Turcomania

Sources from old books

1630. Relations of the most famous kingdomes. London. by Giovanni Botero.

Turcomania, in times past a part of the greater Armenia.

Turcomania comprehendeth no small portion of Armenia major: what remaineth is accounted in Georgia. Upon the North lieth Colchis, (now Mongrelia:) Upon the West Euphrates, and the lesse Armenia upon the East that remainder of the greater Armenia, which is counted in Georgia; Upon the South Mesopotar••a (now Dierbechia) with the people Curdi. It is invironed with Mountaines, and beautified with plains, amongst the which Periander, (now Chalderan) Antitaurus (now Mons-nigor) are most renowmed. It is generally exceeding fertile, and stored with Cattell, but marvellously subject to deepe snowes.

The people by nature are much given to theft and spoile, as descending from the Tartars, and so at this day lead their lives, living in Tents and Hovels attending and pasturing their cattell; Yet some of them inure themselves to tillage, and mechanike Trades, in weaving of Chamblets, and Hangings, watered and unwatered: of the like qualities. are the Curdi, and some suppose that these Curdi inhabit the ancient seats of the Chaldeans, whereupon it is called at this day Curdistan by the Turkes and Persians, but by the Arabians Kelaan, that is to say, Chaldea.

Georgia, by the Barbarians termed Gurgistan, comprehendeth the ancient Iberia, with part of the greater Armenia, and peradventure Atropatia. Upon the West lieth Mengrelia, upon the North Zuiria (once Albania), upon the East the middle Atropatia (now Siruan,) upon the South that part of the greater Armenia, which now is called Turcomanta.

For the greater part it is covered with Mountains, Woods, and thickets, and in that regard inconquerable for the difficulties of the mountainous passages. It is notwithstanding fertile, and adorned with many large plaines and vallies, from whence arise many famoused Rivers, as Cirus and Araxis, springing from the Mountaine Taurus, and running thorow the whole Province, untill at last it disgorge it selfe into the Caspian.

The Inhabitants are termed Georgiani, of S. George, whom they advow their Patron and Advocate. But this is but a vulgar errour, seeing both Plinie and Mela make mention of the Georgiani, one hundred yeares before the birth of Saint George, the famous souldier and martyr. They are Christians, according to the Greeke Church, with some small difference. They are very populous and warlike, strong of body, and valorous in fight, even untill our times, mantaining their libertie in the midst of the Mahumetans, sometimes following the fortunes of the Turkes, sometimes of the Persians. But at this day, they have not onely lost their wonted libertie, but also many Fortresses and Cities, as Testis, Lori, Clisca, G•ri, and Tomanis, and withall, some of of them have imbraced the Turkish infidelitie.