frequently by the Parthians; as being most ready to turn every way, and best to be commanded, as having its ductors, or commanders at each angle.
The Macedonian phalanx (a long time thought invincible,) consisted of a long square. For though they might be sixteen in rank and file, yet when they shut close, so that the sixth pike advanced before the first rank, though the number might be square, the figure was oblong, answerable unto the quincuncial quadrate of Curtius. According to this square, Thucydides delivers, the Athenians disposed their battle against the Lacedemonians, brickwise,[A 1] and by the same word the learned Gellius expoundeth the quadrate of Virgil, after the form of a brick or tile.[A 2]
And as the first station and position of trees, so was the first habitation of men, not in round cities, as of later foundation; for the form of Babylon the first city was square, and so shall also be the last, according to the description of the holy city in the Apocalypse. The famous pillars of Seth, before the flood, had also the like foundation,[A 3] if they were but antediluvian obelisks, and such as Cham and his Egyptian race imitated after the flood.
But Nineveh, which authors acknowledge to have exceeded Babylon, was of a longilateral figure,[A 4] ninety-five furlongs broad, and an hundred and fifty long, and so making about sixty miles in circuit, which is the measure of three days' journey, according unto military marches, or castrensial mansions. So that if Jonas entered at the narrower side, he found enough for one day's walk to attain the heart of the city, to make his proclamation. And if we imagine a city extending from Ware to London, the expression will be moderate of sixscore thousand infants, although we allow vacuities, fields, and intervals of habitation; as there needs must be when the monument of Ninus took up no less than ten furlongs.
And, though none of the seven wonders, yet a noble piece of antiquity, and made by a copy exceeding all the rest, had its
