Sclavonia

Sources from old books

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

AMONG the Countries which are presented in this Table Sclavonia is the first, which was so called from the Sclavonian Nation, who did heretofore inhabit by the Maeotick Lake. Pliny calld it Illyricum, from Illyricus the Sonne of Cadmus, or as some thinke of Poliphemus. Ptolemy, calls it Illyis, and Stephen Illyr•a. Ptolemy doth stretch it forth from Istria even to the confines of Macedon▪ by the Sea shore, and doth make it extend to Pannonia and Maesia. Pomponius Mela, and Dionysius Alexandrinus doe describe it to be larger, for hee maketh Illyria to containe all the coast of the Hadriatick Sea, from Tergestus even to the Ceraunian Mountaines, and placeth it beyond Danubius. For Mela reckoneth Danubius among the Rivers of this Country. But Pliny maketh the Rivers Arsia, and Visius to be the bounds thereof. And the most doe follow Ptolomies description, who saith that Illyris where it looketh toward Macedon, doth containe Dalmatia, and Liburnia, which Lazius doth call Crabates: and others Croatia. Pinctus calleth it Contado di Zara. The length of it from Arsa to Dranus is 380 Italian Miles. In some parts it hath a pure wholesome ayre, but in other places not so wholesome, by reason of Moorish exhalations and vapours. This Country, as Strabo witnesseth is very pleasant: it hath strong Havens, a fertile Soyle, and full of Vines, unlesse it bee upon the stony rockie cliffes, or on that side which lyeth toward Paennonia, where it is cold, and coverd with snow. Florus in his booke of the first P•nicke warre, writeth that the Illyrians grew so licentious, that they slew the Romane Embassadors like sacrifices, and burnt the Captaines of the Shipps, and to disgrace them the more, at the command of a woman who as he writeth was called Teuta. Againe the Illyrians being hired by King Perses, began to set upon the Romanes behind their back, but Scorda which was the head Citty of the Nation being rased, they straightway yeelded themselves. Pliny writeth that the coast of Illyria was more frequented than the Ilands, when on the contrary, the coast of Italy over against it is very impetuous and stormy. The chiefe Citties and Townes of Illyri• are Senia, commonly calld Segna, being seated on a Plaine by the Sea, which is often troubled with the North wind. Iadera is now the chiefe and strongest Metropolis of the Liburnians. Also Zara commonly call'd Sebenicum, Ptolomy calls it Sicum. It is situate in the Bay Scardonicor neere the Sea, at the foote of a Mountaine, where there is a Castell. It hath fruitefull fields, but it is thinly inhabited, by reason that the Turkes doe continually vexe it. Spalatum and Salena is celebrated by Ptolomy and Strabo. There is also Salona, which is a Haven of the Dalmatians, which hath few inhabitants, because it is so neere unto the Turke. Tragurtum now called •ran is divided from the Continent by a small arme of the Sea. Epidaurus is an ancient Citty, by the ruines whereof there is Ragusium commonly call'd Ragusi, the Turks call it Pobrovicha, it is a small Citty with a strong Castell: heere is a famous Mart for all Turkish commodities, the Commonwealth is governed by good lawes, the Cittizens are rich. This Country is watered with two chiefe Rivers Savus and Dravus, which doe runne into Danubius, Beyond the Mountaines many lesser Rivers doe breake out into the Hadriatick Bay, as Edanius, Ticicus, Naron, Rhizon, and Drinus. The Illyrians or Sclavonians doe dwell in woodden houses, thatched, unlesse it be some Townes upon the Coast where they live civiller. And so much concerning Illyricum or Sclavonia in generall. But Sclavonia which our table doth exhibit, is onely a part of that Illyricum, unlesse we make it to be Plinyes Sclavonia. It containeth the Marquiship of Windorum, and the County of Zagabria.

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

* 1.1SClavonia hath on the East the River of Drinus, and a line drawn from thence to the Sea, on the VVest part of Italy: on the North, Hungary; and on the South, the Adriatick Sea.

• 1.2The Commodities that this Country doth afford for Merchandize, are Horses for Service, Cattel, Oxon, Hides, Tallow, Butter, and Cheese, and hath some Mines of Silver and Gold, now in the Great Turk's possession. The Provinces and Cities of note in Sclavonia are these

• 1.3Illyria, now by the Turks called Windismark, hath in it Zatha, seated upon Dan•…, 2: Zackaoes, 3. Windisgreets, and others.

• 1.4Dalmatia is the second Province, the chief City is Ragusa, situated on the Adriatick Sea, formerly a Town of great Traffick and Riches, and now tributary to the Turk; next is Sci•…, 3. Zara, both seated on the Sea-shore, and subject to the Venetians; 4. Spalatta, a Sea-Town, from whence to Venice that State keepeth many Gallies for transportation of Merchant Goods, and by reason of an unreasonable Fraight by them taken, they stand to the hazard and adventures thereof, which they did to their Cost in Anno 1619. my self being in Nayle when as the Duke d' Ossuna then Vice-King took two of these their Galley grosses laden with a rich Booty, as was reported to the import of 300000 Crowns which the State of Venice were enforced to make good principally to Merchants Turks of Constantinople, to whom the greatest part thereof did at that time appertain, and who are found at this day to be the greatest Traders this way. The next Town is Scodra, famous for the Resistance it made against the Turks; and last, Lissa, famous here for the Sepulchre of Scanderbeg, whose Bones were digged up, and worn by the Turks at the taking of this City, as conceiving them to be of excellent Vertue to make them partake of his good Fortunes. This Province being now divided between the Venetians and the Turk.

• 1.5Croatia is the next, the chief Towns are Cardisca, seated on the River Savus, 2. Brumon, 3. Nivograde, 4. Sisgith, and lastly Petrovia; this Country is now subject in part to the Venetians, and in part to the Austrians; of the Trade of the most principal of this in brief, and first of Ragusa and Spallatta.

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

THE Trade of Sclavonia is at this day but of small Account, and little to our Mation: the two Cities of Spalatta and Rhagusa seated therein, merit the principal consideration.

• Rhagusa then, formerly called Epidaurus, being situated on the Adriatick Sea, a Commonwealth of great Traffick and Riches, was in times past of far greater Fame and Name, both in Trade and Navigation than now it is: for from hence was the Original of those great Ships here built, and in old times famous, as then vulgarly called Argoses, properly * 1.2Rhaguses; the last which they were noted to have, they lent Philip the Second King of Spain, in 1588 to invade England, and hath her burial in our British Seas, and may all others so thrive that envy the Prosperity of England; since which I hear not of any they have of any consequence. They now pay 12000 Ducats yearly to the Turk for Tribute of that Trade and Liberty they now enjoy, which notwithstanding is of no great consequence.

The Country affords not any Commodities of moment for our Nation, and we only send thither some blue Hampshire Kersies, some Lead, Tin, and little else.

• The Moneys thereof are such as pass current through the State of Venice and Turkey their Neighbours, and their own being in correspondence therewith, and accompted by Grosses.

Grosses	6	is a Livre
Grosses	59	is a Hungar
Grosses	38	is a Rial ⅜
Grosses	1	is 2 Gassets
A Gasset		is 2 Saldes
Grosses	62	is a Venice Chicquin
Grosses	40	is a Naples Ducat
Grosses	59	is also a Sultain, accounted in England for 8 s. sterl.

• 1.4The Weight is a pound of (…) ℥ and 100 l. is the Quintal.

The 100 l. is English 80 l.

and is Venice suttle 120 l.

and is Venice gross 76 l.

1 l. Rhagusa is 9 ℥ gross Ven.

1 l. Rhagusa is 14 ℥ sac. 2⅔ suttle.

• 1.5The Measure is the Brace, which agreeth with the Brace of Venice: thus the 100 Cloth Braces is in Rhagusa 124, and of Silk 116 Braces, and is in England (…) inches.

• 1.6Note that the Weights and Measures of Spallatta do wholly agree with those in Venetia, therefore I need not to say further thereof in this place; and by the way note, that for the Weights of Rhagusa, I find this observation made: the 100 Rot. of Alexandria Zero, is in Rhagusa 260 l. the 100 l. Forfori is in Rhagusa 116 l. the 100 Rot. Laidin, is in Rhagusa 165 l. the 100 Rot. of Damietta is in Rhagusa 120 l. the 100 Rot. of Roma is in Rhagusa 666 l. the 100 Rot. of Baruti is in Rhagusa 625 l. the 100 Rot. Damasco is in Rhagusa 600 l. the 100 Rot. of Tripoli in Soria is in Rhagusa 500 l. the 100 Rot. of Aleppo is in Rhagusa 600 l. the 100 Rot. of Rhodes and Gasa is in Rhagusa 666⅔ l. the 100 Rot. of Cyprus is in Rhagusa 625 l. the 100 Rot. of Bursie in Natolia is in Rhagusa 146 l. the 100 Rot. of Constantinople is in Rhagusa 146 l. and the 100 l. in Rhagusa doth make as followeth.

In	Puglia	39	Rot.
Puglia	110	l.
Roma	101
Florence	105
Perosa	95
Siena	108
Acquilla	107
Lansano	166
Urbino	106
Crema	111
Piemont	101
Forli	111
Faensa	110
Cesena	106
Ricanati	107
Camerino	108
Bollonia	110
Lucca	106
Millana	111
Verona	108
Bressia	111
Ferrara	106
Modena	109
Genoua	114
Fanno	106

Further matter worthy mentioning, that concerns either the Weight, Measure, or Trade of this place, I have not observed, therefore I pass it over; and hence take my Journey to Greci•, the next place which challengeth my survey.

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

SCLAVONIA.

SCLAVONIA, strictly so call'd, comprehends only that part of ancient Pannonia which is bounded on the North by the Drave, on the South by the Save, on the East by Rascia, and on the West by Germany, being extended for the space of 32 German miles in length and 12 in breadth. This Province took its name (as it is generally believ'd) from the Slavi, an ancient People who came from Scythia about the time of the Emperor Justinian, and having over-run Istria and all Greece, founded the Kingdom of Poland under Lechus, as also that of Moravia under Zechus, A. C. 550. but they were driven out of Greece by Constantine. They infested Canute and Sueno Kings of the Danes in the Xth Century, but were overcome by Walduner in the year, 1161. In 1200. Canute the Dane worsted the Marquess of Brandenburg who had taken possession of Sclavonia, and afterward the Country became tributary to the Hungarians. In 1504. it was subdu'd by Solyman the Magnificent; but in 1687. after the defeat of the Ottoman Forces at Mohatz they mutiny'd against the Grand Visier, and the Turks deserting it, the whole Territory, (excepting the Town of Gradiska) submitted to the Emperor. The Inhabitants are for the most part robust and of a strong Constitution, so that the Venetians, after they had conquer'd these parts, observing the Natives sit for all manner of Drudgery, caus'd them to work at the Oars of their Gallies, and put them on other toilsom Employments of the like nature. Thus they took occasion to name all their inferior Attendants and Bond-servants Sclaves, which Word afterward grew in use throughout the more Western parts of Europe.

The Professions of the Roman and Greek Churches are tolerated in the County of Zagrabia and other parts of Sclavonia, where the People were first converted to Christianity by the preaching of one Methodius. But the Romanists here enjoy this peculiar Privilege, That Mass is allow'd to be read among them in their Mother Tongue, a Favour no where else granted to the Commonalty under the Papal Jurisdiction. Gesner assures us, That there are no less than 60 distinct Nations that speak Sclavonian; and indeed if we consider the many large Empires and Kingdoms in which this Language is us'd, the Account will scarcely seem to fall short; since some Dialect thereof is generally spoken in the va•t Empire of Russia, in Livonia, Poland, Silesia, Bohemia, Moravia, a considerable part of Hungary, Istria, Dacia, Epirus, Georgia, Mengrelia, Bosnia, Prussia, Scandinavia, &c.

POSEGA, the Metropolis of a County of the same name, lying between the Drave and the Save, as also of the whole Province of Sclavonia, is situated on the River Oriana, at the distance only of 2 miles from the Confines of Bosnia, 8 from the River Save to the North, 30 from Gradisk to the East, 120 from Buda to the South, 126 from Belgrade to the West, and 185 from Vienna to the South-east. It is indifferently strong, and contains about 1000 Houses within its Walls, but more especially remarkable for its Traffick, almost 400 Villages depending on its Jurisdiction. The circumjacent Country is extreamly fertil, and brings forth Fruits of an unusual size. The Turks made themselves Masters of this Town under Solyman the Magnificent about A. D. 1544. together with Walpo and Five Churches. But the Imperial Forces regain'd it on the 12 day of Octob. 1687. when the Bey or Turkish Governor at first made some shew of Resistance by discharging some Canons, but afterward deserted the place, whilst part of the Garrison retir'd to the Mountains, and the rest into different Holds on the Save. The Germans found there a great quantity of Ammunition and Provision, together with 5 Pieces of Ordinance.

GRADISCA or Gradisk, Gradisca, a strong Town, stands on the Banks of the River Save, toward the Frontiers of Croatia, about 30 miles from Posega, almost to the West. It was taken from the Turks by the Imperial Troops, under the Command of the Duke of Croy, A. D. 1691.

Brodt is a small Town, distant 15 miles from Posega to the South, and remarkable for a Victory there gain'd over the Turks by Prince Lewes of Baden, A. D. 1688.

ZAGRAB, Zagrabia, the Chief City of a County, so nam'd, and dignified with an Episcopal See, lying about a Musket Shot from the Banks of the River Save, and divided by a small Brook into two Parts; one of which more especially bears the Name of Zagrab, Zagram or Agram, and the other is commonly call'd das Capital, or the Chapter, by reason of the Bishop's Palace there built, and a fair Cathedral Church dedicated to S. Stephen, the first Christian King of Hungary. It is a place of great Strength and well Peopled, being distant 45 miles from Wihitz to the North, 15 from Gradisca to the West, and 11 from Cilly to the South-east.

Sisaken, mention'd by Pliny and Antoninus under the Name of Sisia, is seated on the Southern Bank of the Save, over-against Zagrab, and famous for the stout Resistance there made against the Turks, in the Year 1593. For hoping by the Conquest of these Territories to open a free Passage into the German Empire, they resolutely stormed this Town with a puissant Army, but were as gallantly received, and beat off by the Inhabitants, till some Dutch Regiments came to their Assistance; who slew above 8000 of the Enemies in the Field, whilst the greater Part of those that escaped the Slaughter were drowned in the River Save, where they were pursued by the Germans.

Petrowina is remarkable for its situation at the bottom of the Ridge of Hills that divide the County of Zagrabia from Hungary, and hath given good Proof of its Strength in opposing the Turkish Forces, A. D. 1596.