Bactriana - Revision history

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			=== 1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. ===
			<blockquote>BACTRIA or BACTRIANA, is bounded on the West, with Margiana; on the East & North, with the River Oxus, dividing it from Sogdiana; on the South, with Paropamisus, from which parted by the hills so named, and the Mountain Caucasus. It took this name from Bactra, the chief City of it; and is now called Chorassin, but by some named Batter.

			The Countrey towards the River Oxus, is for the most part well manured, and affordeth plenty of Wheat, and all sorts of fruits excepting Olives; rich metals, and some precious stones, as Emeralds, Chrisolites, and Jacinthes. Plenty of pastures there be also, well stored with Cattell, and those of bigger bulk than in other places. But the greatest part hereof to the South and West is nothing but a sandy Desart; and by reason that the sands are driven up and down by contrary winds, no tract or beaten way is to be discerned: insomuch as Travellers rest all day, and take their journey in the night, that they may guide themselves by the course of the Stars, as upon the Sea, not without great danger of being lost or buried, whilst alive, in that sandy Ocean.

			The people heretofore a puissant and warlike nation, not without great difficulty conquered by the Assyrians, nor with less by the Persians; alwaies in armes, cruel, and resembling the Scythians, whose neer neighbours they were: and (which may very well pass for their greatest vertue) multum à Persarum luxu abhorrentes, abhorting naturally from the Persian luxuries. But withall unnaturall to their Parents, whom when old they cast unto their dogs, kept for that purpose, and called Canes Sepulchrales, or buriall dogs. The women gorgeous in apparell, and proud of gesture, but prodigall of their bodies to their meanest slaves. The men to this day do retain their antient stoutness; but hard beset betwixt the Persians and the Tartars, who severally pretend a dominion over them.

			No Province of the Persian Empire hath so many Rivers. The principall of which are 1. Artamis, and 2. Zariaspes, mingling streams together, as do also 3. Ochus, and 4. Orgomanes; all four contributing their waters to the River Oxus. Of Oxus, being rather a boundary betwixt the Persian and the Tartar, than rightly proper unto either, we have spoke already.

			Towns of most observation in it, 1. Bactra, the Metropolis or chief City of it, situate at the foot of the Mountains Sogdii; giving the name of Bactria unto all the Province. It is now called Bochor, and still keeps the dignity of the Metropolitan: the seat of the Chief-Priest or Bishop of the Mahometans of Zagathay (to which this City, and great part of the Countrey also, doth now belong) having here his residence, in power and reputation equall to the King himself. Well fortified, and stored with all military provisions: the birth-place (as Maginus faith) in these latter Ages of Avicenna, that learned Philosopher and Physician; and in the first Ages of Zoroaster the more learned Astrologer. 2. Ebusmt, once the Regal seat, and therefore honoured by Ptolomy with the name of Regia. 3. Zarispe, or Charispe, the chief City of the Charispae, a great Tribe of this Countrey. 4. Charracharta, mentioned by Ptolomy and Amnaianus: these two, upon the River Oxus. 5. Eucratidia, built or repaired by the Macedonians; as the name, being meerly Greek, doth seem to intimate. 6. Alicodra, as antient as the rest, but of no great note in the course of business. 7. Iseigias, of a later date, but of greater beauty than any of those before spoken of: superiour to Bochor in elegancy, state and greatness, though not in dignity; and held by some to be the pleasantest of the East.

			This Countrey was as soon peopled as any since the generall Deluge. It had not else been possible that Zoroaster King hereof in the time of Ninus, and by him assaulted, should bring into the field an Army of 400000 men of this, and perhaps some other of the neighbouring Provinces, as most credible writers say he did. Encountring Ninus with this Army he prevailed at first, and slew of the Assyrians neer an hundred thousand. But Ninus having better opportunities of recruiting his forces, invaded him a second time with an Army of 1700000 foot, and 200000 horse (the greatest on record in all ages since that time, except that of Semiramis) with which he over came Zoroaster, slew him in the field, and united Bactria to his Empire. Unto this Zoroaster is ascribed the invention of Astronomy, but on no good ground: that Art or Science being studied before the flood, (if Seths Pillars mentioned by Josephus be of any credit): and therefore probably no otherwise to be ascribed to Zoroaster, than as to the Reviver of it; or because he first committed that unto writing, which he had received by tradition; or because he brought those confused notions which he had received from others, into rule and method. He being slain, and Bactra his chief City taken by the wit of Semiramis, then the wife of Menon (but on the merit of that service made the wife of Ninus) the Buctrians became subject unto the Assyran Kings, after to the Monarchs of the Medes and Persian. In the e•piring of which great Monarchy Bessus a false and cruell Traitor, did command this Province and having villainously stain Darius, his Lord and Master, assumed unto himself the title of King of Persia•, under the name of Art•xenxes. But being betrayed by Spitamenes one of his Confederates, by him delivered unto Alexander, and by Alexander put to a cruell death the Bactrians became subject to the Macedonians, and in that right unto Seleucus and the Kings of Syria. But long it held not in that State; one Theodatus, who formerly had the Governm•ent of it for the Syrian Kings; taking unto himself the title of king, and the possession of the Countrey, about the same time that Arsaces and the Parthians made the like revolt. Wrested from his posterity by one Enthydemus, the recovery of it was attempted by Antiochus Magnus: and the whole cause put to the trial of a barrel. In which, though Antiochus had the better, and shewed more personal valor in it than any time after: yet he was glad to come to a composition, and left to Euthydemus both the Crown and the Countrey. Made not long after an accession to the Parthian Kingdome; it continued part thereof whilest that Kingdome stood: and in the time of Ptolomy (as long time before) had for the chief tribes or nations of it the Salatarae, and Zariaspae towards the North; the Comani, or Coamoni (as Pliny calleth them) dwelling in the South; the middle parts being taken up by the Thocari, said to be gens magna; the Scorde, Savadii, Maricae, Tambyzi, Amarispe, and others of as little note. In the often changes and alterations of the Persian State, one of the last Nations which submitted to the new Pretenders: and at this time so neutrall betwixt the Persians, and the Cham of Tartary, that it is wholly under the power of either. More averse from the Persian government since the alteration of Religion made there by Hysinael, and the rest of the Sect of Mortis Halt: these Bactrians being of the old race of Mahometans which adhered to Haumar, Osmen, and Abubecher, as the true Successours of their false Prophet: and therefore ill-affected to the Sophian faction, whom they call commonly Caphars, or Hereticks, for the innovations by them made in the Law of Mahomet.</blockquote>

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

Admin: /* 1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun. */

2025-12-14T04:12:26Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:12, 14 December 2025
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	=== 1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun. ===		=== 1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun. ===
	<blockquote>Bactriana, (Batter in the modern Appellation) was an antient Province of Persia, answering in part now to Corasan in Persia, and in part to Ʋsbeck in Tartary; divided by the River Geichon. Its Capital City was Bactra, hereafter mentioned by the name of Bagdasan, which is of little consideration. The River Bactrus of this Country has also changed its name to Buschian, falling into the Geichon. The antient Inhabitants had the repute of the best Soldiers in the World: they were always in Arms upon the account of the Scythians their Neighbors, who lived by Spoil. And much addicted to Astrology; Zoroaster their King being the supposed Author of that Science, under the name of Magick.</blockquote>		<blockquote>Bactriana, (Batter in the modern Appellation) was an antient Province of Persia, answering in part now to Corasan in Persia, and in part to Ʋsbeck in Tartary; divided by the River Geichon. Its Capital City was Bactra, hereafter mentioned by the name of Bagdasan, which is of little consideration. The River Bactrus of this Country has also changed its name to Buschian, falling into the Geichon. The antient Inhabitants had the repute of the best Soldiers in the World: they were always in Arms upon the account of the Scythians their Neighbors, who lived by Spoil. And much addicted to Astrology; Zoroaster their King being the supposed Author of that Science, under the name of Magick.</blockquote>

			=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. ===
			<blockquote>Bactria, an ancient Province of Persia between Margiana, Scythia, the Indies, and the Country of the Massagetes.

			Bactrians, an ancient Province of Persia, who according to Quintus Curtius were the best Soldiers in the World, but rough and brutal, and had nothing of the Politeness of the Persians. Some hold that they kept Dogs to devour such as became useless, either through their great Age, or long Sickness; And it's said that their Wives were well Apparelled, but were not Chaste. They were much addicted to Astrology, and their Zoroaster was supppos'd to be the Author of Magick.</blockquote>

Admin: Created page with " === 1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun. ===
Bactriana, (Batter in the modern Appellation) was an antient Province of Persia, answering in part now to Corasan in Persia, and in part to Ʋsbeck in Tartary; divided by the River Geichon. Its Capital City was Bactra, hereafter mentioned by the name of Bagdasan, which is of little consideration. The River Bactrus of this Country has also changed its name to B..."

2025-05-14T15:28:18Z

Created page with " === 1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun. === <blockquote>Bactriana, (Batter in the modern Appellation) was an antient Province of Persia, answering in part now to Corasan in Persia, and in part to Ʋsbeck in Tartary; divided by the River Geichon. Its Capital City was Bactra, hereafter mentioned by the name of Bagdasan, which is of little consideration. The River Bactrus of this Country has also changed its name to B..."

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=== 1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun. ===
<blockquote>Bactriana, (Batter in the modern Appellation) was an antient Province of Persia, answering in part now to Corasan in Persia, and in part to Ʋsbeck in Tartary; divided by the River Geichon. Its Capital City was Bactra, hereafter mentioned by the name of Bagdasan, which is of little consideration. The River Bactrus of this Country has also changed its name to Buschian, falling into the Geichon. The antient Inhabitants had the repute of the best Soldiers in the World: they were always in Arms upon the account of the Scythians their Neighbors, who lived by Spoil. And much addicted to Astrology; Zoroaster their King being the supposed Author of that Science, under the name of Magick.</blockquote>