Titles of honor by Iohn Selden

Prester-Iohn. By error so calld. His true name, whence that is corrupted. The Abassens whence. Their vulgar, and Chaldè language. Belul Gian. Beldigian. Io∣chabelul. How the names of Prestigian in the East Asia, turnd into Prester-Iohn, was applied to the E∣thiopian Emperor. Prestigiani. The Ebrew Epistle of Preti Ian to the Pope. The Ethiopique Emperors ti∣tle. Cham or Chan. Why the Eastern Emperors of Asia are so titled, the Turk, and others. Alwaies Vi∣ctorious. Carachan and Gylas, two dignities. Car in Scythian, and Carpaluc. Carderigan a Persian digni∣tie, whence. Chanaranges. Chaianus, Chaganus, Capca∣nus, whence. A coniecture vpon Fr. W. de Rubruquis. Vlu Can very ancient in the Tartarian or Sarmatique Empire. Canis in the Scaligeran family. The Great Chans Seale and title of later time. The Mahumedan Caliphs. Bagded, not Babylon. The diuision of the Chaliphat and end. The signification of Chaliph and Naib. To whom Chaliph applied. To the Grand Sig∣nior in our dayes, and why. A peece of an old French Letter from an Othomanique Chaliph. Seriph, Iariffe. Sultan. The Turkish Salutations. Aphen∣tis, and the Turks title. Amir. Amir Elmume∣nin. Amermumnes, Miramolinus and such like corrupted in Story. The Turks allow the Pentateuch, and the Euangelists; but say that wee haue seratcht Mahumeds name out of them. Their letters dated with their Hegira, and the yeer of Christ. The Azoars of the Alcoran. The solemn beginning of euery Azoat,

vsd by them most superstitiously. An error of George∣uitz. Our K. Iohn would haue been a Mahumedan, and sent for the Alcoran. Padischach. Musulman. Caesar, Augustus, Caesarea maiestas attributed to the Grand Signior. Hunggiar. Ismael Sophi. The hate and difference twixt the Turkish and Persian Religi∣on, whence. Imamia and Leshari. The begin∣ning and cause of the Persian title Sophi. Kissilbassi∣lar. Enissarlar. Persian Magi. The Magi, not Kings in Persia (Nor those, in S. Matthew, Kings) but in con∣tempt till Artaxerxes. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Elam. Elamits. How the Persians might well be Magi, by the interpretation of their first authors name. What Magus is. Ignorant Franciscans naild Frier Bacons books to the desks. Shach, Schach, Shah, Sa, Xa, Shaugh, Cheque (all one) a speciall attribute to Persian Greatnes. What it is. An error in Bodin about the title of Dominus vn∣der the Chaliphs. Gelal Eddin. Aladin. The large ti∣tle of Chosroes. The league twixt the last Rodulph and Achmet the present Sultan, touching their Titles.

CHAP. V.

OVt of Europe wee come into Afrique and Asia where also, the Grand Signior, notwithstanding his Court and residence at Constantinople is fittest to be placed. But first, of that Ethiopian Emperor or Prince of the Abyssins, which is commonly titled Prester John, and, in Latine, Presbyter Ioannes, as if it were Priest Iohn. But, by testimonie of Zaga Zabo an Ethiopian Embassador to the last Emanuel K. of Portugal, the name is corrupted from Precious Gian. For his Ethiopique thus expresses it. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. Gian Belul, quod sonat (saith the translation publisht by Damian à Goes) Io∣annes Belul, hoc est Ioannes preciosus, siue altus; Et in

Chaldaica lingua, Ioannes Encoe: id, si interpreteris, etiam Ioannis Preciosi siue alti significatum habet, so that Gian Belul is of their true Ethiopian tongue, which they vse in common speech, not that which is spoken and writen in their Liturgies and holy exercises, and known, mongst them, by the name of Chaldè; but, more specially, stiled Giaein i. Libertie, quod nimirùm (as the noble Scaliger yeelds the reason) eâ solâ vte∣rentur Arabes illi victores, qui Aethiopiam insiderunt. For he most learnedly (as in all things els) deriues them thither from the Abasens in Arabia, whence Sept. Seue∣rus had his denomination of Arabicus, as in one of his i Coins appears, inscribd with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of whom mention is made by k Vranius, an old author of Ara∣bique affairs, placing them in Arabia foelix, which hap∣pily salues their deriuing themselues from Melech son to Salomon (as they fable) by l Maqueda the Queen of the South. For, where Saba is, were those Abassenes, whence the Latines haue their Sabaei and Tura Sabaea. Thus, mee thinks, those things concurre as it were to make vp on both sides that truth, at which learned men haue been very purblind. And, by likelyhood how should they fitter haue a speciall tongue for their wri∣tings and holy ceremonies vtterly differing from their vulgar, then by being transplanted out of some other Nation, and bringing it thither with them? there bee∣ing in it also a mixture of Ebrew, Chaldê, & Arabique; but it is, by them, calld Chaldè, whereupon Zaga Za∣bo saith that Helen one of their Empresses wrote two books of Diuinitie in Chaldé, and tells vs furthermore that their Prince is not properly stiled Emperor of the Abassins but of the Ethiopians. The Arabians cal them m Elhabasen from the same reason, as we Abassins; but they are known to themselues only by the name of Ithiopiawians. Of this Belul Gian, is made that Beldigi∣an, by which, Luis de Vretta a Spanish Frier saies, they

call their Emperor. But Bodin notes in his margine to his 1. de Rep. cap. IX. that his name is Iochabellul i. gem∣ma pretiosa, as he saies. I cannot but preferre the testi∣mony of Zaga Zabo an Ethiopian Priest, which in this could not deceiue. But plainly as the name of Pres∣byter Ioannes is idly applied to him, so it had its cause vpon another mistaking. For, in the trauails of such as first discouerd to any purpose those Eastern States (as they were of later time) is mention n made of one Vncham or Vnchan a great Monarch in those parts where now the G••eat Cham or Chan of Cathay hath his Dominion; and him, they call Presbyter Ioan∣nes; and write that one Cinchis, whom they fained to haue been begotten on a poore widow by the Sunne beames, as chosen King among the Tartars rebelling a∣gainst this Vncham, ouercame him; and, from this Cin∣chis the Tartarian Monarchie hath its originall. And some more particulars of it you haue in the life of S. Lewes of France, written by De Ionuille, a noble Baron of France, that was with him in the holy warres. Hee calls him in his French Prebstre Iehan. This relation is of about M. C. XC. and hath made the readers con∣found the corrupted names of both Princes, twixt whom, too great distance was to haue the one deriud from the other. And some o trauellers into those parts, haue expressely deliuerd them both as one. But the Diuine Scaliger teaches, that, the Asiatique Vncham and his predecessors were calld 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Prestigiani, that is, in Persian, Apostolique, and so had the name of Padescha Prestigiani, i. Apostolique King, because of his Religion (being a Kind of Christian, as Beldigian is al∣so) which, in Ethiopique-Chaldé must be exprest by Ne∣gush Chawariawi. Doubtles the community of sound twixt Prestigiani, Presbyter, and Precious Gian was a great cause of this error, which, vntill the Portugalls further acquaintance with the Ethiopians, alwayes pos∣sest

Europe. But I wonder how the learned Mun∣ster was so much in this matter deceiud, that hee sup∣poses the Ebrew Epistle printed in his Cosmographie, beginning 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. Ego Pristijuan, to be as sent from the Ethiopian Emperor; especially sith hee took notice of both the Asiatique and African Prince abusd in the name of Presbyter Ioannes. The Prestigians affirming in it, that Thomas the Apostle was buried in his country, makes plain enough that it came from the Eastern parts, if not counterfeited. The title likewise is much differing from what the Beldigian vses I will onely adde one example out of Beldigian Dauid his Letters to p Pope Clement VII. in Latine thus: In Nomine Dei &c. Has literas is ego Rex mitto, cuius nomen Leones Venerantur & Dei gratia vo∣cor Athani Tinghil (that is, the Frankincense of the Virgin) Filius Regis Dauid, filius Solemonis, filius de ma∣nu Mariae, Filius Nau per carnem, filius Sanctorum Pe∣tri & Pauli per gratiam, Pax sit tibi iuste Domine, &c. The like is in diuers Letters thence to the Kings of Portugall. But, for that name of Cham in the Tartari∣an Empire, it signifies Lord or Prince, and that Cinchis, or Cangius, Cingis, or Tzingis (for by these names he is known) was calld Cinchis Cham his sonne and succes∣sor Hoccota Cham, or rather Chahan or Chan; although a q Polonian, which seemd to haue much knowledge in that his neighboring country, long since deliuerd thus: Imperator eorum (Tartarorum) Ir Tli Ki lingua ipsorum, hoc est, liber homo dicitur. Dicitur & Vlu Cham quod sonat Magnus Dominus, siue Magnus Impe∣rator. Vlu n. magnus, Cham vero Dominus & Imperator est. Eundem aliqui magnum r Canem dixerunt, & male interpretati sunt, quia Vlu Cham non significat magnum Canem: Cham etenim cum aspiratione Dominum & Im∣peratorem: Et Cam, sine aspiratione, cruorem & nunquam canem sermone Tartarorum designat. For the translation

of s Haithon the Armenian out of French into Latine by Salconi, A. M. CCC. VII. hath vsually Can not Cham. And the Turkish, which is but Tartarian, interprets Prince by Chan, not Cham; and Chanoglan, with them, is the Sonne of the Prince or Lord. Yet in Chambalu i. the Court of the Tartar, the m is well permitted, be∣cause of pronunciation. The Turks also call this Em∣peror Vlu Chan in the same signification as à Michow hath written, neither do their Grand Signiors abstain from this title of Chan. Amurad or Morad the III. vsd it ordinarily thus: Sultan Murad Chan bin Sultan Selim Chan elmuzaferu daima i. Lord Murath Prince, sonne to Lord Selim Prince, alwaies Victorious. Where note, with t Leunclaw, the agreement of their Alwaies victorious with semper Augustus, semper innictus. In their Ottomanique line is one Carachan (Kara Han in R. Zaccuth) sonne of Cutlugeck, which had hence, that last part of his name. And in those great irruptions of the Tartars, about the beginning of the Othomanique Empire, occurre the names of Great Princes, Tartar Chan, Thesyr Chan, Chuis Chan, and such more. But a∣mongst them diuers are m••••printed with Than for Chan, and one is called Chiarthan, which I doubt not but should be Chiar or Car Chan. So in Friossart, you haue Lamorabaquin, plainly for Almurath Chan, and, in De Ionuille, Barbaquan Emperor of Persia, whose last termination is perhaps this Chan. Constantin u Por∣phyrogenetus speaking of som Turks which anciently planted themselues in the Eastern part of Europe, ••••ies, that ouer them as Iudges were two Princes calld Gy∣las and Carchan. But, saith hee, Gylas and Carchan are not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. not proper names, but Dignities. What Gylas is, I confesse, I haue not yet learnd, but my author affirms that it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. greater then Carchan. Vnlesse perhaps in bold deri∣uation it might be fetcht from the Turkish word x Gu∣zel

i. Faire. For why might not one ghesse, that Gylas may com from som such an etymon seeing that Carchan is Cara-chan i. Black Prince or Lord in that language, as all agree. Faire, as well as Black might denominat. Yet, of it, I dare put no assertion. There was a large Terri∣torie whence those Turks came, calld y Cara-Cathay i. Black Cathay. But I cannot, out of that, see reason for the name of Cara-Chan. Why might not it interpret praefectus Vrbis? a place of high note in the old Roman State. For in that Sarmatian or Scythian (mixt with Turkish) language which held largest Territories in A∣sia, Car, or Carm (as, in our British, Caer, and in Ebrew Kiriath) signified a Citie, if you beleeu the testimony of a later z Grecian, telling vs that Maeotis (the now Mar delle Zabache) is calld in Scythian, Carpaluc i. the City of Fishes, and thus expressing it in his Politique verse:

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

i. Karm, in Scythian, is a Citie, and Palue, Fishes. Indeed the Turks at this day call a Citie Scheher, which is neer Car. But, this conceit hardly holds. You know Pliny a teaches that the Scythians calld it, Temerinda, quod significat (saith he) matrem Maris; and at this day the Turks name the Mare Maggiore (the old Pontus Euxi∣nus) next to the Mare delle Zabache, Caradinizi i. the black Sea, which perhaps, being so in Tzetzes his time, may help iustifie the name of Carpaluc, in or neer Delle Za∣bach. But in these and the like, till I can truly instruct my self, I remain a Sceptique. Howsoeuer, that name of Carchan was of great dignitie also, but not supreme among the Persians. For I imagine their title of Carderiga corrupted (as it falls out) in our Western idioms, to be the same. Cardarigas (saith an b ancient) non est nomen Proprium, sed Dignitas maxima apud Per∣sas, speaking of the self same, which Theophilact Simo∣catta

(he liud vnder Heraclius A. DC. XXX.) names 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cardarigan. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (saith c he) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i. This is a dignity of the Parthians (you may with him here confound Par∣thians and Persians.) And the Persians loue to be calld by their Dignities, in some sort disdaining those names im∣posd on them at their Births. He vses Cardarigan in the first case, which is neer Charchan, and perhaps ill turnd into Chardarigas by the Iesuit Pontan. I ghesse the self same to be that Officiall Dignitie of Chanaranges, re∣memberd in d Procopius; and the Armenian that was in the Roman Camp vnder Narses, Iustinians Lieute∣nant, cald e 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chanaranges, may well bee sup∣posd to haue had that name only according to Simo∣catta's relation of the Persian custom: And what is (Zamergan 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) that greatest Prince of the Hunns in Iustinians time but Zamer or Zaber Chan? Plainly Chaganus or Chaianus occurring in Si∣mocatta, Landulphus Sagax, Cedren, Callistus, and others, is nothing but Chan. So is that Princeps Hunnorum Capcanus in the life of f Charlemain. But I wonder at that in Frier William de Rubruiquis, where he saith, Can nomen dignitatis, quod idem est qui Diuinator. Omnes Di∣uinatores vocant Can. Vnde Principes dicuntur Can quia penes eos spectat regimen populi per Diuinationem. Vnlesse you read Dominatores & Dominationem, I vnderstand not why hee saies so. Hee was in those parts A. Chr. M. CC, LIII. But questionles, Cedren well knew the signification of Chan in writing, that the Emperor Theo∣philus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 g 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 1. receiud an Embassage from the Chagan or Chan of Chazaria: as if hee had said the King or Prince of Chazaria. This Chazaria or Gazaria, is that which the ancients call Taurica Chersonesus, almost inisled by the Seas Delle Zabache and Maggiore. For the Asiatique Sarmatians

or Scythians which i anciently vnder Iustinian planted themselues about the Riuer Donaw, and in this Cherso∣nesse, calld their Prince, as in their own country lan∣guage, a King or Lord was stiled. And Chersonesus Taurica hodié{que} (saith Leunclaw) habet suos Chahanes. The word is rather Tartarian, then Slauonique, although, I see, great men say it is Windish, that is, Slauonique. But those tongues are much mixt, doubtles with each o∣ther. Those ancient Tartars, and the Northern Scythi∣ans by them, in that large Tract from the East of Asia euen to the Riuer Don (anciently calld Tanais) had long before the Tartarian Empire of Tzingis, their Em∣perors honord with that title of Vlu Chan, which per∣haps is but corrupted in him they call Vmchan. For a∣boue M. yeers since, one of most large territorie in those parts, thus inscribes his letters to Maurice the Roman Emperor. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i. To the Emperor of the Romans the Vlu Chan (or Great Chan) Lord of se∣uen Nations and Ruler of the seuen Climats of the World. So my autor i expresses it in Greek, but by all likely∣hood the originall calld him, as they do now the Em∣peror there, Vlu Chan. In the Scaligeran family or De la Scala, deriud from the house of Verona (being by origi∣nall Gotthique) one of the line is calld Canis, which, they say, had from k this word vsd in Slauonique its beginning. In the Great Chans Seale (as Frier Iohn de Plano Carpini, that was sent Embassador into those parts by P P. Innocent IV. in M. CC. XLVI. affirms) was wri∣ten this interpreted. Deus in Caelo & Cuine Cham su∣per Terram; Dei Fortitudo. Omnium Hominum Impera∣toris sigillum. And his l title was vsually Dei Fortitudo, omnium hominum Imperator. And Simocatta remembers more anciently a Prince of those parts which they v

sed to call m Taisan, that is (take it vpon his credit) the sonne of God. In Turkish or Tartarian, I think Tan∣geroglan is the same. But of Cham, Chan, or Chahan thus much. Diuers of the titles vsd in the Northern A∣frique, and vnder the Grand Signior, are the same; the Princes there being either out of one root and na∣tion, or, at least deriuing themselues so. In the begin∣ning of the Mahumedan Empire in Bagded and Da∣mascus, Mahumed's successors were calld Chaliphs. This Bagded is not Babylon (as many erroniosly think) but the old n Seleucia seated neer the confluence of Eu∣phrates and Tygris, new built by Abugepher Almant∣zor Chaliph there, about DCC. LX. after our Sauiours birth; and, by the Doctrine of Triangles, if Ptolemy deliuer their Longituds and Latituds right, making Babylon Longitud LXXIX. Latitud XXXV. and Seleu∣cia Long. LXXIX, Scrup. XX. Lat. XXXV. Scrup. XL. then is the old Babylon and this Bagded distant about XLIV. English miles; if you put nee••e LX. of our miles to euery Degree of Latitude. But Beniamin Ben-Iona, who saw and obserud them both, saies they are di∣stant but XXX. miles. Whil'st the Chaliphat remaind vndeuided, this was the suprem and sole title of him which as successor to Mahumed, had Dominion ouer Syria, Assyria, Arabia, Aegypt, Afrique and Persia; Afterward about the yeer of Christ DCCC. LXVIII. Syria and Egypt was taken from the Chaliph of Bagded, by a Achmad Ben-Tolon, assuming to him∣self the dignity of Caliph of Egypt, The chief Caliph's Amirs also and Lieutenants, constituted in Africa, reuolting tooke the Name: and those which in Spain about Iustinian. Rhinotmetus his time, planted themselues, as it seems, likewise. Between M. CC. XL. and IX. The Caliphat in Bagded and Egypt ended. That of Bagded ended in Musthaitzem, when those numerous armies of Tartars (out of whom the Turkes are) ouer∣ran

most part of Asia. And the Mamaluchs (that is, a kind of Equestris Ordo, or Militarie Tenants or ser∣uants of State; as the Ianizaries in Turky or the Ti∣mariots.) got the supremacie in Egypt. An old Monk speaking of the Tartars c victories ouer the Saracens, Arabians, and the rest of Asia vnder the Caliphat, saies facti{que} sunt eisdem Tartaris multitudo Gentium in Tribu∣tum, Soldani videlicet, Admirabiles, & Principes, etiam Caliphi. Where he comprehends three of their speciall titles (although somwhat mistaking in one) and there∣fore the rather I added his words. But the meaning of this of Caliph is, out of its interpretation, Successor or Vicar, although Megiser in his Turcico-Latin Dictiona∣ry, turnes it Princeps. Chalipha (saith the d great Scali∣ger) est Vicarius, & ita vocari Vicarios Praefecti Praetorij nihil impediret, si quidem Arabicè appellandi essent. Sed quum Naib idem sit quod Chalipha tamen Pontifices soli dicti sunt Chaliphae, Legati autem & vice Principum Prouincias regentes vocantur Naibin, vt Naib Essam, Legatus Syriae. And, hoc nomine (saith Beniamin Ben-Iona, who, during the Chaliphat at Bagded, was there) Caeteris omnibus Ismaelitis Regibus (so Arias translates him) suspiciendus venerabilis{que} habetur: Praeest n. omni∣bus illis vt summus quidam omninum Pontifex. The name then as it signified successor, in supremacie was proper to the Sultan or chief Emperor, and as it respected Mahumed; withall it was communicated, it seems, to subiects, that were Mahumeds Priests. For in Cantacu∣zen's orations against the Alcoran, hee speakes of one of their Doctors, which being dead was found with a Crucifix about him, by reason whereof the Mahume∣dans would not bury him where they vsed to lay 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. their Chaliphs, and said that the Doctor was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. a Caliph by dignitie, which I interpret a Priest or Vicar among them. But perhaps Cantacuzen means the Caliph of the Egyptian State,

vnder the Mameluchs (for that was in his time) which indeed should by right haue had the Sultans place, but at the inauguration of a new Sultan the Chaliphs mongst them vsd for fashions sake to make a solemn and imaginarie sale or resignation of the Chaliphat (that is the true right of being Emperor) to that Sultan, who of the Mameluchs, or by their autority was to succeed. By a Peter Martyr its thus exprest: A summo eorum Pon∣tifice Mammetes confirmatur. Habent n. & ipsi snmmum Pontificem, ad quem huius imperij machina, si Aegyptij ho∣mines essent, pertineret, (for the Mameluchs were origi∣nally Christians Apostataes; first taken vp as the Iani∣zaries) Ius suum, vt caeteri consueuere, Mammeti Cairi Regiam tenenti, x trium millium auri drachmarum pretio Pontifex vendidit. Is CALIFFAS dicitur. E tribunali, Soldano stanti pedibus, vitae necis{que} liberam potestatem prae∣stat. Ipse descendit seipsum spoliat, Soldanum Imperaturum induit: abit priuatus, permanet in imperio Mammetes. He speaks of the inauguration of one of their Sultans, Ma∣homet or Mahumed whom he cals Mammetes. Yet the Chaliph there retaind his name still, and continued af∣terward as high Priest to the Sultan. For Martin à Baumgarten speaking of the presence of their Sultan, and stately attendance of XX. M. Mameluchs, saies that not farre from the Sultan or Soldan, sedebat loco depres∣siore Papa eius, quem ipsi CALIPHA Nominant. And mongst the Persians at this day some inferior b Priests are calld Caliphs, subiect to their great Mustadeini. And to one of them the inauguration of the Sophi (hereto∣fore in Cafe, now in Casbin or Hispaan) belongs, as mongst the Mameluchs it did to the Aegyptian Sultan. And a like form of an imaginarie Caliphat at Bagded since the Tartarian state began, as that of Egypt or Cair was, is reported by Writers c of those parts. Yet both in regard of the Spirituall succession (if that word may be allowd mongst those wicked impostures) as well as

of the Temporall, the supreme Sultans bare it, whervp∣on b old Writers interpret Chalipha by Papa expresly, knowing they had both challenged the title of Su∣preme Vicar. And the Persian Sophi also hath as Vicar or successor to Ali the disposition of all his Churchmen, as if he himself were ecclesiasticall. And an∣ciently the Caliph of Bagded is c stiled L'Apostole des Sar∣razins. And, although the Othomanique be not of Ma∣humed but meere Turkish, yet the Sultans of it haue v∣sed the title of Caliph; so expresly affirms Leunclaw of Amurad III. whose Letters to Rodulph 11. hee had seen contain it, and Osmanicis (saith he, vsing that word for the Othomaniques) persuasum est principem suum esse Caliphen huius seculi. It was discontinued in the two Selguccian d Families, but by the Oguzian, whence the present Othomanique is, renewd; and vsed, and in the ve∣ry infancie of their rule was affected by them. Its iu∣stified by this imperfect title of Orchan Giazi (sonne to the first Othoman) his Letters to the States of the e Saracens in Afrique and Spain, for their innasion of the Christian Spain, writen about M. CCC. XL. and translated by a Captiue Saracen into Latin, and thence into Spa∣nish, and afterward into French, & sent in certain Let∣ters of State intelligence to our K. Edward III. I will not alter a letter otherwise then my Ms. author di∣rects me. De moy GOLDIFA, vn ley EXERIF, SAV∣DAN, seignior sages fort & puissant Seignior de la me∣sen de Mek du seint hautesse & en la sue saint vertu fesant Iustices hauts & basses, constreignant sur toux con∣streignants, seignior du Railm di Turky & de Percye, re∣tenour des terres de Hermenye, seignior de la Dobble & de les dobbles de la mere meruailouse, per ceinor de les feb∣les ore auutz en laseint ley Mahomet, seignior de la fort espee de Elias & de Dauid que tua—my book instructs me no further, but is here torn. But without doubt, that Goldifa is but Chalipha. How easily the difference

comes, any man may see. I haue faithfully transcribd it, but confesse, I vnderstand not all the words in it. The matter is apparant. The word Chaliph is deriud into Arabique from the Ebrew 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which, with diffe∣rence of dialect is the same in Syriaque, and properly signifies vice or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. For, where in S. Matthew cap. 11. it is rememberd that Archelaus reigned 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. in stead of Herod, the Syriaque hath 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Che∣alaph Herodes. In Arabisme it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chaliph i. (saith Raphalengius) Successor, Vicarius. Imperator. And the Persian Sophi hath vsd this title. The first, Schach Ismael, on one side of his Coins had stampt Ismael Ca∣liph Millah i. Ismael the successor or Vicar of God. Why in those letters, he is calld Un ley exarif, I wholly conceiue not. But plainly that of Exarif is the title of Xeriph or Sheriph, which is somtimes put in their stiles. Notum (saith the painfull and learned a Leunclaw) quan∣to sint apud Mahumetanos in honore qui recta linea tam a Propheta Mahumete, quod ab Ali Mahumetis genero, descendunt, aut se fingunt descendere. Hi Turcis Tartaris∣que SEITHI vulgo dicuntur, Arabibus autem SERI∣PHAE: quos maximâ sane veneratione at{que} obseruantia quum prosequantur, etiam ipsi Sultani SERIPHARVM b adpellatione velut Augustiores se reddere volunt. The word interprets High or Noble. The late publisht Le∣xicon thus: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sheriphun. Celsus, llustris, incly∣tus, nobilis, Augustus. But, to make Seriph equiualent in analogie with Syncellus, which was the next degree in Constantinople to the Patriarch, and to haue like regard to Chaliph (as some haue done) is but, I think a piece of Graecian vanitie. The name Saudan is there, what els∣where is often Soldan, but should be prorounced Sul∣tan. And the Grand Signior is somtimes stiled Sultan Olem i. Lord of the World. But Sultan is vsually in his stile, and signifies only Dominus most properly. c 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sultan i. Rector or Dominus. And, as in

Rome, the Salutations were by Domine, so in Turkey they say Sellam aleich Sultanu i. Peace be to you Sir, as Georgiuitz deliuers. The word occurres in Writers both Greek and Latine of later times, very often. The Latins haue it Saladinus somtimes. In Letters from Selim the II. to the state of Venice, sent about M. D. LXX. of Christ, and written in most barbarous a Greek, thus is he stiled: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with a large reckoning vp of Prouinces and Dominions, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i. Sultan Selim Prince of Constantinople, New Rome &c. Lord and King of what is comprehended in our sight vnder the Sunne. That Aphentes is but a cor∣rupted word from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which the later Grecians call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. a Lord or such like; their custom being vsuall in proper names and diuers other words, to make the termination in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In Letters lately sent from Achmet the now Grand Signior, to the States of the Low Countries, he is only stiled Sultan Achmet Cham; as the English Copie speaks, and in their Coins the attribute of Honor is Sultan only. But most commonly their Titles were wont to bee exceeding copious of attributes, with which or the like they now vse to ouer-load those Princes to whom they write; whereof in the end of this Chapter, more. To Selim the first his statue, in his sonne Solymans Bed∣chamber was added b an inscription, thus exprest in Latine, Soldanus Selimus Ottomanus, Rex Regum, Dominus Omnium Dominorum, Princeps omnium Principum, Filius & Nepos Dei. But Sultan is not proper solely to the Grand Signior. As most of the other names, and the like in other States, it is communicated. Hee stiles himself somtime Amir also, i. a Lord or Prince. In Arabisme 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. I know this is oft giuen most anciently to Chaliphs and Lieutenants, and such like, and is at this day to others. Of c Amirs more anon. But it

being put with the maiestique addition of Great, only signifies the Grand Signior. A Persian and a Mahume∣dan, d liuing neer the beginning of the Ottomanique Em∣pire, calls all Turkey 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 alone is found in the Lady Anne hir Alexias, Phranzes and such more; and Cedren, speaking of A∣bubachar the first successor of Mahumed, saies that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. He was Amir 11. yeers and a half, and then died. At this name, Matthew Paris ghest in his Admirabiles, other in their Admiralli, Ammiralli, and the like, which the autors of the holy warres are full of, & Admiraulx, as De Ionuille alwayes cals them. But the most ancient and proper title they vsd is with addition thus: Amir-elmumunin i. Rex Orthodoxorum, or Fidelium, which the Arabique thus expresses: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the same sound and sense. And Mahumed in the Alcoran is often calld the chief of the Beleeuers. And where Beniamin Ben-Iona speaks of the Chaliph of Bagded, whom he calls Amir Almu∣manin Alghabassi, it must bee vnderstood that none of all that was his proper name. And that of Alghabassi (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) is only one of the Abassilar Family, which is famous among the Chaliphs. Therefore, vnder fa∣uour, Arias his interpretation of Alghabassi was little to the purpose, or rather against the Autors purpose. An old Writer e of France long since well interpreted it. Hemiromomelin (saith he) i. Rex Credentium. But the same author not long after in the self same Treatise is much to blame, when he writes, Rex quidam Saracenus, qui dicebatur Mumilinus, quod, lingua eorum, sonat Rex Regum. For plainly Mumilinus was but corrupted from this we speak of, as also Amiromomenius which often occurres in Roderique of Toledo his Spanish storie, and the like other ancients of the Ho∣ly Warre. This the middle Grecians call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (for so is it neerest the right) although somtimes its

in the self same autor, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Lately (saith b Theo∣phanes a Chronologer of middle times in Greece) the Amir of Persia or Chorasan became an absolute Prince, by reason of the declining state of the Amermumnes of Bagded (whose Lieuetenant he had been) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i. and calld himself Amermoumnes, and wore the Alcoran about his neck with little plates (so I inter∣pret it) like a chain, and supposd himselfe descended from ALEM. Where note that all the Mahumedan Princes reuolting from the See of the first and chief Chaliphat which was at Bagded, referre themselues to Alem or Ali Mahumeds sonne in law. So did those in Aegypt, and Afrique: where, they were cald Phatemits from Phateme, Mahumeds daughter maried to Alem. And this hanging the Alcoran about his neck, was a very Emblem of his assumed name; the Orthodoxall religi∣on of them (if among them any religion may be said to be) hauing its chief root in the Alcoran, although beside they respect the Peutateuch, which they call Mussalkittabi, (out of which diuers relations, but most absurdly connext, are inserted in their Alcoran) and the new Testament also; affirming that our Saui∣our was a great Prophet, and that he promisd in it to send his Prophet Mahumed (O blasphemy!) but the Christians (the Gaurlar in their language) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as my author a saies, i. in spight haue taken that out of the Gospel, wherein they, say Mahumeds name was once written, as likewise on the right hand of the Throne of the Almighty. But there, they say he is calld Achmet, and in Paradise Abualtra∣zim, and on earth only Mahumed. And in their Dates, somtimes they vse the yeer of Iesus, as they call it, as well as of their Hegira i. Mahumed's flight out of Mecha in DCXXII. of our Sauiour. So I haue seen

letters to the late Queen Elizabeth of most happy me∣mory, dated DCCCC. XCVIII, of Mahumed, and M. D. X C. of Iesus. And in a letter in Italian from the Sultan Anurad's chief wife to Q. Elizabeth, the c yeer of M. 11. Del Propheta i. of Mahumed, and di Iesu M. D. XCIV. So in the d League twixt Rodulph II. and Amurad III. Remember, they vse Lunar yeers, as the old Arabians did, and that their Epocha is in Iuly, otherwise you may doubt of the concurrence of those numbers. And the Almumens, that is true Mahume∣dans are (beside their generall profession) so superstiti∣ously addicted to that foppish volume (the Alcoran) that in euery action almost they vndertake of great or slight nature, they vse the formall beginning of the Suareths or Azoars i. the chapters of it. Of those Azoars, are in their books CXIV. only; the translations amongst vs, being deuided into CXXIV. but, after the VI. (which is in the Latine the XVI.) agreeing in that point, with the Originall. Euery of those Azoars be∣gin with Besemi Allahi alrrhehmeni alrrhehimi i. In nomine Dei Misericordis Miserantis, which they solemnly speak. And the King of Morrocco puts it in the beginning of his letters most commonly, as those examples which I haue seen, iustifie. In omni operis principio (saith Georgiuitz in the person of a Turkish Mahumedan) vbi{que} vtimur nos Mu∣sulmani istis a tribus verbis; Cum assedimus mensae vt edamus haec praemittimus verba: cum abluimus manus, euntes ad orationem, & caetera membra corporis. Insuper peracta lotione ter repetendo haec tria verba, aquâ asper∣gimus capita, dicendo Bi sem Allahe elrahmane Elraoa∣him. Georgeuitz so expresses it, and makes the last word signifie spiritus eorum, wherein he was much de∣ceiu'd, although indeed Raohaim might in our chara∣cters and pronunciation be vnderstood so, and the A∣rabique in this passage might endure to haue it so by

vs written. But in the Originall, its apparant, no such construction can be. For the titles of the Azoars, which I saw first in a most neat and anciently written Alcoran, remaining in that famous Bodleian Library in Oxford, are thus in Arabisme 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 where any man which hath tasted these kind of Letters, may see that the last word hath a Ra∣dicall (Mim) which is not in Ruach, signifying a Spirit. The three words haue ouer the Aliphs their point Va∣shlu, which some Arabians superstitiously obserue, as a token denoting that so many words concurring as haue that point, are to bee pronounced with one breath, which, they say, must be don although a man stifle him∣self about it. But this, by the way. This Amerelmumenin is plainly interpreted in that of the Tartar Haoloh (so som call him) to the last Chaliph in Bagded, rememberd by Haithon the Armenian. Tunc dixit Haolonus Calipho: Tu diceris Doctor Omnium Credentium, in falsa secta Mahumeti. One of our a Monks calls the King of Marocco, and those parts, Admiralius Murmelius, stumb∣ling at his name. It may be not vnpleasing to read the whole place where it is. Misit ergo nuncios (he means our K. Iohn) secretissimos cum festinatione summa, vide∣licet Thomam Herdintonum, & Radulphum filium Ni∣colai milites, & Robertum de Londino Clericum ad Admira ium Murmelium, Regem magnum Africae, Marro∣chiae, & Hispaniae quem vulgus Miramomelinum vocat (it was the better word of the two) significans eidem quod se & regnum suum libentèr redderet eidem & dederet, & deditum tencret ab ipso si placeret ei, sub tributo. Necnon & legem Christianam quam vanam censuit, relinquens, le∣gi Mahometi fidelitèr adhaereret. A strange designe! but the Amir there told the Embassadors, that hee lately had been reading S. Paules Epistles, where hee found many things which likt him; only this, he much dis∣likt S. Paule, for that he followd not that Religion vn∣der

which he was born. And of that also in K. Iohns request, he took a very ill conceit, affirming that if he had been without a religion, of all other he would soonest haue embraced Christianitie, but that euery man should liue in that Law and Religion vnder which hee was born. And so discharged them. To this day the successors of that Emperor in Fesse and Marocco keep the addi∣tion of Amirelmumenin, as the Diuine b Scaliger, who was wont to interpret their Letters to the Vnited Pro∣uinces, instructs vs; which is also to be seen in som of Mully Hamets Letters, translated into Spanish, and c pub∣lisht. The Grand Signior rather hath in later d times v∣sed the title of Padischah Musulmin i. Great King of the Musulmans. Padischah is, in Turkish and Persian, great King; and they call the German Emperor Urum Pa∣dischah, the French King Frank Padischah. Quare (saith my autor) non attribuitur inferioris conditionis Magna∣tibus nisi Imperatoribus & Regibus. A professor of Tur∣kish, turns Musulman by circumcisus. But the word is plainly Arabique 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Musulmin, plurally, i. (as Mumenin) Orthodoxi, Fideles, or qui sincerè credunt, as the learned Raphalengius interprets it. Hence is it made singular in Musulmanus and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: often occuring, specially in Sphachanes the Persian, and the Emperor Can∣tacuzen's works; whence they haue their Verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. to turn Turk or prosesse that Religion. The Amurad so titled himself in Letters to the King of Poland, & so haue I seen him writen in Letters to our Q. Elizabeth. But the greatest attribute which they vsd since the taking of Constantinople (thereby hauing seated themselues in an Empire of greater note then worth in the later times) is Huncher, Hunchier, or l Hunggiar, as Leunclaw writes it; Id propriè (saith he) titulo nostrorum Augusto∣rum respondere volunt, quo se imperatores Caesares appellant. And there haue been letters sent from this m State in Latine, calling the Grand Signior (Amurad III.) Augu∣stissime

& inuictissime Caesar. Which his own countrey men by their Interpreters haue also giuen him. And in Sinan Bassa's Letters to Q. Elizabeth of happy memo∣ry, Caesarea Celsitudo is often for Sultan Amurad. The first that vsd this Hunggiar was Mahumed II. which took Constantinople; and, after him, his sonne Baiazeth and Selim imitated him. Whereupon, saith my autor, Ismael Schah the Persian Sophi, both in dishonor of the Grand Signiors, as also to vpbraid their superstitious abstinence from Swines flesh (for that Iewish ceremonie was wont to be of so great moment and regard amongst them, that, when they took a solemn oath for confirmation of any league or the like; to the two execrations, first that they might be as much dishonord as he that for his sins goes in pilgrimage to Mahumed, bare-headed, secondly as he that had cast off his wife, and taken her again, they added this third, that if they stood not to the Couenants of State, ilz fussent dishonorez & deshontez, come le Sara∣zin que mange le chair de Pourceau, as De Ionuille that was amongst them with S. Lewes, speaks) Ismael, saith he, for that reason was wont to keep a very fat Hog and still call him by the name of that Turk which then raigned, thus: Hunggiar Baiazeth, or Hunggiar Selim. This Ismael was the first Persian King, that bare the now famous name of SOPHI. And its origi∣ginall thus take. Besides the foure associats of Ma∣humed (Abubaker, Omer, Othman, and Ali) which presently after him were the propagators of his sensles traditi∣ons, there are other ancient Doctors forsooth of that Church (they call them Imamlar) as n Ebuhanifem, I∣mam Malichim, Imam Schoaffim, Imam Achmet, and o∣thers; all which foure the Persians deadly hate, nor admit they of their doctrine. Neither will they allow of any traditions from Abubaker, Omer, or Othman; they are altogether for Ali, to whom, they say, the An∣gel Gabriel should haue giuen the Alcoran, but by

error, in stead of him he tooke it to Mahomet, and that Ali should haue been the generall Chaliph, but that the other three, by aid from som which ill bare themselues in that holy state, cosend him of it. A controuersie worth examining! Not a book or monu∣ment of the doctrine of either of those three, but when they find it, they burn it. This Sect from Ali was dedu∣ced into Persiae by the doctrine of one Schach Sophi, who deriud himself from Ali, and liud about M. CCC. LXX. But an African o expressely affirms that in Ma∣humedisme were anciently LXXII. Sects, and now but two; that is, the Persian, which he calls Imamia (namd from the doctrine, it seems, deliuerd by Imamlar i. Priests or Doctors, and Ali was specially namd Imam) and Le∣shari which those of Afrique, Turkie, Egypt, Spain and Arabia follow. What his Leshari is, I know not, vn∣les those which follow Aser Ben Cheter (of whom Cantacuzen speaks, as of one of their speciall ancient Doctors) be thereby vnderstood But all of that Ali∣an Sect are so hated by the Othomaniques, rhat their Turkish Muftis (that is their Patriarchs or Archbishops) haue deliuerd, that its more meritorious, in Mahume∣disme, to kill one Persian then threescore and ten Chri∣stians. From that Schach Sophi through diuers descents came one Haidar (Prince of Erdebill) liuing about M. D. of the only Sauior, and taught his ancestors new dogmaticalls, shewing withall the Othomanique heresies. Vpon the new doctrine (as it happens) great conflux was to the new Doctor, who grew so farre into opi∣nion, which creats greatnes, that Vsun Chasan then King of Persia, gaue him in marriage his daughter Martha, descended out of the Greek house of the Commnens Kings of Trapezond. By Martha, Haidar had a sonne namd Ismael. Vsun Chasan left his sonne Iacupheg, or Sultan Iacup (as hee is calld) his successor. Iacup be∣gan much to suspect his brother in law Haidar's sonne,

and his multitude of followers. To preuent further dan∣ger put him to death. His nephew Ismael hardly e∣scapt him, but fled with his mother to his fathers friend, one Pircul a Lord of great rank about the Caspian Sea (The Turks call it Culzum Denizi i. the close or shut Sea; its vsually in our Charts Mar de Bachu) and there had his education according to his fathers Religion. Sultan Iacup the King was poisoned by his wife; Aluan or Almut (as some call him) succee∣ding. Ismael now, pretended the challenge of his fa∣thers estate, place, and his own inheritance inuaded part of Persia; had the day against Aluan; slew him; put his brother and successor Amurad Chan to flight; and vpon his death got the Persian Empire to himself. To him beeing thus one of their Sophilar (a Sect comming from that Scach Sophi) and descended from both Ali und the Schach Sophi, first autor of the Sect, ab Osmanidis (saith my p autor) SOPHI cognomentum, & KISELIS BASSAE per ignominiam fuit inditum, a SOPHI Arabica voce quae Lanam signisicat. Quippe cum Mahumetani & presertim Osmanici, more veteri, Tulipanto lineo subtilissimi operis caput inuoluant, noua ist∣haec Sophilariorum religio praecipit inter alia, ne caput fa∣stu quodam lineis eiusmodi spiris ornetur: sed vt tegu∣menta Capitum è Lana, non magni re pretij, conficiantur. Et qnia laneum hoc tegumentum capitis, quo praeter aliorum Mahumetanorum morem, hi nunc vtuntur, plicas habet du∣odecim, & Arabica vox Enasser (I think he should ra∣ther haue said Etzenaser) duodecim significat, etiam ali∣ud nomen Enasserlariorum consequuti sunt, ac si Graeco vocabulo dicas Dodecaptychos, aut Latino Duodecim∣plices. Quod deinque tegmen eiusmodi rubro duntaxat colore tinctum gestare soleant, Kisselbassilarij quoque dicti sunt, veluti Capita rubra: The Persians being before cal∣led by the Turks Azemlar, and their Territory Aiem or Azeim. Thus came this Schah Ismael and his suc∣cessors

to bee calld Sophi and Kessel bassae also. Thus hee; and in the deriuation from Wooll diuers follow him. But, saies most iudicious q Scaliger, Quod quidam SOPHI a flocco lanae dictum volunt, hoc leuius est ipso flocco lanae. Hee therefore deriues it from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tzaophi i. Pure, elect, holy, one of a reformd Religion; which they professe against the Othomaniques, with like hate as the Samaritans had against the Iewes. I am easily perswaded to bee of Scaligers mind for the reason of the name. But the whole story of Ismael is diuersly deliuerd. Leunclaw differing in his Musulmanique story from what he had in his Pandects deliuerd of it; thin∣king withall that the Alian or Sophilar's heresie is not from that Ali which was Mahumeds sonne in law, but from Ali Abasides, whose Genealogie you may see in him. In De Ionuille his life of S. Lewes Ali is called alwaies Hely, and vncle to Mahumed; and his followers, Beduins which accounted all Mahumedans (saith hee) miscreants. But the name of Sophi had its originall in that Shach Sophi, who, I doubt, had some other proper name; for, Sophi by all likelyhood was giuen him with regard to his reformd profession, as the word in∣terprets, yet r Haidar (who I ghesse is calld Erdebil or Arduelles, as Iouius or Surius writ him, but from the place Erdebil Arduille or Ardobille where hee and, his ancestors were Schachs) may be affirmd the author of the Sect, as it is now Royall amongst them, because in his time began the King to oppose it, which oppositi∣on was there cause of Ismaels following greatnes. What Ramusius, Minadoi, Iouius, Osorius, Tarik Mirkond, and most other haue of this matter at large, you may find compendiously deliuerd in that Late work, com∣posd by great industry out of infinit Reading, by my learned and kind friend M^r. Purchas. Their variable discourses of this point fit not this place. That deriua∣tion, from Tzoaphi, plainly howeuer continues. But its

said that in Persia they call not the King the Sophi, but vsually the Schach i. the Lord, or the Signior. It may well be so: for indeed euery man is truly there a Sophi, if not a Mahumedan herotique; that is eyther of Shach Sophi his Sect, as he should be, or of the O∣thomanique Religion. But why it should bee abstaind from amongst them as disgracefull (which som s affirm, because Sophi signifies there a Begger) I conceiue not, no more then why the King of Spain or France should dislike the title of Catholique or most Christian. Its certain (according to our pronunciation) it signifies both Wooll, and also Choise, pure or reformd. But Tzod∣ki, not Tzophi in their learned tongue, is a Begger. And our famous Q Elizabeth wrote to t Schach Tamas their Emperor with this title, Potentissimo & inuictissimo Prin∣cipi Magno Sophi Persarum Medorum, Parthorum, Hir∣canorum &c. in Letters copied into Ebrew, and Italian, and so sent; although in some others to him, it bee omitted. Its idle to fetch it from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as som haue done. Yet verbally it may bee deduced to vs from Magus (which interprets 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) if you can beleeu that the old Persian Kings were calld Magi, as a Title pro∣per to their Maiestie; which some ignorantly haue thought as truth, supposing the Magi i. the wisemen of the East in S. Matthew to be u Kings, and that of old Persia. There are at this day which would proue it and labour at it. They cite Apuleius his words: Quip∣pe inter prima Regalia docetur (Magia:) nec vlli te∣merè inter Persas concessum est Magum esse, haud magis quam regnare. Hee speakes of instructing the Kings children, which was done by the x Magi, and in their profession. But, is euery one with vs, that a Priest reads Diuinity to, a Priest therefore? Nay, it seems the Persian Kings neuer had that name or title after the death of Prexaspes and Smerdis (so Herodotus calls them, Ctesias and Iustin otherwise) which were Magi.

For, in honor of those which freed the Persians from their vsurpt autoritie, an annuall feast was instituted by the State called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. the slaughter of the Magi, in which, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 y 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. it was not lawfull for any of the Magi to be seen abroad; but they all kept their houses. Could this haue been, if the Kings had been then Magi? And vntill Artaxares got the Kingdome (about C C. XXX. after Christ vn∣der Alexander Seuerus) from Artabanus, the Magi con∣tinued as contemned of the Great ones, and the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was still celebrated. But Artaxares (so my z au∣thor calls him) had before hee was King, been a Ma∣gus or Priest of that kind among them. And so after∣ward, as it happens, till the time of Othman Ben-Ophen successor of Iezdigird, the Magi were againe in great honor, but by no means can they bee found to haue raigned about our Sauiours Birth. This Othman (which others call otherwise) began in the yeer of Saluation DC. XXXII. Indeed, for another reason, both they and their nation might haue been calld so, if proper names may be translated. For from A Elam (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) the sonne of Seth, the old a Persians were, and thence are the Ae∣lamits; Aelam is Doctus, Sagax, Magus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as euery man may know from S. Luke. But Elymas (saith the Text) the Sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretati∣on) withstood them. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and thence, saies Glycas, as his translation is, Persas Magos appellari lin∣gua ipis Vernacula constat. But Magus or Aelam is not so much a Sorcerer as a Naturall Philosopher, or a searcher into curiosities; not of necessity implying in it any vnlawfull Art, although ignorant ages haue vsd to take all for Diuellish inuention and practise with Spirits, which they vnderstood not, as the example was in our Frier Roger Bacon: whose works of abstruse

learning, lying in the Franciscans Library at Oxford, were by lubberly Friers and Schollers there (vnder the mistie time of our great Grandfathers) vtterly despai∣ring that euer their lazines could vnderstand thē, very lear∣nedly, to the perpetuall security of their wits quiet, fast∣ned with long nailes to the deskboards; where, being consecrat to the vse of Wormes and Mothes, they were consumd. I know the Ebrew of S. Matthew (but not authentique) hath, for the Magi, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: which is taken for Sorcerers (as we now vse that word) Wit∣ches, and such like. I rather vnderstand them Astrolo∣gers (Astrologie in it selfe, not abusd: being a most honorable art) to whom it pleasd the Lord to permit such knowledge of that Means of Saluation, to Man∣kind, signified, for this purpose (as some will) in Ba∣laam's prophesie a of the Starre arising out of Iacob. But, that Ismael is vsually calld Ismael Schah, Shah or Shach, by the Grecians b 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Schah is nothing but an addition of greatnesse to the name, as Lord or Don or Monsieur (whereof, somwhat is c before) and truly interprets Signior; it is written (with the particle Al) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Scheich i. Senex, which might easily be confounded in our Characters with Leunclaw's word Sheiches for a Priest; but that is (as I ghesse) in all different characters, to be written Keshish rather, which in reading of his excellent works of the Musulmani∣que Empire, must be specially obserued. Keshish x sig∣nifies an old Priest, which, I confesse, Sheich may do also; but then I conceiue not his difference in the wri∣ting of it. You may see his Onomasticon at the end of the Musulmanique storie. This Schah or Shah, is often vsd as an addition to Persian greatnesse. Cosso∣rassath, in Haithon the Armenian, is thought to bee corrupted from Cosroes Shach. And an Egyptian Sultan is rememberd in old De Ionuille by the name of Scece∣dun, filz du Seic qui vault a tant adire en leur langa∣ge

Comme filz de Vieil, where note he makes Shach to signifie Old (as it doth) not only Lord. And that Soli∣manus filius Solimani Veteris, or Senioris g in som au∣tors of the Holy Warres, I doubt not but might well be turnd Soliman the Sonne of Soliman Shach. But it is not proper to suprem Princes (but by speciall excellen∣cie) no more then our word, Lord; as the noble Mon∣sieur de Thou well takes it, affirming c that it is alone applied often to such as haue small Dominions, and are as Reguli, or the like. Some interpret it d out of the application, King, but the neerest to exact truth is that which we haue before out of Scaliger, with whom Theodore Spandugn e agrees expresly. And in the title of Muhamed Ben-Dauid's Alagsarumith, hee is calld Alsheich (being this very word 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sa, Saa, Schah or Schach) as by an attribute of dignitie. It is written often Shaugh, Xa, and also Cheque. Out of Achmet's Onirocritiques, the great Scaliger f cites 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. Saa Nisan King of the Persians. And here, saith he, est aliud nomen multis Principibus Persa∣rum commune, NISA. id eorum lingua est HASTA. And Senigar Saa filius Saa Regum omnium Persarum Imperator, is in Beniamin Ben-Iona, and Vararanes a Persian King, is calld g 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 from his being before Lord or Gouernor of Cerma. About M. LXX. after Christ the Persian King is in Abraham Zaccuth namd Sultan Melich Sa (the same which a Greek calls h 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) after whose death, he saies, the Chaliph of Bag∣ded, Mutkadi Ben Kain, at this Sultans wiues request, permitted his sonne Mahumed to raigne, which I the rather also note, because Bodin i affirmes that the Cha∣liphs permitted not the name of Dominus to any, but themselues hauing, at first, supremacie ouer all those parts, and speaks of a Text in the Alcoran against it, which I could neuer meet with. There may be some such thing perhaps in some other of those Zunas i.

Counsells or Laws, which were after Mahumed, com∣posd by the Chaliphs commandment at Damascus. But doubtles no better word for Dominus can bee then Sultan, by which here this Prince of Persia, vnder the Chaliphat is stiled. This Sultan is calld c Sultan Gelal eddin Melic Sa (but his proper name was Albu Ersa∣lan) from whom the Persians haue their annuall account, whose root is A. Chr. M. LXXIX. in the XIIII. of our March, and is calld the Neuruz of Gelal Sultan Me∣lic (saith Scaliger) est Rex, Sa vel Scha Persis est nomen attributum Regibus. Gelal is Maiestie in Arabique, and so he turns Melic Sa Gelal eddin, into Melic Sa Ma∣iestas Religionis. From this word Edin, is the name A∣ladin in the Oth〈…〉〈…〉anique race, which as Leunclaw saies, signifieth Diuine; but he allows not Reineccius conie∣cturing that all the Turkish Sultans had the name of Aladin as a surname or title of Honor. From Scah in the Persian title, they haue money called Schahlar, as the Turks haue Sultanlar, which we call Sultanins. Of Schah, is Padischa a compound, whereof, before. The Persian titles more ancient, are already elswhere toucht. As a corollary, take here another of them in the middle times; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 d 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. i. Chosroes King of Kings, Lord of Potentates, Lord of Nations, Prince of Peace, Sauiour of Men, Among Gods a good and eternall Man, but, a∣mong Men, a most Famous God. Most glorious Conque∣ror, Rising with the Sunne, Giuing eyes to the Night, No∣ble by Birth, a King that hates warre, well deseruing, ha∣uing the Asonae vnder Pay, and keeping the Kingdom for the Persians. To Baram a Generall among the Persi∣ans, and our friend. Baram hauing before writen to Chosroes in almost alike fashioned stile. It was about D C. of Christ, vnder the Emperor Maurice. It the rather is obseruable, because both African and Asiatique Princes do yet, euen as Chosroes, somtimes load themselues and

other Princes to whom they e write with strange, and doubtles by their Secretaries hardly inuented attri∣butes. But in that league of M. DC. VI. twixt Rodulph II. and the present Grand Signior Achmet, it was mongst other things concluded, That the f Emperor and the Great Sultan in all their Letters, Instruments, and Embassages should not stile themselues by any other additions, but by the names of Welbeloued Father and Sonne, to wit, the Emperor calling the Great Sultan his sonne, and the Great Sultan the Emperor (in respect of his yeers) his father. And that in the beginning of their Letters they might both take vpon them the name of Emperor respectiuely.

Notes

• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• i

  Hub. Goltz. Thes. pag. 129.
• k

  Ap. Stephan. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• l

  Zaga Zabo ap. Damian. à Goes.
• v. Psal. 72. Com. 10.
• m

  Terra Hha∣bas, Ethiopia. Ben〈…〉〈…〉min. Tude∣lens, Itinerar. pag. 101.
• n

  Pol. Venet, l. 1. cap. 51. & seq. Ioh. de Pla∣no Carpini. c. 5. & Will, de Ru∣bruquis. Itine∣rar.
• o

  Aloys. Cada∣must. Nauigat. cap. 60. & Lud. Vartomann. Nauigat. 2. cap. 15. vide, si pla∣cet, Gerardi Mercatoris Geographiam.
• p

  Damian. à Goes.
• q

  Matth. à Mic∣how de Sarmat. Asian. lib. 1. c. 8.
• r

  Dog. Impe∣rator Canis di∣ctus est, vbi{que} Odorico in I∣tinerario, & I. de Plano Carpi∣ni.
• s

  Haithon Ar•••• floruit Mona∣chus sub A. 1290. C••r••h••nus item dictus, & Antonius.
• t

  Pandect. Tur∣cic. cap. 3. & hist. Musulma∣nic. 2.
• Epist. Petr. Arch. Russiae ap. Matth. Paris pag. 875.
• Verùm & Aggeres Mili∣tares, idioma∣te illo Opien∣tali, Barbicanae dictae (vnde forsan illud nomen.) Al∣bert Aquens. hist. Hicrosolym. 6. cap. 10.
• u

  De administ. Rom. Imper. cap. 40.
• x

  Giul est Rosa Turcicè. Megi∣ser. Lexic. Tur∣cico-Latin.
• y

  Will. de Ru∣bruq. in Itinera∣rio.
• z

  Io. Tzetzes Chiliad 8. cap. 224. floruit sub Eman. Com∣neno circa 1170.
• a

  Hist. Nat. 6. cap. 7.
• b

  Landulph. Sagax Hist. 17.
• c

  Maurician. hist. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. cap. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• d

  De bello Per∣sic. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• e

  Agathias hist. Tom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• f

  Monach. En∣golism. vit. Carol. Magni.
• g

  Georg. Ce∣dren. pag 433.
• i

  Simocat. Mau∣ric. hist. 7. cap. 8. & Agathias. lib. 5.
• i

  Theophil. Si∣mocat. hist. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• k

  Ios. Scalig. de vita Iulij, in Epist. ad Ian. Douzam.
• l

  Ap. Vincent. in Epecul. lib. 32. cap. 28.
• m

  Et Nicephor. Callist. hist. Ec∣clesiast. lib. 18. cap. 30.
• n

  Geograph. Arabs ap. Sca∣lig. Can Isagog. lib. 3. & Plin. lib. 5. cap. 26.
• a

  Abrah. Zac∣cuth in Chronic. Caeterùm de primo Apud Aegyptios Cha∣lipha Consulē∣dus Will. Arch. Tyrius Hist. Ec∣ctes. 19. cap. 19. & 20. & Iacob. de Vitriaco lib. 1. cap. 8.
• Theophan. ap. Constant. Por∣phyrog. cap. 21.
• c

  Matth. Paris pag. 1278.
• d

  Canon. Isagg. lib. 3.
• a

  Legat. Baby∣lonicae lib. 3.
• x

  M. Pounds in our monie.
• b

  Cartwright. Peregrinat.
• c

  Pandect. Tur∣cic. cap. 237.
• b

  Roderic. To∣letan. lib 7. cap. 10. Matth. Pa∣ris pag. 170. Robert. Mona∣chus. Hist. Hiero∣solym. 6. alij.
• c

  Seig. de Io∣nuille Chroniq. de S. Loys, chapit. 74.
• d

  Hist. Musul∣uanic. 1.
• e

  Adam Myri∣muth. Chronic. Angl. Ms.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a

  Pandect. cap. 3.
• b

  Idem est quod Iariffe in Litt. Im∣peratoris Ma∣roci, Hispa∣nicè editis ab Hackluito Tom. 2. part. 2. pag. 118. & 119.
• c

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Eccles. cap. 8. com. 4 est po∣tentia, siue Do∣miniū â 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. Dominari. & Com. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Potens, siue Dominus.
• a

  Crus. Turco-Graec. lib. 4. E∣pist. 60.
• b

  Lonicer. Chronic. Tom. 1. lib. 1.
• c

  Vide supra pag. 49. Et cap. vlt. lib. secun∣di.
• d

  Sampsat. Sphach. Musul∣man. Epist. ad Melet. Mona∣chum.
• i. The Coun∣try of the Great Amir.
• e

  Rigord. in vit. Philipp. Augusti. idem Iacobus de Vitriaco lib. 1. cap. 9. & Ma∣rin. Sanut Tors. lib. 3. part. 3. cap. 5. qui tamen vtri{que} hoc Chaliphis A∣fricanis ma∣ximè Tribuūt.
• b

  Ap. Constant. Porphyrog. de adm. Rom. imp. cap. 25.
• The wri∣tings of Moses. Vide Iac. de Vi∣triaco li. 1. cap. 6. & Oliuer. Scho∣lastic. de Captio∣ne Damiatae.
• a

  Cantacuzen. Apolog. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 4. Sampsat. Pers. in Epist. Meletio. & Alcoran. A∣zoar. 71.
• b Doctr. Mac∣humet.
• Hegir est 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, siue persecutio, at{que} in hac re dict∣um, quasi re∣ligionis gratiâ fugisset Mahu∣med.
• c

  Ap. Hackluit. part. 2. pag. 311.
• d

  Waser. de An∣tiq. Nummis. lib. 2.
• Arab. vero qui Christo nomen dede∣runt, libros su∣os à Nomine Dei Patris, Filij & S. S. semper auspicantur. Vti Manuscrip ti codices ve∣terum Mona∣chorum, Assit Principio Sancta Maria meo, plerum{que} fronte gerunt.
• a

  Bi sem n. in numero omitti∣tur, vt quod ad contextum so∣lummodò adhi∣betur.
• a

  Matth. Paris in pag. 324. A. M. cc. XIII. Reg. Ioh. XVI.
• b

  Canon. Isa∣gogic. lib. 3.
• c

  Ha••kluit Tom. 2. part. 2. pag. 118.
• d

  Barth. Geor∣gouitz. cap. 3.
• l

  Condichiar ap. Spandugi∣num.
• m

  Lit. Elizab. Reg. Dat. 1579. apud Hackluit. part. 2. pag. 138. Et saepius Cae∣sarea Maiestas nostra occurrit in Foedere icto inter Dn. Elizab. R. & Turcarum Im∣peratorem, quod videsis apud eundem pag. 141. 94. v. pag. 158. & in Literis Musta∣phae Chausij, A∣murades dici∣tur Augustiss〈…〉〈…〉 mu Caesar. pag. 171.
• n

  Cantacu∣zeno sunt alia nomina, corum qui Mahumedis Doctrinā dilata∣runt, at{que} vti P••tres aut sum∣m•• Doctores prae∣fuerunt Orat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• o

  Lib. Elfacni. ap. Leon. Afric. hist. 3. Atqui memineris hîc quae habet Will. Tyrius hist. Hierosol. lib. 1. cap. 4. & lib. 19. cap. 20. de Sun∣ni & Schia (vt impressi Co∣dices loquun∣tur) at{que} eum insuper de Ali consulas, quin & Ionuillanum in Vit. S. Ludo∣uici cap. 30. & 57. & mira sa∣ne est inter Scriptores de hoc pseudo∣propheta, ac de eius sequa∣cibus discre∣pantia. quam hic occuratius euncleare non est operae pre∣tium.
• p

  Leunclau. Pandect. Turcic. cap. 81. & 188. Circa A. D. M. D. XX. Nec tn: Pandectis acquiescas nisi optimi Viri e∣tiam Historiā Musulmanni∣cam inspicias lib. 16.
• q

  De Emendat. Temp. lib. 5.
• Deijs, alij eadem affir∣mant. Sed an Sophilarij Ma∣humedem ex∣crantur? mini∣mè certè Is∣maelis n. Num∣mi inscriptio erat, Mahumed Resul Allahe i. Nuntius Dei. Leuncl. Musul∣manic. lib. 16.
• r

  Ismael dici∣tur 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hist. Politic. Constan∣tinop. à Zygo∣mal. tran∣script.
• s

  Ap. Hackluit. Nauig. Part. 1. fol. 397.
• t

  A. Chr. M. D. LXI. 3. Eli∣zabethae.
• u

  Chaldaei Re∣ges dicti Clau∣diano in Epi∣grammatis v. Psalm. 72. Com. 10. Caeterum, quo sensu Re∣ges dici pos∣sint, docebit V. Cl. Is. Ca∣saubon. Exer∣cit. 2. § 10. in Ann. Baronij.
• Apolog. 1.
• x

  Plato in Al∣cibiade. nec ali∣tèr intelligo Ciceronem lib. 1. de Diuinat. Nec quisquam Rex Persarum po∣test esse, qui non ante Ma∣gorum disci∣plinam scien∣tiámque per∣ceperat. v. Plin. lib. 30. cap. 2.
• y

  Herodot. in Thalia.
• z

  Agathias hi∣stor. 6.
• a

  Ioseph. Ar∣chaeol. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. cap. 7. corrigendi eti∣am Codices il∣li qui 1. Maccab cap. 6. com. 1. habent, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Ely∣mais n. ipsa Regio Susianae adiacens. Lege igitur 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. atque ita Iose∣phus (ni fallor) Archoeol. 12. cap. 13. emendan∣dus. Vrbs verò illa sanè oppi∣dum Charax, in Elymaide ab Alexandro conditum, vt videtur, de quo Plin. lib. 6. cap. 27. Vide Ptolem. Geo∣graph. 6. cap. 3. Stephan. Bizant. in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. & Elymaeos Susianam inhabitare ait Marcian. Heracleot. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. verū & consulendus Beniamin. Tudelens. Itinerar. pag. 78.
• a

  Numer. cap. 24. Comm. 17.
• b

  Hist. Politic. à Th. Zygomal. ad Crus. missa.
• c

  Pag. 51. & 52.
• Verùm A∣brahae Zaccuth Scribitur 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• x

  Raphaleng in Lexic. Arabic.
• Et Pandect. Turc. cap. 34.
• g

  Baldric. Hist. Hierosylom. lib. 2 Robert. Monach. lib. 3. alij eius∣dem farinae.
• c

  Thuan. Hi. stor. lib. 18.
• d

  Linschot. lib. 1 cap 27.
• e

  Apud Crusi∣um in Hist. Con∣stantin. pag. 66.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. siue senex.
• f

  Canon. Isagog. 3.
• g

  Agathias. hist. 4.
• h

  Chrysococces ap. Scaliger. vbi supra. Idem est, nifallor, Malicsach apud Leon. African. hist. 3.
• i

  De Repub. 1. cap. 9.
• c

  Ignat. Patri∣arch. Antioch. ad Scalig. quem Consulas de hoc Imperato∣re lib. 4. de E∣mend.
• Ver. Nouus dies: si verbum interpreteris.
• d

  Theophylact. Simocatta hist. 4. cap. 8.
• Nonnè Au∣sonios 1. Italos innuit?
• e

  Ex literis Amuratis III. ad Sereniss. E∣lizab. Reg. A: 1579. datis constat. quae sunt apud Hackluit. Itine∣rar. part. 2. pag. 137.
• f

  Mercur. Gal∣lo-Belgic. Tom. 5. lib. 4.