Zagathay

This part of Tartaria contents of 4 parts:

1. Sacoe/Sacae
2. Sogdiana
3. Zagathay
4. Turquestan/Turchestan

Etymology and other names

Modern	N\A
Ancient	Scythia intra montem Imaum
	Ʋsbeck

Sources from old books

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

Zagathai containes sundry Provinces, and but few Cities; the most famous is Sarmachand, which gave both cradle and grave to mighty Tamberlan, from whom the Great Moguls boast themselves to bee lineally descended.

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

ZAGATHAY is bounded on the East, with the Mountain Imaus, by which it is parted from Cathay; on the North, with the main Scythick or Frozen Ocean; on the West, with Tartaria Deserta, from which separated by the River Soane, and the Lake of Kitay; and on the South, with the Caspian Sea, and the River Oxus, by which divided from the Empire of Persia. So called from Zigathay, a brother of one of the Great Chams, on whom it was conferred for his better maintenance; the Scythia intra montem Imaum, of the antient writers.

The Countrey spreading out so far, on all sides; as before appeareth, comprehendeth all those Provinces and tracts of ground, which angiently were called

1. the Countrey of the Sacae,
2. Sogdiana,
3. Zagathay, specially so called,
4. Turchestan; included antiently in the name of Scythia intra montem Imaum;
5. the Terra incognita which Ptolomy makes to be the Northern boundarie of that part of Scythia.

By taking a survey of all which particulars, we shall find the temper of the whole.

1. SACAE, or the Countrey of the Sacans, is bounded on the East, with the mountain Imaus; on the West, with Sogdiana; on the North, with Zagathay, properly and specially so called; on the South, with the River Oxus, by which parted from Bactria. So called from the Sacae, the Inhabitants of it; but the reason of their name I find not.

The Countrey antiently either barren, or ill manured; full of vast Forests, wide Desarts, and the like unhabitable places. Few or no Cities in it, and not many villages (civitates autem non habent, as my Author hath it) the people living for the most part in Caves, or otherwise wandring up and down with their droves of cattel. Called for that reason Nomades by some antient writers. The name not proper to these onely, but common to all those who followed the like roving life, as the Sarmatians, wild Arabians, Saracens, and the Inhabitants of Libya and Numidia in Africk. Onely one fortified place they had, which from the materials of it had the name of Turris Lapidea, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the Greek) or the Castle of Stones; Part hereof being peopled for the most part by Camels, or travellable onely with those Creatures, had the name of Camelorum Regio.

Divided it was antiently into many Tribes, the Caratoe, and Comari, neer the River Jaxartes; the Massagetae, and Comedoe, neer the hills called Ascatanas; the Bylcae and Grynaei, more within the Country. All joined in one by the name of Sacae; and by that name made a very fortunate Progress into Armoniae (to which they had an easie passage by the Northern banks of the Caspian Sea) and therein gave name unto the Province called Sacasena. But proceeding into Cappadocia, and there slain by the Persians in the middest of their Feastings, they left there also some resemblance of their name, in an annuall festivall called Sarea, celebrated by the Persians in memoriall of their good success in the warre against them. Such as stayd here, being overcome by Cyrus the first Persian Monarch, did so good service to that Prince, that Amorges the King of these Sacoe, is said to have rescued him from the hands of the Scythians, by whom otherwise he had been slain, or taken Prisoner. In the declining of that Kingdome, they were subdued by Alexander at the end of his Scythian, and Sogdian warres; who hereabouts, by Cobortanes a noble Persian, was presented with a Bevy of beautifull Ladies, one of the which was that Barsine whom he made his wise, and had by her that Hercules, whom Polysperchon and his faction proclamed King of Macedon. Not memorable in the following times for any thing which they did or suffered; as they have been made by the opinion or mistake of others. Who building Castles in the Air, will needs derive the Saxons (our famous Ancestors) from this Originall: as if they were called Saxons, quasi Sacsonnes, or the sonnes of Sacae. A fancy in my poor conceit, of no ground at all. For either the number of these Sacae, when they left these parts, must be great, or little. I little, how can we conceive it possible they should force their way thorough those valiant Nations of both Sarmatias; who to the last maintained their liberties and estate against the Romans. If great enough to force their passage (for stout and provident Nations use not to give passage to great Armies, but they pay dear for it) how can we think it possible they should be shut up in a corner of Germany, betwixt the River Albis and the Cimbrick Chersonees. The Saxons then, whatsoever they were, were no sonnes of the Sacae; and what in likelihood they were hath been elsewhere shewn.

2. SOGDIANA hath on the East, the Sacoe; on the North and West, Zagathay specially so called; on the South, the River Oxus, parting it from Margiana. So called from a chain of Mountains named Montes Sogdii, being the chief of all this Countrey, though of themselves a spurre or branch of the Mountain Caucasus.

The Countrey indifferently fruitfull, and very rich in pasturage, because very well watered. For besides Oxus and Jaxartes, which are common unto them and others; they have many Rivers of their own. The principal of which, 1. Dymus, and 2. Araxates, both navigable and capable of very good ships; both also running down the hills with a headlong course, and passing thorough the champain Countrey, empty themselves at last in the lake called Oxiana; as is affirmed by Ammianus, but as Ptolomy faith, into Jaxartes.

Places of most consideration it,

1. Drepsa, the Metropolis or mother-City of this people. By Pliny called Panda, by Solinus Darapsa; situate on the River Oxus.
2. Oxiana, on the same River, and from thence denominated.
3. Maruca, on the same River also.
4. Alexandria, called for distinctions sake, Alexandria Oxianoe; which name declareth both the founder and the situation.
5. Alexandria, for the same cause of distinction, named Alexandria ultima: either because the last City which he built in these parts, or because it lay furthest off on the borders of the Scythians; against whose invasions or irruptions it was said to be built.
6. Tribarra, one of the chief hereof in the time of Ammianus Marcellinus.
7. Cyroschata, more memorable, and not less antient, than any of those named before, by Qu. Curtius called Cyropolis, built by Cyrus, to fortifie his borders against the Scythians. It held out against the great Macedonian, a long time: and he himself comming nigher to the wells, than discretion would permit an ordinary Generall, had such a blow on the neck with a stone, that he fell to the ground, his eyes swimming in his head, and his whole Army giving him for slain. But reviving he took the Town by a mine, and levell'd it with the ground, in revenge of so great a danger.

The antient Inhabitants hereof were the Oxydracoe, and Candari, dwelling at the foot of the Sogdian mountains; the Oxiani, and Cherasmii, neer the banks of Oxus; the Jasii, and Tachori, neer the River Jaxartes; the Drepsiani in the East parts bordering on the Sacoe; whose chief City was Drepsa: descended from their severall roots, but all called Sogdians. Conquered by Alexander, not without danger to his own person, as before was said, at the sollicitation of Spitamenes a noble Persian, it rebelled again. Who being suppressed, and the Countrey in some measure quieted, Arimazes, a native of the Province, renewed the war. Who followed with 30000 men, encamped upon the top of an hill, in a place of such notable advantage, that Alexander, neither by force nor fair words, could get him out of it. He therefore dealt with 300 of his youngest and most active men, on the promise of great reward, to climb the hill, and without any noise to shew themselves at the back of the Enemy. Which having performed with the loss of 30 of their company, Alexander sent one Cophes to Arimazes, to let him know that the whole Army of Macedon was at his back: who terrified with what he saw, more with what he feared, gave up the place, and was scourged and crucified for his labour. So necessary in the Art of warre-fare is a peece of wit. After this time, it ran the same alterations and change of fortunes, as the Persians did; till they were conquered by the Tartars, unto whom still subject.

3. ZAGATHAY specially so called, is bounded on the East, with Cathay; on the West, with Turchestan, and part of the Caspian Sea; on the North, with the Countrey of the Samoyeds, the Terra Incognita of the Antients; on the South, with the Sacae, and Sogdiana. Antiently part of Scythia intra montem Imaum, and took this new name from Zagathay, the first Prince hereof since the time of the Tartars.

The Countrey reasonably fruitfull, but not so rich in the naturall temper of the soyl, as the industriousness of the people, more civill farre than any other of the Tartars; studious of good letters, lovers of Arts as well ingenious as Mechanick; well skilled in manufactures, and very seldome without the confluence of forein Merchants. Populous, and well-stored with towns and villages; both for their own more handsome dwelling, and the entertainment of others.

Chief Rivers of it,

1. Jaxartes, now called Chesel, the principal of all this Countrey: great of it self, but made much greater by the waters of
2. Daix, another River of good note, rising out of the mountain called Norosus, and falling with many others into Jaxartes; mixt with whose streams they are dischannelled in the Caspian Sea.
3. Jartus, and
4. Polytimetas, falling into Oxus.

Others there are whose names I find not in my Authors, descending from the mountains of this Northern Region, which are great and many. As viz.

1. Norosus, spoken of before.
2. Aspisii, on the North of that.
3. Toporus, more unto the North.
4. The mountains called Sychi, more Northward still.
5. Those called Anaroei, besides
6. Imaus, of most name, but common unto Cathay as well as to Zagathay.

Cities of most observation in it,

1. Aspabota, the only Town ascribed by Ptolomy to this Countrey, and by him honoured with the title of Civitas.
2. Zabaspia, of less antiquity, but of greater estimation at the present time. Situate on the mouth of the River Oxus (now called Abias) on the brink of the Caspian, and much frequented by the Merchants of forein Countreys, chiefly from India, and Cathay.
3. Marachanda, antient, and of fame, but placed by Ptolomy, (why I know not) amongst the Cities of Bactria: differing herein from the common and received opinion of other Authors, by whom this City is affirmed to be on the North side of Oxus, and consequently not within that Province. Made good by Spitamenes, (who having delivered the Traitor Bessus into the hands of Alexander, revolted from him) against the Macedonian Army; by which besieged under the command Menedemus. But Menedemus being slain, with some of his Souldiers, Spitamenes escaped hence to Bactria, where he was slain by his own wife, and his head presented to the Conqueror. Here was it also that Alexander, being then Master of the Town, in a drunken fit slew his dear friend Clyt•us, who at the battel of Granicus had saved his life, by receiving a blow which was aimed at him. It was afterwards called Samarch and, the seat-Royall of Tamerlane, by whom enriched with all the spoils and treasures he got in the wars; there being brought hither from Damascus only (and by that one instance we may guess at the rest) 8000 Caemel• laden with the choicest moveables. Still the chief Residence of the Chams of Zagathay, but farr short of that magnificence which once it held.
4. Bichend, of no Antiquity, nor of such great name as the Regall Samarchand, but at this time of greater wealth; situate somewhat in the midland, but populous, and a well-traded Town.
5. Azara, memorable for being made the Rendezvous of that mighty Army which Tamerlane raised against the Turks, consisting in the totall of 1200000 fighting men when it was at the biggest.
6. Maranis, from which place the said Tamerlane, having received his aids from China, began his march.

These Tartars, called Zagathayans, by the name of their Countrey, are of a different government from that of the Great Cham of Cathay, though subject to him at the first: and have so been ever since the time of Zaicham or Bathu, the third great Cham; who gave it unto Zagathay, a younger sonne, whence it had the name. To Zagathay succeeded Og, by some called Zain-Cham, (the Father of Tamerlane) a peaceable and quiet Prince, who rather studied to preserve than enlarge his Empire. But Tamerlane being of a fiercer and more warlike nature, made the first proof of his valour and good fortune against the Moscovite (for spoyling a City which had put it self under his protection) whom he overthrew with the slaughter of 25000 foot, and 15000 of his horse. Moved with this notable exploit, and the hopes of greater, Gino Cham, the great Emperor of the Tartars gave him to wife his onely daughter, and therewithall declared him his heir apparent. Incouraged and inabled with this advancement he first brake down the wall of China, encountred with the King thereof, overcame him in battel, and imposed on him the summe of 300000 Crowns of yearly tribute. Having left things quiet at his back, and taking with him a great part of the forces of Chin•, he advanced forwards against B••azet, the fourth King of the Turks; of the greatness of whose growing Empire he began to be jealous. Passing along the left-hand shores of the Caspian Sea, and so through Albania, and the rest of the Provinces which lay in his way (which he took and conquered as he went) he came at last into Asia Minor, where neer the City of Sebastia, he encountred with Bajazet, vanquished him; slew 200000 of his men, and carried him away captive in an iron Cage. Restoring those Princes dispossessed by Bajazet unto their estates, and taking to himself all the Turkish Provinces in Anatolia; he bestowed a ••rivate visit on Constantinople, which seen, he marched towards Syria, subdued both that Province and the Kingdome of Egypt, then possessed by the Ma•alucks; visited Hierusalem, and did honour to the holy Sepulchre; returned by Babylon, and won it, and with it the whole Countries of Babylonia and Assyria. And taking Persia in his way, impatronized himself of that Kingdome also; and such parts of India, as either lay neer Persia, or his own dominions: now made the Soveraign Lord of all the Regions and Kingdomes in both Asias, excepting the chief India; for which the rich Kingdome of Egypt may be put in balance. Come home at last to Samarchand, he there died in peace. A Prince of strong body, but lovely lineaments, his eyes bearing in them such raies of majestie, that ordinary men could scarce endure to look upon them. His hair long, contrary to the custome of the Mahometans, (for the most part shaved on their heads) for which he pretended a descent from Sampson. Perfect in the Arabian learning, and a lover of all learned men, a hater of Idols, and Polytheism, and a great friend to the Christians. More fortunate in the conquering of so many Kingdomes, than in •aying any sure foundation to maintain his conquests. For by holding his seat Royal in Samarchand, Camb•ln, and other the chief Cities of Cathay, he gave the remote Provinces the opportunity of returning to their former Governours: and by parcelling his estates amongst his Children, and kindred, this mighty flood which had so quickly overflown both Asias, returned in very little time within its own proper and originall banks. Even Zagathay it self, divided from the Empire of Cathay, had its King apart (hardly acknowledging the great Cham for the Lord in chief) the most considerable of whom was that Saba, who in the new beginnings and unsetledness of the Sophian Empire, invaded Persia: but instead of recovering that Kingdome into the power of the Tartars, he lost some Provinces of his own. Hyrcania, Margiana, and some part of Bactria, being since subdued by Abas the late Sultan. Nothing since memorable, that I meet with in the affairs of this part of the Empire of Tartary.

4. TVRCHESTAN is bounden on the East, with Zagathay specially so called; on the West, with the River So•ne, parting it from Deserta; on the North, with those desarts which Ptolomy blindeth under the name of 〈◊〉; and on the South, with the Caspian Sea. So called from the Turks, some of which people when they left their first Seats neer the Fennes of Moeotis, setled in this Country, and here still continue.

The Countrey as desert and ill planted, as the rest of Tartary, not so much out of any defect in the soyl it self, as in the humour of the people: who though originally Turks, do yet compose themselves unto the lives of the Scythian or Tartarian Nomades, neglecting tillage, and abiding in no place longer than that place affords them pasturage for their Cattell: huge herds of which they keep as their greatest treasure, but more to cloth their backs with the skinns, than to fill their Bellies with the flesh.

Amongst the Rivers of most note we may reckon,

1. Rhymnus, mentioned by Ptolomy, which by the position of it in the 91 degree of longitude, seems to be of this Tract. It riseth out of the mountains called Montes Rhymnici, giving name to the River, or taking name from it.
2. Ardock, not known by that name amongst the Antients, and whether known at all or not, I am not able to say. Shaping its course towards the North, and weary of so cold a clime, and such barbarous people, after a long and swift course of a thousand miles, it hideth it self under the ground for five hundred more: but breaking out again, and finding little or no hope of a better fortune, loseth it self for ever in the great Lake of Kitay.

To look for Towns amongst a people which delight not in settled houses, were a labour lost: yet some I find ascribed unto them. The principall, but of no great note,

1. Calba, and
2. Occrra;
3. Then there is Crustina, situate on or neer the Lake of Kitay, never without the company of Russian and Tartarian Merchants: the Russians sailing to it by the River Ob; and the Zagathaian Tartars travelling to it by land. By these two nations more peopled, to maintain their traffick, than by the Turcomans themselves, in whose land it standeth.

These Turcon•ans are of the posterity of some of those Turca, who wanting room, or otherwise oppress'd with want, forsook their antient dwelling neer the Fennes of Moeotis, and the coasts of the Euxine Sea, to seek new dwellings, Anno 844. That their whole body settled here, and from hence made their conquest quest of Persia, as some very industrious men are of opinion, I by no means grant. For when the Sultan of Persia, having by the means of Tangrolipix and those Mercinary Turks whom he invited to his aid, obtained the victory; and thought it fit for his affairs to detain them longer in his service: it is said he shut up the passages of the River Araxes, to hinder them from returning to their habitations. The shutting up of which River, and fortifying against them all the passages and bridges of it, had not served his tum, if the Turks had come from this place: for then he must have manned against them the River Oxus, and such as lay betwixt them and him in the common rode. Nor is it probable, that the Turcomans dwelling in this Province, on the East side of the River Volga, would undertake the fording of that dangerous and violent Water, and force themselves a way thorow Albania, and Armenia, with no greater numbers than 3000 men, which was the whole strength that they carryed with them. So that it is not to be doubted but that they came first into Persia out of Turcomania, and not out of Turchestan: and probable enough, that when they first left their own abode, and came unto the Northwest shores of the Caspian Sea, they might there divide themselves; Some of which leaving that Sea on the left hand, and passing thorow the Sarmatian or Albanian Streights, made their way into Armenia, and those parts of Iberia, which from them are now called Turcomiania. The residue keeping that Sea on the right hand, and crossing the Volga, where they found the passage most easie for them, settled themselves in these parts of Scythia which they found less peopled, now from them named Turchestan. Some of which hearing of the good success of their Countrey-men in the Conquest of Persia, might afterwards join with them to assure that purchase. Governed since their first comming hither by the Chiefs of their severall Clans, whom they honour with the title of Chams; but all of them tributaries, and vassals to the Cham of Zagathay.

5. That part of the Kingdome of Zagathay, which anciently passed under the name of TERRA INCOGNITA, and was accompted the Northern limit of Scythia intra Imaum, hath on the South, Turchestan, and part of Zagathay, strictly and specially so called; extending Northwards to the Scythick or Frozon Ocean; and bounded on the West, with the River Ob.

The Inhabitants of this Northern Tract are now called by the name of Samoyeds; neither the people nor the Countrey known to the antient Romans: and indeed neither of them worth the knowing. The men black haired, naturally be•trdless, and not to be discemed from women, but that the women wear a long lock down to their eares. Clad from the head to the feet in Deer-skins, or Seil-skins, with the hairy side outwards; (nothing more wise in that than the other Tartars). Their kind of life more rude than theirs, if more rude may be, ranging from place to place to place without any propriety of house or dwelling; the leader of each company their Priest• whom they call their Popa who at every one of their Removes is to offer sacrifice. Idolaters they are all, and most of then Witches, especially such as live most towards the East, and furthest off from the Moscovite, who many times destroy their Idols, and rob them of the skins of Bevers, black Foxes, and Sables, wherewith those Idols are set forth to the publick veiw, but bestow on them greater heats in a good Fire; into which they commonly use to cast them.

These Zagathaian Provinces, with those of Margiana, and Bactria, before described, made that part of Scythia, which antiently was called Scythia intra montem Imaum: though in the time of Ptolomy, when Margiana, Bactria, Saca, and Sogdiana, were reckoned of as Provinces of the Kingdom of Persia; this Scythia was restrained within narrower bounds, and comprehended onely Turchestan and the Speciall Zagathay. Inhabited besides the several Nations dwelling in the four Persian Provinces, by many fierce and savage Tribes, as the Alani, Alanoesi, Saubeni, and Massaei, towards Terra incoguita; the Tectosages, and Asiota, neer the Mountain Imaus; the Jaxartae on the banks of the River so called; and the Mologeni, not farr off; the Zarata, and Sasones, neer the Mountains Alan•; the Galactophagi, or milk-eaters, more towards the East; the Taporaeai, and the Sychi, by the hills so named; and many others not material to be here remembred. All now united under the general name of Tartars, by whom first subdued.

And now we are at last come to Scythia, truely so named; Sarmatia Europaea and Asiatica being called so onely by way of participation and resemblance; because the inhabitants thereof had so much in them of the manners and conditions of these natural Scythians. Here therefore we intend to speak something of them, their name, Antiquity, disposition, customes, and the most memorable actions relating to them, as far as we can go by the light of story.

First, for the name, the Gracian Fablers have derived it from one Scythes the sonne of Hercules, begotten by him on a Monster, half woman, halfe Viper. The Gramarians, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifying to be fierce and angry; whence it is said of the Jewish Puritans, who fasted to be seen of men 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that they looked with a sowr, severe, and a dissigured Countenance. Goropius Becanus doth derive it rather from the Dutch word Schutten, signifying to shoot: agreeable enough to the custome and exercise of the Scythians, who are observed by Herodotus, Pliny, Lucian, and other of the antient Writers, to be very good Archers. But that the word Schutten signifieth the same in the antient Scythick; or that the High-Dutch was originally the tongue of the Scythians, will not so easily appear.

Letting that pass therefore as a matter not to be defined, let us look on the Antiquity of these Scythian Nations: and we shall find it to be great, if not greatest of all. Scytharum gens semper antiquissima, That the Scythcans were of all others, the most antient people, was received for an Oracle, in the elder ages of the world: and so resolved by way of verdict, when the great controversie touching the Antiquity of those Nations was to be determited betwixt the Aegyptian and the Scythian, who contended for it. And this hath passed with such a generall approbation, that it is, now to be disputed. In which regard I am so far of the judgement of Becanus in that particular as to conceive that the Countreys lying on the North of Mount Caucasus (on which the Ark is thought most probably to have rested) were peopled by the sonnes of Noah before they travelled towards the West, or set themselves on building the Tower of Babel. We had else no doubt heard somewhat amongst our Antiquaries, of the settling of some of those Adventurers in these Northern Regions, when giving off that enterprise, and falling upon new plantations, they either went themselves, or sent forth their Colonies, into all places of the world. But of any such plantations, ne gry quidem, not one word say they. Nor can it probably be supposed that Z•roaster the King of Bactria could have raised 400000 fighting men out of that one Province (though some of the adjoining Provinces were took into the reckoning) in those early daies, in which he did encounter Ninus the great Assyrian; had the Bactrians, and the rest of these Scythian nations been but a Castl•ng as it were of some second swarm, and not coavall with the first. But besides these presumptions we have other proofs: viz. an old and constant tradition on this side the Mountains, that the great Vineyard of Margiana was of Noahs planting; and 2. the affirmation of Porcius Cato, (though one of the writers of Frier Annius) in Scythia Sagarenatum mortale genus, that mankind was repaired in these parts of Scythia, so called from Sabatius Sagar, an Armenian King, whose Dominions did extend thus far. So that I look upon it as a matter of strong presumption, if not demonstrably concludent, that these People were of the first plantation which was made after the flood; before the rest of the world was peopled by the Confusion of Languages: Scytharum gens semper antiquissima, could not else hold good.

As for their dispositions, and naturall inclinations, they are said by Trogus, or his Epitomator Justine, to be Gens & laboribus & bellis aspera,

A Nation patient of labours, and fierce in warr; of bodily strength immense and vast; yet so much masters of their affections, that they made no further use of their greatest victories, than the augmentation of their fame. Theft they esteemed the greatest crime, and that they punished so severely, that their Flocks and Herds might and did safely wander from one place to another, without fear of stealing. In them they placed their greatest wealth, feeding themselves with the milk thereof, and making their rayment of the skinns. Silver and gold they contemned as much as it was coveted by others• there being no desire of riches, where there was no use. Mcum, and Tuum, those common Barretours, and authors of debate amongst other men, were not known amongst them: and therefore did not care for tillage, or made any inclosures, nor troubled themselves with the care of building. But putting their wives and children upon wains, or wagons, covered with hides against the weather, they removed from one place to another, no longer staying upon one, than they found grass and herbage to sustain their Cattel. So just in all their actions, that they needed not the restraint of lawes; and had attained to such an eminent degree of humane perfection, as not to cover. In a word, that moderation which the Greeks endeavoured to attain unto by the help of learning and Philosophy, was to these so natural: that the ignorance of vice did as much contribute to their welfare, as the knowledge of vertue.

Such are the antient Scythians affirmed to be. And being such, it was a wonder that the great Monarchs of the world who had wealth at will, should make warre upon them, amongst whom there was nothing to invite an Army, or reward a Conq uerour. Yet either on desire of glory, or to add unto the former multitudes over whom he reigned, they were first invaded by Cyrus the great Persian Monarch, who quarrelling with Tomyris Queen of the Massagetes, a warlike Nation, inhabiting on both sides of the River Oxus, discomfited her Army, and slew her sonne Spargapises, who commanded it. In revenge whereof, the Queen having in a second battail obtained the victory, and took Cyrus prisoner, is said to have cut off his head, and cast it into a boul of blood, with this scornful taunt, Satia te sanguine quem sitiisti, now drink thy fill of blood which thou hast so thirsted. But others tell us otherwise of the success of this fight. By whom it is reported that the horse of Cyrus being disordered on the sight of some Elephants which came from India to her aid, and himself dangerously wounded, the Scythians had won the victory, but for the comming in of Amorges King of the Sacons, (who of a conquered Enemy was become his Confederate) by whom he was rescued, and b the 20000 fresh men which he brought with him, obtained the honour of the day; though long he lived not to enjoy it, dying not long after of the wounds he had received. With Alexander they are said to begin the war, as loth to be behindhand with him; arming themselves upon the building of Alexandria ultima, so neer their borders, which they conceived rather intended for a curb to hold them down, than for a btidle to keep them in. But being repulsed, and wife enough to suffer what they could not hinder, they sued for peace, and had it granted; Alexander being called away by the revolt of the Bactrians, a matter of more conseqnence than these Scythian brables. With Alexanders, Successours they had nothing to do, nor with the Persian Kings of the Parthian race: the Parthians being their Allies, and of Scythian breed. And for the Romans, it is well observed by the Historian, Romanorum arma andivere magis quaem sensere, that they had heard much of their valour, but never felt it: Remaining undisturbed in their honest poverty, till the Tartars an obscure and beggerly people brake out of their Prison, and carryed the whole World before them.

As for their Kings, I find some of their names laid down, but without any note of time in which their reigns might be supposed to begin or end. Nor can I think that the Kings occurring in that Catalogue, did either reign in the same place, or over the same Nations, or that they succeeded one another. Howsoever we will take their names as they come before us in this list of

The Kings of Scythia.

• 1. Scythes.
• 2. Napis.
• 3. Phitra.
• 4. Sagillus.
• 5. Targitana.
• 6. Plinus.
• 7. Scholypethus.
• 8. Panaxagora.
• 9. Tanais.
• 10. Indathyrsus.
• 11. S•Ulius.
• 12. Spargapisis.
• 13. Tomyris.
• 14. Aripethes.
• 15. Seiles.
• 16. Octimasdes.
• 17. Lanthinus, the last of all those Scythian Kings who are conceived to have the government of these warlike Nations.

But for my part I dare not say that ever any one King did command the whole people generally; each Tribe or Nation having their particular Kings, as in other places not reduced into form and order. And therefore for those Kings, if such Kings there were (as for some of them I durst venture to swear the contrary) they must be such as in their severall Countries were of greatest same, most taken notice of in the world, or imployed in the conduct of their joynt and united forces; and so conceived to be the Kings of the whole Scythian Nation; as Cassibeline, King of the Trinobantes, and perhaps not that, is by some writers said to be the King of the Britains, because he had the conduct of their forces against Julius Caesar.

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

In Zagathai, E. Cathai on the other side of Imaus, N. Frozen Sea, S. Caspian and the River Oxus, between it and Persia; is

1. Drepsa on the Oxus: as is
2. Oxiana.
3. Maruca.
4. Alexandria.
5. Tribarra, not considerable among such a wandring people.
6. Zabaspia, an eminent town, by reason the Inhabitants thereabouts are civil and industrious, good mechanicks, well skilled in manufactories, and very seldom without a great confluence of Merchants, trading on the River Daix, and the mouth of the Oxus.
7. The magnificent Mara-Canda.
8. Well-traded and populous Bichend; and
9. in the wild Turcestan Calba, Ocerra and Crustina on the Lake Kitay, much frequented by Russian and Tartarian Merchants sayling thither by the River Ob, for Bevers, Sables, Seil-skins, &c. and not far hence are the Savage Scythians.

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

TARTARIA the Desart answers to the ancient Scythia intra Imaum; Ʋsbeck or Zagathay to the ancient Bactriana and Sogdiana; both the one and the other new Name retaining, in my opinion, something of the ancient; Sogdiana of Zagathay, and Bactriana of Ʋsbeck: Turquestan to the ancient Scythia extra Imdum. Cathay is the Serico Regia. As for the True Tartary it is unknown unto the Ancients, or at least it holds the most Northern part of the one and the other Scythia.

ƲSBECK, or ZAGATHAY, extends it self from the Caspian Sea unto Turquestan, and from Persia and India unto Tartaria Deserta: possessing all that is upon the Rivers of Chesel, and of Gehan or Albiamu. Its People are the most civil and ingenious of all the Western Tartars, fierce in War, being strong and active, patient in labour, not much addicted to vices, Thest they punish severely; they have a great trade with the Persians, to whom they have sometimes been Subjects, sometimes Enemies, and sometimes in good Intelligence; and with the Indians, where they have likewise something to do; and with Cathay, where they utter their much prized Manna, bringing back Silk, which they make into Manufactures, and sell in Moscovy.

This part of Tartary did contain several Provinces:

1. Zagathay, especially so called.
2. Sacoe.
3. Sogdiana, with some other of less note, in all which are not many considerable Cities, the most famous of which are Samarcand, which was both the Cradle and Grave to Tamberlan the Great, from whom the Great Mogolls boast themselves to be lineally descended, who enriched it with the fairest Spoils of Asia, and adorned it with an Academy, yet in some repute among the Mahometans: Also Bachara and Budaschan, and also Balick, according to some; but which I esteem in Chorasan, which hath divers times been in the hands of the Chams of Ʋsbeck. Badaschian is likewise on the Frontiers of Chorasan, Bochara or Bachara, where lived Avicenna one of the most famous Philosophers and Physicians of all the East. The Country is of a different Soil; that of Zagathay is indifferent fertil, which is much augmented by the industry of the Inhabitants, who are likewise held the most ingenious, being lovers of Arts, and well skilled in Manufactures, by reason of which they have a good trade with Merchants, which come from several places. Sacae is very barren, and ill manured, and full of wild Desarts, Forrests, and Uninhabited places, by reason of which the Inhabitants remove their Herds of Cattle from place to place, where they can find best food for them. Sogdiana hath very rich Pastures, and watered with many good Rivers, which much conduces to its fertility; in which, as also in Zagathay, are several Towns and Cities; as 1. Jarchan. 2. Sachi. 3. Istigiaes. 4. Busdaschan. 5. Bachara: and 6. Pogansa, which last is seated on the Sea.

TƲRQƲESTAN lies East from Ʋsbeck or Zagathay, West from Cathay, North from India, and South from True Tartary. It is subdivided into some Kingdoms, of which the best known are Castar, Cotam, Chialis, Ciartiam, Thibet, Chinchintalis, &c. A part of their chief Cities being of the same name. Some name Hiarchan instead of Cascar, and Turon or Turphan instead of Chialis, for the chief Cities of the Kingdom. That of Cascar is the richest, most fertil, and best cultivated of all: That of Ciartiam is esteemed the least, and all sandy, having in recompence many Jaspars and Cassidoines; but that of Cascar hath likewise excellent Rhubarb, and in great quantity. Those of Cotam and Chialis have Corn, Wine, Flax, Hemp, Cotton, &c. Thibet is more advanced towards the Mogolls of India, and the most engaged in the Mountains of Imaus, Caucasus, and Ʋssontes. It hath many wild Beasts, Musk, and Cinnamon; and they make use of Coral instead of Mony. The Relations which have been given in 1624 and 1626, have made this Estate so great and rich, that they would confound it with Cathay: but those of 1651 make the Region very cold, and always covered with Snow; esteeming its King wholly barbarous, and less powerful than him of Serenegar, who is only a Rahia in the Estates of the Great Mogoll: so little assurance is there in the most part of these Relations. The other places of note in Turquestan are, Camul, Turfan, Emil, Sark, Cassia, Andegen, Raofa, Cotain, Peim, Finegle, Lop, Ciartiam, Sazechiam, and Vociam; and in this part is the Lake of Kithay, which is 65 Leagues in length, and 40 in breadth.

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

Zagathai, Zagataia, a considerable Country between the Kingdoms of Thibet to the East, Persia to the South, and the Caspian Sea to the West; in Tartary, in Asia. Called also Ʋsbech.