Of the interchangeable course, or variety of things in the whole world and the concurrence of armes and learning, thorough the first and famousest nations: from the beginning of ciuility, and memory of man, to this present. Moreouer, whether it be true or no, that there can be nothing sayd, which hath not bin said heretofore: and that we ought by our owne inuentions to augment the doctrine of the auncients; not contenting our selues with translations, expositions, corrections, and abridgments of their writings. Written in French by Loys le Roy called Regius: and translated into English by R.A.

OF THE VICISSITVDE, OF ARMES, AND OF LETTERS concurring in the Coniunction of Power and wisdom, through the most renowmed Nations of the world: and who haue bin the first and most aun∣cient of all that haue excelled in them both. The fourth Booke. (Book 4)

INtending to begin our discourse by the most auncient Nations of the world, I find my selfe hindered by the dif∣ferent, which hath bin betweene some of them, touching the honour of antiquitie, and of precedence.

THE INDIANS inhabiting Countries of mar∣uailous largenesse, did boast, that they were the true Ori∣ginaries; hauing neuer receiued any strangers among them; neither sent any of theirs to dwell elswhere: But that the first amongst them vsed such victuals, as the earth brought forth of it selfe, and skinns of beasts for their garments: and then found out by little and little, the Arts, sci∣ences, and other things necessarie to liue well: That their land is so fertile, that they neuer found want of victuals. For whereas it bringeth forth twice in a yeare all maner of Corne, they gather one Haruest in winter, at such time as they plant rootes; and thother in summer, when they sow Rice, sesame, and millet; wherof there commeth great aboundance from thence, for asmuch as the graines and fruits grow there, without any help of man; and that the rootes growing in the marishes of singuler sweetnes, serue men in steed of other victuals verie sufficiently: and that the customes do helpe that fertilitie much, which they obserue in time of warres, not to hurt the husbandmen, nor endamage the laborers in any thing; but to leaue them in peace, as mini∣sters of the common profit; and not to burne the farmes, and villages of their aduersaries themselues; nor to cut their trees, or corne which they had sowen.

THE strength of the Indians appeared then, when they were assayled by Semiramis Queene of Assyria: for being a woman exceeding couetous of honour, and of glorie; after she had conquered Egipt, and Ethiopia, she thought yet to make one warre more, the memorie whereof should last for∣euer. Vnderstanding then that the people of the Indies, was the greatest of the world, and their Countrie aboue all others, excellent in beautie, and ferti∣litie: where the earth (as is said) caried twice in a yeare fruits and seeds; and where there was great quantitie of gold, siluer, brasse, precious stones, and all

other thinges, both for profit and pleasure: she imployed all her forces a∣gainst the Indians, ouer whom raigned Staurobates, and assembled her Ar∣mie, in the which there were three Millions of foote, fiue hundred thou∣sand horsemen, a hundred thousand chariots, and as manie fighters on ca∣mels-backs, with swordes of sixe foote in length; two thousand barkes or shipps, and made or fained Elephants in great number, whose counterfaits were caried on Camels. Which militarie preparation being vnderstood by the King of the Indians, he assayed to exceed her forces; and hauing ordai∣ned all things in a readines for the resisting of her, he sent his Ambassadours before, reprehending her of great ambition, that without being prouoked by any wrong, or iniurie of them, she made warre against them: blaming her besides in many and diuers respects, and calling the Gods to witnesse, he threatned her, that if she were ouer come in battaile, he would cause her to be hanged and crucified. Whereunto Semiramis answered smyling, that they must fight with prowesse, and not with words. The battailes then appro∣ching one against the other; Semiramis had the better in the first encounter: and in the second was ouerthrowen, with her counterfait Elephants; in such sort, that almost all the Assyrians being put to flight, Staurobates by chaunce meeting with Semiramis, hurt her first with an arrow i•• the arme, and then with a dart in the shoulder, and as she was getting to horse, she was almost taken; the Kings Elephant pursuing her. The Assyrians in this maner ouer∣come, tooke the way to their ships, and the Indians pursuing their victorie, slew many of them at the straights, and narrow waies, in the which the footemen and horsemen being intermingled, hindred one an other: in so much that there was no meanes to flie, nor to saue themselues; but they kil∣led one an other with their presse and disorder. And when the greatest part of such as had escaped this ouerthrow were passed ouer the bridge, which was made with boates on the riuer Indus, Semiramis caused it to be broken; and the king being warned by prodigious apparitions not to go beyond the bridge, ceased the pursuit: Such was the proofe of the Indian power.

Touching their wisdom, the Brachmans made profession therof amongst them naked, and austere; being holiemen, liuing according to their Lawes: intending altogether the contemplation of God, without making any proui∣sion of vittailes: for the earth furnished them alwaies with new and fresh; the riuers gaue them drink, and the leaues ••••lling of the trees, and the grasse yeelded them lodging. And there was not on•• amongst them reputed a holie or happie man, if while he was yet liuing of perfect memorie and vnderstan∣ding, he did not separate his soule from his bodie with fire, and did not go pure and cleane out of the flesh, hauing consumed whatsoeuer was mortall in him. And whereas the people were diuided into seauen sortes and de∣grees, they were the first in dignitie, being exempted from all charges, not subiect vnto any man, nor ruling ouer any; but as men acceptable vnto the Gods, and reputed to knowe all that is done in Hell; they receyued of euery one his oblation made for sacrifices, and tooke the care and charge

of the dead, receiuing great guists by occasion thereof. Assembling and ga∣thering themselues togither at beginning of the yere; they fortold, of drouths, raines, windes, diseases, and other things: the knowledge whereof brought great profit to the people. Their Artisans were very good as being brought vp in a pure, and cleane aire, & drinking nothing but good and wholsomewaters. The gouermēts of the Indians, being diuided into many parts, it was not permitted vnto any to change his maner of liuing, not seeming reasonable vn∣to them, that a man of warre should till the earth, nor that a Philopher should become an Artisan.

On the other part, the ETHIOPIANS vaunted them selues to bee the first created of al the men in the world, & that they were brought sorth by the earth: for considering that the heate of the sunne in drying the earth when it was moist, had giuen life to all things, it was also cōsequent that in places nee∣rest vnto the sūne, there were procreated from the beginning al kind of liuing creatures. They said that religion & adoration of the gods was first sound out amongst them; and the sacrifices, processions, pompes, solemnities, and al such things, by the which honour was giuen them of men: of the which they had such recōpense, that they were neuer vanquished nor ouercom by any strange king; & that alwaies they had remained in liberty. And howbeit diuers prin∣ces had assaied with great armies to bring them in subiection, yet none of thē had enioyed their Empire. Moreouer that they were the first that had inuen∣ted the formes and vse of letters, and giuen themselues to the study of Astro∣logy, as well by reason of their quick wits, and sharpnes of vnderstanding, whereby they exceed all other nations; as by the oportunitie of the Coun∣trey which they inhabite: and that therfore they haue continual serenity, and tranquility of the aire, and haue not the seasons of the yere, disordered, and variable; but liue alwaies in one temperature. Moreouer that the Egyptians were discended of them; the Priests of both nations obseruing the same order and maner of doing their sacrifices, & vsing the like vestures, and ornaments.

For the prerogatiue of antiquity there was in times past great contention between the Egyptians, and the Scythians. For the EGYPTIANS sayde; that from the beginning when the world was created, where other lands bur∣ned on the one side by ouergreat heate of the sunne, & others on thother side were frozen thorough the extremity of the colde, in such sort that they could neither bring forth new men nor receiue straungers, if any had come thither: and especially before garments were inuented to keepe men from colde, and heate; and the artificiall remedies to correct the ill disposition of places: Egypt hath alwaies bin so temperate, that the inhabitants thereof are not molested with the great cold of winter; nor with the heat of Sommer. Also the land is so fruitfull there of all thing necessary for the life of man, that not any where els is found a land so plentifull. Wherefore reason would haue it, that men should be first borne in that Countrey where they might best, and with most ease be nourished.

On the contrary, the SCYTHIANS saide that the temperatnes serued

to no purpose to proue the antiquitie; for when nature parted, and deuided extreme heat, & extreme cold into diuers regions; it is to be thought that the land which first remained vncouered & vnclothed of theis two extreme qua∣lities, did incontinently bring forth men, and beasts, which might there bee nourished. And concerning trees, and other fruits they were varied according to the estate of the Countries. And for as much as the Scythians haue a shar∣per aire then the Egyptians, so are there bodies and their vnderstandings har∣der also then theirs. Neuerthelesse, if the frame of the world which is now diuided into two partes hath bin sometime all one, whether the whole earth were inclosed and inuironed with water, or that the fire (which hath engen∣dred all things) held and possessed the whole world, in both cases the Scy∣thians were the first: For if the fire possessed al, it must needs be that by little & little it was quenched to make place for the habitable earth; In which case it is to be thought, that it was first quenched on the north side, because it is the coldest region, and the Scythians are seated there: whence it cometh to passe, that euen at this present it is the coldest countrey that is knowen. And in re∣gard of Egypt, and all the East, we must thinke that the heate was there but lately remitted; For yet at this day they haue meruailous heate there when the sunne is at highest. Also if the whole earth were at the first enuiro∣ned with water, it is to bee thought that the places that are hyghest were first discouered; and that where the earth is lowest, there the wa∣ter remained longest; and by consequent, that there where the earth was first discouered, and dryed, there began first all liuing things to be ingendred: But the countrey of the Scythians is higher then all other lands, as appeareth by this, that all the riuers which do arise there discend to the poole Meotis, and from thence do take their course into the Ponticke Sea, and into Egypt: which Countrey of Egypt is so lowe, and so subiéct to waters, that although so many Kings thoroughout so many ages, haue with great diligence, and expence, made so many rampyers, so many bankes, and dyches to keepe the land from being ouerflowen by the impetuosity of riuers: because that when they held them in on oneside, they ran out on the other, they haue so little preuailed that yet at this present, they are not able there to till the land; ex∣cept the riuer Nilus be held in by Causwais, and bankes. And it is not possi∣ble that this countrey did first of all bring foorth men, which notwithstan∣ding the bankes and causies, yet by meanes of the mudde and dreggs which the riuer Nilus bringeth in and leaueth there, appeareth yet all waterie. By these reasons both thone, and thother nation maintained their antiquitie.

But as concerning Egypt it is certaine that a part thereof was somtimes co∣uered with water. All that which is aboue Memphis, towardes the moun∣taines of Ethiopia, hath bin Sea by the opinion of Herodotus. And Strabo thinketh all the land which is from Siena vnto the Sea watered with the riuer Nilus, to haue bin at the beginning called Egypt, which was much increased, as one may see by the verse of Homer, sauing that the Isle of Pharos was a daies iourney distant from firme land: which is now euen almost ioyning to

Alexandria. If these things be true, they show sufficiently that this land is not auncient. Neither can the Scythians proue their antiquity: If it be true that Herodotus sayth, that they began but a thousand yeeres before the raigne of king Darius ouer the Persians. But as both regions by the reasons debated, haue not bin very apt for habitation of men: so is it better to beleeue that land to haue bin first inhabited, which hath the aire most temperate: by which meanes the Egyptians said that they were most auncient. But as they by rea∣son of the waters cannot alleage any auncient habitation, so neither can the Scythians because they dwell in a quarter which is afflicted with continuall colde. Wherefore it is more conformable vnto trueth to say that the middle re∣gion betweene them both, where the territory of Damasco is situated, hath borne the first men: (as the holy Scripture witnesseth) which is exempted from the discommodities of Egypt, and of Scythia, and by reason of the situ∣ation is naturally more temperate then either of them both. Otherwise it is hard by humaine knowledge, to know in what place, what people, or what nation hath bin the first; by how much space, or how many yeres it was afore the rest. Yet the opinion in times past touching the beginning of people was such; that at the beginning of all things the heauen, and earth had one onely essence, and forme; but that afterwarde the Elements being separated one from the other, the world tooke that order in which we see it now. Amongst which elements there befell into the aire that continuall motion which it hath; and to the fire for his lightnes that place which it hath aboue the aire; and for the same reason to the Sunne, & stars, the course which they naturally keep. That which was mixed with moisture by reason of his heauines remai∣ned in the same masse. Wherhence was created of the moistest the sea, & of the hardest the earth being soft in it selfe, and myrie. Which when it was first dri∣ed, and made thicker by the heate of the sunne, after by force of the heate lif∣ted vp, & made to swell vpwards, there grew together in many & diuers places therof certaine humours ingendring rottenes, couered and hid with thinne and tender skinnes. As generation then is made in moist thinges by adding heate vnto it; and the aire blowen abroade by night feedeth it with moisture, which is strengthened in the day time by the power of the sunne: finally these rotten things being come as it were to their extremity, brought forth (as if the time of their childbirth had bin come) the figures of all sorts of creatures and liuing things, after those little skinnes were broken. Of which liuing crea∣tures such as had receiued most heate were made flying birds, and mounted into the higher regions; those which had most earth remained as serpents, and such other beasts, below: they which retained the nature of water, were put in the element of their complexion, and called fishes: Then the earth be∣ing made dryer from thence forward, as well by the heate of the sunne, as by the winds, left bringing forth any more such creatures. But those which were already made, begot others by continual commixtion. Men being thus formed sought their liuing in the fields leading a sauage life without any order: vnto whō the hearbs & trees brought forth of thēselues that which was necessarie

for their life. But the wild beastes became against them, and their enemies: in such sort, that to resist them and for their common profit, they began to assemble togither, giuing aide one to the other, and seeking here and there safe places for their habitation. And these first assemblies were the true begin∣ning of euery people and nation.

THE CHALDEES very skilfull in Astrologie, held opinion that the world had alwaies bin, that it had no beginning nor should haue no end. A∣ristotle hath bin of the same opinion, and that all liuing creatures were sempi∣ternall. Plato in his third, and twelfth booke of lawes doubteth of the world, and of mankind, whether they were from the beginning or no; saying that the generation of men either had no beginning, or that it began an inestima∣ble length of time before vs. The same authour in his Timaeus, Critias, Me∣nexemus, and his Politick, is of opinion, that by long tracte of time, the vi∣gour of mens minds, and fertility of their bodies diminisheth by little and little, in such sort that our vnderstandings find themselues as it were depri∣ued of their diuinity & the bodies void of their accustomed fertility: Thē God meaning to restore mankind into his former dignity, drowneth or burneth the earth, tempering in such sort the celestiall motions by himselfe which is their mouer, that the heauenly destiny giueth place and concurreth alwaies with his diuine prouidence. And that the earth being abundantly watered with fresh humour, and made fruitfull by the heat ensuing doth bring forth: or els that the rayne falling more plentifully after excessiue heates & drouths, there are engendred, or regenerated not only little creatures, but great ones al∣so, being borne of the earth as of their mother: Of which opinion also were many Egyptians, Greekes, and Arabians, namely Algazel, and Auicen, with whom Aristotle agreeth in his Problemes, when he sayth, that in little muta∣tions of times little creatures are brought foorth, and so in the great greater, and very great in the greatest mutations.

THE IEWES, CHRISTIANS, AND SAR AZENS, fol∣lowing the diuine prophet, and Lawgiuer Moyses, beleeue that God hath made the world of nothing, and created Adam the first man, after his owne likenes, of the dust of the earth, and breathed in his face that spirit of life, and that he was made with a liuing soule; afterwards meaning to giue him helpe, and company, made a profound sleepe to fall on him, and being a sleepe took one of his ribbes, and made Eue there of the first woman: That they were pla∣ced in an earthly paradise, where was plenty of all good things without pain or trauaile, aud were driuen from thence for their disobedience; and that of them two ioyned in mariage, haue proceeded all men dispersed ouer all the habitable earth. But Saint Augustine considering, that of the fiue zones set downe by the auncient Astrologers, and Cosmographers, there were but two esteemed temperate, and inhabited, and that from the one it was thought they could not passe to the other by reason of the heate, which was in the midst called the burning zone, and that if it were so, it must follow necessa∣rily, that the Antipodes came not of Adam; he chose rather to deny that there

were any Antipodes, then to fall into any absurd impietie; or to gainesay learned antiquity in this point. But it is certaine both by the auncient and modern nauigations, that there are Antipodes, as those of Taprobana are to the Spanyards: which is knowen by the aspect of heauen, appearance of the starres, hyding of our pole, and eleuation of theirs, hauing (as hath bin said) euery thing contrary vnto vs, Sommer, and Winter, day and night, East and West.

THE GREEKS in their fables said, that Vulcan being amorous of Minerua, shed his seed on the land of Athens, from whence spong the Athe∣nians: who therefore vaunted themselues, that they were borne of their owne land without taking any original elswhere: vnderstanding by the earth al mat∣ter, and by Vulcan the fire, which moueth the earth, and quickeneth it: and that Ceres after the rauishment of her daughter Proserpina, hauing wande∣red long throughout the world, came into their Countrey, where she show∣ed them the vse of wheate, wherehence afterward it was manifested to all men: that their City hath not onely communicated such meanes of liuing to the indigent; but also was the first that established lawes; and set downe go∣uernment: and that in part it inuented the arts seruing for necessity, and plea∣sure; and in part hath approued them, or made them better, and more exqui∣site: obtaining the honour of Philosophy, by which all theis things haue bin either inuented, or amended; and of eloquence which first tooke beginning in Athens, and hath there bin brought to perfection: that City hauing got∣ten by wisedome and eloquence such excellency, and reputation, that her Scholers were Maisters of others; and that the name of Greeks was no more a name of a people or nation, but of reason and vnderstanding: and that the partakers of their learning were more esteemed Greekes, then those which participated of the same nature with them.

At this day the wandring ARABIANS boast themselues to be the first of the world, hauing neuer bin mingled with other nations, and hauing kept entier (as they say) the nobility of their bloud.

BVT OMITTING all these disputings, and boastings of nations, all fantasies, and humaine reasons of Philosophers; we will rest our selues on the certainty of holy scripture, touching the creation of the world, and of mankinde. And concerning the discourse of armes, and of letters which are here in question, we wil begin it by the Egyptians: who being ingenious and valiant, seeme to haue bin the first that haue excelled, in wisedome, and power: from whom the Greekes drew almost all their knowledge, which we vse at this day: hauing not onely in estimation, but also in admiration both Egypt, and the Egyptians.

OF THE POWER, LEARNING, AND other excellency of the Egyptians.

AMongst others, Isocrates, that most excellent oratour, praysing Busiris, who made choise of that Countrey to raigne, in as the most commodi∣ous of all the world, writeth thus: for considering other places not to be conueniently situated in respect of the nature of the whole world, but that some are too much subiect to raine, and others otherwaies molested; and that region to be in the fairest seat of the earth, and most abounding in all sorts of good things, and enuironed with the riuer Nilus, as with a naturall wall, which not onely keepeth, but fatneth it, being inexpugnable to straungers that assaile it, and much profitable to those which dwell neere it, by the wate∣rings and other commodities which they receiue of it, whose industry also he hath made almost diuine in matter of tillage. For by his meanes they haue both raines and drouthes in their disposition: which are bestowed by Iupi∣ter elswhere. Their felicity is so great, that if one consider the excellency, and goodnes of the Countrey and their spacious fields, he will thinke they inha∣bite the maine land; if the commodities wherewith it aboundeth which are caryed out, and those which not growing there are brought in thither from other places, he will think that they dwell in an Island. For the riuer running here, & there, and watering it thoroughly, doth furnish them with two mer∣uailous commodities. Busiris then began where wise men ought to begin, choosing a faire place which supplied all things needfull for the inhabitants aboundantly. Then diuiding them by orders, and estates, he appointed some for sacrifices, others for handy crafts, and others for warfare; thinking that ordinary necessities and commodities ought to be furnished by tillage, and by trades, but that the protection of them was most assured by the exercise of armes; and deuotion towards the Gods. Accomplishing then all the per∣fection required in a good law maker, he ordained that euery of them should alwaies exercise one trade, knowing that they which change oft, cannot vn∣derstand any thing well, nor do any thing perfectly; but those which are al∣waies conuersant about the same things, do commonly excell. Whence it is come to passe, that the Egyptians in euery art do excell so much all other Ar∣tisans, as good workmen are wont to excel the vnskilful and ignorant. More∣ouer they obserue so good order in administration of their kingdome, and al other publicke gouernment, that the most famous philosophers disputing of such affaires, prefer the gouernment of Egypt aboue all theirs. Also to him we must refer as to the principal authour, the study and exercise of wisedom: for he so aduantaged the priestes first that they might maintaine themselues in chiefe place with the holy reuenues: that afterwards great holynes being by their lawes required of them, they might liue temperatly, and being exemp∣ted from warfare, and other charges; they might rest in quiet.

THEY enioying then this commoditie, haue inuented Physicke to helpe

the body; not that which vseth dangerous medicamēts, but those which may as safely be taken as the daily meates; and neuerthelesse are so profitable that they which vse them are seene to be lusty, and able of body, and to liue long. And for medicine of the minde, they haue proposed the exercise of Phylosophy, which can make lawes; and search out the nature of thinges. Hee committed to the auncienter sort the best charges, and perswaded the yonger, leauing pleasures to, giue themselues to Astrologye, Arithmetick; and Geometry: which faculties are thought by some to be profitable in many things. The others indeuour to show that they follow vertue earnestly. Their piety, and deuotion towards the Gods is worthy of great praise, and admirati∣on. For they which disguise themselues in such sort, that they may be the more esteemed thorough a show of knowledge, they hurt those whom they deceiue: But they which intermeddle in diuine matters, in such sort, that they make the rewards and punishments of the other life to appeare more certaine then the present, they profit men much. For they which at the beginning put such feare into vs, haue bin the cause of ceasing amongst vs all brutish wildnesse. Wherefore they rule these affaires so holily and reuerently, that oaths are more religiously obserued amongst them, thē in other places; think∣ing the punishment to be incontinently proposed for euery offence, except it be hidden for the present, and the auengement reserued for the children and posterity: wherein they doe not erre; for he hath ordained them many and different exercises of religion, setting downe by Lawe certaine beastes to be honoured and worshipped by them, which are dispised amongst vs: not that he was ignorant of their small power; but because partly he thought the common people was to bee accustomed to do what soeuer the prince commaunded them; and partely, because he would make triall in manifest things what they would do in those that were hidden: Iudging that such as would contemne them, would parauenture contemne greater also; and they which obserued order indifferently and equally in all things, did make proofe of their constancy in obseruing of religion.

Many other things remaine to be said touching the holines of the Egypti∣ans, which haue not come to my knowledge alone, nor to me afore the rest: but many notable persons haue vnderstood them heretofore, and do vnderstande them now, of which number was Pythagoras the Samian, who went into E∣gypt, and was their disciple, and first brought Philosophy into Greece: hauing more care then any other of sacrifices, & consecration in the Temples, think∣ing that if by it he obtained nothing the more of the Gods, at the least that he should be in a greater reputation amongst men: as it happened vnto him. For he hath bin so much esteemed, that all the yong men desired to be his Scho∣lers, and the auncient choose rather to haue their children in his schole, then at home to looke to their houshold; whereof we must not doubt. For euen at this day, such as say, they are his disciples are more esteemed holding their peace, then others that speake eloquently.

PLATO in his Timaeus, telling of the voyage which Solon made in∣to

Egypt, and how informing himselfe touching the auncient things of the priestes of that place, who vnderstoode them maruailously well; writeth that he found by experience that he, and the rest of the Greeks vnderstood nothing in respect of them: and that they were all yong of vnderstanding hauing no old opinion taken from antiquitie, nor any hoarheaded science. Then is summarily described the Egyptian gouernment: In the which first the priests were separated from the common people; and then the Artificers kept their occupations seuerally by themselues, and not indifferently ming∣led one amongst another. The like did the shepherds, hunters, and labourers. Also the men at armes and Souldiers were seperated from the rest, hauing no other charge, nor commaundement by the Law, but to follow armes. And moreouer what care the law had of prudence, and temperance, of diuination and of Phisick to preserue the health of the inhabitants; and of all other scien∣ces agreeable.

ARISTOTLE in his politicks cōfirming this, saith that it is not new∣ly, or lately come to the knowledge of Philosophers, touching matter of state that a City ought to be deuided by exercises; and that there should be a dif∣ference between the Souldiers, and Labourers: For, this order, saith he, is ob∣serued yet in Egypt at this day, being so ordained by Sesostris.

PLVTARCH in his discourse of Isis and Osyris writeth, that in E∣gypt the kings were chosen either of the order of the priests, or of the men of warre: because thone order was reuerenced and honoured for valiancy; and thother for wisedome: and he that was chosen from amongest the men at armes, presently after such election was also receiued into the order of priest∣hood, and to him were communicated and discouered the secrets of their Phi∣losophy, which couered many misteries vnder the vaile of fables, and vnder tales which obscurely showed the trueth; taking heed warily least they should profane their wisedom, in publishing too much that which appertai∣neth to the knowledge of the Gods: which is witnessed by the wisest & most learned men of Greece, Solon, Thales, Plato, Eudoxus, Pythagoras, and as some say Lycurgus himselfe; which wēt of purpose into Egypt to confer with the priests of that Countrey: That Pythagoras was wel beloued of them, and he also esteemed them very much; In so much as he would ymitate their my∣sticall fashion of speaking in hidden words, and hide his doctrine and his sen∣tences vnder figured, and enigmaticall words, those letters which in Egypt are called Hieroglyphick being almost al like vnto the precepts of Pithagoras.

HERODOTVS the historian speaking in his Euterpe of the Egyptians affirmeth those which inhabite the fruitfullest Countrey to be the most poli∣shed, and of the best vnderstanding of any that euer he was acquainted with. And that in truth they were the most healthsom next to the Africans, because the seasons of the yere change but little; diseases being bred in men by sodaine changes; and especially by the changing of those seasons. That it was giuen him to vnderstande by the Priestes, that in three hundred fortie and one generations they had so many Kinges, and highe Priestes, and that in

the space of one thousande three hundred and fortie yeeres, the sunne had foure times changed his accustomed course, arising twice in the west part, and setting also twice in the East; and that yet notwithstanding Egypt had not changed any thing, neither in the fruitfulnesse of the ground, nor in the nature of the riuer: nor yet in diseases, nor terme of life and death. In such reputation haue the Egyptians bin amongest the best learned of Greece.

TOVCHING themselues they boasted that they had inuented Astro∣logy, Arithmeticke, Geometry, and many other sciences; and that the best Lawes had bin inuented by them: especially the Thebanes, the situation of their Countrey helping them greatly being plaine and without cloudes to knowe the mouings of the starrs which arise, and fall. And they haue so di∣ligently obserued the eclipses of the sunne, and moone, that by them they haue first prognosticated many things to come, foretelling often (to thend men might the better preuent it) the scarsitie or aboundance of Corne, and fruits, the imminent maladies both of men and beasts, the earthquakes, ap∣pearing of Comets, and other things that were hard to be knowen: which were certaine vnto them, by long and continuall experience. This was the true and proper office of their priestes, who were in great authority as wel because they had the charge of diuine thinges: as for that they were full of knowledge, and taught others. And whereas the whole publicke reue∣new was diuided into three partes; they tooke the first portion, to thend to employ it in administration of sacrifices, and on their necessities: They were called neere vnto Kings to giue counsaile in matters of consequence, both they and their children being exempted from subsidies: and holding the secōd place to the king in honor & dignity. Thother portion of the reuenew appertayned to the Kings, who employed it on the warres, and on main∣taining their estate, and traine, and in recompensing such as deserued: whence it came to passe, that the people was not any way oppressed with tributes, and new subsidies. The third part was receiued by the nobles, and other men of armes; wherein they were all exercised, to the end that by such intertaine∣ment they should be the readier to vndertake all military hazards, and that ly∣uing better thereby, and more at ease, they should be the more enclined to beget offspring of their bodies: whence it came to passe that the Countrey being peopled by theis meanes had no need of forraine Souldiers. They neuer learned any base or mechanical science, but gaue themselues wholy to armes: which exercise was taught from hand to hand, by the father to the sonne. Concerning their arts and handycrafts; the Egyptians workes were very wel wrought, and euen come to their perfection; for the Artisans of Egypt em∣ployed themselues onely about workes which were permitted by the Law, or which they had learned of their fathers: And it behoued euery one to showe to the gouernour from yere to yere whereof he liued: Otherwise for default of so doing, or not shewing his manner of liuing to be iust, and rea∣sonable; he was led presently to death. And whereas that Countrey was more stored with people then any other of the world, and furnished with

such excellent Artisans; their kings haue built such great Cities as Thebes, and Memphis, and erected and made meruailous pyramides, temples, laby∣rinths, ••epultures, colosses, obeliskes, and other like workes the greatest a∣mongst men; which enuious age thorough so long tract of time amongst so many changes of Lordships could not yet consume.

Furthermore the countrey of Egypt hath alwaies seemed to be the most ex∣cellent of all others; as well for that it is meruailously strong, and wel boun∣ded; as for the pleasing beauty of the whole Countrey. For on the West side it hath the great deserts for defence, and a part of the wylde Lybia; which is not only difficult to passe ouer, but very daungerous also for want of wa∣ters, and barennes of all other thinges: Towards the South it is enuironed with the scluses of Nilus, and with the mountaines adioyning. And to come downe from the higher Ethiopia, for the space of three hundred leagues, the riuer is not easily nauigable, nor the way by land easy to be vndertaken: if it be not by a king; or with great prouision of victuals. On the East side it is fortified with the sameriuer, and with a deepe and hollow marish ground, more then twelue leagues in length being betwixt Syria, and Egypt. On the North it is enclosed with a Sea which hath no hauens, and where it is ve∣ry difficult to finde landing. Being by this meanes very safe and strong, it was first grouerned by the natiue Kings of the Countrey: after by the Ethiopians, Persians, Macedonians, Romains, Greekes, Caliphes, Soudans, and at this day by the Turkes.

Amongst all the Kings borne in the countrey or aliens, which euer raigned there SESOSTRIS was the most mighty & most magnificent; hauing excel∣led in valiancy, and felicity, not onely the Assyrians, and Persians, but also the Macedonians, and Romaines. His father being aduertised by reuelation of his greatnes to come, to the end to make him worthier to rule the Monar∣chy of the whole worlde, he assembled togither all the children that were borne on the same day with his sonne, & caused them al to be instructed in the same discipline with him: thinking that being so brought vp togither, they would loue one another the more; & be the better help to one another in the wars. First of al then, going against the Arabians with an army of these, being hardned with pain, & accustomed to sobriety, he brought vnder his obediēce al that nation which was free & at liberty before; then the greatest part of Ly∣bia, being yet very yong: & lifted vp in courage by the succes of this expediti∣on, he applyed al his fantasy to make himselfe Lord of al the world, gathering togither an army of sixe hundred thousand foot, foure and twenty thousand horse, eighteen thousand chariots for war, & foure hundred ships on the red sea; finding out first the vse of galleis: ouer all whom he appointed Capitains the most part of those which had bin brought vp with him (as is fayde) accustomed vnto warre, and from their youth giuen to vertuous exercises. With this great force hee conquered on the one side Ethiopia, and all the Isles of that Countrey, and all the Sea-coast towardes the Indies; on the other side Asia the great: ouercomming not onely those nations which were

afterward ouercome by Alexander; but also many other whom Alexander neuer came vnto. For he passed the riuer Ganges, marching here and there thorough out all the Countrey of the Indians, vnto the great Ocean; and tra∣uersed all the Scythians countrey vnto the riuer Tanais, which de••ideth Asia from Europe. Then going therehence into Thrace, he was constrained by the difficulty of the places, and thorough want of victuals to make an end of his enterprise, setting vp diuers pillars in the conquered Countries; some with the likenesse of a man, others with the secret parts of women; sig∣nifying thereby the valiancy, or cowardize of the vanquished people. Re∣turning into Egypt with all the prisoners whose number was infinite, and the spoiles of the conquered Countries, he decked the Temples of Egypt with the most precious things which he had brought: and hauing recom∣pensed his souldiers which had well followed and serued him, from that time forward the whole Countrey was much enriched. Being at quiet he did also many great and excellent things, seruing for the ornament, and safety of E∣gypt: as to raise mounts, on which the townes were placed, which before were low seated; to thend that the men and beastes might remaine in safety during the increase of the riuer: make great diches and chanels in the Coun∣trey going from Memphis to the Sea, to cary victuals more easily and readi∣ly: fortifie those places where the enimies might enter on the land of Egypt making their entrance more difficulte by multitude of diches: build a great wall toward Syria, and Arabia, from Peluse to the City of the Sunne, foure∣score and fourteene leagues in length. But hee exceeded all other magni∣ficence in this, that when the nations which hee had ouercome, and those to whome hee had giuen kingdomes; as also the Capitaines which hee had ordained for the guard of his prouinces, were come into Egypt, at the time appointed to offer their gifts & tributes which they ought him; if it hap∣ned that he went to the temple, or passed thorough the towne, he made fower of them to be tyed and fastened to his chariot in steed of horses: declaring thereby that none of the other kings or famous Capitaines, was to be compa∣red to him in vertue, seeing he had ouercome them all. His glory and renowne was so great, that long time after he was dead, when the Persians held the kingdome of Egypt, and Darius the father of Xerxes would haue placed his owne statue aboue that of Sesostris in the City of Memphis: the high Priest of Vulcan gainsayd him publickly, saying that yet his acts were not like to those of Sesostris, who had subdued as many nations as he; and a∣mongst others had ouercome the Scythians, whom Darius could not any waies endamage; and therefore it was not reason that his offering should go before that of a King whom hee had not gone beyond in great exploits. Which words Darius taking in good part, and reioycing at his so liberall speach, said that he would indeuour not to be inferiour to Sesostris in any thing, if he liued as long as he had done; praying the priest to compare their yeres with their deeds, and that it should be a testimony vnto him of his ver∣tue. After Sesostris, in my opinion Ptolomeus Philadelphus deserueth greatest

praise, by the fauour, and aduancement which he gaue to all arts: founding that most famous schoole in Alexandria the head City of his kingdome, to communicate to all students the sciences, (which before were only managed by Priests, and handled in the Egyptian tongue) which he caused to be tran∣slated into Greeke; where he assembled from all parts learned men to teach them, proposing them honourable rewards: there built he that magnificent Museum, which he endewed with good reuenues, for the intertainment of Scholers; and erected in it that most famous Library, furnished with seuen hundred thousand volumes: which foundation was after augmented by the Romain Emperour; and continued euen till the Mahometans vsurped that kingdom; whence they banished both the Greeke tongue, and the auncient Egyptian with their sciences; though they had bin there continued almost three thousand yeres, especially the knowledge of celestiall motions, and of naturall thinges: amongest the variable accidents of so many monarchies as of the Ethiopian, the Egyptian, Assyrian, Median, Persian, Macedonian, Parthian, and Romain.

OF THE POWER OF THE Assyrians, and learning of the Chaldees.

IN ASSYRIA raigned in olde time many Kinges borne in the same Countrey, whose names and deedes are both abolished by long course of yeres. But he amongst them which first got learned men to writ his deeds, was NINVS, who being by his nature enclined to warre, and greedy of glory, subdued the first nations by force, and inuested himselfe with the mo∣narchy, stretching out his dominions farr and wyde thorough out Asia with an incredible army of seuenteen hūdred thousand foot, 2. hundred thousand horse, ten thousand sixe hundred chariots armed with hookes: by meanes whereof he subdued in seuenteene yeeres all the nations bordering on the bankes of the East sea, and their neighbours; as the Egyptians, Phenicians, those of the inner Syria, Cilicia, Pamphilia, Lycia, Caria, Mysia, Lydia, Troada, Phrygia, which lyeth on the Sea Hellespont, the Countrey of Pro∣pontida, and Bithinia, Capadocia, and the other nations which border on the great Sea; not leauing any vnconquered, from Nilus to Tanais. He ad∣ded besides to his estate the Cadusians, Tapyres, Hyrcanians, Dranges, Deruices, Carmanians, Coronians, Rombians, Vocamians, Parthians, Per∣sians, Susians, Caspians, Bactrians, and many others, which, it were too long particularly to recite. Then his army retorning into Syria, he chose a com∣modio••s place to builde a City, which (as hee had surmounted all o∣ther Kinges in glory of his great deedes) hee purposed to make so great, that there was neuer afore the like thereof in greatnesse; neyther coulde there euer since bee founde suche another. And assembling from all

partes great number of workemen, with the prouisions necessary for such a worke, he built his Citie on the riuer Euphrates, making it not altogether square, nor equally compassed on all sides, of alike length; but longer on two sides, then on the other two; and each side of the long wall was twenty miles in length, and a side of the lesser wall not much lesse then twelue miles, so that it had in all three score and two miles in circuit: And without doubt Ninus was no whit deceiued of his intent: for there hath no Citie si∣thence bin found of so great compasse; neither of such sumptuousnes, beautie, and magnificence. Then to make it populous, and well inhabi∣ted, hee compelled the Assyrians, especially those of the richer sort, to make their abode there: and of other neighbour nations receiued such as would come thither: ordayning that the Citie in memorie of him should be called NINIVIE.

After whose death SEMIRAMIS his wife held the kingdome of Assyria, showing her selfe as magnificent in riches, conquests, and trium∣phes, as euer any man had bin: It is said, that being a little girle, she was cast into a desert full of rockes, where there was a great number of birdes, which by gods will nourished and preserued her; bearing vp the child with their winges, and feeding her with milke, and after with cheese, which they stole from the shepcotes adioyning: which being discouered by the shepheardes, who found their cheeses to be gnawen, and perceyuing the child to be of excellent beautie, they offered her to their gouernour: who hauing no children, brought her vp carefully, as if she had bin his owne; afterwards being growen, by reason of her beautie, and good behauiour, she came to the knowledge of king Ninus, hauing holpen him by her dex∣teritie to take the Citie of the Bactrians; so that he fell in loue with her, and maried her: Yet was not her death lesse admirable then her strange nou∣rishment; for after she had made great Conquests, buylded sumptuous edi∣fices, assailed the Indians with an armie of three Millions of foote, fiue hundred thousand horsemen, and a hundred thousand chariots, (as hath bin said) and at her returne giuen order for gouernment of her kingdom, she vanished away, and was transported sodainlie (as hath bin beleeued) amongst the Gods. Some faine, that she was turned into a Pigeon, and that she flew away with a great number of birdes, which came into her chamber. Desiring to match, or to goe beyond her husband in glorie and magnificence, shee vndertooke also to buyld the Citie of BABYLON, assembling artisans from all partes: as Cutters, Caruers, Masons, and work∣maisters for this effect; and making prouision of stuffes necessarie for so great a buylding; which to make vp and finish, shee caused from all Nati∣ons to come to the number of three Millions of men; and built her Citie on both sides of the riuer Euphrates, which passed thorough the midst of it; ouer which shee made a bridge halfe a mile in length, and of thirtie foote in bredth, and two palaces at the two endes thereof: The walles were fortie fiue miles round about, hauing many towers of equal distance one from

the other, which were three-score and one fadome in height; and a hundred gates all of brasse, with their hinges and pillers. The Citie was diuided into streets, the most part straight, full of houses of three and fower stories high, of palaces, castles, and temples, correspondent to such greatnes and magnifi∣cence, with altars, statues, tables, and other ornaments of incredible riches: which the succeeding kings augmented, vntill the vsurpation of the Persians, which took away part, and ouerthrew the rest. Herodotus affirmeth, that it was the greatest and strongest of all others next after Niniuie; and that it was the fairest that euer he saw. By such works of Ninus and Semiramis it ap∣peareth, that Architecture, and all manual sciences were then in great per∣fection, and estimation. BELVS the father of Ninus was the first obseruour of the Starres in those parts, and ordayned the Priestes, Naturalists and Astro∣logers. ZOROASTER king of the Bactrians, whom Ninus ouer∣came in battaile, was the authour of Magick. And according to the suppu∣tation of Eusebius, ABRAHAM was the first founder of true Religion, the first that fulfilled the Law of nature, and thought of the diuine Law; the first that perswaded men to worship one onely God against the Pagans, and Idolaters; & the first that draue away the darknes of errour, & vndertook warres against the wicked: for this cause he receiued so much honour, that God spake vnto him, and promised to multiplie his posterity, aboue the starres of heauen, and sandes of the sea, and that in his seed all Nations should be blessed; comming thereof the redeemer of the world, which before was vt∣terly lost and ouerthrowen: of which promise, both the Mosaical and Chri∣stian Law took their beginning: And Mahomet himselfe to couer his deceit, and win the more people, said; that he preached no other thing, but the be∣liefe of Abraham, which he pretended to restore.

BVT young NINVS their sonne, taking the kingdom after them, and making peace with all his neighbours, liued in pleasure, and idlenesse out of the sight of men, shut vp for the most part in his pallaice: But for the safetie of his kingdom, and that he might be feared of his subiects, he leuied euery yeare a certaine number of souldiers, and out of euery prouince ordayned them a Captaine. And when all his armie was assembled without the Citie of Niniuie, he appointed ouer euery Nation an other Captain of the wisest and skilfullest of those that were about him. The yeare being ended, he sent home his first souldiers to their houses, and had others out of the prouinces: whence it came to passe, that his subiects were the readier to obey for feare, which they had of the souldiers remayning alwaies in the field: And if any had failed of their duetie, or rebelled against him, they were readier also to make satisfaction for feare of punishment. Thinking also that such changing from yeare to yeare, might serue to this end, that his souldiers and Captaines might not so readily knit themselues together to conspire against him: for to be continually in the field exercised in the art militarie, maketh the souldiers harder and stronger, and the Capitains wiser, which hath often bin an occa∣sion to them of departing from the obedience of their common wealth, or

seruice of their Prince: which point was ill considered of the Romains, when they liued in a common wealth; and afterward by their Emperours. For the prolongation of generall charges in warre, by succession of time distroied the common wealth by two inconueniences: The one, that by this meanes lesse number of people was exercised in militarie charges, and offices; and by consequence the reputation restrained to fewer persons: The other, that one man alwaies commanding ouer an Armie, made it partiall and affectionate vnto him, so that in time it forgot the Senate, and acknow∣ledged no head but him: So did Sylla, and Marius find souldiers to fol∣low them against the publike weale: So Iulius Caesar by the continua∣tion which was made him of his charge in Gaule, had meanes to seize on his owne Countrey. Likewise the ordinarie armies which the Emperours in∣tertayned, aswell neere vnto Rome, as on the frontiers of the Empire, o∣uerthrew many of them, and the Empire also; setting vp Caesars, and pul∣ling them downe at their appetite, hauing sometime chosen many of them in diuers places, at the selfe same time; whereof great warres arose. This king then, to the end to prouide for such inconueniences, established (as hath bin said) the Captaines of his armie, the Gouernours of prouinces, the Stewards of his houshold, and other officers of his house; and also the Iudges of euery prouince, and other charges of his estate: thinking as for the rest, that the Prince his vnknowen maner of lyuing, made his plea∣sures secrete, and that none dared to blaspheme him; as if he were God in∣uisible.

Wherein he was followed by the other succeeding Kinges, euen till SARDANAPALVS, in whose time this kingdome was translated to the Medians. He was the most effeminate that euer was borne, so that he abode alwaies amongst women, handing the distaffe, and spinning in wo∣manish apparell; more wanton in lookes, in apparell, and gesture, then the most wanton of them; to whom he diuided their workes, cloathing himselfe sometime with a crimson gowne, and sometimes with fine Tissue: He painted his face, and his whole bodie, and counterfaited his speach after the imitation of women: He did not onely desire to haue euery day meates and drinkes to prouoke him to lust, but gaue himselfe wholly to pleasure, abusing sometimes the office of a man, and sometimes of a wo∣man; without all honestie, without regard of sexe, or of shame; in such sort, that beeing altogether drowned in delights, he scarse shewed him∣selfe abroad at any time. These fashions were the cause, that two of his Lieutenants, Beloch the Babylonian, and Arbaces the Median, had him in disdaine; and conspiring against him through contempt, made warre against him, after they had diffamed him as loose, and effeminate: who at last presented himselfe against his will in battaile in the field, with his effeminate companie, without order: but hauing had the worst, he withdrew him∣selfe hastily into his royall pallace, in the which he caused to be raised in

a back and secret roome, a peece of timber work; being of great peeces of wood, fower hundred foote high, in maner of a Pyramis, and within left a great space void: In such sort, that in the midst there was an other place made of Carpenters worke, furnished with great and long tables, and was large a hundred foote square, which is fower hundred foote round: There∣within he caused to be set fower hundred couches of gold, which serued to make magnificent bankets, after the old sashion; and aboue ouer against them as many tables of gold. But the ••ower was girt in such sort, and com∣passed with great and heauie stuffe, that there was no going out, nor opening, but onely to haue light from the top: This being done, he made his wife, and his Concubines, and the women of his Court which he loued best, to enter into it; not knowing, nor doubting any thing what he meant to do; then went he in himselfe, and there caused himselfe to be shut in, without hope of euer going out: But before, he had caused to be brought thither a thou∣sand myriades of gold, and a myriade of myriades of siluer, and a great num∣ber of royal vestures, and precious stones. Then his Chamberlaines, and Eunuches (in whom he put all his trust, and of whom he had taken oathes to do it) put fire in this pile, which endured fifteene daies: So Sardanapa∣lus burned himselfe with all his riches, doing in that thing onely the act of a man. Budeus valuing it all after our maner, accounteth that he spoyled the earth, or would haue spoyled it, of the value of fiftie Milions of gold. These two Lieutenants diuided afterwards the Monarchie betwixt them; Beloch was king of Babylon; and Arbaces of the Medians. Aristotle in his politicks, doubting of the end of Sardanapalus, and of the Kingdom of Assyria, saith, that if that had not hapned vnto him, which is reported, yet that it might befall to any other king, gouerning himselfe after that sort. Moreouer, the Chaldees in Assyria were appointed to haue care of holie things; and did nothing but studie all the time of their life, being reputed verie skilfull in Astrologie. Many among them did prognosticate things to come, as if they were Prophets, and were wont to know how to diuert euill fortune com∣ming towards men, and to bring them good by sacrifices, and praiers. Besides they expounded dreames, soothsayings, and prophecies: wherein they were verie expert, as hauing bin brought vp therein; and taught by their fathers; still continuing and perseuering in the same: for dwelling in plaine coun∣tries, where the aire is commonly without clouds, or raine, and where there are no hills to hinder the sight of the heauens, they had meanes to applie themselues wholieto contemplation of the Starres, obseruing their mutual concursions; how they approach or recoile thone from thother; what are their conjunctions and oppositions, and what becommeth of them, in what seasons, and how they are hid, and then appeare againe; the signes of good or ill fortune to come, which they bring in particular to euery person, and in generall to townes, and to peoples. In which obseruations they affirmed that they had imploied CCCC lxxiij. thousand yeares: from the time when they began them, vntill Alexander the great went vp into Asia: which space is

incredible. Neuertheles, all agree in this, that the Chaldees were most skil∣full in the doctrine of the heauens, because they had continued the studie thereof longest. Plato in his Epinomides, acknowledgeth Astrologie to haue bin begun in Syria, and Egipt, where by the serenitie of the summer season, almost all the starres are cleerely seen; and that time out of mind the obserua∣tion of starres had bin there continued, and there hence brought ouer to the Greeks. Notwithstanding, Simplicius a Greek Cōmentator on Aristotle wit∣nesseth, that Aristotle did write vnto Calisthenes, being in the armie of Alex∣ander, that while others were busied about the spoile, and pillage of Babylon, he should diligently inquire of the antiquitie of the Chaldees; and that Ca∣listhenes answered, that after hauing imploied all diligence therein, he found their historie not to exccede the terme of one thousand nine hundred and three yeares. Others do not onely attribute to the Chaldees the praise of Astrologie, but also of many other Arts; and that Prometheus of that nation, for hauing showed the mouings of the Planets, and opened the misteries of nature, was accounted vnder the couerture of a fable, to haue stolne out of heauen the sacred fire of Pallas; and to haue giuen a soule vnto man, which he had fashioned before of earth: After that in reuenge herof, and punish∣ment of this boldnes, he was had by Mercurie to the high mountain Cauca∣sus, and fastned to a great rock: signifying his great assiduitie in contempla∣tion of Heauen, and of nature. Now the Chaldees held opinion, that the world had alwaies bin, that it had no beginning, and should haue no end; the order and forme of all things being made by the diuine prouidence: and that the celestial affaires are not casually or naturally guided; but by the firme and determinate will of the Gods: saying, that the greatest force, and influ∣ence of heauen, doth consist in the planets; and that the knowledge of such euents is knowen, aswell by their ascendents, as by their colours. Sometimes they showed visiblie, to peoples and countries, to kings and priuate persons, such things as might helpe them, or harme them; gathering the certaintie therof by the windes, or by the raines; sometimes by the heats, and by the Comets, by the Eclipses of the Sunne, and Moone, and by many other signes seruing greatly for the birth of men, to haue good fortune or bad; and that by their nature and proprietie, especially by their aspect, one might easily know things to come: hauing told vnto Alexander, that he should fight with Darius; and after to Antigonus, Nicanor, Seleucus, and other Kings; and likewise to priuate persons so euidently, that which was to happen vnto them, that it seemed a miraculous thing, and aboue the vnderstanding of man. But when the raigne of the Assyrians failed, the Medes on the one side, and the Babylonians on the other, ruled in Asia: who followed the maners and customes of those which were their Lords before; hauing no peculiar singularitie either in armes or letters: and therefore I will dwell thereon no longer. Besides that, these affaires are so auncient, and so far from vs, that many esteeme as fabulous whatsoeuer is written thereof: Wherefore I will come to the Persians, who are better knowen; and to the raigne of Cyrus

being the founder of their Monarchie: where beginneth the historie of the Greekes; and in whose time also philosophie was first manifested.

OF THE POWER OF THE Persians, the learning and Religion of their Mages.

THE PERSIANS were first shepheards, bornin a hard countrie, which made them strong; inabling them to remain in the open field, to watch and trauaile in the warres: They did eate nothing ordinarily but bread and herbes, with some venison; hauing neither figgs, nor any other fruit, by reason of the rudenes, and barrennes of their countrie: They drank no wine, but contented themselues with water, euery one carrying his dish to drink it in, when thirst came vpon him. They took no refection nor repast, with∣out doing of some exercise before, which was principally hunting: Their children went to schoole to learne Iustice; as they do in other Countries to learne Letters. All their habit or rayment was of skinns; aswel for their leggs as for the rest of the bodie.

HERODOTVS bringeth in ARTEMBARES speaking thus to the Persians; Seeing that Iupiter hath giuen you the Monarchie, and to thee CYRVS, power to distroy Astyages; go yet further: for the land which we hold is little, hard, and barren; and we must go from it, to win a better els∣where. There are many neere about vs, and many farther remoued from vs▪ of the which, if we once possesse but one; we shall be admirable to many others. And surely men that rule, ought to think on these things: for when shall we haue better occasion, then when we are Lords ouer many men, and ouer all Asia? CYRVS hearing these words, commaunded they should be put in execution: but in commaunding, warned them also to prepare them∣selues not to rule; but to be ouerruled: for it is so, that soft Countries make soft people; because it is not proper to one land, to beare both delectable fruits, and valiant warriours: Then the Persians repented them, chosing ra∣ther to rule dwelling in an vnfruitfull land, then to serue others, sowing and labouring of the faire fieldes. The same CYRVS in Xenophon, showeth his people, that watching, and trauayling, enduring of labour, and vsing of diligence, had enriched them: Wherfore saith he, it behoueth also that here∣after you be vertuous; holding for certaine, that great goods, and great con∣tentments will come vnto you, by obedience, constancie, vertue, paines-ta∣king, and hardines in vertuous, and perilous interprises. CYRVS then is he, which first put the Persians in reputation, making them Lords ouer the Medes; whose vassals and tributaries, they were before.

But as in all the great effects of nature, and notable mutations of mankind, God raiseth vp ordinarily great, and excellent Princes, adorned with rare vertues, lifted vp in great aucthoritie, to found Kingdomes, and Empiers; to bring in good lawes, and maners of liuing in Religion, and politike gouern∣ment; and to further the arts and sciences: whose birth and death are foretold

long time before, by oracles, prophecies, and signes in Heauen and earth: and after their death, reuerenced with diuine honours. So GOD mea∣ning then to establish in Asia a most mightie Monarchie, and to bring Philosophie into the world, at the same time; he raised vp CYRVS, as praise-worthie a Prince, as any other hath bin either afore, or after him. It is he alone amongst all the great Lordes and Captaines, of whom hi∣stories do make mencion, that could obserue modestie in all his prosperi∣ties, and victories; and bridle his absolute power and aucthoritie, with equitie and clemencie. But from whence may wee haue a more certaine testimonie of his excellencie, then from the Propher Esay, where he was named two hundred yeares before he was borne; and is called of GOD his king, promising to hold his right hand, that hee might take stronge Townes, and subdue mightie Nations, and humble the great Kings of the earth. And he chose him amongst all the Princes of the Gentils, to reedi∣fie the Temple of Ierusalem, and deliuer the Iewes from the Captiuitie of Babylon, in the which they had long remayned; restoring them to their full libertie, and vse of the true Religion.

The words of Esay are these. The Lord saith thus to CYRVS his anoyn∣ted: I haue taken the right hand, that I may subdue the Nations before his face, and that I may weaken the raines of Kings, that the dores may be opened before him, and that the gates be not shut. I will go before him, and make the crooked waies straight. I will breake the gates of brasse, and will bruse the barres of yron, and will giue the treasures laied vp, and the thinges hid in secret places: that thou maist know that I am thy Lord the God of Israell, calling thee by thy name, for my seruant Iacobs sake, and for Israell my chosen. I haue named thee by thy name, though thou neuer knowest me. But though fortune were verie contrarie to him at the beginning; yet did GOD neuer forsake him: but following the prophecie, deliuered him from many dangers, and incon∣ueniences. ASTYAGES king of the Medes had a daughter called Man∣dana, of whom he dreamt in his sleepe, and it seemed vnto him that he saw her make water in such abundance, that she filled all the Citie of Ec∣batane, and from thence watered and ouerflowed all Asia: He proposed this vision to some of his Mages, expounders of dreames, and was afraied with that which he learned of them: Wherefore, when Mandana was of yeares to be maried, hee would not giue her to any Median Lord, but gaue her to a Persian, whom he found of a good house, and of sweet and peaceable maners; though he esteemed him lesse then a Median of meane estate. Mandana beeing maried to this Persian, called Cambyses, the first yeare of their mariage Astyages had an other vision, and dreamed that he saw a Vine comming out of the wombe of his daughter, and spreading ouer all Asia: which he proposed to the deuiners, as before, and hearing them, sent into Persia for his daughter, being alreadie with child; who being come, he commaunded she should be carefully kept, purposing to put her child to death: because the Mages had told him, that the sonne of

his daughter should one day raigne in his place. Wherefore, as soone as she brought forth a child (who was called CYRVS) he appointed Harpa∣gus his greatest fauorite, and trustiest seruant, to put him to death; who gaue him to a Shepheard, to be exposed for a pray to wild beastes: which the shepheard did, and left him in the midst of a forest, wrapped in a blan∣ket of cloth of gold, and a mantle of diuers colours: whither retourning afterward, he found a bytch by the child, which gaue him suck, and de∣fended him from the beastes. Wherefore, beeing moued with the same pitie which moued the bitch, he brought the cradle into his Cabin, and nourished the child as his owne, till he was ten yeares of age; when he was chosen king amongst the children: In which charge, bearing himselfe more brauelier then the estate of a shepheards sonne yeelded, in appointing to euery one their offices, and estates; some to buyld him houses, and castles; others to be of his gard; one to be as the eye of the king; another ordayned to make report vnto him of the gouernment of his affaires; and chastising roughly such as disobeyed him; he became knowen, and was brought back againe to Astyages: who brought him vp, thinking his dreame to be accomplished in this childish royaltie.

But being woxen greater, he became most warlike; and hauing at the be∣ginning of his conquests but thirtie thousand fighting men; afterwards as he increased in Lordships, he augmented his forces, and gathered togither sixe hundred thousand footemen, sixe score thousand horsemen, and aboue two thousand chariots, armed with hookes: His Empire being the greatest and the fairest that euer king had in Asia: bounded towards the East with the red sea, towards the North with the sea Euxinus; on the West with Cypres and Egipt; and on the south with Ethiopia. He conquered first the Countrie of the Medes, and the Hircanians, which yeelded themselues vnto him of their owne free will; then subdued by force the Assyrians, the Arabians, and Ca∣padocians, the inhabitants of thone, and thother Phrygia; the Lydians, Ca∣rians, Phenicians, and Babylonians: He ouercame the Bactrians, Indians, and Cilicians: Moreouer also the Saques, Paphlagonians, Magadides, and many other Nations. Likewise he made himselfe Lord of the Greeks dwel∣ling in Asia; and passing the sea, he vanquished the Cyprians, and Egiptians. He besieged and tooke Babylon, which, it was incredible that it might either be built by mans workmanship, or distroyed by humane power: And neuer∣thelesse, he assailed it as an enemie, spoiled it as vanquishour, and disposed of it as Lord. He brought vnder his obedience so many Nations, which were not of his language, nor vnderstood not one an other: and stretched his do∣minion ouer so many Regions, by the feare of his name: In such sort, that he astonied all the world, and none durst resist him. This notwithstanding, he made himselfe so much beloued, that they desired neuer to haue any other Lord; and they reuerenced him as a father, gouerning so great an Empire, and of such largenes, by a meruailous order which he set downe when he was in peace: Prouiding for his residence, counsail, audiences, his gards, the estate of

his house, the seruice, exercise, and health of his person; the traine and fol∣lowers of his Court; diuision of his prouinces, and gouernments of garri∣sons in fortresses, and frontiers; his reuenew, iustice, and souldiery: Showing himselfe religious, venerable, magnificent, liberal, and worthie to be imita∣ted in all actions, by the Princes that followed after him. It is said that Alex∣ander, hauing found the sepulcher of Cyrus vncouered and defaced; caused him to be put to death which had done it: And hauing read the inscription, which was in Persian letters, and words; he willed hit also to be written in Greeke vnderneath; and the substance of the inscription being this: O Man whatsoeuer thou art, and whence soeuer thou comest, (for I am assured that thou wilt come,) I am Cyrus, he which conquered the Empire for the Persians, and I pray thee, do not enuie me this little earth, which couereth my poore bodie. These words moued greatly the hart of Alexander to compassion, when he consi∣dered the vnstabilitie of things.

XENOPHON vnderstanding Cyrus to haue bin a Prince so admira∣ble in his deedes, and excellent in gouernment of men, he chose him to ex∣presse in his person the image of a iust and moderate raigne, writing of his institution: which is one of the best bookes that is to be read in Greeke. Plato acknowledging him for a worthy and valiant Prince, said that he failed greatly in bringing vp of his children: for beginning from his youth to make warre, and being busied all his life therein, he neuer thought on the gouern∣ment of his house; but left his two sonns, CAMBISES and SMERDES to the Ladies of the Court, and to the Eunuches to bring vp: who brought them vp as children that were borne happie, not suffering any to gainsay them in any sort; and constrayning all to praise whatsoeuer they did or said. As Cyrus then was a Maister of a great multitude of men and beasts, and of many other things, he did not consider that they to whom he was to leaue so many good things, were not brought vp in the auncient Persian discipline, but in the corrupt discipline of the Medes: which was the cause of making them such, as commonly they are, which are brought vp with so much liber∣tie. Succeeding their father then after his decease, first thone slew the other, not being able to endure an equal, and then like a mad man through dronken∣nesse and ignorance he lost his estate, by reason of the contempt which men had of his follie.

Then DARIVS the first of that name, came to the Empire, who was no kings sonne, nor brought vp in Courtly delights: who gouerned himself by the Lawes, bringing in a common equalitie, and making friendship amongst them all, whom he won with good deedes: So being beloued of his subiects, he conquered no fewer Countries then Cyrus had left him; ordayning tho∣rough out all the Countries, landes, and Lordships, vnder his obedience, twentie gouernments, called in the Persian language Satrapies; and taxing the annuall tributes, which euery of them ought to pay in siluer, after the waight of the Babylonian talent; or in gold, according to the Euboick: for du∣ring the raigne of Cyrus, and his sonne Cambyses, there was no tribute impo∣sed;

but the Countries brought certaine presents, and gaue certaine gratuites and giftes to the king: by reason of which imposition, the Persians said, that DARIVS was a Merchant, CAMBISES a Lord, and CYRVS a father: be∣cause that Darius was too good a husband, & drew profit out of euery thing▪ Cambises proude and cruel; but Cyrus soft, kind, gentle, and gratious: ha∣uing procured all good things vnto the Persians.

The first Satrapie comprehended the Iouians, the Magnetians which are in Asia, the Eolians, Car••ans, Lycians, Melyans, and Pamphylians: all which made but a tribute of fortie talents of siluer. The second was of the Mysians, Lydians, Alysonians, Cabalians, and Higennians, which paied fiftie talents of siluer. The third of the Hellespontins, Phrygians, Paphlagonians, Marian∣dines, and Syrians, taxed at CCClx. talents. The fourth of the Cilicians, which were bound to furnish euery yeare CCClx. white horses: which was for euery day in the yeare a seueral horse: paying moreouer fiue hundred ta∣lents, wherof a hundred and fortie were appointed for the finding of the said horses; and the other three hundred & three score went into the kings cofers. The fifth began at the Citie of Possidea, situated in the mountains of Cilicia, and Syria, and stretched out vnto Egipt, except Arabia which was exempted: This parcel of land wherin were comprehended Phenicia, Palestina, and the Isle of Cypres, yeelded CCCL. talents. The sixth consisted in all Egipt, and the bordering Africans, with Cyrene, and Barce, which contributed with them: so that the annual reuenew was of seuen hundred Talents; besides the fishing of the poole Meris; and without reckoning of the Wheat which was prouided for six score thousand Persians, and their auxiliaries keeping garri∣son within the white wals of Memphis. The seuenth was of the Sattagidians, Gaudarians, Dadiques, & Aparites, which was Clxx. talēts. The eight contai∣ned the towne of Sourses; and an other portion of the Cysses, yeelding CCC. The ninth consisted in the Citie of Babylon, and the rest of Assyria, finding a thousand talents of siluer, & fiue hundred gelded boies. Of the tenth ordained for Ecbatane, & the rest of Media, with the xj. consisting of the Paricanians & Orthocorimbantes, were receiued CCCCL. talents. The twelfth reached from the Bactrians to the Egles, and was charged with CCClx. talents, The thirteenth began at Pactica with the Armenians, and other bordering lands; and was bounded with the greater sea, being taxed at CCCC. talents. The fourteenth consisted in the Sagarties, Sarangres, Thamanees, Thiries, Meces, and in the people of the Islands of the red sea: the tribute amounting vnto six hundred talents. In the fifteenth were the Saces and Caspians, which yeelded CCL. In the sixteenth the Parthians, Chorasmians, Sogdians, & Arians: taxed at CCC. In the seuenteenth the Paricanians, & the Ethiopians of Asia CCCC. In the eighteenth the Manineans, Sarpites, & Atlarodians CC. In the xix. the Mosches, Tibarenes, Macrosians, Mosinicians, & Mardians CCC. In the xx. were the Indians; which because they were a verie great multitude, paied more tribute then al the other nations: namely, CCClx. talents of gold. Al these sums which were paid in the Babilonian talent of siluer, being referred to the

Euboick talent, came to nine thousand, fiue hundred, and fortie talents: And the gold of the myne being multiplied by thirteene; to fower thousand, six hundred, and fower score Euboick talents: and was leuied on Asia, and some part of Africk. Then he raised an other tribute on the Isles, and Nations of Europe; hauing stretched out his dominion as far as Thessalie. Persia was freed from all payments; and the Ethiopians sent onely certaine presents: as from three yeares to three, a bushell of gold from the myne, two hun∣dred fagots of Ebony, fiue hundred blacke boies, and xxij. Elephants, the greatest that could be found. The Cholchois and Caucasians, from fiue yeares to fiue, one hundred young boies, and as manie girles. The Arabi∣ans, euery yeare a present of incense, weighing a thousand talents. The meanes which he vsed to keepe his Treasures, was thus: He caused the gold and siluer to be melted, and cast into earthen barrels; then when the vessell was full, he made it be remoued vp and downe with his Court: and when∣soeuer he wanted money, he broke, or cut out therof as much as he would. Touching his husbandrie, and care for the intertayning of such power, and riches: first this king was most carefull of Armes, ordayning himselfe in each gouernment, both the victuals, and paies, which were to be distributed to his souldiers, aswell strangers, as his natural subiects, thoroughout his garri∣sons: and seeing the musters in person. Where such as were found to haue fulfilled the appointed number of their men; and had best mounted, and fur∣nished them with armes, were aduanced in honours, and inriched with great gifts: On the contrarie, he chastised such as failed, or were giuen to picory; putting others in their charges: Moreouer, he visited himselfe (as much as he might) the Countries vnder his obedience, endeuouring to vn∣derstand their estate, and those which he could not see, he caused to be visited by some trustie persons, sent for that purpose. Where he found the Countries well peopled, and the lands diligently husbanded, full of corne, trees, and fruits; he rewarded the Princes, or Gouernors, with great gifts, and aug∣mented their charges: But those whose countries were found desert, or euill inhabited, by reason of their rudenes, insolencie, or negligence; he puni∣shed or discharged them: being no lesse carefull to haue his Countries, well ordered by the inhabitants, then to haue them kept in safetie by the garri∣sons; and caring no lesse for his reuenewes then his armes; and proposing as great a reward to the diligent labourers, as to the valiant warriours.

We read, that then when the king of Persia was in his greatest glorie, and reputation, that his Maiestie was highly exalted, and magnificently ador∣ned with august and venerable aucthoritie; that his royall seat being esta∣blished at SVSA or ECBATANA, he retyred himselfe out of the sight of men into his pallace, being verie faire and richly decked, with gold, sil∣uer, yuorie, and other exquisite things: In the which were many galleries and halls, one within an other, many dores compassed betweene them, and separated by spaces, and the commings to them shut and closed with gates of brasse: That there were many Princes and Lords appointed in their seuerall

places, and some garding, and seruing his person, some looking to those that came in and out at the gates, some receyuours, and treasourers; others Captaines, and men of warre: some hunters and faulconers; and others ordayned vnto other offices, as ••se and necessitie required. Moreouer the Satrapes or Princes went and came to and fro, gouerning the whole Em∣pier of Asia, beginning in the West at Hellespont, and ending in India to∣ward the East. Herodotus showeth by iourneis and lodginges, that from Sardes in Lydia, to Susa in Mennonia, which was the Kinges seat, it was three Monethes iourney. It is written also in the booke of Hester, that ASSVERVS king of Persia raigned, euen from the Indies vnto Ethiopia, ouer an hundred twentie and seauen prouinces, writing to eue∣rie prouince according to the Stile thereof, and to euerie people in their owne language. In the meane time the king termed by them, their Lord and God, saw and vnderstood all things, by meanes of postes ordayned in all the Countries vnder his obedience; and spies dispersed here, and there, and secret Intellegencers: so that being so many Officers, they did euery one in his charge indeuour himselfe in such sort, that their Lord knew incon∣tinently whatsoeuer new thing hapned, euen from the frontiers of his go∣uernment to the place of his residence: which was in the midst of his king∣dome, dwelling the winter in Babylon, because the aire there is verie mild and temperate; the three monethes of the Spring-time, in the Towne of Susa; and the two monethes of great heat in the Citie of Ecbatana: In such sort, that by this changing of Countries, what season of the yeare so euer it were, he was alwaies in a time like vnto the spring. He was warned euery morning when he waked, to feare God, and to see to those affaires which God hath committed to his charge.

The intertainment of the Queene was correspondent to this greatnes, and magnificence: for many prouinces were allotted her for the furnishing thereof, which were called diuersly, according to the vse whereunto they were appointed: As one was the Queenes girdle; an other her vaile: and so likewise the rest, according to those ornaments which they furnished. As soone as his first sonne, which was to succeede in the Crowne was borne, all his subiectes celebrated this day; and afterwardes euery yeare thorough out Asia, they solemnized the feast of his natiuitie. Then the child was giuen to be nourished to the Eunuches, which held verie ho∣nourable places in the Court; and their principall charge amongst others was, to make him faire, and well proporcioned, by composing and or∣dering his partes conueniently. Then when he was come to seuen yeares, hee learned to ride, and began to goe on hunting. At the fourteenth yeare of his age, hee was instructed by Masters called the royall Paeda∣gogues or Tutours, which were fower chosen amongst all the Persians, the chiefest of age and sufficiencie, that is, the most wise, iust, temperate, and valiant: The first taught hym the Magicke of ZOROASTER, consisting in the seruice of the Godds, and kingly manners. The second

warned him to bee all his life true, and veritable. The third, that hee should not bee supplanted by any cupidity or desire. The fourth, was to make him without feare, to the end he should not be subiect to cowardise and pusillanimitie.

But howbeit these things were well, and religiously instituted; yet were they ill obserued. For after Darius his sonne XERXES comming to rainge, which had bin brought vp in the same Kingly delicacies as Cambises, hee likewise fell into the like inconueniences. For possessing togither what∣soeuer Cyrus and Darius his father had gotten, and seeing himselfe excee∣ding riche and mighty, hee purposed to conquere Greece, and came thy∣ther with an inestimable army, hauing by Sea fiue hundred and seuenteen thousand, sixe hundred men; by land a milion and seuen hundred thousand foote, and fourescore thousand horsemen, with twentie thousand Arabi∣ans and Africans; vnto whom there ioyned of Europe three hundred thou∣sand; the whole multitude comming to two milions, sixe hundred & seuen∣teen thousād fighting mē: the greatest that euer was in field after those of Ni∣nus and Semiramis: at the least, of which we haue knowledge by histories. Insomuch that we need not to maruaile, at that which is sayd, that running ryuers were dried vp by the infinite number which dranke of them, and that there were so many sailes that one coulde not see the Sea, by reason of them. But therein the riches of Xerxes was more to bee admired, then his conduct to bee commended; because he was alwaies seen to bee the first in flying, and the last in comming to fight: being fearefull in daungers, couragious and stoute in security, and before hee came to the hazard of the warres. Trusting in his forces, as if he had bin Lord ouer nature, hee leueled mountaines with the plaines, filled and raised vp vallies, passed ouer armes of the Sea on bridges which he caused to bee made, and tourned the course of others by newe channels to saile at his pleasure. But by how much more his comming into Greece was terrible; his departure thence, was so much the more dishonourable: For being astonyed by the discom∣fitures of his people, both by Sea and lande, hee went backe into Asia, euen almost alone, in a fisherboate. Which retraite deserueth well to bee considered with admiration, for knowledge of the trueth of mens deeds: to see him hidden in a little Schiffe, whom, but a little before the whole Sea could not suffice; and to see him destitute of seruants, whose armie all Greece coulde scarse intertaine. In this manner Xerxes who had bin the terrour of the worlde began to bee despised of his owne people: af∣ter he had bin so vnhappy in the expedition of Greece. In so much that Ar∣tabanus an Hircanian a man of great credite with him, and Captaine of his Guarde slue him, and Darius his eldest sonne after him; hoping to make himselfe King: but setting vpon Artaxerxes the second sonne, and hauing giuen him a stroke with his sworde, ARTAXERXES feeling him∣selfe wounded, but not to death, est soones tooke his sword in hand for his defence, and stroke Artabanus such a blowe that he fell dead to the ground.

So ARTAXERXES being almost miraculously saued, and hauing al∣so therewith auenged the death of his father succeeded him in the kingdom, and Empire of Persia, where there hath not bin since any king that hath bin great in deed as Plato sayth: nor of any reckoning or renowne. For taking a∣way from the people to much of their liberty: & introducing a more absolute authority of ruling ouer them, then was conuenient, they lost the amitie and communion of the state. Which things being lost, the Princes looked no lon∣ger to the profit of the subiects, or of the people: but for the conseruation of their authoritie, whatsoeuer little profit was offered them, they razed the townes, and consumed with fire the nations that were their friends: and ha∣ting spitefully, and without mercy; they were hated in like maner. And when it was needful that their people should fight for them, they foūd them not of accord, to hazard them selues willingly, and to fight: but ruling ouer almost innumerable men, they made them vnfit for war; and as hauing need of men, they hyred others; thinking to preserue themselues, and their state by mer∣cenary and straunge Souldiors: who likewise forgat themselues, shewing by their deeds that they preferred riches before vertue. The tyrannies which they vsed towards their subiects for their pretended conseruation are recited by Aristotle in his Politicks, but not approued: as to abase and pull downe the highest, and to take away the most couragious, not to permit their ban∣kets, assemblies, disciplines, nor any such thing: but to take heed to whatsoe∣uer is wont to ingender these two; highnes of minde, and confidence: to for∣bid them Schooles, and all other companies and meetinges; and to pro∣uide in any case that they came not acquainted one with another: conside∣ring that knowledge and acquaintance maketh men to haue more affyance one in another. That all the archers of the Guard being straungers, should shew themselues in the streets, and walke before the doores of houses; wher∣by that which the subiectes imagined or practised, should not be kept secret: and they would come to haue lesse courage by being continually kept vnder. Moreouer to endeuour to discouer what they said and did, and to haue spies, listeners, and referendaries, dispersed thorough out the Countries, and wher∣soeuer there were any assemblies: for they become lesse hardy by fearing such maner of people, and if they should waxe hardy, they be yet lesse secret. Also that they should accuse and slander one an other, and friends fall to debate with friends, the common people with the Nobles, and the riche amongst themselues. And to impouerish the subiects, serueth that they be not constrai∣ned to keepe a guard; and that being euery day busied, they may haue no leasure to conspire; and that being vrged with some war they may alwaies haue need of their king; as their head and Chiefetaine. Not to suffer about him graue persons, and free of speech; because that such diminish the excel∣lency, and authority of the Lord: which would only seeme to be such a one himselfe. All which meanes, and such other like, being drawen out of the gouernment of the Persians; are tyrannicall, and most pernitious; gathered by Aristotle, not to the end to teach them vnto others; but rather to beware of

them by knowing the misery of tyrants which are constrained to fly to such euils, thereby to assure their parsons, and estates: which when they thinke by these meanes to bee surest and safest, are then soonest ouerthrowen at vna∣wares thorough the hate which their tyrannies haue engendred.

By which rough and hard vsage the Persians being degenerated, suffred them selues to bee ouercome in many partes of Asia, bordering on the Sea; and hauing passed into Europe, they were beaten backe; some of them peri∣shing miserably, and others flying shamefully; as they were worthy, and had wel deserued. For it is impossible (saith Isocrates in his Panegyrick speaking of them) to finde in people so brought vp, and gouerned, any vertue or prowes to triumphe ouer their enemies. How should there be amongst such maners, either valiant Captaine, or good Souldiour; the greatest part of them being but a confused multitude, and not accustomed to perills; being too soft for warre, and fitter to make slaues and drudges then our owne seruants? The most honourable amongest them neuer liued equally, familiarly, or ciuilly, but continue all their life to doe outrage vnto some and seruice vn∣to others; as people of depraued natures. By their aboundance of riches, they decke their bodies magnificently, hauing their mindes base and vile, by their Monarchie: And being resident in Court, they learne to humble them selues, and to haue a cowardly hart, worshipping a mortall man, and calling him God; and making lesse account of Gods then of men. Those also which inhabite towardes the Sea who are called Satrapes, doe not dishonour the Persian discipline, but perseuer in the same man∣ners, behauing them selues disloyally towardes their friendes, and cow∣ardly towardes their enemies; and humbling themselues on one side, and swelling on the other, they dispise their allies; and honour their ad∣uersaries.

XENOPHON comparing the raigne of Cyrus, and of his suc∣cessours, and rendring a reason of the chaunge of manners which hap∣pened in that nation; sayth that before time; not onely the king, but all pri∣uate men also were wont to keepe faithfully, and constantly their pro∣mise, made either by oath, or by touching of handes, yea euen to those which had done some offence worthy of death: but this faithfulnesse was afterward lost. For before, if any one had hazarded himselfe in perils for the King, had subdued some nation, taken a Towne, or done any vertuous exployte, the King raised him vnto honour: but sithence; traitours, and such as to creepe into fauour kept neither promise nor faith; were most reckoned of in Court. After whose example all the inhabitants of Asia, haue run into all iniustice, and impiety. Also afterward they became more licentious in ill doing, and more couetous, and so consequently more wicked. For they raunsomed and constrayned to pay money, not only such as were culpable of crimes, and guilty of great misdeeds; but also those which had not done a∣ny iniust or dishonest act: wherhence it came to passe that not onely male∣factours, but al those of the richer sort were in continuall feare, and would

not yeeld themselues to the most mighty; and durst not approach or trust to the king; neither be of his bandes of ordinance; neither go to warre vnder him. By meanes whereof it was more then lawfull for those which made warre on them, to forrage and spoile their Countrey without fight; and to the people to reuolt without feare of punishment: as well for their impiety toward the Gods; as for their iniustice towardes men. Moreouer they be∣came more faint of courage, and vntoward of mind and disposition, not vsing any discipline either of body or mind: hauing lost and left off that maner of exercising themselues which was commaunded them; and all rules of good life. For before there was a law amongst them, that they should not spit nor blowe their noses; which was not ordained to make them retaine the hu∣mours within their bodies; but to thend that by exercise all those humours should be consumed, and they haue their bodies stronger, and liuelier: now the custome not to spit, nor blow their noses, remained still; but to take paines at any labour or exercise, there was no such matter. They had also an other Law to eate but once a day, to thend to haue the rest of the time free to be∣stowe on their busines; and it is true that they did eate but once a day; but they began it early in the morning, and so continued eating and drinking til night when they go to bed. Before, they dranke no wine, and abhorred all dronkennes; but sithence, they gaue themselues to wine; and thought it no shame to be dronke. They were wont to go so oft on hunting, that it suffi∣sed to keepe them in breath, and their horses also: but they left off that, as they did other good things. Moreouer the order for their children to frequent the Court remained; but the discipline of ryding horses, and vaulting was alto∣gither lost. And whereas in times past the children learned iustice, by seeing causes iudged according to right and reason; that was altogither abolished: because that none ouercame in iudgement, but those which gaue most mo∣ney. They vsed before in their liuing, the discipline, and continence of the the Persians; and did onely weare the magnificent habit of the Medes: but they afterwards suffered the Persian constancy to be extinguished; and obser∣ued curiously the delicacy of the Medes. It suffised them not to haue their beds made very soft; but their feet also trode vpon tapistry: lest their going on the pauement should make any noise: The seruice of the Table, and things inuented for magnificence, were augmented from day to day with new licou∣rousnes, and delicacies. In the winter it was not enough for them to haue their head, body, and feete couered; but they vsed to weare double gloues: In Summer the shadowes of the trees could not content them, but they had men about them, which inuented other kindes of shades to coole them, after a strange fashion. Their auncient custome was to be alwaies on horseback, and neuer on foote; to thend to make them good men at armes: but now they had more clothes and couerings on their horses, then on their beds; and cared not so much for matter of armes and horsemanship, as to be sat at their ease. How should they not then become more effeminate, and faint in matters of war, then they were before? For then it was the custome of the Countrey,

for those which held lands to furnish men at armes, and to send them forth to seruice; likewise to giue good pay to garrisons, whensoeuer there was occa∣sion for defence of their countrey: but since that time porters, cookes, bakers, cupbearers, tasters, waiters on the bathes, seruants of the table, ryders, hors∣keepers, such as carry and recarry meate, groomes of the Chamber for their downlying and their vprysing, barbers, and trimmers, persumers, and pain∣ters, and others of such like occupations, were they which the rich men sent in steed of men of armes to the warre, to thend that they should bring them their pay. Euen those which seemed the best, shewed themselues cowards, knowing the euill recompence which they were to looke for. And finding in themselues their owne cowardise, they went about no expedition with∣out the Greeks, whether it were to make warre in their Countrey, or that the Greekes assailed them; thinking that they could not ouercome without their helpe: and that which is more, they holpe themselues, with the Greeks them∣selues, to make warre against the Greekes.

They were indeed a great multitude, but vnprofitable in fight; as it was clerely knowen by the valiancy and hardines of the Macedonian ALEX∣ANDER, who with xl. or l. thousand fighting men at the most, ouercame three times DARIVS the last King of the Persians, who led fower or fiue hundred thousand, and brought him into such extremity, that thinking to reunite himselfe in the third ouerthrow, he was traiterously taken by BES∣SVS gouernour of Bactria, which had the principall charge vnder him, who put him in a golden cage, and cast him on a chariot, meaning to carry him to Bactria; then seeing that Alexander approached, caused him to bee killed with darts and Iauelins; and left him dead in the midst of the way. Such was the end of a king so mighty in people, in possessions and reuenews; who called him selfe Lord of all the world from the East vnto the West: hauing raigned onely sixe yeres in all delicacies, exceeding the common magnifi∣cence of Princes. Which luxurious maner of liuing was cause of his vtter ouerthrow: as humane things being variable haue their fatall inclination, so ordained by the diuine prouidence to fall then, when they are mounted high∣est; and that the Lords thinke themselues to be most assured, sleeping there∣fore in carelesnes and ouerweening conceits. For he suffered himselfe to slide so farre into deliciousnes, and superfluous riches, that he slept alwaies in a chamber betweene two great chambers, most richly furnished: in such sort that the Kings bed being sumptuously spred in his chamber, and couered with a vine of gold, in manner of a grate or lettis, enriched with precious stones gathered togither in manner of hanging clusters of grapes; the beds head was placed towards the wal of one of the great chambers, in which ther was fiue thousand talents of gold; and this great roome was called the kings beds head: whereunto right opposite was the wall of the other great cham∣ber, against his beds foote, in the which there was alwaies three thousand ta∣lents of siluer; and was called the kings beds foote: which summes are estee∣med after our maner to be worth thirty millions of Crownes. Going to war

he caried with him in his host, for his pastime, and delight cccxxxix. women, as Concubines, singers, dauncers, and such as were skilfull in all kinde of Musicke▪ xlvj. workmen to set flowers in order, and to make garlands, nose∣gaies, chapelets, and other sweete smelling things; cclxxvij. cookes, xxix. pot∣ters, making euery day vessels of earth to serue the kitchin; xiij. bakers of tarts and such other licorous, and delicate bakemeates: Cellerers, cupbearers, bru∣ers, and minglers of wines, makers of spiced cupps, and of all artificiall ly∣cours, and drinkes; xvij. of thone sort, and lxx. of the other. Perfumers and makers of sweete smelling sauours, and odours, both wet and dry; xl. If then the king of Persia vsed so much delicacy being in warr, and nourished him∣self with so many delights in the field; what did he whē he remained in peace at Persepoli, or in Babylon a city abounding in all superfluities, and in all vices that proceed of great plenty? Yet notwithstanding in the flower of his fortune, he being dronken with prosperity and aboundance of goods, was spoyled of his riches, which had bin heaped togither by many kings his pre∣decessours; losing his life, and his kingdome; which was clymed to the top of the worldy power and felicity: where ariseth the spring of pride, arrogancy, ouerweening, and extreme insolency. And there is the slippery path where∣on standeth the enuy of fortune, and where soueraigne felicity falleth head∣long into great calamity.

By this so magnificent victory ouer him, ALEXANDER brought vnder his obedience almost al the countries of the East: and transported the Monar∣chy out of Asia into Europe. So the Macedonians tooke away the Empire of the East from the Persians; and the Parthians from the Macedonians by the conduct of Arsaces a Captaine of an vncertaine birth, but of a most approued vertue; and no lesse memorable amongst them, then Cyrus among the Per∣sians: and Alexander among the Macedonians: by whose name they called the succeeding Kings, because of the reuerence which they bare vnto him. They became so mighty that for a time they ruled ouer all Asia, possessing not onely the vnmeasurable plaines, but also the abrupt dounfals of the moun∣taines; and placing the bounds of their Empire, where either the heate or the cold staied them with snowes, or immoderate, and burning heates. They pos∣sessed eighteene kingdomes, deuiding in this maner their prouinces, as hauing respect to the two Seas, that is the red Sea towards the South, and the Caspi∣an toward the North: where of eleuen which were called the superiour or higher, began at the confines of Armenia, and at the bankes of the Caspian Sea, extending euen to the Scythians: Thother seauen were termed the infe∣riour or lower. They seemed to diuide the world with the Romaines, thone ruling in the East; and thother the West. Their dominion from ARSA∣CES to ARTABANVS, endured cccc. yeres, which was brought backe againe into Persia by ARTAXERXES, and after cccxviij. yeres, was taken againe from the Persians by the Arabians or Sarazens. Amongest whom the CALIPHES residing at Bagdet, raigned in the East ccccxviij. yeres; after them the first TVRKS from the yere of Christ M.L.I. vntill

M.cc.xj: when the Tartarians came out of their countrey, who in a little time seised on the greatest part of the north; the East, & the south: of whō came the inuincible TAMBERLAN, who made the whol habitable earth afraid. And since (they being retired) the Persians, who are reputed the ciu••lest people of the East; being ingenious, & valiant: and there are amongst them excellēt Phi∣losophers, Physitions, Astrologers; & very good Artisans in all misteries & oc∣cupations. Their king is called SOPHI, which is as much to say as wise, and the Interpreter of God: because that ISMAEL, the first that was so named, vn∣der the colour of expositions, & new ceremonies brought in by him into the religion of Mahomet, got no longe time since, a great Empire in the East, ha∣uing driuen away the race of Vsun-Cassanus king of Persia, to whom he was allied by his mothers side; and made many Princes, and Lords of the East his vassals or tributaries. The chiefe prouinces vnder his obedience were Arme∣nia the great, Persia, Media, & Assyria: with iiij. capital or head Cities, Tauris▪ in Armenia, Samach in Persia, Scyras in Media, & Bagdet which was somtimes Babylon in Assyria. There are gentlemen amongst them after the maner of Ita∣ly, France, & Spaine, which vse barded horses in the wars: vnto which they go welarmed, bearing great lances and good cymeters; being also very good ar∣chers. The Sophi is opposite on the one side to the Ottoman, & to the Zaga∣thain on thother. Thus haue the kingdoms of Asia & of the East varied.

But before we go out of this quarter, we must speak of the MAGES, which were far different from other natiōs in their religion, & wisdom. They had no temples, Images, nor altars; neither was it permitted by their law to make any; esteeming them fools which had them; & accounting it impiety to inclose the Gods within wals, which ought to haue al open & free; & whose temple and house was the whol world. For this cause they perswaded Xerxes warring in Greece to burne al the Temples, which he should find there. And when they would sacrifice, they went vp into high mountaines; where it was not lawful for him that sacrificed to pray onely for himselfe; but hee must also pray for the prosperity of the king, and generally of all the Persians: being himselfe by this means comprised in the praier. Euery one of thē when they would sacri∣fice, brought his offering into a place that was not contaminated; then hauing his attire on his head made for the most part of mirtle, he called on that God to whom he sacrificed. They would neither, pisse, spit, nor void their noses in∣to the riuers, but reuerenced them aboue all things. They suffered their dead bodies to be bitten, & praied on by doggs, and birds, before they would bury them; others anointed them ouer with waxe, & then put them into the earth. They and the Egyptians did not burne them, because the Persians said it was not fit that a God should feed on a dead man; & the Egyptians thought the fire to be a liuing creature, eating, & cōsuming whatsoeuer he seased on; & dying with his meat whē he was ful: & in their Law it was not permitted to cast the dead bodies to birds and beasts to deuoure them, or to any liuing Creatures: and therefore they embalmed them with salt, that they should not be eaten of wormes. The Egyptians would neuer kill any thing that had life: The Mages

killed with their handes euery liuing creature, sauing man: whom also the DRVIDES of Gaule did not spare to kill, and sacrifice; diuining by south∣sayings as the MAGES, whom they resembled in many thinges: shewing themselues so cerimonious in obseruing of Magick, that they seemed to haue taught it to the Persians; and not to haue learned it of them, as Pliny sayth. These Mages gaue out that the Gods appeared vnto them, and foretold them of things to come; affirming that the aire was full of spirits, which did sub∣tilly insinuate themselues into mens eyes: that there were two princes; name∣ly one good God which they called Herosmades: and the other euill whom they termed Arinan. They clothed themselues with white garments, liued of herbes, cheese, and course bread, slept on the ground, caried canes or reades, in steed of staues: They assembled in a holy place to communicate, and talke togither. Their authority was so great that Cambises when he went out of Persia left the gouernment of his house to one of them, who in the absence of the king conspired with a brother of his against him, and went about to make himselfe king. Their Magicke consisted wholy in the religion and ser∣uice of the Gods; To whom they offered praiers, vowes and sacrifices, as if they onely were exalted; beleeuing the resurrection of men, and that they should be immortall: Aristotle witnesseth that they were auncienter then the PROPHETS of Egypt; & Clearehus affirmeth that the BRACHMANES, or GYMNOSOPHISTS of India came from thē. ZOROASTER with∣out doubt was the first inuentor, whom somethinke by the etimologie of his name, to haue bin an obseruer of the starres; and to haue vnderstood natural things. Plato in his first Alcibiades, saith that the Magick of ZOROASTER is a knowledge of diuine mysteries, which was wont to bee taught vnto the children of the kings of Persia; to thend they might learne by example of the whole worlds common wealth, to gouerne their owne. And in his Charmi∣des, he sayth that the Magick of ZAMOLSIS was the physick of the minde causing it to vse temperance; as the other is cause of bodily health. Pitha∣goras, Empedocles, Democritus, and the same Plato, sayled and went far to learne it; and hauing learned it, did celebrate it at their retourne, and kept it secret: and many other vertuous amongest the auncients haue trauailed carefully therein; getting great authority, and reputation thereby. For ob∣seruing by it, the meruailes hidden in the secretes of the world, in the bo∣some of Nature, and mysteries of God, they haue discouered the concords of the world, and agreement of the heauen with the earth; accommodating the superiour thinges to the inferiour, after they had once knowen their vertues howe they agree in doing and suffering; which the Greekes call Sympathies, and Antipathies: which hath moued Plotinus to call such MA∣GES making profession of naturall MAGICKE, the ministers of Na∣ture. It is at this day much vsed in CHINA and CATHAY which are Countries inhabited by most ingenious and industrious people; where they are not permitted to come to Offices, and Honours in the Common wealth without being learned, namely in this MAGICKE: which

signifieth to speak simply according to the auncient Persian language, perfect, and soueraigne wisedome, and MAGVS an expounder, and obseruer of the diuinity. Sithence that, men haue abusiuely transferred this name to inchaun∣ters, who do wickedly abuse the simple; making them beleeue that they know the secret and future things, by strange words, by signes, and characters, by di∣uelish deceits and impostures, and other superstitious obseruations of Necro∣mantie, Geomantie, Hydromantie, Aeromantie, Pyromantie, & such other of long time reproued both by diuine, and humane lawes. Wherhence may be vnderstood that there are two sorts of MAGICK, thone natural, & thother superstitious. The natural in contemplating the vertues of celestial, and terre∣stiall things, & considering the conuenances & contrarieties, discouereth the powers which are hidden in nature; & mingling thone with thother in due proportion, & vnder certain constellation, and applying the actiue to the pas∣siue, draweth them one to another by the similitude of nature. So the elements do draw thone the other; so the loadstone draweth the yron to it; amber the chaffe; and brimstone fire; the sunne many flowers, & leaues; the Moone wa∣ters; & Mars the winds; many herbes drawe vnto them many liuing creatures, and haue meruailous secret properties, by the which this Magicke naturally worketh great miracles. The other superstitious Magick is by inuocation of euil spirits; which is a manifest Idolatry; and hath alwaies bin forbidden by wel ordered common weales. Such were the MAGICIANS of PHARAO which counterfeited diuelishly whatsoeuer MOSES & ARON diuinely had wrought, til such time as the rod of MOSES turned into a serpent did eate vp theirs which they had tourned also into serpents. Such was SIMON MA∣GVS, and such the Pythonisse was that called vp the soule of Samuel the pro∣phet, such also was Circe, & such a one was Medea. Plutarch writeth that the spirit of Antony being bound by magicall verses, and loue drenches; that his liberty being lost he was fixed in the face of Cleopatra. The Euthydemus of Plato compareth Oratorie, and Magicke or Enchauntery togither, and sayth that as Oratory is a delighting and appeasing of the Iudges, and assemblies of men, so that Enchanting is an asswaging of vipers, spiders, scorpions, & other venimous, and cruel beastes; as also of diseases. The vanity of this superstiti∣ous Magick appeared especially in the Emperour Nero, who gaue him selfe to it as much as euer any man did, hauing neither want of goods, of power, nor of vnderstanding: and desiring nothing more then to command the Gods, and the dead. Notwithstanding after he had called vnto him, Tyridates king of Armenia, who excelled in Magick, to learne it of him; and had employed long time, great labour & infinite treasure theron (not omitting also to do such abhominable superstition as was presciibed him) yet in the end he found all false which had bin told him, and so gaue it ouer. This notwithstāding it hath bin dispersed throughout the world which is so diuers in other things; vnder the colour of faire, but yet vaine and friuolous promises, associating it self with religion, Phisick, and Mathematicks; which three haue a meruailous power ouer the vnderstandings of men: And thus being fortified with a threefolde

vertue, it could neuer yet be altogither exterminated, & rooted out; but there remaine here and there stil some relicks, and remainders thereof: but in secret notwithstanding, for feare of the punishment which is appointed for it; and the shame which commeth vnto those that abuse themselues therein.

A COMPARISON OF THE INDIANS, Ethtopians, Egyptians, scythians, and Athenians, in their Antiquities.

THE Indians, Ethiopians, Egyptians, Scythians, and Athenians, did all boast that they were the first created, of al the men in the world: alleaging diuers and different reasons of their antiquities. As the INDIANS the fertility of their countrey bearing twice a yere both fruits and graine: where there was neuer any want of victuals. The ETHIOPIANS alleage their neerenesse of situation to the south; thinking it must needes bee that in places which are neerest the sunne and therefore hottest, that all liuing creatures were first created which take their beginning of heate. The EGYPTIANS, the temperature of their aire, which is neither excessiue hot, or cold; dry, or moist: and the goodnes of their territory; which bringeth forth aboundant∣ly whatsoeuer is necessary for the life of man. The SCYTHIANS the heigth of their countrey, which was the first freed from fire, or discouered from wa∣ter: & therefore soonest made apt before any other to produce both man and beast. The ATHENIANS saying they are Aut••cthones (that is to say) issued out of the earth, without hauing any other beginning. The Indians, Ethiopi∣ans, Egyptians, and Athenians, that they haue inuented all arts, and meanes of liuing wel, & easily. The Scythians dwelling vnder a sharper climate, say that they haue alwaies exercised armes: as hauing their bodies and mindes more hardned: amongst whom were neuer found but two persons renowmed for learning Zamolsis and Anacharsis.

A COMPARISON OF THE GREAT monarchies, the Egyptian, Assyrian, Median, Persian, and Par∣thian, in their situations, beginnings, largenes, reuenews, riches, and power: and of those famous monarchs that founded them, and others vn∣der whom they ended.

THE Monarchies of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Medians, Persians, & Par∣thians, agree in this, that they haue bin established chiefely in the fertile and temperate countries of Asia; where the men are gentle and tractable, or naturally seruile; as Hyppocrates and Aristotle affirme. For the inhabitants, which are remoued from al temperature, wil not easily be brought vnder sub∣iection, and cannot well be gouerned; not enduring any long or durable go∣uernment, except it be altogither tyrannical: as is that of the MOSCOVITE in the north; and of the ABYSSINE in Ethiopia; where the great KNES

commaundeth thone, and PRESBITER IOHN the other most rigo∣ronsly; to thend to keepe their subiects in obedience: who are all generally of opinion, that whatsoeuer their Princes do, they do it by the vnchangeable wil of God.

The circuite, and compas of their Monarchies were very great; SESOS∣TRIS the Egyptian conquered all Arabia, and a great part of Lybia; Ethio∣pia, with all the Isles of that countrey; al the sea coasts euen to the Indies; pas∣sed the riuer Ganges running hither and thither, euen to the great Ocean, and ouer came all the nations of the Scythians, euen to the riuer Tanais: & com∣ming into Europe, went through the countrey of Thrace; where he made an end of his enterprise, & retorned into Egypt. NINVS brought vnder his o∣bedience all the nations, which inhabite on the sea-coast toward the East, and their neighbors, as the Egyptians, Phenicians, those of the inner Syria, Cilicia, Pamphilia, Lycia, Caria, Phrygia, Mysia, Troada, and the other Phrygia which is on Hellespont, the countrey of Propontida, Bythinia, Cappadocia, and other barbarous nations which inhabite on the greater sea, euen to the ri∣uer Tanais: He added more ouer to his estate the Cadusians, Tapyres, Hirca∣nians, Dranges, Deruices, Caramanians, Coronians, Rombes, Vuocarnians, the Parthians, Persians, Susians, Caspians, and Bactrians. SEMIRAMIS his wife the greatest part of Lybia, and Ethiopia. The limits of the Empire of CYRVS, were on the East-side the red sea; on the North the sea Euxinus; towards the west Cyprus & Egypt; on the south Ethiopia: CAMBYSES his sonne added Egypt, & Ethiopia. And DARIVS the first of that name subdued no fewer countries then the two former had conquered: & consequently the others which came after, augmented and enriched it from hand to hand; ma∣king that kingdome one of the greatest, most mighty, & most renowmed that was euer in the worlde. The PARTHIANS possessed xviij. kingdomes, wherof the xj. which were called the superiour, began at the Confines of Ar∣menia, and bankes of the Caspian sea, and reached vnto the Sythians: the other seuen inferiour kingdomes, stretched out euen to the red sea, diuiding their Prouinces, as respecting the two seas, the red sea toward the south; & the Caspiā on the north. As the spaciousnes of these Monarchies, was very large, so the reuenew was also great; the riches infinite; and power incredible. SE∣SOSTRIS erected two square pillers of hard stone, ech of them thirty sadom high; in which he commaunded to be pourtrayed the greatnes of his Empire▪ and the value of his demeine, and reuenew engrauen: adding thereto the number of the nations which he had ouer come. He gathered an army of sixe hundred thousand foote, foure and twenty thousand horse-men, eight and twenty thousand chariots fit for war: and foure hundred ships on the red sea. The riches, and power of the Assyrian Monarchy, is knowen by the great and magnificent townes that were built by NINVS, and SEMIRAMIS; and by the wonderfull armies which they had: namely NINVS going a∣gainst the Bactrians, with seuenteen hundred thousand foote, two hundred thousand horsemen; ten thousand and sixe hundred armed chariots. SEMI∣RAMIS

against the Indians with three Millions of foote, fiue hundred thousand horsemen, one hundred thousand chariots, and two thousand ships: vnto which STAVROBATES then King of India, opposed like for∣ces or greater. Moreouer the vnreasonable riches of Assyria, appeared in the end of Sardanapalus, who would haue consumed with himselfe by fire, a thousand Myriades of gold; that is to say, a thousand milions: and a myriade of myriades of siluer, which are a hundred milions: endeuouring to spoile the earth of so great quantity of golde, and siluer; comming to forty Mili∣ons of Crownes in our money: besides the beds, and tables of golde, pre∣cious stones, garmentes of purple, and other royall mouables, and stuffe that was there: and besides three thousand talents of Gold, which he had sent before with his children to bee safe kept, to the King of the City of Niniuy.

Concerning the PERSIAN Monarchy, CYRVS who founded it, had infinite wealth, hauing spoiled all Asia; where he got fiue hundred thousand talents of siluer; which is the greatest summe or quantity of siluer, that was euer found gathered togither at one time: rysing to three hundred millions of crownes, and a sixth part ouer, which are fifty milions. And it is not to be meruailed that he had so much; for he got into his power, the treasure of CRESVS; of DAVID and SALOMON; the auncient riches of As∣syria; which were translated into Media; and of many other Countries. As DARIVS the first of that name ordained the tributes, they might come to ten milions of gold euery yere; besides the gifts of great value, which were giuen by the nations subiect vnto him: and without speaking of such as were exempted. The Queene had certaine townes and prouinces assigned her, for her intertainment: one furnished the attire of her head, another this or that ornament: which wealth was alwaies augmented by the Kinges that followed, euen to Darius the last: in so much that in his raigne it was already become intollerable in destiny, and to luxurious; and was therefore the ruine of him and of his estate. For in the conquest which Alexander made, hee founde meruailous great Treasures in diuers Countries, of his kingdome; namely at Susa, and Persepoli (as Quintus Curtius writeth) one hundred and seuenty thousand talents of siluer in masse; sixe thousand in Damasco; an other summe in Babylon; and fifty thousand talents of purple. Strabo writeth that the most common opinion was, that there were found forty thousand talents in Persia, besides that which was elswhere; and that some esteemed the whole at nine-score thousand talentes: which is an incredible summe: and as great as hath euer bin numbred or gathered after that foresaid treasure of CYRVS. For the hundred thousand talents are esteemed at three∣score milions of Crownes; and the fourescore thousand remaining woulde come by this estimation to more then forty millions, which would be in al a∣bout a hundred millions. This king vsed to make bankets to such as were of best reckoning in his Court, to the number of fifteen thousand; and for euery supper, he appointed in expence of table, fower hundred talents, valued at

twelue score thousand Crownes. The bed wheron he slept was sumptuously set forth, and couered with a vine of gold, in maner of a grate or lettice enriched with precious stones, hanging like clusters of grapes: He had at his beds-head in treasure fiue thousand talents of gold; and at his beds-foote al∣waies three thousand talents of siluer. Such was the dominion, and riches of the Persians; whereunto their power was correspondent: for CYRVS as∣sembled an armie of six hundred thousand fighting men on foote; six thou∣sand on horseback, and about two thousand chariots of warre. DARIVS the first of that name, going to fight against the Scythians, led eight hundred thou∣sand men. XERXES came into Greece, hauing by sea fiue hundred and se∣uenteen thousand, six hundred men; by land a Million, seuen hundred thou∣sand foote, and fower score thousand horsemen: with twentie thousand Afri∣cans & Arabians, to whom there ioyned of Europe three hundred thousand; the whole multitude comming to aboue two Millions six hundred seuenteen thousand fighting men. Since that time the PARTHIANS obtayning the Empire of the East, and ruling ouer all Asia, between the red sea, and the Cas∣pian, came not to so great riches and power, as the PERSIANS (for the grea∣test force which I find they euer had, was of Cxx. thousand men on foote, and horseback) notwithstanding they found themselues so strong, that being in three warres assailed by great Romain Captaines, in the vigour and flower of their Empire, amongst all the Nations of the world, they not onely remained equall; but also were sometimes superiours.

The length of all INDIA from the East vnto the West, is of seuenteen hun∣dred Leagues; and from the North to South of two thousand Leagues. It ex∣celleth aboue all others in beautie & fertilitie; being diuided into many parts, by the riuers which do water it: Where is found great quantitie of Gold, Siluer, Brasse, precious stones; and all other things concerning riches and delicacies. STAVROBATES raigning there in the time of SEMIRAMIS (who inuaded it) indeuoured to exceede the forces of the ASSYRIANS, opposing as mightie an Armie against her, as she had brought with her; be∣ing three Millions of foote, and fiue hundred thousand horsemen; and con∣strayned her to retire, with great losse of her people, and without doing any thing. The ETHIOPIANS beleeued, that by reason of their deuotion to∣wards their Gods, they were neuer wholy ouercome by any straunger: and therefore remaine alwaies free. At this day PRESBITER IOHN raigneth there farre and wide; hauing fortie kings tributarie: and commaunding ouer infinite people of diuers colours; of whom shalbe spoken hereafter in due place. The SCYTHIANS faine, that in old time in their Countrey there was borne of the earth a virgin, which was a woman from the nauel vpward, and the rest a snake; who begate a sonne called SCYTHA, which named the SCYTHIANS after his owne name, hauing made himselfe the most tri∣umphant Prince of all that euer were before him: And that amongst the suc∣cessors of this king, there were two brothers of great vertue, who did many thinges worthie of praise; whose lyne being long time greatly increased,

by vertuous acts, and militarie aduentures, subdued the Countries beyond the riuer Tanais, euen vnto Thrace. And turning afterward their armies on the other side, came as farre as the Nile of Egipt, making themselues Lords of all the people between them: & stretching out their dominion from the great Ocean, which is toward the sunne rising; euen to the Caspian sea, and to the poole Meotis. Of these people thus fortified and increased, many Nations haue discended, and amongst the rest the Sares, Massagetes, Assyrians, Medes, and Parthians: Then the Lordship of the SCYTHIANS, fayling through length of time, that the women called AMAZONS began to raigne there: whose power and vertue was so great, that they subdued not onely the Nati∣ons neere vnto them, but also a great part of Europe, and of Asia.

The greatest, fairest, and most magnificent Cities of the world, were NINIVIE, and BABYLON in Assyria: THEBES, and MEMPHIS; and afterwardes ALEXANDRIA in Egipt. But the Medians transferring to them selues the Empire of the Assyrians, destroied and razed the Citie of Niniuie; carying to ECBATANA a citie of Media, all the gold and siluer, and other ornaments which they found there. In like sort the Persians, taking the Empire from the Medes, caried away all the riches which they found in Babylon: and the castels, palaces, and other ornaments and singularities were either distroied by them, or consumed by succession of time. The same Per∣sians in the time that Cambyses conquered Egipt, did not onely transport the ornaments of the singularities of Egipt into Asia, but also their artisans, by whose industrie they built their magnificent palaces, both in PERSEPOLI, and in SVSA. And the Macedonians vnder Alexander, burned Persepoli to the ground, and tooke away all the treasures, precious, moueables, & other ornaments of Persia.

But as these great Lordships were begun, and maintained by vertuous Princes, accompanied with men at armes on horseback, and on foote; hard∣ned vnto all labours, accustomed to watch, to endure hunger and thirst pa∣ciently, to drink water, being skilfull and exercised in armes: so ended they vnder loose and voluptuous Lords; hauing their subiects depraued and cor∣rupted by deliciousnes, proceeding of too much riches. NINVS interpri∣sing the Conquest of Asia, exercised the strongest and lustiest young men of his kingdom, long before vnto armes, to the perils and dangers of warre, and to endure paciently all paines and trauailes. The father of SESOSTRIS, being aduertised by reuelation, that the sonne which should be borne vnto him, should be King of the whole world, gathered together out of all Egipt, all the children that were borne the same day that he was; and caused them all to be taught and brought vp in the same discipline, and exercises; accusto∣ming them to paine, to make them endure it continually; and to abstain from eating and drinking; and to make them by such bringing vp, both stronger of bodie, and hardier of courage then the rest: of whom as being from their youth giuen to vertuous things, he was in all his conquests serued valiantly, with fidelitie and affection. CYRVS being by nature noble and valiant, was

brought vp after the auncient Persian maner, with the young Persian gentle∣men (called Omotimes, because they were all equall in honours) in all sobrie∣tie, and laborous exercises: afterwards when he went to warre, making choise of them to accompanie him, they were a great helpe vnto his greatnes. ARSACES being accustomed to liue on pray in the mountaines and forests, with people of like bringing vp; established the kingdom of the Parthians.

Such were the Authors or promotours of these Monarchies, alike in ver∣tue and education: euen as they also in whose raignes they ended, resembled one another in pleasure and pusilanimitie, and died wretchedly. SARDA∣NAPALVS burning himselfe; with all his treasures. ASTYAGES van∣quished and taken in warre; afterward bound with chaines of gold. DA∣RYVS the last, hauing lost three great battailes; and seen prisoners, his mo∣ther, his wife, and two daughters; as he thought to gather together his forces, taken prisoner by thē in whom he had most confidence, being in pros∣peritie; then miserably slaine with iauelins, and left dead in the way.

As then these later Princes ran by their vices into most piteous fortunes, and little differing thone from thother: so the other by their vertues got great praises. NINVS was the first that established the greatnes of that domina∣tion, which was gotten by continuall possession; where the former sought not the Empire for themselues, but for the glorie of their people: and being content with the victorie, let alone the Lordship and Seignorie. CYRVS is thought alone amongst all the Lords that haue sodainly growen great, to haue knowen how to obserue modestie in his prosperities; and to bridle his absolute power and aucthoritie with equitie, and clemencie. SESOS∣TRIS was so braue and haughtie, that whensoeuer he went to the Tem∣ple, or any whether in publike, he caused his chariot to be drawen by fower tributarie kings, or other great Lords, in steed of horses: shewing thereby that none of the other Kings or Captaines was to be compared to him in vertue and prowesse. Also the goings of CYRVS out of his pallace, which haue since bin imitated by the kings his successors, were most mag∣nificent: and seruing much to the honour of a Prince, and his gouernment. SEMIRAMIS as soone as she was borne, was cast out into a desert place, and full of rockes, where there was great store of birds, by whom through the will of God, she was nourished almost a yeare, then found by the Shep∣heards, and brought vp by them. In like maner CYRVS, euen in his cradle was exposed to the beasts, and left in the midst of a forest; where a bitch gaue him suck, and kept him, till such time as a shepheard finding him, brought him to his Cabin. SEMIRAMIS purposing to conquer the In∣dies; and knowing how great an interprise it was, and that to put it in exe∣cution it behoued her to leuy great forces; she assembled an armie of three Millions of foote, fiue hundred thousand horsemen, and one hundred thou∣sand chariots: with which going into India, she was put to flight, and lost many of her people, returning without doing any thing. XERXES also going out of Asia into Greece with two Millions three hundred seeuenten

thousand fighting men, (whereof there were fower score thousand on horse∣back, fiue hundred seuenteene thousand on sea) was constrained shamefully to retire himselfe, seeing his Armie discomfited in many places. Likewise DARIVS his father assailed the Scythians, accompanied with eight hun∣dred thousand men; without reaping any praise of that voiage. And CYRVS warring against the Massagetes, was by THOMYRIS their Queene dis∣comfited with two hundred thousand Persians, and slaine the thirtieth yeare of his raigne. SEMIRAMIS and THOMYRIS, amongst the women of this former age, deserue to be accounted chiefe; thone hauing ruled the king∣dome of Assyria, thother, that of the Massagetes: and they hauing surmoun∣ted in glorie and great deeds, all other Queenes that euer were.

SESOSTRIS diuided Egipt into six and thirtie Prouinces; establishing in each of them a Gouernour, aswel to receiue the reuenewes of the Crowne and royal tributes, as to take careful heed of the affaires concerning the good, and conseruation of them. DARIVS the first diuided the kingdom of Persia into twentie Satrapies; and in euery of them established a Satrape or gouer∣nour: parting betweene them his yerely tributes, where, and how the con∣tribution should be made. This Darius going about to set vp his statue aboue that of Sesostris, in the Citie of Memphis, was put back by the high Priest, saying, that his deeds were not yet equall vnto those of Sesostris. The armies of Cyrus and Sesostris were equall in number of footemen, each of them hauing six hundred thousand: But Cyrus exceeded Sesostris in horsemen, assembling together six score thousand, where Sesostris had but fower and twentie thousand: but he had xxviij. thousand armed Chariots; whereas Cyrus had but two thousand.

OF THE EGIPTIAN PRIESTS, or Prophets, and of the Chaldees, Mages, Brachmanes, Druides, and other Religious and learned people among the Auncients.

IN auncient time Religion onely was counted wisdom; and there were no other esteemed wise, but such as deliuered, and interpreted it vnto men: for ordinarily three things follow each other, RELIGION, WISDOM, and POWER: and little would either Lawes or Armes preuaile, if they were not holpen by Religion; which is the foundation, establishment, and conser∣uation of euery common wealth. RELIGION imprinteth, and retaineth in mens harts, the reuerence of GOD, and loue of their neighbour; ruling the exposition of the holie books, and the charges of persons appointed for diuine seruice. POLICIE conducteth the affaires of peace, and warre; in the which would not be found any iustice or fidelitie, without the feare of God, and loue towards men; which are especially commaunded in all Reli∣gions. Wherfore in all Lordships, both auncient and moderne, the first care hath alwaies bin of Religion, and diuine seruice; and such as haue had the chargethereof, haue alwaies bin reputed the chiefest in aucthoritie, much

honoured and well intertained; being both they, and their children exempted from subsidies, and militarie labours.

The PRIESTS or PROPHETS of Egipt inio••ed a third part of the re∣uenew of the kingdom; and had great credit, both with the king, & with the cōmon people: aswel for that they had the care of diuine things, & were very learned, and teachers of others; as because they were called by the king, to giue counsaile in great affairs: foretelling of future things, which they knew by the Sacrifices, and by the starres. The Roialtie was mingled with sacrificing, and none could be king, but he were also a PRIEST, as Plato saith in his Politiks.

The CHALDEES in Assyria and Media, had such aucthoritie, as the Egiptian priests in Egipt, being reputed most skilfull, and expert in Astrologie; by which they did prognosticate of things to come: and by sooth-sayings, and sacrifices, turned away euill fortunes, and made good to come.

The BRACHMANES amongst the Indians held the chiefe place, to whom great honour was borne; and great giftes were giuen: as to men that were acceptable to the Gods; and thought to know whatsoeuer was done in Hell. They foretold at the beginning of the yeare, droughts, raines, windes, and diseases: And they indure still at this present in those parts, perseuering in the cerimonies of their auncient Religion; and holding the chiefe places in honour: calling themselues BRAMINS, which go before the NAIRES, that is to say, the Nobles. The King of Calecut is their high Priest, and head of his Religion, going for this cause before all the kings of India, and being called SAMORY, that is God in earth.

The MAGES gouerned the Religion and estate of the Persians with such aucthoritie, that they interprised sometimes to vsurpe the kingdom, du∣ring Cambyses his absence in his voiage of Egipt; and to make one of them king. It was the custome also, that the king of Persia should learne their Ma∣gicke, without the which he might not raigne.

The DRVIDES of Gaule being ministers of Religion, and of iustice, discoursed of the starres, and of their mouings; of the nature of things, and im∣mortalitie of soules; as also of the diuine aucthoritie and prouidence: being greatly respected of all the rest, and verie well intertained.

At Rome the SACERDOTES, ARVSPICES, AVGVRES, FLAMINS, SODALES, and virgins VESTALES, which kept the eternall fire, the high Priest, and inferiour Priests super-intendēts of their cerimonies, sacrifices, and supersticions, had knowledg of the Ciuil law; and managed the publike af∣faires. The first kings of Rome were sacrificers, and the Emperours to make their greatnes & aucthoritie more venerable; called themselues high Priests.

The PRIESTS both men and women ordained both in Greece and els∣where, to see to the obseruation of the pagan Religion, founded on Oracles, were in great aucthoritie, and receiued mightie offerings. The Roialtie in Lacedemon was a superintendence in warre; and preheminence in sacrifices.

The LEVITES in Iurie, separated from the other Iewes, to exer∣cise sacrificing; and the office of Priesthood in the race of AARON;

receiued dueties of inestimable value.

The THALISMANS, PARACADIS, CADIS, Priests, and Iudges in the Law of Mahomet, MENITSSMARLS, and IMANS were wel priuiledged & freed from all subsidies. At the beginning the CALIPHES in that religion were Kings and Priests, one in Bagdet, another in Caire. Sithence the Sultans haue taken the royal aucthoritie, and haue brought in the MVPHTIS, accounted as Patriarches, in steed of the CALIPHES super-intendents of the Religion, and iudging soueraignly in matters of the Law: by which are not onely occained the praiers, and diuine ceremonies; but also the politike and militarie affaires. They haue power to retract the ordinances of the Sul∣tans, and sentences of their Diuans or Counsailes, which are not conforma∣ble▪ or seeme repugnant to the ALCORAN. Euery Mahometan Prince kee∣peth one alwaies neere about him, or in his principal Citie, with great pen∣sion. The great CHAM of the Tartarians Zauologues keepeth his at ••••••••rcand; The SOPHI at T••••ris: There are also in Africk at Fez, Caroan, ••••••••••ssen▪ and elswhere. The TVRK beareth vnto his, greater reue∣rence, then to any man of his Empire.

The ECCLESIASTICAL persons throughout Germanie, Fraunce, Poland, England, and Hungarie, hold at this day the chiefe places in the counsaile of Kings, and administration of iustice. Among the seuen Electors of thempire▪ there are three Ecclesiastical: Amongst the Peeres of Fraunce, there are six. The chiefest of the Counsaile in Poland are the Archbishops and Bishops. The Emperour is confirmed, & consecrated by the POPE. The French king consecrated by the Archbishop of Rheimes. The king of Eng∣land, by the Archbishop of Canterbury: The king of Poland, by the Archbi∣shop of G••es••e▪ For considering that the Archbishops, and Bishops, are esta∣blished amongst the people, as messengers of God, and interpreters of the Law, and will of God: to their aucthoritie being great in it selfe, haue bin added great honours in the common wealth; to the end that the publike coū∣sailes, and constitutions, should by their presence be made more venerable. The POPE commaundeth ouer the temporall of the Church called S. Pe∣ters patrimonie, as king; and is reuerenced by the rest of the Latin Christen∣dome, as head and chiefe of the Religion; in those places where he is ac∣knowledged for such.

But before we make an end of this matter, we will set downe, the agree∣ments and differences, which were betweene the Egiptian Priestes, and the Chaldees, Mages, Brachmanes, and the Druides. The EGIPTIANS and BABYLONIANS, dwelling in spacious plaines, and hauing no∣thing to hinder them from the whole view of the Heaueri, bestowed great studie in obseruation of the starres; in the which both thone and the other were most skilful, and expert. The Egiptians said that the CHALDEES came out of Egipt, and had learned Astrologie of them. The MAGES and BRACHMANES agreed in sobrietie and austeritie of life; and the Brachmanes were thought to haue discended of the Mages. There was also

the like similitude betweene the MAGES and DRVIDES, namely those of great Britaine, that they seemed to haue deliuered Magick to the Persians, and not to haue learned it of them. The bodies of the MAGES when they were dead, were left to the doggs and birds to pray vpon, before they were buried. The BRACHMANES voluntarily ended their liues by fire. The CHALDEES and EGIPTIANS had faire, great, and magnificent Temples: The MAGES had no temples, altars, nor images. The Mages were common both to the Persians, and Parthians. The CHALDEES to the Assyrians and Medes. The EGIPTIANS and the PERSIANS beleeued the Resurrection, and that men beeing raised from the dead, should be immortal: euen as the CHRISTIANS and SARAZENS beleeue.

OF THE NOBILITIE AMONGST the Egiptians, Persians, Assyrians, Indians, Scythians, Thracians, and other auncient and moderne Nations.

THey indeed were reputed noble, in Egipt, Persia, Scythia, Iberia, Assy∣ria, India, Thrace, and other auncient Nations, which made profes∣sion of Armes; and medled not with mechanicall arts: to whom accor∣ding to the qualitie of the Countrie, were appointed lands, rents, and reue∣newes, out of the publike, for their honest intertainment: and to the end they might not be constrained by want, to exercise any other questuarie, gainfull, and base maner of liuing. It was not lawful in EGIPT for men of warre called Culasyres and Hermotiuies, to vse any other art, but militarie: which they taught, and deliuered from hand to hand, and from the father to the sonne. LICVRGVS forbad the LACEDEMONIANS, all Me∣chanical arts and occupations; yea, euen merchandize and traficks: accoun∣ting such vocations to belong to bondmen, or strangers, or to men of base condition; and putting Armes onely in the hands of his Citizens, whom he would haue altogether free, and truely militarie. HER ODOTVS wri∣teth, that the PERSIANS honoured valiant men of warre, more then all other Nations; and that they made no account of marchandise. Moreouer, that not onely the Persians, but also the Egiptians, Thracians, Scythians, Lydians, and almost all the barbarous Nations esteemed artisans, the basest of all men; yea, euen their children, and their whole race: That the GREEKS also, and aboue all, the Lacedemonians and Corinthians made little recko∣ning of the artificers. And Plato in the second and eight booke of his Com∣mon wealth, and in the beginning of his Timaeus, willeth the Nobles and men of warre, to abstaine from tilling the ground, and from Mechanicall artes, and other questuarie occupations. At this day the ARABIANS do vtterly detest all Mechanicall sciences: And the Nobilitie or Gentlemen of FRANCE are forbidden by the auncient ordinances of the Countrie, to exercise merchandize, or any other questuarie art, on paine of beeing

depriued of their nobilitie, and to pay taxe, as those of the common sort.

The like do the NOBLES and Gentlemen of Spayne, Lumbardie, Naples, England, Germanie, Hungarie, and Poland: holding it a thing not onely vnworthy of Nobilitie; but also to be an act derogating from the pri∣uiledge thereof, to exercise in steede of Armes, a mechanicall art; or to vse trade of marchandize, if it be not of things of their owne growing; of which the traficke is permitted them. The Nobles of Persia vse it in like maner, possessing fees, and vnderfees, with vassals relieuing of them: also landes, castels, townes, and Countries, which they hold either by succession of their parents; or by giftes and benefites of the SOPHI their Prince: for the which they are bound to serue him in his warres; furnishing a number of men, according to the value of their reuenewes. And in INDIA, the Naires are held in such reputation, as the Gentlemen in these parts; being constrayned ordinarily to beare swords, targets, bowes, lances, and such other armes vsed amongst them: otherwise they should lose the name, and priuiledge of nobilitie.

In TVRKIE there is no distinction of Nobilitie drawen from the aun∣cestours; but he onely amongst the Turkes is reputed noble, who in matter of warre hath giuen many proofes of his valiancie. When the OTTO∣MAN conquereth any Countrie, he extinguisheth the great ones, and the nobilitie, and sendeth thither his Sangiacques, Subassis, and Spachis; giuing them the fruites of the fees, and appointing rents on the reuenew of his lands, which are called Timarly. Euery SPACHI is bound to haue so many horses and men, as he hath fiue or six Aspers a day to spend, both of his pay, and of his Tymar, or yearely rent. They cannot make ouer the fees which they hold to their children, without the expresse permission of the great SIGNOR. And none enioyeth the nobilitie of any father, whose sonne he is, vntill by industrie he represent the person of his father, and not in word. None there possesseth any villages, castles, or townes, after the maner of the Persians, or of vs: or inhabiteth strong houses, or dareth to build aboue one storie, or higher then a douecote.

In ENGLAND at this day, the Nobilitie do not dwell in castels or houses of strength, closed with motes and diches: neither haue they any iu∣risdiction ouer men: which is in the kings hand, be it high, base, or meane. The dignities themselues, as Dukedomes, Marquisats, and Earledomes, are but titles which are giuen at the kings pleasure: whereas they which haue them, possesse nothing oftentimes in those places whereof they beare the name: but haue their lands lying elswhere.

The Gentlemen in FRANCE possesse, in high, base, and meane iustice, villages, boroughes, townes, castels, fortresses, Baronies, Earledoms, Marqui∣sats, Dukedoms, Principalities, and Peereships patrimoniall: with vassals hol∣ding, and vnderholding of them, bound by faith, and homage: which iuris∣diction notwithstanding dependeth on that of the king; and aunswereth at the last appeale to his soueraigne Courts, or Parliaments.

In the ROMAIN EMPIRE, the lands were first giuen in reward of seruice, to the men of warre, for terme of their liues; as they are at this day in Turkie: after they were made, and became patrimoniall and hereditarie to their children. And because they were giuen them to liue on in recompence of their seruices, they were termed benefits; and they which were recom∣penced in such sort, were said to be beneficed, or benefited. Then by this ex∣ample, the Church comming to be rich by the almesdeeds and foundations of Princes, and great Lords, they called the Archbishopricks, Bishopricks, Abbeies, Priories, and Cures; by the name of benefices: because the Ecclesi∣astical persons possessed them, after the same maner as the auncient men of warre did their fees, and benefices. The Emperour ALEXANDER SE∣VERVS, was the first that permitted the heires of those men of warre to inioy theis fees: prouided that they followed Armes, and not otherwise; or∣dayning most expresly, that such heritages should neuer fall, but into the hands of such as made profession of armes. And a while after him CON∣STANTINE the great, at the beginning of his Empire, gaue to his prin∣cipall Captaines, and to those by whose meanes he thought most to preuaile against his aduersaries, a perpetuitie in the lands which were assigned them: Whereby one may know, that the estate of the Turke resembleth in many things the Romain Empire, and the auncient kingdom of Persia: in which the whole gouernment was in the disposition of one onely Lord; seruing himselfe with meane fellowes, which may without danger easily be aduan∣ced to great charges, and honours; and without tumult or enuie abased, withdrawen, or put to death. But the FRENCH king is placed in the midst of an auncient Nobilitie, and companie of Princes, Earles, Barons, and other gentlemen; hauing subiects peculier to themselues, and holding their preheminence in the kingdom, of which they can hardly be depriued without sedition. The estates also of lands which were but for life, were made perpetuall vnder the last kinges of the race of Charlemaigne; and shortly vpon the comming of Hugh Capet. Then such Lords as held the great fees of the kings, they subdiuided them to other persons, of whom they expected seruice: and both thone and thother gaue their lands to the pea∣sants, with dueties of rents; and with condition to receiue iustice of them. Wherehence are come the termes of fees and vnderfees, of vassals and vnder∣vassals, for a difference from them which relieue directly, and without any meane of the king; Consequently of Ban & arriereban, and of liege or bond men, who without exception do promise all duetie of fidelitie to their Lords; and of those which are not bond or liege, which do onely promise a duetie, by reason of superiour estate or fee, of which theirs which is infe∣riour dependeth. And although at the beginning it was not lawfull for any Roturier or common person, to possesse any fee simple, but to meddle onely with his traficke, tillage, or husbandrie; and to pay his Lords dueties: not∣withstanding by succession of time, the fees (contrarie to their first and aun∣cient institution) fell without any difference or distinction into the hands of

men of armes, and such as were estranged from the exercise of armes: of noble, and vnnoble, of gentlemen, and vngentle; as merchants, practicio∣ners, and other rich commoners, that had meanes to buy them. Moreouer, whereas many fees with their dueties were giuen by Kings, Princes, Lords, and Gentlemen, to Bishoprickes, Abbeies, monasteries, couents, priories, chanonries, commaunderies, hospitals, spittels, and to other Ecclesiasticall persons, which are people of Mortmaine; and altogether estraunged from armes; the Ban & arriereban, hath bin much weakned thereby, and at length is so low brought, and so dispised; that euen they which are bound there∣vnto thinke themselues dishonoured, if they appeare there: and so send thi∣ther their seruants, or other mercenarie folkes; the most part so euill ap∣pointed, and in such poore equippage, that it is a mockerie to see them: whereas in times past, the chiefest of Fraunce accounted it a great honour to be there themselues in person. So farre haue these sees and vnder fees straied, or so ill bin imployed; which were erected and ordained for the safetie of the Countrie: to the end that such as held them, should in all oc∣currents of businesse, be readily furnished with armes, men, and horses, in such number and order as is requisite; either to resist the approches of the enemie, or to set vpon him if need were. By reason whereof, the forces of the kingdom are lessned; and the Lawes militarie by little and little brought to naught: in such sort, that the Kings haue bin constrained to ordainè those companies of waged men of armes, called ordinances: and for their inter∣tainment, to impose on the people taxe and tallage.

Moreouer, it is seuen or eight hundred yeres, since the Nobilitie hath ta∣ken vp the vse of Armes, and scutchions, with figures of beastes, and other things, blazoned with diuers colours; with termes fitting therunto: to thend to discerne and make difference betweene them of their Nobilitie, and the antiquities thereof; their alliancies, and kinreds. Which maner was not in vse before CHARLEMAIGNE, and hath not gon out of EVROPE, being yet vnknowen throughout AFRICKE and ASIA: where their Religion forbiddeth them, to make the pourtraitures of beastes. The Armes in the which ther are Lyons, Leopards, Tygers, Eagles, Kytes, Faulcons, and other rauenous beastes, are accounted more noble, then those which haue but trees, flowers, starres, barres, files; or which are onely distingui∣shed with colour; or taken from the names of families: because they seeme not to haue bin gotten by militarie prowesse; or any other vertue. To make them, correct, and expound them, are appointed the Herauldes, and kings of Armes; curiously discoursing of the figures, and colours which are in them: euen to the mingling, and accomodating (according to the mea∣sure of their vnderstanding and knowledge) both Physicke, Astrologie, and Diuinitie.

THE ARTISANS, AND EXQVI∣site workes of the Auncients.

IN EGIPT, INDIA, and elswhere, the gouernment being diuided into many orders, or estates, it was not lawfull for any to take a wife of other estate but his owne; nor to change his vocation: because it seemed not reasonable vnto them, that a man of armes should labour the earth; or that a learned man should become an Artisan. Then the Artisans there wrought their workes seuerally euery one by himselfe; and not indifferently mingling one occupation amongst the other. The like did the husbandmen, fishermen, and huntsmen: and it was not lawfull for one to exercise many trades. As then they applied not themselues, but vnto such workes as were permitted by the law; and which they had learned of their fathers: continu∣ing the same all their life, they became excellent therein. Especially the EGIP∣TIANS, whose workes were meruailously well wrought; and euen come to their perfection. The great and magnificent buildings made at that time, both in ASSIRIA, EGIPT, and elswhere, do euidently show, the abilitie of their architects, masons, statuaries, imagers, grauers, painters, caruers, carpenters, and smithes. The same distinction of the multitude by diuers or∣ders, and kindes of exercise is vsed at this day at CAIR, FEZ, MAR∣ROCCO, and in many other great Cities of Asia, and Africk. Others ac∣count the maner of PARIS more commodious, where the Artificers dwel intermingled one amongst the other. At this day the Artisans of CATHAY, and of CAIR, and of PERSIA, are found verie exquisite, making works so neere approching vnto those of nature, that they seeme to be naturall.

The end of the fowerth Booke.