Purchas his pilgrimage. Or Relations of the vvorld and the religions obserued in all ages and places discouered, from the Creation vnto this present In foure partes. This first containeth a theologicall and geographicall historie of Asia, Africa, and America, with the ilands adiacent. Declaring the ancient religions before the Floud ... With briefe descriptions of the countries, nations, states, discoueries, priuate and publike customes, and the most remarkable rarities of nature, or humane industrie, in the same. By Samuel Purchas, minister at Estwood in Essex.

CHAP. II.

Of the Medes.

ARmenia extending it selfe (if Iustine a 1.1 haue measured rightly) eleuen hundred miles, on the East encountreth Media, in which lieth our next perambulation. It receiued the name of Madai, the sonne of Ia∣phet, not of Medus the sonne of Medea and Iason. It is limited b 1.2 on the North, with the Caspian sea; on the South, with Persia; on the East, with Parthia. Ecbatana, the chiefe Citie built (as Pliny c 1.3 affir∣meth) by Seleucus (indeed farre more ancient, and by him happily reedified) is distant from the Caspian Straits twentie miles. These Straits are a narrow way made by hand thorow the hilles, scarce wide enough for a cart to passe, eight miles in length, the rockes manifesting their indignation at this interruption, by obscure frownes, and salt d 1.4 teares continually streaming from them, which I know not by what sudden hor∣ror, are presently congealed into ice; also all the Summer time with armies of Serpents keeping the passages. Well may this be the house of Enuy: so fitly doth that fable of the Poet e 1.5 agree with the nature of this place.

—Domus est imis on vallibus huius, Abdita, sole carens, non vlli pernia vento, Tristis, & ignaui plenissima frigoris, & quae Igne vacet semper, caligine semper abundet. —videt intus edentem Vipereas carnes, vitiorum alimenta suorum, INVIDIAM.—

Of Ecbatana we reade in the Historie of * 1.6 Iudith that Arpachshad built the walles of hewen stones, seuenty cubits high, and fiftie cubits broad, &c. Herodotus * 1.7 affirmeth, that after the Assyrians had raigned in Asia fiue hundred and twentie yeares, the Medes rebelled, and chose Deioces to be their King, and at his command builded him this roi∣all Citie, and a Pallace of great beautie (the timber whereof was Cedar, ioyned with plates of siluer and gold; it was seuen furlongs in compasse) his successours are there reckoned, Phraortes, Cyoxares, Astiages, Iustine f 1.8 reporteth that Arbactus or Arbaces, Liefetenant of the Medes vnder Sardanapalus, rebelled against him for his effeminate life, and translated the Empire from the Assyrians, with whom it had continued thir∣teene hundred yeares, to the Medes. Diodorus Siculus g 1.9 addeth in this conspiracie, vn∣to this Arbaces the Mede, Belesus, whom some call Phul Beloch the Babylonian, who shared the State betwixt them; the Babylonian possessing Babylonia and Assyria; and Arbaces, Media and Persia. Of this more is h 1.10 said before.

In the time of Ninus, Farnus (saith i 1.11 Diodorus) was King of Media, who, encoun∣tring with Ninus in battell, was there taken, with his wife and seuen sonnes: all which the bloudie Conquerour commanded to be crucified. And thus remained Media hand-maid to the Assyrians, till the time of Sardanapalus; but not without some dis∣quiet. For in Semiramis time the Medes rebelled, and destroyed Niniue. But Semira∣mis inuaded their countrey with a mightie armie: and comming to the hill Bagistanus, sacred to Iupiter, there pitched her tents; and k 1.12 in the plaine fields made a garden, con∣taining twelue furlongs. Beyond the garden she cut a rocke seuenteene furlongs high, grauing therein her owne Image, and an hundred others, bringing her gifts. Some l 1.13 tell this otherwise, that she pourtrayed her owne Image in that huge quantitie, and appointed an hundred Priests continually to attend the same with offerings and diuine worships. At Chaona a Citie of Media, she espying another huge rocke in the plaine, caused another garden to be made in the middest thereof, with sumptuous houses of pleasure therein, whence shee might behold all her armie, and there gaue her selfe a long space to rest and voluptuousnes, making choice of the likeliest Gallants in her Campe for her bed-fellowes, all whom she after did to death. Thence to Ecbatana she made the way shorter, and more passeable, casting downe hilles and exalting the valleyes into a plaine, still bearing her name. At Ecbatana m 1.14 she built a Pallace, and brought water thither from the hill Orontes, by a laborious and costly chanell. And thus did she not only subdue the rebellious Medes, but made a conquest of Nature in ostentation of her puissance. The same n 1.15 Author telleth, that multitudes of Sparrowes, which eat vp their seedes, forced the inhabitants to leaue their soile; as did Mice cause some parts of Italy, and Frogges (rained out of the clouds) the Attariota, and (as we haue o 1.16 obserued) the Fleas chased away the inhabitants of Myus. How great is the Creator, that of the smallest of his creatures can muster armies to the conquest of them which swell in conceit of their owne greatnesse? We like Giants by our wicked∣nesse defie the Heauens, and defile the Earth, saying (by our workes) p 1.17 Who is the Al∣mightie, that we should serue him? when as yet this LORD of Hosts need not tame vs with legions of Angels (one could destroy Senacheribs host) nor set the Heauens in their courses to fight his battailes (as against the Cananites) nor arraunge the Ele∣ments with an ouer-whelming Chaos to confound vs, by a Sodomiticall fire, or airy pestilence, or deluge of waters, or deuouring of the earth: nor needs he Lions to chal∣lenge apart of this glorie to their strength and prowesse: Frogges, and Lice, and Flies shall be Pharaohs chalengers, conquerours, iaylers: And how many nations in Afri∣ca haue the insulting triumphing Grassehoppers exiled from their natiue dwellings? Proud man, well may the basest of thy basest seruants thus make thee to see thy base∣nesse; and by rebelling against thee, argue thy rebellions against their and thy Creator. * 1.18

But that we be not too farre transported with this not vniust passion; let vs returne to our Prouince of Media; which Arbaces q 1.19 deliuered from Assyrian seruitude, and subiected it together with the Easterne Empire to himselfe, vnder whose posteritie it continued three hundred and two and twentie yeares. Astyagas, the last, was by

Cyrus, his Nephew, conquering according to two dreames, which had fore-signified this vnto him. In the first he dreamed, that he saw so much vrine streaming from his daughter Mandane (his only childe) that all Asia was drowned therewith: in the o∣ther, a Vine grew from her, which shadowed all Asia. His Magi r 1.20 told him, that here∣by was foretold his nephewes greatnesse, with the losse of his kingdome. To preuent this, he wedded his daughter to Cambyses a Persian: and when she was deliuered of a childe, he committed it to Harpagus (one of his trusty Counsellers) to be made away. He fearing reuēge from the daughter, if she should after succeed her father, deliuereth the Infant to Mitradates the Kings Heard-man, commanding him in Astyages name, to expose it on the mountaine. He returning home, found his wife newly deliuered of a dead childe, which, by her entreatie, was laid forth in stead thereof. Her name was Spaco, which in the Median language signifieth a Bitch: whence the fable grew, that Cyrus being so exposed, was nourished by a Bitch. This Infant growing vp, and called by the Heard-mans name, after ten yeares was knowne by this occasion. s 1.21 A company of boyes playing together, chose this stripling for their King, who vsed his childish royalty with more then childish discipline. For he ordained diuers officers, some of them to be his guard, some builders, messengers, &c. as he thought fit. A∣mongst whom was a sonne of one Artembares, a man of great estimation, who for neglecting his office, was by this yong kingling seuerely chastised. Hee complained thereof to his father, and the father brought the childe to the King, accusing the indig∣nitie of the fact, that his Heard-mans sonne should deale so malapertly and cruelly, shewing his beaten shoulders to Astyages. The Heard-man and his supposed sonne was sent for, that Artembares might be satisfied: where the yong King gaue so good account of that his fact, that Astyages much amazed, tooke the Heard-man aside, and with busie enquiry learned of him all the truth of this matter: wherewith enraged a∣gainst Harpagus, who ought himselfe to haue done that dismall execution, but dissem∣bling the same, he told him that he would doe sacrifice for the childes safety, and bad him send his childe to beare Cyrus company, inuiting him also to suppe with him, where he feasted him with the flesh of his owne sonne, whose head, fingers, and toes were set before him at the last seruice. Harpagus bare it as patiently as he could, till fit∣ter occasion of reuenge offered it selfe, which thus fell out. The Magi told Astyages that in this childish kingdome of Cyrus, the danger of his dreame was alreadie passed, and that he needed not feare any further danger. Wherefore he was sent into Persia to his parents. After he was now a man, Harpagus, hauing secretly sollicited the Medes to rebellion against their cruell Soueraigne, acquainted Cyrus with his proiect, to that end enclosing a letter in a Hares belly, which he sent to Cyrus by one of his hunts∣men: which was with such industrie and successe prosecuted, that Astyages lost his Scepter, and Cyrus translated the Empire to the Persians. For Harpagus being made Generall of the armie of the Medes, reuolted to Cyrus with all such as he had made ac∣quainted with his treason. And when the Medes after rebelled in the time of Darius, they were forced againe to subiection. The Magi were by Astyages command cruci∣fied: and he himselfe re-enforcing his power, and bidding battell to Cyrus the second time, was taken aliue, and by his nephew set ouer the Hyrcans.

The Magi had large and fertill possessions (thus reporteth * 1.22 Ammianus) assigned them in Media. Their Science called Magia, is by Plato termed Machagistia, which mysticall word signifieth the purest worship of the Gods: to which Science Zoroastres of Bactria in old times added many things out of the mysteries of the Chaldees. But because the Persians had from hence their Empire and this religion, by whose armes they were made knowne to the world: there shall bee fitter place to speake of these Magi, when we treate of the Persian Rites. In this Region was made the oyle Medi∣cum, wherein their arrowes were steeped, which being shot out of a looser bow (for a swifter shot extinguished it) did burne the flesh in which it did sticke, and if water were applied to it, the fire thereof encreased. Nor could any remedie cure the same, but hurling dust thereon. It was composed of Naphta. The Medes made league with this ceremonie. t 1.23 They wounded the souldiers of each partie, either licked others bloud.

The North parts of Media were barren, and therefore they liued on Apples, dried and stamped together: of roasted Almons they made bread, and wine of the roots of herbs. This and Venison was their food. In one plaine u 1.24 of Media were pastured fiftie thou∣sand Mares, belonging to the King: the hearbe whereon they principally fed, is still called Medica. The race of horses, called Nisaei, were heere bred, and hence disper∣sed all ouer the East.

Among x 1.25 the Medes, none might be King by the law of the countrey, except hee were in stature and strength eminent. All the Medes (saith Bardesanes y 1.26 a famous Chal∣daean) nourish dogges with great care, to which they cast men readie to die (whiles they are yet breathing) to be deuoured of them.

The Medes z 1.27 worshipped the fire, with barbarous honors done thereto. Their Kings held such Maiestie, that none might laugh or spit before them: They were sel∣dome seene of their people: They had alway Musitians attending them. Their wiues and children accompanied them in their battailes.

The name of the Medes remained famous after the Persian conquest, as appeareth by the stile which the Scripture a 1.28 giueth them: the law of the Medes and Persians which was vnchangeable, the King himselfe not hauing power to reuoke his sentence.

As for the Catalogue of the Kings which succeeded Arbaces, vntill the time of A∣styages, and the times of their raigne, we haue before shewed it out of Scaliger, b 1.29 in our first booke, Chap. 13. True it is, that all agree not in that account. Reinerus c 1.30 Reinecci∣us leaue out diuers of them, and numbreth the yeares of the Median Dynastie but 261. whereas our former account hath 322. But I had rather referrre the Reader to that Ca∣talogue, then trouble him with new out of this or other Authors.

Media hath beene d 1.31 diuided into Media Maior, and Airopatia: the former con∣taineth Tauris, supposed by Ortelius to be the forenamed Eebatana (yet now wanting walls altogether) containing in circuit sixteene miles, and of people two hundred thousand; subdued to the Turke 1585. and before by Selim and Soliman. Sultania e 1.32 fa∣mous for the fairest Moschee in the East. Casbin, to which the Persian hath remoued the royall seat from Tauris. The lake of Van three hundred miles long, and an hun∣dred and fiftie broad (after Strabo f 1.33 , Manlianus Lacus) of salt water the greatest next to Meotis. Gyllius g 1.34 affirmeth, that eight great riuers runne into it, without any appa∣rentissue to the sea.

Atropatia is now called Seruan; the chiefe Citie is Sumachia, or Shamaki, in which the Sophi not long since h 1.35 built a Turret of flint and free-stone, and in a ranke of flints therein did set the heads of the Nobilitie and Gentrie of the countrey, for a terrour to the rest: the quarrell was pretended for religion, intended for soueraignetie.

Their ancient Religion i 1.36 differed not much from the Persian, and such also is it still. Their k 1.37 Kings had many wiues, which custome extended after to the Villages and mountaines, in so much that they might not haue lesse then seuen. The women l 1.38 also esteemed it a credit to haue many husbands, & a miserable calamitie to haue lesse then fiue. Cyrus subdued them to the Persians, Alexander to the Macedons. What should we speake of the Parthians? who made Ecbatana their seat royal in the summer time: and of the Saracens, Tartars, Persians & Turks, who haue successiuely vexed these coūtries.

Not farre from Shamaki, saith Master Ienkinson m 1.39 , was an old castle, called Gulli∣stone (now beaten downe by the Sophi) and not farre from thence a Nunry of sump∣tuous building, wherein was buried a Kings daughter, named Ameleck Chauna: who slew her selfe with a knife, for that her father would haue forced her (shee professing chastitie) to haue married a Tartar King: vpon which occasion the maidens euery yere resort thither to mourne her death.

There is also a high hill called Quiquifs; vpon the top whereof (they n 1.40 say) dwel∣leth a Giant named Arneoste, hauing on his head two great hornes, and eares and eyes like a Horse, and a taile like a Cow, who kept a passage thereby, till one Haucoir Hamshe (a holy man) bound him with his woman Lamisache and his sonne After; who is therefore had in Saint-like reputation.

Obdolowcan King of this countrey vnder the Sophie, besides gratious entertainment

granted vnto Master Anthonie Ienkinson for our English Merchants great priuiledges, Anno 1563.

Gilan, also anciently Gelae, is reckoned to Media. Into these Cities of Media the o 1.41 Israelites were transported, together with their religion by Salmanesar the Assyrian: GOD in his manifold wisdome so punishing their sinnes, and withall dispersing some sparkes of diuine truth.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Lib.42.
• b 1.2

  Strabo lib.11.
• c 1.3

  Plin.l.6.c.14.
• d 1.4

  Sol.cap.50.
• e 1.5

  Ouid. Meta∣mor.lib.2.
• * 1.6

  lud.1.
• * 1.7

  Lib.1.
• f 1.8

  Iuslin.lib.1.
• g 1.9

  Diodorus Sic. lib.3.cap.7. Melan.Chro.l.2.
• h 1.10

  See li.l.c.13.
• i 1.11

  Diodorus Sic.lib.3.1.
• k 1.12

  Diodorus lib.3.cap.5.
• l 1.13

  Stuckius de sacris Gentium.
• m 1.14

  Ecbatana was built be∣fore Deioces, yea before Se∣miramis time.
• n 1.15

  Diodorus Sic.lib.4.cap.3.
• o 1.16

  Lib.3.cap.15.
• p 1.17

  Iob 21.1••.
• * 1.18

  Et queenon pro∣sunt singula mul∣ta iuuant. Et quod non pos∣sunt singula, multa nocent.
• q 1.19

  Reade lib.x.cap.13.
• r 1.20

  Herodot.l.••.Val.Max. &c.
• s 1.21

  lustin.lib.1.
• * 1.22

  Ammian. Marcel. lib.23.
• t 1.23

  Boem. lib.2.Francisco Tha∣mara.lib.2.
• u 1.24

  Pius secundus Asia.
• x 1.25

  Alex.ab Alex. lib 4. c.23.
• y 1.26

  Bar. apud Eu∣seb. dep••••arat. Euang l.6.c.••8.
• z 1.27

  Plutarch de orb. Lun. Gramaye. Curtius l.b.3.
• a 1.28

  Dan 6.8. Ester.1.8.
• b 1.29

  Scalig. Can. Isag.
• c 1.30

  R. Re••nec. Syniag. de fa∣mil. &c.to.1.
• d 1.31

  Maginus The∣saur.Geog.
• e 1.32

  I.B.B.
• f 1.33

  Strab.li.11.
• g 1.34

  Pet.Gyllius in Ortelij 1 hes.
• h 1.35

  Hak.A.len∣kinson.
• i 1.36

  Plut.de facie in orb. Lun.
• k 1.37

  Strabo lib 11.
• l 1.38

  Coel.l.18.c.29.
• m 1.39

  Hak. Voyag. tom.1.
• n 1.40

  Asabulous report of the Medes.
• o 1.41

  2. Reg. 17.6.