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CHAP. IX.
Of the Kingdomes of Tremisen, Algier, and other places, anciently called Mauritanis Caesariensis.
THe Kingdome of Telensin or Tremisen, a 1.1 beginning Westward from the Riuer of Zha and Muluia; Eastward, it bordereth on the Great Ri∣uer; Southward, vpon the desert of Numidia; and Northward, vpon the Mediterran Sea. It was by the Romans called Mauritania Caesa∣riensis: the name came of the Inhabitants called Mauri, and of the Greekes, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 some say b 1.2 of their colour, because it is obscure and darke. They were supposed to come hither first with Hercules out of India. More likely it is that c 1.3 they descended of Phut, the sonne of Cham, Gen. 10.6. Pliny menti∣ons a Riuer named Fut, in these parts, descending from Atlas. Salust saith d 1.4 they came with Hercules, but were not Indians but Medes: and the name Medi turned af∣ter into Mauri. Vitruvius e 1.5 nameth Mauritania, Maurusia. Ortelius f 1.6 testifieth, That in ancient coines it is read Mauretania, and so Tacitus g 1.7 readeth. Ptolomey diuideth it into Mauritania Caesariensis, which Victor h 1.8 Vticensis calleth Maior, and Tingitania. Pliny i 1.9 ascribes this diuision to Caligula; Dion, to Claudius Casar: of whom it was sir∣named a Caesariensis of the mother Citie Caesarea, where he planted a Roman Colony, before called Iol, the Royall seat of Iuba, a man famous, for that he first raigned ouer both these Mauritania's, but more famous for his learning, whereby hee still liueth in the learned moniments of Pliny and others; author of much of our African reports. He in his childhood was led in triumph at Rome; his father k 1.10 Iuba, the successour of Be∣chus, had before slaine himselfe in the ciuill warres. Augustius restored him to his fa∣thers Kingdome, to which he left his sonne Ptolomey, borne of the daughter of Anto∣nius, and Cleopatra, whom Caligula slew, and then diuided Mauritania into two Pro∣uinces, whereof this is called, as is said, Caesariensis of the Colony of Claudius Caesar. That which Procopius l 1.11 hath written of the originall of these Maurusij, as he termes them, although in our first booke mentioned, here also may seeme to deserue relation. When Ioshua, or Iesus the sonne of Nun or Nane, had inuaded the Land of Canaan, the people fled into Egypt, and there multiplying, pierced into Africa, replenishing with people all that coast vnto the pillars of Hercules, vsing a semi-phaenician dialect. For all the Sea-coast from Sidon to Egypt, was anciently called Phaenicia. They built the towne Tinge in Numidia, where they erected two pillars of white stone neere a great fountaine, wherein was ingrauen in Phaenician letters, Wee Flee from the face of Iesus the Theese, the sonne of Naue. These are supposed the first inhabitants of Africa, and for that cause Antaeus their King, which encountred in single combate with Her∣cules, was said to be the sonne of the Earth. Afterwards when the Phaenicians came hither with Dido, they were heere receiued for kindreds sake, and permitted to build Carthage; which after grew so mightie, that it subdued and expelled the Maurusy themselues. The Romans made the Carthaginians, and other Africans Tributaries, and caused the Maurusy to inhabit the furthest parts of Africa: But in processe of time they, obtaining many victories against the Vandils, seated themselues in Mauritania, til Iustinian remoued them. Thus farre Procopius. Paulus m 1.12 Diaconus recordeth also the same history, sauing that he saith the Egyptians would not receiue them, and therefore they passed into Africa. The Maurusy in the time of Iustinian were destroyed, and cap∣tiued in such multitudes, that a Maurusian slaue was valued but at the price of a sheepe. The author of this was Salomon, an Eunuch, according to a prophecie which they had a∣mongst thē, that one without a beard should destroy thē. But captiuitie could not much empaire their happines, whose very freedome was misery. n 1.13 For they liued in smal base cottages, exposed to the Summer Sunnes, and Winter snowes, sleeping (except a few of the better sort) on the bare ground, alway wearing the same garment howsoeuer the season differed, and that torne and ragged: wanting bread and all other necessaries, neither grinding nor boyling that corne they had. Thus miserable were their bodies