The Turkish Empire

Sources from old books

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

IN Asia, unto which we now are come, the Turkish Empire hath the first place. Mela in his first Booke maketh mention of the Turkes,* 1.1 and so doth Pliny, Lib. 6. Cap. 7. And it is not to bee doubted but that Nation which is now growne so great by our sloth and dissention was both named and originally descended from them. Postellus thinketh that the Hebrewes did call them Togarma. They doe call themselves Musulmanni, that is, the Circumcised, or as some doe interpret it, the Right Beleevers. But they will not be called Turkes, for they account that name very reprochfull, which in the Hebrew language signifies Banisht men, or as some doe interpret it, Spoilers or Wasters. The Empire of the Ottoman Family which is very large and potent, doth containe many Provinces and Countries of Europe,* 1.2 Affrick, and Asia. In Europe it extendeth and stretcheth it selfe neere the Sea shore of the Hadriatick Bay from the borders of Epidaurus, now called Ragusus, and so encompassing all the Aegean Sea, and also Propontis, and a great part of the Euxine Sea, it is bounderd with the Citty Theodosia, situate in the Taurican Chersonesus, which they now call Caffa; which space of ground containeth 8000. miles. In the Mediterranean parts it reacheth from Iavarinus a Towne of Hungary, which the Inhabitants call Rab, even to Constantinople, which is seated in the borders of Europe. In Affrick Turky doth containe all the Sea Coast from the Towne Bellis de Gomera, even to the Arabian Bay, or the red Sea, except some few places which are subject to the King of Spaine. It doth also extend it selfe very farre into Asia. The Country for the most part is fruitfull, and yeeldeth great store of Wheate,* 1.3 Barley, Oates, Rye, Beanes, Millet, and other kindes of Pulse. It hath abundance of Rice, Hempe, and Cotton. It hath also Vineyards. It yeeldeth also great store of Pompions, Mellons, Cowcumbers, Nuts, Apples, Peares, Pomegranats, Oranges, Chestnuts, Figges, Cherries, and other fruits; but not in every Kingdome. For there are some places, as in Cappadocia and Armenia the lesse, where none of these fruits doe grow, by reason of the intensive and excessive cold. It hath also veines of Gold, Silver, Iron, Brasse, and Allom. It doth breed divers kindes of living creatures, and great store of Cammels, Mules, and other Cattell. The Turkish Horses and Mastiffes are much esteem'd.* 1.4 The Turkish Empire began thus. Ottoman their first Emperour was a Tartarian, and a Souldier to the great Cham, a stout man, and strong of body. He leaving the Tartarians under the colour of some injury, began to lye in waight about the Mountaines of Cappadocia. At first he had but 40. Horsemen with him; but afterward many guilty persons, allor•d with the hope of booty and the consciousnesse of their wicked deeds, flocked unto him: by whose ayde and assistance he began to attempt openly, what he formerly intended, and so possessed himselfe of Cappid••ia, P•ontus, Bithyma, Pamphilia, and Cilecia, all rich Countries. This was done about the veere of our Lord 1300. After him succeeded his Sonne Or•hanes. He by the same Arts, but with greater strength of wealth and riches, preserved and enlarged the Empire which he had received from his Father, and made great use of the present opportunity, the Christians being at that time in dissention amongst themselves: whereby it came to passe that hee conquerd Mysia, Ly•a•ia, •hr•g••, and •aria, and also he besieged and tooke Nicaea: and enlarged his Kingdome even to the Hellespont. At that time the Palaeologie•s contended with Cae•a•uzens. But hee knowing before hand that if hee should savour him, hee should bee called into Eur•pe, he past it over, and sh•••d posterity a way how to vexe Europe. In his latter time hee was kill'd in a battaile against the Tartarians, after he had raigned 21. yeeres. After him succeeded his Sonne Amurath, who was cunning in simulation and disimulation, couragious, hardy, and not inferiour to hi• Ancestor• for Military affaires. He cunningly nourished those aforesaid dissentions betweene the Graecians, who being wearied and tyred with continuall warre, having hired Ships of the Genoa•s (behold the tr•• herousnesse and covetousnesse of men) did passe over our of Asia into Thrace, in the yeere 1363. he tooke Callipolis which is seated in the Che•sonesus, after which a great part of Thrace yeelded it selfe. Afterward he overcame Mysia, the Bessians, and Triballians. Afterward having taken Adrianopolis, and thinking to get •ervia and Bulgaria, he was stabbed with a dagger by Servius Servant to Lazarus the Lord of Servia whom he had tooke prisoner in the Warres. Hee left two Sons, Soliman and Bajazet. Bajazet after his Brother was slaine, obtaining the government, purposed to conquer & subdue all Thrace. He was a man of a sharp wit, and an aspiring mind, bold in attempting diligent in contriving▪ stout in suffering, acute and wise in foreseeing oportunities and occasions, and resolute in executing. Insomuch that having subdued all Thrace, he purposed to attempt Constantinople, but first he thought it good to possesse himself of Thessaly, Macedon, •h•cides, and Attica▪ and afterward the Prince of Bulgaria being slaine, hee subdued the Mysians (who are now called Servians) the •••rians who are called Bosnensians) & the Triballians (now Bulgarians.) And now having besieged Constantinople eight yeere, fearing the comming of the Hungarian and French Army, which the Emperor brought with him, he raiseth his Siege, and meetes with them at Nicopolis, where joyning battel with them, he got the victory, the most part of the French Captaines being either slaine or tooke Prisoners. Bajazet growing proud with this good successe, marcheth againe to Constantinople, and besieged it two yeeres together, so that the besieged were ready to yeeld, but that Tamerlaine the great Cham of the Tartars had purposed and resolved to waste all Asia with fire and sword, to race the Citties, and take all the pillage hee could get, and so being terrified with his approach he left the Citty, and so carryed his Army to the borders of Galatia and Bithynia, where they met and fought untill it was deepe in the night. But Bajazet being too weake, was overcome, and being taken Prisoner, he was bound with Golden Fetters, and so carryed in a Cage thorow Asia. And long afterward he dyed in Asia, after he had raigned 13. yeeres 6. moneths. He left these Sonnes, Calapinus, Moyses, Mahumet, and Mustapha. Calapinus dyed suddenly, whose Sonne Orchanes was murthered by his Uncle Moyses, and Moyses by his Brother Mahumet. This Mahumet overcame all Valachia, and Macedon, and carried the Turkish Colours even to the Jonian Sea: hee built himselfe a Palace at Adrianopolis, and after he had raigned 17. yeeres, he departed this life in the yeere of our Lord 1422. After him Amurath the second got the Empire. He being brought into Thrace by the ayde of the Genoas, in a Battell overcame his Uncle Mustephus, whom the Graecians did favour more. Hee raced and demolisht the ancient Citty of Thessalonica, which was then a faire Citty, pleasant, rich, and well seated, which the Venetians then held. And when he understood that the friendship of George Lord of Servia would bee much availeable unto him both to sett and establish his owne affaires, and to weaken the Christians, he sought by all meanes to win him to his side, and moreover he married his Daughter. And now being confident in his owne strength, hee besiegeth Belgrade. There were slaine at this Siege 7000. Turkes. After him there succeeded Mahumet the second. Hee having established his government by the murther of his Brother, tooke Constantinople in the yeere 1458. on the last day save one of May. Two yeeres afterward he marched to Belgrade, but there having lost many of his men, he departed from thence wounded. Afterward he possessed himselfe of Bulgaria, Dalmatia, and Croatia, with all Rassia. He tooke also Trapezuntes and Mytilenes, with some other Ilands of Aegean Sea. Hee tooke also Eubaea and Theodosia, now called Caphas. Hee governed the Empire 32. yeeres. Bajazet the second waged warre with the Venetians; and tooke from them Naupailum, Methona, and Dyrrachium. And having depopulated and wasted all Dalmatia, he dyed by poison. His Sonne Selymmus invaded the Empire. Who having tooke Alcair the strongest Citty of Aegypt, and the Sultane being slaine, he added all Alexandria and Aegypt to his Empire, and tooke Damascus. Solyman the onely Sonne of Selimus succeeded his Father, and tooke Belgrade the strongest Fortresse, and Bulwarke not onely of Hungary, but of all the Christian World. He tooke Rhodes, Strigonium▪ and •uda, and other Citties, and he besieged Vienna in Anstria, and at length dyed at Zygethus, in the yeere of his raigne 47. Selimus the second succeeded after him, who made a Truce with the Emperour Maximilian for 8. yeeres, and tooke Cyprus from the Venetians. He possest himselfe of Tunetum and Goleta, and dyed in the yeere 1575. After whom succeeded Amurath, and after him Mahumet the third, who began his raigne with the murther of his 18. Brethren. He hath 4. rich Citties in these Territories, Constantinople, Alcairum, Aleppo, Taurisum. Constantinople was heretofore called Bizantium, of which we have spoke in Thrace. For it excelleth all other Citties. The Turkes have a great care to build spacious Meschites or Temples, and Carbarsara or Hospitals, also Baths, Conduits, Bridges, High-waies, and other publike workes, which the Turkes doe build very faire. The Church of Sophia in Constantinople is the fairest of all the rest, which remaineth still, as Bellonius witnesseth, and doth farre exceed the Romane Pantheon, where all the gods were worshipped. I omit the Turkes royall Palace, and many ancient Monuments for brevity sake. The Ottoman government is Lordly. For the Turkish Emperour is so absolute a Lord within his owne Dominions, that the Inhabitants are his Slaves and Subjects: neither is any one Master of himselfe, much lesse Lord of the House which he dwelleth in, or of the Land which he tilleth, except some Families in the Citty of Constantinople, to whom Mahomet the second in reward of some service did grant that Priviledge.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome

TURKY in ASIA, or that which the Grand Signior doth possess in whole, or in part, in ASIA; wherein are several Regions, Countries, Isies, &c. may be considered as they lie

• Westernly, and towards EUROPE; as, ANATOLIA, or ASIA. MINOR, wherein are comprised several Provinces; all which are at present by the Grand Signior included under four Beglerbeglies, that is, Lord Lieutenants; to wit, those of
  • Anatolia, particularly so called,
    • Smyrna,
    • Ephesus,
    • Pergama,
    • Troya,
    • Burfia,
    • Comana,
    • Chaloedoine,
    • Scutari,
    • Sinopi,
    • Castele,
    • Angouri,
    • Sardis,
    • Philadelphia.
  • Caramania,
    • Archalich,
    • Side,
    • Nigdia,
    • Tarsus,
    • Satalia,
    • Antiochia:
  • Tocat,
    • Amasia,
    • Tocat,
    • Trebisonde,
    • Caisaria,
    • Caraisar,
    • Marast,
    • Arsingan,
    • Sukas.
  • Aladuli,
    • Vardar,
    • Adana,
    • Maaraz,
    • Manbeg.
• South-westernly; as, Divers ISLES, as they lie in the ARCHIPELAGO, MEDITERRANEAN, and AEGEAN Seas; the chief of which are,
  • Cyprus,
    • Nicosia,
    • Paphos,
    • Salamis,
    • Amathus,
    • Arsinoe,
    • Famagusta.
  • Rhodes, — Rhodes.
  • Metelin, of old, Lesbos,
    • Metelino,
    • Medina.
  • Samos, — Samo.
  • Tenedos, — Tenedos.
  • Scarpante, — Scarpante.
  • Lero, — Lero,
  • Negropont, — Colchis,
  • Coos, — Coos,
  • Lero, — Lero,
  • Pathmos, — Pathmos,
  • Scio, or Chios, — Scio,
  • Icaria, of old, Icarus, — Nicaria,
• Southernly, and regarding Arabia and the Mediterranean Sea; as, SOURIA, or SYRIA; with its parts of
  • Syria Propria,
    • Aleppo,
    • Aman,
    • Zeugma,
    • Antioch,
    • Samosat,
    • Hemz, or Emsa,
    • Hierapolis,
    • Alexandretetts.
  • Phoenicia,
    • Tripoli,
    • Sayd, or Sidon,
    • Tyre, or Sor,
    • Damascus,
    • Acre.
  • Palestine, formerly Judea, Canaan, or the Holy-Land,
    • Jerusalem,
    • Samaria,
    • Naplouse,
    • Gaza,
    • Joppa, or Jussa,
• Southernly, and towards Arabia Deserta; as, ASSYRIA, now DIARBECK; with its parts of
  • Chaldea, or Babylonia, now Yerack,
    • Bagded, or Babylon,
    • Balsera,
    • Cousa,
    • Orchoe,
    • Sipparum.
  • Mesopotamia, or the particular Diarbeck,
    • Orpha,
    • Caraemid,
    • Merdin,
    • Asanchif,
    • Carra,
    • Sumiscasack,
    • Virta.
  • Assyria, now Arzerum,
    • Mosul, of old, Ninive,
    • Schiarazur.
• Easternly, and regarding Persia; as, TURCOMANIA; with its parts of
  • Turoomans,
    • Erzerum,
    • Cars.
  • Curdes,
    • Schildir,
    • Bitlis.
  • Georgiens,
    • Derbent,
    • Tiflis.
• North-Easternly, and towards the Caspian Sea; as, GEORGIA; with its parts of
  • Avogasia, — St. Sophia,
  • Mingrelie,
    • Phazza,
    • Savatopoli.
  • Gurgista•,
    • Cori,
    • Bassachiuch.
  • Quiria,
    • Zitrach,
    • Stranu,
    • Chipicha.
• Northernly, and towards Moscovy; as, COMANIA,
  • Asof,
  • Maurolaco,
  • Serent.

Turky in Asia.

UNDER the name of TƲRKY in ASIA we understand not all which the Great Turk possesses, but only certain Regions which he alone possesses, or if there be any Estates intermixed, they are inconsiderable. And in this Turky we shall find Anatolia, which the Ancients called Asia Minor; the greater Souria, which the Ancients called Syria the Great; Turcomania, by the Ancients called Armenia the Great; then Diarbeck, which answers to Mesopotamia, and to divers parts of Assyria; and the Chaldea, or Babylonia of the Ancients.

ANATOLIA is that great Peninsula, which is washed on the North by the Black-Sea, Mare Major, or Euxine Sea; and on the South by that part of the Mediterranean which we call the Levant Sea; which extends Westward to the Archipelago or Aegean Sea, and thence to the Euphrates, which bounds it on the East.

The Ancients divided this Great Asia Minor into many lesser Regions; of which the principal are, viz. Pontus, Bithynia, Little Asia Minor; into Lycia, Galatia, Pamphilia, Cappadocia, Cilicia, Caria, Ionia, Aeolis, Lydia, Phrygia Major and Minor, Paphlagonia, Lycaonia, Pysidia, Armenia Minor, Mysia, the Isle of Rhodes, &c.

But at present the Turks do in general call this Great Asia Minor, Anatolia, which signifies Orient: That part of Anatolia, which is most exposed to the North, to wit, Pontus, Bithynia, Galatia, and Cappadocia, by the appellation of Rumla: The more Meridional parts they call Cottomandia, which are Lycia, Pamphilia, and Cilicia: The Little Asia Minor, which is on the Archipelago, hath no other name than that of Anatolia.

But all these Names are little known amongst them, much less those which are attributed to the lesser parts of Anatolia.* 1.2 The Turks divide it into four Beglerbeglies, which are as our Lord Lieutenancies; under which are 35 or 34 Sangiacats, which are as our particular Governments.

The Beglerbeglies are of Anatolia, of Caramania, of Toccat, and of Aladuli: The two first compose all the Western part of Anatolia; the two last all the Eastern part. The Beglerby of Anatolia, hath under him eleven or twelve Sangiacks. The Beglerby of Caramania hath only seven or eight; he of Toccat likewise seven or eight; and he of Aladuli, five or six.

The Cities where the Beglerbies keep their residence, are Cuitage or Cutage, formerly Cotyaeum, for him of Anatolia; Cogna, once Iconium; others put Caesaria, once Caesaria penes Anazarbum, for him of Caramania; Amasia, which keeps its ancient name; and sometimes Trebizonde, formerly Trapezus, for him of Toccat; and Maraz, for him of Aladuli. But to proceed to the Provinces of Anatolia.

PONTƲS is a Country of a large extent, and taketh up all the length of Anatolia, and was by the Romans anciently separated into four parts; viz. Polemoniacus, Pontus Galaticus, Pontus Cappadocius, and Metapontus, or Pontus especially so called.

POLEMONIACƲS hath for its chief places, Nixaria, formerly Neo-Caesarea, which is the Metropolis; Zela, enlarged by Pompey, and called Megalopolis, Barbanissa, and lastly Sebastia, so called in honour of Augustus, whom the Greeks called Sebastos; a place for strength very considerable, and contended against Tamerlane; which was no sooner taken by him, but (to satisfie his Revenge) he caused most cruelly to be buried alive in great Pits about 12000 Men, Women, and Children. Nigh to this City is Mount Stella, where Pompey gave Mithridates his fatal overthrow.* 1.4 This Mithridates was a great and eminent King of Pontus, who for 40 years withstood the Romans; not more excellent in War, than in Learning and Memory, who spake 22 several Languages, who invented that Counter-poyson, from him named Mithridate; who at last, by the Rebellion of his Son, and the Valour of L. Sylla, Lucullus and Pompey, was vanquished; where Pompey, upon a small Island at the entrace of the Euxine Sea, erected a Pillar, which at this day bears his name, and is by the Inhabitants shewed to Strangers, as a memorial of his Victories in these parts.

In this part of Pontus, on the rise and fall of the River Thermodon, and on the Banks thereof, the Amazons, a sort of Warlike-Women were here said to reside, so called, either because they used to cut off their right Breasts, which otherwise would be an impediment to their shooting, or because they used to live together. They were at first Scythians, and accompanied their Husbands to these parts, about the time of the Scythians first coming into Asia, in the time of Sesostris King of Egypt. These People held a great hand over the Themiscyrin, who inhabited this Region, and the Nations round about them, and at last by Treachery were murthered;* 1.5 but their Wives being grievously angred (as well through Grief and Fear, as Exile and Widdow-hood) set upon the Conquerors, under the conduct of Lempado and Marpesia; who not only overthrew them, but also much added to the largeness of their Dominions, and for a considerable time continued in great reputation. The Names of the chiefest of the Amazon Queens were, Lampedo, Marpesia, Ortera, Antiopa, and Peuthesilea, who with a Troop of gallant Virago's came to the Aid of Priamus King of Troy: who at last was slain by Pyrrhus, Son to Achilles. These Amazons, in matters of Copulation, used to go to their neighbouring Men thrice in a year; and if it happened that they brought forth Males, they sent them to their Fathers; but if Females, then they kept them, and brought them up in the Discipline of War and Courage.

• PONTƲS GALATICƲS is Eastward of Pontus; its chiefest Cities are, viz. 1. Amasia, remarkable for the Martyrdom of St. Theodorus, also being the Birth-place of Strabo the famous Geographer, and in these latter times for being the residence of the eldest Sons of the Grand Signior, fent hither as spon as circumcised, who are not to return till the death of their Father. It is a great City, about 4 days Journey from the Black-Sea. 2. Themiscyra, now Favagoria, seated on a large Plain near the Sea. 3. Diopolis, remarkable for the great Overthrow Lucullus gave to Mithridates. 4. Sinope, of note for being the Birth and Sepulchre of Mithridates. 5. Castamona, the chief City of the Isfendiars, which for strength and scituation, is by them preferred before Sinope.

• PONTƲS CAPADOCIƲS hath for its chief places, viz. 1. Ceras•s, from whence Cherries were first brought into Italy by Lucullus, after he had finished his War with Mithridates. 12. Pharnacia, built by Pharnaces a King of Pontus 3. Trebezond, the Metropolis of the Comneni, famous for the Trade of Fish, caught by the People on the Euxine-shoars, here salted, and then transported in great quantities to Constantinople, Cassa, and elsewhere. In this City did anciently reside the Deputies of the Grecian Emperours, for the security of the Out-parts against the Incursions of the Persians; and now is the place of such Gallies, as by the Grand Signior are appointed for the scouring and securing their Trade on the Coasts of the Euxine Sea.

• METAPONTƲS, whose chief places were, 1. Flaviopolu, so called in honour to Flavius Vespasianus. 2. Claudiopolis, in honour to Claudius, Emperour of Rome. 3. Juliopolis, in honour of the Julian Family; all which are Mid-land Towns. 4. Diospobis, of grent resort, on the Euxine Sea, so named from a Temple consecrated to Jupiter. 5. Heraclia, a Colony of the Phocians, remarkable for being the Seat of a Branch of the Imperial Family of the Comneni. But above all is Tocat, a good fair City, built at the foot of a very high Mountain, spreading it self round about a great Rock that is in the midst of the Town, on the top of which is seated a Castle, with a good Garrison. It is well inhabited by Armenians, Greeks, Jews, and Turks, who have the command thereof; its Houses are well built, but its Streets are narrow, and amongst its Mosques there is one very stately. Here the Christians have 12 Churches, hath an Archbishop, under whom are 7 Suffragans. Here are two Monasteries for Men, and two for Women; the greatest part of the Christians are Tradesmen, and generally Smiths: this is the only place in all Asia, where plenty of Saffron groweth. This City is one of the most remarkable Thoroughfares in the East, where are continually lodged the Caravans from Persia, Diarbeck, Constantinople, Smyrna, Synopus, and other places; and here the Caravans turn off as they are variously bound. Here are excellent Fruits and Wine, and Provisions are had at easie rates.

• BITHYNIA hath on the North the Euxine Sea; a place famoused for the Victory of Alexander against the Persians; then for Mount Stella, where Pompey overthrew Mithridates; and Tamberlain with 800000 Tartans, encountred Bajazet with 500000, where 20000 lost their lives, and Bajazet in the pride of his heart being taken, and penn'd up in an Iron-Cage, beat out his own Brains against the Bars. Its chief places are, 1. Nice,* 1.10 where the first General Council was held by the appointment of Constantine the Great, for the expelling of the Arian Heresie. 2. Chalsedon, where the 4th General Council was, to repel the Nestorian Heresie. 3. Scutari, opposite to the Haven of Constantinople, in which place the Persians received their Tribute from the other Cities of these Parts; and lastly, 4. Bursa, once the Seat of the Ottaman Kings in Asia, till they gained Adrianople in Europe, by Mahomet the First; now inhabited by Turks, Jews, and Greeks; by some accounted as fair, rich, and populous as Constantinople, and enjoys a great Trade. It is seated on the Foot of Mount Olympus for its defence, and is adorned with fair Mosques, and many Tombs of the Ottoman Princes.

• LYCIA hath for its Southern bounds the Mediterranean Sea, and is environed on 3 sides with the Mountain Taurus, which makes it very strong: It was formerly exceeding populous, containing about 60 Cities; the greatest part whereof remained in St. Pauls time, but now are reduced to ruins. The chiefest of which were, 1. Mira, the chief City of this Province. 2. Patera, adorned with a fair Haven, and Temples; one of which was dedicated to Apollo, having therein an Oracle, and for Wealth and Credit suitable to that at Delphos. 3. Telmesus, whose Inhabitants are famous for interpreting of Dreams.

• GALATIA is bounded on the East with Cappadocia. Towns of note; viz. 1. Augoura, seated on the River Sangar, 16 days Journey from Constantinople, famous for the Synod here held in the Primitive times, and is one of the greatest and richest places of this quarter, furnishing Turky with a great number of Chamlets and Mo-hairs. 2. Tavium, where there was a Brazen Statue of Jupiter, in whose Temple there was a priviledged Sanctuary. To this Province St. Paul did dedicate one of his Epistles.

• PAMPHYLIA hath for its Southern bounds the Mediterranean Sea. The principal Cities are, 1. Satalia, (founded by Ptolomy Philadelphus, King of Egypt,) is the strongest, and best for Traffick of all its Coasts, communicating its name to the neighbouring Gulph, called Golfo di Satalia, and to the most Oriental part of the Mediterranean Sea; famous for the rich Tapestries that are here made. 2. Side, famous in the time of the Gentiles for a Temple of Pallas. 3. Perge, renowned in Old time for the Temple of Diana, and for the Annual Feasts there held in honour of her; and yet more famous for St. Pauls Preaching here. 4. Aspendus, and Inland Town, strongly scituate, once the Metropolis of the Province, famous of old for its Musicians. These Provinces were converted to Christianity by the Apostles, St. Paul (who Journied through most Cities in these quarters,) St. Peter, and St. John, as doth appear by Holy Scripture. The Country for the most part is very Mountainous, which proceed from Mount Taurus, as branches thereof: Here are abundance of Goats, of whose Hair are made great quantities of Grograins and Chamlets, which for fineness are not inferiour to Silk, with which it serves other Countries, being its chief Commodity; but nearer the Sea it is more fruitful, being well watered and planted, more populous and pleasant.

• CAPPADOCIA hath for its chief places, 1. Mazaca, enlarged and beautified by Tiberius the Emperour; and in honour to Augustus Caesar, by him called Caesarea, being the Metropolitan City of Cappadocia, as also the Episcopal See of St. Basil. 2. Nyssa, the See of Gregory, Surnamed Nyssenus, and Brother to Basil. 3. Nazianzum, also the Episcopal See of another Gregory, Surnamed Nazianzenus, which 3 for their admirable abilities in all kind of Learning, and for their Piety, are not to be parallel'd. 4. Comana, remarkable of old for its Temple consecrated to Bellona, whose Priests, and other inferiour Officers of both Sexes, in the time of Strabo amounted to about 6000. 5. Erzirum, scituate in the Confines of Armenia Major, which is the Rendezvous for the Turkish Army, when they have any design against Persia; at which place they are likewise disbanded and sent home, being a Frontier Town. It is seated an the end of a large Plain, circled with Mountains; its Houses are not very well built, but hath several great Inns for entertainment of Passengers, as at Tocat; and it is observable, that Barly after 40 days, and Wheat after 60, is fit to cut: And, 6. Pterium, memorable for the great Battel fought between Croesus King of Lydia, and Cyrus of Persia; in which Croesus lost not only the Field, but also his Kingdom. The Country is very rich in Mines of Silver, Iron, Brass, and Alum; hath great plenty of Wine, and several sorts of Fruits; also Crystal, Jasper, and the Onyx-stone: But the greatest Wealth which they have is their Horses. The People of this Country were anciently very Vicious, and prone to all kinds of Wickedness; but since Christianity was received amongst them, their former Vices are now changed to Vertues.

• CILICIA hath on the South the Mediterranean Sea. Places of note here found are, viz. 1. Tarsis, pleasantly seated, famous for the Birth-place of St. Paul; 2. Anchiala, on the Sea-side; both which, with some others, were built in one day by Sardanapalus King of Assyria. 3. Epiphania, the Birth-place of George the Arian, Bishop of Alexandria. 4. Adena, seated in a fruitful Soil, abounding in Corn and Wine, defended by a strong Castle. 5. Alexandria, built by Alexander the Great; and to distinguish it from Alexandria in Egypt, was named Alexandretta, but now Scanderone; a famous Haven-Town, serving for the Scale to Aleppo, which is distant from it about 100 English miles, to which all Shipping, either out of the Ocean or Mediterranean, come to lade and unlade their Goods, which are hence transported by Camels to Aleppo; and here the English, French, and Venetians, have their Vice-Consuls to protect their Goods and Ships. 6. Amavarza, a City in the time of Strabo, of great antiquity. 7. Nicopolis, founded by Alexander in memory of his great Victory: And 8. Issus, seated on a large Bay, famous for the Battel here fought between Alexander (with an inconsiderable Army of Macedonians) and Darius, and his vast Army, which consisted of about 600000 Assyrians; whereof about 160000 of the Persians were slain, and about 40000 taken Prisoners; in which Battel, the Wives and Daughters of Darius were taken, Alexander not losing above 200 of his Men.

On the Right-hand of Cilicia is Isauria, which may bear the name of a Province: It is fruitful in Vines, and several sorts of Fruits, having a rich Soil. The chief Cities are, 1. Claudiopolis, into which Claudius the Emperour brought a Roman Colony: And, 2. Seleucia, founded by Seleucus.

• CARIA hath for its Southern bounds the Carpathian Sea. Its chief places are, 1. Miletus, not far from the Hill Latmus, the Birth-place of Thales, one of the 7 Wise-men of Greece; to this place St. Pauls called together the Bishops of Ephesus and other of the adjoyning Cities. 2. Mindus, which being but a small City, and its Gates so big, made Diogenes the Cynick to cry out, to have them shut their Gates, lest the City should run out at them. 3. Milasa, famous in old time for two Temples dedicated to Jupiter: And 4. Borgylia, where Diana also had a Temple.

In this Country is the Hill Latmus, which was the retiring place of Endymion, who by the study of Astronomy did there find out the Changes and Courses of the Moon, by the Poets feigned to be her Favourite; others there be who would have it, that in a Cave under this Hill Jupiter hid him, and casting him in a deep sleep, descended sometimes to kiss him.

• IONIA, bounded on the West with the Aegean Sea. Places of note in this Country are, 1. Ephesus, famous for many things; as, First, for being the Burial-place of St. John the Evangelist, who (as some say) went here alive into the Grave. Secondly, for the Temple of Diana, which for its Greatness, Furniture, and stately Workmanship, was accounted one of the Wonders of the World. Thirdly, for St. Pauls directing an Epistle to the Inhabitants thereof. Fourthly, for being the Episcopal See of Timothy the Evangelist, first Bishop hereof: And, Fifthly, for its Ecclesiastical Council here; but now much ruined from its ancient beauty, it being now reduced to a small Village. 2. Smyrna, which is now the only City of Trade in these parts; famous for being one of the 7 Churches of Asia, to which St. John dedicated his Revelation, being one of those 7 Cities that strove for the Birth of Homer, where (in a Cave hard by) he is said to have writ his Poems: But now violated by the Mahometans, her Beauty is turned into Deformity, her Religion into Impiety, and her knowledge into Barbarism. This City is seated on the bottom of a Bay or Gulph, called the Gulph of Smyrna, where the English, French, and Venetians keep Consuls to protect their Merchants, and keep up their Trade, it being under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Signior. 3. Colophon, another of those Cities which strove for the Birth of Homer: Here the People are so well skill'd in Horsemanship, that whose side soever they took in War, were sure to gain the Victory. 4. Erythra, the habitation of one of the Sibyls, from whence called Sibylla Erythraea. 5. Ipsus, remarkable for the great Battel betwixt Antigonus and Seleucus, two of Alexanders chief Commanders, wherein Antigonns lost both the day, and his life. 6. Lebedus, of note in ancient times for those Plays here yearly held in honour to Bacchus. 7. Priene, the Birth-place of Bias, one of the 7 Wise-men of Greece: And, 8. Clazomene, seated on a small Ilet near the shoar, beautified with a Temple dedicated to Apollo.

• AEOLIS, North of Ionia, hath for its chief places, 1. Cuma, the habitation of Sibylla, Surnamed Cumana. 2. Elaea, on the Mouth of Caicus, being the Port-Town to Pergamus. 3. Myrina, which in honour to Augustus is called Sebastopolis. 4. Pitane, not far from the Aegean Sea; and here they had an art in making Bricks that would swim above water.

• LYDIA: Its chief Cities are, 1. Sardis, in which was one of the 7 Churches in Asia, being the Royal Seat of Croesus, and the Kings of Lydia, until it was subdued by the Persians: and, 2. Philadelphia, on the Banks of the River Caystrus. Its People are said to be the first Inventers of Dice, Chess, and other such Games; as also the first Hucksters, Pedlers, and the first Coyners of Mony. The Country by reason of the great plenty of gallant Rivers renders it very fruitful and pleasant, being enriched with Mines of Gold and Silver, as also precious Stones.

• PHRYGIA MAJOR, bounded on the East with Galatia. The chief places are, 1. Gordion, the Seat of Gordius, which from the Plough-tail was taken and chosen King of this Kingdom, who tied such a Knot, (called the Gordian-knot) which Alexander the Great cut in pieces, when he could not unty it. 2. Midium, the Seat of Midas, Son to this Gordius; who covetously petitioned Bacchus, that whatsoever he touched should be turned into Gold; which was granted, but soon was forced to lose the benefit of it, else he would have been starved, his Victuals turning into Gold: and falling into a second oversight in Judgment, in preferring Pan's Pipe before Apollo's Harp, he for his small Judgment in Musick, was rewarded with a comly pair of Asses-ears.

3. Colossi, to whom St. Paul writ one of his Epistles. 4. Pesinus, where the goddess Cybele was worshipped, being called Dea Pesinuncia. This City is placed in the Borders of Galatia. The Country is very rich, pleasant, and well watered with Rivers, the People being anciently more Superstitious than in any other place of Asia, as is manifest by the Rites used in their Sacrifices of Cybele, and other of their goddesses, being accounted such as use Divination. They are a People which much delight in Effeminacy. Here Reigned Tantalus, who wanting wisdom to make use of his great Riches, is by the Poets feigned to stand in Hell up to the chin in water, under a Tree whose Fruit doth touch his Lips, but yet cannot reach them.

• PHRYGIA MINOR, bounded on the South with the Aegean Sea. Places of most note, viz. 1. Dardanum, or Dardania, being the Town and Patrimony of Aeneas. 2. Troy, seated on the Banks of the River Scamander, famous for having sustained a Ten years Siege against the Greeks; in which time the Trojans lost 860000 Men, and the Grecians 666000 Men, being then so famous a City, that it might be counted the glory of the East, from whence all Nations desire to derive their beginning; but now remaining nothing but Ruins. Four miles from which there was another City, built by Lysimachus, one of Alexanders Captains, which from other Cities there adjoyning was peopled; by him called Alexandria, or Troas Alexandria, or New Troy, in honour of Alexander the Great, who begun the Work, which though not so great, rich, and famous as the first, yet was the Metropolis of the Province; but now by the Turks quite ruinated, by their carrying the Stones and Pillars to Constantinople, for the beautifying of their Bashaws Houses. 3. Sigaeum, the Port-Town to Troy. 4. Assus, called by Pliny, Apollonia, in which place the Earth will consume the Bodies of the Dead in 40 days. 5. Lyrnessus, opposite to the Isle of Lesbos, destroyed by Achilles and the Greeks in the beginning of the Trojan War.

• PAPHLAGONIA hath for its chief Cities, 1. Gangra, remarkable for a Council there held in the Primitive times, called Synodus Gangrensis. 2. Pompeiopolis, so called by Pompey the Great: And, 3. Coniata, or Conica, fortified by Mithridates, when he was Master of this Country.

• LYCAONIA, bounded on the East with Armenia Minor. The most eminent places in this Country are, 1. Iconium (now Cogni) the Regal Seat of the Aladine Kings; a place of great strength, whose scituation is in the Mountains, advantagious for defence and safety. 2. Lystra, famous for the Birth-place of Timothy, and where Paul and Barnabas having healed a Cripple, were adored for Mercury and Jupiter: And, 3. Derbe, where the said Apostle preached.

• PISIDIA hath for its chief places, 1. Seleucia, built by Seleucus. 2. Sagalassa, scituate in the most fruitful part of this Country. 3. Selge, a Colony of the Lacedemonians: And, 4. Termessus, strongly seated. This Country was famous for the Battel fought betwixt Cyrus and Artaxerxes; where Cyrus lost his life, and the Victory; out of which Xenophon made that notable Retreat with his Grecians, in the despight of 20000 Men, which pursued him.

• ARMENIA MINOR is bounded on the East with the Euphrates, which separates it from Armenia Major. Cities of hote, viz. 1. Meteline, the Metropolitan City, now called Suur, abounding in great quantities of Wine and Oil. 2. Nicopolis, built by Pompey in remembrance of a Victory he there obtained against the Forces of Tygranes, King of Syrid. 3. Garnasa, a strong Town. 4. Oromandus; and, 5. Arabyssus, remarkable for the exile of St. Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople, confined here by the malice of the Empress Eudoxia. This Country, as to its fertility, pleasantness, &c. is the same as Cappadocia afore-mentioned.

• MYSIA hath for its chief places, 1. Cyzicus, seated in the Propontis, in an Island of the same name, but so near the Continent, that it is joyned to it by two Bridges. The Metropolis of the Consular Hellespont, a place of great strength and beauty, whose Walls, Bulwarks, Towers, and Haven, were made of Marble. 3. Adramyttium where Paul took Shipping to go to Rome:

And, 4. Pergamus, seated in a goodly Plain, on the Banks of the River Caicus; a place of great strength, beautified with a Library of about 200000 Volumes or Manuscripts, all writ in Parchment; famous also for those costly Hangings known to us by Tapestry. Here was one of the 7 Churches of Asia, to which St. John writ his Revelation; and lastly, famous for the Birth-place of Galen, the eminent Physician, who lived to the Age of 140 years in good health.

• The Mountains and Rivers in Anatolia may have somewhat in particular observed of them. Mount Taurus begins between Lysia and Caria, and extends it self all the length of Asia, being a continual Ridge of Hills, running through Asia from West to East; which for its length, height, and the branches it casts forth on one side and the other, the greatest and most famous Mountain in the World. On Mount Ida, the Trojan Paris judged of the Beauty of Juno, Pallas, and Venus, and giving the Golden Apple to the last, drew on himself and his Friends the enmity of the other two. On the Mountain Tmole in Lydia, Midas, having esteemed Pan's Pipe to be more pleasant than the Harp of Apollo, was by him pulled by the Ears, not to make them greater, but so hard as gave occasion to the Poets to jeer him, and say, that he had Asses Ears. This Mountain is very fruitful, especially in Vines and Saffron. On Cragus was feigned to be the Monster Chimera, which Bellerophon made tractable. On Latmus in Caria passed the Loves of the Moon, and Endymion, &c.

Amongst the Rivers, Pactolus hath rouled down so much Gold in its Streams, since Midas washed there, that the Riches of Croesus, and others, are come from thence. The Granick was witness of the Victory of Alexander the Great, against the Satrapes of Darius; but Alexander washing himself in the cold waters of Cidnus, had near lost his life. The River Acheron, and the Lake Acherusia, near Heraclia in Bithynia, are esteemed to reach to Hell; and that this way Hercules brought up the Villain Cerberus. Halys (at present Lali) served for the bounds and limits between the Kingdom of Croesus and the Empire of the Persians; but it proved fatal to Croesus, &c.

• There are many other things observable about, and within the lesser Asia. The Bosphorus of Thrace, or Channel of the Black-Sea, or Streight of Constantinople, is so narrow, that Darius Hystaspes built a Bridge over it, and passed with his Troops over it from Asia into Europe, to make War against the Scythians. Xerxes, the Son of Darius, did as much over the Hellespont or Streight of Gallipoli, or the Dardanelles, which we call the Castles of Sestos and Abydos, which are seated three Leagues above the entrance, and at the narrowest place of the Hellespont, opposite each to other: Formerly famous for the unfortunate Loves of Hero and Leander, drowned in the merciless Surges. Here also Xerxes, whose populous Army drank Rivers dry, and made Mountains circumnavigable, is said to have passed over into Greece on a Bridge of Boats. Sestos is strongly seated on the side of a Mountain, descending to the Sea on the European shoar; Abydos, on a low Level on the Asian shoar. The Amaniden Streights, or Passes of Mount Aman, between Cilicia and Syria, are easie to keep; the Way for about 2500 Paces, being between Rocks and Crags; the Feet of which are washed with many streams which fall off from the Mountains. Here it was that Alexander the Great vanquished Darius.

The ISLANDS about ASIA MINOR.

THe ISLANDS about ASIA MINOR have been very remarkable to Antiquity, though not so at present: They are almost in the Archipelago; some in the Mediterranean Sea, almost none in the Black Sea; yet at the entrance into that Sea, and near the Bosphorus of Thrace, are The two Islands called CYANEES, so near the one to the other, that the Ancients would make us believe they joyned. METELIN, of old LESBOS, famous for the City Meteline, which for its greatness and excellency of its Wines, gives name to the Island. In this place was born Sappho, the Inventress of the Sapphick Verse: Pittacus one of the Sages of Greece; and Arion, the Dolphin Harper.* 1.33SCIO, or CHIOS, distant from the Ionian shoar four Leagues, being in compass about 126 miles; remarkable for the Church of its Convent of Niomene, one of the fairest in the World. It affordeth excellent Fruits in great plenty, but of most note for its Mastick, not found elsewhere; it is now under the power of the Grand Signior.* ICARIA, now called Niceria, in compass 12 Leagues; here Icarus suffered Shipwreck; abounding in Corn and Pasturage.* PATHMOS, in compass about ten Leagues; Mountainous, but reasonably fruitful, especially in Grain. Here it was that St. John being banished by Domitian, writ his Revelation to the Churches of Asia. PARMACƲSA, near Miletum, where Caesar was taken by them. CLAROS or CASAMO, about 13 Leagues in compass, very Mountainous, but hath good Harbours; in former times sacred to Apollo; abounding in great plenty of Aloes, where they are gathered and transported to other Countries. LERO, noted also for Aloes. COOS, seated in the bottom of the Aegean Sea, furnished with sweet and pleasant Streams, which refresh this Island, and makes it very fruitful; it is in compass 23 Leagues, having its chief place so called, fortified with a strong Tower, now a Garrison of the Turks. This Island is remarkable for being the Birthplace of so many famous men, especially Hippocrates, the Revivor of Physick, when almost decayed, unto the ancient practice of Aesculapius, unto whom this Island was consecrated, having therein a Temple, made rich with the Offerings of those that had been sick, whose Cures were there Registred; and Apelles the famous Painter. Scarpante, stored with the best Coral in the World. NICOSIA, which was the Seat of the Kings of the Family of Lufigua, and the See of an Archbishop, and Peopled with 40000 Families. FARMACƲSA, scituate on the Sea, much stronger than Nicosia. BAPHO, of old Baphus, famous for its Temple, dedicated to Venus. Mount Olympus, now St. Michaels Mount, stands in the middle of this Island. NEGRO-PONTE, where the Sea ebbs and flows seven times a day; which because Aristotle could not unriddle, he here drowned himself; the chief City is Colchis SAMOS, about 30 Leagues in compass, strongly seated almost on all sides with Rocks, having a fair Haven, fertil in Fruits, especially in Oil and Olives; the Island much infected with Pirates. This is the only place in the World for Spunges, under whose Rocks they grow in the Sea; for the getting of which they have People which from their Infancy are bred up with dry Bisket, and other extenuating diet, to make them lean; then taking a Spunge wet in Oil, they hold it part in their Mouths and part without, and so they dive down into the Sea to get it; those that have been used to this trade, can abide under water almost an hour together. TENEDOS, scituate at the Mouth of the Hellespont, opposite to Troy, remarkable for the concealing the Grecian Navy, which proved the final destruction of Troy. RHODES, scituate in the Carpathian or Rhodian Sea, being in compass 46 Leagues; a place of great strength, its Soil fertil, its Air temperate, plentiful in all things, as well for delight as profit, full of excellent Pastures, adorned with pleasant Trees, whose Leaves are alb the year long in their verdure. In this Island the Sun is so powerful and constant, as it was anciently dedicated to Phoebus. This Island, as Sandys in his Book of Travels noteth, was held Sacred to the Sun, to whom they erected that vast Colossus of Brass, which may well be accounted one of the Seven Wonders of the World: He saith, this Colossus was in height 70 Cubits; every Finger as big as an ordinary Statue, and the Thumb too great to be fathomed. It was 12 years a making, the bigness was such, that being erected at the entrance of the Port, Ships past between its Legs; but in 66 years, by an Earthquake it was thrown down and broken in pieces: And besides the Mass of Stones contained therein, 900 Camels were laden with the Brass, which was used about it. This City bearing the name of the Island, is seated 4 miles from the ancient City, famous of old for their Government, their expert Navigations, and since for the abode of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, now in the hands of the Turk. This City and Island of Rhodes, as indeed Tenedos, Samos, and the rest of the Isles in this Sea, are of little or no Trade; yet they are found to produce several good Commodities: And, CYPRƲS, which amongst all is the greatest, being in circuit about 183 Leagues distant from the Cilician shoar, about 20 Leagues it stretcheth it self from East to West, in form of a Fleece, and thrusting forth a great many Promontories. This Island, during the Empire of the Persians and Macedonians, was accounted for Nine Kingdoms, most of them bearing the names of their principal Towns; but by Prolomy divided into these 4 Provinces, viz. 1. Lapethia, 2. Paphia, 3. Salamine, and 4. Amathusia. Places of most note are, 1. Nicosia, the Metropolis of the Island, being a walled City, in form round, five miles in compass, adorned with stately Buildings, resembling some Cities in Florence, as well for its beauty and pleasant scituation, as for its plentifulness in People. 2. Tremitas, the Birth-place of Spiridon, a famous Bishop of the Primitive times. 3. Paphos, seated near the Sea, built by Paphos, Son of Pygmalion, King of Phoenicia and Cyprus, where stands Pygmalions Statue; which (as the Poets feign) was by the power of Venus turned into a Woman; where she had her so much celebrated Temple, and where her Votaries of both Sexes in their natural nakedness, did perform her Sacrifices. 4. Salamis, once the Metropolitan City in the Island, but now turned to Ruins; in which there was a famous Temple consecrated unto Jupiter. 5. Aphrodisium, so named from Venus, where she had another Temple. 6. Famagusta, though but small, yet one of the chiefest in this Island, strongly seated. 7. Arsinoe, famous for the Groves of Jupiter. 8. Amathus, renowned for the Annual Sacrifices made unto Adonis, the darling of Venus, where she had another Temple. 9. Episcopia, where Apollo had both a Temple and a Grove. This Temple was held so Sacred, that those which touched it were thrown into the Sea.

• This Island is seated under the Fourth Climate, which makes the longest day to be but 14 hours and a half. It is exceeding rich and fertil, abounding in Corn, Wine, Oil, Silks, Cotton, Turpentine, Wool, Hony, Salt, Verdigreace, Alum, Storax, Colloquintida, Laudanum: All sorts of Metals, &c.

To this Isle, as to all other parts of Turky, no English are suffered to Trade, except those of the Company of Levant Merchants; where they have a Factory, and a Consul, who is generally elected by the said Levant Company, and established by the Ambassador. The People are very civil to Strangers, delighting in Hospitality, also addicting themselves to War, being strong and active; and the Women were in former times given to unchastity, by reason of their so great adoration of their goddess Venus, it being the custom of these Women to prostitute themselves on the Shoars to Passers by; where their Virgins would do the same. But upon their receiving of Christianity, by the Preachings of St. Paul and Barnabas, being the Birth-place of the latter, this (with other of their uncivil and barbarous Customs) were laid aside.

This ANATOLIA, or ASIA MINOR, which I have hitherto treated of, is seated (for the most part) all in a healthful and temperate Air, the Soil being generally fruitful, once very populous, and replenished with many fair and goodly Cities, now lamenting the loss of about 4000, some of which by Earthquakes, but most by the Wars the Turks brought against them. The Commodities or Merchandizes which it abounds with, and communicates to other Nations, are chiefly excellent Wines, Goats-hair, Camels-hair, Grograin Yarn, Silk, Cotton Wool, Cotton Yarn, Cloth of a course make, Coral, Gauls, though not so good as those of Syria, Grograins, Chamlets, Mohairs, Turky-Carpets, Spunges, Turpentine the best in the World; Mastick, with some other Commodities of less note which the English, French, Venetians, and Dutch fetch from hence; but chiefly from Smyrna, it being the chief Town of Trade, being a flourishing Factory, where those Nations (as hath been said before) keep their Consuls.

SOƲRIA, or SYRIA.

• SOƲRIA, formerly SYRIA the Great, and at present Soristan with the Eastern People, is near hand that which the Romans called their Diocess of the East, as may seem by our now calling it the Levant. It extends from the Mediterranean Sea, which washes its Western Coast, to the Euphrates, which on the East divides it from Diarbeck; and from Mount Aman, or Monte-Negro, which bounds it on the North, and separates it from Cilicia unto Arabia and Egypt, which border on its Southern parts.

The Ancients have divided it into three principal Parts: the particular Syria, called Syria Propria, which (as the greatest and best) held the name of all Phoenicia, and Judaea or Palestine: This last stretcheth more towards the South,* 1.55Syria towards the North, and Phoenicia remaineth in the middle; and all are along the Mediterranean Sea, from Anatolia into Egypt; the particular Syria alone touches the Euphrates, the rest upon Arabia. At present the Turks divide all Syria into two Beglerbeglies, Aleppo, and Damascus; some make a third of Tripoli of Syria: and give to this last five Sangiacats, nine or ten to Damascus, and seven to Aleppo; which in all are 16 or 20 Sangiacats, whose Names and Scituations are for the most part unknown; we will content our selves to speak something of the Cities, which have been, or which yet are, the principal of all these Quarters, beginning with those of Syria.

SYRIA PROPRIA.

• SYRIA PROPRIA is bounded on the East with the River Euphrates, and on the West with the Mediterranean Sea. It is very fertil, affording plenty of excellent Fruits, Cotton-Wool, Sheep, which have Tails that weigh about 30 pounds, with several other good Commodities. The People were formerly very industrious, but much addicted to Gluttony, as did appear by their often and great Feasting; they were subtle in their dealings, much given to Superstition, being worshippers of the goddess Fortune, and other of their Syrian goddesses, much addicted to Plays and Pastimes, and given to Scoffing and Laughter.* 1.57 The chief Places in this Country are, 1. Antioch, or Antiochia, once the Metropolis of Syria, once so fair, that it held the third or fourth degree amongst the best Cities of the Roman Empire. Its Walls are yet standing, and the most beautiful that Eye ever beheld; within it is nothing but Ruins. Its scituation is on the River Orontes, so called; at present Assi, or Haser, four Leagues from the Mediterranean shoar; a place of great strength, having for its Fortification an enchosure of two strong Walls, on which for their further defence were erected about 460 Towers, together with a strong Castle. The City before its Ruins being adorned with stately Palaces, Temples, &c. fit for so great a City, being formerly the Seat of some of the Roman Emperours, and of the chief Officers of their Empire in the Orient. It was the first Seat of a Patriarch, that St. Peter established, and which held in the Infancy of the Church, 1. The Diocesses of Thrace, Asia, Pontus, and the East. 2. Daphne, about five miles from Antioch, so named from Daphne, one of the Mistresses of Apollo, who was here worshipped, famous for having here his Oracle and Grove, which was about 10 miles in compass, all encompassed with Cypresses and other Trees, so tall and close together, that the Beams of the Sun could not dart through, though in his greatest power; watered with pleasant Streams, beautified with Fountains, and enriched with abundance of Trees, which yield variety of excellent Fruits, as well for tast as tincture; for its Temples dedicated to Apollo; for its Sanctuary or Asyle, and for the place where Daphne was changed into a Laurel, that it hath been compared with the Valley of Tempe in Thessaly. 3. Aleppo, built upon four Hills, at present is the greatest and principal Town of all Syria, and one of the most famous of the East, being the ancient Hierapolis, having large Suburbs, which are for the most part taken up by Christians. It is seated between the Euphrates and the Mediterranean Sea, and in that place where that Sea and the Euphrates make the nearest conjunction, which makes it capable of the best and greatest commerce of the World, to wit, of all the Levant, with the West, by the passage of the Gulph of Ormus and Balsora, which brings Commodities up the Euphrates, just against the City of Aleppo; from whence the Caravans bring them by Land to Aleppo, and carry them from thence to Alexandretta or Scanderoon, scituate on the Mediterranean Sea; and thence into the parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, which border upon the Mediterranean, and farther into that Ocean. This City is the ordinary residence of a Turkish Bassa, who commands all the Country from Alexandretta to the Euphrates. 4. Aman, or Ama, seated between Tripoli and Aleppo, in the midst of a great Plain, encompassed on all sides with very pleasant Hills, abounding in Grains, Wines, with abundance of Orchards, stored with varieties of Fruits and Palm-Trees. It is almost encompassed with the River Orontes, and with a great Lake; the Gardens are watered with many Channels, drawn from the Rivers; there are very excellent Pastures, so that Seleucus Nicanor there fed 500 Elephants, 30000 Horses, and a great part of his Militia. And to this day this City is the best peopled of all Syria, next to Aleppo and Damascus. 5. Emsa, or Hemz, seated in the spacious and fruitful Plain of Apamene, watered with many pleasant Streams, which, for its Scituation, is almost the same with that of Aman; and because the Arabes call it Hamsi, and that name comes somewhat near to Hus, some Authors will have it to be the Country of the Patient Job. 6. Aradus, seated in a Rocky Island of a mile in compass, just opposite to the Mouth of the River Eleutherus, which from the Continent is distant not above a League. 7. Seleucus, so called from him, as being the Founder of it, who was esteemed the greatest Builder in the World, founding 9 Cities of this Name, 16 in memory of his Father Antiochus, six bearing the name of his Mother Laodice, and three in remembrance of his first Wife Apamia; besides several others worthy of note in Greece and Asia, either repaired, beautified, or built by him. 8. Laodicea, built by Seleucus (as aforesaid) abounding in excellent Wine, and choice Fruits. 9. Larissa, now Laris, seated four Leagues Southwards of Laodicea, much noted in the Stories of the Holy Wars. 10. Hierapolis, a City of great note in Ancient times for their Idolatry, in adoring and worshipping the Syrian goddess. The Temple was built by Stratonice, wife to Seleucus, in the midst of the City, encompassed with a double Wall about 300 Fathom in height, the Roof thereof in-laid with Gold, and built with such sweet Wood, that the Cloaths of those which came thither were as it were perfumed, Without the Temple were places for the keeping of their Oxen, and other of their Beasts for Sacrifice; as also a Lake of about 200 Fathom in depth, for the preservation of their sacred Fishes. The Priests, besides other subservient Ministers, which here attended, were about 300 in number. 11. Zeugma, seated on the Banks of the Euphrates. Here it was that Alexander the Great, with his Army, passed over on a Bridge of Boats. 12. Heraclea, nigh to which Minerva had a Temple, where, for a Sacrifice, they used once a year to offer a Virgin, which afterwards was changed to a Hart. 13. Samosat, seated near the Banks of the Euphrates, over which the was a Bridge which served for a passage to Mesopotamia. In this City was born Paulus Samosatenus, Patriarch of Antioch, who, for his teaching that our Saviour was not the Son of God, was (in a Council here held) condemned of Heresie. 14. Palmyre, at present Faid, seated in a Desart and Sandy Plain, was built by Solomon in the Wilderness, where one their Kings Odenat, and his wife Zenobia, have been well known for their Victories, divers times gained against the Parthians; and for endeavouring to gain the Empire of the East. 15. Resapha, a Town of great note in the Holy Scripture: And, 16. Adida, memorable for the Victory that Aretas, K. of Arabia, obtained against Alexander, K. of Jewry.

PHOENICIA.

• PHOENICIA hath for its Eastern and Southern Bounds, Palestine; for its Western, the Mediterranean Sea; and for its Northern, Syria Propria. This Country was adorned with several great and beautiful Cities, though of no great extent: For the most part seated on the Sea-shoar, which makes it much frequented by Merchants, there being several good Commodities found therein, as Corn, Oil, Hony, excellent Balm, &c. The People were here held to be very ingenious and active. Places, of most note are, 1. Tyre, at present Sor or Sour, seated in a Plain so advantagious, (that is, on a Rock almost quite encompassed with the Sea) that it oft disputed the Priority with Sidon, and in the end gained it. Nebuchadonozor ruined it after a Siege of 14 years; then Alexander the Great, after a Siege of 7 or 8 months. It was many times restored to its power and splendor, by means of its Purple, and of its Trade: and when it was in its glory, it might be said, That if only its scituation were considered, it was a Fortress; if its Traffick, a Mart; if its Magnificence, a Royal-Court; and if its Riches, the Treasure of the Universe. The Cities of Carthage, Ʋtica, Leptis, and others in Africa, and of Cadiz in Spain, without the Streights were its Colonies. And some have adventured to say, America was peopled by them. Its Haven is likewise the best of all Phoenicia, and the Levant. 2. Sidon, at present Sayd, and sometimes Sayette, hath been much esteemed in the Ancientest of times: It was built, or at least took its name from Sidon, the eldest Son of the Children of Canaan, scituate upon a Rock along the Coast of the Sea, and with a fair Port. The Neighbouring Champain is very fertil, and watered with divers Streams which descend from Libanus, with which they watered and enriched their pleasant Orchards. It hath been very famous for Arts and Sciences, and particularly for being the first Authors of Arithmetick and Astronomy; The first Inventers of Letters; the first Navigators and Builders of Ships; the first Inventers of Glasses; and the first that exercised Arms. From hence it was that Solomon and Zorobabel had their principal Workmen, both for Stone and Timber, which were employed in the building of the Temple. It hath Peopled divers Colonies; among others, Thebes in Boeotia. The Persians were the first that ruin'd it, after them others, and at last the Turks; who at present are Masters of it, as also of Tyre. The present Sidon is built somewhat West of the Old; but of small note in respect to the splendor of the Old, yet still hath some Trade. The chief Commodities being Corn, Galls, Wools, Cottons, Cotton-Yarn, white Silk, and Wax. 3. Damascus, called by those of the Country Scham; seated in a very fruitful Plain, and begirt about with curious and odoriferous Gardens and Orchards, which abound in all sorts of pleasant and delightful Fruits: watered with the River Chrysorrhous, which sendeth forth many Rivulets; by which the whole City is so well furnished, that not only most Houses have their Fountains; but also their Gardens and Orchards receive the benefit of the cool Streams, which gently glide through them: The whole Country round about being enriched with plenty of excellent Vines, which beareth Grapes all the year long; as also great plenty of Wheat. A place so surfeiting of Delights, that the vile Impostor Mahomet would never enter into it, lest by the ravishing Pleasures of this place, he should forget the business he was sent about, and make this his Paradise. This City is famous, first, for her Founders, who were Abrahams Servants; next for the Temple of Zacharias, which was garnished with 40 stately Porches, and adorned with about 9000 Lanthorns of Gold and Silver, and last of all, for the Conversion of St. Paul, who here first preached the Gospel; for which he was forced to make his escape out of the House, being let down the Walls in a Basket. Josephus believeth that it was built by Ʋs, the Son of Abraham, Grandchild to Noah: However it were, after Type and Sidon began to decay, this began to be in some repute, and hath been esteemed the chief City of Phoenicia, and sometimes of all Syria. It is beyond Mount Libanus, in respect to Tyre and Sidon; seated in a Soll so fertil and delightful, by reason of the Rivers and Fountains, that in Holy Scripture it is called a famous City, a City of Joy, a House of Delight and Pleasure; and some Authors call it the Paradise of the World. Yet hath it felt very great changes, as well as Tyre and Sidon: It hath been taken, retaken, ruined, and re-established divers times, by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Parthians, Saracens, Tartars, by the Soldans of Egypt, and in fine, by the Turks, in whose hands it is at present, very flourishing and rich. The Houses of private persons are not so fair without as within; the publick Buildings are very beautiful; the Castle is in the middle of the City, built by a Florentine. 4. Serepta, seated on the Sea Coast betwixt Tyre and Sidon, memorable in Holy Scripture for the Prophet Elijah, in raising from death the poor Widows Son. Here is found excellent Wines, accounted as good as those of Grece. 5. Acre, of old Acon, and Ptolemais, is bounded with the Sea on two sides; the third is joyned to a Plain of the Continent. The City is very strong, being walled with a double Wall, fortified throughout on the out-side with Towers and Bulwarks, and in the middle of the City a strong Castle, on the top of which there was every Night set Lights, which served to direct Ships at Sea to their Port. The Plain is fertil and well watered with Streams, which descend from the Neighbouring Mountains. The Christians took, lost, and retook this place divers times, when they made War into the Holy Land; in which, none more famous than Richard the First, and Edward the First, both Kings of England. The same did likewise the Saracens; the Soldans of Egypt ruined it, and after re-built it; and at present it remains in the hands of the Turks. 6. Tripoli of Syria, (for distinction from Tripoli of Barbary) seated in a rich Plain, is at this day by some esteemed the Metropolis of Phoenicia, thought it hath three times more Ruins than whole Houses; and seated about two miles from the Sea, but not above half a mile from its Haven, which formerly served for a Port to Aleppo, but since removed to Alexandretta or Scanderone: But yet a place of some small Trade, affording Corn, Cotton-Wool, Yarn, Silk, some Drugs, Pot-Ashes, and other Commodities. The Buildings are generally low, and the Streets narrow, excepting those which lead towards Aleppo, which are fair and broad; having many pleasant Gardens, which are watered with delightful Streams, in which Gardens they keep great quantities of Silk-Worms. The Soil is excellent good, if it were well tilled; but the Air is unhealthful. 7. Biblus, now Gibbeleth, was the habitation of Ciniras, the Father of Myrrha, Mother to the fair Adonis; from whence the neighbouring River took its name, remarkable in the infancy of Christianity, for being the See of a Bishop; but now by the Turks made desolate. And, 8. Barutt, or Beryte, a place formerly of great Trade, but now of great concourse, and much frequented by Merchants, and others; it being the Road for all those Caravans that travel from Aleppo, Damascus, and Jerusalem; to Cairo, and Mecca. It is subject to the Grand Signior. Near to this Town is that noted Valley, where (as some Authors say) St. George by killing the Dragon, which had his abode in a Cave here, redeemed the Kings Daughter, which was to be delivered to his fury.

PALESTINE.

• PALESTINE, formerly called Judaea, Canaan, or the Holy Land, is bounded on the East with Mount Hermon, so much spoken of in Holy Scripture; on the South, with part of Arabia Petraea; on the West, with the Mediterranean Sea, and part of Phoenicia; and on the North, with the Anti-Libanus, which separates it from Syria and the rest of Phoenicia. Its scituation is between the Third and Fourth Climates, which makes the longest day to be 14 hours and a quarter. So populous, that before the coming in of the Israelites, they had 30 Kings; and afterwards David numbred 1300000 Fighting men, besides those of the Tribe of Benjamin and Levi. This last and most Meridional part of Syria, which we call Palestine, first received the name of the Land of Canaan, because the Children of Canaan first seised it, and parted it amongst them; when God had promised it to Abraham and his Posterity, it was called the Land of Promise; but when it fell into the hands of the Hebrews, after their return from Egypt, and that they had divided it by Tribes, it took the name of the Land of the Hebrews, under which it was governed by Prophets, Judges, and Kings; but under these Kings it was soon divided into two Realms, which they called Judah and Israel. Under the Romans it was only known by the name of Judea, or Palestine: of Judea, because that the Tribe of Judah was always the most powerful of the Twelve; and the Kingdom of Judah the most noble, and preserved it self longer than that of Israel: of Palestina, because the Philistines, which possessed a part of the Maritim Coast of Judea, were powerful, and very well known to Strangers. After the death of our Saviour Jesus Christ, all this Country was called the Holy Land. The People which anciently possest this Country were the Jews, being of a middle stature, strong of body, of a black complexion, goggle-ey'd, a subtle and ingenious people, and such as will live in any place, much given to Traffick, Usury, and Brokage; not lending without Pledges, and taking the forfeitures of them. Their Law or Religion was given them by God the Father, which, with the several Ceremonies and Rites, &c. prescribed to them, may be found in the five first Books of Moses; their Synagogues are neither fair within nor without, save only adorned with a Curtain at the upper end, together with several Lamps, and in the midst is placed a Scaffold in form of a Reading-Desk, for their Priest which readeth their Law, and sings their Liturgy; they read in a strange tone, and sing as bad: during the time of their Service, their heads are veiled with Linnen fringed with Knots, answerable to the number of their Laws, and observing a continual motion of their body to and fro, and often jumping up, which they account for great zeal in their devotion; they observe much reverence to all the names of God, but especially to Jehovah, insomuch that they do never use it in vain talk. Their ancient Language was Hebrew; they keep their Sabbath on Saturday, in which they are very strict; they marry their Daughters at the Age of 12 years, as not affecting a single life. This Country is so fertil in all things, that it was termed a Land flowing with Milk and Hony; adorned with pleasant Mountains and luxurious Valleys, enriched with pleasant Streams, and where the Inhabitants are neither scorched with Heats, nor pinched with Colds. To speak of all the memorable transactions that have happen'd in this Country would require a Volume by it self; I shall only run over some of the chief, and then proceed to the description of some of the Cities and Places of most note that are found therein. It is famous for bringing our Saviour Jesus Christ into the World, where he wrought so many Miracles; but infamous for their horrid action of crucifying him, the Lord of Life. Here it was that the Lord appeared to Jacob; here, out of the Plains of Moab, the Ark was built of Sittim Wood; here, on Mount Tabor, Christ was transfigured; on Mount Moriah, Isaac was to be sacrificed; on Mount Sion was the Tower of David; on Mount Calvary, as some aver, was the Burial-place of Adam, our Forefather. Here, over the Brook Kedron, David passed in his flight from Absalom; over which our Saviour, when he went to his Passion, passed: Here runneth the River of Jordan, sufficiently famous; nigh to which stood the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrha: Here, at a place called Endor, Saul consulted with a Witch; near to Sichem, Jacob had his Wells: Here, at Ashdod, in the Temple of Dagon, the Ark of the Lord was brought, when taken; upon the entrance of which their Idol fell down: Here, at Hebron, is the Plain of Mamre, where Abraham, sitting in his Tent, was visited by God from Heaven in the likeness of a Man; this City he bought for a Burial-place, for him and his Posterity, where Sarah his Wife was first interr'd: And on Mount Seir was the habitation of Esau, after his departure from Canaan. I shall cease to trouble the Reader with the mentioning of many more remarkable Passages which were here transacted, but only refer them to the Books of the Old and New Testament, where they shall find them recorded; also great satisfaction may be received from Josephus, a Book of good repute.

This Country is at present possessed by the Turks, as Masters of it, but inhabited by Moors, Arabians, Greeks, Turks, Jews, nay, I may say with People of all Nations and Religions; But setting aside matters of History, let us proceed to say something of the principal places found herein, and first with Jerusalem.

• Jerusalem is so well known in the Holy Scriptures, that we must confess it hath been not only one of the greatest, but one of the fairest Cities in the World, being called the City of the Lord. Its Kings, High-Priests, Temple, and Royal Palaces, have made it famous even amongst the remotest people; Its circuit was onto 50 Furlongs, which are only 6250 Geometrical Paces, but so well builded, that it was capable of the receiving of 150000 Families. Its Temple and Palaces, especially those of Solomon, were the fairest, greatest, and most magnificent which ever eye beheld: Its Gates, Walls, Towers, Ditches, cut out of the Rock; and its scituation in the Mountains made it seem impregnable. This City, once sacred and glorious, elected by God for his Seat, placing it in the midst of Nations, like a Diadem, crowning the head of the Mountains, the Theater of Mysteries and Miracles, was once the glory of the World; but its Pride, and other horrid Sins in the end lost it divers times. Nebuchadonozor was the first that ruin•d it; Pompey contented himself to dismantle it of its Walls, and to fill up the Ditches; Vespasian and Titus Caesar utterly razed it and destroyed in the place 1100000 People that were assembled to the Pass-over; Adrian ruined likewise some Towers and Walls, which had been left to lodge the Roman Garrison; and after caused a new City to be built, partly on its ancient Ruins, and partly without them. But with the divers changes it hath since fallen under, its beauty and magnificence is quite decayed: Yet is it not so lost, but that there are several Places yet remaining worthy of note, together with several others that were since built; as on Mount Calvary, where Christ the Saviour of the World was Crucified, there is a rich, magnificent and large Temple, built by the vertuous Helena, Daughter to Coilus, a British King, and Mother to Constantine the Great, which not only possesseth the Mount, but also all the Garden below, where his Sepulchre was; and in this Temple there are several rich Structures, as one where Christ was imprisoned before his Crucifixion, another where Christ was nailed to the Cross, another where he was Crucified; also one where the Sepulchre was, the Altar of the Holy Cross, the Altar of the Scourging, the Chapel of the Apparition, the Chapel of the Angels, the Chapel of the division of his Garments, the Chapel of St. Helena, who built this Temple, the Chapel of St. John, the Sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathea under ground; together with several others, too long to recite. To this place there is a great resort, as well of Protestants as Papists, though for sundry ends, which brings a great Revenue; none being permitted to enter without paying some Mony, which the Jews here inhabiting do Farm of the Grand Signior at a large yearly Revenue, and so become Masters thereof, making a great profit by shewing them to Strangers, which come hither from all Nations. Several other places are yet remaining, as the Castle of the Pisans, the Monastery of the Franciscans, the Church of St. James; the Church of St. Mark, where once stood his House; a Mosque, where stood the House of Zebedaeus; a Chapel, where stood the House of St. Thomas; the Church of the Angels, where the Palace of Annas the High-Priest stood; the Church of St. Saviour, where the Palace of Caiphas stood; the Court of Solomons Temple, yet remaining; but in the room of the Temple a Mosque.

Near about Jerusalem there are several places of note yet remaining, as in the way between Jerusalem and the City of Bethlem, there are the Ruins of Davids Tower, the Tower of Simeon, Bathsheba's Fountain, the Cistern of Saget, the Monastery of Elias, Jacobs House, the Sepulchre of Rachel, the Cistern of David, the House of Joseph, the Monastery of Bethlem, the Monastery of the Holy Cross. And at Bethlehem, over the place where Christ was born, the vertuous Helena erected also another fair and goodly Temple, which is possest by the Franciscans of Jerusalem, being called by the name of St. Maries of Bethlehem. Nigh to Jerusalem is the Desart of St. John Baptist, where is yet the Ruins of a Monastery over his Cave, and the Fountain; as also the Mountains of Judah, where is the Church of St. John Baptist, the Fountain, and the House of Elizabeth, also the Sepulchre of Zachary, a part of the Pillar of Absalon, and the Cave of St. James. At Bethania, two miles from Jerusalem, is the House of Simon the Leper, the House of Lazarus, as also his Sepulchre, where is the Mount of Olives, where is the Sepulchre of the Virgin Mary, where Christ was often, and from whence he ascended up into Heaven.

Joppa, or Jaffa, serves for a Port to Jerusalem, from which it is 10 miles distant; and it was thither that the Wood and Stones, taken from Mount Libanus, and destined to the building of the Temple of Solomon, were brought by Water, and from thence by Land to Jerusalem. This is the Port where Jonah embarked to flie from the face of the Lord. From this History the Heathens made the Fable of Andromeda, and pretended to shew in the Rock, which is before the Port, the marks of the Irons, to which Andromeda was chained, and exposed to the Sea-Monster.

After Jerusalem there rests yet Gaza, now Gazere, greater and better inhabited than Jerusalem. 1. Jericho, seated on the River Jordan, about 30 miles distant from Jerusalem. a City once of great fame, being in the time of Christianity an Episcopal See; also noted for her beautiful Palms, but especially for her Bals•mum; but now turned to Ruins, in the place whereof stands a few poor Cottages, inhabited by the Arabians. 2. Samaria, once the Seat of the Kings of Israel, hath now nothing left but the Ruins of some proud Buildings. And, 3. Sichem, now Naplouse, hath some Samaritans, and remains the Capital of that Quarter, and the best inhabited, but with many Ruins; and to speak truth, there is now scarce any place of mark in all the Holy Land; whereas under the Cananites, under the Hebrews, under the Jews, there were so many People, so many Kings, so many Cities, so rich, and so powerful, that throughout the whole Continent of the Earth there was no Country might compare with it. Jerusalem is at present governed by a Bassa, and Naplouse by another, which obey the Beglerby of Damascus.

DIARBECK.

• DIARBECK, taken particularly, answers only to Mesopotamia, which is but part of the ancient Assyria; taken in general, it answers to the three parts of that Assyria, of which the particular Assyria is now called Arzerum, Mesopotamia, Diarbeck, and Chaldea or Babylonia, or Yerack. The first is the most Oriental, and almost all beyond the Tygris; the second the most Occidental, and is between the Euphrates and the Tygris; the third the most Meridional, and lies on both sides the Tygris.

• This Country of Chaldea, now Yerack, is for the most part exceeding fruitful, yielding ordinarily 200 fold, the blades of their Wheat and Barly being about four fingers broad, having yearly two Harvests. The People anciently were much given to Divinations, South-sayings, and Idolatry. Places of most note are, 1. Babylon, formerly Babel, the ancientest City in the World, seated on the Bank of the Euphrates,* 1.67 first built by Nimrod, and much enlarged and beautified by Nebuchadnezzar; so that it was accounted one of the nine Wonders of the World. This City was so vast, that its Walls stretcht in circumference 365 Furlongs, in height 66 Yards, and in breadth 25, scituate on both sides of the Euphrates, which also ran through the City, emptying it self into divers Rivolets; over this River Euphrates there was a stately Bridge, at each end of which there was a sumptuous Palace, beautified also with the Temple of the Idol Bell; the whole City being adorned with fair Buildings, stately Palaces, and Temples, with a number of fair and large Streets, famous for its Tower of Babel• which exalted it selt 5164 Paces in height, which is something above 5 miles, having its basis or circumference equal to its height. A City once esteemed the Mistress of the World, and so rich, that it is said, that Alexander at his taking it found treasured up 200000 Talents of Gold, (a Talent of our Money being esteemed at 4500 Pounds) a vast Treasure; but the sins of the People drew the wrath of God upon it; and by reason of its Invasions by the Medes, Persians, and Macedonians, who subdued it, so ru•ned, that it soon lost its pristine glory and magnificence, being reduced to Ruins; out of which was raised a new City called Bagdad,* 1.68 so named from its many Gardens therein contained, but not to compare to the old Babylon, neither in largeness nor glory, being not above 7 miles in compass, but yet remains to this day a place of great Trade; between which and Aleppo are found many Caravans to travel with many thousand Camels laden with rich Commodities brought from India, and elsewhere, abounding with the same Commodities as Aleppo doth. At this place they make use also of Pigeons, as they do at Alexandretta and Aleppo, which serve instead of Posts, which, when occasion serveth, as upon the arrival of Ships, Caravans, or the like, they take these Pigeons and tie an Advertisement (which they write in a little piece of Paper) about their Necks, which done, they carry the Pigeon to a high place, and toss it up, and immediately it flieth to the other place to which it is designed, which gives notice to them. The Palaces in this City most worthy of note are, the Mosque, a large and rich Structure, built of Free-stone, resembling Marble, in form orbicular; then the Sultans Palace adjoyning to the Buzzar, or great Market-place, is a rich, large, but low Fabrick; next the Bridge, whose passage is over Boats, which are chained together, which, upon occasion may be separated, having resemblance to that of Roan in Normandy; and lastly, its Coho-houses, which are Houses of Good-fellowship, being in the nature of Coffee-houses with us, which in this place are many, to which a great resort of People cometh to sip Coffee, which by them is highly esteemed, as indeed by most People in these Regions: 3. Balsera, the Port-Town to Bagdad, seated near the place where Tygris loses it self in the Persian Gulph; which is likewise called the Gulph of Balsora and Ormus. This City is said to have 10000 Houses, and answers to the ancient Teredon. 4. Coufa, was sometime the Sea• of the Califfs, and near it was Ali interr'd; whence it hath likewise been called Masad-Ali, or Merat-Ali, the House of Ali; and there is always a Horse kept ready to mount Mahomet Mahadin, the Son of Almansor, the Son of Ocem, the Son of Ali, when he shall come to convert the whole World to the Law of Mahomet; for this Conversion is to begin at Coufa: but they hitherto have had, and may for the future have time enough to curry their Horse, expecting the coming of their Cavalier. 5. Orchoe, now so called, is the Ʋrchoa of Ptolomy, and Ʋr, the place of Abrahams Nativity. 6. Borsippa, by Ptolomy called Barsita, famous for the great Victory which Cyrus, the first Persian Monarch, here obtained against Nabonius King of Babylon. 7. Ctesiphon, seated on the Tygris; And, 8. Sipparum, noted for the great Trench made near it, which was made to receive the overflowings of the Euphrates, which was in compass 160 miles, and in depth 20 Fathoms, which was made to preserve the City of Babylon from overflowings.

Bagdad and Balsera have each their Beglerbies, and many Sangiacs; but to speak truth, sometime the Turk, sometime the Persian possesses these Quarters; the last took Bagdad in the year 1624, which the Turks regained in 1638. Fame now speaks it the Persians.

MESOPOTAMIA.

• MESOPOTAMIA, bounded on the West with the Euphrates. The Southern part of this Country is very barren and full of Desarts, scarce affording any Herbage, nor hardly so much as Trees. But as this part is so much deficient, that towards the North hath as great plenty, which makes amends, abounding with great store of Corn and Wine, together with all such hecessaries as are required for the life of man.* 1.70 Place of most note are. 1. Rohai, or Orpha, which is the ancient Edesse, being 10 miles in circuit, scituate on the River Scirtas, which passes through the midst of it, not far from the Euphrates into which it falls. 2. Caraemid, anciently Amida, seated near the Tygris, encompassed with a strong Wall, a Frontier Town of great strength, being much desired by the Persians; now the chief Seat of the Bassa, which governs this Country for the Turk, where the Patriarch of the Jacobite Christians also had his residence. 3. Merdin, not above 4 or 5 miles in circuit, but is very strongly seated on a high Mountain, and having a Castle of about a mile in circumference; not far from which, in the Monastery of Saphran, is the Patriarchal See of the Jacobite Sectaries 4. Asanchif, esteemed the Metropolis of the Country▪ yet not being of above 4 or 5 miles compass, but hath four great Suburbs well filled with Inhabitants. 5. Carra, where Crassus and the Romans were defeated, is now called Herren, or Harrar, the City to which Abraham did remove when he went towards Canada; remarkable in former times for its famous Temple, dedicated to the Moon, which was here worshipped under both Sexes. 6. Sumiscasack, not far from Edesse, hath its Castle seated very advantagiously. The Castle of Corna, that is pointed, is one of the most important places the Turks possess in all these quarters, being built above the place where the Tygris and Euphrates meet, to keep in awe both these Rivers: And 7. Virta, by some Authors supposed to have been built by Alexander the Great, encompassed with Walls, and fortified with Towers and Bulwarks, that it was in a manner impregnable.

ASSYRIA.

• ASSYRIA, particularly so called, hath for its Western limits Mesopotamid, and is called at this day, Arzerum. A Country very fruitful, seated in a Plain, and watered with several good Rivers; the People were anciently much addicted to Marshal-affairs, yet very demure in their Habit and Behaviour, not going out of their Doors without first being perfumed, adorned with Rings on their Fingers, and a Scepter in their Hands; they were much given to Bathing, and especially after Copulation. In their Nuptial Ceremonies, they never see the Woman until they are married; but when they hear a good Report of a Maiden, being such as liketh them, they go to her Parents, and with them agree; which done, on an appointed time they meet in the Church, in such a part of it as is designed for that use, where there is a Partition with a Hole in it: on one side the Bridegroom and his Friends stand, and on the other the Bride and her Friends; then the Cassisse or Priest bids the Bridegroom put his hand through the Hole, and take his Bride by the hand; which no sooner done, but her Mother, or some other of her Friends, being prepared with a sharp Instrument, pricks his hand all over; and if he doth not pull away his hand when he is so pain'd, but still holds her so fast that she cries, they hold it a sign that he will love her; and if he lets her go, a sign of no great love.

• Places of most note: 1. Ninive, first built by Nimrod, and afterwards so enlarged by several succeeding Kings, that it became at last to exceed Babylon, as well in largeness as otherwise; its Walls being in circuit 60 miles, being about 33 yards in height, and 24 in breadth; and on whose Walls there was (for further strength) 1500 Tunrets, or Towers, which made it to be thought impregble, To this City the Lord sent Jonah the Prophet, to Preach Repentance to them; but afterwards for their Sins, it was destroyed by Astyages King of the Medes, out of whose Ruins the City, 2. Mosul was •aised, which at present is the chief City of Assyria, seated on the Tygris, most eminent for being the residence of the Nestorian Patriarch, where, are founded 15 Christias Churches. It is enclosed within a Wall, and is the residence of a Bashaw, a place much ruined, but of note for the great concourse of Merchants, this being a thoroughfare City. 3. Schere•e zull, or Schi•hrazur, is very near to Persia, and is the Seat of a Turkish Beglerby, or Bassa, who hath 10000 Timariots under his command, for the defence and security of this Country. It is near to, if not the same as Arbela, renowned or the Victory of Alexander the great against Darius, and is said to retain its ancient name, and to be an Archbishoprick of the Jacobites. 4. G•gilamela, noted for the last and greatest Battel betwixt Alexander and Darius, King of P••sia, in which Alexander gained the Victory. 5. •alach, built by Nimrod, being one of the Cities to which Sa•inanassar transplanted the Ten Tribes. 6. Arbela seated on the Banks of the River Caprus, by some supposed to be the place where Noahs Ark was framed: And 7. Sittace, pleasantly seated in a fruitful Soil.

TƲRCOMANIA.

• TƲRCOMANIA, or ARMENIA MAJOR, touches the Ca•pian Sea between Georgia and Servan; and on the Black Sea, between Anatolia and Georgia, it extends from East to West little less than 200 Le•g•e•, and from South to North, 150 answering to the great Armenia of the Ancients.

• Some divide it only into two sorts of People, the Turcomans and the Curdes; I would add at least the Armenians and the Georgians, these possessing a great part of the Country as well as the others, who are the natural and most an••ent Inhabitants: for the Turcomans are esteemed to descend from Turquestan in Tartary, from whence come the Turks, and to whom they are most resertbling; the Curdes descend from the ancient people of Assyria, Mesopotami•, Chaldea or Babylonia; the most Easternly of these three parts being yet called by the Turks and by the Persians, Curdistan, or the Country of the Curdes: and the Georgians descend from Georgia, which is above, and contiguous to our Turcomania.

Of these four sorts of People, the Armenians are the most indurstrious and civil, addicting themselves to Merchandize, as appears by their Manufactures, especially in their rich Tapestries, Grograins, watered Chamlets, &c. with which they drive a trade; being also proper Personages and good Archers. The Turcomans apply themselves to the Field, and to look after their Flocks▪ the Curdes are almost ever on Horse-back, having much of the Arabick Nature: the Georgians are the most docil, and the most peaceable. The Tarcomans and the Curdes are Mahometans; the Georgians and Armenians, the greatest part Christians. And the Armenian Tongue is one of the most general in all Asia; extending it self likewise other where, and having Armenian Patriarchs and Bishops, not only in Armenia, but likewise in Anatolia, Persie•, the Holy Land, Aegypt, Russia, and Polonia.

Amongst the Ceremonies observed by the Armenians, I shall take notice of some few, as I find them in the Travels of Tavernier. They are very costly in adorning their Churches, especially the Choir and the Altar; at the ceremony of the Mass they light abundance of Tapers, and after the Gospel is read, several of the Noviciates, some having Bells fixed to long Sticks, and others having Copper-plates hung about with Bells, shaking and striking them one against another, together with the Ecclesiasticks and Laity, who sing, and make an indifferent harmony; during which the Archbishop and Bishops performs several Ceremonies, and says certain Prayers; which being done, having the Chalice in his hand, and the Bread upon it, he turns towards the People, who immediately prostrate themselves on the ground, beating their Breasts, and kissing the Earth, whilst the Archbishop pronounceth these words, This is the Lord, who gave his Body and Blood for you: then he turns towards the Altar, and eats the Bread dipt in Wine, (for they never drink the Wine;) then he turns again to the People with the Chalice in his hand, and they that will receive, taking the Bread from the Archbishop; and this Bread is consecrated the day before. That which is observable amongst them, they give the Communion to Children of 2 or 3 Months old; and they never administer the Sacrament all the time of their Lent: They have four Feasts in the year besides their Lent, at which times they observe the same Ceremonies as at Lent, eating no Flesh, Fish, Butter, Eggs, or Oib for 8 days; the Feasts are Christmas, the Ascension, the Annunciation, and St Georges.

When a man designs his Son for the Priesthood, he brings him to the Priest, who puts the Cope about his Shoulders, open on both sides; after which he takes him home, and keeps him till the age of saying Mass, which is 18 years; then he goes into the Church, out of which he is not allowed to depart for a year, during which time he is employed in the service of the Church. And the Priest that is married after he hath said Mass, must be 5 days before he returns home to eat, drink, or lie with his Wife.

They generally Baptize their Children on Sundays, which is performed by putting it naked into the Water, then gives it to the Godfather, anoints it in several places in form of the Cross with holy Oil, and pronounceth these words, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and sayeth several Prayers suitable to the occasion.

In their Marriages the Ceremonies are too many here to repeat:* 1.76 I shall take notice of some few. They are permitted to marry at 3 or 4 years of age; the agreement is made betwixt the Mothers, or for want of them, by the Females next of kin; which agreement the Father stands unto, and after a Ring is presented to the intended Bride, the Contract stands. The Bridegroom and Bride never seeth one another till after the Nuptial Ceremonies are ended, both riding to the Church with their faces Vailed, the Bridegrooms is a Carnation Tiffany, or else Gold and Silver Net-work, and the Bride with a large white Veil, which covereth her body; thus Riding, they are attended by their Relations and Friends with Tapers in their hands, also the Drums, Trumpets, and other Musical Instruments wait on them to the Church-door: being entred and advanced near the Altar, they lean Forehead to Forehead, then the Priest lays the Bible on their Heads (instead of a Desk) and so pronounceth the Ceremony, which is much like ours; after the Benediction they hear Mass, and so return to the House of the Bride. At their Feasting the Men sit by themselves, and the Women by their selves; the Man goeth to Bed first, and the Woman pulleth off his Breeches, but putteth not off her Veil till Candles be put out; and at all times of the year the Woman riseth first, so that the poor Bridegroom knoweth not whether he hath met with a Beauty, or a course and ill-favoured piece of flesh; but be she what she will, he must keep her.

About their Dead; the Body is washed, wherein is put some Holy-water, then it is drest with a clean white Shirt, a pair of Breeches, a Waist-coat, and a Bonnet; then it is put in a Linnen-Sack, and sewed up; then it is carried to the Church, accompanied with the Friends and Relations of the deceased, who carry in their hands Tapers, and being come to the Altar, after some Prayers are said, they leave the Corps there all Night; the next Morning the Bishop or Priest, attended as before, says Mass; several Prayers being said, and Dirges sung, the Corps is puts in the Grave, and the Bishop casts 3 handfuls of Earth in, one after another, saying, From earth thou camest, to earth thou shalt return, and stay there till our Lord comes; then the Grave is filled up, and the Relations and Friends that will, go back to the House of the Deceased, where a Collation is prepared. These, with many other Ceremonies, are performed by them.

• The Air is healthful, though its temperament be cold, because of the Mountains and Hills, which overspread the Country; but intermixt with fertil and and delightful Valleys, the Soil producing more Grain and Fruits than Vines; It yields Bolearmoniack, Hony, and, towards Servan, Silk, together with some Mines of Silver. The Pastures are every where excellent, and particularly for Horses, of which they make great account; for when Armenia was subject to the ancient Kings of Persia, it furnished them yearly with 20000 Horses. At present the Turk possesses the greatest part of the Country, and keeps still, or did not long since, Beglerbies at Erzerum, Cars, Revan, Van, Schildir, Tefflis, and Derbent: besides which there are many Cities of considerable note, some of which the Persians hold.

1. Erzerum, on the Euphrates, near the black Sea, on which, and not far from Erzerum, is Trebisonde, which facilitates a great trade between the East, West, and North; for coming from the Indian Ocean by the Gulph of Ormus, and so up the Euphrates, they may receive passing by what comes from the West to Aleppo, and carry it unto Erzerum; from whence, to Trebisonde by land, is not above 25 or 30 Leagues. 2. Gars, Chars, or likewise Chissery, is four or five days Journy from Erzerum towards the East, on the River Euphrates; it hath been taken and retaken divers times by the Turks and Persians. The same may be said of Revan, Schilder, and Van: this last is not great, but well Walled, and with greater Ditches, and hath a Castle whose scituation is such, as renders it almost inaccessible. 3. Tefflis is likewise in some esteem at present, but much more formerly under the name of Artaxata, which Artaxias, Father of Tigranes King of Armenia, caused to be builded and fortified at the perswasion of Hannibal. 4. Derbent, of great antiquity, being supposed to have its foundation laid by Alexander the Great; who also erected that no less great than strong Castle, which is called Kastow, adjoyning to the said City, which is the greatest and most ordinary passage between Turcomania, Persia, and other Southern Provinces of Asia, to Zuire, the Kingdom of Astracan, and other more Northern Estates of Europe and Asia. Its scituation is upon the utmost Mountains, which regard the Taberestan, or the Caspian Sea: and all is so well fortified, that the Turks have took occasion to call the place Demir, or Temir Capi, or the Port of Iron: and the name of Derbent signifies a Streight Port; and in all likelyhood these are the Caspiae Portae, so famous among the Ancients; because that in the black Sea, and the Sea of Tabarestan, which is about 3 or 400 thousand Paces: It is all high, Mountainous, and hard to be passed; and if there be any passages, they are infamous for Robberies and Incursions, which the Inhabitants of the Countries, or the Princes which possess them, make. This City is a place of great strength, being invironed with two strong Walls, and fortified with Towers and Iron-gates, being accounted the Key or Inlet to Persia, now in the hands of the Grand Signior. 5. Bitlis, and Manuscute, belong to the Curdes, who have here many and divers Lords, better affected to the Persians than the Turks. Bitlis is between two Mountains, watered with a River, which receives many fair Fountains. The Houses are built with Stones, which is rare in that Country; others being of nothing but Wood and Earth. The Castle is seated advantagiously, but I believe this place is not now in the hands of the Turks; and to speak truth, we have at present little knowledge of any thing concerning these quarters.

ARMENIA was much better known, and more famous in Ancient time than at present, under the name of Turcomania.* 1.79 Its Bounds are very advantagious, being quite encompassed with high Mountains, large Rivers, and washed by divers Seas, and seated Northwards of the Caspian Mountains, which divides it from Media, now called Servan.

• This Country is well replenished with Mountains, Vallies, Rivers, and Lakes. The Mountain Anti-Taurus divides it East and West, almost from onenextremity to the other; whose most Easternly point is called Abus, from whence the Euphrates, Tigris, and Araxes take some of their Streams. The Gordian Mountains pour forth the greatest supplies to Tigris; and the Pariardes increase most the Streams of Euphrates, Araxes, and Farza.

• Farza turns his course towards the North, and after having passed Colchida, and pressed through 100 or 120 Bridges, falls into the Euxine Sea. Araxes turns towards the East, watering the fairest and richest Plains of Armenia; and falls into the Caspian Sea between Media and Albania. Both the one and the other Euphrates descend towards the West; but approaching the Euxine Sea, it turns again towards the South; and reunites its two Channels into one, traverses the Anti-Taurus and Taurus, divides Armenia and Mesopotamia from Asia Minor, Syria, and Arabia; descends into Chaldea, where it waters the ancient Babylon, and loses it self in the Tigris. This last descends from Mount Abus, and the Georgian Mountains, falls into divers Lakes, loses it self and rises divers times out of the Earth; cuts the Mountain Niphates, separates Mesopotamia from Assyria, washes Ninive, Seleucia, Ctesiphon; receives all the branches of the Euphrates, and discharges it self in the Persian Gulph.

• The greatest Lakes of Armenia are, Thospitis, Areessa, and Lychintes; this last is towards the Araxes and the Caspian Sea: Areessa is the same that Pliny and Solinus call Arethusa. Thospitis, according to Ptolomy, is another Lake the Tigris likewise crosses; after which it loses it self the second time. The first hath its Water so, as it will take spots out of Cloaths, but is not good to drink.

• Among the Kings of Armenia, which made themselves most known to the Romans or Parthians; Tigranes, Son-in-law to Mithridates King of Pontus, hath been the most famous. This Tigranes, after having been an Hostage in the hands of the Parthians, regained his Estates by their means, in recompence of which he gave them 70 Valleys, on the confines of Media and Assyria; but after he knew and had gathered together his Powers, he retook all those Vallies, beat the Parthians out of them, pillaged Assyria as far as Ninive and Arbela, subjected to himself a part of Media; and afterwards all Mesopotamia, Syria, Phoenicia, and Cilicia. But whilst he believed himself above Fortune, Mithridates his Father-in-law was divers times defeated, and driven from his Realm of Pontus by Lucullus and the Romans, and retiring himself into Armenia to his Son-in-law, his refusal to abandon or deliver him into the hands of Lucullus, drew the Romans into Armenia, where Lucullus several times defeated Tigranes, took Tigranocerta, where was his Regal Diadem, and likewise in a great Set-Battel, where Tigranes had 150000 Foot, and 1000 or 1200 Horse, flew 100000 Foot, and the greatest part of his Cavalry, constraining him to yield to the Romans the Provinces of Cilicia, Syria, Phoenicia, and Mesopotamia, and content himself with Armenia only; but for the present let us lay aside History.

• Ptolomy divided Armenia into four principal Parts, and allotted to the first 7 Regions or Provinces, 6 to the second, 3 to the third, and 4 to the fourth: placing in the first part 30 Cities, 27 in the second, 12 in the third, and 18 in the fourth; which are in all 4 Parts, 20 Regions or Provinces, and 87 Cities. Pliny accounts 120 Strategies in Armenia, which are the Governments or particular Jurisdictions of every Province; six for each, and one as much as the other. Armenia is not only known in prophane History, but likewise in Holy Writ. After the Deluge, the Holy Scripture makes mention, that the Ark of Noah rested upon the Mountains of Armenia: to say precisely at present which they were (there being so many in Armenia) Authors cannot agree. We only conjecture, that they must be either Abus, which ends the Anti-Taurus, or the Pariardes, or the Gordons, which are the highest in all Armenia; and from whence the Euphrates, the Tigris, the Phazza or Phasis, and Araxes descend.

Now Euphrates is called Frat or Forat, the Tigris, Diglath or Digelath; these two names, Frat and Diglath, are found among the four Rivers, which Moses saith came forth from the Terrestrial Paradise: We must therefore seek this Paradise not far from hence; the difficulty is to find the other two Rivers, Phison, and Gihou.

• 1.85Almost all Authors conclude the Nile for Gehon, and the Ganges for Phison; but as the Bible describes these Rivers no us, they must descend from the same place; which the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Nile, and the Ganges cannot do. The Tigris and the Euphrates have some Springs, which are not far distant the one from the other; but those of Ganges are more than 200 Leagues, and those of the Nile more than 1500 Leagues from those of the Tigris or Euphrates; and moreover those of Nile and of Ganges, are more than 2000 Leagues one from the other.

Phasis hath its heads in the same Mountain with the Euphrates, and may therefore better answer to Phison then can the Ganges. The Araxes hath its Springs in the same Mountains with the Phasis and Euphrates, and so may better answer to the Gehon than the Nile; for as for the Gehon, or Jehun, which we now know it answers to the Oxus of the Ancients; which runs between Bactriana and Sogdiana, and discharges itself into the Caspian Sea; but it hath its Springs in Mount Caucasus in India, a little on this side the Springs of the Indus, which are likewise 8 or 900 Leagues from those of Tigris and Euphrates.

Since then the Tigris, Euphrates, Phazza, and Araxes, have here their Springs, we may judge that the Terrestrial Paradise was in these Mountains. The Holy Scripture saith, that it had in the midst of it a Fountain, from whence issued a River alone, which divides itself into four others, which it names Phison, Gehon, Diglath, and Fratt. It is to be believed, that this Fountain was in the midst of the World, to the end the Rivers might have a course almost equal to water all parts of the World. It must likewise be concluded, that this Fountain must be in some high part of the World, to the end that Rivers might have an equal fall. The Mountains of Armenia are directly in the middle of our Continent: which may easily be proved by casting the eye upon the whole Continent: they are likewise the highest in the World, since they were first discovered after the Deluge, and those on which the Ark of Noah rested; and the modern names of the Rivers not being very different from the ancients, at least the three or four; I am bold to say, that if there yet remains any marks by which we may discover the place where the Terrestrial Paradise hath been, it is rather in these quarters than any other.

GEORGIA.

• Above Turcomania, and between the Black Sea and the Caspian, as far as Mount Caucasus, lies GEORGIA; which is divided into three or four parts, Mingrelia, Avogasia, Gurgiston, and Quiria: Avogasia is sometimes comprehended under the name of Mingrelia; and on the other side a part of the ancient Armenia passeth likewise under the general name of Georgia: Mingrelia and Avogasia together, are the same with Colchis of the Ancients, or little more: Gurgiston, to the ancient Iberia, and sometimes likewise to that part of Armenia, which falls under the general name of Georgia: Quiria answers to the ancient Albania.

The Georgians are docil, peaceable, lovers of Christianity, much addicted to drinking, and the stronger the Drink the better acceptable: At Feasts the Women never eat with the Men. They are great lovers of Onions and Herbs, are much addicted to Trade, are great Travellers, are very expert at the Bow and Arrow, and are esteemed the best Souldiers in all Asia.

• The Cities of Phans, or Phazza, and Savatopoli, are the most famous of Mingrelia and formerly of Colchis. Savatopoli, once Sebastopolis, and before that Dioscurias had the confluence of 300 different Nations, and different Tongues, which came hither from the North, in way of Traffick. Phazza, anciently Phasis, on the River of the same name, was the abode of Aeetes, who kept the Golden Fleece, which the Argonauts took away, after having vanquished all those difficulties which presented themselves to their hindrance.
• I believe that this Golden Fleece was no other thing, than a Trade of Wool, Skins, and Furrs, which all the Northern People brought to Phasis, which Jason and the Greeks, among all the People of Europe were the first Discoverers of: And because there was great profit, and many hazards and dangers in the first Navigations, it was feigned that the Fleece was of Gold, and that it was guarded by furious Bulls; Men well armed, and a horrible and affrightful Dragon. It may be added, That Jason with the Golden Fleece brought Medea with him, which after caused so many displeasures in his Family; that is, that Riches having introduced some Luxury among the Greeks, their Women became more proud and troublesom.

• Cori and Bassachiuch are the best Cities of Gurgistan: Tefflis and Derbent the fairest of that part of Armenia, which passes under the name of Georgia; Bassachiuch may answer to the ancient Artamista; Cori to Harmastis, or Armactia; Tefflis to Artaxata; and Derbent to Caspiae Portae: Bassachiuch and Cori, with some other places of Gurgistan, have their Princes, of which there are many throughout Georgia; Cori is most advanced towards the Sea, and Bassachiuch more engaged with the Mountains. Tefflis and Derbent are in the hands of the Turks, as we have said in Turcomania.

• QƲIRIA extends it self from the particular Georgia, which lies on the West and South unto Mount Caucasus, which bounds it on the North side. Some Authors divide it into two, others into three Provinces; of which the chief Cities are Stranu, Zitrach, and Chipicha; instead of Stranu: others put Zambanach; and instead of Zitrach, Gorgora; possibly these names are not different but to divers People, though they be the same places. However it be, Stranu, or Zambanach, answer to the ancient Albana, Metropolis of Albania; Zitrach, or Gorgora, answers to the ancient Getara, which the Greek Text in Ptolomy writes Gagara, and both the places are on the Sea: they have been, and may possibly yet be, rich and Merchandizing. Chipicha is farther up in the Land, and was the ancient Chabala.

COMMANIA.

• A Bove Georgia lies COMMANIA, little known by the Ancients, and less at present; Mount Caucasus bounds it on the South, and separates it from Georgia; the River Don or Tana is its Northern limits, and parts it from Muscovia; the Euxine or Black Sea, and the Sea of Zabaque or Tana, doth wash it on the West, and divides it from the petty Tartars: the Caspian Sea, or the Sea of Taberestan lies to the Eastward of it, and gives it Traffick and Communication with Persia and Tartaria.

• This Region may have 300 Leagues of length from the Streight of Vospero unto the River Volga, which are its extream bounds from East to West, and about 100 from North to South.* 1.93 The People pass all under the general name of Circasses, which the Polonians call Peint Zeorstki, that is, the Inhabitants of the five Mountains. They are free, having some Chiefs or Governours, and living very near after the manner of Switzers in Europe, hiring themselves to War, sometimes to the Turks, their Neighbours, on the Black Sea; sometimes to the Tartars or Moscovites, which are next them on the Sea of Zabaque and River Don; and sometimes likewise to the Soldan of Persia, who is their Neighbour on the Caspian Sea. They have been Christians of the Greek Churches, but with many Superstitions; at present, for want of Teachers, many let themselves fall to Mahumetism, others to Idolatry. They are warlike, nor care they for fortifying their Towns, confiding in their Arms, and in the scituation of their Country. At their Funerals, the Relations and Friends of the Deceased scarifie their Flesh, prostrating themselves on the ground, and tear their Hair. If a man have no Children by his Wife, he may take others to raise up Issue; and Women are allowed their Gallants, and the more she hath, the more she is respected; which proceeds from her handsomness, Beauties being admired by them; and this is no disgrace to her Husband, as amongst us: and if the Man or Woman cannot agree, they are parted. The People for the generality are of an excellent Complexion, especially the Women. All the Country People are slaves to the Lord of the Village where they live, and are employed to till his ground, and other services.

• But the People of these Quarters have been much more famous formerly, under the name of Amazons; for this was their true and natural Country, from whence they came, and made their incursions into divers parts of Europe and Asia. They had Soveraignty in Colchida, in Albania, in Cappadocia, in Asia the Lesser, in Cilicia in Syria; and did in divers places build many fair Cities, as Themiscyra in Cappadocia, and on the Euxine Sea; Mirlea in Bithynia, and on the Propontick, Pytane, Myrina, and Cuma on the Coast of Aeolia; likewise Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pyrene: On the Coast of Ionia, (these two Quarters, Aeolia and Ionia, being on the Aegean Sea,) Mitelene in the Isle of Lesbos, and Paphos in the Isle of Cyprus, who made themselves known in those Wars they sustained against Hercules, near Themiscyra; against Theseus, near Athens, whither they carried the War against the Greeks, before Troy, whither they went in favour of Hector, against the Persians, and other People, in divers occasions. Some of them made their abode at Themiscyra, others at Alope, which was afterwards called Ephesus; and others at Zeleja, not far from Troy.

To conclude, the Ancients have spoken so many wonders of them, that the least of them have passed for Fables. It may be believed, that some Estates in these Quarters being fallen under the Government of Women, their Husbands being deceased, and their Children young, or for some other reason, these Women administred the publick Affairs with so much conduct and generosity, both in Policy and War, that they excelled the greatest part of Men; from whence the Greeks, according to their ordinary custom, took occasion to speak things not only beyond the Truth, but all that came nigh to Truth. And so much for Turky in Asia.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

What belongs to the Turk in Asia, comprehends much about the same Provinces, which the ancient Romans had in that part of the World; and besides that, those of Armenia, and Assyria. 'Twas formerly adorned with a great number of brave Cities; The conduct of the Turks, and the laziness of the Inhabitants, have quite ruined most of them. One wou'd think this Countrey ought to be very populous, by reason of the freedom which Men enjoy there, of having several Wives; yet it's certain, it has very few people, if we consider its large extent. There seldom pass five or six years together, without several thousands of persons being swept away by the Plague. What is considerable is, that along the Coasts, where the Echelles, that is to say, places of Trade, inrich themselves by the transportation of the Levantine Merchandizes, which consist in Skins, Cotton, Tapistry, Camlets, and other like Stuffs: These Echelles have this in particular, that they have Consuls for the Nations of Europe: And in consideration of the Christian Princes, the Knights of Maltha, do not commonly form any enterprizes thereabouts. The Merchants, who dwell there, send and receive their Letters by a sort of Pigeons called Carriers, which they keep, and which they send for that purpose to the places, where they have been brought up. The Grand Seigniour, has his Bashaws there, who keep the people under extream subjection. The Mahometan Religion is received in most places. Where are also to be seen Jews, and Christians of the Greek Church. As for manners, a Cadi, or Judge, has judiciously observ'd, That amongst the Nations, who inhabit this Region, the Turks were blameable for their Whoring, the Jews for their Superstition, and the Christians for their Litigiousness.

This Turkey is certainly in a choice scituation; in the midst of our Continent, and in the Temperate Zone; it has the Course of the Euphrates, and Tigris, with the conveniency of four Seas, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Caspian, and that of El-Catif, which open to it the Commerce of the principal Regions of the World, and particularly, that of the East-Indies. The Euphrates having pass'd near the ruins of the ancient Babylon, joins it self to the Tigris below Bagdad. Its Channel is inconsiderable in those parts by reason of the many Islets that are made there. It has this advantage, that it joins the Traffick of the Black Sea, which is not far distant from its Sources, with that of the East-Indies. The Tigris forms several Lakes, sometimes going under the Earth, and after having passed by Bagdad, mixing with Euphrates. The Waters of these two Rivers, fall into the Sea El-Catif; formerly under the name of Euphrates, now under that of Tigris, or rather under that of Chat, which is called the Arabick River. The Countrey, which they Water; is so beautiful, and so fertil, that several place therein the Terrestrial Paradice. There are hardly any Stone Bridges upon the Tigris; and by reason of its inundations, they commonly make their Bridges of Boats.

Four great Provinces are in this Turkey Natolia, Turcomania, Dierbech, and Souria. Natolia, formerly Asia Minor, is a Peninsula much more long than broad, between the Black Sea, the Archipelago, the Mediterranean, and the River of Euphrates. The ancient Greeks sent thither several Colonies: Cyrus the Great thought his Empire would not be considerable, unless he had Asia Minor. Mighty Battails have often been fought for the preserving this Province, and for the Conquering it. There are reckoned four Beglerbeyats, or general Governments; that of Natolia at Chioutaye; Caramania at Cogni, Amasi at Tocat, and Aladuli at Maraz. The City of Burse, has been successively the Residence of the Kings of Bithynia, and of some Greek Emperours, and Turkish ones too, before they passed into Europe. The first Ottomans have their Tombs there: Soliman the First, would needs be buryed at the neck of the Dardanelles near Gallipoli: Burse yields little but to Conscantinople, for its Riches, and its multitudes of people. Nice is known for the holding the first General Council, and for the Residence of the Greek Emperours, after that the French had taken Constantinople in the Year 1201. Angoure is famous for the Victory of Tamberlane over Bajazet Emperour of the Turks, and before, for that of Pompey over Mithridates. Tocat is the Appennage of the Sultan-Mothers. The Countrey round about it produces Saffron. Troy, Pergamus, Sardis, have been Royal Cities. Troy, famous by reason of its being taken by the Greeks after a Siege often Years, or rather for Homer's immortal Banter, has its ruins mingled with the decays of some Modern works. It was called Dardania, upon the account of Dardanus its first King, Ilium, by reason of its Castle of Priam. The City of Pergamos, is highly renowned for the riches of King Attalus, and the invention of Parchment. Sardis, for the Residence of the ancient Kings of Lydia. Dinobi upon the Black Sea, has Copper Mines in its Neighbourhood, which are perhaps the only ones in Asia. It has been the abode of Mithridates, the most formidable Enemy of the Romans; who notwithstanding his defeat, had the thought of traversing Lacholcide, Soythia, and Illyria, to come and attack Italy. Chalcedon is the place, where was held the Fourth General Council. As its ancient Inhabitants were cracking, that their City was built before Bizantium; a Persian told them judiciously, that its Founders had been blind, to choose so incommodious a scituation, in respect of that of Bizantium. Avido one of the Castles, that are called Dardanelles upon the Hellespont, has seen the swimming Amours of Hero and Leander, as also the passage of that prodigious Army of Xerxes King of Persia, upon a Bridge of six hundred and seventy four Galleys. Fogia, Smyrna, Ephesus, Milazo, and Halicarnassus, are upon the Coast of the Archipelago. Fogia, formerly Phocee, the Mother of Marscilles, is the first City that was taken in a form'd Siege, and the taking of it was Harpagus his Act, General under Cyrus the great. Smyrna, which is often called the Smirnes, and which contains above ninety thousand Souls, is in a fertile ground, and drives one of the greatest Commerces in the Mediteranean-Sea: The English, French and Venetians, have their respective Consuls there. Alexander the great did in vain endeavour to ditch the Peninsula that is near it; this is said to be the only Enterprize which that Heroe was unable to bring about. Ephesus has had the Temple of Diana. Melazo, formerly Miletum, has establish'd several Colonies in diverse places, and held out a long while against the Kings of Lydia. It was near some neighbouring Islands of the City of Miletum, that Julius Caesar was taken by Pyrates. Halicarnassus boasts of having had the Mausoleum built by Queen Artemisa, in memory of King Mausolus, her Husband. Santhe prides it self in the brave resistance of its ancient Citizens, who suffered all the Extremities imaginable, in the sieges they held out, at several times, against Harpagus, Alexander the Great, and against Brutus. Sattalia, otherwise Antali, gives its Name to a neighbouring Gulph. Tarsus was the place of St. Paul's Education. Tiagna is the native Countrey of the learned Apollonius; Amasia, that of Mithridates and Strabo. Zela, which is not far off, is renowned for the Victory of Julius Caesar, over Pharnaces. Trebizond has been the capital City of an Empire of short continuance: This Empire having been established by Isaac Comnone, who having retir'd from Constantinople, was destroyed by Mahomet the Second, Emperour of the Turks; the same who rendred himself Master of the Empire of the Greeks. Laiazza is near the passage of Cilicia, where several Battels have been fought. The modern History sets down that of the Sultan of Aegypt against Bajazet the Second, Emperour of the Turks, wherein the latter was defeated: Alexander the Great, gained here a memorable Victory, over Darius, in person. Ventidius Bassus, the Roman, vanquished the Parthians here; and the Emperour Severus discomfited Pescenninus Niger, his Rival to the Empire. Near this Place we are shown the ancient City of Anchialus, which is said to have been built in a day by Sardanapalus: Perhaps the Workmen of that Age were as dexterous as the modern Muscovites, who in the Market sell Houses whole, and ready made to be set up. Amongst the Rivers of Asia Minor, Thermodoon, now Pormon, has had the Amazons in its neighbourhood. Lalli serv'd for bounds to the Dominions of Cirus and Croesus; Granique towards the Hellespont, has been witness of the first Victory of Alexander the Great over the Persians; Pactolus, near Sardis, has been famous for its golden Sand, which gave occasion to the great Riches of the Kings of Lydia: the Meander for its fine Swans, and its Sinuosities. The Cidne, near Tarsus, has its Waters so cold, that they killed the Emperour Barbarossa, who bathed himself therein: Alexander the Great, having done the like, was abandoned by most of his Physicians, and was only cured by the Remedy of Philip, who ordered a Potion pretty like the modern Emetic Wine. The most renowned Mountains of Asia Minor, are Taurus, Ida, and Micale. Taurus divides all Asia into two parts, as we have already said. It is the most famous in the World for its length, for its heighth, and its branches, Caucasus and Imaus are parts of it. Ida, near Troy, is famous for the judgment of Paris; Micale, near Ephesus, for the Sea Engagement, which the Greeks won over the Persians, the same day that these were vanquish'd at Platees in Boeotia.

Turcomania is the Countrey of the Armenians, whose Tongue and Religion are received in most places of the Levant. Those People, who had their peculiar Kings before that the Turks subdued them, pretend, that they cannot be made Slaves, by reason of a Priviledge, which their Predecessours obtain'd from Mahomet, when that they assisted him to his establishment. This consideration has made most of the Merchants of Turkey, go under the name of Armenians. There are still at this day, in Armonia, Curdes, who defend their Liberty. The King of Persia has also some part of it. He is in possession of Erevan, which has in its neighbourhood the three Churches, the abode of the Patriarch of the Armenians. The Persians draw from thence a considerable Tribute, for the passage of the Caravans: For the better subjecting to themselves, what they stand possess'd of, they have carried thence whole Colonies, who inhabit the City of Giulfa, near Ispaham. Cha Abas used a very rigorous Policy towards these poor Wretches; he took away their Wives, to give them to Mahometans of his Kingdom, and gave them the Wives of those Mahometans. 'Tis held to be upon the Mountains of Armenia, and chiefly upon Ararat, that the Ark of Noah rested, and there we place the terrestrial Paradice: Not improbably it is the middle and the highest place of the World: Sem, Ham, and Japhet, set down there the bounds of their Dividend; there is to be seen the Sources of four famous Rivers, the Euphrates, Tigris, Faze, and Arais. The three first have Names conformable to those mentioned in Holy Writ. Arais may well be the Gehun, since Gehun in the Chaldaick Tongue, signifies a River; and Arasses in Persian, signifies the same thing; Besides, the Etopian people are placed near its Bed. This Arais joyns to Kur, before it falls into the Caspian-Sea: it is the only River of the Countrey, that bears Boats, and the Araxes of the Ancients, which has served for bounds to the Kingdoms of Media, and Armenia, where Justin has set down the Defeat of Cyrus the Great, by Tomiris, Queen of the Scithians.

Diarbech is the Assyria, where the Romans have often fought unhappily against the Parthians, and where the Turks and Persians have their greatest Disputes. Two Cities now ruin'd, have been very considerable there, Niniveh, and Babilon. Niniveh, opposite to and on the East of Mosul and beyond the Euphrates, was the abode of the Kings of Assyria, with twenty four of our Leagues in compass: The voluntary Death of Sardanapalus, and the repentance of its Inhabitants, have made it the labour of History. Babilon, a small days journey from Bagdad, which is upon the Tigris, has nothing more than ruins in a place called Felougia. In the neighbourhood is shown the place where was the Tower of Babel, famous for the confusion of Tongues. This Babilon was built by Nimrod, who is said to be the same with Belus; Queen Semiramis, as also Nebuchadnezzar, did much augment it: This Princess having caused Walls to be raised there, which have made it pass for one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and its fine Gardens in Terrace have given admiration to several persons. As it hath been the object of the greatest Conquerours of the East, it has been taken by Cirus, by Darius, by Alexander the Great, who died there at his return from his Conquests, and by Seleucus. The Children of Israel were there in captivity, for the space of seventy years: the Countrey round about produces two sorts of Pitch, the one dry, which is made use of in Buildings, the other liquid and very suceptible of fire, having this particular, of not being to be extinguish'd, but with Dirt, Vinegar, Alom, and Glew. The Power and Riches of Babilon have been so great, that it alone contributed more to King Cirus, than did the third part of his Dominions. After Babilon, Seleucia has been considerable in Assiria, Ctesiphon, Vologe-socerta, and lastly, Bagdad, which is in the place of Ctesiphon. Bagdad, which some call Baldac, and which is vulgarly called Babilon, is not only resorted to by Merchants of several Nations, but also by Mahometans, who go thither from all parts of Asia, to visit, in its neighbourhood, the Sepulchres of Omar, Ali, and other Disciples of Mahomet. It was for a long while the Residence of the Caliphs: one of whom, named Ʋlit, has had the glory of being Master of the greatest Monarchy that has ever been in the World: It extended from the most Western parts of Barbary, to the Indus. 'Tis observ'd of another Caliph, of this same City, that he left, at his death, eight Sons, eight Daughters, eight Millions of Gold, eight thousand Slaves, and his Dominions augmented by eight Kingdoms. In the Year 1638, when the Grand Seignior, Amurath the Fourth recover'd this strong and important City of Bagdad from the Persians; he caus'd three Men of each Company of his Army to be cast into the Ditch, and upon them a number of F*aggots, and Sacks of Wool, for the making the Assault with the more facility. Kufa is a Town, which the Inhabitants have in peculiar veneration, by reason of the Sepulcher of Ali. They keep there a Horse always ready to mount him, whom they say is to come and convert the whole World to their Law. Bassora is a Town near the mouth of the Tigris, called Chat by those of the Countrey. 'Tis spacious and pleasant, by reason of its Palm-Trees. By the means of its Harbour, it furnishes the Indies and Persia with Dates, which serve for Bread and Wine, to those who know how to prepare them. Its great Commerce of Horses, makes it often called by the Name of Mer-El-Catif. They were used to Voyage, upon this Sea or Gulph, along the shoar, and with the lead in hand. The Barks that are made use of there, are sewed with little Cords of Coco; insomuch, that not any Nails are to be perceived in 'em. Some few years ago, Bassora belong'd to Ali Bashaw, who called himself King of it, and who had this state from Father to Son, and was the Dominus fac-totum, paying only a small tribute to the Grand Seignior, who did not press him, for fear he should take the Persians side.

Souria is divided into Souria, Phoenicia, and the Holy Land. Souria proper to the City of Aleppo, which is reckoned for the best of all the Levant, and contains above two hundred and fifty thousand Persons. It is really the third of the Ottoman Empire, if we consider the resort thither of the Caravans, the Rendezvouz of the Turkish Armies in the Wars of Persia, and all its other advantages. The Jewels, Spices, Silks, and other precious Commodities, arrive here from the East by Sea, and by Land: They send them afterwards into Barbary, by means of the Port of Alexandretta, upon the Mediterranean Sea. They there make use of Camels, for the going to Bir, where they might have the conveniency of the Euphrates, as far as the Neighbourhood of Bagdad; but several Mills there hinder the Navigation. It's fine to see upon that River, the Peasants going down the stream upon Goats-skins, which they fill with Wind, and let out again, when they have made use of them. Antioch which, for excellency, has the Denomination of Great, was the abode of some Roman Emperours, and the Cradle of Christianity, St. Paul having established here the first Patriarchate of the Church. It has had formerly a Suburb called Daphne, which passed for one of the most delicious places in the World. Damas, the Metropolis of Phoenicia, sends us sweet smelling Waters, Wines, pleasurable Fruits, Prunes, Raisins, Cutlasses, Sword Blades; and other works, which keep the Name of it. They say, that after the Battel of Issus, Alexander the Great, found in Damascus, two hundred thousand six hundred Talents of Coined Money. This City is in so fertile, and so agreeable a scituation, that some have called it the Paradice of the World. Sayd (otherwise Sidon) has a French Consul, for Trade. Sur, or Sour, from whence came the Name of Souria, is the ancient Tyre; renowned for its fine Scarlet, for its good Mariners; for its Colonies; and for the Siege of seven Months, which it held out against Alexander the Great, before he could take it. In its Neighbourhood, is to be seen the Castle of Tygade, the ancient obode of Old de la Montagne, Prince of the Assassins, who executed blindly all the Orders of their Sovereign. Saint John de Aere, otherwise Ptolemaida, formerly the Residence of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, is accompanied with a Sea-Haven. Mount Libanus, is remarkable for its height, for its fertility, for the ancient Cedars, which have been found there, since the Creation of the World. It has full sixty Leagues in compass, and forty Villages of the Maronites. Those people who are Catholicks, receive their Name from the Monastery of Saint-Maron: They are in possession of four hundred Villages, and can bring fifteen thousand Men in Arms. Canobin is the Residence of their Patriarch, who bears the Title of that of Antioch. Besides the Maronites in this Mount Libanus, are Emirs, or Princes, and the Nations of the Druses, Nassarians, Kelbins, who maintain there their liberty. The Holy Land, where the principal Mysteries of our Salvation were wrought; is (as it were) in the midst of our Continent. It was first of all named the Land of Canaan, the Land of the Promise, the Land of the Hebrews, the Land of Israelites; and afterwards Judea, Palestine; and finally the Holy Land; by reason of the Birth, and Death of the Saviour of the World, and in consideration of the abode of the Prophets. Its principal and first Divisions have been into eleven people, who bore the Names of the Children of Canaan; into fifty two Kingdoms, and five Satrapies: into twelve Tribes, who went under the Names of the Children of Jacob. 'Tis however to be observed, that Manasses, and Ephraim, are the Names of the Children of Joseph, who died before the Division; and that the Tribes, who had the Lands on the East of Jordan, had them upon condition of engaging first in the most dangerous Actions. The other Divisions of the Holy Land, have been into twelve Governments under Solomon: Into two Kingdoms, Israel and Judah: Into six Provinces, after the Captivity of Babylon: Into three Roman Provinces: Into five Tribunals or Audiences, by Gabinius: And lastly, Into three Ecclesiastical Provinces. The Holy-Land has hardly, at present, any place of Remark; and the Turks only preserve the Towns they have there, by reason of the Money which they exact from the Pilgrims. It had formerly Cities so rich, so powerful, and in such great numbers, that no Countrey in the World was there that could be compared to't, for that reason: there having been reckoned above five hundred and seventy. Its extent from the South to the North, is about seventy Leagues; Its breadth thirty, somewhere more, somewhere less, according as it is bounded, either by the Mountains of Arabia, or by Jordan. What is there call'd the Desart, is so stiled, in that it has not all the fertility, that is found in the Countreys which are near it. Its modern Division is into three Principalities, Sayd, Cossaria, and Gaza. Two Governments are under the Bashaw of Damascus, Jerusalem, and Naplouse. Jerusalem, tho' fallen from its ancient Lustre, still preserves those places, which Jesus Christ was pleas'd to honour with his presence. It has been famous for the bigness, beauty, and riches of its Temple; for its Kings; for its High-Priests; and for other particularities. It was ruined by Nebuchadnezzar, by Vespasian, and Titus; These two last saw the Death of Eleven hundred thousand Persons. There are eight Nations of Christians, who are rank'd in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Roman Catholicks, the Maronites; the Greeks, the Armenians, the Syrians, or Jacobites, the Copties, or Aegyptians, and the Georgians. One of the Gates of the City, called the Eye of a Needle, has given occasion to the Proverb, that a Camel may as soon pass through the Eye of a Needle, as a Rich man enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Nazareth is the place, where the Saviour of the World was conceived; Bethlem that where he was born. There are an infinite number of rare things to be remark'd upon these Cities of the Holy Land: The misfortune is, that they are hardly any longer to be known.

Some Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, belong to the Turks, whereof that of Cyprus is the greatest; It has the Title of a Kingdom, and formerly contained nine. Nicosia is the Capital City of the Island. Famagusta the Principal Sea-Port. This Famagusta was the last place, which the Venetians defended there against the Turks, who took it at last after a Siege of seventy dayes, and above a hundred and forty thousand Shot made against the Town. The Grotto of the seven Sleepers, is near the City of Baffo. In an Abbey near Limisso, they keep Cats, brought up to the hunting of Serpents, after which they return back thither at the ringing of a Bell. The Isle of Rhodes is famous for the ancient abode of the Knights of the same Name, who were constrained to yield it to the Turk in the Year 1522: For the Colossus of the Sun, which was so prodigious, that few persons could embrace the thumb of it: Great Ships passed easily with full Sails between its Leggs: When the Sarazens caused the Copper of it to be carried into Aegypt, they found it to load above nine hundred Camels. The Isles of Chio, and Metilin, are in the Archipelago. Chio one of the most fertile and most delicious in the World, produces excellent Fruits, Malmsy Wine, and particularly Mastick. It has the High and Low Town, and in both are reckoned above twenty thousand Mortals: They are almost all Christians, Greeks, and Latins; and there is not a place under the Turk, where the Christians have more freedom. Metelin affords excellent Wines: And the Nightingales are said to sing more melodiously there, than elsewhere. Its ancient Inhabitants have had the reputation of being very expert Mariners. In the last Age, the famous Barberossa, who is said to have been a Native of this Island, rendred himself formidable to all Christendom. Patmos, or Palmosa, is known for the Exile, and the Grotto of St. John the Evangelist. The Isle of Lango, under the Name of Cos, has passed for the native Countrey of Hippocrates, and Appelles. The enviers of Hippocrates, attribute all his knowledge to Medicinal Receipts, which were brought into the Temple of Aesculapius. Apelles observ'd proportion in his Pictures, whereas Zeuxis made them greater than Nature for the giving them Majesty. The Inhabitants of Lango, are said to have found out the first use of Silk-Worms. Not far from thence, there is a little Island called Caloiero, which is almost impregnable: It is only a steep Rock, where the Monks, and those who inhabit it, draw up their Boats after them with Ropes.