brother Lestrigo, and fought against Hercules on the banks of the Rhine (it seems that Hercules must have gone further north to meet Albion and Bergion). The battle was going badly for Hercules, and his army had used up all their weapons, but Hercules called on them to pick up stones which were available in abundance and throw them at the enemy. This way they killed both Albion and Bergion, and most of their army, so that the remainder were put to flight and the battle was won. After that, Hercules went throughout Gallia, overthrowing tyrants in every place.

It is thought that Hercules came to the island of Albion, arriving at a headland which Ptolomie calls Promontorium Herculis, now known as Hartland Point in north Devon. Holinshed gives a succession of Celtic kings who reigned after the defeat of Albion, beginning with the reinstatement of Celtes, although very little is said about these kings and there is doubt about what sort of rule they had. There are accounts of complete disorder as the other giants continued in a state of lawlessness. Tysilio's Chronicle ( 4 ) says that when Brutus arrived, the island was empty except for a few giants. Whatever may be the case, we can be sure that the island retained the name of Albion until Brutus arrived and called it Britain. The Samotheans gained a hollow liberation at the hand of Hercules. He did not fight his battles out of love for the Celts or other oppressed people. He simply wanted to avenge the death of his father Osiris. The Samotheans had been invaded by an Egyptian giant, from a family that was divided against itself, and they were liberated by a member of the same family.

As already mentioned, the Samotheans had fallen because they had departed from the true religion of Noah and turned to paganism. When Albion came in 1721 BC (according to a rough calculation), the paganism got worse and continued after his death. It got no better when Brutus came, because Brutus himself was a pagan, and was not subdued until the arrival of Christianity in the first century AD. No wonder the Britons embraced Christianity with enthusiasm, after the long dark night of paganism that had oppressed them for 18 centuries. Note: Holinshed gives some contradictory accounts of the Egyptian genealogy, in which Hercules is sometimes the uncle of the giants and sometimes their cousin. I don't know how this has occurred, but we should reflect on the fact that in our own language, the terms "uncle" and "nephew" only exist in the line that includes first cousins. Otherwise we talk about "second cousins once removed" etc. It's possible that an uncle or nephew might have been considered a type of cousin, but that's a matter for people who are skilled in ancient languages and is beyond my competence. What Is A Giant?

There used to be some big people in ancient times, and Holinshed gives some examples of medieval archeology where the bones of giants were found, but none of them remain today because they are so ancient and have all disintegrated. Perhaps if some of them had become fossilised, there might be some evidence for us to see, but they have avoided the rapid flood conditions required for fossilisation. The early patriarchs were thought to have been big, including Noah himself, but they are not generally referred to as a giants. The term "Gigantes" does not just describe someone's physical size. It means "sons of the earth", and from this word we get "Aborigenes" or "indigenous", meaning born and bred out of the earth that they inhabited. This creates a problem for the so-called giant sons of Neptune, who went around inhabiting the lands that belonged to other people, although if they were born at sea they might have been considered indigenous to the place where they landed. But that's just speculation. The real answer is that nothing is simple in ancient history and mythology. It's unlikely that Holinshed would have known much of the creation science that is being discussed today.

In the pre-Flood climate, there were different physical conditions including higher air pressure and possibly even a higher speed of light. This meant that biological processes were more efficient, making it possible for very large animals such as dinosaurs to walk around with ease, and large birds could fly in the heavens. The post-flood climate favoured smaller creatures, and the very large ones became extinct through natural selection, although they were fearsome beasts while they still existed. The same thing could have happened to the human population. The early patriarchs were big, because they inherited their genes from their pre-flood ancestors. Then in the process of time, as the conditions favoured people of smaller stature, the number of small people began to increase. However, there were still some big people around, and if they were of evil intent they could inflict terror on the rest of the population. Ancestor Worship The practice of ancestor worship began with the Babylonians and Egyptians, and spread to the Greeks and Romans. Nimrod was the first person to make himself a king and rule over other people, and he was also worshipped as a god. Many nations of the ancient world adopted the practice of deifying their kings, acording to a simple genealogy.

The first king to establish his rule in any part of the world was called "Saturn". His son and successor would be called "Jupiter" and his grandsons or nephews who reigned in the third place would be called "Hercules". Thus Nimrod was the Saturn of Babylon, and Ham was the Saturn of Egypt. Mizraim was the Jupiter of Egypt, although he was called Osiris. Their wives were also deified, so that the wife of Saturn was Rhea, and the wife of Jupiter was Juno, Isis or Io. Even Noah and his wife were deified, so that Noah was called Heaven, Oxygus, Sun, or Pater Deorum, and his wife was called Terra (the Earth), Vesta, Aretia, Moone, or Mater Deorum. Holinshed refers to a belief that the real name of Noah's wife was Tydia, and hence we get Terra.

The practice of deifying kings, and even the early patriarchs, explains the whole Greek mythology: Uranus (Sky or Heaven) married Gaia (Earth) and they had a number of children, but for some reason Uranos hated them and tried to kill them, but Gaia tried to save them. Possibly this could be an allusion to the Flood, as if Noah was getting blamed for it because he had preached about it for many years. The ark was made from trees that grew from the earth, so Gaia is credited with saving a few people. Cronos (Saturn) is a surviving son of Uranus and Gaia. He rebelled against his father and overthrew him, cutting off his genitals and throwing them into the sea. This is very likely to be an allusion to Ham, who looked at Noah when he was drunk and naked in his tent, and told his brothers about it. There is a Jewish tradition, recorded in the Midrash Rabbah ( 5 ), that Ham didn't just look at Noah, he castrated him to prevent him from having a fourth son.

In response, Noah cursed Caanan, the fourth son of Ham, who is thought to have seen him naked in the first place. Clearly, the castration of Noah is just a fable that doesn't match up with the Biblical account. It's inconcievable that such an event could have been missed out of the Bible if it actually happened. However, the very existence of such a fable is sufficient to match up Cronos with Ham, and Uranus with Noah. Rhea, the wife of Cronos, was the goddess of fortresses. This is clearly associated with Semiramis, the wife of Nimrod who built the tower of Babel, and it suggests that she played a major role in the construction of the tower and the city. The three sons of Cronos and Rhea were: - Zeus (Jupiter), god of the sky, with a thunderbolt in his hand. - Poseidon (Neptune), god of the sea. - Hades (Pluto, Orcus, Dis), god of the underworld. The sons of Zeus were Hephastus (Vulcan) and Heracles (Hercules). Poseidon (Neptune) had many offspring.

Hades was married to Persephone, and he had a concubine called Minthe who turned into a plant, but he doesn't appear to have any offspring. Clearly, you could make almost anything out of Greek mythology because it's so complex, but it seems to be based on the deification of ancestors and kings, starting with Noah and his wife. Different names were used by different nations, so that the Osiris of Egypt became the Zeus of Greece and the Jupiter of Rome, but in every nation there was Saturn, Jupiter and Hercules in some form or other. The name Jupiter probably suited the Romans (Latins) as a way of remembering and possibly deifying their ancestor Japheth. If this is what happened, it would be the ideal type of cultural transformation that would be needed to transport the idolatry of Egypt to all the nations that descended from Japheth. The deification of kings has sown much confusion in the study of ancient history. We find that Saturn, Jupiter and Hercules are everywhere, but we cannot always find the names of the kings that they represent.

For example, we find Hercules all over Europe, and Holinshed gives us the surname Lybicus, but we cannot be sure if all his exploits are done by one person, or by many people who have been deified as Hercules. Fighting for Heaven The custom arose in Egypt, that whenever a worthy or famous king died, a star would be assigned to his name, so that he would always be remembered. In ancient Egypt they built pyramids, arranged according to the constellations, for example the three pyramids of Giza represent Orion's belt. The king would be buried in his pyramid so that he would be transported to his chosen star. The custom was exported to other countries, including the island of Albion. It is thought that Albion the giant, together with his other giants, erected some of the megaliths and standing stones, and the practice was continued after Brutus arrived. In the process of time, it wasn't possible to find enough stars for all the kings (although they certainly could have done if they had today's modern telescopes). Instead, they thought of other places where their kings and fighting men could go, and the Greeks and Romans called it Elysium.

It was a place of paradise, full of green fields. A place of honour in the afterlife was not automatically given to a king. He had to earn it by doing something valiant. Consequently, kings and princes were always trying to outdo each other, invading and conquering other countries to try and prove their valour. Honours were awarded, not just to the king himself, but to all his fighting men, so that a commander would encourage his troops by telling them that if they do not see the end of the battle, they will wake up in Elysium. Many unnecessary wars have been fought, and much blood has been spilt, because people have thought that if they fight and kill, they will go to some kind of heaven, but the whole abominable practice has its roots in paganism. It becomes even more lamentable when we consider that in ancient times there were just a few people spreading out over the whole earth, and there was nothing to fight for other than heaven. Albion was only the fourth generation after Noah. The genealogy was Noah, Ham, Mizraim, Naphtuhim, Albion.

The so-called Samothean "kingdom", descended from Noah, Japheth and Meshech wasn't anything like a kingdom as we know it today. It was just a few families on an almost deserted island. Albion could have enjoyed the good life in his native Egypt, with plenty of space to do whatever he wanted, but no, he had to sail all the way to Samothea and overthrow a peaceful kingdom. His motivation was his grudge against Shem and Japheth, because of Noah's curse against Caanan the son of Ham. He thought that by going to war against the sons of Japheth, he could invalidate the curse and become a star in heaven. Gallic Gomer or Samothean Meshech? Earlier in this article, I asked two questions, about why Meshech was called Samathos, and were the original inhabitants of Britain descended from Gomer or Meshech? The two questions have to be answered together, because the descendants of Gomer and Meshech appear to have co-existed alongside each other in different places.

Josephus ( 2 ) the first-century Jewish historian, describes the nations and tribes that are descended from Noah, both in his own time and in previous ages. He says the descendants of Gomer used to be called Gomerites, but in his own time they were called Galatians or Galls. The descendants of Meshech used to be called Mosocheni or Mazaca, but in his own time they were called Cappadocians. He also refers to a city called Mazaca, which undoubtedly means Moscow. Looking at the historic maps in Thompson's Chain Reference Bible ( 6 ), we find that in the apostolic age, the Galatians and Cappadocians used to live in two separate provinces directly alongside each other in Asia Minor, south of what is now known as the Black Sea. They had been there for a long time, and on the map of the ancient world they are simply called "Gomer" and "Meshech". There was also the nation of Gallia which occupied the area now known as France and Belgium as far as the Rhine, also in existence since ancient times.

It is not at all inconcievable that the descendants of Meshech lived alongside Gallia in neighbouring "Britannia". However, the most surprising aspect of this study is that a large area including White Russia, Ukraine, and the western part of Russia as far as the Urals, was called Sarmatia, both in ancient times and in the apostolic age. This is precisely the area with Moscow at its centre, so we have the historic association between Meshech and Sarmatia. In ancient times we also find Gomer to the north of the Black Sea, occupying the area south of Sarmatia, so again we have the descendants of Gomer and Meshech alongside each other. It seems very likely that Gomer and Meshech were two friendly tribes that travelled together and occupied neighbouring areas, and for a considerable time thay retained their distinct identity and avoided intermarriage. The descendants of Meshech were called Celts, and the descendants of Gomer were called Gauls, but eventually they became indistinguishable and were known as Celtic Gauls. Somehow, in the history of the Britons (now known as the Welsh), Gomer has been remembered but Meshech has been forgotten.

To answer the question about why Meshech was called Samathos, we have to find what the word means, rather than simply calling him Saturn according to the pagan mythology that he would have rejected. Really, we have to get a linguist to work on it, but to make a start, I have found the word "Summarius", in Archeologica Britannica ( 7 ), which means the "chief" or "principal", and would be an appropriate title for the first king and spiritual leader of a new nation. Authenticity of Berosus After discussing the Samothean history at great length, Holinshed casts doubt on it with the following words (which I quote in the original Tudor English): Vpon these considerations I haue no doubt to deliuer vnto the reader, the opinion of those that thinke this land to haue bene inhabited before the arriuall here of Brute, trusting it may be taken in good part, sith we haue but shewed the conjectures of others, till time that some sufficient learned man shall take vpon him to decipher the doubts of all these matters.

Neuerthelesse, I thinke good to aduertise the reader that these stories of Samothes, Magus, Sarron, Druis, and Bardus, doo relie onelie vpon the authoritie of Berosus, whom most diligent antiquaries doo reject as a fabulous and counterfet author, and Vacerius hath laboured to prooue the same by a speciall treatise latelie published at Rome. When Holinshed refers to "Berosus" in this way, he actually means "pseudo-Berosus", as described in the Lost Works of Berosus . References 1. Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland, 6 volumes, Raphael Holinshed and others, 1587 edition. Reprinted 1807 for J. Johnson and others, London. Facsimile reprint 1965 by AMS Press Inc, New York, NY 10003. 2. Josephus Antiquities, I,VI,1 3.

The History of the Welsh Baptists, from the Year Sixty-Three to the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy, by Jonathan Davis (c.1786-1846), Pittsburgh: D.M. Hogan, 1835, 204p. Re-published in 1976 by The Baptist, Rt. 1, Aberdeen, Miss. 39730. Re-published again in 1982 by Church History Research & Archives, 220 Graystone Drive, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066. Tel: (615) 452-0341 or 452-7027. Note: The term "Baptist", used by Davis and his contemporaries, is taken to mean anyone who practices the baptism of believers by immersion, and is not restricted to the Baptist denomination. 4. Chronicle of the Kings of Britain. Translated by Peter Roberts in 1811 from the Welsh copy attributed to Tysilio . Facsimile reprint by Llanerch Publishers. ISBN 1-86143-111-2. 5.

Midrash Rabbah - Genesis XXXVI:7 . Soncino Classics Collection, Judaic Classics Library CD-ROM, 1995, Davka Corporation, Chicago, USA. 6. The New Chain Reference Bible, compiled and edited by Frank Charles Thompson, 1964, B.B. Kirkbride, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. 7. Archeologica Britannica, Volume 1, Glossography, Edward Lhuyd, Irish University Press, Shannon, 1971, SBN 7165-0031-0. Tit. II, A Comparative Vocabulary of the Original Languages of Britain and Ireland. Updated February 2002 Why are we called Albion? Why are we called Albion? Why are we called Albion? 0 Expect this has been done before but searching produced no real results. Always got me why we are called Albion. The definition states Archaic or poetic Britain or England so bit bemused why we are not United/Rovers or whatever (same for West Brom). Any of our resident historians got any background as to how the name was adopted?

(Yep I'm bored) Hello and thank you Oscar Garcia - The fans' support today was magnificent in the face of a bad result. I am very proud to be the coach of their club. 17,957 0 Apparantly we were called Albion as a nod to West Brom. Why West Brom adopted it Sir RANTSALOT BIN THE FINN or we sleepwalk into league one ambition. REMF quiz Runners up 2011, WINNERS 2013, Runners up 2014. Train ï¿½ Grande Vitesse Join Date 4,872 0 Albion is the original name of England which the land was known as by the Romans, probably from the Latin albus meaning white, and referring to the chalk cliffs along the south-east coast of England. This is likely to have been a very old name, pre Celtic, and one of the oldest words remaining in the current English language. (English was introduced by the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century AD. ) Albion was replaced by the Latin 'Britannia', and the Romans called the natives of England the Britons.

With the replacement of the name for the country, Albion became to be used for place names from a toponymic feature involving chalk cliffs, at least in the 19th century. In Southwick, West Sussex, there is a small white cliff (mostly now eroded and grassed over) overlooking the canal section of Shoreham Harbour, and the road that runs along the top of the cliff is known as Albion Street. Albion is a name of public houses, hotels, street names in Sussex, and is even the name of the leading football club. So basically an old name for England and in particular areas Southern England with chalk cliffs. West Brom and Burton obviously just copied us! Last edited by croydon seagull; 24-03-2011 at 16:24. 1,832 0 According to Paul Camillin in his book 'Brighton & Hove Miscellany' he states that quite why the Albion suffix was adopted remains open to debate. Some historians believe Albions founder and first ever manager John Jackson had close links with West Bromwich Albion.

Carder and Harris's book disputes this, though;their research couldn't link Jackson to West Brom. Instead, they suggest 'Albion' was probably used because it was a popular name with a number of commercial enterprises in Brighton and Hove at the time. Around the turn of the century you could book a room at the Royal Albion Hotel or, if you fancied something stronger, sup a pint at the Albion Inn, all establishments owned by prominent figures in the early days of the club. Originally Posted by house your seagull This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote a nod to our scottish founders is a theory i believe ... I'm pretty sure the ancient word for Scotland is Alba? The name gives it away Posts Originally Posted by Tony Meolas Loan Spell This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote Apparantly we were called Albion as a nod to West Brom. Why West Brom adopted it Is the right answer. Aparently the original club was called Brighton United, (1897), but they went bust in 1900 and a new club Brighton Rangers was born.

They packed it in after 1 year, (mysterious circumstances), and were replaced by Brighton & Hove Albion in 1901. Interestingly they had wanted to be called Brighton & Hove United but Hove United Football Club objected so they decided on Albion. WBA play in blue and white stripes so thats also probably why we chose the same colours. In Paul Camlins book 'Albion the first 100 years' it states that it is unclear why Albion but one of the founders, John Jackson, had been involved with WBA but another possibility is that 'Albion' was used commercially around the town. Apparantly there was the Royal Albion Hotel, the Albion Hotel, the Albion Brewery, The Albion Inn, even the Albion Coffee House. Probably even an Albion Knocking Shop if you looked closely enough! Originally Posted by Mileoakman This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote Is the right answer. Aparently the original club was called Brighton United, (1897), but they went bust in 1900 and a new club Brighton Rangers was born.

They packed it in after 1 year, (mysterious circumstances), and were replaced by Brighton & Hove Albion in 1901. Interestingly they had wanted to be called Brighton & Hove United but Hove United Football Club objected so they decided on Albion. WBA play in blue and white stripes so thats also probably why we chose the same colours. In Paul Camlins book 'Albion the first 100 years' it states that it is unclear why Albion but one of the founders, John Jackson, had been involved with WBA but another possibility is that 'Albion' was used commercially around the town. Apparantly there was the Royal Albion Hotel, the Albion Hotel, the Albion Brewery, The Albion Inn, even the Albion Coffee House. Probably even an Albion Knocking Shop if you looked closely enough! Originally Posted by Barrow Boy This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote According to Paul Camillin in his book 'Brighton & Hove Miscellany' he states that quite why the Albion suffix was adopted remains open to debate.

Some historians believe Albions founder and first ever manager John Jackson had close links with West Bromwich Albion. Carder and Harris's book disputes this, though;their research couldn't link Jackson to West Brom. Instead, they suggest 'Albion' was probably used because it was a popular name with a number of commercial enterprises in Brighton and Hove at the time. Around the turn of the century you could book a room at the Royal Albion Hotel or, if you fancied something stronger, sup a pint at the Albion Inn, all establishments owned by prominent figures in the early days of the club. So the real question is why are West Brom called Albion?!?!? Hello and thank you Oscar Garcia - The fans' support today was magnificent in the face of a bad result. I am very proud to be the coach of their club. You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts Interactive Map of the Roman Empire and Celtic Lands 117- 305AD 475BC The people of Rome and their allies (the Latin League) overthrew their Etruscan rulers.

After the Gallic attack on Rome the city was gradually rebuilt to become one of the largest in Italy. BY 338 BC the Romans ruled the Latin League with absolute power. From 300-280BC the Romans mastered their local enemies: the Etruscans, Samnites and the Gauls of North of Italy (Po Valley). The Greek cities in the south of Italy concerned at the power of Rome sent their champion Pyrrhus against her. He won several battles but he eventually left to fight in other wars and with his final defeat in 275BC the Romans were masters of all of Italy. 279BC The Gauls advanced into Macedonia, Greece and Thrace. They were soon forced out of each of these countries but remained in Thrace until the end of the century. From Thrace three Gallic tribes advance into Anatolia and formed a new kingdom called Gallatia. 264-241BC The Romans went to war with Carthage and built a strong navy. They finally defeated Carthage in 241 BC and gained control of the island of Sicily and later the islands of Corsica and Sardinia.

236BC The Celts began to loose their lands to other people. The Romans conquered the Gauls in the Po valley. The Romans destroyed several Gallic armies and some important Gallic tribes even left Italy and went to live north of the Alps. In 219BC Celtic tribes lost land in Spain to the Carthaginians. When Hannibal, the Carthagian general, attacked Seguntum the Romans came to the cities defence. This was the beginning of the Second Punic War. 218BC Hannibal won many battles against the Romans including the battle of Cannae where he defeated four Legions of the Roman republic. The Romans attacked and conquered Spain and then Carthage itself. The Carthaginians were finally defeated at the battle of Zama in 203BC. The Romans gained all of Carthage's territories in Spain. 200-191BC The Gauls of the Po Valley who had sided with Hannibal were defeated and the area became the Roman Province of 'Nearer Gaul'. At the end of the century the Thracians drove the Gauls out of Thrace.

The Celts also lost a lot of land in Gallatia when the Seleucids and Pergamenes attacked them. We do not know to whether large movements of Celtic people or close trade brought Celtic culture to Britain. Some Celtic tribes from Gaul settled in Britain before the Romans attacked Britain, in 55BC. 200-146BC The Romans fought with Greek states but mainly Macedonia. 149BC The Romans finally took over Macedonia after winning their Third Macedonian War. In 146BC the Romans brought all of Greece under their direct control. 149BC In a third war between the two countries Carthage was raised to the ground and its people sold as slaves. Following this final victory the Romans gained Carthage's North African territories. 133BC The king of Pergamum died and left his kingdom to Rome. The Romans now controlled nearly all of the lands surrounding the Mediterranean sea. 42BC Mark Anthony and his Roman legions fought the Parthians and suffered heavy casualties. He withdrew and made the Romans overlords of Armenia. 31BC Mark Anthony also helped Cleopatra recreate the Ptolemies Empire in Egypt.

This was unpopular with the Romans and Julius Caesar's son Octavius defeated him at the battle of Actium. Under Octavius Augustus' rule the Celtic kingdom of Galatia and (25BC) and Paphlagania (6BC) were absorbed into the Roman Empire. Under Octavius although there was relative peace the Roman frontier was pushed to the River Danube. When the Romans tried to push the frontier to the River Elbe the Germans in the North of the country under the leadership of Arminius ambushed and slaughtered three Roman legions. Cappadocia was added to the Roman Empire by the Emperor Tiberius and Mauretania by the Emperor Caligula. 41AD The Emperor Claudius invaded Britain and won a decisive battle at Medway. The Celtic chief Caractacus fled with his band of warriors to seek the assistance of the warlike tribe of the Silures (in today's South Wales). The Silures were successful in ambushing smaller groups of Roman soldiers and at times they successfully fought larger units. In one battle they defeated a Roman legion and only fled when a relieving legion arrived.

78AD Julius Frontinus, the Roman Governor of Britain finally defeated the Silurians after moving the Second Legion Augustus to Caerleon. 79AD-117AD The Emperor Domitian built forts in the German lands between the Rhine and Danube rivers and took the Roman frontier into the Black Forest and Taunus Mountains. In 79AD Agricola became Governor of Britain and he led the Romans into the mountains of Britain. He immediately defeated the warlike Ordovician tribe of North Wales. The Brigantia tribe of North England & Southern Scotland were his next victims. Finally in 84AD the Romans fought the Caledonian tribes of Scotland and defeated them in the battle of Mons Graupius. However, fighting on the Danube meant that the Romans had to reduce the number of legions in Britain to three and the Romans withdrew their frontier in the North of Britain. The Emperor Trajan brought together ten Roman legions to fight the Dacians and after much hard fighting the Romans were victorious. Dacia was Rome's first province beyond the Danube River. Armenia was made a Roman province in 114AD.

Adiabene and Mesopotamia were conquered by the Romans in 116AD. When Trajan died in 117AD the Roman Empire had reached its greatest size. The Emperor Hadrian did not try to conquer new lands but was content to defend the Empires frontiers. He withdrew from Mesopotamia and Armenia. In Britain his troops built a wall across Northern Britain to protect the Roman frontier from the stubborn Caledonian tribes. In 145AD the frontier in Britain was moved northwards to the Antonine Wall. In 251AD the Romans found themselves under attack and defeated by the Goths who gained control of the Balkans and then Anatolia. Five years later the Franks and Alemanni from Germany overran Roman Gaul, and raided into Spain and Italy. The Persians conquered Armenia and in 260AD they broke through out to Syria and sacked Antioch. The Emperor Aurelian (270-275AD) officially abandoned Dacia to the Germanic Goths and Gepids. In Germany the Rhine-Danube triangle was also officially abandoned to the German Alemanni tribe.

The Roman Empire became permanently divided into the Western and Eastern Empires. The Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantium Empire. In the fourth century AD warrior horsemen from the East called Huns forced some German tribes to move into the Western Roman Empire. Rome itself was sacked by the Visigoths in 410AD. In the same year the Roman Emperor told the British that they would have to organise their own defence without assistance from Roman troops. Throughout much of Britain and Gaul, Roman administrators were expelled and the natives organised their own defence. Some Romans remained to fight the invaders. Britain was now an easy target and was attacked by Picts from the North and by Irish Celts in the West. In Eastern Britain German mercenaries were employed by the Romano-British leader Vortigen to help defend against invading groups. In return these mercenaries were given the chance to settle in Eastern Britain. However, these foreign mercenaries encouraged other members of their tribes to join in the plunder of Britain and settle in Celtic lands. The new migrants included the Saxons, Jutes and Angles. They formed their own kingdoms in what is now known as England.

In 455 and 493AD an Ostrogothic kingdom was established in Italy and Roman domination was at an end. The Byzantium Empire survived for another thousand years until the Turks captured Constantinople in 1453 AD. Map of the Roman Empire and Celtic Lands Romans You can also find all of this text within the map - 800BC The Celts controlled most of central Europe and by 700BC they also conquered the lands of Northern Spain. Over the next hundred years they expanded into the centre of Spain but lost their lands in the North of Spain. The Celts in central Europe become known as Gauls. The Celts may have begun to arrive in Britain around 480BC. They continued their settlement of Britain throughout this time. 410-390BC The Gauls expanded down through the lands, which the river Danube flows, and into the North of Italy. There they conquered the Etruscan people and they defeated the Romans and sacked Rome.

Question: Which country was called 'Albion' by the Romans?
Answer: England