Omoal, City

1638. Some yeares travels into divers parts of Asia and Afrique by Thomas Herbert.

OMOALL, (of old, Zarama I imagin) is thought to bee that Naborca or Naborea, where the Oracle of dreames was so much famoused. It is built under the North side of the imperious Mountaine Taurus; of such Grandeur, that three thousand Families inhabit in her, of severall countries and languages, Armenians, Georgeans, Hyrcans, Persians, Jewes, Curdies, and Muscovians, who make a Babel of seven tongues amongst them. The place is fruitfull, and blest in present prosperity and antick greatnesse, the ruines compleating the report of her being once Metropolis; the houses at this day are not builded in the meanest fashion, glorying above the rest, in an old but strong and stately Castle, second to none about her; which, besides the well composed Architecture (affoording no small pleasure to the eye) is observable in a deep trench fild with water, of good defence against the pilfering and rodomantadoes of the adjoyning Taurisians: commendable also in some sweet gardens usefull and delectable: within the Towne and neere the Castle, is a famous Mosque, honoured by foure hundred and foure and forty Princes and Prophets of that Kingdome intombed there, whose Sepulchers raise admiration in the beholders; that especially of Meer Agowmadeen is famous, to whose shrine are daily offered serious devotion. As I entred, I found twenty reverent and well apparelled Arabians in a round, close by the Princes Dormitory, with each an Arabic Alcoran before him; out of which, with great modesty and good musick they chanted a dolefull requiem to his ghost; in which they were so serious, that notwithstanding I came suddenly amongst them, and in such a habit as others admired, they sung on and in a Dorick sweetnesse continued till they had finisht that their Threnody; which ended, they arose and bad me heartily welcome, readily poynting out the rarities of their Temple. Thence, I went to the river side (over which upon a Bridge we rode the night before) hoping to shade my selfe (from outrageous Phaeton) under some Poplars there abounding; but quickly left the place againe: for 7 or eight beautious (but not bashful) Damosells (like so many Dorids) sprung suddenly out from the water, to admire my cloaths, never regarding they were naked; some my hat, my hayre others, other-some thought my spurres an antick. I wondred no lesse at their immodesty, and left them with a frowne, dictating their base carriage and my impatience. And till by inquiry I saw it came from a greedy novelty, I thought them Layesians: but it seem'd I erred; for when the men (such time as Phoebus mounts in his meridian) go to sleep, the women then enjoy the river and coole their heat, in both kinds too much abounding there. Their habit is only a smock of transparent lawne, wrought at hands, neck, and skirt, with an imbroydery of silk and gold; the men are cloathed like the other Hyrcanians. From Omoall we travelled to Larry-Iohn or Ioon; (I cannot tell if that Ionaca in Ptolomy) thirty miles thence; at which place the Kingdome of Hyrcania takes end and Mount Taurus, or Taur-achow beginning. Taurus (sayes Dion. Alexan.) Totius Orbis terrarum maximus, sic dictus quod instar Tauri elato capite incedit, &c. But Eustathius thus, Veteres omnia grandia & robusta Tauros vocavere, &c.