The history of the vvarres betvveene the Turkes and the Persians. Written in Italian by Iohn-Thomas Minadoi, and translated into English by Abraham Hartvvell. Containing the description of all such matters, as pertaine to the religion, to the forces to the gouernement, and to the countries of the kingdome of the Persians. Together with the argument of euery booke, & a new geographicall mappe of all those territories. A table contayning a declaration aswell of diuerse new and barbarous names and termes vsed in this history, as also how they were called in auncient times. And last of all, a letter of the authors, wherein is discoursed, what cittie it was in the old time, which is now called Tauris, and is so often mentioned in this history

The Eight Booke. (Book 8)

The Argument.

Osman departeth from Erzirum with his Army, which is so great that is seemeth to be many mens powers vnited together.

Osman dismisseth forty thousand Souldiers out of his Army, as being su∣perfluous and needelesse.

Osman taketh a review of his Army: departeth from the Caldaranes, and in steede of goyng to Nassiuan, turneth towardes Tauris: wherevpon the Souldiers of Greece and Constantinople are angry with him, but he appeaseth them mildely with fayre speeches and some small quantity of money.

Osman passeth on to Coy, to Marant, and to Soffian, and deseryeth Tauris.

The Vauward of Osman is assaulted and ouerthrowne by the Persian Prince.

The Army of the Persian Prince.

The Army of the Persian king.

Osman sendeth out a new Company against the Prince in reuenge of the discomfiture giuen to his Vauwarde: wherevpon followeth a bloudy battell, which was parted by reason of the night.

Alyculi assayleth the Turkish Army, and retyreth againe.

Alyculi assayleth it a fresh in the night time, and returneth not into the Citty Tauris, but withdraweth himselfe into the tentes of the Persian king.

The Persians that garde the gates of Tauris, fight with a rascall band of the Turkish Army.

The Persians retyre themselues into the Citty, and in the turninges of their streetes and places vnder the ground, they worke great mischiefe vpon the Turkes that followed them into the Citty.

A description of the situation of Tauris.

Osman maketh choyce of certaine gardens for a plot to build a Fort in.

The Fort is finished in the space of sixe and thirty dayes.

Certaine Turkes are found strangled in a bathe within Tauris, and Osman commaundeth that the Citty of Tauris should be sacked: wherevppon there doth ensue most miserable and horrible spectacles, and a mortall battell.

The Persian Herauldes returne to prouoke the Turkes to a fresh battell.

The ordering of both the Armies.

Most bloudy battels betweene them both.

The Bassa of Trebisonda, and the Bassa of Caraemit, with certeine San∣giacchi are slayne.

The Bassa of Garamania taken prisoner.

Osman is at the point of death, by reason of a greeuous disease.

Giaffer Eunucho the Bassa is chosen Generall, and gouernour of Tauris.

The Taurisians recouer the spoyle that was taken from them in Tauris.

Osman the Bassa, Visier and Generall dieth at Sancazan.

The ouerthrow of the Persians.

The muster of the Army at Van.

Teflis is succoured quietly without any trouble or hinderance.

Maxut-Chan is named the Bassa of Aleppo.

A Letter sent from the Campe to Aly the Bassa of Aleppo.

(Book 8)

THE EIGHT BOOKE. (Book 8)

OSman, the General of the Turkish campe, departed out of the Citie of Erzi∣rum, about the eleuenth of August, * 1.1 in the yeare 1585. vsing the Rebell Maxut-Chan for the guide of his Ar∣mie: which although it was in deed at that time verie great, both for men and cattell, yet it appeared euery day to become more populous, and daily new Souldiers were discouered in it, though they were but vagarantes, and of small valour. The occasion whereof was, not onely the multitude of warrants sent abroad through all the subiect Cities, but also the affection that euery man did beare to the fame and renowme of Osman, vnto whom, aswell for his valour, whereof all men caried a good opinion, as also for his soueraigne aucthoritie, whereby he ruled as Chiefe Visier, but especially for the confidence, which (was well knowen) the King reposed in him, they all ran by heapes with most willing minds: And he wisely cherishing and * 1.2 fostering them in their good forwardnesse, entertayned them all with faire promises, and hope of rewardes. Inso∣much, that the Generall had gathered together about a hundred and fiftie thousand horsemen, some seruing with bowes, some with battel-axe or sword, some with Arcu∣buse, * 1.3 some with launces, some stipendiaries, and other some voluntaries. And besides these, so great a multitude of seruile people, of craftes-men, of pioners, of cariers, of Iudges, of Treasurers, of Clerkes, of Collectors, and of all sorts of men: So great abundance of Camels, of Mules,

and of Horses, and to be briefe, so huge an assemblie, that it would make a man beleeue, it was not the power of one King alone, but rather the forces of many Kings vni∣ted * 1.4 and confederate together. Osman therefore percea∣uing that he had gathered too great a number of people, and too huge an Armie, and that it might fall out so great a multitude should want vittaile, perswading himself that his prouisions could not suffice the common necessitie, neither fearing his enemies forces so greatly, that he nee∣ded to lead so populous an host against them, he deter∣mined to discharge a great number of such as he thought to be most weak, and least apt to endure trauell, and to sell them their desired libertie at a good price. And the com∣mon fame is, that by this occasion out of that first number he drew out about fortie thousand persons, who with li∣berall * 1.5 and large brybes, accordingly as euery mans estate would beare it, redeeming the ordinarie perills of the warres, returned home to their owne dwellings. And so there remayned in the Armie of Osman, the number of * 1.6 a hundred and fower score thousand persons, or there aboutes.

The Generall, accompanied with this multitude, de∣parted from Erzirum, & moued towards Tauris, still con∣tinuing (for all that) the speech for Nassiuan. But scarse were there two daies passed, when diuers souldiers of * 1.7 Grecia and Constantinople, presented themselues before him, and vpbrayded him with matter of great improui∣dence, telling him, that they began alreadie to feele the intollerable penurie of victuall, by wanting the same day their ordinarie allowance of Corne for their horses: so that if in the verie beginning, and (as it were) in the en∣trance of so long a iourney, they felt such a want, they

could not tel with what iudgment or discretion he meant to lead so great a companie so farre as Nassiuan, nor by what cunning conceit he had presumed to sustain so great an Armie in the seruice of their Lord. Osman quietly * 1.8 heard their complaints, and presently prouided for them, by causing such store of Barley to be distributed among them all as they desired, and seuerely punishing the Offi∣cers, that had the charge for allowance of Corne, who most couetously began to make merchandise of the com∣mon prouision, by conuerting it to their owne priuate vses. And hauing thus quieted their troubled minds, he followed on his iourney, and by the way of Hassan-Cha∣lassi, and of Chars, he arryued vpon the Caldarane plaines, a famous place for the memorable battels, that were there fought betweene Selim and Ismahel, the father of Tamas, surnamed the Soffi. In these plaines he took a general re∣uiew of all his Armie, wherein there wanted a number, * 1.9 that by reason of sicknes, and diuers other infirmities, be∣ing not hable to continue the iourney, were enforced to stay behind, some in one place, & some in another. From these plaines he afterwardes remoued, and turned his * 1.10 course, not to Nassiuan, as still hitherto he had constantly kept the speech he would doo, but now to Tauris.

Assoone as the Souldiers of Greece and Constantinople heard this sodein alteration of the Iourney, they were in a * 1.11 great rage, and comming again before the Generall; spake thus vnto him. And what are we, thou villaine, thou Turk, thou dolt, whom thou handlestin this sort?

We are neither oxen nor sheepe of the mountains, for the leading of whom thou thinkest thou art come out: neither can we brooke these thy lyes and deceiptes. If thou hast pub∣likely professed to leade vs to Nassiuan, and by that speech

hast trained vs from the furdest bounds of Grecia: to what end now, after thou hast wearied vs so much, doest thou deceiue vs with such vanities, and prolong our iourney, and set before vs such strange and important dangers, as our minds neuer once thought on? But if this was thy first purpose and intent, & that now not foolishly nor by chaunce, but vpon premeditation and good aduise, thou changest thine opinion, why diddest thou dismisse so ma∣nie souldiers, that might haue made the Armie more ter∣rible and the stronger for thy enterprise of Tauris? Doest thou think, that by suffering others to redeme their liber∣ties, and so to encrease thy riches, thou shalt set our lyues to sale, and so make vs slaues to the Persians?

At these ar∣rogant speeches Osman was in a great confusion, & when he saw his good meaning, and the earnest desire he had to satisfie the Maiestie and honour of his King, to be taken in so euill part, and these men so highly offended at him, he was sore troubled, and began to reuolue many & sun∣drie cogitations within himself, what he were best to do. And although he could in deede haue readily vsed the sharpest and the hardest prouisions and remedies for it, that in such occasions are ordinarily applied, yet verie prudently and vpon good aduise he forbare so to doo, * 1.12 and insteed of rigor & punishment, he resolued to work by entreatie, by admonition, by lenitie, and by guiftes: and by reùealing to the Capt•••••• and Chiefe of the rest, that were so readie to rage, the nece••••••••••e of the rumour * 1.13 that was giuen out for Nassiuan, myldlie and featlie to pa∣cifie them all. Whereupon hauing caused manie of the said seditious persons to come before him, he first perswa∣ded them,

That the former speech for Nassiuan was not raysed at all by him, Nor that he was minded at that time

to go to Tauris, but all that was done, he had done to ful∣fill the commaundement of the Sultan, who had charged him so to doo, to the end they might lessen, yea, and per∣aduenture wholie frustrate the sharpe forces & conflicts, which otherwise they might haue found on the Persians side, if the speech had bin giuen out at the first for Tauris, and so leasure and time giuen to their enemies to prepare themselues, and to come and encounter with them in or∣der and well appointed. For the auoyding whereof, and that all glorious successe and ioyfull victorie might hap∣pen vnto them, euen with the least inconuenience to the Armie that might be imagined, the King so commaun∣ded, and so would he haue it: who, of his Princely na∣ture did not onely not delight in the harmes and troubles of his vassals, but also thought nothing to be more gree∣uous, or ignominious to him, then their losse and hinde∣rance. And therefore they for their partes also ought wil∣lingly to accomplish his good pleasure: for so should they stil preserue that great opinion, which both the King, and all the Nations of the world had conceaued of their va∣lour, and fidelitie. Neither needed they to feare, that the souldiers, which were dismissed, might enfeeble or wea∣ken the Armie:

for that they were not onely sufficient to pierce into Tauris, and to open the way euen vpon their enemies, but also the Persians would not endure theyr lookes: and that those, which were discharged, had pur∣ged * 1.14 the hoast of all cowardise, and left nothing in it, but vertue and courage. By this mild aunswere of the Visier, the tumultuous souldiers were sufficiently pacified: but much better appayed and contented they were, assoone * 1.15 as he put his hand to the common purse, and bestowed among them all a certain small quantitie of Moneis; for

by this gentlenesse of nature, all their stomakes were ouer∣come, and they became so willing, & so couragious, that now they durst venture, not onely to Tauris, but also to Casbin, yea, euen to the farthest partes of all the kingdome of the Persians.

These importunate & inconsiderate outrages being thus appeased and quenched, the Generall turned him∣selfe * 1.16 with all his armie towardes Coy, being a citty situate beyond Van, and in the middest betweene Tauris and the Martian More, subiect to the Turkes, where the appe∣tites both of the souldiers and also of their cattell were sa∣tisfied with all thinges which they could desire. From * 1.17 Coy he passed to Marant, a citty subiect to the Persians, very plentifull and fruitfull also in all things, that are wont to be acceptable to man and beast. From thence he lea∣ned * 1.18 downe towardes Soffian, a little ground, subiect like∣wise to the Persians, but in all kind of fruites most aboun∣dant fertile: and from this place they began to discouer * 1.19 Tauris. Great was the ioy of the whole Campe, but prin∣cipally the souldiers of Greece & Constantinople, when they saw themselues to haue passed so farre, without feeling a∣ny annoiance of the enemy, did highly commend the ad∣uise of the Captaine, or rather of the king, in chaunging the rumour of Nassiuan for Tauris, and did thinke verily, that this their great quyet did happen vnto them, because the Persians were wholly occupied about Nassiuan: in so∣much that euery man now being waxen more couragi∣ous, and replenished with ioye, without any feare at all, proudly plotted to themselues, nothing but sackings, pil∣lings, * 1.20 taking of prisoners, rauishments, robberries, and all those insolent and dishonest actions, that vse rashly to proceed from the greedie affections of these barbarous

victors. But the chiefe of these were those of the Vau∣ward, who being desirous of a bootye, and to discouer the enemies countrey rounde about them, descended * 1.21 downe towardes certain gardens, full of all sorts of trees, springes and fruites, and hauing refreshed their appetites with the water and other meates, they withdrew them∣selues to a certaine little riuer, neere to a bridge called The bridge of salt water, and there stayed with pleasure, at∣tending * 1.22 the arriuall of their fellow-army. But euen whiles they were thus enioying the water, the fruites, the shade, and the greene grasse, besides all their expectation, they were suddenly assaulted and very shrewdly handled by the Persians.

This was Emir Hamze, the eldest sonne of king Maha∣met, who being accompanied with ten thousand souldi∣ers, * 1.23 had craftely hidden himselfe, watching till some of the ennemies bands should come downe to those resting places, that he might set vppon them. For hee was thus come forth against the Turkes, whiles his blinde father was encāped about twelue miles beyond the citty of Tau∣ris, * 1.24 with a fifty thousand persons or thereaboutes. In Tau∣ris was Alyculi-Chan the Gouernour of it, and with him foure thousand souldiers. A greater Army then this the Persian king could not possibly leauie, and the principall * 1.25 occasion thereof was, the death of Emir-Chan; for which all the nation of the Turcomannes being waxen rebellious * 1.26 and disobedient, would not by any meanes bee brought to defend that Citty, which was now committed to the gouernement of Alyculi-Chan their capitall enemy. From Gheilan and from Hery there came not somuch as one souldier, to relieue the necessities of Persia. So that the King could scarsely gather together these threescore and

foure thousand men, who by reason of the vncertainety * 1.27 of the Turkes rumour for Nassiuan and for Tauris, were plonged into a thousand disquiets, and scant had leasure enough to be ready all at Tauris at the arriuall of their e∣nemies. With these forces the Persian had no stomack, so suddenly to go and set vpon the Turkish Army in o∣pen battell, and to aduenture themselues vpon their Artil∣lary: but sought in deed by all the meanes he could, first to annoy him with as little losse to himselfe as possibly hee might, and so by attempting his forces, to make triall of euery way, how he might in dyuerse and sundry sortes weaken and endamage him. And yet afterward hee wi∣shed, that he had beene assaulted, when being certified of the infirmitie of Generall Osman, and aduertised of the sundry losses that hee had receaued at his arriuall to Tau∣ris, and in other conflictes, which shalbe told you hereaf∣ter, he thought he might haue recouered the spoiles that had beene taken in the sacked and desolate Citty. But the Bersian Prince, thus at vnawares set vpon the Vauwarde of the Turkes, who being greedy of their victuailes, and desirous to discouer their enemies countrey, had turned themselues vpon the gardens of Soffian. This assault, & the * 1.28 discomfiture of the said Vauward was done at once: for such was the speed, so haughty was the courage of the Prince, and so great the astonishment and strangenes of the case, that as it had beene a lightning, and (as a man might well say) without any resistanee, he ouerran all the said band of the Turkes, and dispersed them, putting to the sworde about seuen thousande persons of all sortes. * 1.29 Which being done, he withdrew himselfe back towards his fathers Tentes, leading away with him, horses, slaues, and much apparrell, besides sundry standerdes & Turkish

drommes, that were brought after him.

Osman had intelligence of this discomfiture, & fourth-with caused his Armie to be raised, and dispatched Sinan * 1.30 Bassa sonne to the late Cicala, and Mahamet the Bassa of Caraemet, with diuers other Aduenturers, in all to the nomber of fourteene thousande, to the end they should follow the prince abouementioned. These then ranne a∣maine to pursue the kings sonne, who had already sent newes to his father of this his first action by certaine swift horsemen, and so quick they were in their marching, that they ouertooke the yongman, who like a ioyfull victor was iournying towardes his fathers Campe. Assoone as the Prince saw the Turkes so neere him, and knew that without a daungerous and shamfull flight, hee could not auoid the battell, couragiously hee tourned his face vpon them, and ioyned a most bloody conflict with them. It was as yet two houres before night, when these sharp and * 1.31 cruell skirmishes began, from which they ceased not, vn∣till night with her darknes did bereaue them of the vse of their swordes, and enforce both the one side and the o∣ther * 1.32 to retire, which was doon with the notable losse of the Turkes, who being farre fewer in nomber then they were, and also shrewdly beaten and discomfited, returned to their pauilions from whence they came. The like did the Persians also, who were stayned and imbrued much more with the bloud of their enemies, then with the spil∣ling of their owne. It is a common speech that in this se∣cond battell, (which notwithstanding together with the first exploitis reckoned but for one onely) there wanted * 1.33 six thousand Turkes, and that there would haue follow∣ed a generall slaughter of them all, if night had not inter∣rupted so vncouth an action, well worthie (in truth) of a

thousand day-lightes. So that hitherto the Turkes haue sustained the losse of more then ten thousand souldiers, & yet scarce haue discouered or seene the Citty, which so greedely they longed for.

The next morning the Turkish Campe remoued, and * 1.34 approched within two miles of Tauris where they en∣camped. But whiles they were about the setting vp of their pauilions, Aliculy-Chan issuing out of the Citty with all his guard aboue mentioned, and with all the inhabi∣tantes that were able to fight and manage weapons, he set vpon the face of the Vauward, being now renued, and with cunning tourninges and windinges so charged and seised vpon them, that with great shedding of bloud hee made them to retire, euen to the Visiers warde, from * 1.35 whence when he espied the artillarie, he withdrew him∣selfe againe to the Citty, before he was annoyed or offen∣ded by any of them. The nomber of the slaine, and the confusion of the Turkes was notable. For in a very small space of time, the Vauward was put in a disaray, & almost * 1.36 three thousand slaine. But Alyculi being not contented with this, assoone as the darkenes of the night was come, * 1.37 issued out the second tyme closely and couertly, & swift∣ly ran along all the side of the enemies Army, that lay to∣wards Tauris, and besides the death of the Bassa of Maras, put all that band to great damage and destruction. And when he had so doone, without any stay hee fled to the Kinges Campe, and forsooke the defence of the sorrow∣full Citty. In this sort was the Turkish Captaine welco∣med by the Taurisians, who gathering themselues to the gates as many of them as remayned within the Citty, well armed & consederate together, were now prepared * 1.38 to make it a bloody entrance for the Turks, whensoeuer

they came. All the whole night was spent in watching both on the one side and on the other, neither could the flattering entisement of sleeep procure any quiet or rest to the poore soules either of the Cittizens or of the ene∣mies: and yet there was no motion of war on either side. But vpon the breake of day, a great bande of the seruile sort of Turkes, and of the rascall common rout, without * 1.39 any leaue asked of the Captain, armed with corslets, with speares and with swordes, went to the towne, with reso∣lute mindes to sacke it, and to enrich their owne priuate estate with the spoiles and pillage of that welthie Citty. And now were they come to the guarded gates, where contrary to their expectation they found a terrible rescue, * 1.40 and were enforced to ioyne a hard and mortall medley, wherein the walles, the entrance, yea all the ground there∣about was bathed with blood, & (as it were) paued with weapons and carcases. And yet for all that, though the Persians stood firme & stout at the arriuall of this insolent and seruile troupe, at the last they were constrained to yeeld the entrance, being ouercome by the multitude of them, that flowed in vpon them lyke a floud, and retiring * 1.41 thēselues into the cittie, which was now astonied & ama∣sed on euery side, they fortified themselues in their houses vnder the grounde, and in the corners and winding tour∣ninges of the streetes: from whence, by their arrowes, & some few Arcubuscs, they did great scath to the Turkes * 1.42 that entred. Howbet the Persians were not able to kill & destroy so many of their enimy people, but that at the last they were too mighty for them, and wrought many grie∣uous mischiefes and calamities in the wofull Citty. And so a great nomber of this rascall people, which remayned aliue, returned to the Turkish Campe, enriched with

booties and slaues, leading away with them both virgins * 1.43 and children, and shewing too manifest tokens of the poore oppressed Citty, wherein the miserable wemen & impotent soules embracing and strayning their domesti∣call doores, and kissing their natiue soyle, with prayers, with mourninges, with complaints, bewayled their pre∣sent misery, and feared also worse & more deadly euents. Osman, who was now made acquainted with these cala∣mities, and with this particular misaduenture, caused pro∣clamation to be published, that no man should be so har∣dy as to molest the Taurisians, those I meane, which were naturally there borne: and in the meane time he himselfe * 1.44 went round about the saide Citty, viewing thoroughly the situation of it, and surueighing the place, wherein he might both incampe himselfe safely, and also with the better foundation and greater security erect a Castell or Forte of defence of that conquered countrey.

Tauris is seated at the roote of the hill Orontes, which * 1.45 standeth (as it were) ouer it vpon the North side, distant from the shore of the sea of Bachu, eight dayes iourney or thereaboutes. It hath Persia vppon the Southside, which leauing the Caspian mountains on the West, reacheth out to Great Media: and therefore the Citty is subiect to windes, cold, and full of snow, but of a very holesome ayre: It aboundeth in all manner of thinges necessary for mans life. It is enriched, aswell by the perpetuall con∣course of merchandises, that are brought thether from the countryes of the Leuant, to be conueighed into Soria and into the countries of Europe, as also of those that come thi∣ther out of the Westerne partes, to be distributed ouer all the East. It is verie populous, so that it feedeth almost two hundred thousand persons: but yet open to the furie of

euery Armie, without strength of walles, and without bulwarkes. It hath a great number of houses vnder the ground: The buyldinges, after the fashion of those that are buylt in the East, are of burnt clay, & rather low then high. It hath Springs, Gardens, and running waters. And for all things it caried the name, as also of their Kings resi∣dence. Tamas was the man that remoued his seat from this Citie, and translated it to Casbin: but still for all that, both before and sithence, although it hath bene molested by the inroades and spoyles of the Turkish Emperours, yet it hath alwayes maintayned it selfe in great estimation and renowme.

Now of this Citty, Osman did diligently view the si∣tuation, and at the last caused his Pauilions to be pitched * 1.46 vpon the side that looketh towardes the South, comman∣ding that all the rest of this Souldiers should do the like, & that all the Workemen and Ditchers should repaire the∣ther to beginne the building of a Castell. On the same side of Tauris, there was a garden, all flourishing & beau∣tyfull, replenished with a thousand sundry kindes of * 1.47 graftes, trees, and sweete-smelling plantes, among which the Lilly, the Hyacinth, the Gillyflower, the Rose, the Violet, the Flower gentle, and a thousand other odorife∣rous flowers did yeeld a most pleasaunt and delectable sight both to the Inhabitantes and to Straungers. There were a thousand Fountaines, and a thousand brookes, & among them all, as the Father of them all, a prettie Riuer, which with his milde course and delight some noyse, de∣uided the Garden from the ground of Tauris, and one onely bridge for those to passe ouer it, which for pleasure repayred out of Tauris to recreate themselues in the sha∣dowes and walkes of those greenes: whose beauty was so

great, being also made famous by reason of antiquity, that it was also called by the countrey Inhabitantes Sechis-Ge∣net, which in our language is as much to say, as Eight Pa∣radises. * 1.48 This was in times past the standing house of their kinges, whiles they kept their residence in this Citty: and after they had withdrawne themselues from thence, and translated their seate to Casbin, it became the habitation and place of aboade for the Gouernours of Tauris, and namely Emir-Chan kept altogether there, whiles hee had the gouernement of it. These gardens and places Osman * 1.49 did choose to builde his Castle in, whereof hee gaue the modell himselfe, and commaunded that all the whole circuite of those Greenes should bee enuyroned with walles, and trenches digged round about them, to con∣veigh the water from the foresayd Riuer. And so the fa∣bricke was begunne, with the greatest care that possibly might be, the foundation of the embattelled walles layd, the ditche digged, foureteene foote broade, and a mans heigth in depth, and in the space of sixe and thirty dayes * 1.50 wholy finished and brought to an ende. The first day of building the Visier fell sicke of a feuer with a bloudy flixe (as it was told me in Constantinople, by one of the Phisi∣tions, that was alwayes assistant at the cure) which infir∣mity * 1.51 peraduenture was the cause of the slownesse in buil∣ding, and of many other losses that afterwardes happe∣ned, as shall be declared vnto you. In the saide space also of sixe and thirty dayes, there was distributed vppon the walles great store of Artillery, and within the Forte there were built diuers bathes, lodginges, and such other hou∣sing necessary for Turkish vses.

Whiles this Fabricke was in hande, there wanted not sondry Accidentes, and straunge newes, to fill the eares

and mindes of all men: which it shalbe necessarie to re∣port in order as they fell out. Fiue daies after the buyl∣ding of the Fort was begon, there came newes into the Turkish campe, that within the Citie of Tauris, in a cer∣tain baine, there were eight Iannizzaries, and diuerse Spa∣oglanj seen strangled: wherof the Zaini, Spahini, and Ian∣nizzaries * 1.52 being certified, went presently before the Visier, declaring vnto him, that although hee had ouer mildlie giuen order, that the Taurisians should not be molested or hurt, and that according to his pleasure, euery man had vsed modestie towards them, and obedience to him, yet the Taurisians themselues, who should haue remayned in quiet and in awe, had most audaciously strangled in one of their baynes eight Iannizzaries, and certain Spao∣glanj, and that in their iudgement these iniuries and inso∣lencies were not to be suffered. The Captain was excee∣ding wroth at this most cruell and impious action, and without any further delay commaunded, that the whole * 1.53 Citie should be sacked, and that euery man should do the worst, that possibly he could, or might do to it. Heere a man had need of a verie learned and eloquent penne, to describe the fierce and cruel execution of these men, who handled the matter, not as though they would requite an iniurie, but rather exercise an vtter vengeance vpon them, insomuch, as it would require great force of witt, and rea∣dinesse of toung to declare it. For in trouth, who is hable either by writing, or by speech sufficiently and liuely to * 1.54 set foorth the treachery, the couetousnesse, the wrath, the crueltie, the impiety, the wickednesse of these triumphing Turkes? And on the other side, who can expresse the cri∣yng of Infants, the complaintes and howlings of weo∣men, the groanings of the woūded, the teares of parents,

the praiers of old men, the feares, the griefes, and to be briefe, the miserie of the Taurisians? There was nothing but slaughter, pilling, rauishing, spoiling, and murdering: Virgins deflowred, men-children defyled with horrible and vnspeakable sinnes, yonglings snatched out of their parents armes, houses laied euen with the ground, and burnt: riches and money caried away, and to be short, all things wasted and ruynated. Neither were these mis∣chiefes committed once onely, but the second followed worse then the first, and the third vpon that, worse then the second: so that it was a miserie almost vnexplicable, to behold that Citie, which was so populous and so riche, * 1.55 sometimes the Court and Palace of the Crowne, and the honor of the Persian Empire, now subiect to the furie, to the rauine, to the crueltie of the Turkes, plonged in cala∣mitie, and vtterly destroied. With the spoyle that was taken, there were many thousands of Camels loaden, and euery man, besides the thinges of greatest value, which * 1.56 they kept secretly, caried away with him some boy or some wench for his captiue.

The lamentable and sorowfull aduertisement hereof was brought to the King of Persia, who bewayled the mi∣serie of himselfe, and the destruction of others: But the Persian prince beyond all the rest felt rising inwardly within himself the most ardent affections of griefe, of dis∣dain, and of desperation, & being vtterly resolued to put any thing in execution, whereby he might be reuenged of so great a crueltie, and recouer the pray that was taken * 1.57 away, he exhorted his whole Armie to put on the same resolution. And hauing grounded and confirmed him∣selfe therein, he commaunded, that fiue hundred of his souldiers should ryde out on hors-back, euen to the verie

sight of their enemies Tentes, and prouoke the Turkes to battell. These souldiers so appointed went accordingly, and made a gallant show of themselues, at the discouery wherof, the Turks imagining, that the Persians were come in great number to assault their Armie: Order was giuen by the Visier to Bassa Cicala, and the Bassa of Caraemit, (the * 1.58 same two which were at first in the former blouddie con∣flict,) that with the people of Grecia, and all the rest of their whole power, they should go to encounter the ene∣mie. They presently gaue warning with the sound of their Trompets, and straight way their standerdes were dis∣plaied: Vnder which there were assembled about fower and thirtie thousand Souldiers stronge, partlie stipendia∣ries, and partlie voluntaries, and besides them a number of seruile people, men exercised in labour and perills, so that there were gathered together in all well neere fortie * 1.59 thousand men. The fiue hundred Persians, with a mer∣uailous cunning kind of skirmishing, dallied with the Turkish souldiers, and drew them forward, for the space of eight miles and more. And when they were brought to that point, being now fore-wearied with the skirmish, they were lustely assaulted by the Persian Prince, who with part of his Armie, which might be to the number of a∣bout twentie thousand persons, couragiously & valiantly seised vpon the two Bassaes, betweene whom there was ioyned the deadliest and cruellest battell, that euer was written of. Wherein the Persians hauing giuen a most * 1.60 perillous onset vpon the Turkes, it was thought, that they would haue been contented with so luckie an encounter, and so to haue retyred. Which the Turkes foreseeing, and beeing not minded to returne this second time, but with victorie, and a notable great conquest, they hardilie fol∣lowed

vpon the Persians, hoping to put them to flight, and to giue them a blouddie and deadlie ouerthrow: But the Persians hauing quietly and easilie endured their charge, for a reasonable space, at the last made head vpon them a fresh, and began a new conflict with them. By the vehe∣mence of this assault, the Bassa of Caraemit aboue named, was put to flight, who beeing wholie dismaied and dif∣comfited, * 1.61 fled back to his Tentes, with a manifest token of the vnhappie issue in the battell. The Bassa Cicala not∣withstanding, sustained the furie of the Persians, and va∣lorously with great cunning & skill went about to harten the Armie to fight, and to doo their best endeauours, shewing his notable courage in euery respect. But when he perceaued that in both the winges of his people there was still great harme done in euery moment of an hower, he aduised with himselfe to retyre with the least danger that possibly he might. Wherein he could not so warily * 1.62 carie himself, but that his Squadrons were shrewdlie bea∣ten and discomfited, and in the end, he was enforced in the sight of euery man to with-draw himselfe to the Ar∣mie, and openly betake himself to flight. So that he also arriued at the campe, altogether discomfited, without any Ensigne, bereaued of three yong men, whom he loued verie deerely, and without any of his horses which he had caused to be lead with him, to haue serued his turne in time of neede: and so speak all in a woord, he was quite ouerthrowen, and (about) eight thousand of his souldi∣ers * 1.63 slaine. Great was the cowardise of the one, and great was the courage of the other: whereby it may manifestly appeare, how much more the Persians are exercised and acquainted with the doubtful conflicts & perils of warre, then the Turkes are.

With this so fortunate and happie euent, the Persian Prince being somewhat encouraged, he sent speedie He∣rauldes * 1.64 to the sick Visier, (whom he thought notwithstan∣ding to haue been in health) giuing him to vnderstand, that if it pleased him to fight with him, he was readie for him, and in what sort soeuer he would accept of battell, he would make him good accompt of his valour, & cause him to know, not onely that Amurath had most iniurious∣lie and vniustly raised this warre, but also that it had been good for him not to haue withstood his force and vali∣ance. Osman accepted his offer, but being not hable him∣self to go and aunswer the Prince in person, hand to hand, * 1.65 by reason of his sicknesse, which euery hower encreased more mortally vpon him, he sent out all the Captaines of his armie. The Persian Prince remained ten miles of there aboutes, distant from the Campe of Osman, and that vpon verie good consideration, least peraduenture in the heate and furie of the battel, he might haue been spoiled by the Artillarie: so that of necessitie the Turkish armie must needes ryde to encounter with him.

The Turkish Captaines marched in this maner; The middest of the battel was guided by the Bassa of Caraemit, * 1.66 and Sinan Cicala, with all the Souldiers of Assiria and Ba∣bylon: The left hand was lead by the Bassa of Natolia, with the band of Graecia: And the right hand was conducted by Amurath the Bassa of Caramania, with the people of Soria: to the number in all of three score thousand, be∣sides all those that were slaine in the two former conflicts, * 1.67 and besides a great multitude of seruile people, & diuerse voluntarie, and sundrie waged souldiers also, that were stil within the Citie, busied about their new pillages, and searching for hidden treasures, and other rich booties,

euen in places vnder the ground, and in their Churches: and besides the trustie guard of the Iannizzaries of Con∣stantinople, with all the Artillarie, which was left behind for the safegard of the sick Visier, and all the Tentes.

Being thus ordered and deuided, they confronted the Persian Prince, who was himselfe in the middest of his * 1.68 Army, and had placed all his people in very good order on all sides, hauing on his one side, the souldiers of Persia and Hircania, and on his other side the souldiers of Parthi∣a and Atropatia, in all to the nomber of forty thousand. I do not belieue, that Ida the mountaine, or Xanthus the * 1.69 riuer by Troy, did euer see so terrible and bloudy battels, as these were, that were fought neere to the Riuers and mountaines of Tauris, by these nations, who, though they be all in deed of Asia, yet (as Aristotle saith) are not ve∣ry * 1.70 martiall. The Turkes were in a feare least the Persians would haue fetched a great compasse, and with all celeri∣ty and fury would haue runne to set vpon their tentes, & the riches which they had layed vp together in their pa∣uillions: and therefore at euery motion of theirs they continually feared this suddain outroade. Whereof they had such speciall care, that retiring themselues asmuch as they might, and faining that they yeelded and gaue place to the Persians, they withdrew so neere to their Army, that they wanted but a little from being brought euen within the iust leuill and marke of their artillarie. Which when the Persians had espyed, and perfectly discouered the cunning and craft of the Turkes, without any further dallying they began to seise vpon the maine body of the battell. And the Prince himselfe being entred among the souldiers of the Bassa of Caraemit, who (as wee tould you a little before) as Generall sustayned the place of Os∣man,

& pressing into the middest of the battel, dispatched euery man that came in his way, and hauing drawen out the Bassa from among the rest, he smote of his head, and * 1.71 gaue it to one that waited vpon him, to carrie about vp∣on the top of his launce. The speechles head being open∣ly discried, wrought a terrour to the Turks, and a courage in the Persians, who being imbrued with blood in the battell, and remembring also the crueltie vsed vpon the Taurisians, accounted it an impiety to shew any pitty to their enemies, and a great point of cowardise to foreslow the victory ouer them. Whereupon they entermingled themselues more and more, & made a most confused, and generall slaughter: wherein besides the Bassa aboue na∣med, * 1.72 there died also the Bassa of Trabizonda, the Sangi∣acco of Bursia, with fiue other Sangiacchi, and many other Chiaus, and diuers common souldiers taken prisoners. It fell to the lot also of Amurath the Bassa of Caramania to be taken prisoner, being (as they say) fallen into a Well or * 1.73 ditch, whiles hee was fighting: and to be shorte it is the common report, that the number of those that were slain in this battell, amounted to twentie thousande Turkes. The night came vpon them, and the Persians were now * 1.74 somewhat too nigh to the Turkish Artillerie, and there∣fore they resolued to leaue fighting, and as they were oc∣casioned by the darkenes of the night, to withdraw them∣selues backe to the pauilions of the king, the Princes fa∣ther.

But now there were many daies spent, wherein (as we told you afore) the fabricke of the Fortresse was fully finished. And after so many victories, and so many los∣ses, that fell out on both sides, the souldiers of Grecia and Constantinople, being nowe wearied with seeing their

frendes and louing fellowes thus slaine before their faces, * 1.75 hauing also layed vp safely in their owne custody those praies and booties, which they had gotten in the sack of the Cittie, resolued with themselues to procure their owne departure, being partly moued thereunto by the violent and sharpe season of the winter, which was nowe comming vpon them. And for that purpose they came to the Visier, who being already brought into a most dan∣gerous estate of his health, and waxen very faint through the aboundant issue of blood, that mortally flowed out of his bellie, was (as a man might say) in despaire with himselfe to liue any longer, and quite abandoned of all * 1.76 hope by his Phisitians. And therefore they were faine by the mouth of such as were trustie about him to repre∣sent vnto him the necessity of their returne: and withall after many frendly and reuerent entreaties, they caused also to be signified vnto him, that if he stoode obstinate & vnwilling to yeeld to their request, and wold needes stay dallying and spending the tyme in those quarters, where there was no such need, they should be inforced to with∣draw themselues & forsake him. Osman, who had nothing els to do in those countries, but onely to leaue at Tauris within the new fort for the custody thereof, some cōuen∣ent garrisō of soldiers, did liberally promis to gratify thē in their suit, & to yeeld them al satisfactiō, as they desired, by departing from thence the next morning. And there fore for asmuch as he was now to remoue, & before his remoue to leaue such a garrison in the new fort, as might be sufficient to maintaine and defende it, vntill the next spring, wherein there should be some new captaine and fresh supplies sent thether for their succor, he concluded, that Giaffer the Eunuch, being thē the Bassa of Tripoli, who

(as we told you in the last booke) would not follow the * 1.77 warres of Ebrain the Visier, should bee the keeper and go∣uernour of the said Forte. And the rather to encourage him that he would take the charge vppon him, he gaue him freely, for the space of three whole yeares, not onely the office and authority, but also the rentes and reuenues of the Bassa of Caraemit, in the place of him, whose head (we told you lately) the Persian Prince had cut of: and withall honoured him with the title of the Bassa of the Court, where hauing finished his three yeares office of Caraemit, he was to go & sit among the soueraigne seates in the order and ranke of the Visiers. The Eunuch, seeing so faire and so nigh a way for him to mount to those high honours, readily obeyed his pleasure, and presently dis∣patching his Lieutenaunt, (whom the Turkes call Che∣caia) for Caraemit, to the gouernement of those countries in his absence, with a hundred of his owne subiectes, hee setled himselfe in the said Fort, and afterwardes, besides his said subiectes, there were deliuered vnto him twelue thousand souldiers, some voluntaries and some stipendi∣aries, furnished with all necessarie prouision, and suffici∣ent * 1.78 for the warre till the new spring. And when the cu∣stody of this Fortresse was thus ordered, and safely pro∣uided for, the Visier departed according to his promisse made to the souldiers of Grecia and Constantinople, & the same morning, which was the fourescore and seuenth day after his departure from Erzirum, hee went to a place called Sancazan, seuen miles distant from Tauris, with an * 1.79 entent in this his returne, to take another course, then he tooke when he came to that Citty.

They were now vpon the point of their encamping (as the maner is) in a confused disorder & hurley-burley,

when those that were hindermost in the armie heard the neighing of horses, and the noise of drommes and trum∣pettes, which when all the whole Campe vnderstoode (by the report of the first hearers vnto them that were formost) they ranne all headlong and disordered (as they were) to the rescue on that side, where the report was that the noise of horses and warlike instrumentes was heard. But while the Turks were thus intentiuely busied on that side, to expect the arriuall of their enemies, on the other side without any signe or token of battell was the Persian Prince ready vpon them with eight & twenty thousande * 1.80 persons in his company, who, (hauing discouered the Camelles, the horses, the Mules, & other cariages, where∣vpon their booties, their spoiles, and their riches were loaden which they had taken in Tauris, besides their corne and much of their prouision for victuaile, necessarie for the sustenaunce of the armie,) had turned vpon them, & with a prouident and safe conuoy had taken for a praye eighteene thousand of the Cammelles and Mules, well * 1.81 loaden with the said booties and other victuailes. The Prince sent away presently sixe thousand of his souldiers for the safegard of the cariages, that they might lead them away in safety: and he himselfe with his two and twenty thousand Persians entred into the Turkishe Army, who now to withstand his assault, had conuerted their anger and fiercenes against him. It was a gallant thing, & a terri∣ble withall, to see what a mortall battell and what singu∣lar prowesse was shewed, presently euen in the forefront of the army. For in a moment you might haue seene the Tentes and Pauillions turned vp side downe, and their encamping lodgings replenished with carcases & blood, and victorious death ranging in euerie corner. The

Turkes themselues, through vnwonted astonishment, be∣came more attentiue beholders of this affray, then their enemies were, and to this day with great meruaile doo recounte the vertue and valour of the Persians, who al∣though they were so few in nomber, and intermingled among so populous an army of warlick people, yet it see∣med that they couched their speares & brandished their swords ouer them, as though it had thundred & lightned vpon them, and were in deed rather like fatall ministers, then humaine executioners of so generall a slaughter. But these mischeefes being already foreseene and too much feared by the trusty guard of the Ianizzaries, & all of them doubting greatly least the Persians would forci∣bly inuade the very lodginges of the Visier, it was com∣manded, not by himself, (for he was now at the last gasp) * 1.82 but by him who at that time had authority to command in his name, that without any delay the artillary should be vnbarred, & by that means the valorous conflict of these fierce souldiers was vnequally parted. For the Artillary wrought perchance greatter harme among the Turkes * 1.83 themselues, then it did among the Persians. For the med∣ley and mingling of the two nations which fought toge∣ther, being all in a confusion and a hurley-burley, the ar∣tillary entring among them without any exception or di∣stinction of persons, ouerthrewe both frendes and foes. At the first thondering noise whereof, the Prince was most ready & swift to flie, & all that were with him, follo∣wed presently after him, so that the Turks which remain∣ed behind were moreshrewdly afflicted then the Persians were, who by flying away could not feele any dammage, but the Turkes must first bee well payed for their labour. The Graecians, the Constantinopolitanes, and those that

were of Natolia, pursued these fugitiues, making a shewe as though they would gladly haue ouertaken the stollen carriages, and recouered them againe: but they being already arriued in safety, and the night come vpon them, they feared to proceede any further, then they might ea∣sily returne with the safegarde of their liues. And there∣fore the Persians, though greatly wearied and weakened, thus saued themselues, and the Turks also retourned into their Tentes, wholly dismaied and discomfited, leauing too manifest a token of the sondrie calamities which hap∣ned in these broiles, and the maruellous ouerthrowe of their whole armie. So that there is no man but confess∣eth, that in the battell of Sancazan there were slaine twen∣tie * 1.84 thousand of the Ottoman souldiers, and that in this en∣terprise of Tauris, there died by this time threescore thou∣sande Turkes with that small losse of the Persian forces, which we haue before described.

Among the rest, in the same place died also the Visier Osman, Generall of the late dreadfull, but now desolate Armie, not by wouuds, (as some write) nor by any such * 1.85 like means, but being vtterly consumed by the mortall & vncurable disease of an Ague and a Flix, (as wee haue told you before, and doo now againe testifie vnto you, by the certain and vndoubted report of those faithull Phisitians, which were about him,) whose death notwithstandinge was kept secreate from the whole Armie, and euery man thought verily, that it was but onely the continuance of his sicknes, because the charriottes wherein he lay, were still kept close, and in his name Cicala Bassa, (for so he had appointed by his will) gaue out aunsweres and comman∣dementes * 1.86 to all the Armie. But although it was thus con∣cealed from the Turkes, yet was it disclosed to the Persi∣ans,

by the meanes of three youngmen, who in the life of Osman had the charge of his precious stones, of his iewels, and of his gold, and now hauing gathered together, the best, the cheefest, and the fairest of them, and also the goodliest and the fairest horses that the Visier had, were fled to the King of Persia, and reuealed vnto him the death of the Generall. The comming of these youngmen was most acceptable both to the king & also to the prince, as∣well for the iewels & gold, as also for the aduertisement of Osmans death: who reasoned among themselues, that it was not possible for so great cowardise, and so dishono∣rable a kind of fighting and ordering of an Army to pro∣ceede from the vertue and valour of Osman, of whome they had had too manifest a triall and experience in times past: and therefore they were thereby encouraged to put in practise some new and strange kindes of exploytes, and * 1.87 by attempting the vtter ouerthrow of the Turkish rem∣nant, to giue them an honorable Farewell. And therevp∣pon the Persian Prince, hauing gotten together fourteene thousand men, went to follow the Turkes, who had now raised their Campe, and were remoued to pitch their Tentes neere to a certain streame of salt-water, not farre * 1.88 from Sancazan: where also the said Prince caused certain fewe Tentes to be pitched, about fower or fiue miles di∣stant from the Turkish Campe, the foresaid brooke run∣ning in the middest betweene the two Enemies armies. Now it was the purpose of the Sofian Prince to haue assay∣led the Turks in the morning, whiles they were loading their cariages, hoping in that confusion to haue wrought them some notable mischiefe: but the Turkes had caught a certain spye of his, who reuealed all vnto them. And therefore they did neither arise so earely in the morning

ás their maner was, nor load their stuffe, vntill such time as they were all armed and on hors-back, trusting by that means to rebate and to quaile their enemies assaults. The Persians were greatly discontented, when they saw this warie and vnvsuall maner of the Turkes raysing of their Tentes, and perceaued that some inkling had been giuen them of the purpose which they had intended: And yet considering, that if they should loose this occasion, they could not haue any other good oportunitie to annoy them, vntill the next Spring: they vtterly resolued to ven∣ture * 1.89 the assault: and hauing obserued, that the Rankes of their Artillarie were on the right side of the Armie, they began to enter (in the sight of euery man) vpon the left hand. But the Turkes made a wing presently on that side, and so vncouered and vnbarred their Artillarie against the assaylants, to their great losse and danger. Howbeit they were so nymble and quick to shrowde themselues vnder their Enemies armie, & to auoid this mischieuous tempest, that being now come verie neere to the Turkish Squadrons, they must needes send out people to encoun∣ter them, and ioyne present battel with them. They were purposed before, assoone as they saw the Turkes begin to stirre, to haue brought them towards their side, into a ve∣rie filthy and deepe Moore, which being then drie, yet * 1.90 breathed fourth a most stinking and foggie ayre, neyther was it doubted of, or feared by any, but onely by those that were acquainted withall, and borne there aboutes: and so verie boldly they went towards that place, enty∣cing their enemies to follow after them. But the Rebell Maxut-Chan, and with him that other Traitor Daut-Chan, who had knowledge of this treacherie, as being well ac∣quainted with those places, perceaued the policie of the

Enemie, and particularlie gaue notice thereof to Cicala Bassa, who presently caused a great compassing wing to be made, commaunding them to set vpon the Persians, and to giue them a continuall charge. The commaunde∣ment of the Captaine was put in execution, and so their fore-front opened it selfe wyth verie large and spacious Cornets vpon the Prince: who no sooner saw this kind of order, but by and by he perceaued, that his intended Stratageme was discouered. Whereupon without any stay he began to retyre, and called all his people after him. But they could not be so readie and quick to flye, but that three thousand of them remayned behind, all miserably * 1.91 styfled and ouer-trodden in the myre, with verie little dammage or losse of the Turkes. And this onely battell, among the fiue that were fought vnder Tauris, and in * 1.92 those quarters, was it that was lesse hurtfull to the Otto∣mans, then to the Persians.

The Prince returned to the pauilions of the King his father, and told him the whole action how it had fallen out, together wyth the departure of the Enemie: And so the Turkes came to Salmas, where the death of their Visier was published. From Salmas they went afterwardes to Van, where they took a surueigh of their Armie, & found * 1.93 wanting therin about fower score and fiue thousand per∣sons: and some say, more. At Van all the souldiers were dismissed into their owne countries, and Cicala gaue no∣tice * 1.94 to the King at Constantinople of all that had happened. I my self also was in Constantinople at the same time, when the postes arryued, that brought word of these great ad∣uentures. * 1.95 First was published the death of Osman, for whom there were many signes of verie great sorrow: and together with his death were blazed the blouddie and

mortall actions that were performed, so that it seemed all the whole Citie was greatly discomforted: and diuerse times, in those few dayes, by sundry persons in many pla∣ces, and particularly in the house of Mahamet Bey, one of the San-Giacchi of Cairo, my verie great friend, I heard much rayling vpon the King, many curses of this warre, and infolent maledictions of these many mischiefes. Then was dispersed the great fame of the new Fortresse erected * 1.96 in Tauris, of the sacking of that Citie, and of all the losse that hapned therein. And lastly there was a general Edict published in the Kings name, that through all the Cities of his Empire, they should make solemne feastes, & shew other expresse tokens of mirth and reioysing, which the Turkes call Zine: And therupon all the Artificers in Con∣stantinople, with diuerse goodly and sumptuous shewes, * 1.97 with musicall instruments, and bountifull banketting per∣formed the Kings royall commaundements. There was also woord sent to the Embassadours of Hungarie, of * 1.98 Fraunce, of Venice, and of other countries, that they should doo the like: But they all aunswered with one accord, that it was neuer the custome of Embassadours to make a∣nie signe of reioysing, but onely when the King himself in person returned from the like victories.

In the mean time, great consultation was at Van, how they might attempt to send succours to Teflis in Georgia, * 1.99 whereof there was a rumour spread abroad, that it was yelded to the Georgians: which in deed was a lye, as at an other time the like report was also. And while they were thus in consideration of many matters, Daut-Chan, who to deserue some reward at Amurathes hand, neuer ceas∣sed to remember and vrge, whatsoeuer might set forward the conceits of the Ottomans, offered himself to performe

this so important seruice, & could so well discourse vpon the maner how to bring it to passe, and to make the enterprise certaine and secure, that at the last, Cicala * 1.100 Bassa deliuered vnto him thirtie thousand Cecchini to cary to the Fort at Teflis. Daut-Chan went and returned, and releeued those souldiers, without any thing hapning vnto him in his voyage worthie the writing. And yet was this seruice so well accepted by Amurath, that he honoured the Rinegate with the dignitie of the Bassa of Maras, a Ci∣tie seated in the confines of Cappadocia and Armenia, neere * 1.101 to the riuer Euphrates, where also the same Daut gouer∣neth, euen at this present day: although there was a speech deliuered out by the same, that King Amurath had caused him to be strangled, which was not true. Maxut-Chan also, he that was the guide of the Turkish Armie to Reiuan, and to Tauris, was honoured by the same King * 1.102 with the great rich Office of the Bassa of Aleppo. Of whom, as also of his children, and of his vassals, I haue had verie many particulars, both touching this warre, and matters of peace, wherein this man was a dealer. So that I haue not written (to my knowledge) any thing herein, which hath not been certified vnto me, from persons of credite and auctoritie, euen of their owne sight, for that they were present and Agents themselues in these enter∣prises. Whereunto, that such credite may be giuen, as an Historie deserueth, I haue thought good in this place to translate a certain Letter, sent from the Sangiaccho of Aman, to Aly the Bassa of Aleppa, who was with Ebrain, and so could not be at the actions of Tauris. A Copie whereof was also sent to the Senate of Venice, by Giouanni Michele, at that time Consul for that most honourable Common wealth, of whom we haue a little before made

mention. It was written in the Arabike, and beeing translated into our toung, it was word for word in this maner.

To the rich and mightie among the rich and mightie, the * 1.103 noble Lord of Lordes, among honourable and great persons the honourable and great person, the Lord Aly Bassa, Humble salutations, and long prosperitie.

Your Lordship hath giuen me to vnderstand, that you desire to be aduertised of all that hath hapned this yeare betweene vs and the Cheselbas: and I, now I haue good leasure to doo it, will not fayle readily so to do. So you shal vnderstand, that from Erzirum we came to Tauris in forty dayes: and the day before wee arriued at Tauris, at the Bridge of salt-water, our Vanigard was assaulted by the Sonne of the King of Persia, who quite discomfited it, and gaue vs a great ouer∣throw, with the death of almost fiue thousand of our men, among whom Aly the Bey of Grecia was one. And because you would know the very day, that we entred into Tauris: I do let you vnderstand, that two dayes before our feast, we entred into it in great number. Two daies the Citie was kept locked, because the Persians had gotten the gates, and in that time there was a great fight both within and without the Citie, with the slaughter of our men more then eight thousand, and little losse to the Persians. For Alycull-Chan the Gouernour of the Citie, with the best of his people were readie to flie, and abandon the defence of the Citie, who as he went out, met with the Bassa of Maras, and flew him with many of our men. But afterward being scarred with the Artillarie, that was set right vpon him, he fled away, and all the rest of the Cheselbas-Captaines, who vpon that occa∣sion also at the last retyred with him. You desire to know, how those of Tauris were entreated: and I tell you, that three dayes after we were entred into it, and Alyculi-Chan fled with those aboue named, order was giuen for the buylding of a Fortresse in

the middest of the Citie, which was then all sacked, in such sort, as it was great pitie to see, and yet without any direction or commaundement from the Visier, although in deed they haue giuen out speeches, that it was by his appointment. The Ianni∣zaries and the Spahini of the Porta, tooke away all their goods and houshold stuffe, and twice afterwards sacked it againe: and the second time they slew many of the inhabitants of Tauris, and found a great quantitie of stuffe hidden vnder the ground, and sold their children for ten and twelue Ducates apeece. The buyl∣ding of the Fort was finished in six and thirtie dayes, and twelue dayes before this Fabrik was finished, newes came to the Visier, that the Persians, were comming to assault him: Where∣vpon he sent out the sonne of Cicala, and Mahamet the Bassa of Caraemit, who from the topp of an hill discouered the Persi∣ans that were comming, and so they descended into the plaine and ioyned battell with them. Wherein it seemed at the first that the Persians would haue taken their heeles, but they returned vpon our men, and pursued them with slaughter to the number of fower thousand Turkes; and took prisoners Sinan the Checaia or Lieutenant of Cicala, Chenan the Kings Chiaus or Em∣bassadour, and the Clerk of the Spahinj of the Porta. A few dayes before the Fort was finished, the Visier was certified a∣gaine, that the Persians were comming in a verie great number to assault him, whereupon he began to set all his Armie in an order? but while he was busied there abouts, the Persians arriued about noone, and setting vpon our men, they faught such a bat∣tell from that time till two howers within night, that it cannot be expressed, either with toung or pen. But as farre as mens iudg∣ments can reach, it is verily thought, that there may be about fortie thousand of our men slaine, with great losse also of the Ene∣mie. Among our men, the Bassa of Caraemit had his head stroken off; Mura•• the Bassa of Caramania was taken aliue in

fight, being fallen into a water, whiles he was in fighting: Mu∣staffa the Sangiaccho of Bursia; and Schender the Bey of Grecia, and fiue other Sangiacch•• were hewen in peeces, and the Bassa of Trebisonda also left his carcase in the field. In verie trueth the battell was so great, that it cannot well and suf∣ficiently be described. Afterwards, the Visier being depar∣ted from Tauris, and arriued at Sancazan, would needes stay there and pitch: But whiles they were drawing out their Tents, and euery man busie to encampe, the Prince of Persia was dis∣couered with a great number of souldiers: who seeing vs in this plight, hastened his pace, and betweene our Rereward and the Visier, began battell vpon vs. It was then an hower after day-light, and we had trauailed all that night. From that hower euen vntill euening did this fight last, with such effusion of bloud, as is not credible, and the common opinion is, that we felt the losse of more then twentie thousand persons: among whom there is slaine poore Vstref the Checaia, so well knowen vnto you. Heere also died the Visier of his infirmitie. In the first battell the Spahini of the Porta, with certaine of the Kinges Chiaus brought to the Visier three hundred heads of Persians: but in the second they made no great boast, for in deed both the one and the other was not without great losse vnto them. We remoued from Sancazan, and were againe pursued by our enemies the Cheselbas, and yet without any fight between them and vs: sauing onely, two dayes after we were departed from them, they took away from the tayle of our Armie, a great num∣ber of Camels and Mules, loaden with stuffe, slaues, and muni∣tion, which although they were followed, yet could not be reco∣uered: but that Mahamet the Bassa of Siuas, with the souldi∣ers of the Porta, and of Caraemit, brought vs a thousand heads of Persians, fiue Drummes, and one Ensigne, besides that with our Artill••rie, they were hardly entreated, and two of their

Chans slaine. We came afterwards in a direct course to Erzi∣rum, without hearing any word at all of the Persians. And to the end you may know how we haue left Erzirum, I do further aduertise you, that there are remaining in it certaine Spahini of the Porta, with certaine Sardari and Vlu-Bassi, and two Sangiacchi, the one of Bir, the other of Marra, who afterwards fled away both. There is least for the Sardar or Generall and Capteine of these in the Fort, Giaffer the Eunuche Bassa of Tripoli, to whom the Visier hath also graunted, that for three whole yeares together he shall be Bassa of Caraemit, and after∣wardes one of the Visiers of the Porta. There is least also for them victuaile, and munition, and great store of Artillary. But I may not omit to tell you, that in our Armie wee haue indured such a dearth, as wee haue beene enforced to giue our Camelles Biscot and Ryse: and when that failed vs we gaue them Pack∣saddles to eate, and after that peeces of wood beaten into poulder, and at last me gaue them the verie earth. And this great dearth endured euen vntill we arriued at Van. And at Tauris wee were of necessitie constrained, while the fortresse was in building, to giue our horses their doung in very drie poulder, by reason whereof there followed a greeuous mortallitie of horses, Camelles, mules and men: and the stinke, which grew of this mortallitie was so great, that we were faine alwaies euerie one of vs to carrie halfe an Onion vnder our nose to au••yde it. Yet at last we are now arryued at Erzirum, from whence we hope also shortly to be deliuered, for that euery bodie had licence to depart euen from Van. God be with you. From Erzirum the first day of the Moone of Mucaren.

By this Letter it may manifestly be perceaued, that the number of Turkes which perished in this enterprise of Tauris, is peraduenture greater then that which we haue written. And although there be therein discouered

some kind of diuersitie in the actions, otherwise then we haue deliuered them: yet ought no man greatly to mar∣uaile thereat: for that it is a verie easie matter to varie in such a point, because the maner how, and the occasions why, yea, the verie proceedings of battels are many times not knowen to all men alike, especially in so huge an Armie, wherein the effectes and issues can verie hardlie be throughly knowen, much lesse the causes and occasions thereof.

The end of the eight Booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Osman depar∣teth from Er∣zirum.
• * 1.2

  Osman enter∣taineth al that come.
• * 1.3

  150000. hors∣men.
• * 1.4

  The Armie of Osman see∣meth to be the sorces of ma∣nie kings vni∣ted together.
• * 1.5

  40000. mē ta∣ken out of the Army, and re∣turned home.
• * 1.6

  180000. per∣sons in the ar∣my of Osman.
• * 1.7

  The souldiers of Greece and Constantino∣ple complaine to Osman.
• * 1.8

  Osman myld∣ly pacifieth the souldiers that were in a mu∣tinie.
• * 1.9

  A reuiew of the Armie.
• * 1.10

  Osman de∣parteth from the Caldaran plaines.
• * 1.11

  The souldiers of Greece and Constantino∣ple, in pride & anger cōplain of Osman.
• * 1.12

  The wisedom of Osman Bassa.
• * 1.13

  The speech of Osman to pa∣cifie the soul∣diers, that were in an vprore.
• * 1.14

  The souldiers well quieted.
• * 1.15

  Osman distri∣buteth a cer∣tain litle quā∣titie of money among them.
• * 1.16

  Osman tur∣neth towards Coy.
• * 1.17

  Osman arri∣ueth at Me∣rant.
• * 1.18

  Osman lea∣neth towards Soffian.
• * 1.19

  They disco∣uer Tauris.
• * 1.20

  The Turkish souldiers make ac∣compt of sac∣kinges and robberies &c.
• * 1.21

  The Vau∣ward of the Turkes.
• * 1.22

  The Vau∣ward at the bridge of Saltwater as∣saulted by the Persians.
• * 1.23

  Emirhamze M••rize, the Persian Prince, with 10000. soul∣diers.
• * 1.24

  The Persian King beyond Tauris with 50000. soul∣diers.
• * 1.25

  Aliculi-Chan in Tauris with 4000.
• * 1.26

  The occasi∣on why the Persians could not ga∣ther a great∣ter armie a∣gainst the Turkes.
• * 1.27

  64000. soul∣diers the whole force of the Per∣sians.
• * 1.28

  The Persian Prince assay∣leth and dis∣comfiteth the Turkish Vauward at once.
• * 1.29

  7000. Turks slaine.
• * 1.30

  Osman ma∣keth a new expedition a∣gainst the Persian Prince.
• * 1.31

  A bloody battell.
• * 1.32

  The night ceasseth the battell.
• * 1.33

  6000. Turks slaine.
• * 1.34

  Aliculy-Chan assay∣leth the Tur∣kesh army, whiles they were encam∣ping them∣selues.
• * 1.35

  Alyculy-Chan reti reth again in∣to the citty.
• * 1.36

  3000. Turkes slaine.
• * 1.37

  Aliculy in the night issueth out of the Citty & as∣saulteth the Turkes.

  The Bassa of Maras slaine by Aliculy.

  Aliculy a∣bandoneth the citty of Tauris.
• * 1.38

  The Persians garde the gates of Tau∣ris.
• * 1.39

  The seruile people first go to the cit∣ty to sack it.
• * 1.40

  Slaughter in the gates.
• * 1.41

  The Taurisi∣ans yeeld the gates to the Turkish peo∣le.
• * 1.42

  The Taurisi∣ans fortifie themselues in their vaultes, and in the corners of their streets.
• * 1.43

  The Turkes returne to the Campe with diuers praies and booties.
• * 1.44

  Osman view∣eth the place where to en∣campe him∣selfe, and build a forte.
• * 1.45

  The descripti∣on of the cit∣ty of Tauris.
• * 1.46

  The tentes pitched on the south side.
• * 1.47

  The most pleasant and beautifull garden of Tauris.
• * 1.48

  The garden called the eight Para∣dises
• * 1.49

  Osman choo∣seth the gar∣dens to build his fort in.
• * 1.50

  In 36. daies the fabrick finished.
• * 1.51

  The sicknesse of the Visie•• Osman.
• * 1.52

  Turkes stran∣gled in a bath within Tauris
• * 1.53

  Osman com∣mandeth that the Citie of Tauris should be sacked in the vilest ma∣ner.
• * 1.54

  The villanies of the Turkes in Tauris, while they sack it.
• * 1.55

  The misery of the Citie of Tauris.
• * 1.56

  Boies & girles caried away captiues by the Turkes.
• * 1.57

  The Persian Prince com∣mandeth 500. souldiers, to go and pro∣uoke the Turkes to fight.
• * 1.58

  Osman ap∣pointeth two Bassaes, to en∣counter and fight with the Persians.
• * 1.59

  40000. Turkes go to encoun∣ter the Persi∣ans, and to fight with them.
• * 1.60

  A mortal and cruel battell.
• * 1.61

  The Bassa of Caraemit put to flight.
• * 1.62

  Cicala Bassa flyeth also.
• * 1.63

  8000. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 slaine.
• * 1.64

  Heraulds sent by the Persian Prince to Os∣man.
• * 1.65

  Osman accep∣teth the offer, but his sick∣nesse encrea∣seth mortally vpon him.
• * 1.66

  The array and order of the Turkish soul∣diers.
• * 1.67

  60000. in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 armie
• * 1.68

  The order of the Persians.
• * 1.69

  40000. in the Persians army.
• * 1.70

  Terrible and bloody battels about Tauris.
• * 1.71

  The Persian Prince cutteth of the head of Mahamet the Bassa of Ca∣••emit.
• * 1.72

  The Bassa of Trebisonda, the Sangiacco of Bursia, & 5. other San∣giacchi slaine.
• * 1.73

  Amurath the Bassa of Ca∣ramania ta∣ken aliue in the fight.
• * 1.74

  20000. Turks. slaine.
• * 1.75

  The people of Gseece and Constantino∣ple procure their returne home into their cuntries.
• * 1.76

  Osman through sick∣nesse despe∣rate to liue a∣ny longer.
• * 1.77

  Giaffer the Bassa of Tri∣pols in Soria, chosen Go∣uernour of Tauris.
• * 1.78

  12000 souldi∣ers appointed to Giaffer the Eunuche to guard the fort.
• * 1.79

  Osman Bassa at Sancazan.
• * 1.80

  The Persian Prince assai∣leth the Turkes, with 28000. per∣sons.
• * 1.81

  18000. Ca∣melles, and mules laden with spoile, reskued by the Persians from the Turkes.
• * 1.82

  The Visier at the last gaspe.
• * 1.83

  The artillary workeh hap∣pely more harme among the Turkes, then among the Persians.
• * 1.84

  20000. Turks slaine in fight at Sancazan.
• * 1.85

  Osman the Visier and Generall dieth at Saacazan.
• * 1.86

  The death of Osman disclo∣sed to the Per∣sians by three oungmen.
• * 1.87

  The Persians encouraged to giue the Turkes a fa∣mous farewel.
• * 1.88

  A brooke be∣tweene the two armies.
• * 1.89

  The Persians begin to as∣sault the Turks on the leftside, to a∣uoide their Artillarie.
• * 1.90

  The purpose of the Persi∣ans, which af∣terwards came to no good issue.
• * 1.91

  3000. Persi∣ans ouerwhel∣med in the myre.
• * 1.92

  The only bat∣tell among fiue, most hurtfull to the Persians.
• * 1.93

  A surueigh of the Armie in Van.
• * 1.94

  At Van the souldiers dis∣charged.
• * 1.95

  The Authour at Constanti∣nople.
• * 1.96

  Newes publi∣shed in Con∣stantinople.
• * 1.97

  Feasting in Constantino∣ple.
• * 1.98

  The Christian Embassadors refuse to re∣ioice for these victories.
• * 1.99

  Consultation in Van how to send suc∣cour to Teflis.
• * 1.100

  Succours ap∣pointed for Teflis, and deliuered to Daut-Chan the Rinegare.
• * 1.101

  Daut-Chan named by the king the Bassa of Maras.
• * 1.102

  Maxut-Chan nominated by the King the Bassa of A∣leppo.
• * 1.103

  A Letter writ∣ten to Aly the Bassa of Alep∣po.