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MOVNT-TAVRVS is a constant and continuall Ridge of hils, which extend from the Mediterranean to the Indian Seas; running thorow the whole length of Asia from West to East, and dividing it, as the Aequator doth the Globe, into North and South. It was called Taurus from the word Tur or Taur, which in the Syriack and Chaldaean signifieth a mountain, the common name of all high mountains being made peculi..."

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Created page with "=== 1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. === <blockquote>MOVNT-TAVRVS is a constant and continuall Ridge of hils, which extend from the Mediterranean to the Indian Seas; running thorow the whole length of Asia from West to East, and dividing it, as the Aequator doth the Globe, into North and South. It was called Taurus from the word Tur or Taur, which in the Syriack and Chaldaean signifieth a mountain, the common name of all high mountains being made peculi..."

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=== 1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. ===
<blockquote>MOVNT-TAVRVS is a constant and continuall Ridge of hils, which extend from the Mediterranean to the Indian Seas; running thorow the whole length of Asia from West to East, and dividing it, as the Aequator doth the Globe, into North and South. It was called Taurus from the word Tur or Taur, which in the Syriack and Chaldaean signifieth a mountain, the common name of all high mountains being made peculiar unto this, by reason of its greatness and continued length; yet so, that it had other names also in some parts thereof, according to the Regions and Nations by which it passed, and on which it bordered. The course where of is thus set down by Sir Walter Ralegh: premising onely, that it beginneth in the Province of Lycia, a Region of Asia Minor, neer the Mediterranean. These Mountains (saith he) which sunder Cilicia from the rest of Asia the less, on the North thereof are called Taurus; and where they part it from Comagena a Province of Syria, they are called Amanus. On the East side of the River Euphrates (which forceth it self a way thorow it) it sometimes resumeth the name of Taurus, as in Ptolomies three first Tables of Asia, and sometimes taketh the name of Niphates, as in the fourth: retaining that uncertain appellation, so long as they bound. Armenia from Mesopotamia. After the River Tigris hath also cut them asunder, they continue the name of Niphates altogether, untill they separate Assyria and Media, but then they call themselves Coatras: although between the upper and lower Media, they appear not alwaies, but are seen discontinued, and broke in pieces; such parts of it as are found in the midle of that Countrey being called Orontes, those which lie more towards the East being named Coronus; out of the Southern parts whereof issueth the River of Bagradus, which divideth the antient Persia from Caramania. Continuing further East-ward by the name of Coronus, they give unto the Parthians and Hyrcanians their proper Countries: and afterwards change themselves into the Mountains of Seripht, out of which riseth the River Margus. And now beginning to draw towards the end of their course, they first make themselves the South border of Bactria; and are then known by the name of Paropamisns: and after take unto themselves the name of Caucasus, where the famous Rivers Indus, Hydaspis, and Zaradrus, have their first beginnings. In this point do they hold their heads exceeding high, to equal the Mountains of Imaus, whom they encounter within the 35, 36. & 37. Degrees of Latitude, and the 140 Degree of Longitude: known by no other name than this, till finally they terminate their course in the Indian Seas. So farre, and to this purpose, that noble Gentleman. It may be added hereunto, that though the antient Writers could trace the course of this Mountain no further than the meeting of it with Imaus; yet later observations follow it to the wall of China: the parts beyond Caucasus being now known by the names of Delanguer, and Naugrocot. But this is to be understood onely of the main body of these Mountains, which hold on in an even course from West to East; not of those spurres and branches of it, which shoot either to the North or South: such as are the Anti-Taurus in some parts of the lesser Asia; the Gordiaan hills, and the Montes Moschici, with those which Pliny calleth Pariedri, others Pariardes, in Armenia Major: and that of Caboras, which sheweth it self on the North-East of Assyria, with divers others.

In such a continual course of Mountains it must needs be that many fierce Nations did inhabit in former times, not easily subdued, nor so soon reduced unto civility, as such who were possessed of places less desensible, and fitter for commerce and trafick with the rest of mankind. And they continued in these late times the last which were brought under by the Turks, and Persians, the mightiest Monarchs of those parts; though bordering on, or totally environed with their dominions. Two Kingdomes they afforded of long continuance: one towards the West where it closeth with the Mountains of Anti-Taurus, and divideth Syria Comagena from Armenia Major; the other towards the East, separating Media from Hyrcania. For want of other names to describe them by, we will call the first the Kingdome of Aladeules, and the last the Kingdome of Bathaman; according to the names of the two last Kings.

1. The Kingdome of ALADEVLES contained that part of this Mountainous tract, which beginning in or about Anti-Taurus, extended it self as farre towards the East, as to the banks of the River Tigris, where they part Mesopotamia from Armenia Major. Inhabited by a people naturally very fierce and warlike, more famous for nothing than their want of all things, who as men dwelling in a rough and barren Countrey, could litle profit themselves by husbandry, and therefore gave themselves to grazing, breeding on their pastures some store of horse and camels, which they sold to others, but especially maintaining themselves and their families by hunting and stealing. Supposed to come originally from the Cappadoc••s, and A•menians of the lesser Asia, which by long and continual warres in the former Ages, were forced to forsake their dwellings, and for safety of their lives to flie to these unpeopled and desolate Mountains. Where searching every hill and dale, and following the opportunity of Springs and Rivers, but chiefly the mildest Temperature of the Air, and most cheerfull aspect of the Sunne: they built in many places poor villages, and afterwards some better Towns. The principal of which is named Maras, so called as it is conceived from the River Marsyas, which rising out of the Mountain Calene, passeth by the same, and not farre off falleth into the River Euphrates.

When it was made a Kingdome first, it is hard to say, the Kings here of being mean and inconsiderable in the eye of the world; not worth the conquering, and wanting power to conquer others and enlarge their territories: nor indeed worthy any King but one of their own, who could content himself with reigning over rocks and Mountains. The last was Aladeules so much spoken of in the Turkish Histories, and by them called the Mountain King. Conceived by some writers to have been the Author of such a Paradise, as we shall find described when we come to Drangiana, a Province of Persia; and by that means grown formidable to his neighbouring Princes. But that which made him most really and truly known in the stories of the former times, was the stout opposition which he made against the Turks, in their warres with Persia: He had before given no small check to the proceedings of Bajazet the second in his conquest of the Caramanian Kingdome; and no lesse troubled Selimus the sonne of Bajazet, in his Persian warres, impeaching what he could the greatness of the Ottoman family. Fought with by Selimus, he made good his ground with a great deal of courage, till betrayed by Alis Beg, General of his horse; and seeing his Army terrified by the shot of the Turks, he was fain to flie. But being at last taken, and put to death by the command of Selimus, his Kingdome was converted to a Turkish Province, Anno 1515. and so continueth to this day.

2. The Kingdome of BAHAMAN was situate more towards the East, amongst the Mountains which divide Media from Hyrcania, as before was said. The Mountains in those parts so high, that Travellers at the end of a two daies journey, may discern the midle Region of the Air to be beneath them; exceeding troublesome to ascend, about 50 miles in height when once got to the top; but more dangerous by reason of the Rocks and precipices in the going down: full of inhospitable streights, and so cold and barren, that were not Sovereignty a temptation above all resitance, no man would take upon him the command of so poor a Kingdome. And yet in this extremity of height and cold, there is great quantity of Sulphur, which makes it sparkle in the night, like the hill Vesuvius, in Italy: by means where of here are many Hot-Bathes, three of them walled about, two open; to which resort unsound & decrepid people in very great multitudes. The chief Town of it Larry-Joon, in the ordinary road or pass betwixt Omoal the last Town of Hyrcania, and Damoan the first of Media. But the Kings Seat was in a village called Ryna, where he had a Castle so built upon the best advantages of art and nature, that it seemed invincible: adorned, above, with gardens, flowers, and most pleasant fruits; and fumished beneath with a Rivulet of purest water, which pleasantly passing thorow the Castle, fell into the Vallo. A Castle of so large a circuit, that besides the Kings Family or Court, it was able to admit a garrison of 10000. men.

The last king hereof was the foresaid Bahaman, derived from a long descent of Royal Ancestors, comparing for antiquity with the Persian Sophies: who though ill-neighboured on both sides, by the Tartarian on the one, and the Kings of Persia on the other; yet had they with great fortune, policy, and valor, maintained their Royalties, against all pretenders. But Abas the late Persian Sophy, having either conquered or reduced Hyrcania, picked a quarrel with Bahaman: pretending that by the opportunity of his situation he might rob his Caravans, hinder his progress towards the Hyrcanian Sea, and turn into other Channels all the Streams or Rivers, which rising from Mount Taurus watered and enriched his Persian territories. And though Bahaman never had attempted any of the things objected, yet it was cause enough of quarrel that he might so do: and therefore is besieged in his Castle of Ryna, with an Army of 30000 men. Finding no possibility to prevail by force, the General of the Persians proceeds by treachery: invites the old King into his Camp under colour of parley, and by his means drew his two sonnes out of the Castle to the parley also. Whom having got into his power, he first caused their heads to be cut off; and after making use of their seales and signets, obtains a surrender of the place; and with it the possession of this mountainous Kingdome, Anno 1601. or thereabouts, united ever since to the Crown of Persia.</blockquote>

Taurus, Mountain - Revision history