Macedon

Sources from old books

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

MACEDON, EPIRE, AND ACHAJA, VVITH which ALBANIA is described. (Book Macedon) SOME have divided Greece in another manner. But wee will follow Mercator, who doth accurately describe the parts thereof in three Tables. But in this Table he setteth forth 3. Provinces of Greece, Macedon, Epire and Achaja, afterward Morea, and in the third and last place Candia. The first is Macedon, being a large Country, and so called from King Macedon the sonne of Orsiis, some say that it was so denominated from Iupiter and Thia, or as Salinus thinketh, from Ducalions Nephew. It was heretofore called Emathia, as Pliny and Trogus doe witnesse. Livy writeth that it was first called Paeonia, afterward Aemonia, Solinus calls it Edonia, and Pieria. Trogus writeth that it was heretofore called Baeotia. Stephanus and Hesychius doe write that a part of it was called Macetia, and from thence Eustathius reporteth that the whole Country was so called. It is also called in the Booke of Machabees, Cethim, where we reade that Alexander went out of the Land of Cethim. It is situate in the middle of two great Seas, the Jonian Sea on the West, and the Aegaean on the East: on the North it hath a part of Dalmatia, and the higher Maesia: on the South it toucheth Epirus and Achaja. The Country is every where fruitfull; and encompassed with great Mountaines; and the borders thereof toward the Jonian Sea are plaine and woody: for that part which is called Albania is well knowne to bee large, fruitfull, and pleasant. Moreover, it is very rich in Gold and Silver, and as Aristotle witnesseth, a kinde of strange Gold was heretofore found here, there is also Brimstone digged out of the Earth. Moreover Macedon doth produce a Precious stone called Paeantides, which doth helpe women to conceive, and bring forth children, as Solinus writeth. This is that Macedon (saith Pliny) which heretofore had the Empire of the whole World, that is, that Country which passed over Asia, Armenia, Iberia, Albania, Cappadocia, Syria, Aegypt, Taurus, and Causasus: this Country had Dominion over the Bactrians, Medes, and Persians, and possessed all the East, this conquerd India, following the steps of Bacchus and Hercules, this is that Macedon, in which ou• Emperour Paulus Aemilius in one day tooke 72. Citties and sold them. Such was the change of Fortune. Macedon containeth many Countries, among the which Thessaly is the chiefe, which Castaldus calleth Comenolitari. There are also many faire Citties in Macedon. The chiefe now are Thessalonia, which was and is now frequented by divers Christian Nations, and Jewes, who have there 80. Synagogues. The Sangiack of Macedon resideth here. He at the command of the Beglerbeg, as often as the Turke setteth forth any Army hath 500. Horsemen well appointed, an hundred whereof he keepeth neere him to defend his owne borders. Neere unto this Citty is Siderocapsa famous for Gold Mettall. And Pella where the Kings Treasure is kept, and 3000. of the Kings Mares are kept to breed, as Pliny and Strabo doe witnesse. Stagira was the Towne where Aristotle was borne. Also Apollonia where Augustus Caesar learned the Greeke tongue. Dyrrachium which was heretofore called Epidaurus, is in the Country of Brundusium: also Aulon, Croja, and Cavalla. The Rivers of Macedon next to Strimon, in the borders of Thrace, are Axius, Erigonus, Aliacmon, and Peleus. It hath these Mountaines, Pelion, Ossa, Pindus, Nimphaeus, and Athon. Athos is a great steepe rugged Mountaine, which casteth a shaddow even to the Iland Lemnos: it is planted with Vines, Olives, Bay-trees, Mirtle-trees, and Apple-trees. Now it is inhabited by the Colojerians, who are so religious, that even the Turkes doe abstaine from this part alone, and doe often give the Monkes gifts, and benevolences.