Tartaria Antiqua

Sources from old books

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

TARTARIA ANTIQVA hath on the South, Altay; on the West, and North, the main Scythick Ocean; on the East the Streights of Anian, by which parted from America. So called, because the first habitation of the Tartars, who from this den or Jail, made their first eruptions, and have since over-grown so much of Asia.

The Countrey cold, and comfortless, as lying under the Polar Circle, and in part beyond it: not fit for any but for such as can live no where else: yet heretofore a receptacle of many Christians (though those of the Nestorian Sect) who here enjoyed that liberty of their Religion, which the Persians and Saracens denyed them in more pleasing Countries. It containeth many Regions, some not considerable. Those of most note, are 1. Thebet, 2. Tabor, 3. Tenduc, 4. Bargu, 5. Anian, and 6. Tartar.

1. THEBET, a fenny Region, and full of woods, rich in Corall which they find on the Sea-shore, and use it instead of money. So named from the chief City of it, the ordinary Seat of the Abassi, or Pope of this Idolatrous people; much reverenced, and having in his power the disposing of all Offices which concern the service of their Idols; They have also some good store of Musk; and abundance of wild beasts which are bred in their Forrests. But no beasts wilder than the people, who in times past (if not at the present also) used to bury their Parents in their own bowels, and to make drinking cups of their skuls; for fear lest in the midst of their jollity they should forget their Progenitors. Yet not more barbarous than immodest; it being contrary to their custome to take a wife that is a Virgin. And therefore the Mothers use to prostitute their daughters to the Merchant-Strangers, who having had their pleasure of them gratify them with a Jewell or some other present; which they wear on their wedding day: she being the most acceptable Bride to her husband, who bringeth the greatest Dowry with her of those base rewards. It contained once eight petit Kingdomes, (Homagers to the Kings of Tenduc) with many Cities: but now laid desolate by the Tartar.

2. TABOR, once a distinct Kingdome also. One of the Kings whereof in the year 1540. came to the Courts of Charles the fift, and Francis the first; where he found Princely entertainment. But upon proof that he was a Factor for the Jews, and secretly solicited many uato that Religion, by the command of Charles, he was burnt at Mantua.

3. TENDVC, a populous Kingdome of it self, but greater in name and power, the Kings hereof commanding all these North-East parts, as far as the borders of Cathay. Christian in Religion, till the Conquest of it by the Tartars, though according to the Nestorian tendries: but now Mahometan for the most part, with some remainders, and but few, of Christianity. Divided into many large and spacious Provinces, as Chin•hintales, Cerguth, Egrigaia, Cercham, others of less note, so called according to the names of their principal Towns, or having some Towns in them of the name of the Provinces.

Those of most note in Tenduc It self, 1. Coras, the ordinary sepulture of the Kings of Tenduc, before it was subdued by the Tartars, and since that also. 2. Caracoras, where Cingis was first honoured with the Title of King. The Kings hereof bearing the port of Kings, and the office of Priests, were antiently called by the name of Presbyter Johannes, or Prester John: a title now erroniously conferred by some on the Emperour of the Abassines or Aethiopians in Asrick. Concerning which it is a wonder, that Joseph Scaliger, a man of such infinite reading, should be so deceived: and by the authority of his judgement deceive so many. For finding that there was a Presbyter Johannes in the North of Asia, and hearing vulgarly that title given unto him in Africk; he fell upon a fancie that this A•assine Emperour was formerly of so great power, as to extend his empire over India, and the North of Asia; and in this last, for the assurance of his conquests, to hold his residence. A monstrous, and undefensible fancy. For besides that all histories, even those of the A••ssines themselves, are silent in it: how improbable is it, that a King reigning in the heart of A•••k, should subdue the most remote parts of Asia; and there keep his Court: so many great States and most puissant Nations, being interposed? or that so memorable an exploit should be buried in silence, and found in no record but in Scaligers head? Besides it is well known, and generally granted, that the Presbyter John of Asia, was by Sect a Nestorim; but he that is so called in Africk, of the Sect of the Jac•bites: and further, that the Christians of Aethiop•• are circumcised, which never was reported of those of Asia.

Letting this pass therefore as an unwarrantable, and ill-grounded fancy, we are to know that formerly this Province of Tenduc, was under the old Kings of Cathay, till the time of Cin-Cham, the King thereof. After whose death a certain Nestort•n shepheard (that is to say, the master of great flocks of sheep) being Governour of the Yaymans, a People of Tenduc, took to himself the title of king of Tenduc whom they called by the name of Priest John, or Prince John (the same word in their language, as in the Hebrie, signifieth both Priest and Prince.) Dying he bequeathed his estate and flocks to his brother Unt-•ham, (commonly called in one word Uncham) a greater sheep-master than he, whose flocks ranged over all the past ures of the Mo•es, or Monguls and Tartars, though dwelling fourteen daies journey off, whom he had in subjection: the title of Priest John, or Presbyter Johannes, going along with the dignity and Royall estate. And though afterwards this Uncham was subdued by the Tartars, yet his posterity for long time were suffered to enjoy the title of Kings and Presbyters; (but Vassals, and Homagers, to the Great Cham): the Great Chams, in regard of their nobility, and royall parentage, bestowing their daughters on them in marriage; as is said by William de Rubraquis, who travelled in these Countries, Anno 1253. the King hereof being then named George (the fourth from Uncham) but commonly called Presbyter Johannes, as his Fathers were

4. BARGV, on the extreme North-west, bordering on both those sides the cold Scythick Ocean situate under the North-starre; of the same nature, both for the soyl and people, as that of the Tartars. And

5. ANIAN, on the North-East, opposite unto it, giving name unto the Streight• of A•ia•, lying betwixt Tartarie and America, which Streights the Tartars, and some other of these Northern nations, are thought to have passed over, and to plant that Countrey.

6. TARTAR, so called of the great River Tartar, the principall of this Northern Tract, and giving name unto the Tartars: this being their Originall Countrey, where they lived like beasts, having neither faith, nor letters, nor habitation, nor the use of Arms, nor any reputation amongst their neighbours. In matter of Religion, the worst sort of gentiles, worshipping the Sunne, Moon, Fire, and the very Earth: to which they offered in the morning fasting, the first of their meats and drinks.

Their Idols made of Felt, and placed on both sides of the doors of their tents or booths, as the preservers of their Cattel, and the Authors of milk. Divided into five Clans, or Tribes, denominating so many Towns and territories in which they dwel•, that is to say,

1. Mongul.

2. Yek•-Mongul, or the Great Mongul)

3. Sommongul, or the water-Mongul.

4. Mercat.

5. Metrit:

each of them Governed by its Chief, as commonly it is amongst barbarous Nations; though all those Chiefs subordinate to some higher power. Oppressed by Uncham, or Unt-cham, the King of Tenduc, who invaded their pastures, and compelled them to pay unto him the tenth of their Cattel, with joint consent they removed somewhat further off, and denied their Tribute. This opportunity was taken by Cingis, one of the Tribe of the Yek•-Monguls, and so well husbanded, that they admitted him for their King. For publishing abroad amongst the Credulous people, that an armed man appeared to him in his sleep, with a white horse, and said, • Cangius, or Cingis, it is the will of immortall God, that thou be Governour of the Tartars, and free them from bondage, and paying tribute; he found, a generall belief; especially amongst those of his own Clan, who joyning themselves to him, followed him, as their Ring-leader, in all his actions. Thus backed and strengthned he made warre against the Sommonguls, •lew their Commander, and subdued them: and by their help, successively assaulted the Mercats, and Metrits, whom he also vanquished. And having thus subdued all the Clans of the Tartars, and added the estates of Thebet, and Tanguth, unto his Dominions, he was by the consent of the seven Princes, or Chiefs of their Clans, (Thebet, and Tanguth being added to the former number) placed on a seat on a peece of Felt, (the best throne they had or could afford) and saluted King; with as great reverence and solemnity as their state could yield. And first to make triall of his power, and their obedience, he commanded the seven Chiefs or Princes to surrender their places, and each of them to cut off the head of his eldest sonne: which was done accordingly. Had John of Leiden been a Scholar, as he was but a Botcher, I should think he had studied the Acts of Cingis, and proceeded by them. Assured by this of their fidelity and obedience, he set upon the Naymans, a people of the Kingdom of Tenduc, whom he overcame. And now conceiving himself fit for some great alliance, he sent to Uncham, and demanded one of his daughters for his wife, Which Uncham with some threats, but more scorn, denying; he marched against him, slew him in the field, and possessed his daughter, and with her also his estate. Proud with this good success, and encouraged by so great an increase of power, he invaded the Kingdome of Cathay; pretending for that also the authority of an heavenly vision, in the name of the immortall God: in which attempt, discomfited at first with a very great overthrow, but at last victorious; conquering the several nations of it by one and one, till in the end he brought the warre to the chief City of that Kingdome, which at last he took, and therewithall the title of Cham or Emperor. Continuing in this dignity for the space of six years, and every year adding somewhat to his dominions, he was at last wounded in the knee at the Castle of Thaygin, of which wound he died, and was honourably buried in Mount Altay.

This is the best accompt I am able to give of the beginning of this great Empire, the originall of this spreading Nation, and the description of the Country of their first habitation. They that have christned some of the most Northern parts of it by the names of the Tribes of Dan, and Napthalim, and accordingly placed them in their Maps, might with more credit have supplied those vacant places, which they knew not otherwise how to fill, with the pictures of wild beasts, or monstrous fishes: which might well enough have pleased the eye, without betraying the judgement of the looker on. Of his Successors I am able to make no certain Catalogue, their names being doubtfully delivered, and the succession much confounded amongst our writers: the names of the Provincial Sultans being many times imposed upon us, instead of those of the Chams themselves. But we will wade through those difficulties as well as we can, and exhibit as perfect a Catalogue of them, as the light of story will direct me: first adding (what should have been before remembered) that it is recorded, that Cingis before he joyned battel with Uncham, consulted with his Diviners and Astrologers of the success. They taking a green reed, cleft it asunder, writ on the one the name of Cingis, and Uncham on the other; and placed them not farre asunder. Then fell they to reading their Charms, and conjurations; and the reeds fell a fighting in the sight of the whole Army, Cing•s Reed overcomming the other: whereby they foretold the joyfull news of victory to the Tartars, which accordingly hapned. And this was the first step by which this base and beggerly Nation began to mount unto the chair of Empire and Soveraignty; whereas before they lived like beasts, having neither letters, nor faith, nor dwelling, nor reputation, nor valor, nor indeed any thing befitting a man, as before was said.

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

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

The True and Ancient TARTARY, is the most Northern of all the parts of Tartary taken together, and likewise the coldest, the most untilled, and most barbarous of all: nevertheless it is from hence that the Tartars issued in the year 1200, and having made themselves Masters of 6 Hordes most adjacent to theirs, have since made themselves known, and have carried their Arms and their Government into the greatest and fairest parts of Asia. This is the place where the Ten Tribes are supposed to have rested, which were transported into Media; and some say, that the name of Dan, Nepthalim, and Zebulon, are yet found amongst them; but it is easie to forge what names men please in parts wholly unknown. The Kingdoms, Provinces, or Hordes of the Great Mogoll, of Bargu, Tartar, Nayman, Annibi, &c. are the most known. Some Authors place here Gog and Magog, which others will have to be in the Estates of the Mogoll, and of China, and towards Maug, above the Lake of Chiamay.

The principal Riches of the True Tartary consists in their Cattle and Furs, among which most esteem is had of their white Bears, black Foxes, Sables, &c. they live on Milk and Flesh, of which they have great plenty, neither caring for Fruits nor Grains; and in a word, have still something of the ancient Scythian. Some amongst them have their Kings; others live by Hordes, or Communalties; almost all are Shepherds, and the greatest part subject to the Grand Cham of Cathay.

The chief places in this part of Tartary, do commonly take their names from their Kingdoms, Provinces, or Hordes, in which they lie.