The Ottoman of Lazaro Soranzo VVherein is deliuered aswell a full and perfect report of the might and power of Mahamet the third, great Emperour of the Turkes now raigning: together with the interestes and dealinges which he hath with sondrie other princes, what hee is plotting against the state of Christendome, and on the other side what we may practise and put in execution against him to his great damage and annoyaunce. As also a true description of diuers peoples, countries, citties and voyages, which are most necessarie to bee knowen, especially at this time of the present warre in Hungarie. Translated out of Italian into English, by Abraham Hartvvell.

§. XXXII.

THe Circassians, sometimes called the Zighi,* 1.1 are by the Polackes named Pientzcorschii, that is to say the Inhabitants of fiue mountaynes, and therefore they are also tearmed Quinque-Mon∣tani▪ i. Fiue-Mountayne-men. They doe not reach to the Caspian Sea, as some haue written, but only to the Cimmerian Bosphorus, to the Poole Maeotis, and to the great-Sea.* 1.2 Some of them are Freemen: but some of them are tributaries to the afore named Tartar of Crimo. They liue all after the Supersti∣ons and rites of the Graecians. They goe with the

Turkes to warre, but they serue them euen for poore pouertie. They vse to sell one another of themselues: and many of them are become Sclaues, as well by the way of Mengrellia, and by the Tarta∣rians, with whome they haue to doe sometimes, as also by the meanes and conueniencie of Asaf, which is a Forte belonging to the Turke at the mouth of the riuer Tanais. They are well accoun∣ted of, for their good disposition and liuely cou∣rage. In the time of the Souldanes all the Mama∣lukes almost were Circassians, and thereupon came the Mamalukes to be called by the Turkes,* 1.3 Zercas. In Circassia was Osman heretofore ouerthrowne by the Cassacchi: (what they are, it shall be told yee in due place:) in his returne from Persia to Constantino∣ple, after he had passed the Riuer Phas or Phasis, (which is so famous for the Golden Fleece) in Men∣grellia,* 1.4 which is vpon the great-Sea in the confines of Trabisonda, a Riuer which Pompey durst not passe ouer, when he pursued Mithridates, for feare of the Tartarians, the Circassians, and other people neere thereaboutes.

And let thus much suffice to be spoken of the Tartari∣ans and Circassians.

The Turke is also wont sometimes to inuite the Curdians or Gurdians to his warres:* 1.5 who are Maho∣metanes, and liue like Freemen, and are verie coura∣gious. They dwell in the region of Bagadat, and in that part thereof, which now is called Curdistan, that is to say, Chaldaea, named by the Arabians Kel∣dan. Some are of opinion, that they may one day do great hurt to the Turkish Empire. Some thinke

the same also of the Drusians,* 1.6 who are souldiours by profession, and dwell in the Mountayne Libanus: as also of the Arabian Bandoliers,* 1.7 who are Lordes and Maisters of the Champeine, as sometimes our Fuo∣rusciti or outlawes are wont to be among vs. But in trueth I do doubt, that the Maiestie and State of that Empire shall haue small cause to feare either the first, who do inhabite but a small countrey, or the second, who are but some few Mountaine people, or to be briefe the last, who are indeede a confused number of theeues.

Now lastly, it will bee verie conuenient, that I shewe vnto you,* 1.8 the strength and forces of that Empire, that is to say, how the great Turke is able to prouide himselfe and his Armies with victualles, with Armour, and with Munition, aswell by land as by Sea. For in vaine were it to haue an Armie, and not to be able to arme and feede both men and cattell, or to make an Armada without timber and people. I will also by the way touch vnto you, how these prouisions of the Turkes, may bee either stopped, or verie hardly be brought vnto him: and by the knowledge thereof it will the more easily ap∣peare, what the enimie can by all likelihoode doe a∣gainst vs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Circassian
• * 1.2

  Their maner of life.
• * 1.3

  Osman ouer∣thrown by the Cassacchi in Circassia.
• * 1.4

  The Godlen Fleece.
• * 1.5

  The Curdians
• * 1.6

  The Drusians
• * 1.7

  The Bādoliers of Arabia.
• * 1.8

  Victuall, Ar∣mour, & Mu∣nition of the Turke.