Egypt - Revision history

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	Sues, which has not much above two hundred Houses, with a sorry Port, is nevertheless the Arsenal of the Turks, upon the Red Sea. The Governour keeps two small Galleys, and some Ships, to make himself considerable upon the Red Sea. The Merchandizes of the East-Indies, bound for Europe, came thither formerly; for which reason the Turks have, not without regret, seen the Establishment of the Europeans in those Indies. But they still bring Spices, to truck with the Inhabitants for Corral. Cossir, formerly Berenice, was the Resort of the Commodities which the Romans fetch'd from the East-Indies, and which from thence were carried to the nearest part of the Nile, in the City of Coptos, now called Cana. Buge, in the most Southern part of Egypt, is a Kingdom tributary to the Abyssins, according to the Relations of 1657.</blockquote>		Sues, which has not much above two hundred Houses, with a sorry Port, is nevertheless the Arsenal of the Turks, upon the Red Sea. The Governour keeps two small Galleys, and some Ships, to make himself considerable upon the Red Sea. The Merchandizes of the East-Indies, bound for Europe, came thither formerly; for which reason the Turks have, not without regret, seen the Establishment of the Europeans in those Indies. But they still bring Spices, to truck with the Inhabitants for Corral. Cossir, formerly Berenice, was the Resort of the Commodities which the Romans fetch'd from the East-Indies, and which from thence were carried to the nearest part of the Nile, in the City of Coptos, now called Cana. Buge, in the most Southern part of Egypt, is a Kingdom tributary to the Abyssins, according to the Relations of 1657.</blockquote>

			=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. ===
			<blockquote>Mummies of Egypt, are Dead Bodies embalmed and wrapped in certain linen Cloths that prevent Corruption. They may be seen in Egypt, not far from Cairo, near the Village Sakara. The ground where they are found is like a vast Burying place, adorned in divers places with many Pyramids. There are under the ground many vaulted rooms cut in Quarries of white Stones, with a hole to go down into them, like a Well. Those Wells are square, built with good Stones, and filled with Sand, to close the Grotto, which Sand is taken out when people will go in. Then by the help of a Rope under their Arms they are gently let down to the bottom, where the door is. The rooms built under ground are commonly square, and contain many by-places, where Mummies are found, some in stone Tombs, others in Chests or Coffins made of Sycamore with many Ornaments. The Dead Bodies are wrapped up with Fillets of Linen Cloth dipped in a Composition sit to preserve from Corruption; and those Fillets are so often wound about, that sometimes there are above a thousand Ells. The Fillet going in length from head to foot, is often adorned with many Hieroglyphicks painted in Gold, which shew the Quality and brave Actions of the deceased. Some Mummies also have a golden Leaf delicately set on the Face. Others have a kind of an Head-piece made of Cloth and prepared with Mortar, on which the Face of the person is represented in Gold. In unwrapping them small metal Idols are sometimes found wonderfully well wrought; and some have a little piece of Gold under their Tongue. Some Mummies are shut up in Chests made up of many Cloths pasted together, which are as strong as wooden ones, and never rot. The Balm that preserves those Bodies is black, hard and shining like Pitch, and smells pleasantly. It is called Mummy, because composed of Amomum, Cinnamon, Myrrhe and Wax. The Dead Bodies were also powdered with Nitre or Sea-sand. The Amomum of the Ancients is supposed to be the little Tree, the inner Bark whereof is called Cinnamon. They took the small Branches full of knots in the shape of Grape kernels, and a kind of sweet Gum that came out of its Root, to make that Composition with other Plants and aromatical Liquours, which keep Bodies from Corruption. From the word Amomum came Amomia, which we pronounce Mummy. Some derive it from the Persian word Mum signifying Wax, used chiefly by the Persians and Scythians to preserve Corpses. M. Thevenot. Voyage du Levant.</blockquote>

	=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===		=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===

Admin at 01:58, 20 January 2025

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	Sues, which has not much above two hundred Houses, with a sorry Port, is nevertheless the Arsenal of the Turks, upon the Red Sea. The Governour keeps two small Galleys, and some Ships, to make himself considerable upon the Red Sea. The Merchandizes of the East-Indies, bound for Europe, came thither formerly; for which reason the Turks have, not without regret, seen the Establishment of the Europeans in those Indies. But they still bring Spices, to truck with the Inhabitants for Corral. Cossir, formerly Berenice, was the Resort of the Commodities which the Romans fetch'd from the East-Indies, and which from thence were carried to the nearest part of the Nile, in the City of Coptos, now called Cana. Buge, in the most Southern part of Egypt, is a Kingdom tributary to the Abyssins, according to the Relations of 1657.</blockquote>		Sues, which has not much above two hundred Houses, with a sorry Port, is nevertheless the Arsenal of the Turks, upon the Red Sea. The Governour keeps two small Galleys, and some Ships, to make himself considerable upon the Red Sea. The Merchandizes of the East-Indies, bound for Europe, came thither formerly; for which reason the Turks have, not without regret, seen the Establishment of the Europeans in those Indies. But they still bring Spices, to truck with the Inhabitants for Corral. Cossir, formerly Berenice, was the Resort of the Commodities which the Romans fetch'd from the East-Indies, and which from thence were carried to the nearest part of the Nile, in the City of Coptos, now called Cana. Buge, in the most Southern part of Egypt, is a Kingdom tributary to the Abyssins, according to the Relations of 1657.</blockquote>

			=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===
			<blockquote>AEGYPT is bounded on the North with the Mediterranean Sea, on the West with Barbary, and the Desart of Barca; on the South with Nubia, and the Country of the Abyssines; on the East with the Red Sea, and Isthmus of Suez. The extent of it from South to North is about 170 leagues, from the 23 D. to the 31 D. 40 M. of Northern latitude; and from West to East 106 leagues, from the 60 D. to the 66 of longitude.

			The Air of it is unwholsome, by reason of the great Heats, and filthy Mud of Nilus; especially in those places where the Waters hang a long time after the flowing of that River. The Soil of it is naturally barren, being in most places nothing but Sand, but by the overflowing of Nilus 'tis made one of the most fruitful Countries in the World; so that it produces vast quantities of Corn, of which they export much; as also Rice, Sugar, Dates, Cotton, Senna, Cassia, Balm, Skins, Cloaths, Linnen, Barley and Pulse. They have plenty of Poultry, Sheep and Oxen, Camels, Horse, and other Beasts. As also several sorts of Insects, which the standing Waters which are left by the flowing of Nile, produce. It yeilds also excellent Simples, curious Plants and divers Fruits. The Beasts are very fruitful there; Sheep bring forth twice a year, and several Lambs at each time. The Trees are always full of Fruit, when the Nile doth not flow. There is a Famine in Aegypt; when it rises not so much as 16 foot, they have a scarcity of Corn, because some part of the Country is not flowed; and when it rises more than 24 foot, they have a great want of all things, because the Water remaining too long a time upon the Earth hinders them from Sowing, and the Land produces but a small Crop, because 'tis too much enriched by the long flood.

			The Nile is the only River of this Kingdom, and one of the most famous Rivers of the World. I have spoken of the Original of it, in treating upon Africa in general. This River abounds in Fish and Crocodiles. After a course of 400 leagues and more from South to North, it empties it self into the Mediterranean Sea at seven mouths. On the left hand of Nile lyes the Lake Maeris, which is 60 leagues in compass; and a little lower there is another Lake called Areotis, or Antacon, which is about 20 leagues in circuit. Several Kings of Aegypt have often taken up a design, but to no purpose, of joyning the Red-Sea and Mediterranean together, by cutting thro the Isthmus of Suez, which is in the narrowest place, about 25 leagues in length.

			About 3 or 4 leagues from the City Cairo, and on the left hand of Nile are the famous Pyramids, which were of old counted one of the seven wonders of the World, and about 3 leagues distant from these Pyramids are the Pits of Mummy, near the Ruins of the antient Memphis; they are embalmed bodies, hardned by lying several ages. The Moors have the disposal of them and sell them to Travellers. They have been kept in those Vaults under ground 2 or 3000 Years. The Invention of Physick, Geometry, Astrology, Arithmetick, and several other Sciences is attributed to the Aegyptians. The Country-men have a particular way of hatching their Poultry in certain Furnaces, by giving their Eggs such a degree of Heat as is suitable for their production. The greatest part of the Aegyptians are Mahometans, but there are many Jews, some Christians, called Cophti, and some Latins, but corrupted and different from the Roman Catholicks.

			The Romans possessed Aegypt, till Aumar the second Caliph of the Successor of Mahomet. The Sultans succeeded the Caliphs, Saladin settled the Empire of the Marmalucks, which remained till the year 1516, when Selim the Emperour of the Turks, brought it into subjection to his Arms, having slain the last Sultan: Ever since it hath groaned under the Tyranny of these Infidels, and is governed by a Bassa or Beglerbeg, who resides at Grand-Cairo and hath under him at present, no less than 15 Governments. He hath a good Militia, the most considerable of all the Ottoman Empire. 'Tis also the most honourable Government of all that belong to the Port.

			The most famous City of Aegypt is at present GRAND-CAIRO, Cairus, it is the cheif City of this Kingdom, and the Seat of the Beglerbeg or Bassa, standing about a league distance from the River Nile on the East side, over against the Ruins of the Antient Memphis, which was on the other side of the River It is as big as Paris, not taking in the Old Cairo, and the Town of Boulac; where the Haven is, about a mile from it. It is about 70 leagues in compass, and full of People of all Nations, which come thither upon the Account of Trade. The greatest part of the Inhabitants are Moors, Turks, Jews, Cophti, Greeks, and Armenians. It hath 18000 Streets, which are locked up every night to prevent disorders; they are built very narrow to keep them from the great Heat: The Inhabitants make the fine Tapestry, which is called Turky Tapestry. The Castle commands all the City: It is built upon a Rock, in which they have cut a commodious Ascent to it; it is very great, and flanked with several Towers of very Ancient Work. The Water of Nile is carried to it thro a Conduit of 1550 Arches. There come every year to this City 12 or 15000 and sometimes 40000 Pilgrims to go to Mecca and Medena, to visit the Tomb of the false Prophet Mahomet.

			The City Girgio, or Gergio, Girgium, is the Residence of a Bassa; it was the Antient Thebes, called Thebae Hecatompylae, or Thebes with 100 Gates. Alexandria is situate on the bank of the Mediterranean Sea, upon a Sandy ground near the Canopick mouth of Nile; it is 7 or 800 paces from the Haven, which hath 2 Rocks at the entrance of it. The City is built in the form of a Cross, divided into the Old and New, and is about 2 leagues in compass. The Walls of it have stood ever since Alexanders time, who was the Founder of it. It is fortifyed with many great Towers; some say 400, every Tower hath 4 Stories, and will hold 100 Souldiers well: It was heretofore the finest City of Africa except Carthage. The Tower of Pharos, one of the 7 wonders of the World, is quite ruined and gone; the City is now nothing but a heap of Ruinate Houses, but still maintains some Trade by reason of the two Ports: It is the seat of the Patriarch of Alexandria. Damiata is accounted the Key of the Country, by reason of its situation and Port upon the Mediterranean, which made the King S. Lewis to resolve to be Master of it. Rosetta, Metelis, or Bolbitina is built upon the most Navigable branch of Nile, which makes it the resort of many Ships, full of Trade and Populous.

			The City of Suez, Arsinoi, or Posidium, is situate upon the Banks of the Red-Sea, and hath not above 2 or 300 Houses. 'Tis the Turks Arsenal in this Sea, and hath an Haven, but 'tis shallow and not very convenient. The Governour of it maintains two small Gallies, and some Ships. The Eastern Merchandizes were heretofore brought hither to be carryed into Europe, but 'tis now laid aside since the Europeans have settled themselves in the Indies.</blockquote>

Admin: /* 1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts. */

2025-01-03T23:19:15Z

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

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	The next is Rossetta, seated on the principall channell of Nilus, and in a triangle from the two above-named Cities of Alexandria •…nd Cairo, serving for a Scale for both.		The next is Rossetta, seated on the principall channell of Nilus, and in a triangle from the two above-named Cities of Alexandria •…nd Cairo, serving for a Scale for both.

	The last and most principall is Cairo, the chiefe of this Countrey, containing 18000 streets, and each street being every night locked up and barred, which makes the Citie impregnable, of which more hereafter. I finde some Authors to have left for a remembrance behind them, a touch of the trade of this Countrey in times past practised by the commodiousnesse of the red Seas, which entreth into the heart of this Country, and because that Galuano relateth the beginning, continuance, and period of this trade, I will briefly follow his words. Ptol: Philadelphus then 277 yeares before the Incarnation, was the first that gave beginning, and set afoot this Navigation, bringing the spices, drugges, and commodities of Arabia and India through the red Sea into Aegypt to the port of Alexandria, where the Venetians as then the onely famous Merchants of Christendome, brought up the same, and were the first that this way dispersed it through [[Europe]], [[Africa]] and [[Asia]]. Casir being then the principall haven Towne in the red Sea, whence their voyage to India was set forth and begun, and where the same afterward was ended, and from thence by land these commodities were conveyed to Coptus, a towne now altogether inhabited by Iacobite Christians, and so thence downe the River Nile to Alexandria in the mediterranean Sea, by which traffique this Citie became so rich and eminent, that the Customehouse there yeelded to Ptol: Aalates 7½ millions of gold: and afterward when the Romans came to be Lords of Aegypt, they found it to yeeld them fifteene millions. These last augmented this trade, and sent into India every yeare by the testimony of Pliny an hundred and twenty sayle of ships, whose lading was outward bound worth 120000 Crownes, and it produced in profit at the returne homeward, for every Crowne, a hundred. But when the Vandalls, Lombards, Gothes and Moores had rent asunder [[The Roman Empire\|the Romane Empire]], all commerce in these parts betweene these Nations began to cease, but when the inconvenience and discommoditie thereof was sensibly discerned and perceived, it was begun againe and set afoot anew by other Princes that coveted this rich trade, conveying the Indian commodities afterward with great difficultie, partly by land, and partly by water to [[Caffa\|Capha]] in the blacke Sea, as then belonging to the Genoes; but this by reason of the long way and dangerous passage, being found too tedious and prejudiciall, Trade (which is ever found to have a secret Genious and hidden course of it selfe) was removed, for these and other causes to Trabesond, which was then conceived the fittest Mart Towne, then Sarmachand in Zagethai had it, where the Indian, Persian and Turkish Merchants met to barter, their commodities; the Turkes thence conveying the same to Damasco, Baruti and Aleppo, from which last place the Venetians againe transported these commodities to Venice, making that Citie thereby the common Emporium of Christendome; and lastly in Anno 1300, the Soltans of Aegypt restored the passage by the red Sea, and the Venetians resetled their Factors in Alexandria, which continued for two hundred yeares, untill the Portugalls, Spanyards, English, and lastly the Dutch, found a new way by the backe side of Africa, to convey the same to their owne homes, whereby the great trade which the Aegyptians, and principally the Venetians had to themselves for many yeares, came thus to nothing, and the traffique of Alexandria and red Sea thereby is now decayed, and become altogether unfrequented, as at this day wee find it, subsisting onely by the native commodities thereof, in which nature it is fittest I should now survay the same.</blockquote><blockquote>Aegypt waight compared with the waights of sundry other Countryes.		The last and most principall is Cairo, the chiefe of this Countrey, containing 18000 streets, and each street being every night locked up and barred, which makes the Citie impregnable, of which more hereafter. I finde some Authors to have left for a remembrance behind them, a touch of the trade of this Countrey in times past practised by the commodiousnesse of the red Seas, which entreth into the heart of this Country, and because that Galuano relateth the beginning, continuance, and period of this trade, I will briefly follow his words. Ptol: Philadelphus then 277 yeares before the Incarnation, was the first that gave beginning, and set afoot this Navigation, bringing the spices, drugges, and commodities of Arabia and India through the red Sea into Aegypt to the port of Alexandria, where the Venetians as then the onely famous Merchants of Christendome, brought up the same, and were the first that this way dispersed it through [[Europe]], [[Africa]] and [[Asia]]. Casir being then the principall haven Towne in the red Sea, whence their voyage to India was set forth and begun, and where the same afterward was ended, and from thence by land these commodities were conveyed to Coptus, a towne now altogether inhabited by Iacobite Christians, and so thence downe the River Nile to Alexandria in the mediterranean Sea, by which traffique this Citie became so rich and eminent, that the Customehouse there yeelded to Ptol: Aalates 7½ millions of gold: and afterward when the Romans came to be Lords of Aegypt, they found it to yeeld them fifteene millions. These last augmented this trade, and sent into India every yeare by the testimony of Pliny an hundred and twenty sayle of ships, whose lading was outward bound worth 120000 Crownes, and it produced in profit at the returne homeward, for every Crowne, a hundred. But when the Vandalls, Lombards, Gothes and Moores had rent asunder [[The Roman Empire\|the Romane Empire]], all commerce in these parts betweene these Nations began to cease, but when the inconvenience and discommoditie thereof was sensibly discerned and perceived, it was begun againe and set afoot anew by other Princes that coveted this rich trade, conveying the Indian commodities afterward with great difficultie, partly by land, and partly by water to [[Caffa\|Capha]] in the blacke Sea, as then belonging to the Genoes; but this by reason of the long way and dangerous passage, being found too tedious and prejudiciall, Trade (which is ever found to have a secret Genious and hidden course of it selfe) was removed, for these and other causes to Trabesond, which was then conceived the fittest Mart Towne, then Sarmachand in Zagethai had it, where the Indian, Persian and Turkish Merchants met to barter, their commodities; the Turkes thence conveying the same to Damasco, [[Baruti]] and [[Aleppo]], from which last place the Venetians againe transported these commodities to Venice, making that Citie thereby the common Emporium of Christendome; and lastly in Anno 1300, the Soltans of Aegypt restored the passage by the red Sea, and the Venetians resetled their Factors in Alexandria, which continued for two hundred yeares, untill the Portugalls, Spanyards, English, and lastly the Dutch, found a new way by the backe side of Africa, to convey the same to their owne homes, whereby the great trade which the Aegyptians, and principally the Venetians had to themselves for many yeares, came thus to nothing, and the traffique of Alexandria and red Sea thereby is now decayed, and become altogether unfrequented, as at this day wee find it, subsisting onely by the native commodities thereof, in which nature it is fittest I should now survay the same.</blockquote><blockquote>Aegypt waight compared with the waights of sundry other Countryes.

	IHave noted before how that in Aegypt is used foure severall waights proper to severall sorts of commodities; the cantar forfori is used in severall sorts of spices comming from Cairo; the cantar zero is the greatest and most common in use for all such commodities as are sold here by Christian Merchants; the cantar laidin is onely used in flax, hemp, &c. and the last is the cantar mina, most used in Damietta, for cloves, maces, cinamon, muske, and some sorts of spices; the observations made thereon, with some other eminent Cities, are these:		IHave noted before how that in Aegypt is used foure severall waights proper to severall sorts of commodities; the cantar forfori is used in severall sorts of spices comming from Cairo; the cantar zero is the greatest and most common in use for all such commodities as are sold here by Christian Merchants; the cantar laidin is onely used in flax, hemp, &c. and the last is the cantar mina, most used in Damietta, for cloves, maces, cinamon, muske, and some sorts of spices; the observations made thereon, with some other eminent Cities, are these:

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Admin: /* 1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome. */

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

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	Thus was the former state of this City, but at present almost a heap of ruines, especially, the East and South parts; not the moyety of the City being inhabited. And were it not for some conveniencies of Trade, or the like, more then any pleasure of the place, by reason of the evil Air which reigns there, it would be soon left wholly desolate. It is now inhabited by a mixture of Nations, as Turks, Jews, Greeks, Moors, Copties and Christians. Now remarkable for a Mosque, in which St. Mark, their first Bishop, was said to be buried: Yet their rests still within, and near the City, many Obelisks, Columus, Footsteps of pround Building, &c.		Thus was the former state of this City, but at present almost a heap of ruines, especially, the East and South parts; not the moyety of the City being inhabited. And were it not for some conveniencies of Trade, or the like, more then any pleasure of the place, by reason of the evil Air which reigns there, it would be soon left wholly desolate. It is now inhabited by a mixture of Nations, as Turks, Jews, Greeks, Moors, Copties and Christians. Now remarkable for a Mosque, in which St. Mark, their first Bishop, was said to be buried: Yet their rests still within, and near the City, many Obelisks, Columus, Footsteps of pround Building, &c.

	Raschit or Rosetto, a pritty little City, seated on the Nile, four miles from the Mediterranean Sea; a place of no strength, but of a great Trade, and well furnished with several sorts of Commodities. Its Buildings are stately, both within and without, and is only defended by a Castle, being without Walls, or other Fortifications. This City in ancient times, was noted for a place of all kinds of Beastliness and Luxury. Damiata is a fair City,* 1.15 and its Land excellent, famous for the often Sieges laid unto it by the Christian Armies, in Anno 1220. Who for 18 Moneths continuance, did stoutly defend themselves; till in the end, the Enemy hearing no noise, some of them did adventure to Scale the Walls, who finding no resistance, the Army marched in; who then found in every house and corner, heaps of dead bodies, and none to give them burial; and searching them, found them to die of Famine and of the Pestilence, which grievously raged amongst them: Which lamentable spectacle, must needs add terror to the beholder. This City was built, as some Authors say, out of the ruines of Pelusium, which was built by Peleus, the Father of Achilles; who for the murther of his Brother Phocus, was by the gods commanded to purge himself in the adjoyning Lake. This place (as Heylin noteth) was the Episcopal See of St. Isidore, sirnamed Pelusiotes, whose Pious and Rhetorical Epistles are yet extant. And at this place Ptolomy, the famous Geographer, drew his first breath. And these three Cities, after Cairo, are at present the fairest of Egypt. There are abundance of other Cities which are yet in some repute; as Suez and Cossir, seated on the Red Sea; Suez noted for its Arsenal; and Cossir, for its reception of the Merchandizes of the East; and Saiet, a fair Town not far from Cairo, on the Nile, by some said to be the dwelling place of Joseph and Mary, whither they sled with Christ for fear of Herod, where are yet the ruines of a fair and beautiful Temple, which as they say was built by Helena, the Mother of Constantine, with several others too tedious to name. But to speak truth, Egypt is nothing in regard of what it was under its first Kings, with several other, as I have set down in my Geographical Tables, as they are found in the said Twelve Cassiliffs; and are all commodiously and pleasantly seated on the Banks of the Nile, which traverses the whole Countrey, dividing it self into several streams, especially in the Higher Egypt, where with several Mouths it full• into (or receives) the Mideterranean Sea: Also I have noted several Cities seated on the Red Sea, to which I refer the Reader.		Raschit or Rosetto, a pritty little City, seated on the Nile, four miles from the Mediterranean Sea; a place of no strength, but of a great Trade, and well furnished with several sorts of Commodities. Its Buildings are stately, both within and without, and is only defended by a Castle, being without Walls, or other Fortifications. This City in ancient times, was noted for a place of all kinds of Beastliness and Luxury. Damiata is a fair City,* 1.15 and its Land excellent, famous for the often Sieges laid unto it by the Christian Armies, in Anno 1220. Who for 18 Moneths continuance, did stoutly defend themselves; till in the end, the Enemy hearing no noise, some of them did adventure to Scale the Walls, who finding no resistance, the Army marched in; who then found in every house and corner, heaps of dead bodies, and none to give them burial; and searching them, found them to die of Famine and of the Pestilence, which grievously raged amongst them: Which lamentable spectacle, must needs add terror to the beholder. This City was built, as some Authors say, out of the ruines of Pelusium, which was built by Peleus, the Father of Achilles; who for the murther of his Brother Phocus, was by the gods commanded to purge himself in the adjoyning Lake. This place (as Heylin noteth) was the Episcopal See of St. Isidore, sirnamed Pelusiotes, whose Pious and Rhetorical Epistles are yet extant. And at this place Ptolomy, the famous Geographer, drew his first breath. And these three Cities, after Cairo, are at present the fairest of Egypt. There are abundance of other Cities which are yet in some repute; as [[Suez]] and Cossir, seated on the Red Sea; Suez noted for its Arsenal; and Cossir, for its reception of the Merchandizes of the East; and Saiet, a fair Town not far from Cairo, on the Nile, by some said to be the dwelling place of Joseph and Mary, whither they sled with Christ for fear of Herod, where are yet the ruines of a fair and beautiful Temple, which as they say was built by Helena, the Mother of Constantine, with several others too tedious to name. But to speak truth, Egypt is nothing in regard of what it was under its first Kings, with several other, as I have set down in my Geographical Tables, as they are found in the said Twelve Cassiliffs; and are all commodiously and pleasantly seated on the Banks of the Nile, which traverses the whole Countrey, dividing it self into several streams, especially in the Higher Egypt, where with several Mouths it full• into (or receives) the Mideterranean Sea: Also I have noted several Cities seated on the Red Sea, to which I refer the Reader.

	<nowiki>*</nowiki> 1.16In this Countrey are two Lakes, the one is called The Lake of Bucheira, in the Territory of Alexandria, and is about twelve Leagues in length, and seven in breadth; the other is called The Lake of Moeris, in the Cassilifs of Giza and Fium; and is about 27 Leagues in length, and 20, 15, 10, 5, and 3 in breadth.		<nowiki>*</nowiki> 1.16In this Countrey are two Lakes, the one is called The Lake of Bucheira, in the Territory of Alexandria, and is about twelve Leagues in length, and seven in breadth; the other is called The Lake of Moeris, in the Cassilifs of Giza and Fium; and is about 27 Leagues in length, and 20, 15, 10, 5, and 3 in breadth.

Admin at 04:42, 3 January 2025

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	Heliopolis was heretofore the Citty where the Priests dwelt, and the place where Strabo the great Astronomer and Philosopher lived. Memphis heretofore called Arsinoe, was a royall Citty, where Nilus first devideth it selfe into two parts, and maketh the forme of the Greeke letter Delta. They call it now Cairum, or Alcair. This Citty is built in a triangular or three-cornerd forme, being above 8. miles in compasse. The Turkes, the Aegyptians, the Arabians, the Hebrewes and others doe inhabit it. Bellonius placeth Babylon a little above Cairus, and the ruine of many famous Buildings are yet remaining. It is now a little Towne of the Christians. Alexandria was heretofore a noble faire Citty built by Alexander the great, upon the Mediterranean Sea-coast, and seated pleasantly. The Turkes doe call it Scanderia. Pelusium is called now Damiatum, which is a potent rich Citty, famous for the conveniency of the Haven, wherein many Ships may ride, being at the Pelusiacian mouth of the River Nilus. This Country is devided, watered, and made fruitfull by the River Nilus, which is the fairest River in all the world.</blockquote>		Heliopolis was heretofore the Citty where the Priests dwelt, and the place where Strabo the great Astronomer and Philosopher lived. Memphis heretofore called Arsinoe, was a royall Citty, where Nilus first devideth it selfe into two parts, and maketh the forme of the Greeke letter Delta. They call it now Cairum, or Alcair. This Citty is built in a triangular or three-cornerd forme, being above 8. miles in compasse. The Turkes, the Aegyptians, the Arabians, the Hebrewes and others doe inhabit it. Bellonius placeth Babylon a little above Cairus, and the ruine of many famous Buildings are yet remaining. It is now a little Towne of the Christians. Alexandria was heretofore a noble faire Citty built by Alexander the great, upon the Mediterranean Sea-coast, and seated pleasantly. The Turkes doe call it Scanderia. Pelusium is called now Damiatum, which is a potent rich Citty, famous for the conveniency of the Haven, wherein many Ships may ride, being at the Pelusiacian mouth of the River Nilus. This Country is devided, watered, and made fruitfull by the River Nilus, which is the fairest River in all the world.</blockquote>

			=== 1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts. ===
			<blockquote>Of AEGYPT, and the Provinces thereof.

			EGYPT on the East is bounded with the red Sea, on the West with [[Cyrene]], on the North with the mediterranean Sea, and on the South with Habasia: this Country is watered by the fruitfull River Nilus, which for the more benefit of the spreading plaines divides it selfe into seven channels, and begins about the fifteenth of Iune to rise and swell above his bankes, and for fortie dayes doth so continue, and within fortie dayes againe collecteth it selfe into its owne limits: all the Townes here are seated on the tops of hills, which during this floud appeares to the strangers like Ilands; intercourse and commerce being all this time preserved by boats, skiffs, and lighters, insteed of camells and horses;. this river is in length 3000 miles, and when it is found not to swell, it portendeth some fatall accident either to Countrey or Soveraigne.

			In this Country are found these famous Townes for traffique, Alexandria, built by Alexander the Great, the most eminent Seaport of all Aegypt, and whither before the discoverie of the Indies was the Scale of all those commodities which since we find to come thence, and then most frequented by the Uenetians, who had almost the sole trade of the commodities of India and Aegypt in their owne hands, and from them dispersed and transported through Europe, and who to this day yet keepe a Consull there for the protection of their Merchants.

			The next is Damiata, seated at the entrance of one of the channels of Nilus, the command whereof cost much bloud in the dayes of those warres in the Holy land by the Westerne Christians.

			The next is Sues, a haven of consequence standing at the north end of the red Sea, wherein the great Turke keepes a Station for his Gallies, commonly built in Cairo, and afterward carried thi•…her by Camells to command his Dominions in those parts.

			The next is Rossetta, seated on the principall channell of Nilus, and in a triangle from the two above-named Cities of Alexandria •…nd Cairo, serving for a Scale for both.

			The last and most principall is Cairo, the chiefe of this Countrey, containing 18000 streets, and each street being every night locked up and barred, which makes the Citie impregnable, of which more hereafter. I finde some Authors to have left for a remembrance behind them, a touch of the trade of this Countrey in times past practised by the commodiousnesse of the red Seas, which entreth into the heart of this Country, and because that Galuano relateth the beginning, continuance, and period of this trade, I will briefly follow his words. Ptol: Philadelphus then 277 yeares before the Incarnation, was the first that gave beginning, and set afoot this Navigation, bringing the spices, drugges, and commodities of Arabia and India through the red Sea into Aegypt to the port of Alexandria, where the Venetians as then the onely famous Merchants of Christendome, brought up the same, and were the first that this way dispersed it through [[Europe]], [[Africa]] and [[Asia]]. Casir being then the principall haven Towne in the red Sea, whence their voyage to India was set forth and begun, and where the same afterward was ended, and from thence by land these commodities were conveyed to Coptus, a towne now altogether inhabited by Iacobite Christians, and so thence downe the River Nile to Alexandria in the mediterranean Sea, by which traffique this Citie became so rich and eminent, that the Customehouse there yeelded to Ptol: Aalates 7½ millions of gold: and afterward when the Romans came to be Lords of Aegypt, they found it to yeeld them fifteene millions. These last augmented this trade, and sent into India every yeare by the testimony of Pliny an hundred and twenty sayle of ships, whose lading was outward bound worth 120000 Crownes, and it produced in profit at the returne homeward, for every Crowne, a hundred. But when the Vandalls, Lombards, Gothes and Moores had rent asunder [[The Roman Empire\|the Romane Empire]], all commerce in these parts betweene these Nations began to cease, but when the inconvenience and discommoditie thereof was sensibly discerned and perceived, it was begun againe and set afoot anew by other Princes that coveted this rich trade, conveying the Indian commodities afterward with great difficultie, partly by land, and partly by water to [[Caffa\|Capha]] in the blacke Sea, as then belonging to the Genoes; but this by reason of the long way and dangerous passage, being found too tedious and prejudiciall, Trade (which is ever found to have a secret Genious and hidden course of it selfe) was removed, for these and other causes to Trabesond, which was then conceived the fittest Mart Towne, then Sarmachand in Zagethai had it, where the Indian, Persian and Turkish Merchants met to barter, their commodities; the Turkes thence conveying the same to Damasco, Baruti and Aleppo, from which last place the Venetians againe transported these commodities to Venice, making that Citie thereby the common Emporium of Christendome; and lastly in Anno 1300, the Soltans of Aegypt restored the passage by the red Sea, and the Venetians resetled their Factors in Alexandria, which continued for two hundred yeares, untill the Portugalls, Spanyards, English, and lastly the Dutch, found a new way by the backe side of Africa, to convey the same to their owne homes, whereby the great trade which the Aegyptians, and principally the Venetians had to themselves for many yeares, came thus to nothing, and the traffique of Alexandria and red Sea thereby is now decayed, and become altogether unfrequented, as at this day wee find it, subsisting onely by the native commodities thereof, in which nature it is fittest I should now survay the same.</blockquote>

	===1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. ===		===1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. ===

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	Throughout the Countrey they have abundance of Palm-Trees, which may be reckoned among the Rarities of the Country, and that for several Reasons. These Trees are observed always to grow in couples, Male and Female: They both thrust forth Cods full of Seeds; but the Female is only fruitful, but not except it grows by the Male, and having his Seed mixt with hers, which they do not fail to do at the beginning of March. The Fruit it bears is known by the name of Dates, which in taste resemble Figs. The Pith of these Trees is White, and called the Brains, which are in the uppermost parts. And this is held an excellent Sallad, in taste much like an Hartichoke; of the Branches they make Bedsteads, Lattices, &c. Of the outward Husk of the Cod, Cordage; of the inner, Brushes; and of the Leaves, Fans, Feathers, Mats, Baskets, &c. This Tree is held among them to be the perfect Image of a Man, and that for these Reasons: First, because it doth not fructifie, but by Coiture: Next, as having a Brain in the uppermost part, which if once corrupted (as Mans) doth perish and die: And lastly, in regard that on the top thereof grow certain Strings which resemble Hair; the great end of the Branches appearing like Hands extended forth; and the Dates as Fingers. And so much for Egypt.</blockquote>		Throughout the Countrey they have abundance of Palm-Trees, which may be reckoned among the Rarities of the Country, and that for several Reasons. These Trees are observed always to grow in couples, Male and Female: They both thrust forth Cods full of Seeds; but the Female is only fruitful, but not except it grows by the Male, and having his Seed mixt with hers, which they do not fail to do at the beginning of March. The Fruit it bears is known by the name of Dates, which in taste resemble Figs. The Pith of these Trees is White, and called the Brains, which are in the uppermost parts. And this is held an excellent Sallad, in taste much like an Hartichoke; of the Branches they make Bedsteads, Lattices, &c. Of the outward Husk of the Cod, Cordage; of the inner, Brushes; and of the Leaves, Fans, Feathers, Mats, Baskets, &c. This Tree is held among them to be the perfect Image of a Man, and that for these Reasons: First, because it doth not fructifie, but by Coiture: Next, as having a Brain in the uppermost part, which if once corrupted (as Mans) doth perish and die: And lastly, in regard that on the top thereof grow certain Strings which resemble Hair; the great end of the Branches appearing like Hands extended forth; and the Dates as Fingers. And so much for Egypt.</blockquote>

			=== 1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval. ===
			<blockquote>Egypt.

			FEw Countreys have had so many ancient Names as Egypt; the Hebrews and Jews call'd it Mesraim, and the Egyptians at present call it Chibet. Its length, that is to say, its extent from the North to the South, is two hundred Leagues; and its breadth, which is what it contains from the West to the East, is confin'd by the Mountains, which bound the Valley of the Nile. It is the only Region of Africa, which touches Asia, and the Countrey the most populous in the World, tho' the Air be somewhat bad. Its Women do often bring forth two or three Children at a time, which is attributed to the Water of the Nile. Egypt was no less peopled formerly, if it be true, that under Amasis, one of its ancient Kings, it had full twenty thousand Cities. The plenty of Corn it affords, made the Ancients call it the Publick Granary of the World. The abundance or famine of the Roman Empire, depended on the good or ill Harvest in Egypt. The Nile, by the inundation of its Waters, which are full of Nitre, (as we said before) gives it this advantage; not by wholly covering the Lands, as several have imagin'd, but being brought into several Channels, after the Inhabitants have broke the Dikes. That part which is on the East of the Nile, is more fruitful than that which is on the East of the River. Its Plants grow so abundantly, that they would stifle one another, if they did not prevent it by casting Sand in the field. Thus it is somewhat surprizing, that the Egyptians make their Lands lean with Sand, whereas other Nations endeavour to fatten theirs with Dung. Besides Corn, they transport out of this Countrey, Rice, Sugar, Dates, Sena, Cassia, excellent Balm, Skins, Linnen, and Cloth. They are but ill inform'd, who say, that it never Rains there, whereas there are frequent Showers, during the Months of November, December, and January, principally on the Mountains, and in the lower parts.

			Still are there at this day to be seen in Egypt, Pyramids, Obelisques, Labyrinths, and other Works which its ancient Kings caus'd to be made at an extraordinary charge, to shew their Power, and to give Employment to their People. The Statue of Memnon was formerly very considerable there, as well as the Pharos near Alexandria: But among all these several Works, it has been observ'd, that the Pyramid is the most solid Monument Antiquity has left us. There remains nothing more in the Lake Meris than the place of the Labyrinth, which is said to have had above three thousand three hundred Chambers. The Mummys, which are very frequent in this Region, and which Travellers take delight to bring into Europe, are Humane Bodies pitch'd and embalm'd, that have been preserv'd above two or three thousand years in Caverns, whither the ancient Egyptians took care to carry them. They passed for that purpose a Lake in a Bark; and so first gave occasion to the Fable of Charon. Fiction has made Gods, Heroes, and Men reign in Egypt. History gives an account of several of its Kings before Alexander the Great: It says that, among those Kings, Sesostris was the greatest Conquerour: that Memnon having dedicated his Statue to the Sun, it saluted that Star at its rising: that Busiris pass'd there for a Tyrant, by reason of the Cruelties he exercised over the Hebrews: that Cencres is the Pharoah, who was drowned in the Red Sea: that Protcus had the repute of changing his Form, because he had divers sorts of Head-array: that Chemnis employed three hundred and sixty thousand Men, for twenty years together in building the first and greatest Pyramid: that Sesonchis, with an Army of four hundred thousand Foot, and sixty thousand Horse, took Jerusalem; and that Sennacherib, King of the Assyrians, being come against him, wild Rats gnaw'd the Bow-strings in the Assyrian Army: that Necaus began the Channel for the joyning the Nile and the Red Sea, and made all Africa to be travell'd round about.

			Under Amasis the Kingdom of Egypt fell into the hands of the Persians; afterwards into those of the Greeks, and then to the Romans; and after the Romans it was swayed by the Califes, whose abode was first of all at Medina, then at Bagdad, at Damas, and at Caire. The Sultans succeeded the Califes. The Turks have had it in possession since the year 1518. They reckon there 18 Cassilifs or Governments, where they are commanded by the Bashaw of Caire; and the standing Soldiery there, are the bravest and the most esteemed of all the Ottoman Empire. And indeed this Government is the most honourable of all those that are out of the Port, and the Grand Seignior receives every year from hence, above a hundred and fifty thousand Piasters, a Turkish Coin worth about 4 s. sterl.

			The Egyptians are the best Swimmers in the World, gay, pleasant, brisk, and very ingenious. The Invention of Astrology, Arithmetick, and Physick, is attributed to 'em; Wherefore Egypt is often called the Mother of Arts: They say, it was Ptolomey Philadelphus, who took care to have the Version of the Bible out of Hebrew into Greek, done by the serenty Interpreters; and to make a Collection of above two hundred thousand Volumes. There was also a prodigious number of Books in the Library of Alexandria, which was unluckily burnt, when Julius Caesar there made War. The Natives of the Countrey have a peculiar way of hatching Chickens, by means of Furnaces, or Ovens, wherein they put sometimes three or four thousand Eggs together, and when they are hatch'd, they sell them by the Bushel. They are for the most part Mahometans, but have amongst them Jews too, and Christians, known under the Name of Copties. These Copties are Natives of Egypt; they have a Tongue wholly peculiar, and a way of Writing little different from that of the ancient Greeks. The ancient Egyptians were so very superstitious, that they had almost as many Gods as Animals and Plants, whose Names they gave to their Cities. Some Authors attribute this great number of their false Divinities, to the Resolution they had taken of making and adoring the Figures of what had hindred them from following Pharaoh, when he was drown'd in the Red Sea.

			Egypt is commonly divided into four parts, Sahid, or High Egypt; Bechria, otherwise Demesor, or Middle Egypt; Erriff, or Low Egypt; and the Coast of the Red Sea. Some make only two of it, the one High, and the other Low, according to the Course of the Nile, and say that the Hebrews inhabited the Higher; which they pretend to prove, by the coming of the Locusts from towards the East, for the punishment of Pharaoh, and by the way that Prince took when he pursued those same Hebrews. Some Ancients have divided Egypt into Libyca, or Africana; and into Arabica, or Asiatica; in regard of the same River.

			Amongst the Cities, Cairo is called Great, by reason of the advantages it has over all the other Cities of Africk. It is on the other side the place, where was the ancient Memphis, and three Leagues lower to the East of the Nile. Those who reckon in't sixty thousand Mosquees, comprehend in that number several heaps of stones:

			They say also, there are above twenty four thousand Contradoes, or Quarters, and about seven Millions of Persons, whereof sixteen hundred thousand are Jews. 'Tis certain, there are full three and twenty thousand Mosquees, but some of 'em are not ten paces square. Its Castle, which stands upon a rising Hill, has the rarest Prospect and the best Air in the World: It is one of the finest and strongest that is seen, tho' it be much impair'd from its ancient splendour. 'Tis not of marble, as some Relations averr; there are only several Mosaique Works. The Water of the Nile is convey'd thither by an Aqueduct of three hundred and fifty Arches. The People of Cairo must questionless be very numerous, since we are assur'd, that in three Months of the Year 1618, they buried there above six hundred thousand Persons that died of the Pestilence; and that this sickness is not perceivable, when it only sweeps away two hundred thousand in a year. In short, Cairo is said to have full two hundred thousand Houses, eighteen thousand considerable Streets, and twenty five or thirty Leagues in circumference. But I speak this comprehending therein the old and new Cairo, and the Boulac, which are near it; If new Cairo was only meant in this Account, its bigness does not equal that of London. They ride thro' the Streets upon Asses, as People go here in Chairs and Coaches; not but that there are Horses in Egypt: but the Turks have introduced this Custom, that they may keep them for their own use. The Inhabitants of Cairo make those excellent Tapistries, which we call Turky Carpets.

			Besides the Pyramids, that are three Leagues, and the Mummys, which are six, from Caire, the curious Travellers go to see the Granaries and Pits of Joseph. (Now it's to be observ'd, that what ever is beautiful and good of the Ancients in Egypt, is attributed to Joseph; and what is vilainous and infamous, to Pharaoh.) They go also to see Matarea, two Leagues from Cairo, which serv'd for a retreat to the Virgin, with the Fountain, which, with that of Caire, is the only Spring-Water in all the Countrey. Here is no longer to be seen the Plant of the true Balm, which was brought thither from the Holy Land, by the Cares of Cleopatra, and the permission of Anthony.

			Sahid, formerly Thebes, with an hundred Gates, was the abode of the Kings of Egypt, which was afterwards transferr'd to Alexandria, then to Memphis, and at last to Cairo; It gives its name to the Thebaid, which serv'd for a retreat to several Hermits. The most modern Relations call this City Gergio, and make it the Residence of a Bashaw.

			Alexandria, the Work of Alexander the Great, formerly the best Town of all Africa after Carthage was the abode of the Ptolomeys and Cleopatra. When it was subject to the Romans, it contributed more in one Month alone, than Jerusalem did in a whole Year. It had in its Neighbourhood the Tower of Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the World: It drives some trade, by means of its two Havens; It is the chief of a Patriarchate of the same Name. St. Mark hath made it renown'd in Holy History. The Desarts of Macaire, where were reckon'd above three hundred Monasteries were on the West of it. Damietta is one of the Keys of the Countrey, by reason of its Scituation and its Haven upon the Mediterranean-Sea, which made the French King, Lewis, (entituled, the Saint) resolve, in his Expedition into the Holy Land, to make himself Master of it. Rosetta, a modern City, and pretty well built, is the resort of several Ships upon the most frequented Channel of the Nile.

			Sues, which has not much above two hundred Houses, with a sorry Port, is nevertheless the Arsenal of the Turks, upon the Red Sea. The Governour keeps two small Galleys, and some Ships, to make himself considerable upon the Red Sea. The Merchandizes of the East-Indies, bound for Europe, came thither formerly; for which reason the Turks have, not without regret, seen the Establishment of the Europeans in those Indies. But they still bring Spices, to truck with the Inhabitants for Corral. Cossir, formerly Berenice, was the Resort of the Commodities which the Romans fetch'd from the East-Indies, and which from thence were carried to the nearest part of the Nile, in the City of Coptos, now called Cana. Buge, in the most Southern part of Egypt, is a Kingdom tributary to the Abyssins, according to the Relations of 1657.</blockquote>

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	Heliopolis was heretofore the Citty where the Priests dwelt, and the place where Strabo the great Astronomer and Philosopher lived. Memphis heretofore called Arsinoe, was a royall Citty, where Nilus first devideth it selfe into two parts, and maketh the forme of the Greeke letter Delta. They call it now Cairum, or Alcair. This Citty is built in a triangular or three-cornerd forme, being above 8. miles in compasse. The Turkes, the Aegyptians, the Arabians, the Hebrewes and others doe inhabit it. Bellonius placeth Babylon a little above Cairus, and the ruine of many famous Buildings are yet remaining. It is now a little Towne of the Christians. Alexandria was heretofore a noble faire Citty built by Alexander the great, upon the Mediterranean Sea-coast, and seated pleasantly. The Turkes doe call it Scanderia. Pelusium is called now Damiatum, which is a potent rich Citty, famous for the conveniency of the Haven, wherein many Ships may ride, being at the Pelusiacian mouth of the River Nilus. This Country is devided, watered, and made fruitfull by the River Nilus, which is the fairest River in all the world.</blockquote>		Heliopolis was heretofore the Citty where the Priests dwelt, and the place where Strabo the great Astronomer and Philosopher lived. Memphis heretofore called Arsinoe, was a royall Citty, where Nilus first devideth it selfe into two parts, and maketh the forme of the Greeke letter Delta. They call it now Cairum, or Alcair. This Citty is built in a triangular or three-cornerd forme, being above 8. miles in compasse. The Turkes, the Aegyptians, the Arabians, the Hebrewes and others doe inhabit it. Bellonius placeth Babylon a little above Cairus, and the ruine of many famous Buildings are yet remaining. It is now a little Towne of the Christians. Alexandria was heretofore a noble faire Citty built by Alexander the great, upon the Mediterranean Sea-coast, and seated pleasantly. The Turkes doe call it Scanderia. Pelusium is called now Damiatum, which is a potent rich Citty, famous for the conveniency of the Haven, wherein many Ships may ride, being at the Pelusiacian mouth of the River Nilus. This Country is devided, watered, and made fruitfull by the River Nilus, which is the fairest River in all the world.</blockquote>

	===1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. ~~OF EGYPT.~~===		===1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. ===
	<blockquote>EGYPT is bounded on the East with Idumaea, and the Bay of Arabia; on the West with Barbary, Numidia, and part of Libya; on the North with the Mediterranean Sea; on the South with Aethiopia Superior, or the Abassine Empire.		<blockquote>EGYPT is bounded on the East with Idumaea, and the Bay of Arabia; on the West with Barbary, Numidia, and part of Libya; on the North with the Mediterranean Sea; on the South with Aethiopia Superior, or the Abassine Empire.

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	***Nachel,		***Nachel,
	***Maghar Alacquin.		***Maghar Alacquin.
	</blockquote>

	===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome===
	<blockquote>
	OF all the parts of Africa, EGYPT is the nearest, and only contiguous to Asia, and this Neighbourhood hath perswaded some Authors, both Ancient and Modern, to esteem Egypt either in whole, or in part, in Asia. At present we hold it all in Africa, and give for its bounds the Red Sea,* 1.1 and the Isthmus which is between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, on the East; the Desarts of Barca on the West, Nubia on the South, and the Mediterranean Sea on the North. The Nile alone washes this Region through its whole length, which is from its Cataracts to the Sea, about 20 Leagues or more; its breadth not being above half so much, and of that breadth, that which is between the Mountains, which incloses the Valley of Nile on the East, and the Coast of the Red Sea, is but Desart; there being nothing inhabited but the Valley, which lies on both sides the Nile, inclosed with Mountains, and very narrow in the higher part of Egypt, but enlarging it self much more as it approaches the Sea. Of this Figure which the Country makes, the Ancients have taken occasion first to divide it into high and low;* 1.2 after into high, middle, and low: Higher, which they called Thebais, by reason of Thebes, at present Saida: Middle, which they called Heptanomos, by reason of the 7 Nomi, Provostships or Governments it contained, at present Bechria, or Demesor: Lower, and more particularly Egypt, and sometimes Delta, the best part of the lower having the form of a Greek △, the two sides of which were inclosed by the branches of the Nile, and the third by the Sea, and this part is now called Errif. The Romans changed something in the number, and in the names of these Provinces, which we shall now omit.		OF all the parts of Africa, EGYPT is the nearest, and only contiguous to Asia, and this Neighbourhood hath perswaded some Authors, both Ancient and Modern, to esteem Egypt either in whole, or in part, in Asia. At present we hold it all in Africa, and give for its bounds the Red Sea,* 1.1 and the Isthmus which is between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, on the East; the Desarts of Barca on the West, Nubia on the South, and the Mediterranean Sea on the North. The Nile alone washes this Region through its whole length, which is from its Cataracts to the Sea, about 20 Leagues or more; its breadth not being above half so much, and of that breadth, that which is between the Mountains, which incloses the Valley of Nile on the East, and the Coast of the Red Sea, is but Desart; there being nothing inhabited but the Valley, which lies on both sides the Nile, inclosed with Mountains, and very narrow in the higher part of Egypt, but enlarging it self much more as it approaches the Sea. Of this Figure which the Country makes, the Ancients have taken occasion first to divide it into high and low;* 1.2 after into high, middle, and low: Higher, which they called Thebais, by reason of Thebes, at present Saida: Middle, which they called Heptanomos, by reason of the 7 Nomi, Provostships or Governments it contained, at present Bechria, or Demesor: Lower, and more particularly Egypt, and sometimes Delta, the best part of the lower having the form of a Greek △, the two sides of which were inclosed by the branches of the Nile, and the third by the Sea, and this part is now called Errif. The Romans changed something in the number, and in the names of these Provinces, which we shall now omit.

Admin: Created page with " ==Etymology and other names== ==History== ==Geography== ==Demographics== ==Economy== ==Culture== ==Government== ==Military== ==Education== ==Transportation== ==Notable People== ==Sources from old books== ===1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.===
AEGYPT is a noble ancient Country, which was first inhabited by Misraim the Sonne of Chus, Nephew to Cham, and Nephew once remoov'd to Noah. Wherefore in Osiris sacred rights, it w..."

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Created page with " ==Etymology and other names== ==History== ==Geography== ==Demographics== ==Economy== ==Culture== ==Government== ==Military== ==Education== ==Transportation== ==Notable People== ==Sources from old books== ===1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.=== <blockquote>AEGYPT is a noble ancient Country, which was first inhabited by Misraim the Sonne of Chus, Nephew to Cham, and Nephew once remoov'd to Noah. Wherefore in Osiris sacred rights, it w..."

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