Persia

Sources from old books

1615. The estates, empires, & principallities of the world by Pierre d'Avity.

A DISCOVRSE OF THE ESTATE OF THE SOPHI OF PERSIA

The Contents.

1. THe beginning of the Sophi of Persia, and of the planting and progresse of Mahomets [ C] law. 2. Scituation, limits, and confines of the realme of Persia. 3. Description of the prouinces contained in this State: and first of Media, diuided into the Higher, and Atropatia; and of their chiefe townes. 4. Of Assyria. 5. Susi•••, and the bounds. 6. Mesopotamia. 7. Panchaia, her bounds, and the royall towne of Siras. 8. P•rthia, and the principall townes. 9. Hircania, the limits, and scituation of the chiefe towne of Hyrean. 10 Margiana, and the limits. 11. Bactria, the bounds, and chiefe towne Bactra. 12. Paropamisse, and the limits. 13. Arta, and the principall riuers. 14. Of the prouince of •ra•giana, and the bounds. 15. Gedrosia. 16. Carmania, diuided into two, whereof the one is ••lled Desart: their b•gnesse, and chiefe townes. 17. A more moderne relation of the chiefest 〈◊〉, and which haue continued longest vnder the dominion of Persia. 18. Of the prouince now [ D] called Parc. 19. Of Hierak. 20. Of Kachon. 21. Aderbaion. 22. Gueylon. 23. Korason. 24. Ker•••, 25. Maurenahar. 26. Vzbek. 27. A description of the fertilitie of one part of the pro•••es of this realme, and the barrennesse and drought of the other part. 28. Aboundance in this countrie of Bitumen, and Naphte, Amomum, called by some Ethiopia Pepper, Cotton, Dates, 〈◊〉, Figges, Trees distilling Honie, Wine, bunches of Grapes two cubits long, pretious stones, E••r•lds, Iacinths, Chrisolites, Saphyrs blacke and yellow, Spiknard, Myrrhe, wild beasts, as Tygre•, Panthers, and Leopards. 29. The custome and manner of liuing of the ancient Persians, and f•st of the dwelling of their kings in mountaines, and what tribute they did raise of their people▪ 30. Of the celebration of their marriages; pluralit•e of wiues allowed: of the exercise and breeding of their youth, and the manner of their armes and apparell. 31. Ceremonies at their [ E] ••seq•ies; of their sacrifices, and the Deities which they did worship. 32. Of the valour of the anc•••t Parthians, and the simplicitie of their manners and apparell: their armes and kind of fighting: their ordinarie meat, and barbarous custome touching the burying of the dead, first to expose the bodies to dogges and birds, and then to burie the boanes. 33. Of the effeminat disposition of the Medians; their alliances made with effusion of bloud: their bread made of the meale of Almonds: and their drinke composed of roots. 34. Apparell of the auncient Assyrians, and their custome to carrie a Ring and a Scepter. 35. The law and custome of Assyria, to expose the fai•e•• virgins to sale, and to marrie the foulest with the money. 36. Another custome to set sicke persons in publique places, to receive councell and helpe from such as had beene troubled with the 〈◊〉 infirmities. 37. Of the annoynting of their dead bodies with honie, and of their funerals, like [ F] 〈◊〉 those of Aegypt. 38. Carnall coniunction of the Assyrian Ladies with strangers, in honour of the goddesse Venus. 39. Of the Mages, Assyrians, called Chaldeans, in like honour to the G•••osophistes, and Priests of Aegypt: what their doctrine was touching the Diuinitie; morall, and naturall things. 40. Custome of the Carmaniens to go to the warre, and to fight vpon Asses; and not to marrie, vntill they haue made a feast with some head of their enemies slaine in battaile. 41. People of sixtie yeares old in Margiana, knocked on the head by the custome of the countrie, [ A] and their bodies eaten by their kinsfolkes. 42. Ciuilitie, and courteous d•sposition of the moderne Persians, giuen to sciences, to traffique and to mechanique arts; courting Ladies, and sumptuous in their apparell, vsing at this present the Arabian tongue. 43. Their riches consisting in cloth of gold and silke, and also, in the traffique of pearles and pretious stones. 44. What the reuenues of this Persian Prince be. 45. What his forces, foot, and Persian discipline, and what number of horse he may draw to field. 46. What mightie enemies he confines with. 47. The gouernement of the realme of Persia, differing from that of the Turkes. 48. Of the foure principall sects of Mahomets religion, and which of the foure is followed by the Persians at this day. 49. Of the Iewes, and Christian Melchites, Nestorians, and Armenians, dwelling in Persia. [ B] 50. An abridgement of the Chronicle of the kings of Persia, according to the Historiographer Mirkond.

THe Sophies empire is at this day numbred among the mightiest monarchies of all the East; and although it were for a time supprest by the Sarrazins, and also by the Tartarians, who brought it verie low, and first vnder Chingis, then by Tamerlan, or Tamberlan; yet it hath recouered her auncient glorie almost in ourage, by the valour of Ismael. Sophie, of whose beginning it shall be fit to discourse in this place, for that it doth much import to the knowledge of the Estate of the realme of Persia.

[ I] You must therefore vnderstand, that Mahomet (the Authour of that cursed sect, which [ C] raignes at this day in so many places) hauing purchased great reputation among the Arabians, by his new doctrine, tooke to his second wife Aisse, daughter to one called Bubac, or Abubacer, a man of great authoritie, and exceeding rich; and through the fauour of this Bubac, and of Omar, and Ottomar, his kinsmen, he gathered together a great number of Arabians, and vnder colour of religion conquered many of the neighbour countries. In the meane time, he gaue in marriage to Ally, his cousin, his daughter Fatima, borne of his last wife, and dying, being sixtie three yeares old, he left him his Estate, and the superioritie of all his sect, with the name of Calise. But Bubac being discontented, that Mahomet (who had made himselfe great by his fauour) had preferred Ally before him, [ D] who was yet but a yong man; he expelled him out of this Estate, being assisted by Omar, and Ottomar, who desired rather to haue this than the other for Calise, for that he was of their bloud, his age also giuing them hope of a speedie succession, as it happened. Bubac had these two for his successours one after another; whereof Omar was slaine by a slaue, and Ottomar in a sedition; so as the charge of Calise returned to Ally, but he did not enioy it quietly, for that many, vnder colour that he had giuen consent to the death of Ottomar his maister, made war against him, and in the end slew him in the town of Cusa, which stands neere to the riuer of Euphrates beneath Bagder, and therefore it is called Massadall, that is to say, the house of Ally, for that he was interred there. After his death, they of Cusa declared Ocen, the sonne of Fatina, Calise, who was also deposed, and poysoned [ E] by Mauia, who made himselfe absolute Calife, and had for successour Iasil his son. Ocen left twelue sonnes, one of which was called Mahomet Mahadin, whom the Mahometans hold is not yet dead; so as they expect him, saying, that he shall come to conuert all the world: and for this cause, at Massadal, where (in their opinions) this conuersion should begin, there is alwaies a horse readie, which they bring vnto the Mosque with great solemnitie. By reason of the controuersies which Ally had with Bubac, Omar, Ottomar, and Mauia, there hath beene since great contentions, for that the Persians hold, that Ally was, by the testament of Mahomet, declared true Calife; and the Arabians fauour the three first. Matters being thus irresolute, about the yere 1369, the Mahometans, or Moores, finding themselues without a Calife (for these ended, in the yeare 1255, with [ F] Mustacen Mumbila, who was slaine by Allacu king of the Tartarians) there did rise in Persia one called Sophie, who said, that he was issued from the bloud of Ally, by his nephew Muse Cercin, who was one of the twelue sonnes of Ocen, in memorie of whom he changed the fashion of his turban, adding twelue points vnto it, and brought his sect into [ A] credit and reputation. He had for successor Guinne his sonne, and to him succeeded his sonne Aidar who married the daughter of Assembec a mightie prince in Assyria, and Persia, but newly established: but his sonne called Iacob Bec caused him to be slaine, fearing the credit and authoritie of Aidar; then he gaue the two sonnes of Aidar, the one called Ismaell, the other Solyman, to Amanzar his captaine, commaunding him to imprison them at Zalque or Zaligue, a strong castle seated in the mountaines; but Amanzar detesting the crueltie of his maister caused them to be bred vp in his own house with his children, and falling daungerously sicke, fearing least some disaster should come vnto them, he gaue them two hundred crowns and horses, aduising them to go vnto their mother. [ B] Ismaell the eldest being come vnto her house resolued presently to reueng his fathers death, and after some enterprises happily executed, he tooke vpon him the title of Protector of the deeds of Ally or Haly, from whom he descended: hauing made his Turban higher, he sent Embassadours to all the princes of the East, exhorting them to receiue his badge with his sect: by this meanes, and by the good successe of his enterprises he made himselfe fearefull to all the East: he slew Ocen, who termed himselfe king of Persia, with ten of his brethren, so as not any one remained but Morabec, who went to craue aid from Selim the first of that name, Emperour of the Turkes. He vanquished in battaile neere vnto the lake of Van or Vay, Sabacan king of the Tartarians of Zacatay, and meaning to pursue the victorie, and to passe the riuer of Abbian with his [ C] armie, he was diuerted by an Astrologian, to whom he gaue great credit, who told him that he saw good successe for his passage, but no such disposition for his returne. He left vnto his successor a powerfull Estate, which containes many great countries; all which did acknowledge him for soueraigne, although they were not immediatly vnder his crowne, as the realmes of Macram, Patani, Guadel, and Ormus which is now tributarie to the Portugals. The Georgians did also obey him, or at the least made war vnder him: but as this day the Sophi•s Empire hath not such large extended bounds, but is limited after this manner.

It lies betwixt the Turkes Empire, the Tartarians of Zatacay, the realme of Cambaya, [ II] the Caspian Sea, or that of Bachu, and the Persian Gulfe. So as vpon the East it is diuided from the Indies, and the realme of Cambaya by the desarts and mountaines; [ D] and confines vpon the North partly with the Tartarians neere vnto the riuer of Oxus or Abiam, and partly with the riuer of Bachu: vpon the West with the Turkes, neere vnto the riuer of Tygris, and the lake of Gioco: and on the South it hath for bounds the Persian Gulfe. This continent of countrie is very great, and comprehends about eight and thirtie degrees from East to West, for the most Easterlie Meridian is in the one hundred and twentieth degree, and the most Westerly passeth by the foure score and second degree of the Equator. It doth also containe about twentie degrees from South to North, that is to say, from the three and twentieth degree vnto the three and fortieth.

[ E] The realme of Persia containes the prouinces of Media, Assyria, Sufu, Mesopotamia, [ III] Persia, Parthia, Hircania, Margiana, Bactria, Paropamissa, Aria, Drangiana, Gedrofia, and Carmania: and although the Turke hath woon some of them, yet the Sophi hath at this day recouered the greatest part.

Media is at this day called Seruan, and confines vpon the East with Hircania, and Parthia: vpon the West, with high Armenia, and Assyria: towards the South with the particular prouince of Persia: and to the North, with the Caspian sea. This countrie was in former times the most powerfull of all Asia, and was diuided into high Media and Atropatia.

High Media containes at this day the countrie which is about the citie of Tau¦is, [ F] which some beleeue to be Ecbatane, at the least Ortelius and Minador are of this opinion: whereas Paulus Iouius holds that this should be Terua, and Niger Tigranoama, but falsely, according to the opinion of learned Migin. This towne is scituated at the foot of the mountaine of Oronte, and some eight daies iourney from the sea of Bacu: it is in circuit about sixteene miles, but not compassed about with any walls. [ A] There were in it about two hundred thousand inhabitants before that Amurath tooke it in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred eightie and fiue: but since it is much d•c•yed as some hold. This in former times was the royall seat of the Sophies, before that Tamas transported it to the towne of Tasbin, which is the last aboad of these kings, and lies more Southerlie than Tauris. There is also in high Media, the towne of Turcoman betwixt Tauris and Casbin, and the townes of Saru, Sultania, and Nassiuan, which according to the opinion of some is the auncient Nasuana, or Artaxata. There is also the towne of Ardouille, in the which haue raigned Guinet, Sederdin, and some other authors of the Sophies Sect. They doe also make some account of Marant at the end [ B] of Media, and Sancazin, a place neere vnto Tauris famous for the warre which hath beene betwixt Amurath Emperor of the Turkes, and the Sophi of Persia. And although that the Turkes haue held a part of this countrie somewhat long, yet may we well attribute it at this day to the king of Persia, for that he hath in a manner recouered all of late yeres from the Turke.

Atropatia is the most Northerly part of Media, neere to the sea of Bacu, and it is diuided from Armenia by the riuer of Canac: the chiefe towne is Sumaquie, and it is seated betwixt Derbent and Eree. There is also the townes of Sechi, which is vpon the frontires of Gurgestan; Iauat, on the confines of high Media; and Eres, the which in former times was famous by reason of the great store of silke which comes from [ C] thence.

[ IIII] Assyria (which Niger calls Adrise, Girana Azemie, Pinet Mosul, Mercator Sath, and Castaldus Arzerum, and some also giue it the name of Cussestan) lies betwixt high Armenia vpon the North, Mesopotamia on the West, Susiana vpon the South, there being mountaines betwixt them, and the countrie of Media vpon the East. It was in old time in reputation by reason of the Empire that was setled there, and of the citie of Niniue seated neere vnto the riuer of Tygris, the which was greater than Babilon. In former times it contained the prouinces of Arapad•it, Adiaben, & of Sittacen, which some at this day call Botan, Sarca, and Rabia.

[ V] Susiana, or the prouince of Suses, which Niger calls Chus, and Mercator Cusistan, [ D] hath for bounds vpon the North, Assyria: vpon the West, Babilon neere to the riuer of Tigris: on the East, a part of Persia: and to the South; the Persian gulfe. It hath taken this name of Susiana, of the famous citie of Suses, which Niger doth now call Chus, and some others Sustre: it is built vpon the riuer of Enele, which is now called Tirtir, and hath fifteene miles in circuit, being of a long forme.

[ VI] Mesopotamia, called in the Scripture Aram, or Charam, and at this day Diarbech, according to Mercator; but it is onely a part of Azemia, whereof Assyria makes the rest, as Belon affirmes: it is scituated betwixt the two famous riuers of Euphrates, and Tygris, and hath for bounds towards the North, High Armenia, neere to Mount Taurus; towards the West, Syria, joyning to the riuer of Euphrates; vpon the East, Assyria, diuided [ E] by Tygris; and vpon the South, Arabia the Desart. The chiefe townes are Orfe, which hath seuen miles in circuit, and is famous by the death of Crassus: Caramit, that is to say in the Turkish language, a Blacke towne, the which in old time was called Amida, and is in the countrie which they call Alech, and the chiefe of all Mesopotamia, the which was taken by Selim Emperour of the Turkes: Merdin, the seat of the Patriarch of the Caldeans: and Mosus, the seat of the Patriarch of the Nestorians, whose authoritie extends to Cataya, and the Indies.

[ VII] The particular prouince of Persia, was in old time called Panchaia, of the name of king Panch•e, afterwards the Grecians gaue it the name of Cephene, and then it tooke that of Persia, by reason of Persius who was transported out of Greece into Asia: but now it is [ F] called Frasi, or Frasistan according to Mercator, yet some hold it to be Azemia, & Cedren laies it in the countrie of Chorasan. It hath for bounds on the North, Media; to the West, Susiana; to the East, Caramania; & on the South, the Persian gulfe, which takes his name [ A] of this prouince, and runs along it for the space of six hundred thousand paces. The chiefe towne is Siras, which in old time was called Persepolis, as some affirme, or Cytopolis, according vnto others, and it was the aboad of the wife Kings of the East. At this day it is one of the beautifullest townes of the East, hauing twentie miles in circuit, comprehending the suburbs; it is seated vpon the riuer of Bindimir, and contains sixtie thousand houses.

Parthia, called at this day by Niger, Charassen, taking his name from the towne of [ VIII] Charas, but (according to Mercator) it is called Arach, or (by Alphonso Hadrian) Iex. It hath for confines vpon the East, the prouince of Aria; to the South, Carmania the [ B] Desart; vpon the West, the Medians; and to the North, Hircania. The chiefe townes are Castan, which is verie rich, Sembran, Teracan, Amadan, Imammadulasar, Malam, Massiat, Sasuar, Coran, Culbat, Cut, Ciem, Turbat, Tursis, and others. But the chiefe citie is Hispaham, which some say was the ancient Hecatompylis, & it is so great and so beautifull, as the Persians terme it halfe a World.

Hircania, is called by some Barbarians, as Niger affirmes, Girgiam, or Corcam, but he [ IX] saith, that it is called Mesandre towards the towns of Stranue, and Errit. Minado writes, that all Hircania is called Mesandre, but Erythreus cals it Hyrach. Maria Angiolesse giues it the name of Straue; and Mercator, of Diargument. The limits are vpon the West, Media; vpon the East, Margiana; to the South, Parthia, Mount Coron being in the middest; [ C] and the Sea of Bachu vpon the North. The chiefe towne of this prouince is called Hircan, the which is verie strong by scituation: the Scithians call it Charizat, as Pinet affirmes: the other townes are Bestan, Mesandran, and some others.

Margiana is called Tremigan by Pinet, and Niger holds that it is a part of Tartaria of [ X] Zacatay: but Castaldus, and some others, call it Ieselbas: It hath for bounds vpon the East, Bactria; to the West, Hircania; to the North, the riuer of Oxus; and vpon the South, a part of Aria. The chiefe citie of Margiana, is Antioch, to the which some at this day giue the name of Ind•oy. In this countrie they place the ma•shes of Oxiane, which they now call the lake of Barbacamber, or of Maru.

Bactria carries at this day the name of Batter, according to Ramusius: but Castaldus and [ XI] others call it Charassan; and Niger will haue it a part of Tartaria of Zacaray. It hath for [ D] bounds vpon the East and North, Sogdia, neere to the riuer of Oxus; and vpon the West, Margiania, joyning to the mountaines; and towards the South, the prouince of Aria, the mountaine of Paropamisse being in the middest. In old time there were goodly townes in this countrie, whereof some were built, and others ruined by Alexander. But the royall towne was Bactria, which tooke the name from a riuer which is at this day called Bochara, as Niger writes, and is yet the chiefe of the countrie, in which Auicenna the physition, and Zoroastes, were borne. Some others say, that Istigias is the chiefe towne of this prouince, the which is not all vnder the Sophies commaund.

The countrie of Paropamisse, so called for that it is fashoned like an Island, being watred [ XII] [ E] in a manner round about with riuers, is called Dache by Niger; but Minadoc giues it the name of Candahar; and others, of Sablestan. It hath for bounds towards the North, a part of Bactria, neere to the mountaine of Paropamisse; to the East, Aria; to the South, Aracosia; and towards the West, the Indies. Candahar is the chie•e towne of this countrie.

Aria (to the which Niger giues the same name, and others, that of Eri) is called by [ XIII] Castaldus, Corsan; and by Mercator, Se•nere, lies betwixt Margiana, and •actria, vpon the North; on the West it hath Parthia, and Carmania the Desart; vpon the South, Drangiana; and to the East, the countrie of Paropamisse. There are in this countrie three principall riuers, Aria, Tonelet, and Arapen. There is also the marish of A•en, [ F] called at this day the lake of Burg•an. The chiefe towne is Eri, the which hath in circuit 13000 paces.

The Prouince of Drangiana is now called Sigestan, according to Mercator, and many [ XIIII] others; but Niger saith, that Aracosia, with Drangiana, is called Sigestan: Some say, that they call this the realme of Cabul, the which is vpon the frontier of the Sophies kingdome towards the West, and that it hath a particular king, which is a Mahometan. The [ A] bounds are vpon the North and West, Aria, vnder the mountaine of Bagoe; towards the South, a part of Gedrosia; and to the East, Aracosia. This prouince is diuided by the riuer of Drangie, which the new makers of maps call Ilment: this countrie is so inclosed with mountaines, as the riuer doth scarce find any passage.

[ XV] Gedrosia carries at this day the name of Charman, as Niger affirmes, and Circan, according to Castaldus: Mercator calls it Gest; and Giraua, and Molet, giue it the name of Guzarate: but it is most certaine, that Guzarate is the realme of Camboye. It hath for limits towards the North, Drangiana, and Aracosia; vpon the West, Carmania; and towards the East, a part of the Indies, or the realme of Camboye; and vpon the South, the [ B] Indian Sea.

[ XVI] Carmania, at this Charman, is diuided into two, according vnto Ptolome; one part is called Desart; and the other is comprehended vnder the sole name of Carmania; and it is termed by some others the High countrie: Some doe at this day call it Dulcinde, or Carmania the Desart, in which there are no townes, but onely some few scattered villages. The limits are vpon the North, Parthia; to the West, a part of the prouince of Persia; towards the South, the other Carmania; and towards the East, Aria.

The other Carmania lies betwixt Gedrosia the Desart, a part of Persia, and the Indian Sea, and is called High or Great, to distinguish it from the Desart. All this prouince extends it selfe neere vnto the Sea two hundred leagues; but there is not any good port, [ C] nor safe comming for ships, by reason of the rockes and sands. The chiefe citie of the countrie is Chirman. Some at this day diuide Carmania into two parts, whereof the one is called Dulcinde, which lies most Eastward, vpon the frontiers of Camboye, and containes the realmes of Macran, Eracan, Guadel, and Patan, which were in old time tributaries to the kings of Persia, and all this countrie is ill inhabited. The other part of Carmania lies more Westerly, the which hath more commodious Ports, and many townes.

Thus I haue succinctly set downe what I could find among Authors, and the relations of some that haue trauelled those countries: but it seemes that Teixiere (of whom we shal hereafter speake more particularly) hath distinguished it better, calling euerie thing by [ D] his proper name, whereby they may more plainely obserue the places where the most famous actions haue past, the which shall be seene in the Summarie of the Historie following this small relation: for as he was verie curious to obserue any thing that was rare where he past, so did he studie to haue a perfect knowledge of the affaires and scituation of this realme, hauing a dessigne one day to write an Abridgement of the Historie, as he hath done. He therefore entitles this pettie discourse which he hath written vpon this subiect:

¶ A briefe relation of the chiefe Prouinces, and which haue continued [ E] longest vnder the Pesians commaund.

[ XVII] PErsia (saith he) which they that are borne in the countrie call Parc or Agem, whereupon the inhabitants are commonly called Pary or Agemy, being one of the greatest monarchies, and the most famous and best peopled in the world, cannot be discouered, nor haue any certaine bounds giuen vnto it, for the varietie that is found in that kings dominions, the realmes and prouinces whereof haue bin sometime verie great, and sometimes of a small extention, whereof I will briefely set downe those which haue longest continued vnder that gouernment, and which haue changed least, and of the principall [ F] people in like manner, to serue as a light to that which hath beene written, leauing the scituation to the professors of Cosmographie.

[ XVIII] Parc. This prouince is none of the greatest of the realme, hauing the great and noble towne of Seyraz for the chiefe: it abounds in Corne, Flesh, and Fruits, [ A] hauing great store of rose water and cordouan skins, of which things they make great trafficke with all the realmes subiect vnto Persia: they doe also make certaine stuffes of the silke that growes thereabouts. That which next vnto it, is of most reputation, is the towne of Lar or Lara, as the Portugals call it, of which the Laris haue take their name, it is a kind of coyne made of very fine siluer, the which is well knowne and very currant throughout all the Estate. This is the head of a realm, whereas they make the best bowes for shooting that are in all Persia. In this towne in the moneth of September in the yere 1593, there was so great an earthquake, as besides one thousand and two hundred houses that were ouerthrowne, the greatest part of the walls were ruined, with many cesterns, [ B] (for they haue no other water in those parts but that which comes from the raine) and it slew three thousand persons. There is also in this prouince of P•rc, Tarom, Iaharom, Kazron, and Lastam, which beares the Ingo (which is the Assase•ida) S•ahabanon, the inhabitants whereof are all bald: Nereij, whose lands abound in ve•nes of yron, and fine azure: they do make exceeding good armes there, and other curious things. Paçah, and Daraguerd famous by reason of their fruits both greene and drie, whereof they haue aboundance, and of rose water. Besides these there are also diuers others which are of lesse esteeme.

Hienak, it is another prouince of Persia, great and important, the which hath for [ XIX] her metropolitan, Lusphaon, a citie well peopled, which was somtimes the seat of the [ C] kings of Persia. There is great trafficke, being well f•r•ished of all things necessarie. The places and townes of most note in this prouince are, Yazd, the which is famous, not for the greatnesse, but for that it is very pleasant and delightfull, and for the rich Persian tapistrie that is made there, being the best in the world. There is also store of silke, and excellent rose-water.

Kachon is famous for the great aboundance of silkes of all sorts which they haue [ XX] there. The soile is very fertile in all kinds of fruits, among which they make great account of the quinces of Kachon, as very excellent. There is also Kom, Saoah, Kazuin a famous citie, being at this present the court of the kings of Persia since the last losse of Tabris, Amedon, Nuhaoand, Iargazin, Damaoand, Taharon, Rey Charear, whereas [ D] they gather great store of Manna, but none of the purest; and many other places of lesse reputation.

Aderbajon, or Azarbajon As for this prouince it is very great, the chiefe citie whereof [ XXI] is that famous Tabr•s the court of the kings of Persia, before it fell into the Turkes power: they find in it aboundance of many rare things, being moreouer very well furnished with all things necessarie. It hath great trafficke with Russia, Polonia, Muscouia, Circassia, Gurgestam, and with all the prouinces of Persia▪ •t yeelds siluer in some places, store of alume, and madder or woad, which the inhabitants call Calang•s There is also in this prouince, Seyrnan, Nakthoan, Hordobat, Ardauel or Hardeuil, H•lkhan, and many others.

[ E] Gueylon or Guylan. This other prouince is vnder the power of the Persian, and is of [ XXII] a great extension, containing many large and rich countries: it doth coast along the Caspian sea, which hath taken her name of this prouince; for the Persians call it Duriah Gueyluny, that is to say, the sea of Gueylon: it is diuided to fiue gouernments, the chiefe cities whereof are Rach, Laion, Gaechkar, Langar, Kanou, Kudam; and as for Gueylon they do commonly call it Eudsafe•, that is to say, white India, by reason that the land is pleasant and fertile: it confines with Musco•i•, which the Persians call Moseuu.

These townes following are vpon the shoare, and neere vnto the Caspian sea.

Mazandaron, Strabat, Bos•am, Sabzabah, Nichabur (whence the Turkes are come) and others, all which in old time were the heads of realmes and prouinces, but now [ F] they are reduced vnder the priuat gouernments of Persia: all which cities are very well peopled.

Karason. The Portugals doe commonly call it Corasou, it is another prouince subiect [ XXIII] to the realme of Persia, in the which there is much people and many townes of great reputation: the first is Meched, a great and populous towne, in the which the kings of Persia, and since Sehaeh Ismaell Sophi, haue been buried. There is also the towne of Thun, [ A] which abounds with fine silke: Tabas which is very well peopled: Kahera fertile in safron: Hrey whereas they gather good store of excellent Manna, the walls of which town are bathed with the fresh riuer of Habra: Maruuo, Herat, and others in great number. They draw out of this prouince great store of Persian tapistrie, of assafedita, and other things, and it abounds in all things necessarie for the life of man: it was alwaies subiect to the kings of Persia, but part of it is now vnder the commaund of the Vsbeques, who seeing the Persians busie in war against the Turkes, entered the countrie, and seased vpon many places in this prouince.

[ XXIIII] Kermon. This prouince lies betwixt Persia and Karason, the chiefe whereof is called [ B] by the same name: it is populous, but not very auncient: it yeelds store of rosewater, Persian tapistries, and tutia, which is good against wormes.

There are also many other prouinces in Persia.

Sagistam, Tubarstam, Kable•tam, Nim, Ruz, Sphahar, Sistam, Curdestum, Lorestam, and many others which are not so famous, the which to auoid tediousnesse are not here mentioned.

The whole countrie of Persia, or at the least the greatest part is very well furnished with wheat, flesh, and fruits both greene and drie, as well such as we haue in Europe, as others, the which are sold good cheape: the people are white and faire, and of a gentle disposition, and their garments are in a manner like to the Turkes. They follow the sect [ C] of Morth Aly, which differs in some articles from that of Mahomet. They fight for the most part on horsebacke with a lance and target, bowes and arrowes, a sword or cimeter, shirts of meale, and battaile axes. They are strong in warre, and endure much. The Persians are all giuen to the reading of bookes, whereof they make great account. They applie themselues much to poesie, wherein there haue beene very excellent men, who haue left good workes. They are of an amorous complexion, and haue the knowledge of all speculatiue arts and sciences, and the professors thereof handle them with much curiositie and subtiltie: their common law containes no more volumes but that of the sect whereof they make profession, committing the administration of justice to men of reputation. The men are very jealous, and the women not very chast. To conclude, [ D] Persia is one of the nearest monarchies of the world, and is not to be esteemed among the least.

There comes commonly from all the parts of Persia to Harmus or Ormus, great Carauans to trafficke with the Portugals, and with many Christians, Gentiles, and Moores which remaine there, to whom they vent their commodities, that is to say, gold, siluer, silkes both raw and wrought, sattin stript with gold, Persian tapistries, horses, woad, alume, rhubarbe, rosewater, & diuers other merchandise; and in exchange they take garments and fine caps, cloues, sinamon, agnus castus, cardamome, ginger, mace, nutmegs, sugar, tinne, sandall, brasell wood, pourcelaine of China, muske, amber, the wood of alloes, fine stones, seed pearle, indico, (a colour which they vse in steed of woad) azure, [ E] and many other things. The Persians haue not any nauigation but that of the Caspian sea, and some which go vnto the Indies make their voiage by Ormus in Portugal ships, or in others with their permission.

All the inhabitants of Persia are Moores Chyays, who make the better part, or Pagans Gaoryazdie, which worship the fire, who although they be many in number, yet are they few in regard of the rest. There are some Iewes which liue in their libertie throughout all the prouinces of Persia, of which there are eight or ten families. There are also good numbers of Christians, Armenians, and Nestorians.

[ XXV] Maurenahar. So they call the countrie which is beyond the riuer of Gerum which diuides it from Karason, in which are Korrazin, and Gazuetien, then followes Turquestam, [ F] Vsbek, Tatur, Ketao, Kotan, and others almost without number, the which are both rich and warlike.

[ XXVI] Vsbek: this is a verie great prouince, and hath been alwaies subiect to Persia, but now it is not onely seperated, but also makes warre against it, and hath v•••ped some of

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[ A] the lands that were subiect vnto it. This prouince is verie great, and containes many people, and cities of reputation. The Metropolitan is Balk, there is also Samarkand, the countrie of Teymurlangh, Damarkand, Bokara, the countrie of Boaly or Auicenne, Kachghar, Achkhar, from whence comes the good Rhubarbe, and many other things.

The inhabitants are warlike, they fight on horsebacke, with bows and arrowes, a lance, sword, target, and shirt of male, alwayes flying; yet they haue much increased their commaund in our daies, amongst others, they haue conquered the realme of Kandar, the king whereof, some fiftie yeares since, seeking to fortifie himselfe, made himselfe vassall to the [ B] great Mogor, who although he be verie powerfull, yet could he not restore him to his realme. The Vsbekes haue no king that comes to the crowne by inheritance, but whenas their commander dies, they chuse another. These people are well limmed, and strong, and they speake in the nose like vnto the Chinois, whom they resemble much in their actions and pronunciation. This is all that Teixiere reports, which serues as an introduction to his Historie, speaking of all these people, and the names being changed, and agreeing not with the auncient, the Reader may be much troubled in reading this discourse, especially whenas the affaires of Persia were in their greatest confusion.

¶ The Qualitie.

[ C] IN this long tract of countrie they find great difference touching the qualitie of the [ XXVII] soyle, for that in some places it is exceeding fertile, as neere vnto the Persian gulfe, by reason of the many riuers that doe water it, and in like manner towards the Caspian sea, as well for the commoditie of riuers, as also for that the aire is more temperat, and the winds coole. The rest is subiect to drought, and vnfurnished with waters, and there are many desarts, and rough mountaines. Moreouer, there is not any common riuer, neither are they verie nauigable, yet the countrie abounds in mettals and stones. But we must examine all the parts of this empire, and consider the qualitie of euerie prouince.

As for the countrie of Media, it is for the most part hillie, and cold, especially towards [ D] the North, by reason whereof there grows little corne, and they haue scarce any thing but fruit trees, and wild beasts; for corne growes but slowly, and they feed no tame cattell: but that part which lies towards the South, abounds in wheat, wine, and tame beasts. High Media enioyes a good aire neere to Tauris, although the winds blow hard, and it be somewhat cold. The soyle about this towne is fertile in all things. As for Atropatia, it is verie fertile, by reason of the riuers of Araxe, and of Cire, which water it: and in old time there was great store of silkes.

Assyria is a plaine countrie, abounding in riuers, and exceeding fertile. As for Susiana, towards the Persian gulfe, it is verie Moorish: it is exceeding hot, by reason of certaine high mountaines which lie vpon the North part, and keepe away those winds. It [ XXVIII] [ E] yeelds store of wheat, and aboundance of barley, yet there are some places full of Bitumen, whereas plants grow difficultly, and the waters fauour of Bitumen, and ingender a paine in the bowels; by reason whereof the men liue little. There is also store of Naphte, which they digge neere to the towne of Suse. In this countrie they haue many dangerous serpents, the which doe much harme to men.

Mesopotamia is wonderfull fertile in some parts, and fit for the breeding of cattel; but in some others it is subiect to such heat, as many beasts cannot endure it by reason of the extremitie. There are few fountaines in these places, and the inhabitants are so subtile and malitious as they hide them. It is ba• trauelling in winter in this countrie, by reason of the myre, out of which a man can hardly draw his feet. There are also in this prouince [ F] great desarts, and many places of great circuit, whereas they find nothing but sand, without any fruit: yet the gather Amomum there, which is a sweet smelling drug. There is also store of Naphte, or liquid Bitumen. The soyle about the towne of Caramic is blacke, and exceeding fertile: and that of the towne of Merdin, doth abound in cotton.

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As for the prouince of Persia, it is of diuers qualities; for that the most Northerly [ A] part, is hillie and cold, and not fit for fruits. They find Emeralds, but they are not verie cleere. The middle part of this countrie is plaine, and furnished with many riuers and lakes, and yeelds aboundance of all things. But that part which lies neere to the South, and bends towards the Persian gulfe, is hot, windie, and moorish, and beares no fruit, but Dates of Palme trees.

In regard of Parthia, it is full of woods, and enuironed with verie high mountaines, and although it be subiect to great heat, yet it beares all things, especially great trees, but it hath no Oliues. It is watred by a great number of streames.

Hircania is plaine and fertile; for it yeelds aboundance of wheat, wine, figges, and [ B] fruits, and it doth beare trees, from which doth distill honie, and they make much silke, That part which lies towards the North, is full of great forest, where there are many great Oakes, Pines, and Firre trees; and there is great store of wild beasts, as Tygres, Panthers, and Leopards: but that part which lies neere to the Sea of Bachu, is alwaies full of grasse and flowers, by reason of the humiditie of the fresh water which comes out of the rockes.

Margiana is for the most part desart, and full of sand, except that part which is watred by the riuers of Marge, and Aria, for there it is exceeding fertile. The desart part is now called the Desart of Bigul: but that which is manured, was sometime called the Margien field, being in circuit one hundred and ninetie thousand paces. Antiochus Sother (as Niger [ C] affirmes) did enuiron it with a wall: but they draw many stockes of vines from this place, the which are so great, as sometimes two men cannot fadome them. These stocks do sometimes carrie bunches of grapes two cubits long, and the nature of the soyle, and the aire of this place is such, as there are no vines to be seene in any other place, and that which is more admirable, this countries is of all sides enuironed with mountaines, and in a manner all sand.

Bactria is of diuers natures, for that some part is manured, and another part desart. That part which is manured, lies neere to the riuer of Oxe, and brings forth wheat, and such like things. There is reasonable good pasture, and many waters, and it beares in a manner all kind of trees, except Oliues. As for the desart part, there is nothing to be [ D] seene but sand, and trauellers passe, as in a Sea, gouerning themselues by the Starres, for that most commonly there is no tract, by reason of the motion of the sand, especially when a Westerly wind blowes, the which doth so stir vp the sand, as trauellers are sometimes couered therewith, and die. Moreouer, this countrie yeelds mettals, and some pretious stones, as Emeralds, Iacynthes, and Chry•olites, and it is watred by many riuers, all which falls into Oxis.

The prouince of Aria is subiect to great heat, and enuironed with desarts, forrests, and mountaines: yet there are some Champian fields which beare fruits, neere vnto the mountaines, which defend them from the heat of the Sunne. In these fields (besides other fruits) there growes good wine, which will last ninetie yeares. They gather also a [ E] drugge like vnto Myrrhe, and they find blacke Saphirs, and some inclining to yellow.

Gedrosia is for the most part desart, and full of sand. It hath great want of water, notwithstanding that it hath raine in Sommer, and it is subiect to the heat of the Sunne, by reason whereof it is barren, yet it yeelds Nard and Myrrhe.

Caramania, the Desart, is also barren, and subiect to great heat, and as for the higher, the maritime parts are desart, and without trees, onely they find some Palme trees, and bushes: but the middest of the countrie is reasonable good, and beares much fruit, and good wine.

¶ The Manners of the Auncients. [ F]

[ XXIX] THe Persian kings caused their palaces to be built vpon mountaines, whereas they kept their treasure, and the money which they leuied of their subiects for taxes and tributes, as a testimonie of their sparing, and good husbandrie. They did exact their cust•mes,

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[ A] tributs, and •olles diue•sly, taking siluer for the trafficke that was made by sea, but for that which past by land they contented themselues with those things whereof the countrie did yeeld aboundance, as wooll, drugs, and such like, yea and cattell. How great soeuer the king were among the Persians, yet du•st he not put any man to death if he had committed but one simple crime, and no Persian migh vse any seueritie against his houshould seruant. Euery man married many wiues to haue issue, and yet it was lawfull for them to haue a great number of concubines. So the kings propounded a price, or recompence [ XXX] to them that could get most children in one yere, the which being borne were neuer represented vnto their fathers vntill they were fiue yeares old; for the law of that [ B] countrie would that they should be bred vp delicatly during that time in the companie of women: the reason whereof was, that if during that time any child should die, the fa•her hauing neuer seene it should not be so much grieued. They did celebrat their marri•ges in the Spring about the Equinoctiall. The first night the husband did not eat any •hing at supper but an apple, or some little of the marrow of a cammell, and then went •nd laie by his wife.

The youth of Persia from the fift yeare of their age vnto foure and twentieth did •earne to ride, vaut, and cast a dart and shoot, but aboue all things, to speake truely. For •he young men had for their maisters and gouernors the wisest, and most vertuous, so•er, and continent men that might be chosen, who taught them, and read vnto them histories, [ C] and honest moralls, the praises of the gods, and songs which contained the deeds of famous and valiant men, sometime singing them, and sometimes reciting them as a lesson. Children gathered together to heare this by the sound of a little bell, in a place appointed to that end, and there they required an account of that which the children had heard: they made them very nimble in running, chusing some infant of a great house for their captaine, and the field wherein they did run must containe at the least thirtie stades, whereof euery one is one hundred twentie and fiue paces. And to harden them against heat and cold, they did practise them to swim ouer torrents, and violent streames, labouring continually without intermission, and being carefull to keepe their garments very cleane, and their armes without rust. Their daintiest fruits were the grages of Terebinthe, [ D] which is the tree that carrieth rosen, and acorns, and wild apples, and their ordinarie meat, hauing run, sweat, and laboured in their long exercise, was very hard bread, and of a bad tast, garden cressis, with a graine of salt flesh, either boiled or roasted, and cleere water for their drinke.

Whenas they went a hunting, they followed their prey on horsebacke with darts, and well steeled iauelins, and many arrowes, and they vsed to cast stones with slings. Their ordinarie exercise before noone was to plant and graft trees, to pull vp roots, and to busie themselues in their gardens, and to manure their grounds, or to forge, temper, and trim their armes; and others busied themselues to weaue cloth, or to make nets for hunting and fishing. Their children are richly decked, and bred vp so delicatly during their infancie, [ E] as it was not lawfull to carrie them forth a hunting.

They had a certaine stone called Pyrope of great estimation among them, the which they would not suffer to touch a dead bodie for anything, so much they did esteeme it, and they did not carrie fire vnto funeralls, to the end it should not seeme they did sleightly regard him, whom they had in so great reuerence. From the age of twentie vnto fiftie they followed armes not knowing what it was to plead, or to trade in merchandise. They vsed little bucklers made like a Lozenge, & besides a bow and quiuer, they carried a •word and a dagger going to war, & a pointed bonnet; they had vpon their breast a corslet made of scales very strongly. The princes did weare breeches and a ierkin with sleeues comming to their knees and lined with white, and on the out side it was painted, or died of [ F] diuers colours. In Sommer they went attired in purple, and in Winter diuersly, according to their owne fancies. The people did weare a double habit, which came vnto the middest of their thighes, and vpon their heads a great wreath of linnen cloth, almost like vnto their turbans at this day. Their beds and cups to drinke in were inricht with gold. They consulted of their affaires fasting; but they neuer resolued before the had drunke

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freely, thinking that matters were better debated whenas the stomach and braine were [ A] a little heat with wine, and that fasting made them faint, and without force.

They that were of acquaintance, and equall in fortune, age, and greatnesse, embraced when they met, and kissed one anothers mouth. They that were somewhat inferiour vnto them, they kissed them vpon the cheeke: but such as were of base condition passing before any man of account, they made him a great reuerence. They buried the bodies of [ XXXI] the deceased being annointed with wax, except them of their Mages, whom they left without buriall to be deuoured of dogs. They had a beastly and villanous custome from all antiquitie, for the sonnes to haue the companie and to lie with their owne mothers. They held it a great offence to spit before their kings, and they said that the Grecians [ B] were detestable, for that they maintained the gods were come from men. They held it a base thing to be indebted, but aboue all things to speake an vntruth. They did allow fathers which fell into want, to ease and releeue themselues by prostituting and abandoning their daughters.

They did hold that the heauen was Iupiter, and they did worship the Sunne, which was called Mithra according vnto some, aboue any other Deitie: they did also worship the Moone, Venus, Fire, Earth, Water, and Wine: but they vsed no Statue nor Altar, neither had they any temple, but did sacrifice vpon some hill or high place, to the end that euery man might see it, and that the thing might be neerer to heauen. They brought the beast that was sacrificed to the Altar, hauing a crowne, but with many curles, which being cut in peeces (the priest doing that office) euery man carried his part vnto his house, reseruing [ C] nothing for their gods; for that their opinion was, that the gods required only the soule of the thing sacrificed: yet some among them were accustomed to burne the bowells, according to the manner of the Grecians and other nations in their sacrifices.

Whenas they did sacrifice to the fire, it was of drie wood taking away the barke, and casting vpon it fat that is neerest to the bone, and then pouring oyle thereon. They did neuer blow the fire with their mouthes, but with a fan; and if any one did presume to blow, or to cast any dead carcase or beastly thing into it, they did put him to death without remission.

There was not any one among them that did wash himselfe in a riuer, nor pisse in it, or [ D] cast any dead thing into it; yea it was forbidden to spit into a riuer. Finally they did honour water after this manner: whenas they came neere vnto any lake, riuer, or fountaine, they made a pit in which they did cut the throat of the beast that was to be sacrificed, hauing a care that the bloud should not run to the neere water, which would haue polluted all that ceremonie; and the flesh of the beast thus slain, was laid by the priest vpon myrrhe and baies, and burnt with small piles of wood, vsing certaine imprecations and cursings, during the which they did mingle milke, honie, and oyle, with their sacrifice. These cursings were not against the water or fire, but rather against the earth, and they continued them a good space, holding in the meane time a bundle of small rods of myrrhe. He that disobeyed the king, his head and armes beeing cut off, was left in the fields and depriued [ E] of buriall.

As for the Parthians who haue beene held to be very valiant before that wealth made [ XXXII] them proud, they went very grossely attired, and had a habit particular to their nation: but being growne powerfull, their garments were rich and full of gold and precious stones, or exceeding white, wherein they did imitat the superfluitie of the Medians.

As for martiall discipline, their souldiers and men at armes were no men of a free condition, but chosen from among their slaues, and therfore it was not lawfull for any one to make free a bondman, so as the number increased daily, and their forces became greater. They kept them carefully, and bred them vp like to their owne children, teaching them to shoot, and to manage horses, to the end they might serue in war; so as the king marching [ F] to war was alwaies powerfull in horses readie for all euents. Whenas the king of Persia tooke armes against Marc Anthonie, among fiftie thousand horse which he had in his armie, there were not aboue eight hundred of free condition, all the rest being slaues. They knew not how to fight hand to hand, nor in a ioined battaile, and much lesse how

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[ A] to force a towne by assault. Their manner of fighting was to run their horses at randon, or in flying, and sometimes dissembling their flight, to the end they might fall vpon their enemies if they were in disorder: they vsed no trumpets like vnto our Cauallerie, but drums, as our footmen doe,

In old time, this people did so little esteeme gold and siluer, as they did not vse it, but for the ornament of their armes. As for their priuat kind of liuing, they were verie subiect to their pleasures; wherefore pluralitie of wiues was allowed among them, but they were so jealous of their reputations, as onely death did purge the fault of adulterie. And to the end they might not fall into such inconueniences, the husbands neuer suffered [ B] their wiues (I will not say to come to feasts, among men) but in their presence. Some haue written that the Parthians which could haue no issue, brought their wiues to such as they held to be their good friends, to the end they might haue children by their meanes.

They liued onely of beasts which they tooke by hunting, and they did traffique, and parle together on horsebacke. The difference of estates and conditions among the Parthians in old time was remarkable in this, that gentlemen and free merchants went vp and downe the countrie on horsebacke, and slaues on foot like vnto Lackeis. The dead were not much honoured among them; for that their bodies were left vpon the ground to feed dogges and birds, and whenas they had eaten all the flesh, they buried their bones [ C] carefully.

They were deuout, and giuen to the seruice of their gods, but proud, seditious, cunning, deceitfull, and wilfull; holding that crueltie and violence was a vertue in men, and mildnesse and courtesie in women: wherefore they were neuer at rest, but either they made warre among themselues, or did infest their neighbours. They were verie secret in their affaires, and of few words, and if they did obey their kings and magistrats, it was rather for feare of punishment than for any inclination they had thereunto.

The Medians haue alwaies beene held to be soft and effeminat, but they were good [ XXXIII] horsemen, and expert in shooting, and they did beare great honour vnto their princes. They did weare a Tyare or round Bonnet like a Turban, and robes with sleeues. The [ D] kings of this nation had a priuiledge to haue many wiues, but in the end euerie man vsurped the like libertie; there was onely this difference, that the king might marrie as many as he pleased, whereas others might haue but seuen: And the women also hold it a great shame if any one of them were contented with one husband, and they thought that it caused barrennesse, if at the least euerie woman had not aboue foure for her recreation.

This people made alliances in imitation of the Greekes, & they did sometimes wound themselues in their armes and shoulders, from whence came aboundance of bloud, for a testimonie and assurance of the faith which they had sworne. And for that vpon the most Northerly part of this countrie it is barren, they dried Almonds whereof they made [ E] meale and bread for their nourishment, adding Apples thereunto, the which they did knead, making lampes thereof for their vse. Their drinke was made of certaine roots, and they did eat the flesh of wild beasts, little esteeming those that were tame.

The Assyrians in old time did weare two robes, whereof the one was long, comming [ X] downe to their heeles, and another short vpon it; both which were of linnen cloth, and vpon them they had a robe that was exceeding white, wearing shoes like vnto the Thebans. They let their haire grow, and did weare high pointed caps like vnto the myters of the auncient Persians, and they neuer went out of their houses, but they were perfumed with muske. Euerie one of them had a ring whcih serued him for a seale, and he carried a Scepter in his hand, vpon the which was drawne a flower, or some fruit, or such like; for [ F] it was held an vnseemely thing among them to come forth in publique, without a Scepter, and some figure to adorne it.

As for the laws which the people vsed, one was, that virgins which were apt to be maried [ XX] should be brought euerie yeare to the Market-place, and set publiquely to sale to them that would marrie them, and first of all they brought forth the fairest, to see who

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would giue most. But such as were not so commendable for their beautie as they might [ A] inuite men to giue money for them, or those that were so foule, as no man would receiue them, although they might haue them for nothing, were married with the mony which had beene giuen for the faire. Herodotus holds, that the ancient Venetians which liued vpon the coast of Illitia vsed the like custome.

[ XXXVI] It was also ordained, that whenas any one fell sicke, he should demand councell of him that had beene troubled with the like infirmitie, and should endeuour to follow the order which the other had obserued for the recouerie of his health: and this was practised in the beginning, when they had no knowledge of physitians. Some others write, that they carried their sicke persons to the Market-place, and that the law commanded that all [ B] they that had beene sicke of the like disease, should come vnto the patient to tell him by what meanes they had recouered their health.

[ XXXVII] The bodies of their dead were annointed with honie, and their obsequies and funerals were performed after the same manner as among the Aegyptians. The men of Assyria being in bed with their wiues, they durst not touch one another before they had washed themselues with cleane water.

[ XXXVIII] The auncient custome of some ladies of Assyria, was to haue the carnall knowledge of some stranger, in honour of the goddesse Venus: and whenas they would doe it, they went to the Temples of this goddesse in a great troupe, with crownes vpon their heads, & richly apparelled, to present themselues, and to seeme more pleasing vnto men. Euerie stranger that would enioy any one, beheld her that liked him best, then he layed vpon [ C] her knees what summe of money he thought good; and she was bound to follow him a little from the Temple, whereas they had carnal knowledge one of another, and the price of this impudicitie and vncleannesse was imployed for the seruice of the Temple. There were among the Assyrians certain houses and families that liued only of fish, which they dried in the Sun, and beat in a morter, and of this meale being kept they made cakes, which they vsed as bread.

[ XXXIX] There were in Assyria, Mages or wisemen, surnamed Chaldeans, who were in estimation like vnto the Priests and Diuines of Aegypt, hauing the charge of sacred things, of Temples, and sacrifices, spending their whole liues in the studie and contemplation of [ D] Phylosophie, and practising the knowledge of the stars, to vnderstand by the course thereof the euents of things below, seeking to profit all men, and to free them from dangers and discommodities, and giuing in a maner a certaine reason for any thing.

These wise men (Chaldeans) went not out of their owne countrie to studie these sciences, like vnto the Grecians; but euerie man learned them from his parents, holding them from them as by succession, and the children were instructed in their houses, to the end that by this ordinarie care they might profit the better. Their knowledge was not ground•d vpon doubts & opinions like vnto that of the Grecians, but they did persist constantly in those things which they had once learned, whereas the others had diuers opinions touching the principles and causes of euerie thing. The Chaldeans held it for truth and [ E] certaine, that the world had not beene created; and they did maintaine, that it was without beginning, and should neuer end: that the disposition of the Vniuerse was gouerned by the diuine prouidence: that coelestial bodies did not moue of themselues, nor yet by hazard and accident; but that there was some diuine vertue which did moue them, and caused their influence. They did attribute great force to planets, & namely to that which the Astrologians call Saturne; and they hold that the Sun was the most pleasing planet, giuing it more power than the rest: yet in their diuinations, they depended more vpon the aspects of Mars, Venus, Mercurie, and Iupiter, for that those (as hauing a course which is propper vnto them) gaue knowledge of future things, as if they had beene messengers and interpreters of the will of the gods. These Chaldeans did also foretell what [ F] should happen by the blowing of the winds, the force of raine, the heat of Sommer, the apparition of comets, ecclipse of Sun and Moone, and by earthquakes, and such like. Moreouer, they did imagine that there were other stars subiect vnto the first, saying that some went wandring, and had their course by our H•misphere, and the others went to

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[ A] visit the rest of the Globe vnderneath vs.

They did faine twelue principall gods, to either of which they gaue a place in the Zodiake, and assigned him a moneth. Out of the Zodiake they did number foure and twentie starres, whereof there were tw•lue that looked towards the North, and the other twelue to the South: they beleeued that those which appeared were for the seruice of the liuing, and the others were for the seruice of the dead, and did giue them light vnder the earth. They made a ridiculous computation of yeares, numbering three and fortie thousand yeres from their most auncient remembrance vnto the comming of Alexander into B•bylon: yet some excuse them, saying that they were lunarie yeares.

[ B] The inhabitants of Caramania in old time did vse asses in war, for that they wanted [ LX] horses, and they did sacrifice an asse to Mars. No man did marrie a wife among them vntill he had cut off the head of some enemie, the which was brought vnto the king, who caused it to be set vp in his pallace, mincing the tongue, the which he mingled with bread and tasted thereof, and then gaue it to him that brought it, and to his familiars to eat. He that bad brought most heads was more esteemed than the rest.

As for them of Margiana, Strabo writes that in his time when as any one came to the [ LXI] age of seuentie yeares, they did put him to death for a finall offence, and his neerest kinsfolks did afterwards eat his bodie. As for old women they smothered them, and then buried them. If any one died before seuentie yeres, he was not eaten but buried.

[ C] ¶ The Manners at this day.

THe Persians at this day to speake in generall are the mildest & most courteous people [ LXII] in the world, and it is most certaine that they are more liberall than any other. Their manners are not barbarous like vnto those of the Turkes, Indians, and Scythians their neighbours; but they are wonderfull courteous: they are giuen to obserue an excellent policie in their countrie, and they contemne not learning. There are many among them which are very skilfull in physicke and Astrologie, and others which affect poesie, wherein they profit so well, as their inuentions, and manner of speaking is not onely commendable, but also to be admired: whereof a Persian Poeme comming to Rome to the hands [ D] of a French Cardinall, very judcious in all things, causing it to be expounded, giues sufficient testimonie.

They are also giuen to trafficke, and to mechanicke arts, and make great store of silkes. The brethren, sisters, and other kinsfolkes entertaine a strict loue betwixt them, and they make great account of nobilitie: wherein they are contrarie to the Turkes, who contemne it, and esteeme none but those that are commend•ble for their actions. There are among them many famous men, which are come from auncient races, and haue continued rich for a long time: and finally, they are much to be preferred before the Turkes, both in regard of their nobilitie, ciuilitie, and quicknesse of wit. Moreouer [ E] they are exceeding courteous to strangers, and giue them good reception, entreating them as well as possibly they can, according to the manner of their countrie; but they are very subiect to ielousie: by reason whereof the women may not shew themselues to strangers; yet in all other things they giue them all the cont•ntments they desire, and doe in a manner worship them, contrarie to the Turkes, who hold their wiues to be as slaues vnto them. The women of this countrie are exceeding faire, and they are so well set forth (to giue more grace to this beautie) as there can nothing seeme more pleasing.

The Persians yeeld as much to their passions as any people in the world, and plunge themselues in all sorts of pleasures, cherishing the sport of loue aboue all things. Their [ F] apparell is stately, and most commonly perfumed, and they weare pretious stones. They are subiect to this villanie, that although they marrie many wiues, yet they loue young boies, and pursue them as eagerly or rather more than women: wherein they imitate the Turkes, and moreouer they haue detestable places appointed for those pleasures, whereas they keepe young boies to that end. Their language is very pleasing, and is practised

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in many courts of the Eastern princes. In former times they had priuat characters, [ A] the which are scarce found at this day but vpon auncient mountaines: but since the time that they receiued the cursed sect of Mahomet, they haue also vsed the Arabian tongue.

They are called Ayames, or Azamies, by reason of Assyria which carries the name of Az•mia, as some thinke. They haue also the name of Persians by reason of the prouince of Presia, which is the chiefe of the realme; and Cheselbas, for that they weare a red cap; and they are by many called Sophiens, being vnder the dominion of the Sophi.

¶ The Riches. [ B]

[ XLIII] THey make such aboundance of silkes in Persia, as the inhabitants of the countrie haue not onely sufficient for themselues, but they also sell much to other nations which lie far from Persia, for they carrie it into all the countries of the East, yea into Syria. They do in like manner make great sale and trafficke of pearle, and pretious stones. That which makes the countrie of Persia rich is the commoditie of the sea, by meanes whereof they come from many parts to fetch what they desire. But to come to particulars, in the prouince of Persia they find emeralds, which merchants buy at an easie rate, for that they are not very cleere. This prouince doth also impart of her silkes to many others, like to Hyrcania, [ C] or the countrie of Diargument.

Bactria yeelds mettalls and some pretious stones, as emeralds, jacinths, and chrysolits, whereof the inhabitants make great profit. In the prouince of Aria they gather a certain drug like vnto myrrhe, which the persians sell to strangers at a good rate, with their black and yellow saphirs. The towne of Chirmain in Carmania is famous by reason of the great store of cloth of gold and siluer which the inhabitants make and vent.

[ XLIIII] Let vs now come to the reuenues which this king may haue, hauing seene wherein the riches of this people consists. Certainly, it is not yet well knowne to what summe the reuenues of this prince may amount, for that they who haue been there, expresly to search out the meanes of this Monarch, do not all concurre in one opinion: for some giue him [ D] three millions of gold in rent, and others fiue millions. Notwithstanding there are two things which may easily shew that this prince must of force be very rich: the one is that Tammas Sophi of Persia, who raigned of late yeres, ordained that they should leuie no custome of any thing that entred into his dominions, or went forth; and this custome did amount to 90000 tomans, that is to say (for that a toman makes 20 French crowns) a million 800000 crownes: the which vndoubtedly he had not done if his reuenues had not bin otherwise great, which inuited him to ease strangers, and his subiects which dealt in trafficke after this maner: the other reason is, that all the Estates of Persia are diuided by the Persians into seuen prouinces, or to speake more properly, generalities, whereof that of Isp•an yeelds seuen hundred thousand crownes, and that of Syras as much; and yet [ E] they are not the richest, for that the prouinces of Corassan and Diargument exceed them much, whereof the one abounds in mettalls and Turkish stones, and the other in silkes.

But if any one demands whence he draws his reuenues, seeing he hath dispossest himselfe of the customes which might rise by the importation and exportation of merchandise: I wil answere him that he draws it from the lands of his dominions, from the tenths of fruits, from the profit of mines, and from shops, for that whosoeuer will set vp a shop or storehouse of any thing, is bound to pay a certaine summe yearely vnto the king. He receiues also much of particular presents, and of the gifts of communalties, and confiscations, and such like, bring him in great summes of money, besides the tribute of princes [ F] subiect to his crowne, as that of Lar, and some others.

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[ A] ¶ The Forces.

THe forces of this kingdome consist more in valour than in number of men. There [ XLV] are three sorts of souldiers, the one is of such as the king entertains continually neere him: the other is of Timariots, for that there are a great number of horsemen who in 〈◊〉 of pay haue lands assigned vnto them for their entertainement, after the manner of the Turkes: the third kind is of strangers, which they draw into the countrie for pay, either from Gurgistan or Tartaria. But speaking of the two first who are properly of the realme, and belong ••to the king, both the one and the other fight on horsebacke, for that whenas armes are in the hands of the nobilitie, there are most commonly few that 〈◊〉 on foot: and hence it growes also that the Persians are without Sea forces: so as •••withstanding that they haue the Sea of Bachu on the one side, and the Persian 〈◊〉 on the other side, yet haue they neuer imployed any armies by Sea in either of 〈◊〉.

•nd although the sea of Bachu be eight hundred miles long, and six hundred broad, 〈◊〉 they haue no shipping there, neither are there seene any ships in those parts but Por•••S, who coasting along the Persian gulfe, make themselues maisters thereof, by means [ C] 〈◊〉 fleets which they keepe commonly in the island of Ormus.

And although the countrie abounds in mettals and in excellent tempers, especially 〈◊〉 •rouince of Corasan, yet they haue no great vse of artillerie, and they are lesse pra-•••• in fortifications, or to batter, besiege, keepe, and defend a towne; for that all these •••gs are proper to footmen, whereas it belongs to horsemen to fight in plaine field, in 〈◊〉 the Persians without doubt are able to worke great effects.

•oreouer, the Persian discipline hath another important defect, which is the want of 〈◊〉 and this diuision proceeds from two causes: the one is the greatnesse of princes, 〈◊〉 is commonly accompanied with pride and wilfulnesse: the other is the difficultie •••duct and of voyages, and this defect growes by the want of waters and nauigable [ D] 〈◊〉 for the riuers of Persia are such as they are not portable, or if they be, it is so little 〈◊〉 are of small seruice. All these riuers run either to the Persian gulfe, or to the 〈◊〉 Sea, leauing the heart of the countrie without water, so as they are of little vse 〈◊〉 the forces of Persia, and to draw them together, for that the middle part of the 〈◊〉 remaines drie, and hath not any riuer that is common in a manner to the whole 〈◊〉 as the riuer of Loire to France, Po to Lombardie, Vistula to Poland, and Sheld •••ders. Moreouer, there are many mountaines and desarts which crosse and di•••e countrie: by reason whereof this countrie is verie like vnto Spaine, where 〈◊〉 are no riuers of great traffique, but vpon the extremities, and where there are 〈◊〉 •ountaines, and much countrie desart, by reason of the drought. Yet nature [ E] ••ing to helpe their traffique for the commoditie of mans life, hath furnished Persia 〈◊〉 places whereas they want nauigable riuers, with camels which are verie fit for 〈◊〉, for that they beare more than a horse, and endure their labour longer: for a 〈◊〉 will beare a burthen of a thousand weight, and continue his journey fortie dayes 〈◊〉, or more; for that he is to passe through drie countries, such as Lybia, Arabia, ••sia, he doth commonly drinke but once in fiue dayes, and at need he will conti•••en, yea and ten daies without drinke: and as for meat, being freed from his bur•••• satisfied if he eat a little grasse, or the bowes of trees; so as there is no beast ••••res more toyle nor is oflesse charge: by reason whereof he is fit for the drie ••••ries of Asia and Africke, whereas the men want both water and victualls; so as ca•• [ F] •••ing no great need for themselues, may carrie great store for their maisters. There •••ee sorts: the one are small, and serue onely to carrie men: those of meaner stature 〈◊〉 two bunches, and they are good to carrie burthens: the greatest are those which 〈◊〉 thousand weight.

〈◊〉 for the number of horsemen which the king of Persia may bring to field, it hath

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beene seene in the wars which haue past betwixt Ismael and Selim the first of that name, [ A] 〈◊〉 also betwixt the same Ismael and Solyman, and betwixt Codobande and Amarath the third, for that none of these kings did draw together aboue 30000 horse against the Turk, but they were armed in such sort, as they did neuer feare the incounter of a farre greater [] armie. The richer sort arme themselues like to our men at armes: and the others (who make two third parts) content themselues with head peeces, shirts of maile, and targets, and they sometimes vse bows, sometimes lances.

[ XLVI] The Sophi confines vpon the East, with the Mogores; towards the North, with the Tartarians, and Zagatay; vpon the West, he hath the Turkes countrie which doth frontier him for a long space; and vpon the South, he hath the realme of Ormus, sometimes [ B] tributarie to the Sophies, and at this present belonging to the king of Spaine.

He hath not much to doe with the Mogores, for that as France and Spaine cannot offend one another by reason of the strait passages, and the scituation of the frontiers which are tough and troublesome, which make the conduct of victualls, and entertainement of armies difficult: euen so, betwixt the confines of the Indies and Cambaya, held by the Mogores, and the Persians, there are mountaines and desarts, which will not suffer those princes to inuade one another, at the least with any great armies; especially for that their horsmen (wherein their chiefest forces consist) cannot march through such narrow straits, and vneasie passages, yet they fight vpon the frontiers of Cabul and Sablestan, whereof some princes of the Mogores haue made themselues maisters. [ C]

The Sophi confines not immediatly with the great Cham, for that there is betwixt them two, first certaine princes, then a great desart, and it seemes that the riuer of Oxe, or Abian, hath beene alwaies ordained to serue as bound vnto his Empire. This riuer rising in the countrie of Sablestan, vnder the mountaine of Dalanguer, after a long course (during the which it increaseth much by reason of many riuers which fall into it) in the end it dischargeth it selfe into the Sea of Bachu, & diuides the Sophi from Zagatai vpon the North part. The Sophi neuer durst passe this riuer, and Saba king of Zagatai hauing past it, was defeated by Is•ael in a great battaile. Cyrus king of Persia caused a bridge to be made vpon this riuer, by the which he past a great armie to go against Tomyris Queene of Scythia, who cut him in peeces with his people. [ D]

The Sophi confines with the great Turke vpon all the Westerne part of his empire, that is to say, from the sea of Bachu to the gulfe of Saure, which is for the space almost of fifteene degrees: and in truth he hath no such dangerous enemie, nor that keepes him more in awe; for that as often as the Turke hath entred his countrie, he hath alwaies lost something, vnlesse were of late yeares, that the Sophi hath chased the Turkes, and woon some famous victories. The reason why the Sophi hath had these losses, was his manner of making warre; for that relying vpon the number and valour of his horsemen, and in his artillerie and munition of warre, he made no account of forts, but ruined them he tooke, and did little esteeme those which he kept, thinking that he that imployes his forces i• defence of places cannot be strong in field. But since, being forced by necessitie, [ E] they haue fortified much, and haue made good forts vpon passages that were fit to that purpose, and they haue built cittadels in townes of importance, furnishing them with ordinance, souldiers, and all other things necessarie.

As for the Portugals of Ormus, he hath no quarrell with them, for that he hath no sea forces, without the which he cannot recouer this realme: and also the Portugals haue no meane• to •ake conquest ••rre within the land. And the Sophi Tammas being once persuaded to the enterprise of the realme of Ormus, he demaunded what did grow in this Island; if there were come, grapes, fruits, or such like▪ and hearing that the soyle of this countrie was barren, and that all these things wanted, but that the traffique of merchandise which made this realme rich, might bring him great commodities; he mocked at it, [ F] saying, That he had giuen his people ninetie thousand Tomans of the like nature, which 〈◊〉 yearely into his cofers.

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[ A] ¶ The Gouernment.

WE must confesse that the Persians are gouerned more politickely than all the [ XLVII] other Mahometans whereof we haue knowledge, and that the royall power and •••••gatiue is better ordered among them than in any other realme of their sect. For it 〈◊〉 knowne that in a manner all the other kings root out the nobilitie, and serue them•••••• with slaues, yea they put their brethren to death, or pull out their eyes. But the no••••••• is much esteemed among the Persians. The kings entreat their brethren gratious•y, and haue commonly vnder them, princes who are rich and powerfull: the which is not obserued among the Turkes, who can by no means endure the nobilitie in any place, and do not suffer any one to remaine prince or lord of any countrie; but contrariwise as 〈◊〉 as they are the stronger, they remoue their naturall maisters, and supplie their pla••• with men of base condition, who shall be no lords but only gouernors that may be •••oued at pleasure. To conclude, it is most certaine that this realme is ordered with such ••licie, as their gouernment doth not yeeld to any of our Monarchies of Europe, as 〈◊〉 say, which haue beene there, and which haue obserued their manner of liuing: but 〈◊〉 miserie hath alwaies beene such, that no man hath related in particular the manner of 〈◊〉 gouernment; so as this defect will be the cause that we cannot discourse but in gene•••nd [] not specifie any thing in particular.

¶ The Religion.

AFter the death of Mahomet the author of that cursed sect, which at this day hath so [ XLVIII] great a course in the world, Alli, Abubequer, Ormar, and Odman his kinsmen, did euery 〈◊〉 write for himselfe; for that there was not any one of them but did pretend himselfe •••rue successor. This contention was the spring of four principal sects: Ally was author •hat which they call Imemia, and was followed by the Persians, Indians, by many ••ians, and by the Gelbins of Africke. As for the other sects, I haue referred it to the [ D] •••on of the Turkes religion, where I haue resolued to speake amplie, and at large. The 〈◊〉 haue more reason than the rest, and haue purchast reputation touching their 〈◊〉 a manner in our age, as we haue formerly said, by the valour of Ismael Sophi, who ••ing himselfe to be of the race of Ally, brought his sect into credit, and denounced 〈◊〉 against his neighbours that would not accept thereof. He did weare a red Turban 〈◊〉 twelue points, in remembrance of the twelue sonnes of Ocen the sonne of Ally, •••maunding that all they that followed it should weare the like. Many nations follo••• him and his sect, especially all they that dwell betwixt the riuers of Euphrates, and 〈◊〉, the Caspian sea, & the Persian gulfe; so as since, all these people haue setled them•••••• in this opinion.

[] •here are also in the Sophies Empire some Iewes, whose predecessors remained in [ XLIX] 〈◊〉, whenas Esdras and Nehemias led backe the rest into the Holie land, and those 〈◊〉 staied in this countrie, as Origen saieth, made choise of a head of the house of Da••, and called him the chiefe of the banished: then they built a towne vpon the bankes 〈◊〉 ••phrates, and named it Neardea, which is as much to say, as a floud of sciences. •••re are in Corasan a prouince of Persia, Melchites, who retaine all the errors which 〈◊〉 in old time condemned by the Grecians at the Councell of Florence, and these 〈◊〉 the Patriarch of Antioche.

Moreouer there are Nestorians brought into Persia, as Paulus Diaconus affirmes, by the 〈◊〉 ••lice of Cosroe king of Persia, who thinking to do a despight to the Emperor Hera•••, for that he had beene defeated by him, ruined all the Christian Churchs that were 〈◊〉 •is dominions, and hauing chased away the Catholickes, he planted Nestorians, who 〈◊〉 now mixt among the Assyrians, Mesopotamians, Medians, and Parthians.

There are also many Christians Armenians, who haue past into Persia for feare of the 〈◊〉 forces & crueltie; and these haue two Patriarches, whereof the one who is acknowledge

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knowledged as superiour in high Armenia, remaines in the monasterie of Ecmeazin [ A] neere vnto the towne of Eruan in Persia: the other who is obeied in base Armen ia liues in the towne of Sis in Caramania. But we forbeare to speake of their beliefe till the discourse of the religions which are found in the great Turkes countrie. This is all that can be said of the Persians religions, who are such mortall enemies to the Turks, as although they both acknowledge Mahomet for the first anthor of their sects, yet they hate these Barbarians no lesse than we doe: and it is thought that if Christian princes had made more account of the Embassage which the Sophi sent into Europe of late yeares, than they did, there had beene some hope that this prince by little and little might haue beene drawne to the Christian faith. [ B]

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

THE KINGDOME OF PERSIA, OR THE EMPIRE OF THE SOPHI. (Book Persia)

THE Persian or Sophian Empire, as it was renowned heretofore, so now also it is very famous. The Inhabitants are Persians. They are called also Ayami, or Azamij, from the Kingdome of Azamia, which some thinke was heretofore called Assyria: they were called Persians from Persides, and Cheselbas from the red Cap or Hatt which they used to weare. They were called Sophians from Prince Sophos. The Kingdome of Persia is situate betweene the Turkish Empire, the Tartarians, the Zagatheans, the Kingdome of Cambaia, and betweene the Hircanian or Caspian Sea, and the Persian Bay. It hath thereof on the East the Indies and the Kingdome of Cambaja, from which it is separated and parted by the Mountaines and Desarts: on the North are the Tartars, neere the River Albianus or Oxus, the rest is enclosed with the Caspian Sea: on the West are the Turkes neere the River Tigris. and the Lake Giocho: on the South it is washed with the Persian Bay, and the Indian Sea, which is a large space of ground, for it containeth 38. degrees of longitude from the East to the West. And from the South to the North 20. degrees. Concerning the temper of the ayre of Persia, Q. Curtius, Lib. 5. writeth thus. There is no whole-sommer Country in all Asia: for the ayre is temperate, here a continued shady Mountaine doth qualifie the heate thereof: and there it is joyned to the Sea which doth cherish it with a temperate warmth. But this Country is not all of one quality, nor of one soyle. That part which lyeth toward the Persian Bay, in regard it is watered with Rivers: and also that part toward the Caspian Sea, having pleasant Rivers, & a milde gentle Ayre, are both happy and fruitfull, and doe yeeld all kindes of fruits, and doe breed all kindes of living creatures. It hath abundance of Wheate, Barley, Millet, and the like Graine, and also Mettals and Pretious Stones, and Paulus Venetus witnesseth that it hath great plenty of Wine. The other parts are desolate by reason of the heate and drynesse. Moreover the Persians were at first an obscure Nation, but they grew famous afterward by their King Cyrus, who having gotten the Empire Media and Lydia, joyned it to Persia, and so having conquerd Asia, and subdued all the East, he left it a faire and flourishing Kingdome. Cambyses succeeded his Father, who added Aegypt to the Empire, after whom Persia continued in one Estate untill Da•ius raigned; who being conquerd by Alexa•der of Maced•n, lost his life together with his Kingdome. It was governed by Kings 230. yeeres, as Q. Curtius affirmeth. Lib. 4. and the Prophet Ieremiah doth assent unto him at the 9. Chapter of Daniel. But now the Persian Empire which is subject to the great •ophy, is accounted one of the most potent Empires of all the East, which though it were sometimes oppressed by the Sarazens, and sometimes by the Tartars, yet it grew up againe in the raigne of King Ismael. The Countries which are subject to the Persian Empire are these, Media, Assyria Susiana, Mesopotamia, Persis, Parthia, Hyrcania, Marg•a•a, Bactriana, Par•pamissus, Aria, Drangiana, Gedrosia, and Carmania. Media is now called Servan, which is situate betweene Persia, and the Hyrcanian Sea, it hath on the East Hyrcania and Parthia; on the West the greater Armenia and Assyria. It is devided into the greater or the Southerne, and the Northerne Atropatia. The latter is colder, and therefore lesse inhabited. The chiefe Citty is Sm•chia, there are moreover these Citties, Derb•nt, Eres, Sechi, and Giavot. The greater is more inhabited: it hath also the Citty Tauris which is placed at the foote of O•ontis, being 8. dayes journey distant from the Caspian Sea. The compasse of it is almost 16. miles, in which it is supposed that there are 200000. Citizens. The Ancients did call it E•batana, where the Kings of Persia doe dwell in Summer. In the same Country there are Turcomian, •aru, Sus•an, Nassiva, Ardavil, and Marant. Assyria which is now called Arzerum, hath on the East Media, on the West Mesopotamia: on the North Armenia, on the South •usiana. It had heretofore these Provinces, Arrapach•tes, Adiabena, and Sittacena: the Citty Ninive is by Tigris, which is 60. miles in compasse. Susiana is now called Chus or Cusistan: it was so named from Susis a chiefe Citty, which is 15. miles in compasse▪ and was so called from the Lillies which grew there, as Atheneus noteth, for Susum in the Persian language signifies a Lilly. Mesopotamia, which in Scripture is called Padan Aram, is now called D•arbecha, it is situate betweene the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris, whence it was so named, because it lyeth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or in the middle betweene two Rivers: this Country hath a divers situation: part of it the Rivers doe fertilize or make fatt: part of it is dry and barren, and without Grasse, or Trees. The chiefe Citties are O•pha, which is 7. miles in compasse, and Ca•amil which is farre greater than it being the Metropolis of Mesopotamia, which Selimus the Turkish Emperour tooke from the Sophi. Merdin is the seate of the Patriarke of Chaldaea: and Mosus of the Patriarke of the Nertorianians, whose authority reacheth even to the Indies and Cathaja. In Persidis, which they call now Farsi, or Parsitum, there is the chiefe Citty Siras, which was heretofore called Pers•polis, which was the Seate of the Magi. Pliny calls it the head Citty of the Persian Kingdome, and Q. Curtius the royall Palace of the East. Hyrcania which is now called Grigta, or Cor•a, or Dargame•t, is next unto the Caspian Sea, which is therefore called the Hyrcanian Sea. It hath these Citties Hyrcana, which the Scythians call Carizath, also Besta, and Mesandra. Margiana which is now called Iselbas, is bounderd on the North with the River Oxus. The chiefe Citty is Iodion, which was anciently called Antiochia. Bactrina, now called Batter, or Charassa, is a part of Tartaria. The Citties are Bactra, which is now called Bochara, and also Istigias. Paropamissus is a part of Bactriana by the Mountaine Paropamissus, it is now called Candahar, or Amblestam. The chiefe Citty is Candabar which is a famous Mart Towne. Aria is so called from the Metropolis thereof Eri, which is 13. miles in compasse. Carmania which is called Circa, or Chermaine reacheth to the Indian Sea, even to Gedrosia, having many Citties and Havens. The Metropolis is Chirmain. There are also in Carmania these Kingdomes, Ma•ram, Era•a, Guadel, and Paran. Some doe falsely suppose Gesia to be Guzarate, seeing Guzarate is the Kingdome of Cambaja. Babylon is situate betweene the Persian Bay and Mesopotamia, and on the right and left hand it is enclosed with the Desarts of Susia, and Arabia, is was so named from Babylon the chiefe Citty thereof. Chaldaea ioyneth to it. In Chaldaea was the Citty Vr, which Iosephus calleth Vra, from whence Abraham being admonished by God removed and went to Haran in Mesopotamia. This Kingdome hath many Rivers, as Canac, Araxes, and •i•us, which doe water the Southerne part of Media. In Assyria is the River Tigris. In Susania the River Enelaeus: Mesopotamia hath the River Euphrates: In Margiana Oxus, Arius and Margis. Bactria hath the Navigable River Ochus, and others: in Aria are the Rivers Arius, Toncletus, Arapenes, and others. It hath also divers Mountaines, as Orontes in Media, and the Mountaine Coronus in Hyrcania. Also the Mountaine Taurus which cutteth thorow the middle of Persia, which hath divers names given it by the people that dwell neere it. It hath also many woods, especially Parthia is very wooddy, and the Northerne part of Hyrcania which hath great woods, which have store of Oakes, Pinetrees, and Firre-trees, and are full of wilde Beasts, as Tigers, Panthers, and Libards. Also Aria is full of Woods and Mountaines, as also all Persia. Concerning the publike works, there are many stately and magnificent Buildings in this Kingdome, and especially in Babylon. As that magnificent Bridge in the Citty of Babylon, which the Queene Semiramis built over Euphrates, concerning which see Munster, Lib. 5. who also in the same Booke describeth a strange Garden which Semiramis caused to be planted. In the Citty Susia was the Castle Susa, in which the Kings of Media dwelt, which as Cassiodorus reporteth Memnon built with stones laid in Gold in stead of morter: this is one of the 7. wonders of the world. But of these things enough, I come to their manners. They created their Kings out of one Family. He that did not obey the King had his head and armes cut off, and his Carkasse was afterward left unburied. They had all of them many Wives, and many Concubines, which they kept for Of-spring sake, that they might have Children by them. They never consulted of waighty matters but when they had their Cups about them, for they supposed that they could then determine better of matters than when they were sober. Acquaintance and equalls did salute one another with a kiss•. The 〈◊〉 ••rious did shew reverence by outward gestures.

They buried their dead bodies in the ground, and anoynted them with waxe. It was counted a hainous offence to laugh or spet before the King. Concerning the burying of their dead others doe write the cleane contrary, namely, that the Persians did bring forth the bodies of their dead without the Citty into the Fields, and there cast them forth naked to be devourd by Dogs and ravenous Fowles. And moreover that they would not suffer the bones of the dead to be buried or interr'd. And when any Carkasse was not presently devoured by the Fowles and the wild Beasts, they accounted it an unlucky signe, superstitiously beleeving that that man had a wicked impure soule, and therefore worthy of Hell, and his neighbours did lament him as a man who after this life had no hope of Felicity. But if he were soone devoured by the Beasts, they judged him happy. But now the Persians are more soft and gentle in their manners and behaviour then either the Turkes, the Tartarians, or the Sarazens. They are by nature liberall, and doe love civility: and they reverence Learning and Arts, but especially Astrologie, Phisick, and Poesie. They use Parents and Brethren with much respect: and Nobility of blood is greatly esteemed: wherein they differ from the Turkes, which make no differences of blood or dissent. Moreover, they doe entertaine and use strangers curteously: but yet they are very jealous. So that they suffer not their Wives to come in a strangers sight, though in other matters they use them with great respect, contrary to the maner of the Turkes, who use their Wives like slaves. The Persian women are very faire. They doe addict themselves to Mechanick Arts, and especially weaving of Silke stuffes which are transported thorow all Syria, and other Easterne Countries. They did feed heretofore on the fruit of the Turpentine Tree, and on Acornes, and wilde Peares: their daily food after running, or other exercises of the body was hard bread, their drinke was water. They get much by buying and selling of Pearles, and sweet Spices, but especially of Silke, of which here is great store.

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Of PERSIA and the Provinces thereof.

PERSIA is bounded on the East with the River Indus, on the West with Tygris and the Persian gulfe, on the North with the Caspian Sea, and the River Oxus, and on the South with the maine Ocean, the people are much addicted to hospitalitie and poetry; in their complements lordly, in their apparell phantasticall, in their expences magnificent, and in their lives lovers of learning, nobilitie, and peace.

This Empire containeth these severall Provinces.

• 1 Persis.
• 2 Sussiana.
• 3 Caramania.
• 4 Gedrosia.
• 5 Drangiania.
• 6 Arica.
• 7 Arachosia.
• 8 Parapomisus.
• 9 Saccha.
• 10 Hircania.
• 11 Ormus.

Of all which in briefe, and no further than may concerne my present purpose.

In Persis now called Far, having the gulfe of Persia to the South limit, Caramania for the East, Susiana for the West, and Media for the North, was seated Persepolis the ancient seat of this Empire, which Alexander at the request of his Curtisan Laies commanded to be set on fire, but afterward repenting him of so great a folly and so unworthy an act, he reedified it, though yet now having lost much of its former beautie, and giving place to the famous Citie of Casbin, the residence of the present Sophies brought hither from Tauris by Sophie Tamas.

The commodities that this Country is in generall found to affoord for merchandize, is silkes of all sorts, raw growing plentifully in 1 Bilan, 2 Gilan, and 3 Aras, some precious stones, many sorts of drugges, wrought silkes, Chamblets, Carpets, shashes, callico's, and many excellent Armes used in warre both for horse and man, which is here so well tempered in the framing and making (with some vertuous simples) that it makes it both hard and excellent for use, and preserves the same cleane from any rust or perishing.

In Gedrosia, Drangiana or Sigestan, Aria now Sablestan, Aracosia now Cabull, Parapomisus, Saca and Hircania, I find not any thing worthie the survey, therefore I willingly passe them over and close these Provinces with the Citie of Sciras, which is comprehended in this tract.

Of the Trade in generall of PERSIA. THE trade of PERSIA as it is found subsistent in these daies, consisteth more by an Inland then a maritime traffique; for if the large extent of the Sophies dominions be well considered, and the neighbouring regions whereon it bordereth, it will be found that it wanteth many things to make it eminent: It is plentifully supplyed of commodities, and those also of excellencie, as of silver in great quantity, raw silke in aboundance, and of some drugges naturally growne: but when the industry of the natives is surveyed, it will be soone discerned that the costly, rare and rich carpets here made, the curious and fine cotton clothes here wrought; for their tulbants, girdles, shashes, shireing and the like, interwoven with silke, and not seldome with silver and gold; and the daily use thereof not onely in PERSIA it selfe, but throughout India, Arabia and Turkey; witnesse to the World the ingeniousnesse of this Nation: the greatest want and impediment of trade that they have here is of Sea-ports and Havens, of which they are much scanted; they injoyed once a large tract of land lying along the Caspian Sea, from Derbent on the one side, bordering on the Turkes, to Deristan on the other, bordering on the Tartars; but of late daies the same is much shortned, for the grand signior hath laid Tauris one of his metropolitan Cities for his limits, and the Tartar hath entered as farre as Minerdon, so that he hath onely left him upon this Sea the Ports of Gilan and Pismir, that are of any consequence, wherein much trading is not exercised, by reason of the ill neighbourhood of the Turkes, Muscovits and Tartarians, coasting the Caspian Sea. In the Persian gulph he did i•…joy the commodious and famous Towne and Port of Balsara, taken from him by the Turkes about 60 yeares past, and Ormus in the entrance of that gulph is but lately reduced to his scepter by the valour of the English, though anciently belonging to his crowne. The Ports of Iasques and Combrone being the onely two Sea ports he injoyes upon that continent of any quality, to which and Ormus all the trade of PERSIA toward India is observed to be driven, and to which the Portugalls, Dutch and English resort unto for their silkes, and others the rich commodities of PERSIA; and where each of them have factories and residencie for the trade of this Countrey: now on each side of PERSIA by land-ward he •…s invironed by three mighty and powerfull Nations, with whom •…e is sometimes in warres and sometimes in peace, the Mogulls Countrey and Tartar on the one side, and the Turkes on the other. For the trade thereof; It is observed that PERSIA yeelding yearly incirca 12000 coles of silke, which is the prime commodity of this Kingdome growing principally and made at Gilan, Bilan, Mahmody and Araste, (which last affords that sort of silke which we call vulgarily Ardasse,) the one third part of which is conceived to be •…ented into Turkey, transported by Camels into Aleppo, Damasco, Constantinople, Brussia in Natolia, and of late daies to Smyrna, and •…rom thence conveyed for the most part into Europe, principally •…o England, France and Italy, where the same is spent and consu•…ed, in returne of which they have from Syria and those parts principally rialls of 8/8 Spanish, some gold and some sorts of cloth, •…oollen and silke stuffes brought thither out of Uenice, Marselia and London. Another third part of the said silke is carryed to and spent in Agria and the dominions of the Mogul, into Ormus, Iasques, &c. and thence by the Indians and Arabians into Sarmacand, and other the dominions of the great Tartar, and into Astracan and other the dominions of the Moscovite, in returne whereof they have the spices of India, the drugges of Arabia, the rich furres of Russia, and the pretious jems of Cathai, and other the commodities of Tartaria; and the other third part is imagined to be spent for their owne use and clothing at home in their owne Countrey, so that by vertue of this sole commodity which this Countrey thus abundantly affordeth, and which is so sought after by all other Nations, (and the curiosity and luxurie of this Nation in generall) they have the commodities of all other Countries in returne thereof brought unto them. Divers propositions have beene made, and divers inventions proposed, and sundry treaties have beene set on foot, onely to compasse the sole trade of these silkes of PERSIA, with the Sophie himselfe, who challengeth a property therein throughout his whole dominions. The Dutch have more then once thrust at it, and to have it delivered at Astracan, and so to be convaied against the streame of Uolga into Moscovia, and so to Holland: but the summe and stocke required was so vast to compasse and mannage it, and the propositions and passage so difficult and dangerous, that they gave it over with this opinion of the World, that they indevoured to swim against too great a streame, and that they had some plot to set it afoote, and never intended to goe through with it, or otherwise were not able to compasse the same; since which the Duke of () hath put on for a branch onely thereof: but when the account came to be made up, his meanes was too meane to goe through with that small proposed part he aymed at: and lastly the English East India company, (as Merchants measuring their actions with the weight of their purses) have more prosperously succeeded; and in Hispahan have contracted with the Sophie for a round quantity, who have Merchant-like performed on their parts the conditions agreed upon, so farre to his good liking, that by his late Ambassadour in England, the whole yearly growth was tendred and offered to them; but his ill performance in the lesser, made them question the like in the greater; and therefore to their honour refused it. Now as concerning the lesser parts of this Countries traffique, which consi•…ts in the manufactories of this Kingdome; I passe them over in silence as being of lesser consequence, and hasten to Tartarie the next Countrey, bordering upon the Persians.

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

OF MEDIA and PERSIA.

THese I have joyned together also, because the affairs thereof have been so united, in making up the second of the four great Monarchies, and running the same fortunes ever since, that they are hardly to be parted in course of story, though each must have unto it self a distinct Chorographie. First then, we begin with MEDIA.

PERSIA.

PERSIA is bounden on the East, with India; on the West, with Media, Assyria, and Chaldaea; on the North, with Tactarie; on the south, with the main Ocean. So called from Persis the predominant Province of it, that which gave law to all the rest: as that is said to do from Perseus, the sonne of Jupiter and Danae; affirmed by the Grecians to have conquered these Eastern Countries, and to have left his name to this. Of which thus Isidore, Persae populi à Perseo Rege sunt vocati, qui à Graecia in Asiam transiens ibi barbaras gemes gravi diuturnoq• bello perdomuit, et victor nomen subactae Genti imposuit. In the Scripture it is constantly called Elam, till the time of Daniel the Prophet, from Elam, the sonne of Sem, who was planted there. But after that the Medes and Persians had subdued Babylon, and transferred the supreme Monarchy to themselves, we find this people called by the name of Paras, (whence the name of Persian seems to come), the word Paras, (or Pharas) signifying as much as horsemen. Given therefore to this Nation, as it is supposed, from an Edict of Cyrus, who not onely taught them the art of horsemanship, but set forth a law, that it should be a repoach to any man to go on foot, sive multum sive parum •tin•ris esset conficiendum, whether the journey that he had to go were long or little. Called sometimes also Achaemenis, from Achaemenes the sonne of Perses, one of the first known Kings hereof; and by that name, Non tot Achaemeniis arm antur Susa Sagittis, they occurre in the second of Propertius. Where by A haemeniae Sagittae, he means Persian Arrows.

It is of very great extent, stretched out in length from the 82. degree of Longitude, to the 120. being 38 degrees in all; and in breadth from the 23. degree of Northern Latitude, to the 43. being 20 more; According unto which position, with reference to the heavenly bodies, we shall find it seated under the third, fourth, fift, and sixt, Climates: the longest summers day in the Southern parts being thirteen houres and almost three quarters, and fifteen houres one quarter in the parts most Northwards.

The Countrey not alike in all places, as it is impossible it should in so great a compass. But generally it is of a pure and wholesome air, the high hills shading it on the one side from heat of the Clime under which it lieth; and the warmth of the Sea, wherewith encompassed, cherishing a great part thereof. And so it is affirmed to be by Quintus Curtius. Regio non alia in tota Asia salubrior habetur; temperatum coe•um, hine perpetuum Jugum opacum et umbrosum, quod astus levat; illinc mare adjunctum, quod modico tepore terras fovet. Then for the Earth, it is by reason of the great heat of the Sunne, very dry and sandy, in many parts destitute of water, few Rivers, and not many Lakes; by consequence neither well peopled, nor manured, for the greatness of it: men loving to inhabit (and I cannot blame them) where they may have the use of water. Which notwithstanding, it is furnished with all necessaries both for life and pleasure; one part affording that which the other wanteth, as shall be shewed in the description of the several Provinces.

The people antiently were trained up to the warres, but chiefly unto Archerie from their very childhood. Indulged the liberty of having as many wives as they pleased, they never saw the children begotten of them, untill five years old. At that age sent unto their Fathers, they were taught presently to handle the Bow and Arrows. Upon this ground we find the Bow of Elam mentioned by the Prophet J•remy chap. 4. and the Quiver of Elam by the Prophet Esaiah chap. 22. v. 6. as the Armes peculiar to that Nation, or most used amongst them. They were good horsemen also, and well skilled at their darts and slings, till wealth, and ease, and the pride of so great an Empire, made them wholly feminine: depriving them of those abilities both of mind and body, wherein they did excell most Nations in their harder times. In all their fortunes very obsequious, if not servile, to their Kings and Princes; in whose presence it was a crime to spit, but to deny obedience unto his commands an offence so heinous, as was not to be punished with less than the loss of life, and want of buriall. In this observance of their Kings, followed, if not out-striped, by the modern Persian. A race of men, affirmed to be cunctorum hominum mitissimi, the most meek or patient of the world, especially compared with those of the same Religion, the Turks and Tartars. Not haters of learning, as the Turks; But studious, many of them in Physick, and Astrology; most of the better sort much delighted in Poetry, which they give their minds to. For the most part addicted to hospitality, magnificent in expence, Lordly in their complements, fantastical in their Apparell, maintainers of Nobility, and desirous of peace. Such as apply themselves to Trades, and Mechanick arts, prove excellent in the making of Silkes, and Cloth of Gold: those which betake themselves to warre, proving very good Souldiers, as the Turks have found unto their cost, who by their long warres against them have got nothing but blows. The women said to be neat and cleanly, truly loving, gorgeous in Attire, and delightfull in the sequestrations of pleasure.

Their Religion at the first was Paganism, wherein directed principally by their Priests or Magi; men of a strict austere life, forbidding outward ornaments, and the use of gold; making the ground their bed, and the Herbs their food: their whole time spent in offering to the Gods the prayers and sacrifices of the people, as if they onely might be heard; or else in divinations and foretelling of things to come, from whence the names of Magick and Magician are derived unto us. Studious in the knowledge of God and nature, and therefore called by Suidas, not onely Philoso••hi, Lovers of wisdome; but Philothei, the Lovers of God. Of such esteem that as Cicero telleth us, the Persian Kings were not admitted to the Throne, till they were trained up in the discipline of the Magi: and of such power and intimacy in the Royall Court, that one of those Magi, on the death of Cambyses, possessed himself of the Persian Monarchy. In a word, such as the Druides were to the Galls and Britans, the Gymnosophists or Brachmans to the antient Indians, and the Chaldaeans in the Empire of Babylon, the same, if not of greater sway in affairs of moment, were the Persian Magi. And Persians they must be if Magi; none but the Natives of that Countrey being to be admitted of that Society: though by a Metaphor applied to the Professors of the same Arts, though of other Countries; as those which came from the East to worship Christ are by Saint Matthew called Magi (Mat. 2. 1.) though they came from Arabia.

The people then were Gentiles as to their Religion; and besides other Gods which the Gentiles worshipped, they were great Idolaters of the Fire; which they offered sacrifice unto in time of peace, and carried it with them as their Tutelar Deitie in the time of warre. At what time (especially if the King were there in person) it was born in the very front of their Army, attended on by their Priests, and followed by a train of boyes all clothed in Scarlet, to the number of 365. according to the number of the daies of the year. In this equipage, with a great deal of pomp besides, did Darius set forwards to fight with Alexander, at the battell of Issus in Cilicia. A superstition derived from them to the Medes and Assyria•s, their next-neighbouring Nations, and not extinguished to this day in some parts of this Countrey; in which many of these Fire-worshippers are still remaining. But from a God, it grew in time to be a Gentlemanvshar, and to attend on Kings and persons of greatest eminence: used to be born before the Emperors of Rome, as a point of State. Insomuch that Commodus though fallen out with his Sister Lncilla, permitted her notwithstanding to enjoy her Seat in the publique Theatre, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and fire to be born before her, as in former times; as we are told by Hexodian.

The Christian faith was first planted in the Provinces of the Persian Kingdome by Saint Thomas the Apostle: and held in all points answerable to those of the Catholick Church, till Sapores to despight the Emperour Heraclius, a right Orthodox Prince, commanded that all the Christians in his Dominions should conform themselves to the opinions and tendries of the Nestorian Sect, by that means universally spread over all these Provinces. With whom here live now intermingled some Armenian Christians, who with their Patriarch removed hither, when their own Countrey was made the seat of a long and miserable war betwixt the Persian and the Turk: but found not here so safe a dwelling as they did expect, 1200 of them being slain by Abas the late Persian Sultan, on a suspicion that they went about to reconcile themselves to the Pope of Rome (whom he held to be more inclinable to the Turk than to him,) in the year 1609. Which notwithstanding (so miserable a condition do these Christians live in) he suffered two Convents of Augustine and Carmelite Friers, to be setled at the same time even in Spaw-hawn it self; and many Jesuites to live peaceably up and down the Countrey, which serve for little else than to give intelligence. Here are also many Jews dispersed over all the Provinces of this Empire; allowed their Synagogues, and publick places of assembly. But the Religion publickly authorized and countenanced, is that of Mahomet, imposed on this Countrey by the Saracens, when by them subdued: differing in some points from the Turks, especially about the true Successour of that fals Seducer (of which more anon) the cause of the long wars betwixt those nations.

As for the Persian language it is very antient, supposed to be as old as the Confusion at Babell: some words whereof, by Daniel and Ezra which lived in the Persian Court, have been made use of in some parts of the holy Scripture. A tongue which still hath left some remainders of it, in the language of the modern Persian (as those of judgement in this tongue have delivered to us): notwithstanding so long tract of time, and the conquest of this Countrey by the Greeks, Arabians, Turks, and Tartars. Not spoken onely in this Countrey, nor limitted within the Provinces of the Persian Empire, but used also in the Court and Camp of the Great Mongul, and some parts of Zagathay: and where not vulgar unto all, studied and understood by persons of more eminent sort, as the Latine by the Gentry of these western parts. Insomuch as he that hath this Language, may travell over all the East without an Interpreter.

Rivers here are but few, as before was said, and those few not navigable; by consequence of little note or estimation. The principall of those that be, are 1. Eulaeus, the chief River of Susiaua, emptying it self into Sinus Persicus: a River of so pure a stream, that the great Persian Kings would drink of no other water. 2. Ochus in Bactria, a River of the greater note amongst the Antients, because it was navigable; opening with a fair Channel into the Caspian Sea, to which it hastneth from Mount Taurus; and so doth also, 3. Oxus in Margiana, a fatall bound to these great neighbours. A River which the Persians have seldome passed to inlarge their dominions, but they received some notable overthrow at the hand of the Scythians: and when the Tartars made over it under the conduct of Saba the Cham of Zagathay, for the invasion of Persia, they were shamefully beat back again by Hysmael Sophie. Nor is it less memorable in old stories for the famous passage of Alexander over it, in pursute of the murderers of Darius. For having followed Bessus to the banks of this River, and not knowing how to pass over his men, there being neither ships upon it, nor timber neer at hand to build them, he caused a great number of bags and bladders to be stuffed with straw, and so in 3 daies transported his Army. So that I may truely say with his own Historian, Unum id Consilium quod necessit as subjecerat, iniit; necessity is the best Author of fine inventions. 4. Zioberis in Hyrcania, which rising out of the same mountainous tract (as the two last-mentioned) after a long course above ground, in the open light, hideth himself again for the space of 38 miles, and then breaketh out at a new fountain; and falleth into 5. Rhadaga, another chief River of those parts. And this Alexander the Great found to be true, by casting two Oxen into the River Zioberis, which by the current of the stream were carryed under the ground, and brought to light where the River had its rise again. 6. Hidero, by what name known unto the Antients I am not able to say, but of great note amongst modern Travellers for the fall thereof into the Sea: so steep and strong, that the people are said to sacrifise or banket under the fall thereof, the stream so violently shooting over their heads, that it never wetteth them.

Mountains of most note, are those which pass by the name of Tanrus, which having left Media on the West, passeth thorow the Northern Provinces of the Persian Empire, dividing Parthia from Hyrcania, and Paropamisus from Bactria, and Aria from Margiana. Known by the names of Coronus, the Scriphian hills, Paropamisus, Caucasus; whereof more as occasion serveth in their proper places.

It is divided into the particular Provinces of 1. Susiana, 2. Persis, 3. Carmania, 4. Ormuz, 5. Gedrosia, 6. Drangiana, 7. Aria, 8. Parthia, 9. Arachosia, 10. Paropamisus, 11. Hyrcania, and 12. Margians. Which we will severally survey in the Chorography and story, till we have joined them altogether in the Persian Monarchy; and then pursue the history as conjunct and fashioned into the body of one Empire.

1. SVSIANA.

2. PERSIS.

3. CARMANIA.

4. ORMVS.

5. GEDROSIA.

6. DRANGIANA.

7. ARACHOSIA.

8. PARAPOMISVS.

9. ARIA.

10. PARTHIA.

11. HYRCANIA.

12. MARGIANA.

13. BACTRIA.

Thus having taken a survey of those several Provinces which constitute the Persian Empire, and shewn by what means they were first united into one estate: we must next look upon the names and actions of those mighty Monarchs, who have successively, and from time to time enjoyed the Soveraignty. By what good chance Arbaces from a Deputy or Lieutenant of Media, obtained the Diademe for himself, we have shewn before: and we have shewn how liberally he enfeoffed the Vice-Roys of the severall Provinces (which in the division made betwixt him and Belochus, fell unto his share;) in the propriety and command of those Countreys, which before they held. Nothing reserved unto himself, and his posterity, but the title onely; and perhaps some acknowledgments made to them, as the Lords in chief. Nor left he less liberty to his own Medians, than to the rest of the Provinces: which turning to licenciousness was so hurtful to them, that they were glad at last of that wholesome severity, which Deioces, a more Lordly King, began to exercise: who taking to himself a guard, building the Royall City of Ecbatana, and fortifying some other places of importance, first brought the people under the command of law: in that regard not unfitly called by Herodotus, the first King of the Medes.

Kings of the Medes.

A. M

3146. 1. Arbaces, at first Governour of the Medes under Sardanapalus the Assyrian; but joining with Belochus, overcame his Master, and was the first founder of the M•dian Monarchy

3174. 2. Mandanes, the sonne of Arbaces. 50.

3224. 3. Sisarmus. 30.

3254. 4. Medidus, by some called Artyras. 25.

3279. 5. Cardicceus, whom some call Arbianes. 13.

3292. 6. Deioces, the founder of Ecbatana, and the Legislator of the Medes, whom he first brought under the command of Law, and a Regal Government, the former Kings having left the reigns so loose on the necks of the peopl, that they seemed to reign by curtesie only; and had no more authority amongst their Subjects, than any of the mean Lords had upon their Vassals.

3303. 7. Phraortes, a man of great prowess and fortune; he made all Asia stand in fear, and compelled the Persians to be his tributaries; but was after overtopped by the Scythians. 22.

3331. 8. Cyaxares, united to his Empire the Saracens, and the Parthians. The King was so overlaid by the Scythians, who in the reign of Phraortes, had broke into Media; that he was little better than their rent-gatherer. But having endured them for above two years, he plotted their finall extirpation, and committed his design to the Nobles, who willingly gave ear to it. One night they invited the chief of the Scythians to a banquet, where having well liquored them, and put them all to the sword, the baser sort willingly returned homeward. 40.

3371. 9 Astyages, the sonne of Cyaxares, who having maried his Daughter Mandane, to Cambyses the Tributary King of Persia; dreamed that she had made as much water as drowned all Asia: hereupon he commanded Harpagus, one of his Noble men, to see the Child killed; but he loathing so cruel a fact, committed the charge of executing the Kings commandment, to Mithridates the Kings heard-man. He preserved the life of the young infant, to whom he gave the name of Cyrus, whose fortune at last lifted him up to the Kingdome of Persia: when abhorring his Grand-Father for that intended cruelty, he both bereft him of his Kingdome, and confined him to Hyrcania, when he had reigned thirty five years. A. M. 3406.

3406. 10. Cyaxares II. in the Scripture called Darius Medus, sonne to Astyages, of the age of 52. years succeeded his father. For Cyrus pretending no quarrel to his Unkle who had never wronged him; left him the Kingdome of Media; and took unto himself the Soveraignty of ...Persia, which before was tributary to the Medes; not making any other alteration in the State of Media.

At this division of the Median Empire, as Torniellus in his Annalls, (and that not improbably) is of opinion, it was also agreed on, that Cyrus should take the daughter and only child of Cyaxares to wife; that they should both join together, in subduing of their neighbours; that whatsoever they won, should belong to Cyaxares, (who was even then an old Prince) during his life; and that Cyrus should be his heir. In the twentieth year of their severall reigns, they took Babylon, slew Baltazar, and destroyed the Empire of the Chaldaeans. This action, the Scriptures attribute wholly to Cyaxares, who is by them called Darius Medus; whereof Saint Hierome allegeth three reasons: 1. Ordo aetatis, 2. Regm, 3. Propinquitatis. 1. Darius was the elder; 2. the Empire of the Medes was more famous than that of the Persians; and 3. the Unkle ought to be preferred before the Nephew. We may adde to these three, the composition above-mentioned, made between these Princes, at the beginning of their reigns or the death of Astyages. The Greek Writers attribute the victory onely to Cyrus, and that on three reasons also. The Persians desirous to magnifie Cyrus their own Conntrey-man, gave him all the glory of the action; and from the Persians the Greeks had it. Secondly, Cyrus was only imployed in the siege, (Darius then being absent) and by his valour and conduct was the Empire of the Chaldaeans ruined. And thirdly, Darius lived not fully two years after the great victory; s that before remote Nations had taken notice of the conquest, Cyrus was actually in the Throne. Josephus onely in the 11 Chapter of his Book, cutteth the thread even between these two Princes, and telleth us that Darius, with his 〈◊〉 Cyrus, destroyed the estate of the Babylonians. That this Darius Medus of Daniel, is the Cyaxares of the Greeks, is more than manifest. For Josephus in the place above-cited telleth us, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 That he was Astyages sonne, and is otherwise called by the Greeks: now ask the Greeks what was the name of the sonne of Astyages, and Xenophon will tell you, that it was Cyaxares. As for the name of Nabonidus, which Joseph Scaliger in spight of reason, and the whole world of Chronologers, would thrust upon this Darius Medus; we have already refelled it, though we are not ignorant that Helvicus and Calvisius, two most worthy Writers, have followed him, as in all his Canon, so also in this particular Error. But to proceed unto the course of the Persian history, after the death of this Cyaxares, Cyrus succeeded in his Throne, and the Empire of the Medes was incorporated in that of the Persians, as it hath ever since continued, if not subject to it.

The first Dynasty, or Race of the Persian Monarchs, of the house of Achaemenes.

3406. 1. Cyrus, who having vanquished Astyages, united to the Empire of Persia the whole Kingdome of Media; the Countreys of Armenia, Phrygia, Lydia, some part of Arabia, and all the Provinces possessed by the Babylonian and Assyrian Monarchs. After which victories, he was slain by Tomyris a Queen of the Scythians, as some Writers say: others affirming that he escaped alive (but wounded) out of the battel, died in his own Kingdome, and was buryed at Pasagarda, a Town of Persis. This Cyrus is magnified by Xenophon, as Aeneas is by Virgil, and Vlysses by Homer. 29.

3434. 2. Cambrses, the sonne of Cyrus, subdued Psamniticus King of Aegypt, which Countrey he united to his Empire. Having a mind to marry his own Sister, he was told by his Lawyers that they knew no law which admitted such mariages, but that there was a law, that the Persian Kings might do what they listed. This King was a very bloudy Tyrant.

The Inter-regnum of the Magi.

Cambyses at his expedition into Aegypt, constituted Patizithes, one of the Magi, Vice-Roy in his absence. He hearing of the Kings death, conferred the Kingdome on his own sonne Smerdis, making the people beleeve, that he was the brother of Cambyses: A matter of no difficulty, considering, how retirement from the publique view was a chief point of the Persian majesty. But the Nobles either knowing the true Smerdis to be slain, or suspecting the overmuch retiredness of the new King; began to search out the matter. Otanes had a daughter, which was one of the Kings Concubines; her he commanded when the King took next his pleasure with her; to feel whether he had an years: for Cambyses (in I know not what humour) had cut off the ears of this Magus. This commandment she obeying, found out the falshood. The seven Princes informed of this imposture, join together, and slew this Pseudo-Smerdis, in the eighth moneth of his reign. This done, to avoid contention, they agreed among themselves, that the seven Princes meeting on the Palace green, should acknowledge him for King, whose horse before the rising of the Sunne, first neighed. The evening before the day appointed, the horse-keeper of Darius the sonne of Hystaspis, brought his masters horse into the green, together with a mare, which the horse then covered. In the morning the Princes met; and Darius his horse knowing the place, and longing for his mare, neighed lustily: on which the Princes presently acknowledge Darius for their King.

The restoring of the Kingdome.

3443. 3. Darius Hystaspis, one of the seven Persian Princes, descended from Cyrus the fourth King of the Persians, thus elected King, took Babylon (which had revolted) by the ingenious fetches of Zopirus; and over-ran all Asia and some part of Greece. 36.

3479. 4. Xerxes, to revenge the overthrow at Marathron, attempted to subdue the Greeks: by whom he was overthrown in the navall battle of Salam•s; and that famous and honourable exploit of the Graecians, at Thermopylae. 21.

3500. 5. Artaxerxes Long•manus, was he who sent Esdras to re-build the Temple of the Lord; and received Themistocles, being banished from Athens. This also was he, as some would have it, whom the Scriptures call Ahasuerus, the Husband of Hester; though others choose rather to place that story in the time of Xerxes. 44.

3544. 6. Darius II. surnamed Nothus, in whose time the Aegyptians revolted and chose a King of their own. 19

3563. 7. Artaxerxes II. from the greatness of his memory surnamed Mnemon; under whom hapned that famous retreat of Xenophon with an handfull of Graecians thorow most of the Provinces of this Empire; by which they shewed the way to the Macedenians.

3599. 8. Ochus, a great Tyrant, but a valiant Prince, recovered Aegypt, subdued Syria, Cyprus, and some part of India; and was at last slain by Bagoas, one of the Eunuchs of his Chamber.

3625. 9. Arses, the sonne of Ochus, most villanously murdered by the same Eunuch, for fear he should revenge the death of his Father.

3629. 10. Darius III. Governour of Armenia, and Cousin German of Ochus, before his comming to the Crown named Codomannus; by the means of the said Bagoas made sole Monarch of Persia. But being vanquished by Alexander the Great in the three battels of Granicus, Cilicia, and Arbela, the Empire of the Persians was transferred to the Graecians, A. M. 3635.

The certain Revenues of this great Monarchy, seem to have been 14560 Talents; for so much the last Darius received yearly. But what the casuall and extraordinary Intrado was, is not easie to say, though manifest it is, and demonstrable by many strong and evident reasons, that they farre exceeded the certain. For first, the Persian Monarchs were Kings of 127 Provinces; Secondly, Darius offered to Alexander for the ransome of his mother and two daughters, 30000 Talents of Gold; Thirdly, Alexander found in the Treasury of Damascus, 2600 Talents; in that of Susa, 50000 Talents of Gold uncoyned; in that of 'Pasagardis, 60000 Talents; in that of Ecbatana, 26000 Talents; in that of Persepolis, 120000 Talents; in all 204600 Talents: besides the infinite riches of the Treasury of Babylon, yielded into his hands by Bagoph••nes, and other places of note, no• particularly specified; an huge and most unspeakable summe. Fourthly, in that the gold and riches which Alexander, now a Conqueror, sent from Persia to Macedon and Greece, (besides that which every Captain and common Souldier had provided and laid up for his own maintenance) loaded ten thousand Mules, and five thousand Camels.

After this overthrow of the Persian Monarchy, this Nation lay obscure 535 years, viz. from the 3635 year of the world, to the 228 year of CHRIST: of which time they were 83 years under the Syrian Successors of Alexander; and 452 years under the Arsacidan Kings of Parthia 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. as Herodi•in.

For after Darius had lost his Kingdome to Alexander the Macedonian, and after the Victor himself was dead also; the more potent Captains divided Asia among them. But discords often arising, and the Macedonions puissance, by these often broiles, not smally broken; Arsaces one of the Parthian Nobility, perswaded the barbarous people of the East, and among them the Persians, to cast off the Greek yoak, and stand for their liberty: he himself taking upon him the title of King, and inversting himself with a Diadem, A. M. 3718.

The Persians by this revolt, got little or nothing, having indeed not changed the Tyranny, but the Tyrant onely: these Parthian Princes lording it with as high an insolencie, as ever the old Persian Monarchs, or the Kings of Syria, did before. From this Arsaces, all the rest of his Successors, and those too of the family of Artabanus, or the second race of arthian Kings, took that name upon them: as the Roman Emperors that of Caesar, or the old Aegyptian Kings the name of Pharaoh. Their usual stile was Rex Regum, or King of Kings: and by that stile with arogance and insolence inough, Vologeses thus inscribed his letters to Vespasian the Roman Emperor, Arsaces, Rex Regum, Flavio Vespasiano: giving himself the title of Kings of Kings; but the other nothing but his bare names onely. To which, Vespasian without taking notice of the Parthians pride, returned his answer to him with this superscription, Fl. Vespasianus Regi Regum Arsacidi: whether with more scorn, or modesty, it is hard to say. They also called themselves the Brethren of the Sun and Moon, which were the chiefest Gods they worshipped. Great Princes questionless they were, and kept the Romans harder to it, than all the Kings and States in the world besides: whose names and acts occurre in these following Catalogues of

2. The Arsacidan or Parthian race of the Kings of Persia.

A. M.

3718. 1. Arsaces, the founder of the Parthian family.

3741. 2. Mithridates, or Arsaces the 2d. assaulted by Antiochus Magnus with an Army of 120000 men, but without success.

3761. 3. Pampatius.

3773. 4. Phraartes, the sonne of Pampatius.

3783. 5. Mithridates II. brother of Phraartes, subdued the Medes, and extended his Empire to Euphrates.

6. Phraartes II. slain in a warre against the Scythians.

3857. 7. Artabanus Uncle to Phraartes the 2d.

8. Pacorus, the sonne of Artabanus.

9. Mithridates III. brother of Pacorus.

3903. 10. Horodes, brother of Mithridates, whom he overcame, and caused to be slain in his own sight. He also vanquished M. Crassus, and flew 20000 Romans: and because Crassus was reported to be wondrous covetous, he caused molten gold to be powred down his throat. A miserable death, but in respect of the divine Providence a most just revenge upon him for his sacrilege, in robbing the Temple of Hierusalem, as he marched towards the Parthians. The overthrow, and the disgrace which thereby hapned to the Romans, was not long afterwards recompensed by Ventidius, one of the Lieutenants of Mark Antony the Triumvir, who flew great numbers of them in a pitched field, and amongst others Pacorus the Kings sonne; the day of the battell being the same, in which Crassus had before been vanquished. After this victory, for which Ventidius had the honour of a Triumph (and the first Triumph that ever the Romans had beheld for a Parthian victory) he was in a fair way to have ruined this Kingdom, to have shrewdly shaken it at the least, had not Antony in an envious humour called him from that service. Finally, Horodes was slain by his sonne Phraartes.

11. Phraartes III. a valiant Prince, but wicked and cruell. Against him marched Marcus Antonius with a populous Army, which wanted little of an absolute overthrow, of 16 legions, scarce six returning home in safety. This King submitted himself and Kingdome unto Augustus, restoring the Roman ensigns, and freeing the Captives taken at the defeat of Crassus. The onely mark of the Parthians subjection, was their receiving Kings at the appointment of the Senate and Emperours of Rome: which also was of no long continuance.

12. Phraartes IV. sonne of Phraartes the 3d. whom he slew and succeeded.

13. Orodes II. sonne of Phraartes the fourth, slain in a conspiracy.

14. Vonon, substituted in the place of Orodes, but outed by

15. Tiridates who was also dispossessed of his life and Kingdome by Artabanus, a stranger to the blood of the Arsacidae, the family of Arsaces giving place to that of this Artabanus; of which family we have the names of twelve Kings successively reigning: the most considerable of them being Chosroes, the 8th. King of this line, from whom the Emperor Trdjan gained Armenia and Mesopotamia, adding them to the Roman Empire, members whereof they did continue till regained to the Persian Crown by Sapores the 9th King of the next Persian Dynasty. But for those twelve Kings of this house they are these.

The 3d. Dynasty of the Kings of Persia, and the 2d. of the Parthian Race.

1 Artabanus.

2 Bardanes.

3 Goteres.

4 Vonones.

5 Vologeses.

6 Artabanus II.

7 Pacorus.

8 Chosroes.

9 Parmaspates.

10 Vologeses II.

11 Vologeses III.

12 Artabanus III. the last King of this new race of the Parthians, whose overthrow by the valour of Artaxerxes the first Persian King of the 4th. Dynasty, occasioned the translation of the Diadem to the naturall Persians; after it had continued in two Parthian families for the space of 470 years. Which Translation as it was wrought by the unresistable power of God, who onely hath the disposing of Crowns and Scepters; so in the way of second causes it may be principally referred to the barbarous massacre of this people by Antonius Caracalla the Roman Emperor. Who having negociated a mariage with the daughter of this Artabanus, and going (as he gave it out) to solemnize the nuptials; was met by the old King accompanied with the flower of his Nobility, and the choicest of his Souldiers, and other Subjects in Triumphall Ornaments. Which honourable train was no sooner come neer his Army, but he commanded his Souldiers, (on a watch-word given) to put them all to the sword, the King himself hardly escaping with his life. Caracalla being dead, and Macrinus succeeding in the Throne, the Parthians set upon him to revenge that slaughter. But understanding after a long fight of three daies continuance, that Macrinus had slain Caracella, they made peace with him: but were so weakned and unable to hold their own, that it made the Persians once more think of recovering to their own Nation the Regall power. For Artaxerxes, a noble and generous Persian (his name perhaps suggesting some high thoughts unto him) did so much husband the opportunity, that he slew Artabanus the last King of the Parthians, and once more brought the royall seat into Persia. Yet was not this so easilly effected, the Parthians notwithstanding their former losses, maintaining a cruell fight for three dayes together: so difficult was it to vanquish that Nation, when their forces were broken; impossible when they were whole. Artaxerxes, proud of this success, sent a peremptory embassie to Alexander Severus, the then Roman Emperor, to have all the Provinces of Asia, which had formerly belonged to the Persian Monarchy, redelivered to him: a matter not so easily granted as demanded. For Severus so suppress so insolent an enemy, marched towards Persia with an Army Romanly appointed; which, to find his enemy more work he divided into three parts: whereof the first was to march into Media; the second into Persia; the third himself led in the mid-way between both, to succour both as occasion required. But his device succeeded not happily: for his two Annies being by the Persians broken, he with much danger and hast retired back with the third. This was a good beginning for the Persian Empire, the establishment followed not long after: Valerianus the Emperor being vanquished and taken prisoner by Sapores the second King of this race. So that now the name of the Persian grew so terrible to the Romans, that Co•stantine the Great, transplanted many of the Colonies and Garrisons of the North-west part of the Empire, into the East; to keep the Persian from growing to farre upon the Roman Provinces; and removed also the feat of the Empire nigher unto them, from Rome to Constantinople. And thus having shown the beginning and establishment, the foundation and building of the new Kingdome of the Persians: take along with you the Catalogue of their Kings, untill they once more lost the soveraignty of their own Nation, and became slaves again.

The 4th. Dynasty, or race of the Persian Kings.

228 1 Artaxerxes 15.

243 2 Sa•ores 31.

272 3 Ormi•••e• 1.

275 4 Vararanes 3.

278 5 Vararanes II. 16.

294 6 Vararanes III.

294 7 Narses 7.

302 8 Misdues 7.

310 9 Sapar II. 70.

380 10 Artaxerxes II. 11.

391 11 Sapores III. 5.

396 12 Varanes IV. 10.

406 13 Isdigertes 21.

427 14 Vararanes IV. 20.

447 15 Vararanes V. 17.

464 16 Perozes 20.

484 17 Valens 4.

488 18 Cabades, dispossessed by

499 19 Lambases 4.

503 20 Cabades, again restored.

533 21 Cosroes Magnus 48.

581 22 Hormisda 8.

589 23 Cosroes II. 39.

628 24 Siroes 1.

629 25 Adhesi•.

26 Sarbatus.

27 Barnarius.

630 28. Hormisda II. the 28. and last King of the race of Artaxerxes, or the fourth Dyn••sty: of whom besides the two first Kings, whose Acts are spoken of before, the most remarkable were, 1. Vararanes the second, in whose time Carus the Emperour passing over Euphrates, and laying sieige to Ctesiphon, was there slain by a thunderbolt. 2. Narses, the son of Varar•nes, who first discomsited Galerius, one of the Caesars, in the Empire of Diocletian, and totally ruined his Army: for which Galerius being forced to lacquey it by the Emperors Chariotin his purple Robes, was so highly shamed, that to recover his credit he set upon Narses once again, routed him, and took Prisoners his wives and children. 3. Sapores the second, the sonne of Misdates, who began his reign before his birth. For his Father dying without issue, left his wife with Child: which Child the Magi having signified by their art to be a male, the Persian Princes caused the Crown and Royall Ornaments to be set upon his Mothers belly, acknowledging him thereby for their future King. A great and puissant Prince he proved; holding continuall warr with Constantine and his Successours till the death of Valens, and gaining from them the best part of Mesopotamia: but withall a great Persecuter of the Christians, of whom no fewer than 20000 are said to have suffered in his time. 4. Isdigertes, a Prince so esteemed of by Arcadius the Eastern Emperor, that he made him Protector of his Empire during the minority of his sonne Theodosius: which trust he Royally performed, and was a great friend unto the Christians in his own dominions. 5. Cabades, first outed of his Kingdome by Zamaspes, and restored again, was the first Persian King who permitted the free exercise of the Christian Religion. He slew Zeliobes a King of the Hunnes comming to his aid against the Romans, because he had before promised to assist the Emperour; and rooted the Manichean Sect out of his estates. 6. Cosroes the sonne of Cabades, surnamed the Gre•t, a Constant enemie of the Romans, from whom he conquered a great part of Syria, and took and sacked the City of Antioch. But finding the war brought home to his own doors by Mauritius, who was afterwards Emperour, and his own Countries in a flame, he took such thought of it that he died of a feaver. 7. Cosroes the second, as great an enemie to the Emperor Heraclius, from whom he took all that was left of Mesopotamia, Syria, and the Holy Land, with the City of Hierusalem it self: most of it recovered by Heraclius; in despight of whom he caused all the Christians in his Kingdome to turn Nestorians. 8. Hormisda the second, the last of this Dynasty, who being first weakned by Civill and Domestick dissensions, was vanquished by Haumar and his Saracens, Anno 634. burying so the glory of this renowned Nation, in the grave of oblivion and infamy.

The Saracen icall Caliphs, having added this Kingdome to their huge Empire, appointed here their Deputies, whom they honoured with the name of Sultans: not one Supreme for the whole Kingdome, but severall Governours or Sultans for each several Province; called by new names, and moulded into many Toparchtes, as Chorazan, Mauzenabar, Usbeck, and I wot not what; the Sultans acting of themselves, and warring upon one another, as their humours led them, without relation to the Caliph, or Lord in chief. During which bustles it so hapned that Mahomet, the Sultan of Persia (so called because he was the chief in command and power) picking a quarrell with his neighbour the Sultan of Babylon, (Pi••iris he is called in some Christian writers, by whom taken or mistaken for the Caliph himself) made warre upon him. But finding him countenanced and supported by the power of the Caliph, invited the Turks, then possessed of some part of Armenia Major, to come in to his aid: by whose means he overthrew the Caliphs forces, and might have got the Soveraignty of Persia unto himself, if he had used his victory and his friends with any tolerable discretion. But denying to pay these Turks their wages, and send them home, he occasioned them to make head against him under the conduct of Tangrolipix their principall leader; to whom being once in armes, severall discontented persons of the naturall Persians did unite themselves. Encouraged with which additions, and being furnished with Horse and Armour, and other necessaries, by the spoil of the Countrey; they give battell to the Sultan himself: whom having vanquished and slain, Tangrolipix by the joint consent of both Armies is made King of Persia; the Founder of

The fift Dynasty, or the Turkish Race of the Kings of Persia.

1030. 1 Tangrolipix, of whom sufficiently before.

2. Axan, the sonne of Tangrolipix, by whom Cutlu Muses, his neer Kinsman, was sent with great forces against the Christians, whom he dispossessed of a great part of Asia Minor.

3. Balak, Sultan of Persia, in the begining of the warres in the holy land, undertaken by the Western Christians; against whom he is reported to have sent his forces. Of whose Successors I find nothing till the time of

1198 4 Cassanes, the last King or Sultan of the Turks; vanquished in the year 1202 by the Cham of Tartary. Which makes me very apt to think, that after the death of Axan, or his next Successor, the Turks lost the Soveraignty of Persia, though they kept the possession of some parts of it; the Soveraingty thereof being recovered by the Caliphs of Babylon: and that it was so held by both, till the Tartars dispossessed the one, and destroyed the whole progeny of the other, as before was noted. And this I find to be the opinion of Beniamin Tuledensis, a learned Jew, which had travelled most part of the East; to whose judgement herein I subscribe as most found and rationall.

The Sixt Dynasty, or the Tartarian race of the Kings of Persia.

1260. 1 Haalon, or Ulah-Kuhkan, by Occata the great Cham, made King of Persia, exterminated the whole race of the Caliph of Bagdet.

1266. 2. Habkakaihon, the sonne of Haalon.

1282. 3. Nicador Oglan, by Haiton called Tangador, who made himself a Mahometan, and was named Hamed, the brother of Habkakaihon.

1284. 4. Argon-Khon, the eldest sonne of Habkakaihon.

1292. 5. Geniotukhon, brother of Argon-Khon.

1295. 6. Badukhan, the Unkle of the last, of which three there is little memorable.

1296. 7. Gazun, the sonne of Argon-Khon, who made Casbin his Imperial seat.

1305. 8. Alyaptu, who transferred the Court to Tauris, and is said to have been the founder of Sultania, a chief City of Media; the brother of Gazun.

1317. 9. Abusaid, sonne of Alyaptu, that reigned in Persia. After whose death, Anno 1337. (being the 736. of the Mahometan Hegira) the more potent Princes of the Tartars seized on the severall parts and Provinces of it, every one calling himself King of that part or Province which he was possessed of. And amongst them Gempsas the Sultan or Soldan of Parthia (though a Persian born) put in for a share, and made himself master of his own Province, and some parts adjoining: made on that ground by some of our Christian writers (who very imperfectly have transmitted to us the affairs of this Countrey) the sole King of Persia. In this confusion it continued till the comming of Tamerlane, who like a furious Whirlwind driving all before him, composed the differences, by getting all unto himself. But as Philosophy doth teach us, that no violent motion is of long continuance, so the course of business, and the success of actions may instruct us also, that a Kingdome forced to bow under the command of a prosperous Army, is not so well assured to the Victor, but that the fury of the war once past, it may return again to its former liberty, or open a more easie passage to some new Invader. And so it fared with the conquests and successes of Tamerlane, whose issue quickly lost this Kingdome, and almost all the rest of his other purchases: leaving but little memory of their names and actions. For partly by his own imprudence in cantoning his Estates amongst his Children, and partly by the weakness of his

description

PAGE 182

Successours in the Realm of Persia: this Kingdome did relapse immediately to the same confusions in which he found it; having almost as many Soveraign Kings, as Provinces. Most of them Homagers perhaps to the Kings of the house of Tamerlane, and those who afterwards succeeded in the Title of Kings of Persia of the Turcoman or Armenian Dynasty: not yet reduced unto this Grown, notwithstanding the great and prosperous successes of the Sophtan Family. But for the Kings of the race of Tamerlane, who only in their times had the honour to be called Kings of Persia (and well enough content with that): such as they were we find them in this order following.

1405. 10. Mirza Charok, the fourth sonne of Tamerlane, succeeded by his appointment in the Realm of Persia.

1447. 11. Oleghbeg, sonne of Mirza Charok, vanquished and slain by his own sonne.

1450. 12. Abdalatise, slain not long after by his own Souldiers.

1451. 13. Abdula, the sonne of Oleghbeg, and brother of Abdalatife, vanquished by

1453. 14. Abusaid II. descended from Moroncha, the third sonne of Tamerlane, succeeded on the death of Abdula.

1461. 15. Zeuzes, whom some call Jooncha, others Malaonchres, discomfited and slain in battel by Ussan-Cassanes, Anno 1472. which was about 70 years from the death of Tamerlane.

The seventh Dynasty of the Turcoman, or the Armenian race of the Kings of Persia.

1472. 1. Vssan-Cassanes by some called Asymbeius, by others more truely Ozem-Azembec, was the sonne of Tracheton, one of those poor Armenian or Turcoman Princes dispossessed by Baiazet the first, and restored by Tamerlane. Encroaching on his neighbours, he was warned to desist by Zeuzes the Persian King, with whom encountring in a pitched field he overcame him, and got that Kingdome by the victory.

1478. 2. Jacub, the second sonne of Ussan-Cassanes, having put by his elder Brother, attained the Throne; and repulsed the Mamalucks out of Mesopotamia and Assyria, which they had invaded: He was after poisoned by his wife.

1490. 3. Julaver, a Kins-man of Jacubs, succeeded him in the estate, which he held only three years, and then left it to

1493. 4. Barsinger, a Prince of the same blood, who living in adultery with the wife of Jacub, had conspired his death. 2.

1495. 5. Rustan, assaulted by Atder or Secaider of the Sophian faction, who then began to be of power.

1498. 6. Alamat, or Hagaret, the last King of this Turcoman or Armenian race; first vanquished Secaider at the battel of Derbent, and cut off his head: but was after overthrown and slain by Hysmacl the sonne of Aider; upon the quarrell and occasion which here followeth.

Mahomet the Impostor and first Emperour of the Saracens, by his last Will and Testament, bequeathed the succession into that Estate, to Hali his neer Kins-man, and the Husband of Fatime, his Eldest Daughter. But Abubezar, Haumar, and Osmen, three powerfull men, and the Chief Commanders of the Army in the time of Mahomet, successively followed one another in the Supreme Dignity. After their death, Hali enjoyed that honour for a little while, supplanted first, and afterwards vanquished and slain by Muhavias a great man of warre, who succeeded in it; and to secure himself therein, slew Hasem or Ossan, the sonne of Hali, and eleven of the sonnes of that Ossan; the twelt called Musa Ceredine escaping with life. From him descended lineally one Guine the Lord of Ardoville in Media; who considering that their had been no Caliph in long time before, began to plot the establishing of that high honour in his own family, as the right Heirs to it. A man of so great reputation amongst the people, that Tamerlane having made a conquest of Persia, thought it no dishonour to his greatness, to bestow a friendly visit on him. Dying, he left his hopes and projects to his sonne called Atder, who afterwards for the purity of Religion pretended by him, had the adjunct of Tzophy; the word so signifying in that language: who also proved of such esteem and power with all sorts of men, that Ussan-Cassanes, the first King of the Armenian or Turcoman race thought fit to make him Husband unto one of his Daughters. But on the contrary, Jacub the sonne of Vssan, and some of his Successours, seeing him grow unto such power and estimation with the common people; and fearing what he could do, and not what he would do, endeavoured to depress him by all means that might be. Which he not able to remedy, as the Case then stood, practised to adde unto his party under the popular pretence of reforming things that were amiss in their Religion: and grew so powerfull in the end, that he gave battel unto Restan and Alamat, the two last Kings of the former race. But Alamat having got the victory, caused him to be slain; and delivered Hysmael and Solyman his two sonnes, into the hands of Amazar, a chief Commander of his own, by him to be kept in perpetual prison. But Amazar a man of a more ingenuous disposition, afforded them not only liberty, but also good education: insomuch that Hysmael Sophi, a towardly young Gentleman, undertook revenge for the death of his Father, which work he fulfilled, having overcome and slain King Alamat, and his sonne Elvan. After this victory, he being crowned King, or Shaugh of Persia, altered the form of Religion: making Hali, and himfelf the true Successors of Mahomet; but condemning Abubezer, Haumar, and Osmen, with the Turks, as rebells and Schismaticks.

Hence proceeded the divers warres, which to the Persians loss, have hapned between them and the Turks: the Persians burning whatsoever book or Monument they find concerning those three; and the Turks holding it more meritorious to kill one Persian than seventy Christians. Surius in his Commentaries, writing purposely of the Acts of Hysma••, saith, that the Jews on some fond conceit were perswaded that he was the Messiah they had so long looked for: But it proved quite contrary, there never being Prince that more vexed and grieved them.

The eighth Dynasty, or Sophian race of the Kings of Persia.

1505. 1. Hysmael Sophi, the founder of this Family, overthrown by Selimus the first, in the Calderan fields. 20.

1525. 2. Tamas, the Sonne of Hysmael, vanquished by Solyman the Magnificent, who took from him the Countries of Chaldea, Assyria, and Mesopotamia, with some part of Media. 53.

1578. 3. Aider, the second sonne of Tamas, obtained the Kingdome, imprisoning his elder brother; but his cruelty being much feared, he was made away by the practice of Periancona, his own Sister, having reigned only 15 daies.

4. Hysmael II. eldest sonne of Tamas, restored unto his Fathers Throne; but murdered with the privity of his Sister also, who found him of too rough a nature for her to govern; having reigned neer two years.

1579. 5. Mahomet Codabanda, advanced unto the throne by his Sisters faction, (as being of a milder and more tractable nature) at his first entrance caused her to be beheaded for the former murders. During his time, not fully setled in the State, Amurath the 2d. by his Lieutenants won from him almost all Armenia, Media, and great part of Georgia. 7.

1585. 6. Abas, the second sonne of Mahomet, having treacherously practised the death of Mirza, his elder brother, suceeeded his Father, recovered almost all which the Turks had gained, and added the Kingdomes of Ormus, Heri, Candahor, and Hyrcania, to the Crown of Persia.

7. Soffie, the Nephew of Abas by his sonne Mirza, (whose eyes he caused to be put out on a false suspition) at the age of fifteen years succeeded: committed by his Grand-father during his minority to the protection of Emangoly, Chawn, or Duke of Shyras. A Prince, who since he came to age, hath had a good hand against the Turks, attempting the recovery of Bagdel and other places, which had been taken from them in the time of Abas.

The Government of these Persian Kings, though it be despoticall and severe, hath a great deal less of the Tyrant in it than any other of the Mahometan Kings or Princes: these cherishing their Brethren, maintaining Nobility amongst them, and incouraging industry; which makes them to be better served than the Turk or Tartar; to both whom they are farre inferiour both in power and treasure. Their Officers of of State, and men of principall inployment, for the most part Eunuchs(as generally in all the Empires of the East): such Persons being thought most trusty; because abstracted from the obligations of wife and children, they study more the Princes service than their own advantages. Their forces consist most of Horse, to which they are inclined more generally than to serve on root: and yet the greatest body of horse which they have brought at any time into the field, came not to above 30000; but those well furnished and appointed; maintained on Lordships and Estates after the manner of the Turkish Timariots. The Foot-Souldiers of his own Countries, but poor and raw, and very seldome stand their ground. That defect being for the most part supplied by Mercinaries. The inconvenience of which being found by Sultan Abas, he served himself of children bought of Christian Parents, neer the Euxine Sea (from whence the Egyptian Sultans had their Mamalucks) whom they call by the name of Cozel-Bassas, or Red-cap•, so named from the colour of their Turbans, trained up by them in their Religion, and warlike Discipline; as the Turks their Janizaries; yet farre inferiour to the Turk, against whom if they have prevailed since the time of Abas, they may ascribe the greatest part of their good fortune to those divisions and Rebellions which in these late times have been frequent in the Turkish Empire. And as for their Sea-forces they are inconsiderable: For though they have a large Sea-coast both on the Persian Bay, the Caspian Sea, and the Southern Ocean, yet are they very poor in shipping; suffering the Moscovite to ingross the trade of the Caspian Sea; the Portug •• to manage that of the Southern Ocean; as formerly that also of the Persian Bay, till the taking of Ormuz.

The Revenues of this Kingdome in the time of Hysmael the first Sophy, were exceeding great: insomuch that Tamas, his Successor to ingratiate himself with all sorts of people, released them of all kinds of Customes imposed on Merchandise either imported or exported. And this they say amounted to the summe of 90000 Tomans yearly: which, reckoning every Toman at 20 Crowns, made up a million and 800000 Crowns of annuall income. Which notwithstanding, his Revenue was computed at four or five millions of Crowns yearly; raised out of Domain lands, the tenth of fruits, the profit of mines, and the 〈◊〉 payed by every subject when he sets up shop. But Tamas finding this not to be sufficient to maintain his Royalty, doubled the value of his money, and thereby for the present his Revenues also. Since that they have been much empaired by the Conquests made upon them by the Turks, who had got from them so much land as maintained 40000 Timariots, and yielded to the grand Signeur one million of yearly income: whether improved again or not to their former height, I am not able to determine.

And so much for Persia.

1676. A most exact and accurate map of the whole world by Donald Lupton.

XXVIII. Persia,

E. India, N. Tartary, S. Sea, W. Media, under the 3^d, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th Clime S. days thirteen hours. N. fifteen hours, healthful and shady; the people half skilfull in Physick, Poems, Astronomy, Horseman-ship, Archery, Magick, and among other manufactures in making Silks, and Cloath of Gold; all the Christianity there was planted by St. Thomas. Hath

1. In Susiana, W. Babylonia, N. Assyria, S. Tygris, called Havilah, famous for Gold Bdellium and Onyx stone,

1. Aracca and its bituminous water easily fired, and not easily quenched.
2. The Ruines of Susa.
3. Elimais rich by Pilgrimages with Sela on the Bank of Eulaeus, that emptieth its self into Sinus Persicus, of so pure a stream, that the great Persian Kings would drink of no other water.
4. Jaaroone inhabited by Jewes Suum and Casa.

2. In Persis, W. Susiana, N. Media, E. Carmania, now Fars, where some Dates, Palmes and Emeraulds are found; and in one part of it abundance of Roses, Rosewater, Cordovans, Corn, Fruit and Cattle; are

1. Ausinza on the Bay, between the mouths of the Rivers Bagradas, and Brisoana, as
2. is Jona Capolis.
3. Axenia now Lansilla.
4. Shyras raised on the ample ruines of Persepolis (burnt by Alexander in a drunken fit, at the instigation of Lais) neer the banks of Araxes, now Bindimir the Metropolis, nine miles round in a plain, hemmed with Mountains, famous for Gardens, and Mosches with their golden lights, and a thousand Lamps; affording Good Wine, pretty Women, pleasant fruits, and a gallant people.
5. Well-wooded and watered Moyown, N. E. Shyras.
6. The high Mountain and Castle of Banneraw.
7. Berry, a School for the Arabick tongue, &c.

3. In Carmania, W. Persis, and the Gulf of Persia, N. Parthia, S. Indian Sea, affording neither good Port, nor good coming to it all the two hundred leagues on the Sea coast, to carry off its poor Commodities, such as Dates, Myrrhe, Arsenie, Brass, Iron, Alabaster, Fish and little Silver; are

1. Cyrza and Gochorta, two Port Towns.
2. Alexandria.
3. O•tespana.
4. Armuza, on the shore of the Persian Gulf.
5. Populous Gunbroone.
6. Jasques in Cape de Jasques.
7. Charmania (Chyrman) notable for cloath of Gold, and Scymitars. 3 In-land Lar, and its goodly Market place Mosch, and Cittadel of Mosai{que} work; through this Country Alexander marched after the Conquest of India in a fortnights continued fit of drinking and revelling.

4 In Ormus, an Isle in the entrance of the Persian Gulf (which after a narrow streight openeth to the City Balfora, and is two thousand five hundred Italian miles compass) twenty miles round, affording only Salt, and notwithstanding its so hot, that the people are forced to live in Caves; and so unhappy that they send to other Countries for water; is so well Scituated, that the Wealth of Persia and East India is brought to its great Mart Armuzium (two miles round) in the end of the Isle, and thence conveyed by water to Euphrates, and thence by Boats, or Camels to Aleppo, Alexandretta and Tripolis, till it was destroyed by the help of the English, 1622. who have therefore customes of all strangers that traffick at Gambroon, whither the trade of this place was removed.

5. In Gedrosia, W. Carmania, S. Indian Sea, E. Gambaia or Guzurat in India, a barren place, affording onely Nard, and Myrrhe, but a poor Village is the chief City.

6. In poor Drungiana, S. Gedrosia; is

1. Prophthasia now Sistan.
2. Sige or Sigestan,
3. Mulebet,
4. Pharazada.
5. Arvada.

7. In Despicable Arachosia is no place memorable; but

1. Alexandria now Cabal at the foot of Taurus.
2. Sin.

8. In Para Pomismus, N. Bactria, E. India, W. Ana, dark with hills; is Candabor, the Metropolis of great trade, by reason of the Scituation of it on the borders of India.

9. In Aria, W. Parthia, E. Para pomismus, where is in some places a strong wine that will keep colour, and tast eighty years, something like Myrrhe and Saphyr: there are now only,

1. Heri or Eri on the banks of Arias, called the City of Roses, very strong.
2. Sasuar.

10, In Parthia, E. Aria, W. Media, N. Hyrcania, S. Carmania, now Arach, nothing but sand, unless it be under the woods, where are things for necessity, none for riot; the people slavish, nimble horse men, and Archers: the Country not passable for the Sands, were it not for Caus-wayes and Castles at each three miles end; are

1. Hispan raysed out of the ruines of Hecatompyle, called by the Inhabitants, Half the World; nine miles round in a plain with Gardens, Baths, and Mosches, and a cloystered quadrangular market place, well stored with Merchandises, and Drugs; in the quadrangle whereof they use horse races, and other warlike exercises.
2. Jelphea on the other side the River, inhabited by Armenian Christians for a great Poll.
3. Croom, a large, pleasant, and healthy place on a Riveret.
4. Casham, rich and well built, and filled with Artizans in Silks, Sattins, Cloth of Gold, and Carpets; adorned with a beautifull Caravans Raw to entertain strangers.
5. Tangaunt where the King of Persia hath an incomparable House, for Gardens, Groves, Ecchoes, and Labyrinths, &c.

11. In Hircania, S. Parthia. N. Caspian Sea, E. Mergeana; the people of which place starve their Parents at seventy years of age; fruitful in pasture, wheat, wines, figs and other fruits; full of Forrests, and those Forrests full of Panthers, Leopards, Lyons, Tygers, &c. Is

1. Hyrcania Hyrcan.
2. Ashoraffe two miles from the Sea in a spacious plain, containing two thousand houses, adorned with two great Pallaces, the Furniture of one of which was valued by a Merchant at twenty millions.
3. Farabont, on a navigable branch of the Caspian Sea, well traded, especially by Muscovy Merchants, for Silks, whose ships come from the Volge, which dischargeth it self into the Caspian Sea by seventy mouths in March, and return in July; it being from thence to Astracan but ten dayes sail; famous for its Gardens, a Pallace, and a Market-place.
4. Chiachoporo on a River, the water whereof is for eleven months sweet, and for the twelfth salt.
5. The well-watered and wooded Barfrushder and Omoal resorted to by People of seven Tongues.
6. Stava, a Town of great Traffique for raw silk.
7. Mesander, whence the Province Mesandrum.

12. In Sandy Morgiana, W. Hyrcania, E. Bactria, N. Tartary; besides huge Vines as big as a mans middle, with clusters of Grapes two cubits long, of Noahs planting, as it is thought here; and the City Alexandria, now called I•dian; the chief place in the Country neer which is Jas•nium on the confluence of Margus.

13. In Bactria the greatest part whereof S. and W. is nothing but sand, which is travelled only in the night but towards the River Oxus, plentiful in wheat, and all grain except Oav•s, rich Mettals, and some Precious Stones, as Emeralds, Chrysolites and Jacinthes: is

1. Bactria at the foot of the hill S•gdii now Bochor, the Metropolis well fortified and stored.
2. Istigias, the pleasantest City in the East.
3. Eucratidia, Alicodra, Charra Charia, all these under the Persian Sophi, except here and there some places taken by the Turks, and others under the Muscovite and Portugez; the first whereof manageth the Trade of the Caspian Sea and the latter, that of the Southern Ocean.

1681. A new geography: with maps to each country, and tables of longitude & latitude by Jonas Moore.

THE Empire of the Persians, heretofore so Vast and Famous, has been subject to many Alterations. It was founded by Cyrus, and overthrown by Alexander. The Parthians drove his Successors from thence, and maintained long Wars with the Romans; it was again restored under the Name of the Persian, and ruined by the Califes the Successors of Mahomet: Invaded by the Tartars under the powerful Tamerlan, and at length Raised again by Ismael Sophy, to the State wherein now it is. It is called the Empire of the Sophy of Persia; and is bounded on the West by the Turkish Empire, on the East by that of the great Mogol, on the North by the Tartars, from whom it is divided by the River Oxus, now Abiamus; and on the South by the Gulf of Persia, and the Indian Sea: In a word it Reaches from Tygris to Indus, and from the Caspian to the Persian Sea, containing several Provinces, Persia, Sustana: Parthia, Media, Affyria, Hircania, Paropamisa, Margiana, Carmania and Gedrosia, all which have lost both their Names and Limits. The Metropolis of these States is Hispahan or Isfaham, a great and fair City containing many stately Palaces, where the Sophy keeps his Court and usually resides: It lies in Parthia now a days called Hierak: The other Towns of that Province are Cassan, Argistan, Jex, Saba, and Targazin.

In the Province of Persia now called Farsy, is the Town of Siras, which is taken for the Ancient Persepolis, burnt by Alexander.

Susiana, which is called Cusistan, hath for its Chief City Sus formerly Susa, the Imperial Seat of Ahassuerus.

Media now a days Servan, hath the City of Tauris, which is the Ecbatana of the Ancients.

Assyria, whereof the Turk possesses part, hath Mosul for its Capital, which is the Ancient Ninive the Metropolis of the Assyrians.

Hircania is called Diargument; its principal Towns are, Mazandaron and Strava.

Paropamisal at present Sablestan, hath Candahar for its chief Town, which gives also a name to all the Province.

Margiana or Elsabar, hath Mexed for its principle Town, where the Kings of Persia are Interred.

Carmania hath Chirman, from which it takes its modern name, Gedrosia or Circan hath the Town of Calamate.

The most Remarkable Isles of Persia are in the Gulf of that Name; that of Ormus is near the Sreights, and hath a Town of the same name Ruined at present.

The Isle of Baharem is famous, by reason that about it they fish for, and take the lovliest Oriental Pearls.

The Sophy of Persia is Mahumetan; but follows the Doctrine of Aly, Mahcmets Son in Law, whom the Turks reckon a Heretick. The Persians are of their Prince his Sect, and civilized and polished, and much of the humour of the French. The Christian Religion is suffered there, and in Hispahan it self there are Convents of several Orders, as bare-footed Carmelites, Capuchins, Minims, and many others.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

• PERSIA, or the Empire of the SOPHY of PERSIA, with its several Provinces, as they lie
  • Towards the CASPIAN Sea, or Sea of BACCU and SALA, which makes the Northern part of PERSIA; and are those of
    • Servan,
      • Tauris,
      • Sammachi,
      • Servan,
      • Ardevil,
      • Serga,
      • Bacca,
      • ••k•era.
    • Gilan,
      • Rast,
      • Gaxhar,
      • Mazandaran,
      • Layon,
      • Mosun,
      • Gilan,
      • Cassabi,
      • Gadiour.
    • Dilemon,
      • Allamoed,
      • Dilemon,
      • Thalekan.
    • Tabarestan,
      • A••er••ad,
      • Zar•••••,
      • Mag••••n.
    • Gorgian,
      • Gorgian,
      • Ob••oen,
      • Dar•egan,
      • Semnan.
    • Rhoemus,
      • Bestan,
      • B•y••,
      • Zabrawar,
      • Thous,
      • Mas•ndn,
      • Feraway.
  • In the MIDDLE; to wit, those of
    • Churdistan,
      • Naksivan,
      • Merend,
      • Choy,
      • Maraga,
      • Salmas,
      • Ourmaya,
      • Cormaba.
    • Ayrack, or Yerack-Agemi,
      • Hispahan,
      • Casbin,
      • Saltania,
      • Dankane,
      • Hamadan,
      • Hrey,
      • Sauwa,
      • Kom, or Com,
      • Kargh,
      • Cassian,
      • Yesd.
    • Chorasan,
      • Thabs Gilack,
      • Kayem,
      • Thon,
      • Zuzan,
      • Mexat,
      • Nichabour,
      • Zarchas,
      • Firabad,
      • Maruwe,
      • Bonregian,
      • Balch,
      • Herat.
    • Sablestan,
      • Zarang,
      • Bost,
      • Necbesaet,
      • Gisna-Cassaby.
    • Tocharestan, — Thaalan.
    • Candahar, — Candahar.
    • Patanes, — Grees.
    • Bach, — Balch.
  • Towards the South, and washed by the ARABIAN, or INDIAN Ocean; and by the Gulph of BALSORA and ORMUS; and are those of
    • Chusistan,
      • Souster,
      • Askar Moukera•,
      • Ardgan,
      • Hawecz,
      • Ramhormoz,
      • Siapour,
      • Saurac.
    • Fars,
      • Chiraef,
      • Aftackar,
      • Lar,
      • Darabegred,
      • Stahabonon,
      • Gombroun.
    • Kherman,
      • Cherman,
      • Girost,
      • Zirgian,
      • Mocheston,
      • Guadel,
      • Nahyan,
      • Patanis.
    • Sigistan, — Sistan.
    • Mackeran,
      • Mackeran,
      • Basir.
  • Together with several ISLES, as they lie in the Gulph of BALSORA, and nigh unto PERSIA; the chief among which are,
    • Ormus, — Ormus.
    • Queixome.
    • Pulor.
    • Coyar.
    • Ficor.
    • Lar.
    • Mulugan.
    • Garge.

PERSIA.

THe Kingdom or Empire of the Sophy of the PERSIANS is one of the most famous and greatest of all Asia; it extends it self from the Tigris and Euphrates on the West, almost to the River Indus on the East; and from the Gulph of Persia and the Arabian and Indian Sea, which bounds it on the South, unto the River Gehon, and to the Caspian Sea, now the Sea of Baccu, or Tabarestan, which are its Northern limits;* 1.1 so containing about 600 Leagues of length, and 500 of breadth, being seated under the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth Climats. Nevertheless this is but a part of the ancient Empire of the Persians; for the Assyrians having ordinarily held in Asia all that which both Turk and Persian at present possess; and that Monarchy having begun under Ninus, and lasted under thirty and odd Kings 13 or 1400 years, ending in Sardanapalus, divided itself into that of the Medes and Babylonians, who continued it little less than 300 years, afterwards the Persians made themselves Masters of it: and these during 200 and odd years, which they Reigned, remitted to it the best part of what the Medes and Babylonians had possessed. But when they would have passed into Europe, and have seized on Greece, the Macedonians and Greeks leagued themselves together,* 1.2 and naming Alexander King of Macedon their Chief, descended into Asia, several times defeated Darius, ruined the Empire of the Persians, and gave a beginning to that of the Macedonians.

Alexander the Great held this Empire but few years, and dying, it was divided among many of his Captains; who took in the end the title of Kings, and waged War against each other, till the Romans seized the Western, and the Parthians the Oriental part of that Monarchy; these Parthians freed themselves from the Rule of the Macedonians 250 years before the Birth of Jesus Christ, and Reigned near 500 years. Artaxerxes restored the Persians 228 years after Christs Nativity. The Caliphs of Bagdat became Masters about the year 650. The Tartars in 1257, or 58. The Turcomans in 1478. Xa, or Xecque Ismael-sophy re-established the Persians, a little after the year 1500; and though they possess only the Oriental part of the ancient Empire of the Persians, yet it is still very great and powerful.

And we find at present under it, all that the Ancients knew under the names of Media, Hircania, Margiana, Assyria in part, Parthia, Aria, Paraponisa, Chaldea, or Babylonia in part, Susiana, Persia, Caramania, Drangiana, Arachosia, and Gedrosia; all these Regions taken apart being great, fair, rich, and populous.

The Province of SERVAN hath for its principal City, 1. Tauris, being the Summer-Seats of the Persian Sophies, containing in Circuit about 16 Miles, and including above 150000 Inhabitants, before its being so often taken, and retaken by the Turks and Persians. It is strongly fortified, seated about six days Journey from the Caspian Sea, in a cool and wholsom Country, and encompassed with several great Towns of note, famous for their Manufactories. The People in this part being more addicted thereunto, than unto the Sword. The Commodities that are here found, are Silk, raw, and in several Manufactures; Cottons, Wool, Galls, Alum, some Spices and Drugs, with several other Commodities. 2. Sammachi; And, 3. Servan, once both the Metropolis of this Province, abounding in Silk and excellent Carpets, to which the People are wholly addicted. 4. Ardevil, was the Signory and Birth-place of Xeque Aidaz, Father Ismael-sophy, who restored this Empire to the Persians about the year 1500. Here are many Tombs of the last Kings of Persia. 5. Bocca, a place of so great trade, that the Caspian Sea oft takes its name: Near the City there is a Spring of Black Oil, which serves to burn throughout all Persia.

The Province of GILAN, or GƲEYLAN, contains five Governments, of which the chief Cities are Rast, Gaxhar, Layon, Gilan, Mosun, and Gadiour, besides about 30 fair and rich Cities; Mazandaran, which some separate from, others joyn to Gilan, hath in its Government 25 Cities, and in the City of Mazandaran about 50000 Souls. All these quarters would have revolted in 1594. but Xa Abbas soon brought them to their duty, and chastised them for their offence.

The Province of DILEMON hath its Metropolis of the same name; then Allamoed, Gowar, and Thalekan. In the description that those of the Country give us of these places, Allamoed seems to answer to Dilemon.

The Province or TABARESTAN extends more than 60 Leagues on the Coast of the Caspian Sea, which is often called TABARESTAN from the name of this Province. It stretches 100 Leagues up the Land, containing in its Territory 12 fair Cities; of which Asterabad, or Starabat, which hath something of common with the name of the Province, is the principal; then Maglasen, Zariach, and others: this Country affords quantity of Silk.

The Province of GORGIAN touches not the Sea, the chief City is of the same name; then Obscoen, Damegan, and Semnan. Gorgian answers to the ancient Hircania Metropolis.

The Province of RHOEMƲS is in the East of TABARESTAN and GORGIAN: Its chief Cities are, 1. Bestan; then 2. Beyad; 3. Zab•awer; and 4. Thous, higher in the Land; 5. Feraway; 6. Masinon, and others toward the Sea and Mouth of the River Gehon. Nassir Eddin, that excellent Mathematician, was a Native of Thous, who drove Mustalzin from his Caliphat or dignity of Babylon, because Mulstalzin had demanded of him, Where were his Horns. So dangerous it is to mock a man of Spirit and Courage. The City of Thous is esteemed very considerable, being large, and encompassed with a noble Wall, adorned with stately Structures, and among others with about 200 or 300 Towers, distant from one another a Musquets•ot. It is famous for the stately Sepulchre of Iman Risa of the Family of Ali, one of the Twelve Persian Saints, where great Devotions and Ceremo•ies are performed by them, which brings in a great Revenue to this City.

The Province of CHƲRDISTAN is divided into three Parts or Provinces, of which Salmas is the chief City of the first, Maraga of the second, •nd Cormaba of the third. Besides which there are a great number of fair Cities, as 1. Nakziovan, 2. Choy, 3. Guienche, &c. Salmas is near the Salt-Lake of Kannudhan, which yields Fish only at a certain time of the year. This City hath under its Jurisdiction 20 other strong and fair ones; yet is not without those wandring People which live under their Tents. Maraga is 〈◊〉 or 4 days Journey from Tauris, 5 or 6 from Salmas. Near Maraga the Per•ans were defeated by the Sarazens, about the year 650, and their Monarchy •ell into the hands of the Califfs. Cormaba is on the East of Tigris, and not •at from Bagdad and Mosul. Its Inhabitants are esteemed the true Curdes, as good at incursions as the Arabs, who lose nothing they can catch. Near Choy are the Calderonian Champains (of Chelder,) renowned for the Battle between Selim, Emperour of the Turks, and Ismael Sophy of the Persians; where this last, who had till then almost always been Victor, was defeated and lost a great Battel; and after it Tauris, where was his wife Tallucanum and his Treasures: but whilst he prepared new Forces, the Turks retired to Amasia. At Guienche, formerly a City and a Kingdom, contains likewise 7 or 〈◊〉 fair Cities, the Can Caidogli caused to be builded one of the fairest and strongest Towers that is in Persia; besides the Stone, making use of the Heads of 540000 Turks, which he had defeated in those quarters, and which he caused to be bruised among the Morter.

The Province of AYRACK is the fairest and richest of Persia. The Sophies have for sometime past made here their residence; formerly at, 1. Casbin, at present at. 2. Hispahan, which are two great Cities; 3. Cassian, 4. Hamadan, 5. Dankana, 6. Sauwa, 7. Com, 8. Yesd, 9. Soltania, 10. Hrey, 11. Cochera, 12. Kargh, with several others, are likewise very fair. Near Hrey is gathered excellent Manna. Soltan hath great quantity of the fairest Fountains, and takes its name from the Soltans, which sometimes resided here. Yesd yields the richest and fairest Tapestries in the World. Near this City, and on the Mountain Albors, there are yet some worshippers of Fire, which have used it above 3000 years. Hamadan hath born the title of a Kingdom, and had 15 Cities under it. Casian produceth many Silk and Cotton Manufactures, and hath drawn to it all the Traffick that was at Com, not suffering any Vagabonds or Beggars. Com hath been as great as Constantinople; but Tamerlain having ruin'd it, it could never regain its splendor. The Inhabitants addict themselves to labour in their Vineyards and Gardens. Its Bridge is of Stone, and the fairest in all Persia. Casbin was the residence of Xa-Thamas, when the Turks had taken Tauris: Some esteem it the ancient Arsacia, others Ecbatana. It is not well built, but great, and filled with no less than 100000 Souls; its fair Palace, its many Bazars, and its Atmaiden, are remarkable. Bazars are places or great Streets, where there are but one sort of Merchants; the Atmaiden, or greater Market, which is about a mile in Circuit.

Hispahan, the Metropolitan City of the Persian Monarchy, seated in the Parthian Territory, which in its scituation is pleasant and delightful; in its Soil, fruitful, and well watered by the River Sindery; in its Air, serene and healthful; and for bigness, is now become the greatest City in all Persia, whose Walls are in circumference a reasonable days Journey. Its buildings, which are many, (scarce containing less than 75000 Houses) are proud and elegant, and was said to be once so populous, that it gave entertainment to 500000 Inhabitants. But after a certain Revolt, (for which they were severely chastised by the command of the Prince) it hath not had so great a quantity of People; yet it is exceeding populous, and much frequented by Strangers; rich in Trade, eminent for all sorts of Exercise, and more magnificent as being the residence of the Sophy of the Persians, who had here built divers Palaces, which are inhabited by his Nobles; so rich and stately, with Gardens so delightful and magnificent, that not the industry of man, nay, scarce his thought can comprehend or imagine any thing more beautiful. This City, besides its Walls, is fenced about with a Ditch, and defended by a strong Castle. The chief buildings are the Palaces, the Mosques, the Hummums or Hot-houses, and the Mydan or Market-place, which without dispute is the fairest, richest, and noblest Building in the World, being about 1000 Places in length, and 200 in breadth: The inside resembles our Exchange, being filled with Shops, where all sorts of rich Commodities are vended; and sustained by Arches; and below, furnished with such things, both for Food and Rayment, as the Country affordeth.* 1.14 On the West-side are seated two stately Palaces or Seraglio's, for the King and his Ladies, far exceeding in state and magnificence all other the proud Buildings in this City; the Walls being of Red Marble, and pargetted with divers colours, and the whole Palace paved with fretted and Checkered work, over which it is spread with stately Carpets; the Windows are made of Alablaster, and white and spotted Marble; and the Posts and Wickets of massy Ivory, checkered with glittering Ebony, so curiously wrought in winding knots, that it may sooner stay than satisfie the eyes of the Beholder. To which stately Structure there is joyned a no less pleasant, and delightful Garden, wherein are no less then 1000 several Fountains, Brooks, and Rivolets, furnished with store and variety of curious Fruits, together with what else may make a place delightful. The great place of the City is before the Palace, where the Sophy ordinarily resides. The Fruits in and about this City are the best in the World; their Vines yield in nothing to those of the Canaries:

Their Horses and Mules are fair and good; their Camels so strong, that they carry almost twice as much as those of other places. They have permitted in this City some Monasteries of Christians, as of Carmelites, Augustine Fryars, Capuchins, and others.

The Inhabitants do all their affairs on Hors-back, as well publick as private, in the buying and vending of their Commodities. But the Slaves never ride, which makes the difference betwixt them. This City being the residence of the Sophy, and being inhabited by so many eminent persons, which always attend this Monarch, makes it to have a great Trade, and be much frequented by Merchants almost from all places; as English, Dutch, Portugals, Arabians, Indians, Turks, Jews, Armenians, &c. whereby it is furnished, not only with all the Native Commodities of Persia, as Gold and Silver, Raw Silk, in such great quantity, that they furnish most part of the East; as also other places, some Drugs and Spices, Wine, Fruits, &c. Also sundry curious Manufactures, as, Carpets, Arras-work, Hangings, &c. Cloth of Gold and Silver, Fine Cotton Cloths, with several other Commodities which are here made; but also with those of Arabia, India, China, and Turky, which hither are brought in exchange for theirs, by Caravans or Camels, Dromedaries, and Mules, by reason they want the benefit of the Sea. They had formerly the benefit of several good Ports, as, Tauris and Balsora, but now in the custody of the Grand Seignior, together with some others: The Ports that they now enjoy, and make use of, are Ormus and Jasques. In this City is erected a Column or Pillar, composed of the Heads or Skulls of Men and Beasts, being about twenty foot in circumference at the Basis, and exalting it self near sixty foot in height. Now the reason of erecting of this terrible and horrid Column and Monument, was this. The People surfeiting with Luxury, through their Pride and Impudence, denied their duty to their Soveraign, not only in refusing to contribute a small sum of money (being towards the extirpation of the Turks and Tartars, who did much annoy the Kingdom) but also audaciously opposed his entrance; whereupon he vowed revenge: And having made a forcible entrance, in his rage fired a great part of the City, pillaged each House, and in two days, he put to the Sword near 30000; and to terrifie others, erected a Column or Pillar of their Heads.

The Province of CHORAZAN, is the greatest of all Persia; some divide it into Cohazan, Chorazan, and Chowarazan, which others esteem to be the same. It hath every where a great number of brave Cities, as, Kahen on Kayem, which yields great store of Saffron. 2. Thou abounds in Silk Manufactures. 3. Mesched or Mexat, is the chief of Chorazan, and shews the Tombs of many Persian Kings. It is about twelve miles in compass, and hath about 100000 Inhabitants. Its Territory is fertile, its Inhabitants well made, strong, and warlike. 4. Herat is likewise called Salgultzar; that is. The City of Roses; it producing greater quantities then any City, in the World besides. It yields likewise Rhubarbe and Vines, which last a long time; and so much Silk, that there are sometimes 3 or 4000 Camels loaden in one day. 5. Nichabour so near to Rhoemus, that some conceive it belonging to it; others make it a particular Province: The City hath been much better peopled then now it is. Tamerlane here, and hereabouts, put to death in one day about 400000 persons. 6. Bouregian, is near a great Lake of the same name. This Lake receives many Rivers, but like the Caspian Sea, sends not one to the Ocean. But let us return to the more Southerly parts of Persia; we will say nothing here of Yerack, since the Turk at present holds it, with several others.

The Province of CHƲSISTAN, answers to the Ancient Susiana, the Soyl is so fruitful, that it often yields 100 or 200 for one. Its Cities are Souster, Ardgan, Hawecz, Asker-Moukeran, and others. 1. Souster is the Ancient Susa. Here the Prophet Daniel had the Vision concerning the determination of the Persinn Monarchy, and the beginning of the Grecian; and where Ahasuerus kept his great Feast, which continued 183, days, for his Princes and Lords, imitated to this day by the Sultans of Persia, who do annually entertain their Nobles, where Ahasuerus kept his Court, when Esther demanded grace, in favour of the Jews; andt here where Mordecai was exalted to the place and charge of Haman, who was hanged on the same Gibbet which he prepared for Mordecai.* 1.18 It is held, that the ancient Palace was built by Memnon (Son of Tithonus, who in the Trojan Wars was slain by the Thessalans,) of the spoyls of the Great Thebes in Egypt; and that with such expence and magnificence, that the stones were bound together with Gold; but whether this be true or false, without doubt, it was very rich; for it is said, that Alexander found here 50000 Talents of uncoyned Gold, besides Silver Wedges and Jewels of an inestimable value. This City is of about 25000 paces in circumference, and is the residence of the Sophy in the Winter season. 2. Ardgan a fair City, on the borders of this Province, and not far from Hispahan. 3. Hawecz called by the Arabian of Nubia, Ahuaz, and made chief of the Cities of Chusistan, which he calls Churdistan. He places next to it Askar-Mocran, alias Askar-Moukeran, on the River Mesercan, where there was a Bridge supported by twenty Boats. 4. Tostar with a River of the same name. And 5. Saurac with some other.

The heats in these parts, in the Summer season, are so great, especially towards the South part of the Mountain; that the Inhabitans are forced to forsake the Cities, and retire themselves into the Mountains for coolness.

The Province of FARS or FARC, formerly Persia, now a particular Province, hath a great number of large, rich, and beautiful Cities. As 1. Chirdef, which is said to be about 20000 paces in circumference; where sometimes the Sophy hath made his residence, scituate in a large and pleasant Plain, well built, and beautified with fair Gardens, and magnificent Mosques. Two of which are larger than the rest, and beautified with two Spires or Steeples, covered with a painting of Gold and Azure: These Mosques, by reason of 1000 Lamps which are kept burning, are as light by night, as by day. This City for its good Wine, pleafant Fruits, gallant People, and above all, for its pritty Women, may compare with the best in all Persia. The Ladies here are so fair and pleasant, that Mahomet passing through these quarters, would not enter this City for fear lest he should lose himself in its delights. The Soyl is very good, and Mastick is gathered in its Forests. The Arms they make here, are excellent. 2. Astachar was one of the greatest of these quarters, as likewise in the time of the Arabian of Nubia. The ruines of its Castle Chilminare, shew the remains of the ancient Palace that Alexander the Great burned, at the solicitation of the Curtisan Thais. At the taking of which City, Alexander for his share found 120000 Talents of ready money, besides the Plate, Images of Gold and Silver, and Jewels of a vast value: But its beauty did surpass it riches, having its Royal Palace built on a Hill, environed with a treble Wall; the first in height sixteen cubits; the second 30; and the third 60: All of them of Black polished Marble, with stately Battlements, on which were 100 Turrets. Nor was the outside more stately than the inside, which was built with Cyprus Wood, and beautified with Gold, Silver, Ivory, Amber, and such like. 3. Lar or Laar, hath been the chief of a Kingdom, and giveth name to the Larins, Pieces of very good Silver which they coyn. 4. Near Stahabonon, a pritty Town, the Momnaki-Koni, that is, the precious Momy is drawn out of a Rock; but it is onely gathered for the Sophy, who carefully keeps it: Being a most assured counter-Poyson or Antidote, and an excellent Salve against all Cuts or Ruptures, even within the body. Bezar comes likewise from this quarter. 5. Chabonkera. 6. Darabegerd: and 7. Baesd, are on the confines of Fars and Kerman. Some esteem them under the Province of Fars, others under that of Kerman; others make that a particular Province, which takes its name from the first of them, and which certainly is the greatest and the fairest. Darabegerd, as I believe, is the Valasegerd of the Arab, and the ancient Pasagardae; there, where sometime resided, and where was the Tomb of Cyrus, who here by this place defeated Astyages, the last King of the Medes, And 8. Gombrone, seated on the Gulph of Persia, a fair Town, well frequented; and where the English, Dutch, and Portugals, keep their Factories for the benefit and support of the Trade; this place being now the Scale of Trade for all Persia (as was formerly Ormus and Jasques, being at present of little use.)

The Province of KHERMAN, of old Caramania, is one of the greatest, but not one of the best of Persia; yet they send forth several Commodities, as Steel, Tarquesses, Rose-water, Tutty, Bourbatan, Hebe, or Kilworm, of which they make the Confection Alkermes, Sarmack, which are black and shining Stones, which cures sore eyes, and paints black. Carpets the best in Persia, after those of Yesed (those of Chorazan hold the third degree.) Arms which the Turks buy at any rates, and Scimitars, which will cut a Head-peece without blunting the edge. The Country is somewhat uneven and Mountainous, which causeth barrenness; but the Vallies are very fertil and delightful, every where adorned with Flowers, and especially Roses, of which they make a great Revenue. Amongst its Cities, which are many, 1. Cherman, which communicates its name to the Province, makes a great quantity of Cloth of Gold and Silver; As also those Scimitars aforementioned. 2. Zirgian. 3. Nahyan, and others, are likewise in some reputation; but the Coast of Ormus is of great esteem, after it Mochestan. 4. The City of Ormus is seated in an Isle at the Mouth of the Gulph of Persia, being in compass about 20 miles; the City well built, and strongly fortified, seated at one end of the Isle, being in compass about two miles, adorned with a fair Market place, and some Churches; famous throughout the World for the great Trade, there negotiated; but of itself, exceeding barren, and only composed of Salt Rocks, of which their Houses and Walls are made; and in the Summer, is found so excessive hot, that the Inhabitants are forced to ly and sleep in Wooden Cisterns made for the purpose, and filled with Water, where both the Men and Women ly naked up to their Chins. In this Island there is no fresh Water; but what they fetch from other places there adjoyning, which they keep in Cisterns; from whence they likewise get other Provision for their Food, being seated not above 12 miles from the Continent. The Commodities that are here found, are the rich Gems and Spices of India; The Tapistries, Carpets, &c. of Persia; the Grograms, Mohairs, and Chamblets, of Turky; the Drugs of Arabia, &c. The People hereof, in their Religion, in their persons and habit, have something of the Arabians in them, but more of the Persians. 5. Mochestan is the ordinary residence of the Kings of Ormus, because it is cool, its Waters excellent to drink, and its Land fruitful in Corn and Fruits, which is not found in the Island. 6. Guadell: and 7. Patanis, are the most famous Ports of the Coast.

The Province of SABLESTAN, inclosed with Mountains, between Chorazan and Khermon; it answers to Caramania Deserta; yet it hath many Cities and inhabited places, amongst others, Zarany towards Khermon. 2. Bost. 3. Nechesaet, and 4. Gisna-Cassaby, towards Chorazan. Some place here Balasan, from whence come the Balais Rubies.

The Province of SIGISTAN, SISTAN, or SAGESTAN; PATANES, CANDAHAR, and MACKERAN, are the most Easterly Provinces of all Persia, and nearest the mouth of the Indus. Sistan is the chief City of Sigistan; Mackeran of Mackeran, which is seated on the Sea; and also Basir, which seems to keep its ancient name Parsis. The River Ilmenel, waters all these Provinces, and falls into the Indian Ocean, not far from the Gulph of Indin. Also Grees is the chief of Patanes, and Candahar of Candahar.

These are the Estates of the Persians, and we are to observe, that his principal neighbours are, the Turks on the West, the Tartars on the North, the Mogols on the East, and the Portugals on the South, in and about the Gulf of Ormus. These last cannot deprive him of any great part, their design being only to maintain their commerce in the Indies, yet they cease not to perplex him on the Sea; and have divers times taken and retaken Ormus from him. The Mogols; the Tartars, and the Turks, are troublesom neighbours unto him, and oft times his Enemies; because they are powerful and capable to seise on whole Provinces; which he recovers rather by strength, then otherwise:

For it must be confessed, that the Persians are more Active in their Arms, then all their Neighbours, except the Portugals: And they are likewise esteemed more courteous to strangers, more civil in their conversation, and more exact in their Policy and Government, then all the Mahometans. And if we would compare the manners of the Turks, with those of the Persians, we should find a great difference, and often much contrariety: For the Persians are courteous to strangers, the Turks abusive: The Persians esteem study, the Turks neglect it: The Sophies of the Persians hold in honor, their Brothers and Kinsmen, the Turks oft put them to death: The Persians have amongst them great quantity of Nobles, the Turks make account of none but the Officers sent them from the Port: The Persians have the Cavalry, the Turks the better Infantry: both the one and the other are Mahometans, but they explain their Alcoran so diversly, that that alone is capable to carry them to the ruine of one or the other Empire, if they could effect it; and it seems, that the disposition of the one, and the other estate is very different, caused by their contrary manners, which makes them follow Maxims quite different from one another.

The Empire of the Turks is divided into many parts, cut asunder by several Seas, one upon the neck of another, and bygre at navigable Rivers; as the Danube in Europe; the Nile in Africa, and the Euphrates in Asia; which gives it great advantages, both for Trade, and the transport of its Forces; Whilst the Empire of Persia, consisting of an entire and solid Mass, full of Mountains in the middle of the Countrey; few navigable Rivers, and those which are distant one from the other, and falling into divers Seas, that they can have no communication one with another. Trade cannot be commodious, but abroad; and if they have occasion to transport any Troops from one Coast to another, it cannot be done without the expence of much time and pains: And it is for this reason, the Persians serve themselves more of Cavalry, who at a need, are able to put into the field One hundred thousand Horse, and they have for the most part ready, 30, 40 or 50000: They entertain little Infantry, and those for the most part are strangers.

The Empire of PERSIA, is of a large, and of so different a nature, as one would not take it to be the same, being in some places very barren, cold, and comfortless, scarce affording either Food for Man or Beast, as are the North parts which ly betwixt Mount Taurus, and the Hircanian-sea, whereas Southerly it is very fruitful, the Soil rich, affording plenty of Corne, Wine, and all things necessary for the use of man, being pleasant, full of rich Pastures which are stored with abundance of Cattle, the Country watred with streams. The Persians are of a low stature,* 1.29 yet have great limbs, and strong, they are of an Olive colour complexion, hawked nos'd, and black hair'd, which they shave every eight days, and those which have not black hair naturally, by art make it so, as being in great esteem amongst them, they paint their hands and nails of a reddish colour. In their habit they follow much of the Turks, their clothes have no proportion to their bodies, hanging loose and large, much in the fashion of the Womens; their Mendits, by the Turks called Turbants, are made of Cotton, Cloth or Silk, Stuff, which is fine and of several colours, which they wear on their heads, as we do Hatts, many of them wear them of Red, but the Priests, as also his other Garments are white, their Garments they girt about their waists with a Scarf; under these Garments they wear breeches like our drawers, their stockings are for the most part made of Cloth without any shape in them their shoes are picked toed, and like slippers; by reason of their often putting them off and on, not wearing them in Houses. The Women wear much finer Stuffs then the men, and have nothing to ty about their waists, their drawers, stockings, and shifts are like those of the men; they wear their hair loose about their shoulders in several tresses, having no other Ornament except it be 2 or 3 rows of Pearls, which they fasten to their fore-head, and so hangs down on each side of their face to be fastned to their chin; the young Maids wear rings, and bracelets about their hands and armes, also rings with precious stones in their right nostrills, as the Tartarian Women do. The Women in the Streets goe with while Vails over their faces, down to their knees. The People in this Nation as well Men as Women, according to their degrees in honour, or riches do exceed in costly habits, in which they are exceeding neat and curious, not admitting so much as a spot upon their Clothes, which neatness they like wise observe in their Houses, which are for the most part well furnished; as also in their meats and drinks, which are excellent, delightful and curious. They are great dissemblers, and much addicted to ill language if provoked to it. They are of a good nature, and very sensible of kindness done to them; but where they hate, are mortal enemies: They are couragious and good Souldiers, great haters of Cowards; very ingenious, of a ready Witt, and sound Judgment, much addicted to reading several Authors, which tend to the knowledg of Poetry, Philosophy, the Law, Medicine, several of the Mathematicks, as Arithmetick, Geometry, Astronomy, and its influences, as Astrology, which they give much credit unto. These and the like Arts and Sciences are studied and taught young Students at several Colledges and Ʋniversities, by experienced persons in the same, who there reside. They are very ingenious in Fire and Water-works, are great lovers of their pleasure, in several recreations, as Hawking, Hunting, Riding a tilt, &c. they are very complementory, obliging, and curteous, especially to strangers, not addicted to covetousness, usury being forbidden amongst them; they are generally much given to Luxury, not contenting themselves with several Wives, but must also have the use of Concubines, which is allowed them; they are also given to Sodomy, but Adultery they severely punish. When a young man desires to marry, and hath heard of a maid as he thinks he can love, he hath some of his friends to treat with her parents or friends about it; for the maid is not to be seen, and if they agree, then they proceed to Articles,* 1.31 which is to be performed by the friends of the Bridegroom, it not being there the custom for the man to receive a portion with her, as it is here with us, but contrarily, the Dower which by both of their friends is agreed on, he either sends unto her two or three days before the consummation of the Marriage, which is either in Money or Goods, as a recompence to her Parents or Kindred, for their care in her education; or else engages to pay her if in case a Divorce should happen, which is usual amongst them upon a dislike or disagreement, as being allowed of by their Law, this done their Agents, in the name of the betrothed couple, go to their Priests or Ecclesiastical Judge, who being satisfied that it is done by the mutual consent of their friends, marries them by the said Agents, but very privately: the Marriag day being agreed upon, the Bridegroom sends his Bride several toyes, as Pendants, Bracelets, Rings or the like Ornaments; also several dishes of meat, for the entertainment of her friends and relations; who about the evening brings the Bride to the Bridegroom, being mounted on a Horse, Mule or Camel, being covered with a Vail of Crimson Taffety, over her face down to her knees, and accompanied all the way with Musick, and being entred the Mosque, the Muloy demands their liking; then the Bride requireth three things, viz. Bed-right, Food and Rayment; and the Parents having declared their consent, the Priest encircles them with a cord, conjoynes their hands, takes a reciprocal Oath, and calls Mahomet to witness, which ended the Caddi enrolls their names, with the day of the month, year and hour of the day of their Nuptial, and so dismisses them; and being come to the Bridegrooms House, they take her off, and lead her into a room where she and her friends sup, the Bridegroom and his friends being in another room, and after supper is ended, they conduct her to another room where she is to ly, to which the Bridgroom is soon brought, where he receiveth his first sight of her, the campany with-drawing themselves out of the room, he falls to his embracing her, and after the first enjoyment of her, he leaves her, and goeth to his friends, to spend some hours in their company; if he finds that she hath lost her virginity before, he hath-power to cut off her Ears and Nose, and to turn her, and her relations and friends out of doors, which is a great disgrace unto her and them; but if she be a pure Virgin, then he sends the tokens of it, by an ancient Woman, to her relations, and then for joy they continue their entertainments three or lour days together, having several divertisements, as Musick, Singing, Dancing, or the like, the next day after their Marriage, they both wash and bathe themselves, they are allowed by the Law four Wives, (of which the first hath the preemency,) but they must be of their own Religion; and for Concubines, they may be of any Religion, and have the liberty of taking as many as they please, paying them a certain stipend or salary,* 1.32 as they shall agree by they week, moneth, or longer, as they shall agree, at the end of which term, they are quit from their Obligation; and may leave each other without another agreement made betwixt them, the men are exceeding jealous of their Wives, insomuch as they are forbidden the liberty of society with any man, which custom is used among the Italians.

In their Feasts they are very stately, having not only all varieties of Meats, as Flesh, Fowles, Fish, Baked-meats, with excellent Wine, and great attendance, but also pleasant Fruits, stately Banquets of Sweetmeats, and to make their entertainments complent, they are furnished with curious Musick, as well Vocal as Instrumental, their Rooms or Halls, where they make these entertainments, are very spacious, and curiously adorned with stately Hangings of Tapestry, and beautified with varieties of Paintings, but most of them being naked Figures which amongst us would be accounted unseemly, their rooms being perfumed with sweet Odors and Waters, so that nothing is wanting for the pleasing of the senses; their way is to sit upon the ground on Carpets, being the Custom of the Turks and other Eastern Countries so to do; being also used to Collations in afternoons and nights, wherein they have excellent Fruits, Sweetmeats, Wine, Musick and Dancing. They are great lovers of Women, insomuch that at their Feasts they are always furnished with them, being such as they call Dancing-women, who being brought up in Dancing, Singing, and playing on Instruments, make it their imployment so to do at Feasts; these Women for the most part are very handsom, and richly attired, having about them costly Jewels, Pendants, Rings, having about their legs Bells, like Morris-dancers; and he who hath a desire to enjoy a Woman, riseth from his Seat, and taketh which of these Dancing-women he most fancies, and goes into a private room, and after he hath enjoyed her to his content, he comes to his place, and the Woman goes to Dancing, without any shame to the one, or notice taken of the other. They are much given to drink Wine, Tea, and Coffee.

The Persians are very strict, superstitious, and ceremonious in their Religion, (as the Turk is, but differ much from them in the exposition of their Alcoran) as in their Pilgrimages to Mecca, in their Sacrificings, in their observing of days, on some of which they will not do any business, either tending to profit or pleasure, refraining from all Acts of Sin as nigh as they can, and one of these days they hold to be the next Wednesday before the Vernal Equinox, by which they begin their new year, in their processions, and celebrated Festivals in commemoration of their several Saints, which they perform with great devotion, mixt with no less state in their several Sepulchers, where their Saints are interr'd, which are very large and magnificent Structures, so rich in Gold and Silver, with which it is adorned, as well in Lamps and Candlesticks, as otherwise, that it can hardly be exprest; in which places they have their Priests, which attend and offer up their devotions and explain the Alcoran, which they read out of Books, which they have in their Library being Manuscripts either upon Paper or Parchment, being curiously bound, neatly painted within, and covered with Plates of Silver or Gold, caryed or imbossed, or with paintings; also the Persians have not the same Miracles, the same Saints, the same Mosques, and the same Ceremonies as the Turks have; they use Circumcision, but not till the Children are 7, 8 or 9 years old, they are very devout, especially in their prayers, which they use five times a day, as being obliged by their Religion so to do; also in their Prayers for the dead, over their Graves which devotion is used during the time of their Lent, which they keep for a month, in which time they neither eat nor drink betwixt Sun-rising and Sun-setting, but in the nights they eat and drink what they please; yet for a sum of money they may have a dispensation: they interr their dead within three hours after the life is departed, unless it be in the night, so that then they let the corps alone untill the morning, they wash or bathe the bodies of their dead, before they are interred, in a great Cestern,* 1.37 which they have for the same purpose near the Church, to which place they are carried on a Bier in their Clothes, and after they are stript and Washt, they put them in clean linnen, anoint them, and so bear them to the Grave, being accompanied with his Friends, Relations, Servants, &c. in this order; first goeth those of his blood, rext his Varlets, who go naked to the Waist, the rest in troozes, who to express their love, scratch, and burn their Breasts, Arms, and other parts, so that the blood oft issueth forth; then follow many youths on whose shoulders are affixed some texts taken out of the Alcoran, together with Elegies of the deceased, in the next place follow several persons of the best ranck, each holding a cord that is affixed to the Hearse; and on every side abundance of People bearing in their hands, Garlands of Flowers, Lawrels, and such things as befit the Season, then follow some Horse-men half naked, who oft times massacre their carcasses, and in the last place follow weeping-Women, that is, such as are hired to weep and howle, the better to provoke others to passion; and being brought to the Grave, the Priest after he hath performed several Ceremonies which he readeth out of the Alcoran, the Corps is interred with his head towards Mecca, his face towards Heaven, and his armes expanded, (as they say) to imbrace their Prophet Mahomet, placing two Stones, one at the head, and the other at the foot of the Grave, on which are ingraven in Arabick Characters, the persons name, quality and time of burial, and so take their leave, but for a good while cease not to visit the Grave twice a day, beseeching Mahomet to succour him against his two bad Angels, of whom they have this opinion; So soon as the Corps is interred, there are two hiddeous Devils assaile him, the one they call Muengar, which is armed with an Iron Club, and the other Quarequar, armed with a Hook of Flaming brass, and in this horrid posture, they view the Carcass, and in an insolent manner, command him to raise his head, to fall prostrate upon his knees, and begg his soul, which then re-enters the body, and gives an account unto them of all the actions of his life, and upon examination and confession, if it appear that his life was good, they vanish away like Spirits, and two good Angels come (apparelled in white) to be a comfort unto him, and protect him untill the day of doom, not stirring from him, but sitting one at his head, and the other at his feet. But on the contrary, if it happen that his life is found bad, then these Infernal Imps are his tormentors, the one knocking him on the head such blows with his Iron Club, as beats him (as they say) ten yards into the Earth, and the other drags him up with his Flaming hook; and thus is he knockt down by one, and dragged up by the other, untill Mahomet sends him a deliverance; and this (as Sir Tho. Herbert relateth in his book of Travels) is their belief, which if it be true, I doubt they will have many a sound knock and torne place before their delivery. To persons of quality, they observe more Ceremonies than to those of the ordinary degree, making Feasts on the third, seventh, and fortieth day after the Corps is laid in the Grave, at which Feasts they are charitable to the poor in their Almes Deeds.

The King of Persia governs by an absolute power, disposing of the lives and estates of his Subjects as best pleaseth him, making his Will his Law, not any one daring so much as to murmure, though his actions are never so much unjust. Their Kings come to the Goverment by succession, and not by election, insomuch that if the King hath no Children which are lawfully begotten as by his Wives, for want of such those of his Concubines shall succeed him.

Upon the Coronation of their Kings, amongst other Ceremonies, he is presented with a Crown, by one of their chiefest Lords, which he takes putting it to his forehead, and after kissing it thrice in the name of Mahomet, and of Aaly, he delivers it to the grand Master of the Kingdom, who puts it on his head, the People making great shouts and acclamations, kissing his feet, and presenting him with great presents, which done, the rest of the day they spend in feasting and other jovialties, but in all their Ceremonies there is not so much as an Oath imposed upon him; as, for his well governing them, and keeping and preserving their fundamental Laws, and other of their rights; as amongst us done, but all being left to his sole power, as being absolute.

There are belonging to the Court several Officers, as Chancellor, Secretary of State, Controller, Master of the Horse, Master of the Ceremonies, together with several other Officers,* 1.40 as amongst our Courts are found. The Administration of Justice is decided by the King, but first tried by the secular Judges who examine the same, and deliver up their opinion to the King. They have several strict and severe punishments, which they inflict upon the offenders according to the hainousness of their crimes, for some offences they cut off the Ears or Nose, sometimes the Feet or Hands, for others to be beheaded, for some again, they are tyed between two boards and so sawed asunder, with several other cruel deaths which are too tedious to name. In their Military affairs they are very experienced,* 1.41 their Army consisting only of Horse, who have for their Armour Darts and Javelins, yet have they some in the nature of our Dragoons, which are mounted on Horses, who have Muskets for their Arms, as for an Army of Foot, together with the assistance of great Guns by them, is not so much set by, as being troublesom, and a detarder of them from their speedy and great marches, they are very expert in all stratagems of War, which gives them a great advantage over their enemies.

Here doth inhabit a sort of People called Gaurs, and are of a much different Religion from the Persians, observing divers Ceremonies peculiar to themselves. In their Baptism they use no Circumsition, instead of which they wash the Child, &c. At their Nuptials after the Priest hath said some Prayers, he takes water, washes both their fore-heads, and gives the Benediction. When they are sick they make Confession to the Priest, and bestow their Almes in hopes of Pardon of their Sins. They bury not their dead, but carry them to certain enclosed places, where they fasten them to high Stakes, with their faces towards the East. They bear a great adoration to Fire. They are exceeding cleanly in all things, and wash often in Cows-piss, which they hold to be a good purification. Upon confession of their Sins to their Priests, they are constrained to Penance, in which several Ceremonies are observed. They have so great esteem for Doggs, that when any die they are carried out, and prayers are made for them.

They have great quantity of all sorts of Cattle, Grain and Fruits. Amongst their Fruit-trees, they have great quantities of white and black Mulberry-trees, which grow not above 5, or 6 foot high, so that one may easily reach up to the branches, and in the Spring time, when these Trees begin to shoot forth their leaves,* 1.42 they begin to hatch their Silk-worms, which they do by carrying the seed under their arm-pits in little baggs, which in seven or eight days will receive life, then they put them into a wooden dish, upon the Mulberry-leaves, which they once a day change, and take a great care that they be not wet, at the end of five days they sleep three, after which they dispose of them into Rooms or Barns, prepared for the same purpose, upon the beams of these buildings they fasten laths, or such like pieces of wood, upon which they lay Mulberry-branches, which hath the leaves on, whereon they put the Silk-worms shifting them every day, and as they grow in bigness, so oftner to twice or thrice a day; before they begin to spin, they sleep about eight days more, after which they begin, and in 12 days they have finished their Cod, the biggest they make choise of for seed; all the rest they cast into a Kettle of boyling Water; into which they often put a whisk made for the purpose, to which the Silk sticks which they immediately wind up; and that which they keep for Seed, they lay upon a Table, out of which, in the space of fifteen days comes forth great Buggs, which afterwards turn to things like Butter-flies, which in a few days they gender and lay Eggs, and then die, not eating any thing from their first spinning; which is much, for things to live so great a while without eating any thing: And of these Silk-worms thus ordered they make a great Revenue.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

PErsia bears the Name of one of its ancient Provinces, that is now called Fars. It's one of the most considerable Kingdoms of Asia, by reason of the Riches of its principal Towns, and the Union of its Forces; it is more fertil and populous than Turkey; its Inhabitants the most civil, and the best polished of all the Mahometans. There is more politickness, and more refined Wits than in Turkey. They love good order, and justice, and favour Strangers. Its Rivers, which have this particular of having neither Pike nor Eel, are not Navigable: They commonly go under the Name either of their Cities, or their Colours: They furnish the conveniency for the making of Channels, for the watering the Lands; they become smaller the nearer they come to the Sea, and sometimes are entirely dryed up by the Diversions, that are made of them. The Neighbourhood of the Sea of Bassera, and that of the Caspian, is more fertil, and more temperate, than the Inland Countreys which have Desarts, and Mountains, where it seldom rains, for which cause the Fruit-trees receive no Water but at the Foot, and Root. This Kingdom is one of the most Ancient Monarchies of the World; the Assyrians, Medes, Persians, and Parthians, have begun their Empires here. The Policy of this Kingdom is in great esteem, the Government easie, supportable to the Persians, and to Strangers. There is no talk of Robbers; the Rights of Hospitality are so regularly observ'd, that the King will have all Foreigners to be reputed as his Guests. The Name of Scha, is bestow'd on the Kings of Persia; the Vulgar attribute to them that of Sophi; which is a proper Name. They were formerly call'd Great Kings, and Kings of kings; principally when they had Vanquished the Grecians. The Name of Sultan, which in Turkey signifies King; in Persia, only signifies the Governour of a Town. The Persians have alwayes had their Sovereign in great estimation: Still at this day they think to confirm a thing much more strongly by the name of their King, than by that of God; perhaps after the Mode of those of Achem in the Isle of Sumatra, who say, that God is afar off, and the King near at hand. The Riches of the ancient Persian Kings have been immense, as may be seen by the Treasures, which Alexander the Great found in the Coffers of Darius. Scha-Sefi, one of the late Monarchs, had for common service 7200 Marks in Vessels of Gold. Herbert says, that in his time, there has been seen in Asharat, for the service of Scha-Abbas, Vessels of Gold and others, to the value of 260 Millions of Livers.

The Persians are well proportion'd: have little experience in the Art of Navigation, tho' they be near the Sea. When the Portugals would have drove them from Ormus, they had recourse to the Ships of the English. Their Women are in great esteem, through all Asia, for their Beauty; their Horses for their agility, their Camels for strength. In the Countrey they have a saying, Bread of Yesde-Kast, Wine of Schiras, Women of Yesde. Their Religion is Mahometan, of the Sect of Hali; the King allows, that the Carmelites, the Augustins, the Capuchins, the Jesuits, have their Houses and Churches in this capital City Ispahan, where the Superiours of those Houses perform the Function of Ambassadours for Christian Princes of the Roman Communion. The Persian Tongue is so sweet and soft, that it is in little use, but amongst the Women and Poets; the King, and Persons of Condition, commonly make use of the Turkish Language. Persia is as a Go-between to the Turks and Europeans, for the Commerce of the Indies. It furnishes the finest Silk-stuffs, and the best Tapestries that are seen, Cloaths of Gold, Bezoar, Manna, Rhubarb, Rose-Water, Turquoises, which are taken at the Mountain of Phirouskou, four Leagues from Meschet, a City renowned for the Pilgrimages of the Mahometans of Persia. The Silk of Chorasan is very fine, that of Kilan somewhat courser. There are Fields of Salt, some Mines of Copper, Iron, and Steel in Chorasan, of Lead in Kirman: Gold and Silver is imported from abroad, as well as Wood. The greatest Trade is droven to Bagdad, for Turkey; to Gombru, for the Indies. The Kings of Persia do allow of Commerce upon their Coasts, but suffer not any Fortresses to be made there: the Mogul, the Emperour of China, and other Eastern Kings, take the same course in their Dominions. They have powerful Neighbours of the Turk and the Mogul. The strength of their State consists principally in its situation, there being high Mountains and great Desarts in its neighbourhood. Ismael Sophi had three hundred thousand Men in Arms, against Selim, Emperour of the Turks; the ancient Kings had sometimes Armies of seven or eight hundred thousand Men. The usual Armies now-a-days are of fifty or sixty thousand Horse, besides thirty thousand, that are kept upon the Frontiers: this number would be much greater, if we reckon'd all those who go to the Army. The Persians wear the Red Turbant, wherefore they are called Keselbas: the Tartars of Giagatay wear it green; that of the Turks is white, and that of the Grecians blew. Their Soldiers are of four sorts, Fuzeliers, Slaves, Keselbas, Lifeguard-men, all Troopers. There is a great antipathy between the Persians and Turks: Those who observe that antipathy amongst the Nations of the World, say, that it is between the Chineses and Japoneses, betwixt the Armenians and Nestorians, between the Arabians and Abyssins, between the French and Spaniards, betwixt the Italians and Greeks, between the Germans and Polanders, between the Danes and Swedes, between the Muscovites and Tartars, between the English and Scotch, between the Irish and Welch, betwixt the Hurons and Iroquins Nations of Canada.

Here follows the enumeration of the Provinces of Persia, according to the most receiv'd Relations, Arak, Fars, Chusistan, Adherbeitzan, Iran or Karabach, Schirwan, Kilan, Teberestan or Mesanderan, Chorasan, Sablestan, Sirestan, Kirman, Tzisire, and Diarbeck. These two last are between the Euphrates, and Tigris, and belong to the Turk. The Governours are called Chans or Cans, sometimes Sultans.

The City of Ispaham, the abode of the King of Persia, is one of the greatest of all Asia, compos'd of four Cities; it is likewise one of the finest, if we consider its stately Palaces, delicious Gardens, spacious Market-place, rich Bazars, Exchanges or publick places, which make the Inhabitants call it the half of the World. The Arabians, who have no P in their Alphabet, call it Isfaham. There is a remarkable Tower upon the King's Stables, all built with Goats heads, and other wild Animals, which were taken in one Royal Match of Hunting. Caswin, or Casbin, is esteemed the ancient Ecbatana, where the King of Media dwelt, where Parmenio was killed, and Ephestion died, whose Funerals cost above twelve thousand Talents; that is, twelve thousand times six hundred Crowns. Schiras is near the Ruins of the ancient Persepolis, which was burnt by order of Alexander the Great, at the end of a Feast; It has still full ten thousand Houses: a Proverb of the Countrey goes thus, That if Schiras, was Schiras, that is to say, what it was formerly, Grand Cairo would pass but for its Suburbs. The Ruins of this Persepolis are called Chilminar, i. e. Forty Columns; which seem to be the remains of the Palace of Cyrus the Great, the most beautiful of all the East. The Neighbours of those Ruins endeavour to destroy 'em entirely to free themselves from the importunities of strangers, who go to see them upon that account. What remains of 'em, shews a great antiquity of habits for Personages, and an extraordinary magnificence in the stones of the building. Those who have seen them say, that they surpass the Antiquities of Rome, and the Wonders of Aegypt. The abode of Schiras is so agreeable, that Mahomet, according to what the Persians say, would not go thither, for fear of being charm'd with the Beauty of the Ladies: and that if he had tasted the delights of that Town, he would have made it his request to God, never to have died▪ The Government of Schiras, is the most considerable of all Persia; it affords excellent Wines, and that Mummy, or Counter-poyson, which serves for Medicament to all manner of Wounds. Susa was the Court of Ahasucrus, and some other Kings. Alexander the Great married Statira there; He gave ten thousand Talents for the acquitting the Debts of those, who had a mind to return into Greece, and receiv'd there thirty thousand young Men of Recruits for his Army. This is also the place where the fair Esther obtain'd favour for the Jews, and where Mordecai was put into the place of Haman, who was hanged after that he would have caus'd Mordecai to have undergone his own Fate. The Palace of Susa, built by Darius, is said to have been enrich'd by Memnon, with the Spoils of the great Thebes in Aegypt; and 'tis famed, that the stones were cemented with Gold. After Persepolis, it is reckoned amongst the magnificent Works of the Kings of Persia, as well as the delicious Gardens of Cyrus the younger in Lydia. Congue, Bender Congo, is a City upon the Gulph of Bassora, much like that of Thoulon in Provence: 'Tis much augmented, since the ruine of Ormus, as well as Gombru; It has a Demesne, which the Persians and the Portugals have the Revenue of by halves. Lar communicates its Name to a sort of silver Money that is coin'd there; five of those Larins make but one Piaster: the City has full four thousand Houses, and a small Cittadel. Some believe it the ancient Passagarde, where the grand Cyrus, having overcome Astiages, transferred the Empire of the Medes to the Persians. Calanus, the Indian Philosopher, did voluntarily suffer death there, in the sight of all the Macedonian Army; It has several very learn'd Inhabitants; the Earthquakes, which are frequent in these parts, render it the less populous. The Frontiers of Persia, towards Turkey, have a warlike People, called Curdes, whose Countrey had been the field of several Battels: Alexander the great overcame Darius at Arbela, and they would persuade us, that there were four hundred thousand Persians killed, and only three hundred Macedonians; the Caliphs won there the Battel of Moraga, which made them Masters of Persia. Near Chuy, Selim defeated Ismael Sophi, who before had always been his Conquerour. Tabris, or Tauris, drives an extraordinary Trade, and the first of Persia; it has Walls and Towers of cut stone of a vast heighth. Ardebil is the staple of the Silks of the Countrey, and the place of burial of several Kings of Persia, amongst others of Cha-Sefi, who has a magnificent Tomb there. Bakuie gives sometimes its Name to the Caspian-Sea; It has in its neighbourhood a source of Oyl, which serves to burn throughout all Persia. Kirman, towards the Ocean, yields Wools, and very fine Steel, whereof Arms are made that are in great vogue; a Cymeter of that steel does easily cut a Helmet through, without striking hard. Moghostan is a Countrey which contains the Amadizes and the Gauls, very warlike Nations, who have perhaps furnish'd Matter to make the Fables of Amadis de Gaule. Ormus has had the Title of a Kingdom: the Soyl of this Island is subject to great heats, and produces only Salt: it has not a drop of fresh Water, but what it borrows. The Portuguese being Masters of it, had caus'd a Fort to be made in the Isle of Kesem, for the having this conveniency. The excellent scituation of Ormus, gave occasion formerly to this saying, That if the World was a Ring, Ormus was the precious Stone in it. In the year 1622, the King Scha-Abbas, took it by help of the English, and after having caused the Fortress of it to be razed, transferred the Commerce to Gombru, which he caus'd to be called by his own Name, Bender-Abassi. The Portuguese lost, by the taking of that Town, to the value of seven or eight Millions: Thus Gombru grew great, from the ruins of Ormus. The Castles, which defend Gombru, are fortified after the ancient manner. The Road is commodious, riding safe at anchor in five or six fathom Water. All Nations, who trade upon the Indian-Seas, except the Portuguese, carry their Commodities thither, and bring Velvet, Taffaties, raw Silks, and other Commodities from Persia. The English have half of the Customs, and the right of exporting some Horses, which the Persians have granted them, in acknowledgment of the Men and Ships, wherewith they assisted them for the taking of Ormus. Bahrem, upon the Coast of Arabia, and of the Dependances of Persia, is an Island known for the Springs of fresh Water, which it has at the bottom of the Sea, and for the Pearls, that are fished there, which are the best, the greatest, and the roundest of all the East. Giask, upon that Coast, is a place where is droven the greatest Commerce for Silk.

Candahar, upon the Confines of the Mogul, is a Conquest of the late Kings of Persia.

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Persia, a famous Kingdom in Asia, called otherwise the Empire of the Sophy, but by the Inhabitants named Farsi and Farsistan, and by Greek and Latin Authors Persis. This great Dominion extends it self from East to West, from the River Indus to the Tigris or Tigil; its former limits to the East were the same Indus, the Kingdoms of Cambaya and Mogul; to the West Diarbec and Armenia, Turkish Provinces, with the River Tigris; to the South the Persian Gulf, Indian Sea, and Kingdom of Ormus; and to the North the Caspian Sea, with the Tartars of Usbec and Zagatai. Persia formerly comprehended Media, Hyrcana, Margiana, part of Assyria, Susiana, Parthia, Aria, Paropanisus, Chaldaea, Persia it self peculiarly so called, Caramania, Drangiana, Arachosia and Gedrosia, which had been almost all potent Kingdoms. The Provinces of this Empire are about 15 or 16; others say, 18, to wit, Servan, Kilan, Dilemon, Ayrach, Agemi, where was Media; Khoeme, which comprehends the ancient Margiana, and part of Parthia; Curdistan, part of the ancient Assyria, Chorasan, Yerack, Chusistan formerly Susiana, Persis called Farsi, Kherman and Sisistan, the ancient Caramania, Macheran, Candabar and Sablestan, which very near take in Gedrosia, Arachosia and Drangiana, with Tabarostan and Gordian, where was the ancient Hyrcania. Hispahan is the Capital City of Persia, suppos'd to be the Casbin of old; the others are Cherncan, Com, Cassian, Tauris, Schamachia, Ormus, Ardeuil, Derbeut, Sciras, Siustan, Gandel, Lar, Herat, Darabegord, Mexat, &c. Persia is situate in the temperate Zone. A ridge of Mountains divide it almost in the middle, as the Appenines do Italy. The Provinces to the North of these Mountains are very hot, but the others that lie Southward are of a temperate Air. The Kings of Persia made formerly use of this conveniency, changing their abode according to the Seasons, spending the Summer at Echatana, the Winter at Susa, and the Spring and Autumn either at Persepolis or Babylon. The late Kings have also made use of the same advantage, altering their Habitations almost in all the seasons of the Year. And this different Situation is the cause that the Provinces of Persia are not equally healthful. The Ground in the Plains is dry and sandy, strewed with small red Stones, and with great Thistles which they burn in some places where there is no Wood. The Mountainous parts, and the Province of Kilan are very fruitful, where are to be seen a great many Villages, whose Inhabitants are very skilfull and industrious to convey the Rivulets that run from the Mountains by Channels, to water their Lands and Gardens in those places where it seldom rains. They usually sow their Rice, Wheat, Barley, Millet, Lentil, Pease and Beans, Oats being unknown to them, and Rye abhorr'd by them. There is almost no Province in Persia that does not produce Cotton, which grows upon Bushes two or three Foot high: Tame Beasts among them are Sheep, Goats, Buffles, Oxen, Camels, Horses, Mules and Asses. They value their Horses very much, which they feed with Barley or Rice mix'd with chopp'd Straw. They have several sorts of Councils. The Fruits of Persia are excellent good, and especially Melons, whereof there are divers sorts, and some that weigh twenty or thirty pounds. The Climate of the Country is very agreeable for Vines and all sorts of Fruit-trees; but the Persians, in obedience to Mahomet's Command, drink no Wine, yet they love it dearly, and would almost never suffer the Armenians to live amongst them, unless it was that they might buy Wine of them. They are suffered to make Syrup of sweet Wine, which they boyl off till they reduce it to the sixth part, and which grows as thick as Oyl, and is called by them Duschab; and when they would take thereof, they steep it in Water, and put a little Vinegar to it which makes very pleasant Drink. Sometimes they reduce the Duschab into Paste, for the conveniency of Travellers. The Persians have a great number of Mulberry-trees for Silk-Worms to feed upon, Silk being the principal Manufactury, not only of this Country, but of all the East. They have several Springs of Naphta, and Salt and Iron Mines whereat they work, but meddle not with those of Gold and Silver, for that the Profit will not answer the Expence of Wood and Timber to be used for the same. Tavern. p. 65. saith, Whilst he was at Balsara there flew such a multitude of Locusts by, that afar off they appear'd like a great Cloud and darkened the Air, the Wind carrying them into the Desarts, where they light and certainly die; and should they not be thus driven away by the Wind, nothing could live upon the Earth in Chaldaea, and about the Persian Gulf where they swarm. The Nubian Geographer p. 121, saith, the Sea is 210 miles broad at Bahairan, a City of Arabia, 11 Stations or 70 German miles South of Balsara. As to the Stature, Customs and Manners of the Persians, they are usually of a middle size, well set and thick, of a grave Gate, and a Tawny or Olive-colour, shaving their Hair and Beards excepting the Mustachio's, which are very large. Red Hair is abominated by them, and they use to paint their Hands and Nails especially; their Coats and Vests are large, and like unto Womens. The Men wear on their Heads a thing called Mendil made of a Cotton Cloth, or some silken Stuff streak'd with various colours, and turned several times about, eight or nine Ells long, having their Pleats or Folds lightly edg'd with a thread of Gold. Some Persians, and they the greatest in the Kingdom, wear furr'd Bonnets. The Mendils of their Monks are white, and those of Mahomets Kindred green. Several wear red Bonnets, which is the reason that the Turks call them, in derision, Red Heads. The Womens Cloaths are made of finer stuff than those of the Men, being usually of Red or Green Velvet, their Hair made up into Tresses, hangs down carelessly over their Shoulders; and all the Ornament of their Heads consists only in two or three rows of Pearls, and are always veil'd going along the Streets. The Persians are usually neat, sharp-witted, of a good Judgment, civil to Strangers, tender-hearted, kind, agreeable, complaisant and very free of their Complements; thus a Persian that desires his Friend to come to his House, or makes offers of his service to him, usually speaks; I intreat you to honour my House with your Presence; I so devote my self to your desires that the Apple of my Eye shall be a path to your Feet, &c. They had always the reputation of being not over-carefull to say the truth, and even to this day, those who do not lye at all are not esteem'd to be very wise, but otherwise they are good friends, and so faithful in the particular friendships they contract together, as to preferr them before Birth and Consanguinity. It's also said of them in general, That they never prove ungratefull for kindnesses done them, but that they are irreconcilable in their hatred. The People are Courageous and good Soldiers, going cheerfully to engage, and even upon the most dangerous occasions. Their Houses are neat, especially their Kitchins in very good order. They usually eat Rice, Mutton, some Fowl, and have several sorts of Bread. Their Drink is Water mixt sometimes with Duschab, but the less scrupulous drink Wine. The use of Opium is very common amongst them, and that of Tabaco yet much more, which, that it may smoke pleasantly, they use a Bason of Water, which is sometimes perfum'd, and into which they put an hollow Reed, at whose end is the Pipe's head; and with another of an Ell long which they hold in their Mouths, they suck the Smoke of the Tabaco, which leaves behind it in the Water all the thick and sulsome part. They drink Coffee when they smoke, and use Tea also. There is good Commerce, establish'd in Persia, where there is a great Manufactury for Silk and Tapestry, and their Merchants grow very rich, and it is observ'd, that this Country produces yearly no less than twenty thousand Bales of Silk, each of two hundred and sixteen pound weight. The Persians take many Wives, or rather buy them, for that the Husbands give a Portion to the Maiden's Father, who are only oblig'd to deliver 'em their Daughters Virgins. They marry in a very ceremonious manner, but as they are a very Jealous People, Divorces are much in use with them. They wash the Dead, and never put the Corps in the Grave where another hath been buried before.

As to the Language of this Country it is peculiar to it, has much of Arabick in it, but nothing at all of the Turkish Dialect; yet there is reason to believe, that it is very different from that of its ancient Inhabitants, if what Herodotus says be true, That all their words ended in S. The greatest part of them understand the Turkish Language, especially those Provinces which have for a long time been subject to the Grand Signior. The Arabick is the Language of the Learned there, and their Characters are Arabick. They have Colleges and Universities, and among all the Sciences they have a more particular affection for Arithmetick, Geometry, Astronomy, Astrology, Ethicks, Physick, Law, Eloquence and Poetry. Olearius affirms, They have all Aristotle's Philosophy in Arabick, and call it Dunja piala, that is, The Goblet of the World. The greatest part of their pieces of Eloquence, which they imbellish with a great deal of History and Moral Sayings, are in Verse; so that they passionately love Poetry, and among 'em all sorts of Poets are to be found. Their Poetry is always Rhime, tho they are not over-exact in observing the number of Syllables, and make no scruple to use the same words to make it rhime. The Persians had their Magi formerly, who were the Learned amongst them. Their Year consists of 365 Days. In the Year 1079 the Sultan of Corasan or Mesopotamin, named Celal Edin Melixa caused the Vernal Equinox to be observed on Thursday March 14, two Hours and nine Minutes after noon. And from this time begins the Celalean AEra composed of Solar Years which the Persians make use of. The same Sultan appointed an Intercalation of one Day every four years, and sometimes five, called by them Neurus Elsultan, that is, The Year of his Majesty, or Year Royal. They follow a Period of 1460 Years, call'd Sal Chodai; that is, the Year of God, or of the Sun; and have besides the AEra called Jezd•girdan, which commences from Tuesday 16th of June in the Year 632, the 11th of the Hegira, or Mahomet's AEra, for that in this Year Omar Prince of the Saracens, defeated and kill'd Hormisdas IV. or Jezdegirdes King of Persia.

The Persians had different Sovereigns before Cyrus, who about the end of the first Year of the 55th Olympiad which answers to the 195 of Rome, dethron'd his Grandfather by the Mother's side, Astyades, King of the Medes, and began the Kingdom of Persia in the 19th or 20th Year of Servius Hostilius King of the Romans, and 559 or 60 before the birth of our Saviour, which answers to the 3495 Year of the World, 4155 of the Julian Period, and the 217 of Iphitus: About two and twenty years after he took Babylon, and began the first Monarchy of the Persians, which lasted 229 years under thirteen Kings, of whom Darius Codomanus was the last; after which the Persians became subject to Alexander the Great, to his Successors and to the Parthians untill the 227 or 228 Year of our Redemption, when Artaxerxes the Persian revolted against Artaban King of the Parthians, and establish'd the second Monarchy of the Persians, which continued till 632; at which time King Jezdegerdes or Hormisdas IV. was kill'd by Omar King of the Sarracens, who remain'd Masters of this Country for the space of 418 years, till the time of Sultan Gelal Edin, who took it from them: His Successors were Sovereigns of Persia, from whence they were expell'd by the Tartars under the Conduct of Tamerlain in 1398. Four Princes of the Faction called the Black Ram, succeeded in the Kingdom of Persia after Tamerlain. Ussum-Cassan or Ozun Asembec, the Son of Alibec, of the Family of Asembejes, and of the Faction of the White Ram, being Governour of Armenia, rebell'd against Jooncha King of Persia, and put him, together with his Son Acen-Ali, to death; and reign'd from the Year 1469 till 1478, or 1485 as others would have it. After him Persia became strangely divided, but Ismael descended from a Daughter of Ussum-Cassam reunited it, ascending the Throne by his Prudence and Bravery; and having augmented his State with all that which his Predecessors had possess'd, he reign'd in the beginning of the Sixteenth Age, and from him is computed the Empire of the Sophi's. Shacti Abas has much increased it in this Age. The Kingdom is Hereditary not only to Sons lawfully begot, but also to natural Sons, who are preferr'd before the other Relations; and the Government is so Monarchical, and despotick, that the Prince rules there with an absolute Power, making his Will a Law, and disposing as he pleases both of the Lives and Estates of his Subjects, who are very obedient, and never speak of their Sovereigns but with extraordinary respect. They use to wipe the places carefully where their Kings have sat to administer Justice, and also to go out of the City when the Prince comes to walk in the Streets with his Women. The Revenues of the Kings of Persia consists in their being possess'd of a good part of the Land of the Country, in Customs, the Trade they make of Silks, Tribute paid by the Armenians, and in farming out Fisheries, Passages, &c. but this Revenue is not so considerable as 'tis believ'd. He has several Officers whose places are not Hereditary; the Governours of the Provinces are oblig'd to entertain a certain number of Soldiers to be ready upon any occasions, and their Militia consists mostly in Cavalry.

As to their Religion, the ancient Persians ador'd the Sun, Moon, Fire, and other false Heathen Gods, but the present Inhabitants follow the Doctrine of Mahomet, as the Turks do, but they vary somewhat in their Opinions; and herein is principally founded the Enmity that lies between them. They do not expound the Alcoran in the same manner, and have neither the same Saints nor the same Ceremonies. They say that Mahomet having ordered that Ali should succeed him, Abubeker, Omar, and Osman usurp'd the Sovereign Power, but that the first coming to it changed nothing in the Alcoran, which is the Book of the Law, altho' both the one and the other made different explications upon it. About the end of the Fourteenth Century a certain Religious Mahometan, who said he was of the Family of Ali, preach'd a new Doctrine, teaching both by speaking and writing, That God sent him to renew the glory of the same Ali, who had been buryed so many Ages before: This new Doctor, whose name was Sofi, led an austere life; and by the exterior Innocence of his Carriage and Conversation acquir'd much Reputation, and the quality of Schich, which is to say, The Son of a Prophet. He set forth a great many Miracles wrought by Ali, and did at last, by his Artifice, make the Persians forsake the Doctrine of the Turks and comply with his, adding also to their Creed, That Ali was the Coadjutor or Lieutenant of God. The Persians not content to have confirmed the Holiness of the same Ali, have canoniz'd a douzen of his Successors; visiting the Tombs of these Saints, and celebrating their Feasts. Their Purifications, Prayers, and Ceremonies are different from those of the Turks: Friday is their Feast or Holy-day. They have a Lent obliging them to fast in the Day-time, but they fill themselves with eating by Night. Circumcision is in use among them, and that both by Men and Women. They have several Religious Orders, and so many Superstitious Ceremonies, that it is very strange how rational Creatures can be mislead with such Fopperies.

1694. The present state of the universe by John Beaumont.

PERSIA. (Book Persia)

I. HIstorians make eight Dynastyes of Persian Kings. The fifth of these Dynastyes was begun in the person of Tangrolipix, the first Persian King of the Turkish Race, ann. 1020, who is mentioned by me in my foregoing Account of Turky. This Race failing, the sixth Dynasty began in Haalon, made King of Persia by Occata, the Great Cham of Tartary, ann. 1260. This Tartarian Dynasty ended also in Persia with the Race of Tamerlane; and the seventh Dynasty of the Turcoman, or Armenian Race began in Ussan Cassanes, ann. 1472, he being the Son of one of those poor Armenian Princes, dispossessed by Bajazet the First, Emperor of the Turks, and restored by Tamerlane, who grew at length to that power, that he overthrew in a pitched Field Zeuzes, the last of the Tartarian Race, and slew him.

This Dynasty of the Turcoman or Armenian Race continued till 1496, that Alanat, the last King of it was overthrown and slain by Hysmael, one of the Sophian Race and Faction. The Quarrel and Occasion was thus.

Mahomet the Impostor, and first Emperor of the Saracens, by his last Will and Testament bequeathed the Succession of that Estate to Haly, his near Kinsman, and Husband to Fatima his eldest Daughter: but Abudezar, Haumar, and Osman, three powerful Men, and the chief Commanders of the Army in the time of Mahomet, successively followed one another in the supreme Dignity. After their Deaths Hali enjoyed that Honor for a little while, supplanted first, and afterwards vanquished by Muhavias, a great Man of War, who succeeded in it, and to secure himself, slew Hasen, or Ossan, the Son of Hali, and eleven of his Sons, a twelfth escaping, called Musa Ceredine, from whom Hysmael Sophi abovementioned, was lineally descended, who, after his Victory, and being crowned King, or Shaw of Persia, altered the Form of Religion, making Hali and himself the sole Successors of Mahomet, and condemning Abudezar, Haumar, and Osman with the Turks, as Rebels, and Schismaticks. Hence proceeded the Bloody Wars betwixt them and the Turks; the Persians burning whatsoever Book they found concerning those three; and the Turks holding it more meritorious to kill one Persian, than seventy Christians.

This Hysmael Sophi was the Founder of this eighth Dynasty of the Persian Kings, ann. 1505, from whom is descended,

Cha Soliman, the present King of Persia, at his coming to the Crown called Cha Sophi; he came to be King, ann. 1665, his Father great Cha Abas then dying, himself at that time being thirty five years of Age. Its a remarkable Passage concerning the change of this King's Name, and his being twice crown'd, which was on this occasion.

It happened some time after his being crowned, that he grew indisposed in his Health, and his Physician had tried several methods on him without success; whereupon the King's Mother growing impatient, fell severely on the Physician, and charged him for being either Fool or Traitor, that he did not cure the King. The Doctor finding himself so hardly put to it, had no way to shift himself but by charging the Fault on the Stars and the Astrologers; and told her, if the King languished, and could not recover a perfect health, it proceeded not from any Failure in him, or his Medicines, but for that the Astrologers had not taken the Aspect of a fortunate Constellation at the time of his Coronation. The Physician was back'd by all his Friends at Court, and particularly by one of the King's Astrologers, who had a secret hatred against the Prince of the Astrologers, who had been appointed to observe the favourable hour for the King's Coronation; and the former made out the mistake astrologically to the Grandees of the Court; so that the King and Queen Mother were possessed of the truth of what the Physician had averred. The chief Astrologer seeing how things went, was forced, for fear of drawing on him somewhat worse, not only to forbear contradiction, but withal to applaud what was said; and upon this second Inauguration, the King changed his name, as is said before, which was judged unfortunate to the State; and he began (as he thought) to find himself better afterward.

Note that the word Cha, in the Persian Tongue, signifies King, and that tho many call all the Kings of Persia, Sohpies, some modern Accounts say it is an Error so to do, and that Sophi is a proper name, or rather a name of the Religion of Hali; it signifying wise and knowing in the Law.

II. Concerning this King's Arms, there are various opinions. According to his Picture, to be seen in many places, there is a Sun Or, in a Field Azure. According to some ancient Books of Heraldry, the Kings of Persia have a white Banner, charged with an Eagle displayed and crowned Or. Another Author assures us they give the Cressent, as the Turkish Emperors, with this difference, that there is an Hand added to it. Others maintain that beside their bearing the Cressent, they cause it to be carried before them, when they walk in Ceremony, and that all Mahometan Kings have the Cressent in their Arms, and that Blazon and Coats of Arms are not much used in those Countries, but that in lieu, they make use of some Marks. Another says they bear Or with a Dragon Gules, and another says Or, with a Buffalo's Head Sable. Others say they give the Sun and Moon; and others a rising Sun on the back of a Lion with a Cressent: and in truth this is their Emblem and Hieroglyphick, and the Armenians, Subjects to the Persian, that are at Paris, say, that these are the Arms of this Crown, and our Merchants at London, who have lived in Persia many years, affirm this to be the great Seal of the King of Persia. His Livery is of a _____ Colour. He professes the Mahometan Religion according to the Doctrine of Hali, the Turks following that of Osman, and he uses the Persian Language, which is not limited within the Provinces of the Persian Empire, but used also in the Court and Camp of the Great Mogul, and some parts of Zagathay: and where its not vulgarly spoken, its studied and understood by persons of the more eminent sort, as the Latin, by the Gentry of these Western parts; so that he that has this Language, may travel over all the East without an Interpreter.

III. Hispaan, seated on the River Senderut, is the Capital City of Persia, and the ordinary place of Residence of the Kings. The Town and Suburbs are almost of as great extent as Paris; but the number of the Inhabitants is much lesser. The greatest part of the Houses there are but of one story, or two, at most; they are built of Bricks, only dryed in the Sun, and generally they have flat Roofs (as generally in the East) and have Terasses on the tops. The Fronts facing the Streets are very mean, and the Mens Apartments are very neat: as for those of the Women, Strangers are no ways permitted to see them. Each considerable House has a Garden belonging to it, where they do not now suffer the great number of Plane Trees to grow, which formerly made the Town, at a distance, seem like a Forest. The streets are narrow, oblique, and very dark; because for the greatest part, they have Arches made on each side of them, for walking dry. They are not paved, wherefore the Dirt is very troublesome in the Winter, and the Dust in the Summer. The Town-Walls are only of Earth.

He has a Seat of Pleasure at Tawgebawt; its of no great Receipt; but for the Cost and Ornaments of it, and for the Delightfulness of the Gardens, adjoining to it, not yielding to any in this large Empire; and for Grotto's, Ecchoes, Labyrinths, and other Excellencies of Arts, perhaps not fellowed in the World; especially considering that it stands in the midst of a Sandy Desert.

IV. Pontier, a late French Writer, tells us that the King of Persia has fifteen millions of Crowns, annual Rent. His Revenues arise from the Fishery of Pearls, found on his Coasts,, from the Mines of the old and new Rocks of Turky Stones, from the Customs and the Sale of all sorts of Merchandizes, which pay proportionably to the price they are sold at. And each publick Hall built for the Entertainment of Travellers pays the King a Tribute.

The Government of the King of Persia, tho it be despotical and severe, has a great deal less of the Tyrant in it, than any other of the Mahometan Kings, or Princes; these cherishing their Brethren, maintaining Nobility amongst them, and encouraging Industry; which makes them to be better served than the Turk or Tartar, to both whom they are far inferior both in Power and Treasure. Their Officers of State, and Men of principal Employment, for the most part, are Eunuchs (as generally in all Empires of the East) such persons being thought most trusty, because abstracted from the Obligation of Wife and Children, they study more the Prince's Service, than their own Advantages.

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

PERSIA.

PERSIA, tho' a very spacious Kingdom, is but a part of that large Empire, which the Kings of Persia, the Predecessors of Darius, did anciently enjoy in Asia.

Persia is bounded on the North with the River Gehun or Oxus, which parts it from the Greater Tartary, and by the Caspian Sea, on the West with the Territories of the Grand Seignior, by the Gulph of Balsora and Persian Sea on the South; and on the East by the States of the Great Mogul, and a part of Tartary. It's Extent from South to North is about 370 Leagues in its greatest place, from the 25th Degree to the 43d Degree 30 min. of Latitude; and from West to East 510 Leagues, from the 80th Degree to the 111th of Longitude.

The Air is very temperate towards the North on this side Mount Taurus; toward the South, on the same Mountain, 'tis something colder: For this Mountain divides this Kingdom into two equal parts almost. The Soil produces almost all sorts of Grain, except Rye; it affords much Cotton, Silk, Raisons, and most excellent Fruit. It hath Melons that weigh between 40 and 50 Pounds. It feeds an abundance of Camels and Horses, which are met in Companies of 5 or 6000 at a time. The King is at the Charge of keeping many Mares to breed Horses for his Guard. Northward there are Forests of Mulberry-Trees, and other sorts of Wood. They have some Venison. In the Mountains are found Mines of Gold and Silver, Tarkish, Iron, and Salt; also several Springs of Naptha. They fish for Pearls in the Gulph of Balsora. They ordinarily eat Rice, Wheat, Barley, Millete, Lentiles, Pease, Beans: They have no Oats, and hate Rye. Their tame Creatures are Camels, Horses, Mules, Asses, Sheep, Goats, Cows, Oxen and Buffles. Their Drink, which they call Duschab, is pleasant enough; it is made of sweet Wine boiled with a little Water and Vinegar to a Sixth part. They dare not drink Wine, because their Law forbids it. The best Revenue of the Country is a great quantity of Silk, which is made there. The Soil is sandy in the Plains, mixed with little red Stone and great Coals, which they burn in the places where they have no Wood.

The Rivers will bear nothing but Flat-bottom'd Boats, but yet furnish the Inhabitants with Chanels to water the Ground with; which makes the Ground about the Caspian Sea and the Sea of Elcalif very fruitful; whereas the inward part of the Country is subject to great Driness, by reason of the great Desarts and Mountains, where it very seldom rains. The Rivers of Persia have neither Eels nor Pikes. The most remarkable are the Tiviini and the Sizt in the Province of Chusistan; Bindimir or Chur in Farlistan; Bassiri in Kirman; the little Ilmen we meet in Makheran. Pulimalon, which empties it self into the Lake of Burgian in Chorosan; Abissirvi, which runs to Ghilan; Araxes, which crosses Scirvan and Georgia. The Lake of Marrage is in the Province of Aderabejan, which is 50 Leagues in compass.

The Persians at this day are the most civil, gentile People of Asia, not inferiour in Ingenuity and Wit to most parts of Europe. They have great Love for their Kindred; and the Younger Brother never fails to respect the Elder. They give great Honour to their Nobility and Men of Worth. They are proud, and prone to Revenge. They are very passionate in their Amours, and have very handsom Wives, of which they are apt to be jealous. They are subject to very shameful and abominable Vices. They are naturally very Civil to Strangers, honest, sociable, complaisant, and great Complimenters. They are couragious, good Soldiers, and will venture upon dangerous Attempts without Fear or Regret. Their Houses are very tall and convenient, especially in their Kitchins. They eat ordinarily Rice, Mutton, and some Birds. The Drink of the ordinary People is Water, which they sometimes mingle with a little Duschab. The less scrupulous drink some Wine. The Use of Opium and Tobacco is very common, as also of Coffee and Tea. Their Stature of Body is middle.

The Language of the Persians is mingled much with Arabick, which is a Learned Language. Their Characters are Arabick. They have their Colledges and Universities. They have a great Love for Arithmetick, Geometry, Astrology, Astronomy, Moral Philosophy, Physick, Law, Oratory, Natural Philosophy and Poetry. Cyras began the Kingdom of the Persians about 560 Years before the Nativity of Christ. He took Babylon, and founded the first Monarchy of the Persians, which lasted 229 Years under 13 Kings, of whom Darius Codomannus was the last. Then the Persians became subject to the Greeks, Romans, and Parthians, till the 227th or 228th Years after Christ, when Artaxerxes the Persian rebelled against Artaban the King of the Parthians. He established the Fourth Monarchy of the Persians, which continued to the Year of Christ 632. when King Isdegerdes, or Hormisda II. was slain by Aumer King of the Saracens. Ismael, descended of the Daughter of Ʋssan-Cassan, raised himself to the Throne by his Courage and Conduct. He began his Reign in the beginning of the XVI. Age, and from him comes the beginning of the Sophi's. Schab-Abas much augmented it in the same Age. The Kingdom is Hereditary both to Legitimate and Natural Sons, who are preferr'd before other Relations. The Government is Monarchical, and so absolute, that the King is Master of the Lives and Estates of all his Subjects. The Kings Revenue consists in a Property to a considerable part of the Lands of his Kingdom, in the Silk-Trade, and the Tribute which he receives of the Armenians, in farming of the Fishery, Pass-ports, Customs, &c. The Governours of Provinces are obliged to quarter a certain number of Soldiers to serve him upon occasions. Their Soldiery is made up chiefly of Horse, which is the best of all the East. The Name of Sultan signifies in the Turkish Language King, and in the Persian Governour of a City or Province.

The King of Persia hath great Wars with the Turks, Can of Zagathay, and Great Mogul. He is able to send out 200000 Horse. Persia yields the finest Silks, curious Tapestry, richest Gold Thread, Turquois, Besor, Manna, and Rhubarb.

The ancient Persians worshiped the Sun, the Moon, Fire, and several other false Pagan Gods. The present Persians follow the Errors of Mahomet, as the Turks do; yet with this difference; They do not interpret the Alcoran the same way; They call Hali the Assistant or Deputy of God. There are Greeks, Armenians, and Catholicks, which profess the Christian Religion in several places. In the City of Ispahan there are Carmelites, Augustin-Monks, Capuchins, and other Religious Orders. They have Houses and Churches, and are often sent in Embassies by the Christian Princes under the Government of the King of Persia.

Persia contain'd in ancient times Media, Hyrcania, Mergiana, part of Assyria, Susiana, Parthia, Aria, Parap•nisus, Chaldea, Persia Propria, Caramania, Drangiana, Arachosia and Gedrosia. Now 'tis divided into 23 Provinces: Six on the West of the Caspian Sea. 1. Seirvan. 2. Erivan, or Karasbag. 3. Aderbejan, or Aderbelgian, which made up the ancient Media. 4. A part of Georgia. 5. A part of Armenia. 6. A part of Daghestan, from the Caspian Sea to the Gulph of Balsora. 7. Kilan or Ghilan. 8. Tabristan, or Tabarestan, anciently Hyrcania. 9. Herakag-emis, or Yerach, heretofore Parthia. 10. Curdistan. 11. Chusistan, of old Susiana. 12. Farsistan, or Persia Propria. 13. Laristan, which are Six Provinces from Turquistan to the Gulph of Ormus, lying on the East of the former. 14. Estarabat, or Masendaran, heretofore Margiana. 15. Chorosan, of old Aria. 16. Kirman, anciently Caramania. 17. Laristad. 18. Jasques. 19. Makran, or Makeran, of old Gedrosia, four Provinces lying Eastward. 20. Candahar. 21. Sablustan, before Darapamisus. 22. Segistan, anciently Drangiana. 23. Send, of old Arachosia. All which may be distinguished better, as in the following Table.

Persia is divided into Twenty Three Provinces or Parts.

• 1. Servan, or Scrivan, in which are
  • ...Barbent.
  • ...Bachu.
  • ...Zakan.
  • ...Bakera.
  • ...Schamachi.
• 2. Erivan, wherein are
  • ...Erivan.
  • ...Karasbah.
  • ...Bilangan.
  • ...Chincar.
• 3. Aderbejan, which hath
  • ...Tauris.
  • ...Nackschivareg.
  • ...Ardevis.
  • ...Ʋruna.
  • ...Sultania.
  • ...Muran.
• 4. Part of Georgia, which are,
  • ...Testis.
  • Gori, or
  • ...Cori.
  • ...Grimmi.
  • ...Caket.
  • ...Surham.
• 5. Part of Armenia. [Testis and Dervent.
• 6. Part of Daghestan, in which are [Tarku, Andre.
• 7. Kilan, or Ghilan, which hath,
  • ...Reschel.
  • ...Kesken.
  • ...Layon.
  • ...Mosun.
  • ...Fimschuc.
• 8. Tabristan, or Masenderan, wherein are
  • ...Ferhabat.
  • ...Osbun.
  • ...Funkabun.
  • ...Gorgian.
  • ...Sakhambat.
  • ...Eseref-Rijar.
  • ...Sarisjaki.
• 9. Yerach, or Heraraxagemi, in which are
  • ...Ispahan.
  • ...Casbin.
  • ...Com.
  • ...Hamadan.
  • ...Sawa.
  • ...Yesd.
  • ...Kaschan.
  • ...Cassian.
  • ...Kulpajan.
• 10. Part of Curdistan.
• 11. Chusistan, which hath
  • Schouster, or
  • ...Sus.
  • ...Ram-Ormus.
  • ...Hawecz.
  • ...Siapour.
  • ...Saurac.
  • ...Heir-mokran.
• 12. Farsistan, in which are
  • ...Schiras.
  • ...Kasaron.
  • ...Astahar.
  • Stahar, or
  • ...Astakar.
  • ...Firusabat.
  • ...Bennarou.
• 13. Laristan, which contains
  • ...Lahr.
  • ...Barder-Gomron.
  • Ormus, an Island.
• 14. Estarabat. [Estarabat.
• 15. Chorosan, in which are
  • ...Herat.
  • ...Mesched.
  • ...Maruve.
  • ...Tursitus.
  • ...Nisabar.
  • ...Sarachas.
  • ...Burgian.
  • ...Marwarrand.
• 16. Kirman, which hath
  • ...Keirman.
  • ...Bermasir.
  • ...Bendasir.
  • ...Salein.
  • ...Chabis.
  • ...Jardesir.
  • ...Mokestan.
• 17. Jasques. [Jasques.
• 18. Mahran.
  • ...Makeran.
  • ...Firhk.
  • ...Kembile.
  • ...Bilguri.
  • ...Rasec.
  • ...Guadel.
  • ...Darci.
• 19. Candahar.
  • ...Candahar.
  • ...Grees.
  • ...Curvan.
  • ...Cusheanna.
  • ...Schawa.
• 20. Sablustan.
  • ...Bust.
  • ...Servan.
  • ...Sarents.
  • ...Memend.
  • ...Raber-Emir.
  • ...Becsabath.
• 21. Sigiestan, or Sistan, which hath
  • Sigistan, or
  • ...Sistan.
  • ...Chalak.
  • ...Huma.
  • ...Araba.
  • ...Masmich.
  • ...Fardan.
  • ...Mazurgian.
  • ...Sirun.
  • ...Corra.
  • ...Arra.

• 22. Send, which hath
  • ...Almansura.
  • ...Kosdar.
  • ...Sadusan.
  • ...Albirun.
  • ...Ahnultan.
• 23. Divers Islands, viz.
  • ...Baharent.
  • Guexexumi, or
  • ...Lecha.
  • ...Carge.
  • ...Tassiane.
  • ...Corgne.
  • ...Goga.
  • ...Ormus.

The Six Provinces situated on the West of the Caspian-Sea.

SCirvan, Servania, or Media Cocomitreve, is the most Northern and Western part of Persia, between the Caspian-Sea on the East, Georgia on the North, and Erivan or Karasbay on the South. It is a very fruitful Country. The City Derbent, Portae Caucasiae, or Pilae Iberiae, stands here upon the Steep of an Hill, with a Castle above it, on the Bank of the Caspian-Sea. It is a great Passage out of Persia, and most of the Southern Provinces of Asia, into Muscovy, and other Northern Kingdoms. The way lies between Mount Caucasus, called by the Inhabitants Elbours, and the Caspian-Sea. Bachu, or Barvic, or Backia, is upon the Caspian-Sea, a City famous for Trade. Near this City there is a Spring under Ground, which sends forth Black Oyl, used almost in all Persia for burning. It gives the Name of the Black-Sea to the Caspian-Sea, which is between Muscovia, Tartary, and Persia, into which many Rivers discharge themselves; as the Volga, Jaick, Jaicubi, Chesei, Albianu or Gehon, and Araxes.

The Province of Erivan or Karasbag is between Servan or Scirvan on the North, Georgia and Armenia on the West, Aderbeigan on the South and East. Artaxata or Erivanum is the Capital City of this Province, standing on the Frontiers of Georgia, and on the Banks of Araxes or Arasse.

The Province of Aderbeigian, Daretis, or Media Tropateria, is between Erivan on the North, Curdistan on the West, Hierach or Herarag-emi on the South, Ciion or Gilan and the Caspian Sea on the East. These three Provinces contain that Country, which was heretofore called Media. Tauris, Tauresium, or Tabresium, or Ebotan, is the chief City, which is very rich, and full of Trade, and stands in a fertile Soil, in a pleasant and healthful Climate, and in a place very convenient for the passage of the Caravans, which come hither from all parts. It hath often been the Seat of War between the Turks and Persians.

Georgia I have already described in a Chapter by it self, wherein also I have spoken of

Daghestan, where the Tartars have a Prince of their own, whom they call Sckemeall. He pays Tribute to the Persian King, and hath his Residence at the City of Andre.

Part of Armenia; tho' but a small Portion of Land is under the Dominion of a Persian; as also some Cities of several Names in the other adjoining Provinces.

Seven Provinces, which lie between the Caspian-Sea and the Gulph of Balsora.

THE Province of Kilan, Gilan, Kilania or Aropatia, or Media Antropatena. It is between the Caspian-Sea on the North, Aderbeigian on the West, Yerach on the South, Tabristan on the East. The City Reskh, or Rescha, is the chief City of the Province, two Leagues from the Caspian-Sea.

Tabristan, or Taberestian, is a Province situate between the Caspian-Sea on the North, Kilan on the West, Yerach and Esterabat on the South and East. It is part of the ancient Hyrcania, as also Kilan or Gilan. The City Ferabad, which stands on the Caspian-Sea, is the Head City of it.

The Province of Yerach, or Herarag-emi. Assyria Propria is situate between Tabeistan, Keilan, and Aderbeigian on the North, Curdistan on the West, Farsistan and Kirman on the South, and Chorosan on the East. It was the ancient Parthia. Ipsaham is the Metropolis of all the Kingdom; it is situate upon a pleasant Plain, surrounded with Mountains. It is 7 or 8 Leagues round, taking in the Suburbs. It is very rich, and full of Trade. The King's Palace is a pretty strong Fortress, having 36 great Culverins, and several other Cannon. It is much set off with the Mosks, Houses of the great Lords of the Court, Publick Baths, Markets and Gardens.

Casbin or Caswin, Arsacia or Casbinum, is at the foot of the Mountains as you go from Ispaham to the Caspian-Sea. It is very large, and well peopled. It hath a beautiful Palace, many Mosques, several Bazars or Streets overspread and filled with all sorts of Trades. 'Tis thought to be the ancient Ecbatan. The Kings of Media had their Residence here. The City of Com, Comum or Bommum, Choania and Chaono, is between Ispaham and Casbin, near Kars, Kiara, and Kassian. It stands in a plentiful Country. The City of Cassian, or Cassianum, is in a Plain, three days Journey from Ispaham towards the North. It hath excellent Fruits, fine Gardens, stately Houses, and a great Trade for Silks; but wants good Water; and the Inhabitants are much infested with Scorpions, whose Sting is very dangerous, &c.

Kurdistan, or Kurdi, Armenia Major, is not all under the Persian, but only about 30 Leagues from South to North, and 20 or 25 from East to West. It is a very fruitful Country. The People are Mahometans, and great Horsemen. They live upon the Banks of Tigris, and generally are subject to the stronger side; but have a greater Inclination for the Persians than Turks; and have therefore put themselves under the Protection of the former.

Chasistan, Susiana, or Chusistania, is bounded on the North with a part of Curdistan, and with the Gulph of Balsora, which also bounds it on the South; on the East with Tarsistan. This Province is very plentiful▪ Susa, Sus, or Schouster, is the biggest City. It stands at the entrance of a great Plain upon the River Eulaeus, or Choaspes.

The Province of Farsistan, or Farsi, Persia, is between Yerach on the North, Chusistan on the West, the Gulph of Balsora on the South, Laristan and Kirman on the East. It is a good Country, plentiful in all things. Siras, or Xyras, or Schiras. Schirasium is the chief City, and stands on the River Bendimis, built upon the Ruins of the ancient Persepolis, which was the Metropolis of the East. The Government of this City is the most considerable of all Persia. It is supplied with excellent Fruits and most delicate Wine.

Laristan, Provincia-Laurensis, is between the Confines of Kirman and Farsistan on the North, Farsistan on the West, the Gulph of Balsora on the South, and Kirman on the East. It is a small Kingdom, depending on the Province of Farsistan. Lar, or Lara, is the chief City, situate near the River Tisindon.

Five Provinces from Turquestan to the Gulph of Ormus, which lie on the East of the preceding Provinces.

ESterabat hath Turquestan on the North, the Caspian-Sea and Tabarastan on the West▪ Chorosan on the South and East. It was the ancient Margiana. Esterabat is the chief City of it, lying on the Confines of Taberestan towards the South.

Chorosan, or Corossan, Chorosania, or Arsia Propria and Parthia, is between Zagathay on the North, Estarabat on the West, Kirman on the South, Sablestan and Turquestan on the East. It was the ancient Aria. The most remarkable City of it is Herat, a considerable City upon a small River towards the East and South, and Thus or Meschet towards the North on the Borders of Chorosan.

Kirman, Perses is between Chorosan and Yerach on the North, Faristan and Laristan on the West, the Gulph of Ormus and Jasques on the South, Sigistan and Makran on the East. It was the ancient Caramania, Cherman, or Keirman: Kermania is the chief City of it upon the River Bussiri. This Province is very barren towards the North, where was Caramania Deserta. There are some fruitful Valleys towards the middle of the Country, where there are great quantities of Fruits and Flowers, particularly Roses; precious Stones, as Turqueises and Tufies.

Jasques is a small Province upon the Gulph of Ormus, belonging to Makeran, with a City of the same Name adjoining to the Sea.

Makran, or Makeran, Macrania, heretofore called Gedrosia, is between Sigistan on the North, Kizman on the West, the Persian-Sea on the South, and Send on the East. Makeran is the chief City of it, lying on the Borders of Kizman. Tits is a Sea-port as well as Guadel.

Four Eastern Provinces adjoining to the Empire of the Mogul.

CAndahar, Candaharia, is a Province of Persia, between the little Thibet and Zagathay on the North and West, Sablestan on the South, Cabul, a Province of the Great Mogul on the East. This Country is fruitful enough Southward, but the Water in most places of it either salt, or stinking. The Patans, Avans, and Coulis, which are Thieves, do often make their Inroads to set upon the Caravans which come from India into Persia. The chief City of it, Candahar, is made considerable by the Customs which are paid there for Merchandises. It is strong, and situated very advantageously. It is the Seat of War between the Persian and the Mogul.

Sablestan, or Sablustan, Sablustania, or Aria, is between Candahar and Zagathay on the North, Chorosan on the West, Sigistan on the South, the Country of the Mogul on the East. Bust is the chief City of it: It hath a strong Castle, which is the best fortify'd of any in Persia.

Sigistan, Sigistania, or Drangiana, is between Sablestan on the North, Chorosan and Ki•man on the West, Send on the South, and the States of the Mogul on the East. This Province is situate among the Mountains. The City Sigistan is the chief City of it.

Send, Sindia is between Sigistan on the North, Makran on the West, the Persian-Sea on the South, and the States of the Mogul on the East. Almansura, and other Cities are remarkable in it.

The Principal Islands about Persia.

BAharem, Ichara, or Tylus, is in the Gulph of Persia or Balsora, about 3 or 4 Leagues from Ormus. It abounds with all sorts of Fruits, but especially Dates. It hath plenty of Water, but much more salt than fresh. The Wells of Naniah, which are in the middle of the Isle, are good Water.

Lecha, or Guexum, is about 18 Leagues distant from Baharem, over against the Cape of Bacido. It is large and pleasant. It is about 3 Leagues from Ormus. It is 24 Leagues long, and 3 Leagues over.

Carge or Carae, Icarium, is an Isle in the Gulph of Balsora, well peopled, and rich: Foreign Embassadors generally land here. It is 24 Leagues long, and 6 broad. The People of this Isle have a great Trade for Rough-Diamonds and fine Pearl.

Tassiana hath a convenient Haven on the North, but is not above 6 Leagues round. It produces plenty of Cotton, Lemmons, Citrons and Oranges, and several other Fruits.

Gorgue is not above 4 or 5 Leagues in compass, but is rich in Cattel.

Goga is situate at the Mouth of the River Indus. It is 9 or 10 Leagues in Circuit.

Ormus, Armusia, or Ormuzium, or Organa, is also in the Persian Gulph, and hath the Title of a Kingdom. It is but 4 Leagues in compass. It is well situated, but it hath no Sweet Waters, Herbs nor Fruit; yet all things are plentiful there, being imported from Arabia, Persia, and other places; and it is very well peopled, by reason of the Confluence of Merchants of all Nations thither. The City is one of the most famous for Merchandize in the World, and hath one of the best Ports in Asia for Trade; upon which account it is, that the Indians, Europeans, and all the People thereabouts, come thither. It is true, that since the Persians have taken it from the Portugueze by the Assistance of the English, the Trade is nothing so considerable, because 'tis removed to another Haven called Comoran. In this Isle the Sun is so hot in Summer, that the Inhabitants are forced to keep in Tubs of Water up to the Neck. The People are white, of a good Stature. There is a Mountain near the City, which yields a great Revenue to it by Salt and Brimstone which it produceth. There is plenty of Hares and Roe-Bucks. The City hath 3000 Houses, in which are about 40000 Inhabitants.