Mikrokosmos A little description of the great world. Augmented and reuised. By Peter Heylyn.

OF EGYPT.

EGYPT is bounded on the East with the Red Sea; on the West, with Cyrene; on the North, with the Mediterranean; on the South, with Habassia. In the place where this Aegypt and Habassia meet, is the last cataract of Nolus; which is a fall of the waters, after much struggling with the rocks for passage, an incredible way downe into the lower valleyes. The hideousnes of the noyse which it maketh, not onely deaueth all the by∣dwellers, but the hills also are torne with the sound: For as Lucan:

Cuncta tremunt undis, & multo murmure montis Spume••s invictis albescit fluctibus amnis. The noyse the mountaines shakes, who roare in spight To see th'vnvanquish'd waues cloath'd all in white.

Yet you may diuerse times see the Countrey people, in a litle boat, able to containe but two onely, venture down these falls; aed appearing after they are long lossed in the waters, a great distance off, as if they had beene shot out of an engine.

This Country was first inhabited by Misraim, the sonne of Chus, the sonne of Cham, & was called in the Hebrew tongue Misreia: the footsteps of which name remaineth amongst the Arabians, who call it Misre. 2 It was named Oceana, from O∣ceanus a King hereof. 3 O••iriana, from Osiris. 4 Aegyptus, from Aegypt; being the surname of Rameses, a Prince of great power.

The Country is in length from Siene, to the Mediterranean Sea, 562 miles; and in bredth, from Rosetta West, to Damiata East; about 140 miles. But it continueth not alwayes in this bredth for lessening it selfe Southwards, like a Pyramis rever∣sed, it is in some places but 37 miles broad, & at the very point or bottome, but foure. It is situate betweene the second and the fift Climates, so that the longest day is 13 houres, and a halfe.

The inhabitants, though this Countrey lie in the same Cli∣mate with Barbary, are not black, but tawnie and brown. They were the inventers of the Mathematicall Sciences, and are still

endued with a special dexterity of wit; but are somwhat sloth∣full, and giuen to riot and luxury; merry also and sociable com∣panions. The old Egyptians are by Pomponius charactred, to haue vsed to weepe and mourne ouer their dead bodies, daw∣bed ouer with dung; to haue held it almost a piacle to burne or bury them, but hauing embalmed them, to haue laid them in some inward roome of their houses. The men (saith he) keepe home, and spinne; the women manage the greater businesses: the men carry burdens on their heads, the women on their backs. Not much vnlike to which last custome, they haue still one of a new stampe; for here the women pisse standing, and the men couring on their knees. They worshipped in euery Town and its Territory, particular gods; but the god by them most adored, was Apis; an Oxe, blacke all ouer his body, ha∣uing a white starre in his fore-head, the effigies of an Eagle on his backe, and two haires only in his taile. It seemeth his deity was not much respected by strangers; for Cambises when hee conquered Egypt, ran him with his sword through the thigh, causing all his Priests to be scourged: and Augustus being here, would not vouchsafe to see him, saying; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, dios se colere consuevisse, non boues, a speech worthy so braue a Prince.

For its abundant fruitfulnesse this country was called Hor∣reum populi Romani; and in the time of Ioseph, supplied Iacob and his Family with corne. Now also is the goodnesse of the soyle such, as is contained in these two verses of Lucans.

Terra suis contenta bonis, non indigna mercis, Aut Ievis; in solo tantatest fiducia Nilo. The Earth content with its owne wealth, doth craue No forreine Marts, nor Ioue himselfe; they haue Their hopes alone in Nilus fruitfull waue.

This Nilus hath his head either in the mountains of the Moon, or the lake Zembre in Aethiopia interior: and running in one continuall Channell, till it washeth the midland of Egypt, is be∣fore its influx into the Sea, diuided into 7 other Channels, or mouthes; namely 1 Heracleoticum, 2 Bolviticum, 3 Schaniti∣cum, 4 Patinicum, 5 Mendesium, 6 Caniticum, 7 Pelusiacum. The

first and last of these currents being sarre distant at the Sea; and growing into one, at the first point of the riuers diuision; make the part which is called Delta. because it ve••embleth the Greek letter Δ. The other part is called Thebais, from Thebes, the chiefe Town of it. This Nil••s, from the 15 day of Iune, swel∣leth aboue his banks the space of 40 dayes; and in as many more gathereth his waters again to their proper bounds. If it flow not to the height of 15 Cubits, then the Earth is deficient in her abundance of increase, for want of moisture: and if the waters surmount the superficies of the Earth, more then 17 cu∣bits; then like a drunken man it cannot produce its naturall o∣perations, as hauing its stomach (as it were) ouer-laid, and sur∣charged with too much liquor: but if the meane be granted, there is no Country can brag of such abundance, the corne be∣ing all inned before the end of May. During this inundation, the beasts and cattle liue on the hills, and in the Townes, to which they are before-hand driuen; & there are, til the decrease of the waters, foddered. As for the Townes and villages, they stand all on the toppes of the hills, and at the time of the floud, appeare like so many Ilands. Commerce and entercourse is not a ••ot di∣minished; for skiffes and the like boates, supply the places of horses and camels, transporting safely and speedily, the market∣men and their commodities, from one Town to another. When the riuer doth not thus ouer-flow the Country, it is not onely the vsher to a following dearth; but prognosticateth some en∣suing mischiefe to the State and Princes thereof. And it is by Authors of good credit related, that in the 10^th and 11^th yeare of Cleopatra, the riuer increased not: which was obserued to be a fore-teller of the fall of two great Potentates, this Cleopatra, and her sweet-heart Antonie. A second commodity arising frō this inundation of the Nile, is the health it bringeth with it; for the plague, which here often miserably ••ageth, vpō the first day of the floud doth instātly cease: insomuch that wheras 500 dye in Caire, the day before; the day following there dieth not one. A third strangenesse in this riuer is, that keeping its waters to∣gether, it changeth the colour of the Sea farther into the Me∣diterranean, then the sea can thence be discerned. A fourth mi∣racle

is, that not in fruits onely, but in producing liue creatures also, it is euen to wonder fruitfull: as Ovid,

Nam{que} ubi deseruit madidos septemfluus agros Nilus, & antiquo sua flumina reddidit alveo; Plurima cultores versis animalia glebis Inveniunt— For when the seauen-mouth'd Nile the fields forsakes, And to his ancient Channell him betakes; The tillers of the ground liue creatures finde Of sundry shapes, ith' mud that's left behinde.

This riuer is in length almost 3000 miles, and being the onely riuer of Egypt, affordeth the onely drinke to the Egyptians, and is of such vertue, that when Pesceninus Niger saw his Soldiers grumble for wine; what (saith he) doe you murmure for wine, hauing the waters of Nilus to drinke? On the bankes of this ri∣uer, down towards Alexandria, stood that famous Labyrinth, built by Psamniticus. It contained within the compasse of one continued wall, 1000 houses, and 12 royall palaces, built and couered with marble. It had onely one entrance, but innumera∣ble wayes within, turning and returning, one sometimes ouer the other, and all in a manner invious to men not acquainted. So Mela describeth it. The building was more vnder the Earth, then aboue, the marble stones being laid with that art, that nei∣ther wood, nor cement, was imployed in any part of the fa∣bricke. The chambers were so disposed, that the doores vpon their opening, did giue reports no lesse terrible then thunder: and the maine entrance all of white marble, adorned with state∣ly columnes, and most curious workes of imagerie. On the bankes of this riuer also, grew those sedgie weedes called Pa∣pyri, of which Paper was in former times made. They diuided it into thinne flakes, whereinto it naturally parteth: then laying them on a table, and moistning them with the glutinous water of the riuer; they pressed them together, and so dried them in the Sun. By meanes of this Invention, bookes being easier to be transcribed and reserued; Ptolomaeus Philadelphus made his excellent Library at Alexandria; and vnderstanding how At∣talus king of Pergamum, by the benefit of this Aegyptian pa∣per,

striued to exceed him in that kind of magnificence, prohibi∣ted the carrying of it out of Aegypt. Hereupon Attalus inven∣ted parchment, called from the place of its invention, Pergame∣na; from the materials thereof, being sheepe skinnes, Membra∣na: the conveniencie whereof was the cause, why in short time the Aegyptian paper was worne out; in place whereof succee∣ded our paper made of ragges: the Author of which invention, our progenitours haue not committed to memorie. Before the vse of these papers and parchment was knowne, I obserue 3 kindes of writing: 1 on the inward side of the barke of a tree, which is in Latine called Liber, and whence we call our bookes Libri. 2^ly on tables framed out of the maine body of a tree, which being called Caudex, gaue the Latines occasion to call a booke Codex, 3^ly they vsed to couer their Tables ouer with waxe, and thereon to write what they listed, from whence ta∣bellarius now signifieth a letter carrier. The instrument with which they wrote, was a sharpe-pointed iron, which they cal∣led Stylus, a word now signifying (the originall hence taken) the peculiar kind of phrase, which any man vseth; as negligens stylus in Quintilian; and exercitatus stylus in Cicero. I should haue told you how they vsed also to write in leaues, and how the Sybils Oracles being thereon written, and scattered abroad, were called Sybillae folia; and from whence perhaps, we still vse to say, a leafe of paper: but of this enough.

The people of this Country were instructed in the Gospell by Saint Marke, which they generally retained till the com∣ming of the Saracens: at what time most of them embraced Mahumetanisme. The remainder of the Christians, being in a country so populous not aboue 50000, are called Copties; and that either from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, scindo, because they vse Circumcision: or from Coptas, a town where the most of them reside: or from Aegophti, a name corrupted from Aegypti. They are in a manner all Iacobites, from whom notwithstanding, as from all other Churches, they differ in some things, viz: 1 They conferre all sacred orders, vnder the Priesthood, vpon Infants immediatly after Baptisme; their parents till they come to 16 yeares of age, performing their office for them: secondly they allow marri∣age

in the second degree of consanguinity, without any dispen∣sation: thirdly, they obserue not the Lords day, nor any other festiuals, but onely in the cities; and fourthly they embrace and ••ead in their Liturgies, a Gospell, written (as they say) by Nicodemus.

In the time of Heathenisme, the Priests were held in equall honour with their kings; who expressed their conceits, both belonging to Religion and worldly affaires, by the shapes of beasts, birds, trees, &c. which they called Hieroglyphickes, of which two or three examples out of Orus will not be imper∣tinent. For aeternity, they painted the Sunne and the Moone, as things which they belieued had no beginning, nor would haue any end. For a yeare, they painted a snake, with his taile in his mouth; to shew how one yeare succeeding another, kept the world still in an endlesse circle. For a moneth, they painted a palme tree; because at euery new Moon it sendeth forth a new branch. For God, they painted a Falcon; as well for that he soa∣reth so high, as that he gouerneth the lesser birds for integrity of life, they painted fire & water, both because these Elements are in themselues most pure, and because all other things are purified by them. For any thing that was abominable to the gods, they painted a fish; because in their sacrifices, the Priests neuer vsed them; and the like. From this manner of expressing ones selfe, the invention of letters is thought to haue had its originall; the history whereof, take briefly, & word for word, out of Tacitus: Primi per formas animalium Aegypti, &c. The E∣gyptians first of all expressed the conceptions of the minde, by the shapes of beasts; and the most ancient monuments of mans memory, are seene grauen in stones, and they say, that they are the first inventers of letters. Then the Phoenicians, because they were strong at sea, brought them into Greece, and so they had the glory of that, which they receiued from others. For there goeth a report, that Cadmus sayling thither in a Phoenician ship, was the inventer of the art among the Greekes, when they were yet vnexpert and rude. Some record that Cecrops the A∣thenian, or Livius the Theban, and Palamedes the Grecian, did finde out 16 Characters, at the time of the Troian warre; and

that afterward Simonides added the rest. But in Italy the Etru∣rians learned them of Demaratus the Corinthian; and the Abe∣rigines of Evand••r the Arcadian. So far Tacitus. That the Phoe∣nici••ns were the first inventers of Letters, I dare not affirme; & as backward am I to referre the glory hereof to the Egyptians; for certainly the Iewes were herein skilled before either: yet that the Phoenicians were herein Schoolmasters to the Greekes, I thinke I may with safety affirme, hauing Lucan in consent with Tacitus.

Phoenices primi (famae si creditur) ausi Mansuram ••udi••us vocem signare figuris, Phoenicians first (if fame may credit haue) Dar'd in rude Characters our words t'engraue.

As for these lesse vulgar Letters, which the Latines call Cip••rae, and whereof euery exercised statesman hath peculiar to him∣selfe; they were first invented by Iulius Caesar, when he first be∣gan to thinke of the Roman Monarchie; and were by him in his letters to his more priuate and tryed friends, vsed: that if by misfortune they should be intercepted, the Contents of them should not be vnderstood: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ne obvia literarum lectio c••ivis esset. Augustus one of the greatest politickes of the world, had an other kinde of obscure writing; for in his letters of more secrecie and importance, hee alwayes vsed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to put the letter imme∣diatly following in the order of the Alphabet, for that which in ordinary writing he should haue vsed. As for Brachygraphie, or the Art of writing by short Characters, so vsefull for the ta∣king of a speech or sermon as it is spoken; I cannot say either who was the Author, or whether the Invention be ancient, or more moderne; onely I finde in Dion, that Maecoenas that great fauourite of Augustus Caesar, and fauourer of Learning, did first finde out certain notes and figures, ad cel••ritatem scri∣bendi, for the speedier dispatch of writing: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (they are the very words of my Author) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But I now make haste to take a survey of the cities.

Pomponius Mela saith, that there were in this Country, the

number of 2000 Cities: and Herodotus affirmeth, that here were 1020: Which lesser reckoning can not now be verified. The chiese of the present are 1 Alexandria, built by Alexan∣der the Great, now called Scanderia, a Town of great Marchan∣dize; and which in the Nicene Councell, was ordained to bee one of the foure Patriarchall Cities: the other three being An∣tioch, Rome, and Constantinople. The inhabitants of this Towne, as they abound in all wealth and pleasure, so in all licentiousnes of life and speech; not sparing their Gouernour, nor the Ro∣man Emperours, Lords Paramount of their Country. Caracal∣la, sonne to Seuerus, euen when he came to honour their City with his presence, scaped not scot-free. But he of a hasty nature, and impatient of all personall and verball abuse; calling an as∣semblie of all the youths of the City, as if out of them he would choose some to attend on his person; suddenly commanded his souldiers to put them all to the sword. The slaughter was so great, and the waters of Nilus so discoloured with blood, that now the riuer might not improperly bin called the Red Sea. In this Town, Anno 180, Gautenus read Diuinity & Philosophy; from whom it is thought, that the orders of instituting Vniuer∣sities first began in Christendome. 2 Pelusium, now called Da∣miata, besieged often by Christian Armies. The most famous of these sieges, was that of Iohn di Brenne, the titu'ary King of Hierusalem, & the confederate Princes of Europe, Anno 1220, This siege continued 18 moneths, during which time, the plague and want of sustenance so raged together, that the Town was in a manner dispeopled. Of these extremities the besiegers knew nothing, till it fortuned that two ventrous sol∣diers, admiring the silence and solitude of the people, in a bra∣vada scaled the walls, but saw no man to make resistance. This being certified to the Captaines, the next day the whole Army entred the Town, where they found in euery house, and euery corner of the streets, whole heapes of dead bodies, some slaine by famine; others by the pestilence: a lamentable and ruthfull spectacle. 3 Bubastis, where Diana was worshipped. 4 Heliopo∣lis, (now called Betsamis)▪ whereof Potipharah, whose daugh∣ter Asineta, was by Pharaoh giuen in marriage to Ioseph, was

Prince. These foure Ci••ies are in the 30 of Ezechiel, called No, Phisebeth, Shin, & Aven. 5 Siene, now Asna. 6 Thebes built by the Tyrant Busiris, conta••ng 17 miles in circuit, and opening 100 Gates 7 Nicopolis, now Munia. 8 Canopus, where Osiris had his chiefe Temple, 1 Arsi••••e, or the City of Crocodiles, to which beasts the Citizens attributed diuine honour. It is now called Sues, and is a Hauen Town standing at the very No••th end of the Red Sea: in the time of the Ptolomies a Town of great commerce, now almost abandoned, yet is it still a station of some of the Turkes galleyes, which being built at Caire, are ta∣ken againe in pieces, and brought hither on the backes of Ca∣mels. 10 Niloscopium, now called Elinichius. 11 Matared or Matarea, where the ground is so sertile, that the people are ••ain to couer it with sand, to moderate the strength of it. 12 Coptus, 13 Memphis, nigh vnto which were the Pyramides. 14 Roset∣ta. 15 Cairo, built nigh to the place where Memphis, or Baby∣lon Aegyptiorum, was situated. It is in compasse but 8 miles, within which space are 18000 streets; whereof euery one hath two Gates: which being locked, make euery street an impreg∣nable Castle; which Selimus the first found to be true, when he spent 3 dayes in passing through it with his victorious Army▪ This City is so popul••us, that it is reputed in good health, if there dye but 1000 in a day, or 300000 in the whole yeare; I meane when the plague, which euery seauenth yeare vseth to visit them, is rife amongst them. 15 Gleba rubra, which was burned by Phero, called also Amenophis, the fourth Lat••hu••; on this occasion. This Phero being blind, was told, that is hee washed his eyes with the vrine of a woman, which being a wife, had knowne but one man, he should recouer his sight. Af∣ter many vaine trials, be found one woman, whose vrine help∣ed him; her he married: and causing all the others whom he had tryed, to be gathered together in this Town; he si••ed the Town and all the women assembled in it.

Famous is this Country, 1 for that raine is seldome seene a∣mongst them, whose absence is supplied by Nile; and if a cloud happen to dissolue on them, it bringeth on their bodies innu∣merable sores, and diseases. 2^ly for the Pyramides, built nigh vn∣to

Memphis, whereof two are most famous. The first & greatest was built by Che••ps, who in this worke imployed 100000 men, the space of 20 yeares. The charges of Garlick, Roots, and Onions only, came to 1600 Talents of siluer. The basis of this Pyramis contained in circuit 60 Acres of ground; and was in height 1000 ••oot, being made all of marble. Now when Cheops wanted mony, he prostituted his daughter to all commers, by which dishonest meanes, he finished his building: and she be∣sides the mony due vnto her Sire (for I cannot call him father) desired for her selfe of euery man that had the vse of her body, one stone: of whom she got so many, that with them she made the 2^d Pyramis, almost equall to the first, as Herodotus writeth.

It is supposed by many good Diuines, and recorded by Io∣sephus, that the bricks which the children of Israel did burne, were partly imployed about such Pyramides. But now

Barbara Pyramidum sileat miracula Memphis. Let barbarous Memphis cease to raise Her wond••ous Pyramids with such praise.

On the East side of Egypt is the Red Sea, so called of the colour of the sands: as also Sinus Arabicus. It is in length 1600 miles. It is ••amous for the miraculous passage of the Israelits through it, & the drowning of Pharaoh Cenchres, & his people; as also for that through it the spices of India & Arabia were brought to Alexandria; and thence by the Venetians dispersed through all Europe, Africa, and Asia. I suppose I shall not doe amisse to set down Historically, a relation of the beginning, continu∣ance, and period of the traffick through this Sea. Ptol. Philadel∣phus, 277 yeares before the Incarnation, was the first that set a foot this navigation; Cosir (of old called Myos-Horm••s) on the Sea side, was the ordinary Hauen, out of which they hoysed ••aile for India; and into which they returned full fraught with their commodities. From hence they were by land conveighed to Coptus, and so downe the Nile to Alexandria: by which trafficke, the City grew exceeding rich; insomuch, that the cu∣stome-house there yeelded Ptol. Auletes, 7 millions and a halfe of gold, yearely. The Romans being Lords of Egypt, enhanced the customes to double that summe. They sent into India euery

yeare (as Pliny witnesseth) 120 ships, whose lading was worth 1200000 Crownes; and there was made in returne of euery Crowne, an hundred. When the Vandals, Lombards, Gothes, & Moores, had torne in pieces the Roman Empire, all commerce between Nations began to cease; at last perceiuing the incon∣venience, they began anew; conveighing the Indian commodi∣ties, partly by land, partly by water, vnto Capha, in Taurica Chersonesus, belonging to the Genoys. Next, Trabezond was made the Mart-Towne; then Sarmachand in Zagetace; where the Indian, Turkish, and Persian merchants, met to barter wares: the Turks conveighing their merchandise to Damascus, Barut∣ti, and Aleppo; from whence the Venetians transported it to Ve∣nice, making that the common Emporium of Christendome. Once againe, viz: Anno 1300, the Soldans of Aegypt restored the passage by the Red Sea: which hauing continued more then 200 yeares, is discontinued by the Portugals, Spaniards, En∣glish, and Dutch, which bring them to their seuerall homes by the backe side of Africke; so that not only the traffick of A∣lexandria is almost decayed; the riches of the Venetians much diminished; but the drugs and spices haue lost much of their vertue, as impaired by too much moisture.

This sea is also called Mare Erythraeum, on whose bankes dwelt that Sybill which was called Erythraea. These Sybillae seem to haue taken denomination from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 1. Iovis consiliorum consciae. They were in number ten, viz: 1 Persica: 2 Lybica. 3 Delphica. 4 Cumaea. 5 Samia. 6 Hellespontiaca. 7 Tiburtina. 8 Albunea. 9 this Erythraea. 10 Cumana, which last is affirmed to haue writtē the 9 books of the Sybils. They were al presen∣ted by an old Woman to Tarquinius Superbus; but he not wil∣ling to pay so great a summe of money as was demanded, de∣nied them: whereupon the old woman burnt three of them, re∣quiring as much money for the other sixe, as for all; which be∣ing denied, she also burned the other three, asking as much for the three remaining, as for the rest: which Superbus, amazed, gaue, and the old trot vanished. These bookes contained mani∣fest prophesies of the kingdome of Christ, his name, his birth, and death; these were burned by the arch-traitour Stilico: So

that those prophesies which are now extant, are onely such as are extracted out of others writings, wherein mention of them was made.

All along the shores of this Sea, as also in the most desart places of the country, are abundance of palmes; trees of very strange properties. They growe in couples male and female, both thrust forth cods full of seed; but the female is only fruit∣full, and that not except growing by the male, and hauing his seeds mixed with hers. The pith of these trees, is an excellent sallad, better then an hartichoke, which in tast it much resem∣bleth. Of the branches they make bedsteeds, lattices, &c. Of the leaues, baskets, mats, fannes, &c. Of the outward huske of the Codde, cordage; of the inward brushes. The fruit it beareth is like a figge, and finally it is said to yeeld whatsoeuer is necessa∣ry to the life of man. It is the nature of this tree, though neuer so huge or ponderous a waight were put vpon it, neuer to yeeld to the burden; but still on resist the heauinesse thereof, and to in∣deauour to lift and raise it selfe the more vpward: for which cause it was giuen to conquerours in token of victory, it being the embleme or hierogliphicke of a souldiers life, and perseue∣rance. Hence figuratiuely it is vsed, sometimes for precedency, as huic equidem consilio palmam do, in Terence, sometime for the victory it selfe, as non auferent tamen hanc palmam, in Plinie; & plurimarum palmarum homo, for a man that had wonne many prizes in the fence▪ schoole, in Cicero pro Roscio: but for the signe of victory more naturally, as in that of Horace,

—Palma{que} nobilis Terrarum dominos evehit ad deos. The palme the signe of victory Doth equall men to Gods on high.

Sithence that Cyrene, and the Ile Pharos, are reckoned as part of Egypt; we will describe them here, as members of the same body.

CYRENE hath on the East Egipt; on the West, the king∣dome of Tunis; on the North, the Mediterranean; and on the South the hill Atlas. The most ancient name hath beene Ponta∣politana, from the fiue Citties, Cyrene, Ptolomais, Arsinoe, A∣pollonia,

and Berenice. The soyle is barren both of fruits, & wa∣ters, the people rude, and liuing by theft: yet hath it giuen ayre to the ingenious spirits, of Aristippus the Philosopher, Callima∣chus the Poet, Eratosthenes the Mathematician, and Simon of Cyrene, whom the Iewes compelled to carry our Sauiours Crosse.

In the borders of this Country toward Barbary, stood the famous altars, called Arae Philenorum, erected on this occasion. There had beene many iarres and discontents, betweene the ci∣tizens of Carthage and Cyrene, for their bounds. At last it was agreed, that at a set time, two men should bee sent out of each Towne, toward the other; and where they met, there should be erected a boundary of their seuerall dominions. These Phil••ni, being appointed for Carthage made such hast, that they got far into the Country of the Cyrenenses, before they we••e mette. Wherevpon the Cyrenenses being inraged, offered them a bad choice; either to die in the place, or to goe backe out of their Country. The young men preferring common good before priuate safetie, accepted the first; were murdered: and the Car∣thaginians in their honours founded these altars.

In this Country stood the Oracle of Iupiter Hammon, whi∣ther when Alexander trauelled, hee saw for foure daies space, neither Man, Beast, Bird, Tree, nor Riuer: this Temple lying on the more Southerne part of the Country, which is sicke of the same disease with Numidia, and Lybia. For this Country is all ouer couered with a light sand, which the windes remooue continually vp and downe, turning valleyes into hills, and hills into valleies. Cambises that cruell and bloody king, as irreue∣rently esteeming the Gods, as hee bas••ly handled his subiects, sent his army hither to ouerthrow this Temple. But in the pas∣sage towards it, his whole forces were ouerwhelmed, and smo∣thered with the sands, being to the number of 50000 fighting men.

The chiefe Citties of Cyrene at this present, are Cyrene which of old had emulation with Carthage, for great••••s of the towne, and extent of the territory. 2 Fessan. 3 Barca, the name giuer to the whole Country.

PHAROS is a little Iland ouer against Alexandria, in which for the commodity of Saylers, the king Ptolomeus Philadelphus built a watch towre, which was accounted one of the 7 won∣ders of the world: the other 6 being 1 the Pyramides. 2 Mauso∣l••••um. 3 The Temple of Ephesus. 4 The walls of Babylon. 5 The Colossus of Rhodes. And 6 the statue of Iupiter Olympisus. This watch-towre, or Pharus, was of wonderfull height, ascended by degrees, and hauing many Lanternes at the toppe, wherein l••ghts burned nightly, as a direction to such as sayled by Sea. The materialls were white marble; the chiefe Architect, Sostra∣tus of Guid••s; who ingraued on the worke this inscription, So∣stratus of G••idos, the sonne of Dexiphanes, to the Gods protectors, for the safeguard of Saylers. This inscription hee couered with plaister, and theron ingraued the name and title of the king the founder; that that soone wasting and washed away, his owne which was written in marble, might be eternized to posterity. Nigh vnto this Pharus, Caesar pursuing Pompey into Egypt, and hauing discontented the king thereof, by demanding pay for his Souldiers; had his Nauie, which here lay at anchor, assaulted by Achilles, one of young Ptolomies seruants, Caesar himselfe being then in Alexandria. Hearing of the skirmish he hasted to Pharos, meaning to succour his navie in person: but the Egypti∣••ns making towards him on all sides, he was compelled to leap into the Sea, and swimme for his life; and though to avoid their Darts he sometimes ducke••, ••et held he still his left hand aboue the water, and in it diuerse books, which he carried safe vnto his ships, and animating his men got the victory. It is said that E∣gypt hath onely two doores; one by land, which is the strong Towne of P••lusium or Damiat•••• the other by water, which is this Pharus. Tota Aegyptus maritimo accessi••, Pharo; pedestri ve∣••o, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, velut cla••••••tri•• muruta existimatur.

Here also was the artificiall Towre, built by Ptolomie, which being by reason of magicke ench••ntments impregnable, was by him laid leuell to the ground wi••h a handfull of beanes; of which thus our Sp••••c••r discoursing of K. Ri••nce's g••asse,

Who wonders not that reads so wondrous worke, But who doth wonder that hath read the Towre;

Wherein th' Aegyptian Phao long did lurke From all mens view, that none might her discou're; Yet she might all men view out of her bowre. Great Ptolomie it for his Lemans sake Ybuilded all of glasse by Magick power; And also it impregnable did make.

But when his loue prou'd false, he with a Beane it brake.

Mauethon in his history of Egipt maketh a Catalogue of 300 kings wanting eight, which raigned before Amasis, vnder 17 seuerall Dynasties, whose names it would be needlesse & te∣dious to recite: considering the fabulous reports, & vncertain∣ties, which are related of them. Osiris only is worthy mention, in whose time it is thought Abraham went downe into Egipt. He, and his successours, were all called Pharaohs, whom we wil omit till we come to Amasis: who for his politick instituti∣ons, deserueth to stand in the forefront of the catalogue, as foū∣der of this kingdome.

The Egyptian Pharaohs of the 18 Dynastie.

2242

1 Amasis in whose daies Iacob went into Egypt, 25.

2267

2 Chebron 13.

2280

3 Amenophis 21.

2301

4 Mephres 12.

2313

5 Mispharmutosis 26.

2339

6 Thuthemusis 9.

2348

7 Amenophis, II, who commanded the male children of Israel to be slaine, 31.

2379

8 Orus M. 38.

2417

9 Azengeres 12.

2429

10 Acherus 9.

2438

11 Cenchres, he was drowned in the Red Sea 16.

2454

12 Acheres 8.

2462

13 Cherres 15.

2477

14 Danaus, whose 50 daughters were married to the 50 sonnes of his brother Egyptus, and slew their hus∣bands: for which fact Egyptus expelled Danaus, 5.

••482

15 Rameses Egyptu••, of whom the Country was called Egypt: he ruled 68 yeares.

2550

16 Menophis, or Miris▪ 40

The 19 Dynastie of the Latti.

2590

17 Zetus 55.

2645

18 Ranses 66.

2711

19 Sesostris, or Vexoris 40.

2751

20 Amenophis III, 26.

2777

21 Thuoris 7.

Of these fiue Latti, two only are of fame, viz: Amenophis, of whom we haue already related a pretty story: and Vexores, or Sesostris, who being a Prince of great wealth and puissance, had brought in subiection all his neighbouring kings; whom hee compelled in turnes to drawe his Chariot. It hapned that one of these vnfortunate Princes, cast his eye many times on the coach wheeles; and being by Sesostris demanded the cause of his so doing, he replied: that the falling of that spoke lowest, which but ••ust before was in the height of the wheele, put him in minde of the instabilitie of fortune. The king deeply waigh∣ing the parable, would neuer afterward be so drawne in his Chariot. He also was the first that encountred the Scythians in battle; for hauing already in conceit conquered them, he led his army against them. The Scythians maruelled that a king of so great reuenewes would wage warre against a nation so poore, with whom the fight would be doubtfull, the victory vnpro∣fitable, but to be vanquished a perpetuall infamie and disgrace. For their par••s they resolu'd to meet him as an enimy whose o∣verthrowe would enrich them. When the armies came to ioine, the E••••ptians were discomfited, and pursued euen to their own dores by the enimie. But the Scythians could not enter the coū∣try, because of the sens; with whose passages they were vnac∣quainted; and so they returned.

The 20 Dynastie of the Princes Diapolitani, ruled Egypt 177 yeares, after which follow∣ed the 21 Dynastie of these K.

2961

22 Sm••ndes, called in the Bible, Sesac. 26.

2985

23 Psensenses 41.

3028

24 Nepher Cherres▪ 4

3032

25 Amenophis, IV. 9.

3041

26 Ossocorus, 6.

3047

27 Spi••••tes, 9

3056

28 Pers••se••••es, ••,

3060

29 Cheops 50.

3110

30 Cephrenes 56.

3166

31 Micerinus, 6.

3172

32 Asycis 6.

3178

33 Sabacus 50.

3208

34 Sethon, 33.

3278

35 Psamniticus 54.

3333

36 Necho, who slew fias at the battle of Megiddo, 17.

3349

37 Psamnis 6.

3355

38 Apries, 35.

3390

39 Psamnenites, 6. In the daies of this King Cambyses, the second Persian Monarch, subdued Egypt, and made it a member of his Empire; vnder which it continued sub∣iect till the dayes of Darius Nothus, the sixt Persian king, from whom the Egyptians reuolted & chose for their K.

355••

1 Amartheus 6.

3558

2 Neph••rites 6.

3564

3 Achoris 12.

3576

4 Psamuthes 1.

3577

5 Nectanebos 18.

3595

6 Theo 2.

3597

7 Nectanebos, II. In the 18 yeare of the reign of this King, Egypt was againe recouered by the valour of O∣chus, the eight Emperour of Persia. And when Alexander had ouerthrowne Darius, he came, and without blowes wonne this fertile kingdome, which yeelded him, during his life, the yeare∣ly value of 6000 talents. After his death, this kingdome fell to the share of Ptolomeus the sonne of Lagi, from whom all the subsequent Kings of Egypt were called Ptolomies.

The Ptolemean Kings of Egypt,

3641

1 Ptolomaeus Lagi, called by Daniel, the King of the South, Chap. 11. 40.

3681

2 Ptol. Philadelphus, he filled the Library of Alex∣andria, with 700000 volumes; and caused the 72 Inter∣preters to translate the Bible, 36.

3717

3 Ptol. Evergetes 26.

3743

4 Ptol. Philopator. 17,

3760

5 Ptol. Epiphanes, 24.

3784

6 Ptol. Philometor, 35.

3819

7 Ptol. Euergetes, II, for his deformity called Phis∣con, 29.

3848

8 Ptol. Lathurus, 27,

3865

9 Ptol. Alexander. 10.

3875

10 Ptol. Lathurus, II, 8.

3883

11 Ptol. Auletes, 30.

3913

12 Cleopatra, a woman of most exquisite beauty: she killed her selfe that she might not be ledd in triumph through Rome. These Ptolomean Princes of Egypt, were for the most part in warres with the kings of Syria, in which they were by turnes victorious, and vanquished: neither Prince hauing cause to boast of his bargaine. After the death of Cleopatra, whose life and loue with Marcus Antonius, I will not now relate; this Country fell to the share of the Roman Emperours, and was by them highly prized, & warily looked into. The Gouernour hereof, was at the best but a Gentleman of Rome; no Senator being permitted to come into it: it being a maxime of state, not to suffer men of great houses, to come into that country, whose reuolt may indanger the whole Empire. Of this nature was E∣gypt, for besides the naturall situation of the place very defen∣sible; and besides the abundance of money with which it was stored▪ this Country alone ••urnished the Citty of Rome with corne for foure months yearely: whence Vespasian being cho∣sen Emperour by the Syrian legions, and hearing of the defeat of his concurrent Vitellius, hastned hither, to this end only, that detaining the ordinary prouision of victualls, hee might by fa∣mine compell the Citty of Rome, to stand at his deuotion, Vt vrbem quo{que}, externae opis indigam fame vrgeret. When the seat of the Empire was transferred, the Egyptians were vnder the Emperours of Constantinople; w••ose burden being i••supporta∣ble they implored the aid of the Saracens: who driuing thence the Greekish garisons, made them tributary to Haumar, the 3^d Caliph of Bagdet. Afterwards they chose a Caliph of their own nation, and revolted quite from the obedience of the old ranke of Caliphs; so that hence forth yee haue two Caliphs or Sarace∣nicall Popes, the one resident at Caire, to whom the Moores or Saracens of Africke & Europe submitted themselues: the other at Bagdet or Babylon, who Lorded it oue•• ••he rest.

The Egyptian Calyphs.

A. C.	A. H.
870	247	1 Achmades 10.
880	257	2 Tolon 3.

883	260	3 Hamaria 20.
903	280	4 Aharun, 37.
940	317	5 Aschid 3,
943	320	6 Abigud 27.
970	347	7 Meaz. 5.
975	352	8 Aziz 21.
996	373	9 Elhacom 23.
1019	396	10 Etaher 16.
1035	412	11 Mustenatzer 60.
1095	472	12 Musteale 5.
1100	477	13 Elamir 35.
1135	512	14 Elhaphit
		15 Elphaiz, the last Egyptian Caliph. Yet I am not ignorant that Helvicus addeth seauen others, namely 1 Assareddin. 2 Zeliheddin. 3 Selaheddin. 4 Eladel. 5 Elchanel. 6 Essalach: and 7 Elmutam, after whose death, slaine, as he saith by one Azeddin Ibik, the Mamaluckes made themselues Ma∣sters of Egypt. But by the leaue of so worthy a man, this cannot hold good: or the Mamalucks, as we shall anon see, succeeded not the Caliphs in the gouernment of Egypt; but the Turkish kings. As for the names recited, I suppose them only to be the names of the Turkish kings, corrupted, or altered, according to the diuersity of language; for who seeth not Sarracon to bee meant by Assareddin, Salad••ne, by Zeliheddin and Selaheddin; Meledine, in Eladel; and Melechsala, in Essalach. But I see only with mine own eies, perhaps another wil not so discerne them.

Elphaiz the last Caliph, being ouercharged with the forces of Almericus King of Hierusalem; sent for succor to Noradine, a Turkish king of Damasco, who sent vnto his aid Sarracon, a valiant & circumspect warriour. He not only cleered the coast of Almericus forces, but made himselfe the absolute king of the whole Country: and the better to secure his estate, hee dashed out the braines of the Caliph with his horsemans mace, & then rooted out all his kindred, and issue.

The Turkish Kings of Egypt.

1153

1 Sarracon, the first Turkish king of Egypt.

1156

2 Saladine, that glorious Conquerour of the East,

1172

3 Saphradine, the only sonne of n••ne, which escaped the fury of his most execrable Vnkle.

4 Meledine, who ouercame the Christians without the losse of a man, at the siege of Caire; by letting loose the sluces of Nilus: which drowning their Army, enfor∣ced them to couenant at his pleasure.

1249

5 Melechsela a worthy Prince, who ouercame S. Lewis the ninth, king of France; and going with him to∣wards Damiata, was villanously slaine by his Souldiers, called Mamaluckes.

These Mamaluckes were the of-spring of Georgia, and Col∣chis, vulgarly called the Circassi: whom this Melechs••la bought either of their parents, or of the Tartars, then newly possessed of these Countries, to supply the defect of the effeminate Egyp∣tians. These slaues now knowing their own abilities, slew their Lord and Master Melechsela; and appointed one Turquime∣neius, a man of great spirit and valour, for their king; and loath to re-giue the supreame authority into the hands of the Egypti∣ans, nor permitting their sonnes the name and prerogatiue of Mamaluckes; they yeare by yeare chose some of their owne Country, whom they gaue to diuers countrymen to learne the languages and religion of Mahomet. This being effected, they allotted them to higher preferment, vsing such discipline with them, as the Turkes doe now with their Ianizaries: who per∣chance may make as great a mutation in the Turkish Empire, as the Mamaluck••s did in the Egyptian. So vnsafe it is for a Prince to commit the tuition of his person, or the defence of his Realm to such; whom hope of profit, and not naturall allegiance ma∣keth faithfull. Our Constance was murdered by his Guard of Picts. Most of the Roman Emperours by such Souldiers, whom hope of prey, not free seruice to the Prince, drew into the field. And I thinke no man is ignorant how often principalities, es∣pecially those of Italy, haue beene indangered by mercenary Martialists. Francisco Sforza fought vnder the banners of the

Millanoys, and on hope of more allowance reuolted to the Flo∣rentines, the enimies of that Dutchie. Guiacopo Picinino with his dependants, followed the ensignes of Ferdinand of Naples; left him to fight for his vowed enimy, Iohn of Aniou; whom also he forsooke in his greatest need. I will not specifie, yet I will not exempt the Switzers, and their dealing in this kind to∣wards the French: so that I may apply that which the Gospell speakes of the hireling Ministers, to the hireling Souldier, They will flie when the enimie commeth, and not lay downe their life for their flocke. Now as it is vnsafe for a Prince to commit the guard of his person to the faith of forrainers: so also is it dan∣gerous for him, in the defence of his Realme or State, to rely on their fidelitie. A moderate supply of men, mony, or munition, from a confederate King, is, I confesse, in most cases conuenient, in some necessary: as well to saue the natiues from the sword; as to trie a friend, and interest an allie in the same cause. But to inuite so great a number of succours, as from helpers may be∣come Masters, and oppresse the people whom they came to de∣fend: is that rocke on which many Realmes haue suffered ship∣wracke; and which a good Pilot of the state, should with all care avoid. For as in the sicknesse of the body natural, it is hurt∣full to a mans health and life, to take more physick then it may (after the effect thereof be wrought) either digest, or put out a∣gaine: so in the body politick, it is a perillous matter to receaue more succours, then what (after they haue done the deed they were sent for) we may either with conueniency reward and set∣tle with vs; or at liberty expell. Of all surfets, this of forraigne supplies is most vncurable; and Ne quid nimis, if in nothing else true, is in this case, oracle. There is no kingdome (I am verily perswaded) vnder the Sun, which hath not beene by this means conquered; no Commonwealth, which hath not beene by this meanes ruined. To relate all examples, were infinite and tedi∣ous: to inferre some, pleasing to the reader; and to illustrate the point, not vnnecessary. To beginne with former times. Philip of Maced••n, called into Greece, to assist the Thebans against the Phocians, brought all that Countrey vnder his command. The Romans by ayding the Sicilians against the Carthagini∣ans,

possessed themselues of that flourishing Iland: by assisting the Hodui, against the Sequani, mastred France: by succouring Androgeus, against Cassibelan, seazed on Brittaine: by siding with the Aetolians, against Perseus, vnited to their Empire, all the Empire of Macedon; and by the same course what not? In after ages, the Brittaines called in the Saxons, & were by them thrust out of all: the Irish called in the English, by whom they were in processe of time totally subdued: and the Indians cal∣led in the Mongull Tartars, who now Lord it ouer them. These forraine supplies are inuited or let into a Country, commonly in three cases. First, when some one man vpon discontent, or de∣si••e of reuenge, openeth a way for them; and so Count Iulian let the Sarracens into Spaine, to reuenge himselfe on Don Ro∣drigo, who had rauished his daughter. 2^ly, When a weaker fa∣ction maketh way for them, to ouerthrowe or counterpoise the stronger: so the Burgundians oppressed by the faction of Orle∣ans, made way for Henry the fift to passe into France: and so the English Barons likely to be vanquished by king Iohn, sent for Prince Lewis into England. And 3^ly when a king ouerbur∣dened by a forraine ••oe, whom he is neither able to repell or re∣sist, maketh vse of a forraine friend; which may chance to proue a physicke worse then the sicknesse, and in which cases plus à ••••dico est quàm à morbo mali: so the Neapolitans being ouer∣laid by the French, implored the ayd of the Spaniards: & so the last Caliph of this Egypt, where we now are, being ouercharged by Almericus king of Hierusalem, receaued succours from the Turkes: by which meanes both these kingdomes became a prey to their friends, & auoiding Scylla, fel into Charybdis. Nay som∣times it so hapneth, that these forraine succours ioyne with those whom they came to expell, and hauing vanquished the natiues, diuided the Country betweene them: and so we finde the Burgundians, being by Stilico called into Gallia to expel the Franks then newly entred; to haue ioyned forces with these Franks, and neuer to haue parted, till they had in a manner cast the deceaued Romans quite out of Gaule. Only among so many histories, we find the Low-countrymen to haue thriued by these courses, who by the assistance of forraine friends cleered them∣selues

from the fangs of Spaine: which obiection I confesse to be true, and for the honour and integrity of the English nation, am aboue measure glad of it; who saw no further then the de∣fence of their neighbours, and aimed at no other end then the vertue it selfe.. But giue me the like instance and I will quit my cause; for the same Low-countreymen, found the French & Ger∣man Souldiers, vnder the Prince of Orange, to bee but turne-tailes; and as for Francis Duke of Alanson, whom they had made Duke of Brabant, and their gouernour generall: his chief plot was to make himselfe an absolute tyrant ouer them. So that I thinke I may safely conclude, that forraine succours are of all remedies, the least to be trusted, and the last to be tried: but it is now more then time that I returned vnto the Ma∣maluckes.

The Mamalucke Sultans of Aegypt.

1250

1 Turquimeneius, being promoted to this kingdome, released king Lewis taken prisoner (as is aboue said) by his predecessour Melechsela: but performed not halfe the conditions of the peace.

2 Clothes, or as others call him, Melech, taking aduā∣tage of the miseries of the Turkes, in his time shrewdly shaken by the Tartars; seazed on the greater part of Sy∣ria, and Palestine.

4 Melechsait, or Melechsares, in part repaired the Mamalucks kingdome in Syria and Palestine, which had beene shrewdly shaken by Edw the first, then Prince of England; and Henry Duke of Mecklebourge.

1260

3 Bandocader, perfected the begunne conquests of Melech. He tooke the strong Citty of Antioch, and the Country about it, from the Christians; and entring into Armenia, did there great harme also.

2 Clothes, or as others call him, Melech, taking aduā∣tage of the miseries of the Turkes, in his time shrewdly shaken by the Tartars; seazed on the greater part of Sy∣ria, and Palestine.

4 Melechsait, or Melechsares, in part repaired the Mamalucks kingdome in Syria and Palestine, which had beene shrewdly shaken by Edw the first, then Prince of England; and Henry Duke of Mecklebourge.

1289

5 Elpis or Alphix, established the conquests of his predecessour: he tooke the Citties of Tripolis, Beritus, Si∣don, and Tyre: all which he razed, that they might not be seruiceable to the affaires of the Christians.

1291

6 Araphus, or Eustrephus, by birth a German, released Henry Duke of Mecklebourge, after hee had beene priso∣ner

7 Melechnesar, when he was Lieftenant to Araphus, was discomfited by Cassanes, a great Prince of the Tar∣tars, with the losse of 40000 Egyptians: but Cassanes be∣ing departed, he recouered againe all Syria, and destroyed Hierusalem; for which seruice hee was afterward made Sultan of Egypt.

8 Melechadel, whom I suppose to bee that Sultan that gouerned Egypt, when Tamerlane with vnresistable violence conquered it; but of this I am no certaine: nei∣ther can I meet with so much as the names of any of his successours, till Caithbeius.

7 Melechnesar, when he was Lieftenant to Araphus, was discomfited by Cassanes, a great Prince of the Tar∣tars, with the losse of 40000 Egyptians: but Cassanes be∣ing departed, he recouered againe all Syria, and destroyed Hierusalem; for which seruice hee was afterward made Sultan of Egypt.

8 Melechadel, whom I suppose to bee that Sultan that gouerned Egypt, when Tamerlane with vnresistable violence conquered it; but of this I am no certaine: nei∣ther can I meet with so much as the names of any of his successours, till Caithbeius.

1465

9 Caithbeius much reformed the state of Egypt, and was a stout enimy of the Turkish Sultan Ba••azet the 2^d.

1498

10 Mahomet, sonne to Caithbeius, was by the Mama∣luckes deposed; it being contrary to their custome, that the sonne should in the kingdome or name of Mamaluck succeed the father. He being deposed there arose diuerse factions in the Court; insomuch that in three yeares, here were foure Sultans, viz: this Mahomet, 2 Campsous Chiar∣cesius, 3 Zanballat, 4 Ton••mbeius.

1501

11 Campson Gaurus, reformed the distracted and fa∣ctious state of this Country, and for 16 yeares gouerned very prosperously: but siding at last with Hismael the Persian Sophie, against Selimus the first Emperour of the Turkes; he drewe his kingdome into a warre, in which his armies were ouerthrowne, and himselfe slaine in the bat∣taile.

1517

12 Tononibeius, succeeded Campson, as in his Empire, so in his misfortunes: for hee was ouercome by Selimus the first, 1517; and Egypt was made a Prouince of the Turkish Empire, and so continueth.

The reuenewes of this kingdome, were in the time of the Ptolomies, no lesse then 12000 Talents. Nor were they much lesse if ought be at all, when the Mamalucks ruled in this coun∣try:

For Campson Guarus at his Coronation, gaue no lesse then ten millions of Duckats at one clap amongst his Souldiers. But the Turkes at this day, partly through their tyrannicall gouern∣ment; and partly through the discontinuance of the vsuall tra∣ficke through the Red Sea; receaue no more then three milli∣ons: one of which, is hoorded in his owne Coffers; the second is appropriated vnto his Vicegerent Bashaw, for support of his charge; the third is distributed amongst his Presid••arie Souldi∣ers, and such of them, as by land, guard his own mi••••on to Con∣stantinople; for by Sea he dareth not venture it, for feare of the Florentines.

Thus much of Aegypt.

Notes

• Maginus.
• Sands.
• Dion.
• Bot. of Cities
• Herodotus.
• Galvano.
• Knolles.
• Knolles.