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CHAP. LXXV.
Of PERSIA and the Provinces thereof.
PERSIA is bounded on the East with the River In∣dus, * 1.1 on the West with Tygris and the Persian gulfe, on the North with the Caspian Sea, and the River Oxus, and on the South with the maine Ocean, the people are much addicted to hospitalitie and poetry; in their complements lordly, in their apparell phanta∣sticall, in their expences magnificent, and in their lives lovers of learning, nobilitie, and peace.
- 1 Persis.
- 2 Sussiana.
- 3 Caramania.
- 4 Gedrosia.
- 5 Drangiania.
- 6 Arica.
- 7 Arachosia.
- 8 Parapomisus.
- 9 Saccha.
- 10 Hircania.
- 11 Ormus.
Of all which in briefe, and no further than may concerne my present purpose.
In Persis now called Far, having the gulfe of Persia to the South * 1.2 limit, Caramania for the East, Susiana for the West, and Media for the North, was seated Persepolis the ancient seat of this Empire, which Alexander at the request of his Curtisan Laies commanded to be set on fire, but afterward repenting him of so great a folly and so unworthy an act, he reedified it, though yet now having lost much of its former beautie, and giving place to the famous Citie of Casbin, the residence of the present Sophies brought hither from Tauris by Sophie Tamas.
The commodities that this Country is in generall found to af∣foord * 1.3 for merchandize, is silkes of all sorts, raw growing plentiful∣ly in 1 Bilan, 2 Gilan, and 3 Aras, some precious stones, many sorts of drugges, wrought silkes, Chamblets, Carpets, shashes, callico's, and many excellent Armes used in warre both for horse and man, which is here so well tempered in the framing and making (with some vertuous simples) that it makes it both hard and excellent for use, and preserves the same cleane from any rust or perish∣ing.