Persia - Revision history

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

2025-11-22T22:30:41Z

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

@@ Line 146: / Line 146: @@
 # Eucratidia, Alicodra, Charra Charia, all these under the Persian Sophi, except here and there some places taken by the Turks, and others under the Muscovite and [[Portugal|Portugez]]; the first whereof manageth the Trade of the Caspian Sea and the latter, that of the Southern Ocean.
 </blockquote>
 ===1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.===

Admin: /* 1694. The present state of the universe by John Beaumont. */

2025-10-26T03:45:58Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:45, 26 October 2025
Line 342:		Line 342:

	Candahar, upon the Confines of the Mogul, is a Conquest of the late Kings of Persia.</blockquote>		Candahar, upon the Confines of the Mogul, is a Conquest of the late Kings of Persia.</blockquote>

			=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. ===
			<blockquote>Persia, a famous Kingdom in Asia, called otherwise the Empire of the Sophy, but by the Inhabitants named Farsi and Farsistan, and by Greek and Latin Authors Persis. This great Dominion extends it self from East to West, from the River Indus to the Tigris or Tigil; its former limits to the East were the same Indus, the Kingdoms of Cambaya and Mogul; to the West Diarbec and Armenia, Turkish Provinces, with the River Tigris; to the South the Persian Gulf, Indian Sea, and Kingdom of Ormus; and to the North the Caspian Sea, with the Tartars of Usbec and Zagatai. Persia formerly comprehended Media, Hyrcana, Margiana, part of Assyria, Susiana, Parthia, Aria, Paropanisus, Chaldaea, Persia it self peculiarly so called, Caramania, Drangiana, Arachosia and Gedrosia, which had been almost all potent Kingdoms. The Provinces of this Empire are about 15 or 16; others say, 18, to wit, Servan, Kilan, Dilemon, Ayrach, Agemi, where was Media; Khoeme, which comprehends the ancient Margiana, and part of Parthia; Curdistan, part of the ancient Assyria, Chorasan, Yerack, Chusistan formerly Susiana, Persis called Farsi, Kherman and Sisistan, the ancient Caramania, Macheran, Candabar and Sablestan, which very near take in Gedrosia, Arachosia and Drangiana, with Tabarostan and Gordian, where was the ancient Hyrcania. Hispahan is the Capital City of Persia, suppos'd to be the Casbin of old; the others are Cherncan, Com, Cassian, Tauris, Schamachia, Ormus, Ardeuil, Derbeut, Sciras, Siustan, Gandel, Lar, Herat, Darabegord, Mexat, &c. Persia is situate in the temperate Zone. A ridge of Mountains divide it almost in the middle, as the Appenines do Italy. The Provinces to the North of these Mountains are very hot, but the others that lie Southward are of a temperate Air. The Kings of Persia made formerly use of this conveniency, changing their abode according to the Seasons, spending the Summer at Echatana, the Winter at Susa, and the Spring and Autumn either at Persepolis or Babylon. The late Kings have also made use of the same advantage, altering their Habitations almost in all the seasons of the Year. And this different Situation is the cause that the Provinces of Persia are not equally healthful. The Ground in the Plains is dry and sandy, strewed with small red Stones, and with great Thistles which they burn in some places where there is no Wood. The Mountainous parts, and the Province of Kilan are very fruitful, where are to be seen a great many Villages, whose Inhabitants are very skilfull and industrious to convey the Rivulets that run from the Mountains by Channels, to water their Lands and Gardens in those places where it seldom rains. They usually sow their Rice, Wheat, Barley, Millet, Lentil, Pease and Beans, Oats being unknown to them, and Rye abhorr'd by them. There is almost no Province in Persia that does not produce Cotton, which grows upon Bushes two or three Foot high: Tame Beasts among them are Sheep, Goats, Buffles, Oxen, Camels, Horses, Mules and Asses. They value their Horses very much, which they feed with Barley or Rice mix'd with chopp'd Straw. They have several sorts of Councils. The Fruits of Persia are excellent good, and especially Melons, whereof there are divers sorts, and some that weigh twenty or thirty pounds. The Climate of the Country is very agreeable for Vines and all sorts of Fruit-trees; but the Persians, in obedience to Mahomet's Command, drink no Wine, yet they love it dearly, and would almost never suffer the Armenians to live amongst them, unless it was that they might buy Wine of them. They are suffered to make Syrup of sweet Wine, which they boyl off till they reduce it to the sixth part, and which grows as thick as Oyl, and is called by them Duschab; and when they would take thereof, they steep it in Water, and put a little Vinegar to it which makes very pleasant Drink. Sometimes they reduce the Duschab into Paste, for the conveniency of Travellers. The Persians have a great number of Mulberry-trees for Silk-Worms to feed upon, Silk being the principal Manufactury, not only of this Country, but of all the East. They have several Springs of Naphta, and Salt and Iron Mines whereat they work, but meddle not with those of Gold and Silver, for that the Profit will not answer the Expence of Wood and Timber to be used for the same. Tavern. p. 65. saith, Whilst he was at Balsara there flew such a multitude of Locusts by, that afar off they appear'd like a great Cloud and darkened the Air, the Wind carrying them into the Desarts, where they light and certainly die; and should they not be thus driven away by the Wind, nothing could live upon the Earth in Chaldaea, and about the Persian Gulf where they swarm. The Nubian Geographer p. 121, saith, the Sea is 210 miles broad at Bahairan, a City of Arabia, 11 Stations or 70 German miles South of Balsara. As to the Stature, Customs and Manners of the Persians, they are usually of a middle size, well set and thick, of a grave Gate, and a Tawny or Olive-colour, shaving their Hair and Beards excepting the Mustachio's, which are very large. Red Hair is abominated by them, and they use to paint their Hands and Nails especially; their Coats and Vests are large, and like unto Womens. The Men wear on their Heads a thing called Mendil made of a Cotton Cloth, or some silken Stuff streak'd with various colours, and turned several times about, eight or nine Ells long, having their Pleats or Folds lightly edg'd with a thread of Gold. Some Persians, and they the greatest in the Kingdom, wear furr'd Bonnets. The Mendils of their Monks are white, and those of Mahomets Kindred green. Several wear red Bonnets, which is the reason that the Turks call them, in derision, Red Heads. The Womens Cloaths are made of finer stuff than those of the Men, being usually of Red or Green Velvet, their Hair made up into Tresses, hangs down carelessly over their Shoulders; and all the Ornament of their Heads consists only in two or three rows of Pearls, and are always veil'd going along the Streets. The Persians are usually neat, sharp-witted, of a good Judgment, civil to Strangers, tender-hearted, kind, agreeable, complaisant and very free of their Complements; thus a Persian that desires his Friend to come to his House, or makes offers of his service to him, usually speaks; I intreat you to honour my House with your Presence; I so devote my self to your desires that the Apple of my Eye shall be a path to your Feet, &c. They had always the reputation of being not over-carefull to say the truth, and even to this day, those who do not lye at all are not esteem'd to be very wise, but otherwise they are good friends, and so faithful in the particular friendships they contract together, as to preferr them before Birth and Consanguinity. It's also said of them in general, That they never prove ungratefull for kindnesses done them, but that they are irreconcilable in their hatred. The People are Courageous and good Soldiers, going cheerfully to engage, and even upon the most dangerous occasions. Their Houses are neat, especially their Kitchins in very good order. They usually eat Rice, Mutton, some Fowl, and have several sorts of Bread. Their Drink is Water mixt sometimes with Duschab, but the less scrupulous drink Wine. The use of Opium is very common amongst them, and that of Tabaco yet much more, which, that it may smoke pleasantly, they use a Bason of Water, which is sometimes perfum'd, and into which they put an hollow Reed, at whose end is the Pipe's head; and with another of an Ell long which they hold in their Mouths, they suck the Smoke of the Tabaco, which leaves behind it in the Water all the thick and sulsome part. They drink Coffee when they smoke, and use Tea also. There is good Commerce, establish'd in Persia, where there is a great Manufactury for Silk and Tapestry, and their Merchants grow very rich, and it is observ'd, that this Country produces yearly no less than twenty thousand Bales of Silk, each of two hundred and sixteen pound weight. The Persians take many Wives, or rather buy them, for that the Husbands give a Portion to the Maiden's Father, who are only oblig'd to deliver 'em their Daughters Virgins. They marry in a very ceremonious manner, but as they are a very Jealous People, Divorces are much in use with them. They wash the Dead, and never put the Corps in the Grave where another hath been buried before.

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

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

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

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

Admin at 23:40, 15 May 2025

2025-05-15T23:40:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:40, 15 May 2025
Line 232:		Line 232:
	***Bach, — Balch.		***Bach, — Balch.
	**Towards the South, and washed by the ARABIAN, or INDIAN Ocean; and by the Gulph of BALSORA and ORMUS; and are those of		**Towards the South, and washed by the ARABIAN, or INDIAN Ocean; and by the Gulph of BALSORA and ORMUS; and are those of
	***Chusistan,		***[[Chusistan]],
	****Souster,		****Souster,
	****Askar Moukera•,		****Askar Moukera•,

Admin: /* 1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child. */

2025-04-06T14:40:17Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:40, 6 April 2025
Line 342:		Line 342:

	Candahar, upon the Confines of the Mogul, is a Conquest of the late Kings of Persia.</blockquote>		Candahar, upon the Confines of the Mogul, is a Conquest of the late Kings of Persia.</blockquote>

			=== 1694. The present state of the universe by John Beaumont. ===
			<blockquote>PERSIA. (Book Persia)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2025-01-24T03:08:17Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:08, 24 January 2025
Line 19:		Line 19:
	<blockquote>THE KINGDOME OF PERSIA, OR THE EMPIRE OF THE SOPHI. (Book Persia)		<blockquote>THE KINGDOME OF PERSIA, OR THE EMPIRE OF THE SOPHI. (Book Persia)

	THE Persian or Sophian Empire, as it was renowned heretofore, so now also it is very famous. The Inhabitants are Persians. They are called also Ayami, or Azamij, from the Kingdome of Azamia, which some thinke was heretofore called Assyria: they were called Persians from Persides, and Cheselbas from the red Cap or Hatt which they used to weare. They were called Sophians from Prince Sophos. The Kingdome of Persia is situate betweene the Turkish Empire,* 1.2 the Tartarians, the Zagatheans, the Kingdome of Cambaia, and betweene the Hircanian or Caspian Sea, and the Persian Bay. It hath thereof on the East the Indies and the Kingdome of Cambaja, from which it is separated and parted by the Mountaines and Desarts: on the North are the Tartars, neere the River Albianus or [[Oxus]], the rest is enclosed with the Caspian Sea: on the West are the Turkes neere the River Tigris. and the Lake Giocho: on the South it is washed with the Persian Bay, and the Indian Sea, which is a large space of ground, for it containeth 38. degrees of longitude from the East to the West. And from the South to the North 20. degrees. Concerning the temper of the ayre of Persia, Q. Curtius, Lib. 5. writeth thus. There is no whole-sommer Country in all Asia: for the ayre is temperate, here a continued shady Mountaine doth qualifie the heate thereof: and there it is joyned to the Sea which doth cherish it with a temperate warmth. But this Country is not all of one quality, nor of one soyle. That part which lyeth toward the Persian Bay, in regard it is watered with Rivers: and also that part toward the Caspian Sea, having pleasant Rivers, & a milde gentle Ayre, are both happy and fruitfull, and doe yeeld all kindes of fruits, and doe breed all kindes of living creatures. It hath abundance of Wheate, Barley, Millet, and the like Graine, and also Mettals and Pretious Stones, and Paulus Venetus witnesseth that it hath great plenty of Wine. The other parts are desolate by reason of the heate and drynesse. Moreover the Persians were at first an obscure Nation, but they grew famous afterward by their King Cyrus, who having gotten the Empire Media and Lydia, joyned it to Persia, and so having conquerd Asia, and subdued all the East, he left it a faire and flourishing Kingdome. Cambyses succeeded his Father, who added Aegypt to the Empire, after whom Persia continued in one Estate untill Da•ius raigned; who being conquerd by Alexa•der of Maced•n, lost his life together with his Kingdome. It was governed by Kings 230. yeeres, as Q. Curtius affirmeth. Lib. 4. and the Prophet Ieremiah doth assent unto him at the 9. Chapter of Daniel. But now the Persian Empire which is subject to the great •ophy, is accounted one of the most potent Empires of all the East, which though it were sometimes oppressed by the Sarazens, and sometimes by the Tartars, yet it grew up againe in the raigne of King Ismael. The Countries which are subject to the Persian Empire are these, Media, Assyria Susiana, Mesopotamia, Persis, Parthia, Hyrcania, Marg•a•a, Bactriana, Par•pamissus, Aria, Drangiana, Gedrosia, and Carmania. Media is now called Servan, which is situate betweene Persia, and the Hyrcanian Sea, it hath on the East Hyrcania and Parthia; on the West the greater Armenia and Assyria. It is devided into the greater or the Southerne, and the Northerne Atropatia. The latter is colder, and therefore lesse inhabited. The chiefe Citty is Sm•chia, there are moreover these Citties, Derb•nt, Eres, Sechi, and Giavot. The greater is more inhabited: it hath also the Citty Tauris which is placed at the foote of O•ontis, being 8. dayes journey distant from the Caspian Sea. The compasse of it is almost 16. miles, in which it is supposed that there are 200000. Citizens. The Ancients did call it E•batana, where the Kings of Persia doe dwell in Summer. In the same Country there are Turcomian, •aru, Sus•an, Nassiva, Ardavil, and Marant. Assyria which is now called Arzerum, hath on the East Media, on the West Mesopotamia: on the North Armenia, on the South •usiana. It had heretofore these Provinces, Arrapach•tes, Adiabena, and Sittacena: the Citty Ninive is by Tigris, which is 60. miles in compasse. Susiana is now called Chus or Cusistan: it was so named from Susis a chiefe Citty, which is 15. miles in compasse▪ and was so called from the Lillies which grew there, as Atheneus noteth, for Susum in the Persian language signifies a Lilly. Mesopotamia, which in Scripture is called Padan Aram, is now called D•arbecha, it is situate betweene the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris, whence it was so named, because it lyeth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or in the middle betweene two Rivers: this Country hath a divers situation: part of it the Rivers doe fertilize or make fatt: part of it is dry and barren, and without Grasse, or Trees. The chiefe Citties are O•pha, which is 7. miles in compasse, and Ca•amil which is farre greater than it being the Metropolis of Mesopotamia, which Selimus the Turkish Emperour tooke from the Sophi. Merdin is the seate of the Patriarke of Chaldaea: and Mosus of the Patriarke of the Nertorianians, whose authority reacheth even to the Indies and Cathaja. In Persidis, which they call now Farsi, or Parsitum, there is the chiefe Citty Siras, which was heretofore called Pers•polis, which was the Seate of the Magi. Pliny calls it the head Citty of the Persian Kingdome, and Q. Curtius the royall Palace of the East. Hyrcania which is now called Grigta, or Cor•a, or Dargame•t, is next unto the Caspian Sea, which is therefore called the Hyrcanian Sea. It hath these Citties Hyrcana, which the Scythians call Carizath, also Besta, and Mesandra. Margiana which is now called Iselbas, is bounderd on the North with the River [[Oxus]]. The chiefe Citty is Iodion, which was anciently called Antiochia. Bactrina, now called Batter, or Charassa, is a part of Tartaria. The Citties are Bactra, which is now called Bochara, and also Istigias. Paropamissus is a part of Bactriana by the Mountaine Paropamissus, it is now called Candahar, or Amblestam. The chiefe Citty is Candabar which is a famous Mart Towne. Aria is so called from the Metropolis thereof Eri, which is 13. miles in compasse. Carmania which is called Circa, or Chermaine reacheth to the Indian Sea, even to Gedrosia, having many Citties and Havens. The Metropolis is Chirmain. There are also in Carmania these Kingdomes, Ma•ram, Era•a, Guadel, and Paran. Some doe falsely suppose Gesia to be Guzarate, seeing Guzarate is the Kingdome of Cambaja. Babylon is situate betweene the Persian Bay and Mesopotamia, and on the right and left hand it is enclosed with the Desarts of Susia, and Arabia, is was so named from Babylon the chiefe Citty thereof. Chaldaea ioyneth to it. In Chaldaea was the Citty Vr, which Iosephus calleth Vra, from whence Abraham being admonished by God removed and went to Haran in Mesopotamia. This Kingdome hath many Rivers, as Canac, Araxes, and •i•us, which doe water the Southerne part of Media. In Assyria is the River Tigris. In Susania the River Enelaeus: Mesopotamia hath the River Euphrates: In Margiana [[Oxus]], Arius and Margis. Bactria hath the Navigable River Ochus, and others: in Aria are the Rivers Arius, Toncletus, Arapenes, and others. It hath also divers Mountaines, as Orontes in Media, and the Mountaine Coronus in Hyrcania. Also the Mountaine Taurus which cutteth thorow the middle of Persia, which hath divers names given it by the people that dwell neere it. It hath also many woods, especially Parthia is very wooddy, and the Northerne part of Hyrcania which hath great woods, which have store of Oakes, Pinetrees, and Firre-trees, and are full of wilde Beasts, as Tigers, Panthers, and Libards. Also Aria is full of Woods and Mountaines, as also all Persia. Concerning the publike works, there are many stately and magnificent Buildings in this Kingdome, and especially in Babylon. As that magnificent Bridge in the Citty of Babylon, which the Queene Semiramis built over Euphrates, concerning which see Munster, Lib. 5. who also in the same Booke describeth a strange Garden which Semiramis caused to be planted. In the Citty Susia was the Castle Susa, in which the Kings of Media dwelt, which as Cassiodorus reporteth Memnon built with stones laid in Gold in stead of morter: this is one of the 7. wonders of the world. But of these things enough, I come to their manners. They created their Kings out of one Family. He that did not obey the King had his head and armes cut off, and his Carkasse was afterward left unburied. They had all of them many Wives, and many Concubines, which they kept for Of-spring sake, that they might have Children by them. They never consulted of waighty matters but when they had their Cups about them, for they supposed that they could then determine better of matters than when they were sober. Acquaintance and equalls did salute one another with a kiss•. The 〈◊〉 ••rious did shew reverence by outward gestures.		THE Persian or Sophian Empire, as it was renowned heretofore, so now also it is very famous. The Inhabitants are Persians. They are called also Ayami, or Azamij, from the Kingdome of Azamia, which some thinke was heretofore called Assyria: they were called Persians from Persides, and Cheselbas from the red Cap or Hatt which they used to weare. They were called Sophians from Prince Sophos. The Kingdome of Persia is situate betweene the Turkish Empire, the Tartarians, the Zagatheans, the Kingdome of Cambaia, and betweene the Hircanian or Caspian Sea, and the Persian Bay. It hath thereof on the East the Indies and the Kingdome of Cambaja, from which it is separated and parted by the Mountaines and Desarts: on the North are the Tartars, neere the River Albianus or [[Oxus]], the rest is enclosed with the Caspian Sea: on the West are the Turkes neere the River Tigris. and the Lake Giocho: on the South it is washed with the Persian Bay, and the Indian Sea, which is a large space of ground, for it containeth 38. degrees of longitude from the East to the West. And from the South to the North 20. degrees. Concerning the temper of the ayre of Persia, Q. Curtius, Lib. 5. writeth thus. There is no whole-sommer Country in all Asia: for the ayre is temperate, here a continued shady Mountaine doth qualifie the heate thereof: and there it is joyned to the Sea which doth cherish it with a temperate warmth. But this Country is not all of one quality, nor of one soyle. That part which lyeth toward the Persian Bay, in regard it is watered with Rivers: and also that part toward the Caspian Sea, having pleasant Rivers, & a milde gentle Ayre, are both happy and fruitfull, and doe yeeld all kindes of fruits, and doe breed all kindes of living creatures. It hath abundance of Wheate, Barley, Millet, and the like Graine, and also Mettals and Pretious Stones, and Paulus Venetus witnesseth that it hath great plenty of Wine. The other parts are desolate by reason of the heate and drynesse. Moreover the Persians were at first an obscure Nation, but they grew famous afterward by their King Cyrus, who having gotten the Empire Media and Lydia, joyned it to Persia, and so having conquerd Asia, and subdued all the East, he left it a faire and flourishing Kingdome. Cambyses succeeded his Father, who added Aegypt to the Empire, after whom Persia continued in one Estate untill Da•ius raigned; who being conquerd by Alexa•der of Maced•n, lost his life together with his Kingdome. It was governed by Kings 230. yeeres, as Q. Curtius affirmeth. Lib. 4. and the Prophet Ieremiah doth assent unto him at the 9. Chapter of Daniel. But now the Persian Empire which is subject to the great •ophy, is accounted one of the most potent Empires of all the East, which though it were sometimes oppressed by the Sarazens, and sometimes by the Tartars, yet it grew up againe in the raigne of King Ismael. The Countries which are subject to the Persian Empire are these, Media, Assyria Susiana, Mesopotamia, Persis, Parthia, Hyrcania, Marg•a•a, Bactriana, Par•pamissus, Aria, Drangiana, Gedrosia, and Carmania. Media is now called Servan, which is situate betweene Persia, and the Hyrcanian Sea, it hath on the East Hyrcania and Parthia; on the West the greater Armenia and Assyria. It is devided into the greater or the Southerne, and the Northerne Atropatia. The latter is colder, and therefore lesse inhabited. The chiefe Citty is Sm•chia, there are moreover these Citties, Derb•nt, Eres, Sechi, and Giavot. The greater is more inhabited: it hath also the Citty Tauris which is placed at the foote of O•ontis, being 8. dayes journey distant from the Caspian Sea. The compasse of it is almost 16. miles, in which it is supposed that there are 200000. Citizens. The Ancients did call it E•batana, where the Kings of Persia doe dwell in Summer. In the same Country there are Turcomian, •aru, Sus•an, Nassiva, Ardavil, and Marant. Assyria which is now called Arzerum, hath on the East Media, on the West Mesopotamia: on the North Armenia, on the South •usiana. It had heretofore these Provinces, Arrapach•tes, Adiabena, and Sittacena: the Citty Ninive is by Tigris, which is 60. miles in compasse. Susiana is now called Chus or Cusistan: it was so named from Susis a chiefe Citty, which is 15. miles in compasse▪ and was so called from the Lillies which grew there, as Atheneus noteth, for Susum in the Persian language signifies a Lilly. Mesopotamia, which in Scripture is called Padan Aram, is now called D•arbecha, it is situate betweene the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris, whence it was so named, because it lyeth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or in the middle betweene two Rivers: this Country hath a divers situation: part of it the Rivers doe fertilize or make fatt: part of it is dry and barren, and without Grasse, or Trees. The chiefe Citties are O•pha, which is 7. miles in compasse, and Ca•amil which is farre greater than it being the Metropolis of Mesopotamia, which Selimus the Turkish Emperour tooke from the Sophi. Merdin is the seate of the Patriarke of Chaldaea: and Mosus of the Patriarke of the Nertorianians, whose authority reacheth even to the Indies and Cathaja. In Persidis, which they call now Farsi, or Parsitum, there is the chiefe Citty Siras, which was heretofore called Pers•polis, which was the Seate of the Magi. Pliny calls it the head Citty of the Persian Kingdome, and Q. Curtius the royall Palace of the East. Hyrcania which is now called Grigta, or Cor•a, or Dargame•t, is next unto the Caspian Sea, which is therefore called the Hyrcanian Sea. It hath these Citties Hyrcana, which the Scythians call Carizath, also Besta, and Mesandra. Margiana which is now called Iselbas, is bounderd on the North with the River [[Oxus]]. The chiefe Citty is Iodion, which was anciently called Antiochia. Bactrina, now called Batter, or Charassa, is a part of Tartaria. The Citties are Bactra, which is now called Bochara, and also Istigias. Paropamissus is a part of Bactriana by the Mountaine Paropamissus, it is now called Candahar, or Amblestam. The chiefe Citty is Candabar which is a famous Mart Towne. Aria is so called from the Metropolis thereof Eri, which is 13. miles in compasse. Carmania which is called Circa, or Chermaine reacheth to the Indian Sea, even to Gedrosia, having many Citties and Havens. The Metropolis is Chirmain. There are also in Carmania these Kingdomes, Ma•ram, Era•a, Guadel, and Paran. Some doe falsely suppose Gesia to be Guzarate, seeing Guzarate is the Kingdome of Cambaja. Babylon is situate betweene the Persian Bay and Mesopotamia, and on the right and left hand it is enclosed with the Desarts of Susia, and Arabia, is was so named from Babylon the chiefe Citty thereof. Chaldaea ioyneth to it. In Chaldaea was the Citty Vr, which Iosephus calleth Vra, from whence Abraham being admonished by God removed and went to Haran in Mesopotamia. This Kingdome hath many Rivers, as Canac, Araxes, and •i•us, which doe water the Southerne part of Media. In Assyria is the River Tigris. In Susania the River Enelaeus: Mesopotamia hath the River Euphrates: In Margiana [[Oxus]], Arius and Margis. Bactria hath the Navigable River Ochus, and others: in Aria are the Rivers Arius, Toncletus, Arapenes, and others. It hath also divers Mountaines, as Orontes in Media, and the Mountaine Coronus in Hyrcania. Also the Mountaine Taurus which cutteth thorow the middle of Persia, which hath divers names given it by the people that dwell neere it. It hath also many woods, especially Parthia is very wooddy, and the Northerne part of Hyrcania which hath great woods, which have store of Oakes, Pinetrees, and Firre-trees, and are full of wilde Beasts, as Tigers, Panthers, and Libards. Also Aria is full of Woods and Mountaines, as also all Persia. Concerning the publike works, there are many stately and magnificent Buildings in this Kingdome, and especially in Babylon. As that magnificent Bridge in the Citty of Babylon, which the Queene Semiramis built over Euphrates, concerning which see Munster, Lib. 5. who also in the same Booke describeth a strange Garden which Semiramis caused to be planted. In the Citty Susia was the Castle Susa, in which the Kings of Media dwelt, which as Cassiodorus reporteth Memnon built with stones laid in Gold in stead of morter: this is one of the 7. wonders of the world. But of these things enough, I come to their manners. They created their Kings out of one Family. He that did not obey the King had his head and armes cut off, and his Carkasse was afterward left unburied. They had all of them many Wives, and many Concubines, which they kept for Of-spring sake, that they might have Children by them. They never consulted of waighty matters but when they had their Cups about them, for they supposed that they could then determine better of matters than when they were sober. Acquaintance and equalls did salute one another with a kiss•. The 〈◊〉 ••rious did shew reverence by outward gestures.

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

Admin at 01:34, 21 January 2025

2025-01-21T01:34:49Z

Show changes

Admin at 22:59, 19 January 2025

2025-01-19T22:59:18Z

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ==Notable People==
 ==Sources from old books==
 === 1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator. ===

Admin at 22:58, 19 January 2025

2025-01-19T22:58:01Z

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ==Notable People==
 ==Sources from old books==
 === 1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator. ===

Admin at 20:29, 4 January 2025

2025-01-04T20:29:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:29, 4 January 2025
Line 45:		Line 45:
	The commodities that this Country is in generall found to affoord for merchandize, is silkes of all sorts, raw growing plentifully in 1 Bilan, 2 Gilan, and 3 Aras, some precious stones, many sorts of drugges, wrought silkes, Chamblets, Carpets, shashes, callico's, and many excellent Armes used in warre both for horse and man, which is here so well tempered in the framing and making (with some vertuous simples) that it makes it both hard and excellent for use, and preserves the same cleane from any rust or perishing.		The commodities that this Country is in generall found to affoord for merchandize, is silkes of all sorts, raw growing plentifully in 1 Bilan, 2 Gilan, and 3 Aras, some precious stones, many sorts of drugges, wrought silkes, Chamblets, Carpets, shashes, callico's, and many excellent Armes used in warre both for horse and man, which is here so well tempered in the framing and making (with some vertuous simples) that it makes it both hard and excellent for use, and preserves the same cleane from any rust or perishing.

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

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

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

2025-01-04T19:58:25Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:58, 4 January 2025
Line 43:		Line 43:
	In Persis now called Far, having the gulfe of Persia to the South limit, [[Caramania]] for the East, [[Susiana]] for the West, and [[Media]] for the North, was seated Persepolis the ancient seat of this Empire, which Alexander at the request of his Curtisan Laies commanded to be set on fire, but afterward repenting him of so great a folly and so unworthy an act, he reedified it, though yet now having lost much of its former beautie, and giving place to the famous Citie of Casbin, the residence of the present Sophies brought hither from Tauris by Sophie Tamas.		In Persis now called Far, having the gulfe of Persia to the South limit, [[Caramania]] for the East, [[Susiana]] for the West, and [[Media]] for the North, was seated Persepolis the ancient seat of this Empire, which Alexander at the request of his Curtisan Laies commanded to be set on fire, but afterward repenting him of so great a folly and so unworthy an act, he reedified it, though yet now having lost much of its former beautie, and giving place to the famous Citie of Casbin, the residence of the present Sophies brought hither from Tauris by Sophie Tamas.

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

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

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