Turcomania

Sources from old books

1630. Relations of the most famous kingdomes. London. by Giovanni Botero.

Turcomania, in times past a part of the greater Armenia.

Turcomania comprehendeth no small portion of Armenia major: what remaineth is accounted in Georgia. Upon the North lieth Colchis, (now Mongrelia:) Upon the West Euphrates, and the lesse Armenia upon the East that remainder of the greater Armenia, which is counted in Georgia; Upon the South Mesopotar••a (now Dierbechia) with the people Curdi. It is invironed with Mountaines, and beautified with plains, amongst the which Periander, (now Chalderan) Antitaurus (now Mons-nigor) are most renowmed. It is generally exceeding fertile, and stored with Cattell, but marvellously subject to deepe snowes.

The people by nature are much given to theft and spoile, as descending from the Tartars, and so at this day lead their lives, living in Tents and Hovels attending and pasturing their cattell; Yet some of them inure themselves to tillage, and mechanike Trades, in weaving of Chamblets, and Hangings, watered and unwatered: of the like qualities. are the Curdi, and some suppose that these Curdi inhabit the ancient seats of the Chaldeans, whereupon it is called at this day Curdistan by the Turkes and Persians, but by the Arabians Kelaan, that is to say, Chaldea.

Georgia, by the Barbarians termed Gurgistan, comprehendeth the ancient Iberia, with part of the greater Armenia, and peradventure Atropatia. Upon the West lieth Mengrelia, upon the North Zuiria (once Albania), upon the East the middle Atropatia (now Siruan,) upon the South that part of the greater Armenia, which now is called Turcomanta.

For the greater part it is covered with Mountains, Woods, and thickets, and in that regard inconquerable for the difficulties of the mountainous passages. It is notwithstanding fertile, and adorned with many large plaines and vallies, from whence arise many famoused Rivers, as Cirus and Araxis, springing from the Mountaine Taurus, and running thorow the whole Province, untill at last it disgorge it selfe into the Caspian.

The Inhabitants are termed Georgiani, of S. George, whom they advow their Patron and Advocate. But this is but a vulgar errour, seeing both Plinie and Mela make mention of the Georgiani, one hundred yeares before the birth of Saint George, the famous souldier and martyr. They are Christians, according to the Greeke Church, with some small difference. They are very populous and warlike, strong of body, and valorous in fight, even untill our times, mantaining their libertie in the midst of the Mahumetans, sometimes following the fortunes of the Turkes, sometimes of the Persians. But at this day, they have not onely lost their wonted libertie, but also many Fortresses and Cities, as Testis, Lori, Clisca, G•ri, and Tomanis, and withall, some of of them have imbraced the Turkish infidelitie.

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

TVRCOMANIA is bounded on the East with Media, and the Caspian Sea; on the West with the Euxine Sea, Cappadocia, and Armenia Minor; on the North, with Tartary; and on the South, with Mesopotamia and Assyria. So called from the Turcomans or Turks; who from hence made their first expedition for the conquest of Persia, and after spread themselves over all those parts of Europe, Asia, and Africk, now in their possession. A Countrey which consisteth of four several Provinces, each province having to its self its particular story; and therefore we must look upon it as it is now divided into those four parts, that is to say, 1. Armenia Major, or Turcomania properly and specially so called. 2. Colchis, now called Mengrelia. 3. Iberia, now named Georgia; and 4. Albania, which they now term Zuiria.

1. ARMENIA MAJOR.

ARMENIA MAJOR is bounded on the East with Media, and some part of the Caspian Sea; on the West, with the River Euphrates, which parteth it from Armenia Minor, in the lesser Asia; on the North, with Colchis or Mengrelia; and on the South, with Mesopotamia and some part of Assyria.

It was called Armenia, as some say quasi Aram-Mini or the Minni of Syria: but as others say, quasi Har-mini, that is to say Mons Mini, or Montana Miniadis: the Mini or Minni, being a region of this tract, mentioned by Jeremie the Prophet, chap. 5. ver. 27. and by him placed betwixt Ararat and Askenaz, which shew the situation of it to be hereabouts. Major was added to it for distinction sake, to difference it from Armenia Minor: and now it is called Turcomania, as the first seat in which the Turcomans or Turks did fix themselves, after their eruption out of Scythia.

The Countrey in the most parts overspread with hills, branches of those huge mountains of Taurus, and Anti-Taurus; but intermixt with fertile and delightful vallies, liberally furnished with Cattel, and good store of fruits, though much subject to deep snows, which do much annoy it. The Riches of it not to be better estimated than by the frankness of Tigranes, once King hereof. Who being fined by Pompey at 6000 Talents, not onely very readily laid down that summe, but added of his own accord to every Roman Souldier 50 Drachmas of Silver, 1000 Drachmas to each Captain, and to every Colonela Talent. For though Tigranes had added some part of Media, and the whole Kingdome of Syria, unto his estate: yet those being new Acquests, and not fully setled, were not much likely for the present, to enrich his coffers: new conquered Provinces being for the most part more chargeable than beneficial to the Victor.

The people are generally great bodies, of comely personage, and patient of all kind of labour; good Archers, when put to it, but careless of honour got by warre; merry, desirous to be at ease, and apt to be soothed. The women tall, but homely, of a manly look, most of them skilfull at their bow, or some other weapon. Their families for the most part great, the Father and all his posterity to the third and fourth generation living under a roof, after whose death the eldest whether Sonne or Brother hath the chiefest Rule. In diet and clothing all alike: and in most places they are said to be very industrious, painful in tillage, and well seen in manufactures, especially rich tapestries, Grograins, and watred Chamlets: with which they trafick into most Cities of the Turks and other Mahometans, privileged as they say, by a Charter under Mahomets own hand, above other Christians; and upon that occasion more dispersed in the Eastern Countries, than any Nation in the world, the Jews excepted.

They have a language of their own which they call the Armenian, not onely used amongst them in common talk, but in sacred offices: the Scriptures being translated into that language also, and that as the people do affirm by the hand of Saint Chrysostome, at such time as (on the solicitation of the Empress Eudoxia, his most eager enemy) he was confined to the lesser Armenia, by the Emperor Arcadius, to whom also they ascribe the invention of the Armenian Characters, or letters, still in use amongst them.

They received the Christian faith by the preaching of Saint Bartholmew, and were antiently of the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople, as a Province of the Pontick Diocese, which together with the Asian D•o•ese, and that of Thrace, were by the Council of Chalcedon laid unto that Patriarchate. But falling into the opinions of Eutyches touching one nature onely in CHRIST our Saviour, they withdrew themselves long since, from the communion of the Greeks, whom they hold in greater detestation than all other Christians; and chose two Patriarchs of their own, of whom more anon. Other opinions which they hold besides those of Eutyches, which yet they labour to make capable of an Orthodox sense, and those wherein they differ from the Church of Rome, as 1. Denying Purgatory, and prayers for the dead. 2. Admitting none to be made Priests except those that be maried. 3. Denying the body of Christ to be really under the species of bread and wine; and 4. Rebaptizing such as come to their Communion from the Latine Churches; are these that follow: in which they differ also from most Churches else, viz. in receiving Infants to the Lords Table, immediately after Baptism. 2. In abstaining from •••lear beasts. 3. In fasting on Christ-mass day; and 4. In holding their children over the fire, as a necessary circumstance in Baptism, because John the Baptist told the people which followed him, that CHRIST should baptize them with the Holy Ghost, and with fire; in which place he meaneth not materiall fire, but the lively purgation of the Holy Ghost, according to the nature of fire. The Church of this sect is Governed by two Patriarchs, whereof the one hath under his jurisdiction this Turcomania; comprehending 150000 Families, besides very much Monasteries: and the other hath under him the two Provinces of Armenia the lesser, and Cilicia, comprehending 20000 Families, or thereabouts. The first residing antiently in Sebastia, the Metropolis of the greater Armenia; the second originally at Melitene, the Metropolis of Armenia Minor, but of late at Sis, a small City, not farre from Tarsus in Cilicia. Both honoured with the title of Catholiques, and having under them to the number of 30. Bishops.

Chief Rivers of this Countrey, 1. Araxes, which rising out of Mount Abos, an Armenian Mountain, first runneth Eastward as farre as Media, and then bendeth it self towards the North, and after a long course is divided into two Branches; whereof the one falleth into the Caspian Sea, the other into, 2. Cyrus, another great River of this Countrey. The fountain of this last in Mount Caucasus in the furthest North of Turcomania; and falling into a Lake, there meeteth with 3. Cambyses, another great River of these parts; and so together hasten to the Caspian also. 4. Euphrates, by the Turks called Frat, by the Hebrews, Perah, famous in Scripture for its watering the garden of Eden, hath its fountain in the hills which they call Niphates, as is said by Strabo. A River of great length and swiftness. For having forced it self a passage through the Mountains of Taurus, it runneth in the West of Mesopotamia, with a stream so violent, that they who go by water from Bir or Birra, a Town on the North-West of Mesopotamia, to the City of Bagdat, are fain to come back again by land, selling those Boats for eight crowns which they bought for 50. At Apamia, a City of Chaldaea it is joyned with Tigris, with which the greatest branch of it passeth thorow the City of Babylon, and so into the Persian Gulf: the rest of it being cut into many Channels, for fear it should overflow and drown the Countrey, are quite lost in the Lakes of Chaldea. 5. Tigris, a swifter stream than that, whence it had the name; the word in the Median tongue signifying an Arrow. A River of so strong a course, that it passeth thorow the Lake Thonitis, without mixture of Waters, and affordeth the Armenians an easie passage to Bagdat: who on a few Rafis born up with Goat-skins blown full of wind, and boards laid upon them, make their voyage thither. It is called Heddekel in the Scripture, one of the four Rivers which watered the garden of Paradise; situate in an Iland made by the imbracement of this River and Euphrates, with their several Branches. Rising originally out of the Lake of Thelpitis, in Armenia Major, where now we are; it is presently almost swallowed by the gaping Earth; and passing under the huge bulk of Taurus, breaketh forth again; and compassing the East parts of Mesopotamia, which it divides from Assyria; meets with Euphrates, as before. Of which its first and second birth, thus the Poet Lucan.

At Tigrin subito tellus absorbet hiatu,

Occultos{que} tegit cursus; rursus{que} renatum

Fonte novo flumen pelagi non abnegat undas.

That is to say.

Tigris, soon swallowed by the thirsty earth,

Finds there a buriall where it had its birth:

But breaking out at a new spring, vouchsafes

With the Salt Seas to mixt it sweeter waves.

Mountains of most note, are, 1. Abos, glorying in the fountains of the great River Araxes. 2. Periardes, or Periarges as Ptolomy, Pariedri, as Pliny calleth it, a branch or spurre of the great mountain Taurus. 3. Vdacespes, another branch of that great Mountain. 4. Some part of Anti-Taurus. 5. The Mountains called Montes Moschici, more towards the North, abutting upon Cappadocia, and the Euxine Sea: which name they took from Mesech, or Mosoch the sonne of Japhet, preserving the remembrance of his planting there. 6. Niphates, one of the spurres of Taurus, out of which the famous River Euphrates is said to issue. 7. The Gordiaean Mountains, conceived by many learned men to be the mountains of Ararat, on one of the tops whereof called Baris, the Ark of Noah is most generally affirmed to rest. Affirmed by many antient writers of the Christian Church, and countenanced not onely by Josephus and some others of the Elder Historians; but by the Septuagint themselves: who in the 37 chap. of Esay v. 38. and 2 Kings 19. 37. have rendred Ararat by Armenia. And be it so, let Ara•a be Armenia, and consequently the mountains of Ararat be Armenian Mountains: yet doth it not follow hereupon, that the Ark rested on the Gordiaean mountains, or any others of this Countrey, as they would conclude. We may infer as Logically, for ought I can see, that the Garden of Eden must be looked for in Armenia also; because situate in the circlings of Euphrates, and Tigris, two Armenian Rivers. Those Rivers have indeed their fountains in Armenia Major, but compass not the Garden of Eden, till after a long course they encounter each other in the spacious plains of Babylonia. And so those mountains, though they have the name of the Mountains of Ararat or Armenia, because there first grown to a discemable and supper-eminent height above all the mountains of those parts: became not the resting place of the Ark, till after a further course towards the East, they were grown to their fullest height; which is in those parts of it betwixt Scythia, and Persia, which are called Mount Caucasus: not that Mount Cancasus, which lieth on the North of Colchis, and Iberia, out of which the River Cyrus is said to rise; but that which lieth on the East-side of the Caspian Sea, where Mount Taurus and Imaus do cross each other. But of this elsewhere.

It was divided heretofore into many Provinces, the principall whereof had (I grant) its name from the Gordiaean Mountains, called in some writers Cordiaei, from whence the Province had the name of Goraene, but most commonly called Corduene, bordering on Assyria. The Kingdome once of Zarbi•nus, who siding with Lucullus against Tigranes King of Armenia, was by Tigranes murdered with his wife and Children; but honoured by Lucullus with a stately and magnificent funeral. 2. The 2d. Province of uote is called Cotacene, neer the Montes Moschici. 3. Tosarene bordering on the River Cyrus. 4. Colthene on the banks of Araxes. 5. Sophene, neer the turnings of the River Euphrates; mistook by some industrious and knowing men, to be the Syria Soba of the Holy Scriptures. 6. Basisine, on the North-West, neer the springs of that River. But what Cities did belong to each, I find no where specified

Those of most consequence in the whole, 1. Artaxata, by Florus called Caput Gentis: of most esteem in those times, and the Seat-royall of the Kings of Armenia from its first foundation. Built by Artaxes, one of the Progenitors of Tigranes, at the perswasion of Annibal, whilest he abode in this Countrey: who liking the situation of the place, drew on it the model of a strong and gallant City, according to which Plat-form it was presently built. Taken and sacked by the Romans, as a daughter of Carthage, by Corbulo in the time of Nero, it never could revive again to its former splendour: in the midle ages called Esechia, and at this day Coy, or Coim; if not built rather out of the ruines of it. A City memorable for two great battells neer unto it; the first between Luculius on the one sid, against Mithridates and Tigranes on the other; wherein the Romans were victors: the second between Selimus Emperor of the Turks, and Hysmael the Persian Sophy; wherein the Turks were conquerors, Anno 1514. A victory which he bought with the loss of 30000 of his best men, and such a terrour to the whole Army, that the Turks to this day call it, the only day of doom. The fields adjoining to the Town wherein this cruel battel was fought, called the Chalderan fields. 2. Sebastia, now Suassia, seated on Euphrates, where it meeteth with the Mountain Taurus, the residence of the Patriarch of the Armenians, at their first separarion from the See of Constantinople; the Metropolis at that time of all Armenia: so named in honour of Augustus, whom the Greeks call Sebastos. But of late divested of that dignity, the Patriarchall See, by reason of the fierce wars raging in this Countrey betwixt the Persians and the Turks, being removed to the Monastery of Ecmeazin, neer the City of Ervan in Persia, in the dominions of which King these Armenian Christians live in great abundance, by the name of Jelphelins. 3. Tigraneceria, beautified and inlarged, if not first founded, by Tigranes above-mentioned, by whom replenished with people of severall Nations, whose Countries he had taken from them, and enriched in a manner with the wealth of all his Kingdome: there being no Armenian, either Prince or Paisant, who sent not somewhat towards the adorning of it. But taken by Lucullus without great resistance, those severall Nations not agreeing amongst themselves: and therein besides other Treasure, no less than 8000 Talents in ready money. The City situate neer a River, which Tacitus calleth Nicesorius. 4. Arsamosata, by Pliny called Arsimote, on the banks of Euphrates. 5. Cholna, so called in memory of Hul, or Chul the sonne of Aram, one of the first Planters of this Countrey, 6. Baraza, by the Emperor Leo much enlarged and beautified, dignified with the new name of Leontopolis; and for a while made the Metropolis of the Province. 7. Ars•rata, by Strabo called Arxata. 8. Theodosiopolis, built on the foundation of some of the more antient Cities, by the Emperor Theodosius, and of him thus named. 9 Colonia, the strongest and most defensible City hereof, when possessed by the Romans. 10. Clamassun, a strong Town on the banks of Euphrates, taken by Selimus the first in his way towards Persia; and therewith livery and seisin of the rest of this Countrey, since wholly conquered by his Successors. 12. Chars, not far from the same River also, supposed to be the Chorsa of Ptolomy, of which not long since the ruins onely; but in three weeks so repaired and fortified by the Turks, Anno 1579. that it is thought to be impregnable. 13. Thespia, giving name of old to the Lake Thespitis, and to the Region called Thespites; but now not in being. 14. Arminig, now of greatest name, and esteemed the Metropolis of this Countrie: situate in that part of the Lake of Vaslan (the Martiana palus of the antient writers) which lieth next to this Countrey; and by that well fortified; the onely City of Armenia possessed by the Persians, who are the Lords of all that Lake, of which more hereafter. 15. Van, both for natural situation, and the works of art, accompted by the Turks for their strongest Bulwark in these parts against the Persians; and for that cause well garrisoned, and as well munitioned.

This Countrey was first planted by Hul or Chul the sonne of Aram, and by Mesech one of the sonnes of Japhet, who with their families or Colonies possessed the same: the one leaving the remainder of his name in the Montes Moschici; the other in the Town called Cholna and the Region called Colthene by Ptolomy, Cholobatene by Stephanus. Advanced to the honour of a Kingdome assoon as any, that of Babel excepted, Ninus the third from Nimrod finding Barzanes King hereof, whom he forced to acknowledge his superiority, and to aid him in his warres against Zoroaster the King of Bactria. Kings of most note in times succeeding, for we have no constant Cata legue of them, were 1. Araxes, who being warred on by the Persians, was promised victory by the Oracle, on the sacrifice of his two fair daughters. Willing to satisfie the Gods, and yet spare his children, he sacrificed two of the daughters of Musalcus, a noble man of this Countrey, by whom in revenge hereof his own daughters were slain, and himself so closely followed, that swiming the River then called Helmns, he was therein drowned, and thereby gave unto that River the name of Araxes. 2. Artaxa, the founder of the great City Artaxata; spoken of before. 3. Tigranes, the most mightie King that ever reigned in Armenia, to which he added by his prowess Galatia, and a great part of Cilicia in Asia Minor, the whole Countreys of Media, Syria, and Phoenicia. But siding with Mithridates, whose daughter he had maryed, against the Romans, he was by Lucullus overthrown in two grea: battels, and outed of the greatest part of his dominions. Hearing that Pompey had succeeded Lucullus in command of the Army, and trusting more unto his goodness than a wiseman would, he put himself into his power: by whom condemned in a great sum of money for the charge of the war, and stripped of all the rest of his estates; he was suffered to enjoy Armenta Major, Syria being made a Province, Sophene given to Ariobarzanes King of Cappadocia, Media left unto it self, and the lesser Armenia conferred on one of his Sonnes, who being found guilty of some practice with the King of Parthia, was carryed Prisoner unto Rome, and his Countrey brought into the form of a Province. 4. Artavasdes, circumvented by Mar. Antonie, who led him Prisoner to Rome, but (catenis, i.e. quid honori ejus deesset, aureis, as the Historian tells us of him) it was in chaines of Gold for his greater honour; giving Armenia to one of the sonnes of Cleopatra. And though 5. Artaxias recovered his Fathers Kingdome, yet he and his Successors held it but as Vassals of the Roman Empire: the Senate after that confirming and sometimes nominating the Armeni in Kings. Continuing in this estate till the time of Trajan, it was by him reduced to the form of a Province, (made after that a part of the Pontick Diocese) who adding Mesopotamia also unto his dominions, make Tigris the Eastern border of his Empire, which Augustus thought fit to limit with the banks of Euphrates. But long it held not in that form, being governed by its own Kings, as it was before Trajans time, in the reign of Constantius, Julian, and the Emperors following; whom they acknowledged and revered as their Lords in chief, till the time of Justinian the second (he began his Empire Anno 687.) when subdued by the Saracens. Recovered by that Emperour, but soon lost again, it continued subject to the Saracens, till the breaking in of the Turks, Anno 844. of whom more anon. The greatest part of the Turks emptying themselves into Persit, and other Countreys which they took from the Eastern Emperors, the Christians of Armenia began to take heart again, and to have Kings of their own, by whom governed, till again subdued by Occadan, or Hoccata sonne of Cingis, the first Cham of the Fartars. Nor did the Tartars make so absolute a conquest of it as to extinguish either Christianity, or the race of the Kings: Haithon, surnamed Armentus, reigning after this, and going in person to Mangu, the great Cham of Tartarie, Anno 1257. And in our own Chronicles, in the reign of King Richard the second, we find mention of one Leon an Armenian King, who came hither to sue for aid against the Turks, by whom then dispossessed of his estates. By Ussan-Cassanes, one of the Princes of this Countrey, (of whom more hereafter) who had the fortune to obtain the Crowh of Persia, Anno 1472. it was made a Province of that Kingdome: and so continued till the year 1515. when conquered by Selimus the first, and by him made a part of the Turkish Empire; more fully setled and assured in the reign of Amurath the third, who by causing many Forts and Garrisons to be planted in it, made the conquest absolute.

The Armes of this Kingdom, when a Kingdom, governed by Princes of its own of the Christian faith, were Gules, 3 heads of a Buck Argent, Crowned Or.

2. COLCHIS.

COLCHIS is bounded on the East, with Iberia; on the West, with the Euxine Sea, and past of the Tartars Precopenses; on the North, with Tartarie, from which parted by those vasl hills, which the Romans called Caucasi; and on the South, with Armenia Major, from which separated by the Montes Moschici.

The reason of the name I find not. Nor can yield unto Bochartus, who fetcheth the original of the name and Nation, from Cusluhim, one of the sonnes of Mizraim, the sonne of Cham: the Etymology of the name being too much wrested, and Egypt too farr off to give a being to Colchis in those early daies: though possibly in times succeeding, the Aegyptians hearing by the Greeks of the wealth of the Countrey, might send Colonies of their people thither, as to other places. It is now called Mengrelia.

The Countrey said to be very fruitful if the care of the husbandman were not wanting. Their vines they plant at the feet of great trees, which twining about the armes thereof lade them full of Grapes: with which, and other fruits rising from the Earth, they used of late times to furnish the Store-houses of their Kings, for want of ready money to fill his Coffers; their tributes being paid in such commodities. Formerly of great fame for abundance of gold found in the sands of their Rivers issuing from the Caucasian Mountains. The thing affirmed by Appianus in his Mithridatica; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Many of their springs saith he, which come out of Caucasus, carry veins of Gold. The like saith Strabo also, and some other Antients. With which, and out of their rich Mines both of Gold and Silver, the Kings hereof were so well furnished with those metals, that the furniture of their Chambers were all of Gold, and the beams of their Lodgings were made of Silver. But now so destitute of both, that the people for want of money to buy and sell with, are inforced to barter their commodities, and change one for another.

The people at the present very rude and barbarous; so inhumane and voide of naturall affection, that they sell their children to the Turks. The better sort of them much given to belly-cheer, dancing and singing loose sonnets of love and daliance; using much wine in their in tertainments, which the more their Guests drink, the better welcome; inflamed wherewith they offer them for a cooler their wives or Sisters, with charge to yield them all content, esteeming it no small credit to them if it be accepted. Nor are the women much averse from the entertainment, whether to please themselves or obey their husbands, let them tell that can.

The Christian faith was first here planted in the time of the Emperour Justinus, by whose perswasion Taurus Prince of the Colchi, then at the Court in Constantinople, became a Christian, and being baptized, was returned back into his Countrey, with the title of King. But Cabades the King of Persia much ofended at it, proclamed war against him: which hindred the further progress of the Gospell, till the year 860. About which time Methodius and Cyrill, two reverend men, were by the Patriarch of Constantinople employed in this service; which they succesfully effected: in that regard they hold to the communion of the Church of Greece, and belong to the jurisdiction of that Patriarch. To whom conform in most dogmaticall points of their Religion, and in many practicall. And though they have a distinct language of their own, which hath no affinity with the Greek, yet do they celebrate their Divine Offices in the Greek tongue, and follow the Rituals of that Church; which few of them understand any better than the Vulgar Papists of France, Spain, or Germany, do the Latine service. Whether it be that they have no learned men amongst them, either to translate their old Liturgic, or to compose a new, or that they hold tall alterations in Religion to be matters of danger; or that ignorance is the best mother of devotion (as is thought by others) I am nor able to determine.

The chief Rivers of this Conntrey, are, 1. Hippus, 2. Cyaneus, 3. Chaeristus, all rising out of the Caucasian Mountains, and falling into the Euxine. 4. Phasis, the principall of all, rising out of the Mo•es Moschici, or Armenian Mountains, and there called Boas. Navigable with smaller vessels a great way up into the Countrey, and with great ships 18 miles from the Sea. Memorable amongst the Antients for the landing of the Argonatutes, in the mouth thereof; and those delicate fowl called from hence Phasides, or Phasiani, (Phesants,) which they brought with them into Europe.

As for this expedition of the Argonautes, being the most remarkable action in those elder ages of the world, when Piracy and depredations were accounted for Heroical vertues: it was no other than the adventure of some noble Grecians, for the gold of Cholchos. The Age wherein it hapned was about the 11 year of Gideon the Judge of Israel. The chief Adventurers, Jason, Orpheus the famous Poet, Castor and Pollux the Sonnes of Tindarus, Telamon and Peleus the Sonnes of Aeacius, and Fathers of A•ax and Achilles; Lacries the Father of Vlysses, Amphiaraus the Sooth-sayer, Hercules, Theseus, Meleager, with many others of like note. These moved with the great noise of the wealth of Colchos, and the riches of King Aetus, then therein reigning, resolved upon a voyage thither, embarked in a ship called Argos (whence the name of Argonautes) whereof one Typhis was chief Pilot. Passing the Hellespont, Propontick, and Thracian Bosphorus, they came into the Euxine Sea: and after many difficulties and strarge Adventures (which such Knights Errants could not chuse but encounter with) they landed in the River Phasis, and came to the Kings Coutt, and there were kindly entertained. But finding the Kings Treasures to be too well guarded to be took by force (said by the Poets to be kept by a Dra••n alwaies waking) they practised with Medea, the daughter of Aetes, to assist them in robbing her Father. Who being in love with Jason, on promise of mariage with him, assented to it: by whose Attisices (which the Poets call Magicall charmes) the Guardians being circumvented, and the treasure gotten, they all, together with Medea, imbarked again, and af er a long and dangerous voyage returned into Greece. This is the substance of the Story; which being the greatest and most notable voyage which the gre•ians in those early daies had undertaken, occasioned the Poets to advance it to the highest pitch, and to disguise it with many fictions, and ingenious fancies. But not without some ground entituled to the Golden Fleece (which they make the end of the design). For the Rivers, as before was said, having Golden sands, which fell down from the mountains, (as in many other parts of the world they are found to have) it was the custome of the people to lay many Fleeces of wooll in the descent of those Rivers, in which the grains of Gold remained, though the water passed through, which Strabo witnesseth to be true.

But leaving these Adventurers to pursue their fortunes, let us go forward to survey the Colchian Cities; the principall whereof, 1. Dioscurias, a Town of great wealth and trade, founded by Amphitus, and Telchius two Spartans, the Charioters of Castor and Pollux, (and so named in honour of their Masters, whom the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) which two Spartans passing further East, were afterwards the founders of the Nation from them called Heniocht, or the Chariot-drivers. A Town of such resort by Merchants from most parts of the world, that here were spoken 300 different languages; insomuch that the Romans (as Pliny saith) were fain to maintain here 130 Interpreters, for dispatch of business, and negotiating with those Merchants. 2. Sybaris, the seat-Royal of the Colchian Kings, about nine miles from which was the Temple of Mars, to which Medea is reported to have brought the Argonauts. 3. Siganeam, neer the mouth of the River Cyaneus; as is also, 4. Aea, by Ptolomy called Aeapolis, an Aegyptian Colony, planted there by Sesosoris (in the time of Rehoboam the Sonne of Solomon) at what time he attempted but without success the conquest of Colchis. 5. Neapolis, so called from the newness or late foundation of it, when that name was given. 6. Phasis, so called from the River, upon which it is situate, retaining both the site and name to this very day: the ordinary residence of the Turkish Begl•rbe•, by whom called Phassum. 7. Alvati, a well fortified place. More in the land are placed by Ptolomy, 8. Mechlessus, 9. Sarace, 10. Zadris, 11. Surium; &c. not much observable.

The first Inhabitants of this Countrey most probably came of out of the neighbouring Armenia, and therefore the posterity of Hul or Chul, from whence perhaps the name of Colchis: to whom in tract of time, some Colonies out of Aegypt (a seafaring people) moved with the great fame of the riches and wealth hereof, did adjoin themselves; the Colchians on that ground, (or from some part of his Army left there by Sesostris) being said by Ammianus Marcellinus to be the antient off-spring of the Aegyptians. The most antient of their Kings was Aetes spoken of before: who entertaining Phryxus flying out of greece from the fury of his stepdame Ino, with great store of treasure, occasioned the Argonauts, as well in way of revenge, as in hope of booty, to make that famous expedition for the Gold of Colchos, disguised under the fiction of the Golden Fleece. Of most note after him, Selauces, and Esubops, who first discovered the rich mines of Gold and silver, of which metals they made all their Utensils, even the beams of their Chambers. The fame whereof drew thither Sesostris the great King of Aegypt, who being vanquished in the field was fain to lay aside all those hopes which he brought with him thither, and return back to Aegypt in worse state than he came; but that he left behind him an Aegyptian Colony in the City of Aea; which after occasioned others of that Countrey to repair hither also. Living in peace and unmolested from this time forwards, they were unhappily ingaged by Tigranes of Armenia, to side with him against the Romans; and in his overthrow gave such advantage to the Victor, that Orodes the King of Colchis was fain to submit himself to Pompey, to dismiss his forces, leave his fastnesses, and finally to redeem his peace, by sending to him a Bedstead of purest Gold, and many other rich presents. After this, the Romans had here their Agens, and received hence some annuall profits, but never brought it to the form of a Province. Distressed between the Persians and Constantinopolitans, they had much ado to stand upright; though betwixt both they kept themselves in a kind of liberty: as of late times, betwixt the Persians, Turks, and Tartars, their too potent Neigbours. But at the last Anno 1579. Amurath the third, to make the safer passage for his forces in Georgia, sent Uluzales his Admiral with a great Fleet into the Euxine Sea, who comming up the River Phasis took the City of Fassum, fortified it, and laid so certain a foundation of a future conquest; that though the Mengrelians did not long after demolish some of his fortifications, yet they were afterwards repaired, and Fassu made the seat of a Turkish Beglerbeg, as it still continueth.

3. IBERIA.

I BERIA is bounded on the East, with Albania; on the West, with Colchis; on the North, with the Caucasian Mountains; and one the South, with the Montes Moschici: by the first mountains parted from Sarmatia Asiatica, and by the last from Armenia Ma•or.

It was so called from the River Iberus, which running thorow it, falleth at last into the more noted River Cyrus: but is now called Georgia, and that as some say from Saint George the Cappadocian Martyr, whom here they have in very great reverence, as their tutelary Saint and Patron: as others say, from George a Cappadocian Bishop, by whose preaching they were brought unto Christianity; and some again will have them called properly Gordiaeans, and corruptly Georgians, from their neer neighbourhood to those mountains. But the most probable opinion is, as I conceive, that they took this name from the Georgi, whom Pliny reckoneth amongst other of the Caspian nations. Though to say truth, the name of Georgia extendeth somewhat further than that of Iberia, as comprehending also that part of Armenia Major which lies next to Media, and the whole Countrey of Albania, if I guess a right.

The Countrey for the greatest part, is covered with Mountains, woods, and thickets, and in that regard unconquerable for the difficulty of the mountainous passages; yet notwithstanding it is very fruitfull in many places, having many fertile plains, and wealthy vallies; well watered, and of great increase to the husbandman, if he be not wanting to himself in care and industry.

Of the old Iberians it is written, that they were a very warlike nation, and used to set as many Pillars about the grave of a dead man, as he had slain Enemies in his life: as also that those of the same Tribe or family had all things common; he being the Ruler which was eldest: and that some of them did derive themselves from the Children of David begotten on the wife of Vriah, for that cause never marying out of their own kindred. The present Georgians very warlike, strong of bodie, and valorous in fight; for along time defended themselves and Countrey from the Turks and Persians, with great prudence making use of the one against the other. But overpowred by the vast multitude of Turks breaking in upon them, they have lost many of their best Forts, and much of their liberty.

The Christian faith was first here planted in the time of Constantine the Great, by means of a Christian captive women (such extraordinary waies doth God find out to promote his Gospell): who being of a most devout life, and exemplary piety, had by her prayers to CHRIST restored a young child to health which was thought past cure; and healed the Queen hereof of a desperate maladie, when no help of Physick would prevail. Whereupon the King sent Ambassadours to Constantine, desiring Ministers and Preachers to be sent to Iberia, to instruct the people in the faith: which was done accordingly. Since that time, Christianity hath flourished in this Countrey without interruption; though by Mahometans, and Pagans, on all sides encompassed: agreeable in doctrinal points to the Church of Greece, whose Rituals also the People do to this day follow. Not subject for all that to the Patriarch of Constantinople, (though of his Communion) but to their own Metropolitan onely; who hath under him about 18 Bishops, and resideth for the most part in Saint Catharines Monastery on Mount Sinai. By means of which remote dwelling of their principall Pastor, Mahometanism hath got some sooting, and Jesuitism began to creep in amongst them. The occasion of which last was this.

About the year 1614. the Persians making an inrode into this Countrey, took the City of Cremer, and therein Cetaba, the mother of Prince Teimurazes, whom leading her captive into Persia, and not able to prevail with her to turn Mahometan, they most cruelly murdered. Some of the Jesuites then travelling in those Countreys, and willing out of that sad accident to advance the fame of their Society, together with the Catholique cause, cut off the head of a dead man whom they found in the way, anoined it with oyl and odours, brought it into Georgia, and signified unto the Prince, that they had with them the head of the blessed Martyr Cetaba, desiring leave to live in some Monastery, and have the keeping of the holy Relique committed to them. This easily believed, and granted, the head was placed with great honourin the Church of Saint George at Aberdall; much resort to it from all parts by diseased persons: whom if past cure, the Jesuites sent home again, prescribing them in the way of preparation a long time of repentance; if curable by outward means which they applyed, the cure was presently ascribed to the holy Relique. Grown famous by this means, they gained many Proselytes to themselves; and had no small hope of prevailing on Prince Teimurazes to submit himself to the Pope, as the Vicar of CHRIST. When in the heat of all their glories, a letter cometh from Maacla, a Lady attendant on the Princess, (but then living in Persia, as a slave or bond-maid) signifying that her Master by her perswasion, had got into his power the body of his mother Cetaba; which he might ransome if he pleased; two Travellers withall, who came out of Persia with the Jesuites, reporting what they see them do with the dead mans head. By which means the Imposture being discovered, the body of the Queen was sent for, the false Relique was cast out of the Church, and the falser Jesuites into prison, and next out of the Countrey.

Rivers of note I find not any, either in Ptolomy or any of our modern writers, but what are touched upon before, except onely the River of Iberus spoken of before, from which the Countrey is thus named. The whole in general so destitute of waters, that Pompey in his march this way against the Albanians, was fain to carry 10000 bladders filled with water for the use of his Army.

Places of most antiquity and importance in it, 1. Artaxissa, 2. Vasada, 3. Lubium, 4. Arm•stica, all named by Piolomy; this last by Pliny called Harmastis. 5. Cremen, the chief City now possessed by the Georgians. 6. Cachete, honoured with a fair Church, the most beautifull of all the Countrey, dedicated by the name of Saint George. 7. Triala, where are to be seen the ruins of a large City, and many Churches; by what name antiently called, I find not. 8. Altuncala, or the Golden Castle, a strong fortress, and the ordinary residence of the Georgian Princes, since the time of the wars betwixt the Persians and the Turks. 9. Archichelech, a strong Castle taken by Solyman the Magnificent in his wars against Tam as King of Persia, and ever since holden by the Turks. 10. Teflis, a large and capacious Town, forsaken by the Georgians at the coming of Mustapha, Generall of Amurath the third against the Persians: who liking the situation of it, caused it to be repaired and fortified, planted thereon an hundred peeces of Ordinance, and left therein a Garrison of 6000 Souldiers. 11. Lo••, distant from Teflis about two daies journey of a Carriers pace, strengthned with a lofty Castle, environed with deep ditches, and a thick wall, amounting to a mile in compass. Seised on by Ferat Bassa, the Successour of Mustapha, who repaired the walls, planted thereon 200 small peeces of Ordinance, and garrisoned it with 7000 Turks for defence thereof. 12. Tomanis, a short daies march from Lors, the Countrey lying betwixt both full of rich fields and pastures, abounding with corn, fruit, and cattel. Nigh unto which the said Fer at raised a new Fortress for the better command of the Streights and passages, leading from thence to Lori, and so to Teflis (the Key of Media or Sirvan) the wall whereof being 1700 yards in compass, he caused to be planred with 200 peeces of Artillery; and with incredible dihgence cut down a thick wood which lay before it, and otherwise would have been a receptacle of theeves, or Enemies. 13. Glisca, 14. Bascapan, &c. possessed and fortified by the Turks to make good their footing in this Conntrey. But possibly most of these strong holds now possessed by the Turks may be within the bounds of Armenia Major, and Alhania, though within the Countrey of the Georgians, that name not being limited to Iberia, as was said before.

The first Inhabitants hereof were such who were brought hither by Tubal, the sonne of Japhet, from whom this people at the first, as Josephus hath it, had the name of Thobeli. But that name growing out of knowledge, the nations in it of most note were the Tibareni, Mossynoeci, Chalybes, and of less esteem the Biseries, Sapires, Macrones, &c. united at the last in the name of Iberi, from the River Iberus, of which Pliny speaketh, the principall of all this Countrey. Too fruitfull of increase for so narrow a dwelling, some of them put themselves to seek their fortunes, where after long wandring they fell upon the Coast of Spain next the Pyrenees, where they staid themselves, giving the name of Iberus to the chief River there, and of Iberia to the Countrey. Of which more before. Such of them as remained behind continued an unconquered people, under the government of their own Kings, till the time of Tigranes King of Armenioe. By whom invited to his aid against the Romans, they came in accordingly: and in his fall discomfited by Lucullus in three severall battells, were fain to stand upon their guard as well as they could: first holding fair with Pompey who succeeded Lucullus in his charge. But breaking out again on a new temptation, they were incountred by him. In which battel 9000 of their men being slain and 10000 taken, they were constrained to sue for peace, not otherwise to be obtained till Artaces the King of these Iberians, gave his sonnes for Pledges. After this Feudataries to the Roman and Grecian Emperours, till the fatall inundation of the Saracens had so weakned that Empire, that the Kings hereof acknowledged no more subjection to those of Constantinople, till Constantinople it self became the Imperiall seat of the Ottoman Family; in whose quarrels with the Persian Sophies, this Countrey began to suffer a new invasion: some Towns and Forts of it being taken by Solyman, in his march or passage against Tamas. Afterwards in the time of Amurath the third, who set his mind most eagerly on the warre with Persia, a great part of it was subdued by Mustapha the Turkish Generall: who inviting the widow Princess and her two sonnes to come to his tent, sent the young Princes to Constantinople, and by that means had opportunity to assure his purchases. And though the Persians did their best to assist the Georgians, yet proved they but a kind of miserable comforters; as much punishing or plaguing this poor Countrey with their aides, as the Turks by their armies. So that now it stands divided betwixt the Grand Signeur and its naturall Princes: the Georgian Princes holding the greatest part, but the Turks being in possession of the strongest holds; kept by them under colour of securing their way to Persia, for which this Countrey is indeed but unhappily seated.

4. ALBANIA.

ALBANIA is bounded on the East, with the Caspian Sea; on the West, with Iberia; on the North, with the Caucasian Monntains; on the South, with the Moschici. So named from the Albani, who did once inhabit it; and of late called Sairia; but reckoned in these last ages as a part of Georgia.

The Countrey of so rich a soil, that without the least labour of the husbandman, the Earth doth naturally and liberally afford herstore, and where it is but once sown, will yield two or three reapings. But being ill husbands on it in former times, they occasioned Strabo to give them this note for a remembrance, That they needed not the use of the Sea, who knew no better how to make use of the Land. The people antiently so simple that they could not reckon above an hundred; ignotant of weights, measures, and the use of money. Old age they had in high esteem, but held it utterly unlawfull to make speech of the dead. And of these Pliny doth report that they were gray-headed from their very youth, and could see as well by night as by day; the verity of which last may be somewhat questionable. But withall they are assirmed to have been a stout and couragious people, strong bodies, patient of toil and labour, as they are at this day. And well the men may be couragious and stout, where the women are so truely masculine. Of whom it is affirmed by Authors of undoubted credit, that they were excercised in Armes and martiall feats, as if descended lineally from the antient Amazons; whom Plutarch placeth in this tract, reporting some of them to be aiding to these Albanians in their war with Pompey: which possibly might be no other than some the more noble Albanian Dames.

Principall Rivers of this Countrey, 1. Soana, giving name to the Soani, one of the Nations of these parts mentioned by Pliny. 2. Coesius, 3. Gerrus, 4. Albanus, whence perhaps the name of Albani came unto this people. 5. Cyrus, (by Plutarch called Cyrnus) spoken of in Armenia Major, but more properly belonging to this Countrey, because herein it hath its spring, and the greatest part of its course also. For rising out of the Mountain Caucasus, which shuts up this Province on the North, it passeth thorow the middest of it, till it come to the borders of Armenia, where it beginneth to bend more towards the East: and having received into its Channel all the former Rivers, besides many others of less note, falleth with twelve mouths into the Caspian or Hyrcanian Sea. Mountaines of note here are not any, but what are common unto them with other Nations: the Montes Moschici on the South, and Caucasus upon the North, being rather common boundaries betwixt severall nations, than peculiar unto any one; though from the last the Iberians, and these Albanians, be in some writers called Caucasioe Gentes.

Cities and Towns I find many in it, but little of them more than their very names. 1. Chabala, by Pliny called Cabalaca, and honoured with the Character of Insignior Albamoe urbs, the most noted City of this Countrey. 2. Albana, so called from the River Albanus, upon which it was seated. 3. Teleba, 4. Namechia, 5. Thelbis, 6. Getarra, neer unto the influx of the River Cyrus. How these are called, or whether any thing be remaining of them, I am not able to say. The chief now being, and worthy to be so accounted, is the City of Derbent, situate neer the Caspian Sea, from which to Teflis a City spoken of before, remain the foundations of a high and thick wall, affirmed to have been built by Alexander the Great, to defend these parts against the irruptions of the Northen unconquered nations. The Town environed with two walls, and so defended by difficult and narrow passages of the rocks, that it is not easily accessible: but taken for all that by Mustapha the Turkish General, Anno 1587 and made the ordinary residence of a Turkish Bassa. Conceived to be the Caucasiae Portae of the Antients, which Pliy honoureth with the title of ingens naturae miraculum: by Egesippus for the strenght of it called Portoe Ferrea; with reference to which by the Turks called Demir-can, the word signifying in their language, a gate of iron. The other places of this tract are either of no accompt and estimation, or else are specified before amongst the Cities and good Towns of the Georgians, of whose Country this is now a part: yet we may add 2. Subran, upon the borders of Media. 3. Sancta Maria, north of Derbent; both of them on, or neer the banks of the Caspian Sea.

The first Inhabitants of this Countrey, seem to have been of the plantation of Gether the Sonne of Aram, and Nephew of Joephet, whose memory was long preserved in the City of Getara before-mentioned; So called by him or some of his posterity in remembrance of him. The People living somewhat out of the common road, were little troubled with Invaders from forreign parts; neither the Persians nor Macedonians looking so far North. Nor possibly had the Romans taken notice of them, had they not ingaged themselves with Tigranes first, and afterwards with Mithridates. Falling on Pompey with an Army of 40000, and well beaten by him, they were content to sue for peace. But finding that the Iberians also had took up Arms, they ingaged again, leavying an Army of 12000 horse and 50000 foot, in which Oroezes their King, with his brother Cosis, were in person present. And though they had made good the banks of the River Cyrus; yet being ill armed, and for the most part only with skins of beasts, they made but small resistance against the Romans; notwithstanding the gallant charge of Cosis, who assaulted Pompey, and had the honour to be siain by him in the place. After this overthrow, and their giving pledges unto Pomper for their good behaviour, we find little mention of them in the Stories of the Roman Empire, till the time of Iraan. Who having conquered and reduced Armenia Major to the form of a Province, resolved to shew his power to these neighbouring nations: and to that end imposed a King on the Albant of his own appointment, and made the Kings of Colchis, and Iberia, do their homage to him. In times succeeding no news of them; either because remote from the stage of Action, or serving under the command of some greater nation, where their name occurs not. Conquered by Occadan, or Hoccata the Cham of Partarie, together with Iberia, and Armenia, they were a while subject to that Empire: and possing in succeeding times by the name of Georgians, partook of the same fortunes with them. Now at the mercy of the Turk, who by reason of the strong footing which he hath gotten amongst them is become a dreadful neighbour to them, if not acknowledged by them for their Lord in chief.

Thus having taken a survey of all the Provinces of the Turkish Empire both in Europe and Asia, and touched upon the means by which they are possessed of Aegypt, whereunto all the rest of their hold in Afriet, serves but for an accessory; we will now look upon the story of this people, their first originall, the great success of their affairs, the Princes under whose command they have made these conquests. Which having done, we will proceed to a Description of the Persons, Manners, and Conditions of the Turks themselves, their power and policy, with other things considerable in so great an Empire.

And first for the original of the Turkish Nation, they were most probably the Descendants of those Turcoe, whom Pliny and Pomponius Mela place about the fennes of Moeotis. Of whom thus Mela, speaking of the Gelani a Scychian people. Juxta Thyrsagetae Turcaeque Vast as sylvas occupant, aluntur{que}, vinard, &c. Next unto them (saith he) live the Thyrsagetae and the Turcae, possessed of vast woods, and maintained by hunting; and then a rough and desart Countrey with continuall rocks, as farre as to the Arymphetans. And Pany mustering up the barbarous nations of those parts, joins the Tussagetoe (or Thyrsagetoe) with the Turks, and placeth them next the Arympheians, as Mela doth, us{que} adsolundines solunasis vall bus asperas, spreading themselves unto the rough desarts, and woody vallies. Not known by action (though by name) till the time of Tiberius the second, who began his Empire Anno 577. when pressing hard on the Avares, a neighbouring Nation, they compelled them to forsake their seats and pass into Europe, where they made themselves masters of Pannonta, now called Hungary. In the time of Heraclius, we find them with other barbarous nations at the siege of Constantinople, but under the command of the Persians. After which they began to set up for themselves, and in the year 763. made a road into those Countreys which we last described, and loading themselves with prey and booty, returned home again. But liking better of these parts that their own poor dwellings, in the year 844. they brake once more thorow the Caspian Streights, and passing through Iberia, seized on Armenia Major, and there fixed themselves; giving it the name of Turcomania: in which wide and spacious Countrey they roamed up and down, without any certain habitation, removing their heards and families from one place to another, as they had formerly been used to do in the sennes of Moeotis; and as the Tartars and wild Arabs do untill this day. And so they lived, a poor and contemptible nation, till Maehomet the Sultan of Persia, rebelling against his Lord and Master the Caliph of Babylon, called in these Turks unto his aid; and by their help obtained a signall victory. The victory obtained, the Turks desire their wages, and a fair dismission; but could speed in neither; the Sultan being loth to part with such a necessary mischief, till his affairs were better setled; and therefore shuting up the passages of the River Araxes, which he before had opened for them: Provoked wherewith, under the conduct of Tangrolipix, their principal Leader, they began to spoil and wast the Countrey, a multitude of needy people, and some of the discontented Souldiers coming daily to them. Assaulted by the Persians, in the first battel they not onely got a notable victory, but such store of Armour, horses, and other necessaries, as made them able to encounter with the Sultan himself: whom having overthrown and slain in the second fight, Tangrolipix is by both Armies proclamed King of Persia, in the year one thousand and thirty, or thereabouts.

There were at this time amongst the Turks two most noted Tribes, the Selzuccian, and the Ogazian. Of the Selzuccian, Tangrolipix, Cutlu Muses, and Ducat were the heades: of which Tangrolipix as the chief of that Clan or Family was setled in the throne of Persia; Cutlu Muses furnished with an Army against the Christians, possessed himself of a great part of Asix Minor; Melech and Ducat, by the like favour of their Cousen the Persian Sultan, were vested into the Cities of Aleppo and Damascus, with their severall Territories. But the line of Tangrolipix and the rest being all worn out, as hath been shewn in our descriptions of Syria and Anatolia; the man of most nobility amongst the Turks was Ottoman, the chief of the Ogazian family, Nephew of Solyman Prince of Machan, a small territory in the Realm of Persia. Which Solyman, flying the fury of the Tartars when they conquered Persia, was drowned in crossing the River Euphrates, as he passed with his few Subjects towards Asia Minor, the best place of refuge for his Nation; leaving the chief-ship of his Tribe to Ethrogul his some: who obtained of the last Aladine of the Selzucciaen Family, the village of Saguta in Bithynia for himself and his small handfull of people. To him succeeded his sonne Ottoman, in the year 1280. who to revenge some injuries done unto his people by the improvident Christians, took from them Castle after Castle; and in the end possessed himself of the City of Nice, not long before the Imperiall Seat of the Grecian Emperors. Emboldned with such great successes, and heating of the death of Aladins the second, whom he acknowledged for his Lord, he took unto himself the Title of Sultan, Anno 1300. from which before he had abstained. To this time, and these small beginnings, we must reduce the first foundation of the Ottoman Empire; increased unto its present greatness by the courage and good fortune of these Princes following.

The Kings of the Turks of the Oguzian or Ottoman Family.

1300. 1. Ottoman, the sonne of Ethrogul, the first Turkish Sultan of this line, added to his small territory the greatest part of Bithynia, and some part of Pontus. 28.

1328. 2. Orchanes, took the City Prusa, and made it his residence; and was the first that put footing in Europe, where he got Gallipolis, and other peeces.

1350. 3. Amurath, wonne the Thracian Chersonese, the strong City of Adrianople, with the Countries of Servia, and Bulgaria, where he was slain by a common Souldier in the fields of Cossova. 23.

1373. 4. Bajazet, made himself master of a great part of Thrace, Macedon, and Achaia. He was taken prisoner by Tamerlane, and brained himself in an iron cage, in which the insolent Conqueror used to carry him. 26.

1399. 5. Mahomet, united the dismembred Empire of his Father, and inlarged it with the more absolute conquest of Dacia, part of Sclavonia, and the rest of Macedon. 17.

1416. 6. Amurath II. subdued from the Constantinopolitan Empire, all Achaia, Thessaly, Epirus; he shaked the State of Hungary, and dyed before the Walls of Croy. 34.

The Ottoman Emperors.

1450. 7. Mahomet II. sumamed the Great, and first Emperor of the Turks, ruined the two Empires of Constantinople, and Trabezond, twelve Kingdomes, and two hundred Cities. 31.

1481. 8. Bajazet II. subdued the Caramanian Kingdome, and part of Armenia; and drove the Venetians from Morea, and their part, of Dalmatia. 31.

1512. 9. Sclimus, having poisoned his Father, subverted the Mamalucks of Egypt; bringing it, together with Palestine, Syria, and Arabia, under the yoke of the Turks. 7.

1519. 10. Solyman the Magnificent, surprised Rhodes, Belgrad, Buda, with a great part of Hungary, Babylon, Assyria, Mesopotamia. 48.

1567. 11. Selimus II. an idle and effeminate Emperour, by his Deputies took from the Venetians, the Isle of Cyprius, and from the Moores, the Kingdome of Tunis, and Algiers. 8.

1575. 12. Amurath III. took from the disagreeing Persians, Armenia, Media, and the City Tauris, and the fort Guierino from the Hungarians. 20.

1595. 13. Mahomet III. took Agria in Hungarie, which Kingdome had likely bin lost, if he had pursued his victory, at the battell of Keresture. 8.

1603. 14. Achmat, who the better to enjoy his pleasures, made peace with the German Emperor, and added nothing to his Empire. 15.

1618. 15. Mustapha, brother to Achmat, succeeded; a novelty never before heard of in this Kingdome; it being the Grand Signeurs common policy to strangle all the younger brothers: howsoever this Mustapha was preserved, either because Achmat being once a younger brother, took pitty on him; or because he had no issue of his own body, and so was not permitted to kill him.

1618. 16. Osmen, succeeded his Unkle Mustapha; and being unsuccesseful in his war against Poland, was by the Janizaries slainin an uproar, and Mustapha again restored; yet long enjoyed be not his throne: for the same hand that raised him, plucked him down, and seated young Amurath in the place.

1623. 17. Morat (or Amurath the IV.) Brother of Osmen, of the age of 13. years, succeeded on the second deposition of his Unkle Mustapha, who proved a stout and masculine Prince, and bent himself to the reviving of the antient discipline. To the great good of Christendome, he spent his stomach on the Persians.

18. Ibrahim, the brother of Morat, preserved by the Sultaness his mother in his brother life; and by her power deposed again for interdicting her the Court. He spent a great part of his reign in the warre of Crete, against the Venetians; but without any great successe.

1648. 19. Mahomet IV. sonne of Ibrahim, now reigning: Lord of all this vast Empire, containing all Dacia, and Greece, the greatest part of Sclavonia and Hungary, the Isles of the Aegean Sea, and a great part of the Taurican Chersonese in Europe; of all the Isles and Provinces, which we have hitherto described in Asia; and in Africk of all Aegypt, the Kingdomes of Tunis and Algiers, with the Ports of Suachem, and Erocco. Nor is their stile inferiour to so vastan Empire, Solyman thus stiling himself in his Leter to Villerius great Master of the Rhades, at such time as he intended to invade that Iland: i.e. Solyman King of Kings, Lord of Lords, most high Emperour of Constantinople and Trabezond; he most mighty King of Persia, Syria, Arabia, and the Holy Land; Lord of Europe, Asia, and Africa;

...Prince of Meccha, and Aleppo, Ruler of Hierusalem, and Soveraign Lord of all the Seas and Isles thereof.

As for the persons of the Turks, they are generally well-complexioned, of good stature, proportionably compacted, no idle talkers, nor doers of things superfluous; hot and venereous, servile to their Prince, and zealous in their Religion. They nourish no hair upon their heads, except it be a Tust on the top of their Crowns; by which they think that Mahomet will snatch them up into Paradise at the day of judgement. For which reason they keep on of all sides, though never so poor, accounting it an approbrious thing to see any men uncover their heads; saying when they dislike of any thing which they see, or hear, I had as liefe thou hadst shewn me thy bare skull. In their familiar salutation they lay their hands on their bosomes, and a little incline their bodies; but when they accost a person of rank, they bow almost to the ground, and kiss the hem of his garment. Walking up and down they never use, and much wonder at the often walking of Christians. Biddulph relateth, that being at his ambulatory exercise with his companion; a Turk demanded them whether they were out of their way, or their wits? If your way (quoth the Turk) lay toward the upper end of the Cloister, why come you downwards? If to the neither end, why go you back again? Shooting is their chief recreation, which they also follow with much laziness, sitting on carpets in the shadow, and sending some of their slaves to fetch their arrowes. They prefer, as they pass the streets, the left hand before the right, as being thereby made master of his sword with whom they walk. As they shave their heads, so they wear their berds long, as a sign of freedome; but their slaves keep theirs shaven and close cut.

The women are of small stature, for the most part ruddy, clear, and smooth as the polished Ivory; as neither afflicted with the weather, and often frequenting the baths: of a very good complexion, seldome going abroad, and then masked; lascivious within doors, pleasing in matters of incontinency, and they are accounted most beautiful, which have the greatest eyes, and are of the blackest hue. Every Turk is permitted to have four wives, and as many slaves as he is able to keep, yet are they to meddle with none but their own, the offending women being drowned, and the man dismembred. These women live in great awe and respect of their husband, never sitting with him at the table, but waiting till he hath done, and then withdrawing into some room. If their husband hath been abroad, at his comming in they all rise from their stools whereon they fate, kiss his hand, and make an obeisance, and stand as long as he is in presence. The children which they have, they carry not in their arms as we do, but astride on their shoulders; they live immured from the sight of the world: and permit not any male children, no not their own sonnes, to come among them after they are twelve years old. From their husbands they cannot be divorced, but on special occasion: but their husbands may put away their wives, ot give them to their slaves, when and as often as they list. Far better is it with the sisters or the daughter of the Sultan; to whom when her Father or brother bestoweth her on one of the Bassas, giveth her a dagger, saying I give thee this man to be thy slave or bedfellow; if he be not loving, obedient, and dutiful unto thee, I give thee here this Canzharre or dagger to cut off his head. When they are ma• ryed, their husbands come not to bed unto them, till they are sent for, and then also they creep in at the beds feet. That ever any of their Ladies made use of their daggers, I could never read, onely I find, that Lutzis Bassa, the chief man of the Empire next the Sultan himself, and of him very much beloved, having given his wise, which was sister to Solyman the Magnificent, a box on the ear, was upon complaint by her made, thrust from all his honours, banished into Macedon, and had doubtless been slain, if the Emperours love and his own merits had not pleaded for him. And this is all the Prerogative of the Sultans daughter: her sonnes being accounted as meer and ordinary Turks onely, and never being preferred above the rank of a common Captain.

The better sort of the Turks use the Schivonian Tonque, the vulgar speak the Turkish language, which being originally the Tartarian, borrowed from the Persians their words of State; from the Arabick their words of Religion; from the Grecians their words or terms of war; and from the Italians, their terms of navigation.

They were formerly idolatrous Pagans, and were first initiated in Mahometanism, when they got the Soveraignty of the Persian Scepter. The degrees in their Religion are, 1. The Saffi or Novices. 2. The Calsi, or readers. 3. The Hegi, or writers of books, for printing they use not. 4. The Napi, or young Doctors. 5. The Caddi, whereof there is at least one in every City, to judge of offences. 6. The Mudressi, who use to oversee the Caddis. 7. The Medlis, or principal Church Governour under the Musti. 8. The Caldelescats, whereof there are onely three, one of Greece, the other for Anatolia, the third for Egypt and Syria: These sit with the Bassas in the Divano, to determine of temporall suits. 9. The Musti, whose sentence in law and religion is uncontroulable. He abaseth not himself to sit in the Divano, nor affordeth more reverence to the Emperor than he doth to him.

His forces are either for the Sea, or the land. His Sea forces are great in regard of his spacious sea-coasts, vast woods, and number of Subjects: he never suffered but one memorable defeat, which was that at Lepanto; yet the next year he shewed his Navy whole and entire. Gallies are his onely vessels, which being unable to cope with ships of any bigness, were not onely the occasion of that overthrow, but also have heartned the Florentine, onely with six great ships of war, to swager in the Seas; so that for more safety the tribute of Egypt is of late sent to Constantinople by land. The Captain Bassa, or Admirall, notwithstanding with a Navy of 60 fail, makes a yearly progress about the Seas, and Sea Towns, to annoy the enemy, suppress Pyrates, collect the tributes, and to redress the abuses committed in the maritime Towns, belonging to the Admirallity: which annuall circuit is begun in May, and ended in October.

Their land forces are either horse or foot, they which served on horseback are the Spali and Asapi: these latter serving to weary the enemies, and dull there swords with there multitudes; of whole bodies the Janizaries use to make mounts whereon to assault the wall of a besieged Town: and are by them so contemned, that a Janizary once sold a of them for a sheeps head. As for the Spali, they till they are inrold into pay, are of the same originall and education with the Janizaries; and called by the same name Azamaglans. Their pay is ten aspers a day. The Turk is able and doth maintain 150000 Horses at little or no cost, which no other Prince can do with 14. millions of Gold; for wheresoever any Parcell of Land is conquered, it is divided into divers parts, and committed to the manuring of divers men, whom they call Timariots. These are to pay unto the Emperour certain rents, and at their own charges to send to his wars so many horse, excellently appointed for the field: and which is the chief point of their service to keep the subjects and all parts of his Empire in awe. For being as they are dispersed in all quarters of his Dominions; the people can no sooner stir, but these will be assembled and fall upon them. These Timariots are in all accounted 719000 fighting men, whereof 257000 have their abode in Europe, and 402000 in Asia and Aprica. Were it not for these Timartors as the Turks saying is, no Grass would grow where the Grand Signeurs horse hath once set his hoof: for if the care of manuring the ground were commited to Paisants and not to military men, the greatest part of this Empire would grow wast and desolate. These Timariots were instituted by Ottomon the first Turkish King of this Family, and a curse by him laid on them that should annihilate the institution. The name is derived from the Turkish word Timaz signifying a stipend.

But the nerves and Sinews of this warlike body, are the Janizaries; who by originall being Christians, are chosen by the Turkish Officers, every five years, out of his European dominions: and so distributed abroad to learn the language, customes, and religion of the Turks; afterward according to there strength, will, or disposition, placed in divers chambers. They of the first chamber are preferred some to be Chiausies, such as go on Embassies, and execute judgements; others to Sanziacks, or Governours of Cities; some to be Bassas or commanders of horsemen; and others to be Beglerbegs (idest, Lord of Lords) to command the rest in generall. They of the other chambers are the Janizaries or Praetorian Souldiers of the Guard, to whose faith and trust the care of the Emperours Person is committed. The tithing of these young springals is as we have said every fifth year, and oftner sometimes, as occasions serve. By which means he not only disarmeth his own subjects and keepeth them from attempting any stirre or innovation in his Empire: but spoileth all the Provinces he most feareth, of the Flower, Sinews and strength of their People; choise being made of the strongest youths only, and fittest for war. These before they are inrold in pay, are called Azamoglans, and behave themselves with much submissiveness towards their Seniours and governours: but when once they are honoured with the title of Janizaries, they grow by degrees into an intolerable pride and haughtiness: till of late they were not permitted to mary, neither now can any of their sonnes be accounted any other than a naturall Turk, (whom of all the rest they account the basest) the eldest onely excepted: to whom this Prerogative was granted by Amurath the third when he came to the crown. They are in number 40000. of which 16000 are alwaies resident in Constantinople. In this City they are diversly employed, being as Constables to see the Peace kept; as Clerks of the Market to see to the weights and measures; as Officers to arrest common offenders; as Warders to look to the gates, to guard the houses of Embassadours, and to travel with strangers for their more safety; in which charge they are very faithfull. There pay is but five aspers a day, and two gowns yearly; neither are their hopes great, the command of 10, 20, and 100 men being their greatest preferment; yet are they very obsequious to their Captain or Aga, who is inferiour to the meanest Bassa, though in power perhaps above the chiefest. For the crafty Turks join not power and authority, and if they observe the Janizaries to love and respect their Aga, they quickly deprive him of life and office. The Founder of this Order was Amurath the first, Anno 1365. their greattest establisher Amurath the second: their name signifieth young Souldiers. Now concerning these Jamazaries, we will farther consider the sway they bear in designing the Successour. 2. There insoleney towards the Emperour, and his Officers. 3. Their behaviour in the vacancy of the throne; and 4. Their punishments.

1. Concerning the first, I never find any particular sway the Janizaries carryed in the designation of their Emperour, till the death of Mahomet the Great; when the Bassas having chosen Coreub the sonne of Bajazet, were overruled by the Aga and his Janizaries; who more inclined to Bajazet his Father and sonne to Mahomet. Though I am not ignorant, that when this Mahomet succeeded in the Throne, the joyful acclamations made by the Souldiers was accounted the chiefest sign of his secure and perpetuated establishment. But the chief instance of their power herein, was the inthronizing of Selimus the first, who being but the seventh sonne of this Bajazet, was not only preferred by them before his brethren in his Fathers life time, but by their aids also be severally mastered them, and in the end poisoned his Father. To omit other examples, even of late Anno 1622. they slew the young Emperoun Osmen, drew his Unkle Mustapha out of prison, and established him in the Royalty.

2. As for the next, the first example in which I find them peccant toward their Prince, was at the beginning of the reign of the abovementioned Bajazet; when hearing of the intended death of Achmet Bassa whom they loved, they broke open the Court gates, and told the Emperour, They would teach him like a drunkard a beast and a rascall as he was, to use his great place and calling with more sobriety and discretion. Not long after conceiving further displeasure against the said Bajazet, they shook their weapons against him, and refused to take him into the middest amongst them; and were not, without great and vile submission on his part, appeased. Against Selimns the first, they also mutined, when being resolved to winter in Armenia, for the better pursuit of his victories against the Persian, he was by them forced to return home unto Constantinople. Against Solyman they mutined so violently, that they compelled him to displace Rustan his chief Bassa or favorite. Against Amurath the 3d. for placing over them a new Aga, they so strongly opposed themselves; that first they set fire on Constantinople, and burnt therein, besides shops and ware-houses, twentyfive great Innes, seven Temples, and 15000 houses, and in the end constrained him to give them money, and to yield also into their hands two of his chief Counsellors, by them supposed to be their adversaries; whom they drew about the streets. Finally, (to omit the tumult 1622 above-named) in the year 1600 they grew so discontented with Mahomet the 3d. that they not onely threatned to destroy the Principal Officers of the Court, and the banishment of the Sultaness his Mother, but the deposing of himself also.

3. Now for the third, I find it to have been the custome of these Janizaries, between the deaths of an old Emperor, and the beginning of a new, to commit divers insolencies; as the rifling of the houses of the Jews and Christians, among whom they dwell; the murdering of the Bassas, and principall men about the Court, whom they suspected not to have favoured them; and a number of the like outragious mischiefs. Of these we find frequent mention, as after the death of Amurath the 2d. and Mahomet the Great: at which last time the Merchants of Constantinople, being naturall Turks, escaped not their ravenous hands; neither could Mahomet-Bassa avoid the fury of their swords. This spoil they took for so certain a due, that if they were disappointed of it, they would presently raise commotions both in Court, Field, and City, unless some present satisfaction were made them. To this end Ackmat distributed among them two millions and an half of Ducats; Selimus the first, two millions; others made an encicase of their dayly pay. But Selimus the 2d. distributing among them 100000 Sultanies onley, was by them prohibited to enter into his Seraglio, till he had inlarged his bounty: and the great Bass•es were rapped about the pate with their callivers, for perswading them to quietness. Now to prevent the dangerous and factious liberty, which in the vacancy of the Empire was usually committed, the death of the old Emperour was with all secrecy concealed, till the arrivall of the new. To omit others, I will instance in the deaths of Mahomet the first, and Solyman onely. This Solyman died at the siege of Sigeth in Hungary, which was so cunningly concealed by Mahomet-Bassa the space of twenty dayes; that before the Janizaries knew of it, his sonne Selimus had possessed himself of Constantinople, and came also to their Army then in retreat homewards. For this Mahomet privately strangled the Physicians and Apothecaries which knew of his death, commanded the Souldiers to go on in their siege, and diverse times shewed them the Emperor sitting in his horse-litter, as (being troubled with the Gout) he used to do: and when the City was taken, marched home with his dead body, sitting still in the same manner. So after the death of Mahomet the first, the Bassaes of the Court called their Divanos, as formerly they used, gave order for the levying of an Army, as if some warre were intended, and the Kings Physicians went up and down with their Potions, as if they had him still in cure. But the Pensioners and Janizaries misdoubting the matter, with all egerness desired to see him, which when the Bassaes durst not deny, they appointed the next day for their visit. The next day the body was apparrelled in royall large robes, placed in a chair, at the end of a long gallery, and a litle boy cunningly set behind him to move the Kings hand to his head, as if he should stroke his beard, as his manner was: which signes of life and strength the Souldiers seeing, held themselves contented, and so was his death concealed the space of 41 dayes.

4. As for the last, These insolent and unsufferable pranks committed so commonly by these masterfull slaves, so exceedingly stomached Ba•azet the 2. that he secretly purposed with himself, for curing so dangerous a disease, to use as desperate a remedy; which was to kill and destroy suddenly all the Janizaries. It is like that this Ba•azet being a Scholar, had read how Constantine the Great had cassed the Praetorian Souldiers, and destroyed their camp, as men that were the causes of all the stirres in his Empire, and whose pride was come to an intollerable height: and having the same cause to destroy his Janizaries, hoped to have done it with as much ease and safety as the other did; but they having notice of the plot, for the time continued so united and linked together, that he durst not then attempt it; and afterward siding with his sonne Selimus, cast him out of his Throne into his grave. Since which time the Emperors never durst punish them openly, but when any of them proveth delinquent, he is sent privately in the night time to Pera overagainst Constantinople, where by the way he is drowned, and a peece of Ordinance shot off, to signifie the performing of the Sultans command.

Now for the Emperors themselves, we will consider them in matters of pleasure, in matters of ceremony, and in matters of State, the last being considerable in three main points, which are the murdering of their brethren, the removing of their sonnes, their revenue, and therein a touch of their goverenment. To these we will adde, what apparent symtomes may be observed to prognosticate the standing, decreasing, and increasing of this puissant Monarchy.

1. For the first, he hath not so few as 500. (sometimes a 1000) choice virgins kept in a Seraglio by themselves, all slaves born of Christian Parents, and indeed the rarest beauties of his Empire. When he is disposed to take his pleasure with any of them, they are all ranked in a gallery, and she is by the Aga of the women prepared for his bed, to whom he giveth his handkercher. She that beareth him the first sonne, is honoured with the title of Sultaness (Queen Mother we may call her) neither can he make any of them free, unless he marry them. When the Sultan dieth, all his women are carried into another Seraglio, where they are strictly looked too, and liberally provided for, and not seldome times are bestowed by the succeeding Sultan, on his great Bassaes, and such us he chiefly favoureth, which is a principall honour. They are attended on by women, and Eunuches; these being not gelded onely, but deprived of all their genitalls, and supplying the uses of nature with a silver quill: which in humane custome was brought in among them by Selimus the second, because he had seen a Gelding cover a mare.

2. These ceremonies are either performed by them, which is for the most part the building of a Mosche onely to help to the salvation of their souls: or towards them by others, which are most apparent in the entertainment of Embassadors. For when such come to his presence, they are led between two of his Courtiers, and comming before the Throne on both sides (whereof the Bassaes sit with admirable silence, resembling rather Statuaes than men;) they bow themselves to the ground with all humility, laying their hands on their breasts, but never uncovering their heads, which (as we before noted) is counted an undecency. When they are to depart, they go all backwards, it being accounted very irreverent to turn their back-parts towards a Prince so glorious. The reason why they are thus brought in between two, is said to be for their greater honour: but is indeed a fear that they have, lest the Grand Seignieur, under the pretence of a Saluration, or the delivery of an Embassie, should be stapped. Which wariness they have used, ever since the time that Miles Cobiletz, a Servian, scrambling from among the slain at the battel of Cassona, and being admitted to the speech of Amurath the first, the Author of that overthrow; stabbed him into the belly with his dagger.

3. Amongst all the jarres and discontents that be, none have been with more unkindness begun, or more eagerness prosecuted, than those of brothers: and that not only in private families, but in the stems of Princes; the multitude of Pretendants, being the originall of most civill wars. To prevent these publick emotions, the Emperors of Habassia use to immure up all their younger children in the hill Amaza; the Persians do put out the eyes of their younger brothers; and the Turks do murder them: strange and horrid courses, whereby to avoid the fear of a war in the State, they stirre up a war in their own bowels. The first amongst the Turks that began this barbarous cruelty, was Bajazet the first, on his brother Jacup; whom immediately after his Fathers death he strangled with a bow-string: this being the only instument of their Fratricide, because thereby none of the blood-royall of Ottoman is spilt on the ground. After him, Mahomet the Great, caused his young brother then at nurse, to dy the death; and was not without much ado perswaded from being the executioner himself. Amurath the third, caused his five brethren to be at once strangled before his face; and Mahomet, his sonne, no fewer then nineteen in one day. By this course they imagine their own estate to be infinitely secured, as knowing that Mustapha a younger sonne, stirred a rebellion against Amurath; and Zemes against Bajazet, both the second of those names: that Solyman, Musa, and Isa, severally afflicted Mahomet the first, and Corcut, Seli¦mus; the first of these names also. But yet they will not know, that nothing sooner putteth their younger Brothers into these acts of hostility, than an inevitable certainty of a violent and unnatural death: whereas were they but sure of life, and a liberall and Princely maintenance, it is more than probable, they would rest content, as in other Kingdomes the younger Princes do. And notwithstanding their barbarous policy, in particular, they are not quite free from fear, as knowing the counterfeits have heretofore much disturbed the quiet of their Predecessours: for thus we find Amurash the second to have been vexed by one that took upon him the name of Mustapha elder brother to Mahomet, then late deceased; who was much furthered and aided by the Greek Princes. This hath been one of the vulgar policies of Princes to kindle flames of sedition in their neighbours Countreys. In the infancy of the Roman Empire we find a counterfeit Agrippa, after that a counterfeit Nero, and before two counterfeit Alexanders in Syria. But never was Realm so often troubled with these Mock-kings, as England; a counterfeit Richard the 2d. being made in the time of Hen. the 4th. a counterfeit Mortimer, in the time of Hen. the 6th. counterfeit Duke of York, a ounterfeit Earl of Warwick, under Henry the 7th. and a counterfeit Edw. the 6th. under Q. Mary. To prevent these walking spirits, Mahomet the third, laid out the dead bodies of his Father and nineteen brethren, as a common spectacle for all that passed by, or would come to behold them. Of late indeed the Grand Signeur Mustapha, miraculously scaped the bow-string twice; 1. when his brother Achmat, and 2ly. when Osmen his young Nephew were made Sultans, and was the first that in this Empire did ever succeed in the collateral line: as Ibrahim the late Sultan was the second, on the death of Morat or Amurath the fourth, his elder brother.

4. The removing of the young Princes is done for three reasons: 1. to wean them from the pleasures of the Court, 2ly. to train them up in arms, and inure them to hardness, 3ly. and principally to avoid the danger of a Competitour, where of old Princes are especially jealous. The common places destinated to this Princely exile, are Amasia in Cappadocia, Magnesia in Lydia, and such like Towns of Natolia. Neither do the old Sultans by such a great distance think themselves secure altogether; but carry a vigilant eye over their sonnes actions, and have intelligence of almost every particular thought, the least suspicion being cause sufficient to destroy them; so we find Mustapha, sonne to Solyman, the hopefullest branch that ever sprang from the Ottomon tree, to have been shamefully strangled by the command of his Father, upon a rumour onely of a mariage which he was said to have negotiated with the Persian Kings Daughter. When these Princes are once setled in their government, it is a crime meriting no less punishment than death, to depart thence and come unto Constantinople, before their Fathers death; or unless they are by their Fathers sent for. Of this we have a Tragical example in Mahomet a Prince of great hope, sonne to Bajazet the second: who desiring to see the fashion of his Fathers Court, left Magnesia to which he was by his Father confined; and attended by two or three Gentlemen, came in the habit of a seafaring man to Constantinople, and having obtained his desire he returned to his charge. This strange action being quickly divulged abroad, and by divers variously entercepted, stirred such jealousies in the suspicious head of his old Father, that he took order not long after to have him secretly poisoned.

5. As for the ordinary revenue, it consisteth either in money received, or in money saved. The money saved, is first by the Tartars, of whom he commands continnally 60000 to attend him in his wars without any pay but the spoil of the Enemie. And second by the Timariots, who nourish and bring into the Field more horses than any Prince in Christendome can keep (as we have already said) for 14 millions of Gold. The money received (according to Boterus) is only 15 millions of Sulianies, which is nothing in respect of so great an Empire: the chief reason whereof is the Tyrannicall government of the Turk, which deters men from tillage, merchandize, and other improvements of their estates; as knowing all their gettings to lie at the Grand Signieurs mercy. His extraordinary revenue is uncredible; For besides that no Embassadour commeth before him empty handed; no man is master of his own wealth, further than it stands with the Emperours liking: so that his great Bassaes are but as spunges to suck up riches till their cofiers swell; and then to be squeezed into his Treasury. These men, as he advanceth without envy, so can he destroy without danger: no man here hoping for Partakers, if he should resist, as not being ignorant that one mans fortune is built on the desired overthrow of another. Such riches as they gain, if they hap to die naturally, return to the Emperors coffers, who giveth only what he pleaseth to the Children of the deceased. These Bassaes have in their particular Provinces, their Divanoes, or Law-Courts, where justice hath bin administred formerly with great integrity; but now not a little corrupted; yet the comfort is, that such as miscarry in their right, shall without delay know what to trust to; and the Bassaes upon complaint to the Emperor are sure to die for it. Over these Bassaes (the chief of whom is the Uizier Bassa, or President of the Council) preside two Beglerbeggs; one for Greece, the other for Natolia.

6. Concerning the present state of the Empire, many judge it to be rather in the wane, than the increase, which judgement they ground upon good reasons, whereof these are the chief.

1. The body is grown too monstrous for the head: the Sultans since the death of Solyman never accompanying their Armies in person (except Morat, or Amurath the fourth) but rioting and wasting their bodies and treasures at home.

2. The Janizaries, who have been accounted the principall strength of this Empire, are grown more factious in the Court, than valiant in the Camp: corrupted with ease and liberty, drowned in prohibited wines, enscebled with the continual converse of women, and fallen from their former austerity of discipline.

3. They have of late given no increase unto their Dominions: and as in the paths of vertue, non progredi est •egredi; so in Empires, by violence gotten, when they cease to be augmented, they begin to be diminished.

4. Rebellions have in these latter times been in this Empire strangely raised, and mightily supported; which commotions the former Sultans were never acquainted with.

5. The greatness of the Empire is such, that it laboureth with nothing more than the weightiness of it self; so that it must in a manner needs decline Pondere pressa suo, overburdened with its own mightiness. For as in a naturall body, a surfeit killeth more than fasting; so in the body Politick also, too much extent doth sooner draw on a ruin, than either too little or a mediocrity.

6. The Sonnes of the Grand Signieur, whose bravery of mind is ever suspected by their Fathers, are nursed up (contraty sometimes to their natural inclinations) in all effeminacy; which once rooted in them in their youth, doth alwayes after subject them to the softness and baseness of libidinous pleasure.

7. They have lost much of that fear and terror, which formerly their very name did carry with it: insomuch that not the Venetians onely have by Sea often mated, and once overthrown them; the Hungarians withstood their greatest forces, for the space of 200 years, by land; the Polonians forced them to dishonourable retreat and composition: but the poore Prince of Transylvania did divers times discomfit them, with the death of many of their Bassaes; the Florentines with six ships onely, intercepteth their trade; and the poor Emir of Sidon held it out against them many years together.

8. By the avarice and corruption reigning in the Court; all peace and warre, all Counsels and informations, all injuries and favours, being now made saleable. And

9. It is visible and apparent, that their Empire was long sin ce at the highest: Et naturaliter quod procedere non potest, recedu, as Velleius hath it: when an Empire can ascend no higher, by the ordinary course of nature it must have a fall. All these are more than probable Prognosticks of a sinking Monarchy; and yet there is a greater than any of these, that is to say, the present State of Affaires. The young Emperor Mahomet the fourth, now reigning, is but a weak staff to support so vast an Empire: considering not onely the infinite casualties to which children are naturally subject; but the dangers which he may justly fear from a Rebellious Souldiery, and a Factious Court; Who by the murder of one Emperor, and the deposition of two, have made themselves so formidable, but withall so odious in the sight of the Imperiall house, that there is no way left to save them from a merited vengeance, but to translate the Empire tosome other Family; though by the rooting out of this. Which whensoever it shall happen, either by the naturall death, or unnaturall destruction of the present Sultan, it will draw with it an extermination of the Ottoman race: which I look on as a matter not to be avoided, except by miracle. Supposing then the line of Ottoman to fail, (as it is most probable that it will) what will become of this vast Empire? Three there will be to offer at it, viz. the Crim-Tartar, the Janizaries, and the Bassas, And first the Crim-Tartar may plead a composition, made by his Ancesters, with the Princes of the Ottoman family; which is, that he supplying them with 60000 men at his own charges, should on the failer of the heirs males succeed in this Empire. Besides which, he may hope for no small succors, not onely from the rest of the Tartarian Princes, but even from the Great Cham himself, to recover his Estate herein, if with-holden from him: thereby to adde unto the Present greatness and renown of the Tartars, the access of such a foacious Empire. 2. The Bassaes may conceive no small possibilities of dividing this great Empire among themselves, parely by the Example of Alexanders Captains, who after their masters death (there being yet some of the blood Royall remaining) parted amongst themselves not onely the new-gotten Provinces, which they had conquered from the Persians; but even the Kingdome of Macedon, his old Inheritance: partly by an example in their own Histories, by which it appeareth, that after the death of Aladine the 2d. Caraman, Sarachan, Aedin, Carasus, and the rest of the more powerfull Commanders, divided among them the whole Turkish Kingdome in the Lesser Asia: and partly by the opportunity which they have as Govemours in their severall Provinces, and having so many bands of Souldiers under their command; which may easily invest them as Proprietaries in those Estates, of which they have already such a fair possession. And so we find the Sultans or Provincial Governours of the Caliphs of Babylon, to have done before them. 3. The Janizaries may also build their hopes on as fair foundations, as being the Sword and Buckler of the Ottoman Empire; got, and maintained by their valour chiefly, who to excite them to the Enterprize have the Example of the Pratorian Guards of the Roman Empire (a body farre more Politique and better compacted than this is); who out of their own company created the farre greater part of the Roman Emperors, neither the Provinces or Senate daring to oppose them in it. But above all Examples that of the Mamalucks of Egypt doth make fairest for them; who were born of Christian Parents, as these are; appointed for the Guard of the Sultans, as these are; purposely entertained and inured to the warres, to take from the naturall subjects, the use of Armes, as these are; men of approved valour, and the chief Bulwark of that Kingdome against the Christians, as these are: and then why may they not be like them in this last Attempt, for setting in their Masters Throne, as these Mamalucks did. Adde hereunto, that they are already in (a manner) possessed of Constantinople, the head town and heart of the Empire; and their hopes are not vain. For my part I hold them to be the men most like, unless the Princes of Christendome lay aside private malice, joyn all in arms to strip this proud Peacock of his feathers: and (upon so blessed an advantage) to break in peeces with a rod of iron, this insolent and burdensome Monarchy. A thing rather to be desired than expected. But this by way of supposition, and as in a dream, I awake.

The ensign of this Empire (or armes of it) is the Croissant, or half moon; but how blazoned I cannot tell you: not are the learned yet resolved on the beginnings of that bearing. Some derive it to them, from the Eastern Gentiles, who worshiped the Moon under both sexes; as we learn in Spartianus. Some make it common to them, with the other Mahumetans; and they derive it from a pretended miracle of Mahomet: who to shew his power, is said to have made the Moon fall into his lappe in two peeces; and to have restored her whole again to the heavens. Others are of opinion, that it was taken by the Grand Signeur at the winning of Constantinople; ut signum victae gentis penes quam orientis imperium esset. And of this mind is Justus Lipsius, induced thereto as it seemeth, by the figure of the Croissant born in some old Bizantine coins. A pretty plausible conceit; and therefore till we have a better, may pass as currant as the money.

And thus much I thought convenient to insert in this place, concerning the originall, proceeding, and continuance; the naturall dispositions, policies, and forces of the Turks: this being as the onely Province which retaineth their name; so both the first they were possessed of, and the last which they have fully conquered of all their Dominions.

And thus much of Turcomania.

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

XXVI. Turcomania,

N. Tartary, S. Mesopotamia and Assyria, W. Euxine Sea Cappadocia, and Armenia minor, E. Media and Caspean Sea hath

1 In that Part called Armenia major, equally composed of hills and dales, rich in Cattle and Fruits; famous for rich Tapestries, Grograines and watered Chamlets, which by a priviledge under Mahomets own hand above other Christians, they sell all over Turky, using the Armenian tongue, Christened by St. Bartholomew, are,

first the Rivers,

1. Aruxes, wich runs from Armenia to the Caspian Sea; and
2. Cyrus.
3. Cambyses.
4. Euphrates, now Frat, a violent stream cut into Channels, least it should drown the Country.
5. A swift River, affording an easie passage in a few rafts, born up with Goat-skins, blown up with wind to Bagdat, running long under ground, in whose and Euphrates circlings lay Eden.

The Mountains

1. Abos.
2. Periardes.
3. Ʋdalespes.
4. Antitaurus.
5. Montes Moschici.
6. Niphates.
7. The Gordian Mountains, or Ararat.

The Towns;

1. Artareta now Corin where the Battle was fought, 1514. which the Turks call the day of Doom; the place called the Calderan fields.
2. Sebastia now Suassia, seated on Euphrates.
3. Tigrane certa on the River Nicesorius.
4. Arcamasola.
5. Cholna.
6. Baraza.
7. Arsarata.
8. Theodosiopolis.
9. Colonia.
10. Strong Clamassum on the Euphrates.
11. Charz made impregnable in three weeks, 1579.
12. Well garrisoned and Ammunition'd Vau, a Frontier against the Persians.
13. Well fortified Arminig held by the Persians.

2. In Colchis famous for Vines and Gold (E. Iberia, W. Euxine Sea, N. Tartary, S. Armenia the greater) formerly, now the rude people Barter one Commodity for another, with a language of their own; besides the River Phasis navigable eighteen miles into the Country, whence came our Pheasants; was

1. the famous Mart Dioscurias, where the Romans kept 130 Interpreters to correspond with people of 300 Languages that traded there.
2. Phasis, on the same River, now Phassum, the residence of the Turkish Beglebergh.
3. Neapolis and Alvati.

3. In Iberia, E. Albania, W. Colchis, N. Mountains Caucasus, called so from the River Iberus running through it, now Georgia, woody and fruitful; the people war-like, christened by Constantine the Great, and now divided between Mahumetanism and Jesuitisme, since 1614. is

1. Cremen.
2. Cachete.
3. Trtala.
4. Altuncala, or the strong Golden Castle.
5. the impregnable Archichelech.
6. The large and well fortified Testis Lori, and Tomanis (rich in Corn, Cattle, and Fruits, with Forts commanding all passages.)
7. Glisca and Biscapar.

4. In Albania, W. Iberia, E. Caspian Sea, naturally fruitfull, affording three reapings for once sowing, where people formerly could not tell an hundred, and understood not weights and measures, or money, reverencing old age, but not speaking of the dead: Gray from their Child-hood, and seeing as well by night as by day, is nothing remarkable; but the Rivers Albanus and Cyrus, and the City Derbent neer the Caspian Sea, now Demircan or Iron Gate with Sabran, and Sancta Maria, all, or most of these places under the Turks.

1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun.

Turcomania, Armenia Major, a vast Country in the Lesser Asia: of old called Armenia. It lies between Georgia to the North, the rest of the Lesser Asia to the West, Persia to the East, and Diarbeck to the South. This was the first Country the Turks possessed, after they came out of Tartary, (being most probably descended from the Scythians, that lay betwixt the Euxine and Caspian Seas); under Tangrolipix, about the year of Christ 1037. But the present Line was begun by Osman or Ottoman, about the year 1290: who was a Husbandman, or common Labourer; and by his Valour raised this Family. Bursa in Bithynia was the first Seat of their Empire, afterwards Adrianople, and then Constantinople. Solyman the present Emperour of the Turks, is the one and twentieth of this Line, set up by the Army against Mahomet IV. his Brother, out of a Discontent at his Misfortunes in the present War against the Christians, November 9. 1687.

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

Turcomanie, or the Armenian Turky, the Western part of Modern Armenia, which belongs to the Turks in Asia near the King of Persia's Territories. This was the first Country the Turks possessed after they came out of Tartary under Trangrolipse about A.C. 1037, but the present Line was begun by Osman or Ottoman about 1290, who was a Husbandman or common Labourer, and by his Valour raised his Family. See Armenia.

Turromans or Turcmans, People of Turcomania, they follow the Turkish Religion as they imitate their Language; and it's said, they were the chiefest Instruments of the Rise of the Ottomans; they came along with them out of Persia, where they were Herders or Grasiers, an Occupation they follow still; yet they neither love the Turks nor Arabians, by reason of the Tyrannies of the first, and the Persecutions they suffer under the latter. The Turcomans live in Tents, and often shift their Habitations for the Conveniency of Pasture; and go sometimes two or three hundred Families in a Company, the better to secure themselves against the Arabians their Enemies; and drive such vast Numbers of Camels, Sheep and Goats along with them, that the Ground seems all cover'd for above two Leagues together, so that they are accounted the Richest Herders of the whole Ottoman Empire. They carry a Bow and Arrow, a Sword with some Fire-Arms: Have a Jurisdiction or particular Government amongst themselves Independent of the Bacha, and their Aga or Lord, who is of their own Sect, pays the Sultan but a certain Tribute. Michel Fevre Theatre de la Turquie.