Relations of the most famous kingdomes and common-wealths thorowout the world discoursing of their situations, religions, languages, manners, customes, strengths, greatnesse, and policies. Translated out of the best Italian impression of Boterus. And since the last edition by R.I. now once againe inlarged according to moderne observation; with addition of new estates and countries. Wherein many of the oversights both of the author and translator, are amended. And unto which, a mappe of the whole world, with a table of the countries, are now newly added.

Palestine, or the Holy Land.

PAlestine is one of the most excellent Provinces of Syria, as well in regard of habitation, as of many famous acts done therein, and celebrated in holy Scripture. Under the generall name whereof are comprehended Idumea, Iu∣daea, Samaria, and Galile. Anciently it was called Canaan, of Chanaan the sonne of Cham, whose posteritie divided the Land amongst them, and under that name it continued untill the invasion of the Israelites, who called it after their owne denomination, Israel.

It was also called Philistim of the Philistians, once a powerfull and mighty people: after that, the Land of pro∣mise; and now lastly, The holy Land.

It is situated betweene the Arabies and the mid-land Sea; Northerly upon part of Phoenicia; East-ward upon Liba∣nus; South-ward and South-East upon Arabia, and West∣ward upon that part of the Mediterran, which is termed the Syrian and Phinicean Seas.

From the very beginning (as witnesseth the holy Scrip∣ture) it hath beene a most famous Province, and afterward more renowned for the Birth, Miracles, and Passion of our Saviour Christ. Distant from the line 31. degrees, and extending unto thirty three, and somewhat upward. So that in length from Dan, unto Beersheba, it containeth no more than one hundred and fortie miles; where broadest, not fiftie. A Land that flowed with Milke and Hony; Ador∣ned with beautifull mountaines, and luxurious vallies, the rocks producing excellent waters, and no part emptie of de∣light and profit. The ayre very temperate, and the bodies of men healthfull, and patient of labour.

The ancients will have it to be situated in the midst of the world, where it is neither pinched with extremitie of cold, nor vexed with over-much heat. And therfore the Israelites say, This to be the land which God promised unto Abraham.

For site it is very pleasant, for plaines and hils no lesse de∣lightsome,

rich in divers sorts of Manufactures, and well wa∣tered. Where although it raine but seldome, yet was the soile batefull, and that by testimonie of Scripture, averring it to be a Land excelling all other in goodnesse and fertilitie.

So that their graine was most delicate, their increase a∣bundant, and their Roses most sweet. Rue, fennell, and sage, and such like pot-hearbs it brought forth of its owne accord. Olives, Figges, Pomegranets, and Palme trees are ve∣ry frequent, with some store of Vines. For, although the Sa∣racens are forbidden the drinking of Wine, yet make they a∣bundance thereof, and very good, for the use of strangers, dwelling in the Country. They make three harvests, yet have they neither Peares, Apples, Cherries, Nuts, nor any other fruits common with us: these are brought them from Damascus. Some fruits, as Oranges, and the Apple of Para∣dise, they have and preserve upon the trees all the yeare long. It did once yeeld Balme, not now; but is stored with Honey, and Sugar Canes; so is it with Goats, Swine, Hares, Partridges and Quailes, as also Lions, Beares, and Camels. And in many places so pestred with Rats and Mice, that if it were not for certaine Birds devouring those Creatures, it were impossible to have any Harvest.

Iordan runneth thorow the middest of the Countrie, whose water is most delicious, and therein strangers are ac∣customed to wash themselves. In its course, it maketh two lakes, the one in Cana of Galilie, the other at Tyberias, which is called Genazereth, and at last disgorgeth it selfe into the Mediterran Sea. Upon the bankes thereof grow Withies, Tamarisk, and many other sorts of shrubs and weeds, of which the Arabians make their darts, weapons, launces, and writing pens.

The former of these two lakes is especially filled when the Snowes dissolve and runne from Libanus. In the Sum∣mer it is drie, and bringeth forth abundance of shrubs and flags, wherein Lions, and divers wilde beasts do shroud their carcasses. The Lake of Genazereth runneth most cleere∣ly, and yeeldeth divers sorts of fish, as Carps, Pikes, &c.

It is not so broad, but that a man may see from one side un∣to the other, as consisting of sixteene miles in length, and six in breadth. The plaines round about are barren for the a∣bundance of bushes, which hinder the husbandman from manuring the ground. Yet the Iewes industrie doe much a∣mend it, and dwell about the bankes thereof for the fishing sake.

Mare mortuum, otherwise the Lake Asphaltites, so called of his bituminous favour, was a place once woody and full of salt pits, which for the pleasantnesse thereof was resem∣bled to Paradise; and therein stood Sodome, Gomorrah, and the three other Cities, which for their sinne against Nature, were therein drowned and burnt by the doome of God. At this day it sendeth forth smokes and fogs as from an in∣fernall furnace, wherewith the whole valley adjacent for halfe a dayes journey is made barren. It neither yeeldeth Fish nor Fowle, and whatsoever creature is cast therein, though bound hand and foot, it swimmeth on the face of the water.

The land was once most populous, as appeareth by the muster of David, who numbred thirteene hundred thou∣sand men, able to beare armes, besides the Tribe of Benja∣min. As long as they continued their upright and religious obedience to the service of God, the Land prospered; but assoone as they forgot God, they suffered many miseries, and those perpetuall, untill they were cleane destroyed, and forced to flye every way. For to speake nothing of ancient time, the 73. yeare after Christ, Ierusalem was taken and destroyed by Titus, with the slaughter and captivitie of in∣finite thousands. In the yeare 136. it was restored by Aelius Adrianus, new named Aelia, and given in possession to the Iewes. In the time of Constantine and Helena (his mother) it fell into the hands of the Christians, & so continued untill the yeare 609. at what time it was sacked by the Persians, but left unto the Christians, and so continued untill the dayes of Henry the fourth, at what time it was againe taken by the Sultan of the Sarazens, and the Christians cleane bani∣shed.

In the yeare 1097. in a generall Councell for the delive∣rie of the holy Land, the Crossed Knights were instituted throughout Christendome, and Godfrey of Bulloigne chosen Generall of three hundred thousand footmen, and one hun∣dred thousand horse. These Knights did many famous acts; recovered the land, instituted a Monarchie, and some∣time with good fortune, and sometime with losse, continu∣ed the defence thereof, untill the yeare 1290. in which yeare it was utterly subdued by the Soldan of Aegypt. In whose possession it continued, until the yeare of our Lord 1517. and then was it overcome by the Turkish Armies, who at this day retaine it in miserable servitude. And so it resteth, peopled with men of divers Nations and Sects; as Saracens, Arabians, Turkes, Hebrewes, and Christians: whereof some follow the Latine Church, some the Greeke: as the Greci∣ans, Syrians, Armenians, Georgians, Nestorians, Iacobites, Nubians, Maronites, Abassines, Indians, and Aegyptians, eve∣ry one having their peculiar Bishops, whom they obey.

Galilie upon the North is environed with the steepe hils of Libanus & Antilibanus, upon the with West Phoenicia, upon the East with Celosyria, and upon the South with Samaria and Arabia the desart. The soile is most fruitfull, yeelding all sorts of trees, and divided by Iordan: upon whose bankes stand very many townes and villages, and so well watred either with mountain-torrents, or springs, that no part there∣of lyeth unmanured.

The Countrie is more famous, for that in it standeth (a∣mongst the rude Mountaines) the small village of Nazareth, the place of our Lords conception: and at this day, there is a small Chappell archt and built under ground, whereinto a man must descend by staires: Here (some say) the Angell appeared unto Mary, and foretold her, that she should con∣ceive and bring forth our Lord.

The Inhabitants are Arabians, short and thicke men, rudely apparelled, and weaponed with bows, swords, and daggers. In this region likewise, standeth the Mount Thabor, whose North part is inaccessible, and whereon our Lord was transfigured.

Samaria lyeth in a most delicate plot of Palestine, but in bignesse not comparable to Iudea, or Galilie. The soile is part∣ly mountainous, partly champian, pleasant, fruitfull, and very well watred with fresh and sweet water. The Citie is now ruinated: But Naplos for pleasure and delight is inferiour, to none other. It is situated upon the side of a hill, the eighth part of a mile, from whence a man may behold the ruines of a great Temple neere unto that Well, where (as men say) Christ fate, when he asked water of the Samaritan woman.

Iudea far excelleth any part of the residue of Palestine, & at this day enioyeth its ancient fertilitie. The tribe of Iuda so named it, and in it, as in the rest of Palestine, were very ma∣ny worthy Cities, whereof Ierusalem was the chiefe feate of their Princes, the receptacle of the Patriarks, Prophets, and Apostles: the originall place of our Faith, and the glory of the Christian world. By the Barbarians, at this day, it is cal∣led Godz or Chutz. It standeth on an eminent place,—as whereunto a man must every way ascend.

S. Ieroms opinion was, that it stood not only in the heart of Iudea, but in the very center of the World, as having Asia on the East, Europe on the West, upon the South Lybia and Africa, and upon the North Scythia, Armenia, Persia, with the residue of the Pontique Nations.

What the glory hereof hath beene, may be conjectu∣red out of Tacitus, who reporteth, that in the beginning of the siege, it contained two hundred thousand soules. At this day it numbreth not above five thousand inhabitants, although many Pilgrims daily resort thither for devotion sake.

It was once strongly and fairely walled, but now weake∣ly, and therin it sheweth nothing now so famous, as the Se∣pulchie of our Lord Christ, whose Temple encircleth the whole mount of Calvarie, situated upon a plaine plot of ground, high, round, and open at the top, from whence it receiveth light: but the Sepulchre itselfe is covered with an Archt-Chappell, cut out of the maine Marble, and left unto the custodie of the Latine Christians.

Whosoever is desirous to see this Sepulchre, must pay nine crownes to the Turke; so that this tribute is yearely worth unto him, eight millions of Ducats.

One hundred and eight foot distant from this Tombe is the Mount (called Calvarie,) whereon our Saviour Christ was crucified by the treacherous Iewes. In this place are ma∣ny other religious Reliques. And the pilgrims which come thither, are alwaies lodged according to their owne professi∣ons; that is to say, the Latines with the Franciscans, without the Citie by Mount Sion: the Grecians are lodged with the Caloieran Greekes, dwelling within the Citie by the Sepul∣chre: And so every other Nation, Abassines, Georgians, Armenians, Nestorians, and Maronits; who all have their proper and peculiar Chappels. Those Franciscans, which follow the Latine Church, and are for the most part Itali∣ans, were wont to create the Knights of the Sepulchre, and to give testimoniall unto pilgrims of their arrivall there.

Without this Citie is the Valley of Iehosaphat, and there∣in the tombes of the blessed Ladie, and S. Anne. The territo∣rie adjoyning is exceeding fruitfull in Vines, Apples, Al∣monds, Figs, and Oyle: the Mountaines are no lesse stored with all sorts of Trees, wilde Beasts, and Spiceries.

Besides Ierusalem standeth Bethlem, now destroyed, and shewing nothing worth looking on, save a great and stately Monasterie of the Franciscans; within which is the place where Christ was borne. Rama is now likewise ruinated, the Arches and Cesternes yet remaining by the witnesse of Bel∣lonius his owne eye, are greater than those of Alexandria, but not so thicke.

Gaza is now a Turkish Sangiak-ship: the soile about fer∣tile, and the inhabitants Grecians, Turks, and Arabians.

In holy Writ this Region is called Edom, and by other Authors Nabathea. Toward the sea and Iudea the soile is fertile, but towards Arabia desart and barren. Some say it is inexpugnable for its Desarts and want of water: yet is it stored therewith, but hidden, and knowne to none but the natives. Of old they were a turbulent, unquiet, and sedi∣tious

people; and so at this day, they are like to the villai∣nous and roguish Neighbours, the Arabians.

Next bordereth Phoenicia, as part of Syria, exposed to the sea, and bordering upon Galile. Of old it had many famous Cities, as Tripolis, Beritus, Sydon, Tyrus, Ptolemais, Capernaum, Emissa, and others: Amongst the which, Tyre and Sydon were most famous. Tyre was a goodly Citie, a Colonie of the Sydonians, and round about encircled with the Sea, untill Alexander in his siege joyned it to the con∣tinent.

At this day it hath two harbours, that on the North side the fairest and best thorowout the Levant, which the Cur∣sores enter at their pleasure; the other choked with the ruines of the Citie. So is it, and Sydon, now the strong receptacles of the stiffe-necked Drusians; A generation (they say) des∣cended from the reliques of those Noble Christians, who under the conduct of Godfrey of Bullen, descended into those parts; and being by time driven unto harder fortunes, be∣tooke themselves to the Mountaines; from whence, they could never be expulsed, neither by the Saracens, nor yet by the Turkes. Allowed they are libertie of Religion, and no other tribute imposed upon them, than is upon the naturall Subject, the one being no good Christians, and the other, worse Mahumetans.

Sydon was once no lesse famous; now contracted into a narrow compasse, shewing only in her ruines the foundati∣ons of her greatnesse. The Inhabitants are of sundry Nati∣ons and Religions (as the Tyrians) yet governed by a succes∣sion of Princes, whom they call Emirs; And whose Seignio∣rie (augmented by armes and tyrannie) stretcheth from the River of Canis to the foot of Mount Carmel, containing a large extent of ground, and therein many Cities, whereof Saffet is the principall. The Grand Seignior doth much en∣vie him for suffering the Florentines to harbour and water within his Port of Tyrus; which he is glad to excuse by the waste of the place, and inabilitie of resistance. But the truth is, that hee is a strong, rich, and potent Lord in these

parts, partly presuming upon the strength of his invincible Forts, and partly upon the advantage of the Mountaines, yet having besides in continuall pay fortie thousand soul∣diers ••ome Moores, some Christians; and if the worst should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hee hath the Sea at hand, and the Florentine to friend; with whom, he knoweth that a massie Treasure will worke ••o small effects, towards the purchase of some rich Seig∣niorie.

To conclude, he is too strong for his neighbours, and able to make a long defensive Warre against the Turke, if his ty∣rannie could assure him of fidelitie in this people.

Acon or Ptolomais, is strongly fortified triangular-wise, two parts whereof lye upon the Sea, the third toward the land. The soile about is very fruitfull and delicious. The Citie adorned with a beautifull Hospitall, strong and well bulwarked, once belonging to the Teutonicke Knights. It hath also a very faire Haven, capacious of any ships com∣ming from the South: now under the Sanz••ack of Saffet, and usurped with the rest of that Province, by the foresaid Emir of Sydon. In this wofull Towne dwell not above two or three hundred Inhabitants, and those in patcht up ruinous houses.

Beritus is an ancient Citie, once an Episcopall See, now famous for Trafficke and Merchandize, as the Mart-towne whereunto all the ships comming from Europe doe arrive. It is situated most safely, and almost inexpugnable.

NOw following mine Author, and having finished this tedious discourse of this great Empire, by the patience of my Reader, I will once turne backe againe and relate the Originall, the manners, the discent, and the Religion of this warlike and infidelious people, composed partly of Natives, lineally descended from the Scythians and Tartars, and part∣ly of Apostata and Renegado Christians.

Generally the Natives have broad visages, correspon∣dent to the proportion of their members, faire and tall, and somewhat inclined to grossenesse. Their haire they regard

not, save onely that of their beards. They are of a grosse and dull capacitie,-wayward, slow and lazie, hating hus∣bandrie, and yet above all people in the world covetous and desirous of riches, yea, selling all places of Justice and Go∣vernment to their best Chapmen. Amongst one another ex∣ceeding courteous, and as servile toward their superiours; in whose presence they keepe admirable silence, and yeeld due reverence: but toward strangers they are all fashioned of pride, insolencie, and boasting, thinking no Nation in the world to equalize them; in their speech, entertainment and gesture, bewraying their inherent insolence; faithfull to none, but where fidelitie may produce advantage. By na∣ture, they are as idle, and given to excessive eating and drin∣king, sitting close by it three dayes together, and secretly not abstaining from Wine, although by their Law they are forbidden the drinking thereof. No lesse are they addicted to lechery and lothsome unnaturall venery, exceeding cre∣dulous, superstitious, relying upon dreames, fortunes, divi∣nations and destiny, beleeving every mans fortune to be written in his forehead, impossible to be avoided: the fun∣damentall reason why they adventure like brute beasts, into so many desperate dangers.

As concerning their Religion, a man might write much, but we studying brevity, doe relate, that generally, as a peo∣ple too too credulous, they embrace many absurd and tri∣viall opinions, touching the Creation and end of the world, of Paradise, Heaven, Hell, the Earth, the creation of Man, and Mahumets journey to Heaven, even such and so grosse, as would make our children to laugh, if they heard them fabled. They doe all acknowledge one God, they reverence Christ, not as the Sonne of God, but as a Prophet borne of the Virgin Mary, and not crucified on the Crosse, but some other man foisted in by the subtiltie of the Iewes. Idols and Images they will not endure, and observe the Friday, as wee doe the Sabbath. They keepe a Lent of thirtie dayes, which they call Ramadan, and fast all day; but in the night they make amends for all, abstaining from nothing that

commeth to hand, save Swines flesh, Wine and Women. Next this Feast followeth their Easter, by them termed Bay∣dan, it continueth three dayes, and during that time, they take no delight in any pastime. This feast falleth not at all times alike, but sometimes in the Winter, sometimes in the Spring, and sometimes in Autumne; by reason that they ac∣count not their yeare according to the course of the Sun, but of the Moone: the rising whereof at first quarter they a∣dore, bearing the Figure thereof, as we the Crosse, in their Ensignes.

They are circumcised Iew-like, but not as they on the eighth day, but at the eighth yeare. They have no Bels after the manner of Christendome, neither will they suffer the Christians to have any, but five times in one day and night, their Priests ascend the Steeples, with their lowd roarings and out-cries to call and assemble the people to prayers. By their good will they will not be called Turkes; for in the Hebrew tongue that denomination signifieth a Vagabond or banished man, and is accounted a word of disgrace; and therefore forsooth they must be stiled Musolmans, that is, Right-beleevers.

They have likewise amongst them (as amongst the Pa∣pists) foure Orders of professed persons, (viz.) the Torlaci, the Darvisi, the Calenderi, and the Hughie mali; the most wicked Sect of all the residue, giving themselves to all im∣posture and uncleannesse.

They are not very daintie to converse with Christians, but with small intreatie will eat, drinke and trafficke with them; yea, and sometimes marry the daughters, permit∣ting them to live peaceably after their consciences: but to the Iewes, they are most insociable, detesting their com∣pany, and hating their tables, accounting them the basest people in the world, neither will they marry with any of that progenie, nō, nor receive them into the Mahumetan Religion, unlesse they be first baptized. By their Lawes they may have but foure wives, yet by prescription every man taketh as many as he can well maintaine: one of these

is accounted the wife; to her the residue are underlings, and may at any time be divorced. Their women goe seldome abroad, but if they doe, they maske their faces, are gallant∣ly attired, and shine in gold, Stone, and Jewels: Twice a weeke (as doe men) they frequent the Baths. They never blaspheme the name of God, nor of Mahumet, nor of Christ, nor of our Ladie, nor of any other Saints, but if any bee heard so to offend, he is grievously punished, let him be of what calling or religion soever. At Dice and Cards they never play, but only at Alveolo. They are very charitable, disbursing their Almes, not only to Turkes, but also to Chri∣stians, and men of all professions, yea to brute beasts, some∣times buying quicke Birds, which for charities sake, they will againe let flye at libertie. Their garments are long, and open before to the foot, except their shirts, which they weare without their Broges, so that as they goe they are openly seene. Their rayment is very faire and costly, viz. of cloth, silke, imbrodery, and set with pearle. They cover their head with a Turbant, except those of the discent of Mahumet; these weare altogether greene, but the Christi∣ans inhabiting among them, weare no one colour, but as they please (greene except.) They are all clothed in long garments like the Turkes, and are not distinguished by any apparell they weare (of what profession soever they be) but only by the attire of their heads. In salutations they never un∣cover their heads, neither doth the meaner salute his better; the left hand with them is the place of honour, and the bet∣ter sort ride about their affaires on horsebacke.

In diet they are very rude; they fare basely, and grosse∣ly, and yet they eat thrice a day, at morning, noone, and evening, alwayes without Table-cloth or Napkin; not sit∣ting orderly at Table, but on the ground, or some low stoole, with their legges acrosse, Taylor-like. They feed upon all sorts of flesh, except Porke, which is forbidden them by their Law. Their chiefest food is Rice; and the Asian Turks care not much for Fish, but the European Turks for nothing more. By Law they forbeare Wine, and therefore drinke

water, whereunto the better sort mix either Honey or Sugar, and in cold weather in stead of a tost they throw in a bur∣ning coale, to take away the offensive operation of this raw Element. They make great use of Opium, and there is not one of them but eateth it, beleeving that thereby his courage increaseth, and thereby lesse dreadeth the hazard of warre. They make water, cowring downe like women, and their private buildings for the most part consist of timber and morter, very narrow and ill contrived; wherein to say truth, they are not intensive, esteeming it an hainous sinne to bestow more cost upon the frame, than is likely or conveni∣ent to last longer than during the life of one man: but in building of Temples to the honour of God, in providing for publike receptacles of travellers, in erecting Hospitals, pub∣like Baths, watering places for men and cattell, and foun∣taines to wash away their imaginary pollutions, before they enter into their Mesehits, they are most sumptuous, most prodigall. No lesse a pride take they in building of Conduits, in erecting of Bridges, and in paving of high-wayes, all which in Turkie you shall see very carefully repaired, & as a man may say, sumptuously and magnificently provided for.

Except upon the frontiers, in Turkie you shall see no fortified Cities, but rather the wals, that have beene fortified, ruinated, and the fields wasted, according to their proverbe, Quà Ottomanicus aliquis transivit, ibi nec folia nec gram••∣na proveniunt. And not untruly, for as soone as they have conquered any Province, they extinguish the great ones, especially those of royall bloud, & as for the wealth••est Bur∣gers, they transport them into remote Provinces, already inured, and subjected to their Lawes and Government; not forcing their consciences, but onely despoyling them of their armes, restraining them of liberty to travell out of their li∣mits, and forbidding them to serve any other Potentate, in prevention of rebellion. In invention of engines against their neighbours they are admirable industrious, not caring to obtaine that by craft and faithlesse cowardize, which they cannot gaine by force, or the effusion of much bloud: but

those base projects not prevailing, without respect of honour or military glory, they are not ashamed to betake themselves to their heeles. Yet to speake truth, they are good souldiers, and to their especiall advantage excellently disciplined, be∣ing obedient to their Commanders, most laborious in the fabrikes, content with a small refreshment of victuall, and that most grosse, contrary to gluttonous behaviour of all Christian warfare. Their Armes are a Launce, a Bow, and a quiver of Arrowes, an iron Mace, a Battle-axe, and a Cemi∣ter, and those enchased with Gold and Silver: besides their great Ordnance, whereof at this day they are Lords of in∣finite peeces.

This Empire beganne to take root in the yeare 1300. un∣der the fortunes of one Osman or Ottoman, from whom the succeeding Princes of that house have derived and usurped the surnames of Ottoman, even as the Emperours of Chri∣stendome have continued the title of Caesars, since the first Roman Iulius. From that time, untill the yeare 1608. and from that Ottoman untill this Acmach, wonder it is to relate how in the space of three hundred yeares, from so meane a Captaine, so base a people, and in so short a time, (conside∣ring the growth of the Roman Empire) this Soveraignty is now growne to be the terrour of the world, and almost to equallize that of the Romans. How long every particular Prince reigned, and what exploits they performed, I rue to record, and meane not to relate: onely let me remember you of that devillish policie of theirs, how one brother at his first comming to the Crowne murdereth all the residue of his fa∣thers children, and male-competitors, thereby presuming to live secure and fearelesse of innovation: judicet Deus.

They first seated the modell and majesty of their Empire in Prusia, a City of Bithynia; then they transported it to Ha∣drianople, and lastly to Constantinople. In which Imperiall Citie is now his Court or Palace, three or foure miles in compasse, wholly inclosed with a strong wall, and situated the pleasantest of any Palace on the face of the earth, termed by them the Port, or Seraglio. Within the inclosure of this

wall are many pleasant Parkes, sweet Fountaines, sumptu∣ous Arbours, and innumerable lodgings richly built, espe∣cially those wherein the great Turke himselfe resideth. Within this inclosure likewise, are two other inclosed re∣ceptacles or lodgings for women; in the one are continu∣ally kept at least fifteene hundred damosels, out of which are culled one hundred and fifty for the daily service of the Em∣perour, and those sequestred into the other of the lesser lodgings.

For his guard he maintaineth daily by turnes foure thou∣sand footmen, by them stiled Ianizars, viz. slaves, by way of tribute haled in their infancies from the bosomes of their Christian parents. Hee hath alwayes in Court likewise at∣tendant on his person fifteene hundred horsemen (besides those that serve under the Beglerbegs) and those are divided into foure classes or orders, viz. Sp••zi, Vlufagi, Steliftari, and Caripici, all payed out of his Casna, or Exchequer. Be∣sides these Pretorian bands, he likewise maintained, out of his Exchequer not so few as ten thousand Ianizars garriso∣ned, thorow all parts of his Empire, under severall leaders, acknowledging no other Lord, Soveraigne, or maintainer, but the grand Seignior.

Moreover, hee hath another order of Souldiery, termed Timario••s, what they are, and how maintained, you have heard before. So many as at this day are raised in Europe, are thought sufficient to entertaine eighty thousand horse∣men: those in Asia or Na••olia fifty thousand; and those wrested from the Crowne of Persia forty thousand; What are raised in Syria, and the adjacent Regions of Aegypt and Africa, have not beene estimated, but all these serve under their Sanziaks, and they at the commands of their Begler∣begs or Colonels.

The Court is commonly stiled by them Capi, that is, the Port, wherein are many great Officers, by us spoken of be∣fore: But those whose services are onely destinated to uses within the Seraglio, are for the most part Eunuches, with their rabble of under-Eunuches. Without the Seraglio, are

also divers honourable Offices for the government of the Empire, the chiefe whereof is their Mufii or Pope. In the second ranke are their Cadeleschers, viz. chiefe Justices. After the Cadeleschers follow the Vice-Roy Bassae••, (Coun∣sellours of estate) whose number is uncertaine; in old time three or foure, but of late nine. The President of these the Turkes terme Vice-Roy. And in truth, it is a place of great dignity and authority in managing the affaires of the State, as the man with whom the grand Seignior doth onely com∣municate his weightiest intentions, and secretest delibe∣rations.

And were it certaine, either for yeares, or life; For pro∣fit and honour, this place would not be much inferiour to the estate of many great Princes in Christendome. But such is the tyranny of this Monarch, that upon every suggestion and jealousie, he is sometime deprived, and sometime strang∣led. Within these sixteene or seventeene yeares last past, it hath beene observed, that fourteene of these Officers have thus beene used. Five have died naturall deaths after de∣privement, and nine deprived and afterwards murdered.

In the next place appeare the Beglerbegs, (masters del Campo) the chiefe whereof is he that is termed of Romania or Grecia: The second of Anatolia or Asia. The third is the Denizi Beglerbeg, that is to say, the Lord high Admi∣rall. And these three Beglerbegs have equall place and au∣thority with the former Bassaes in the Divano, or place of publike audience.

Before the last warre of Persia, this Empire was under∣governed by forty Beglerbegs, who likewise had under them two hundred and seventy Sanziaks: But since those times this number hath beene much augmented, viz. in Europe reside seven: In Afrike foure: In Asia twenty nine.

The Turkish Arsenals for shipping are foure; the first is at P••ra, and containeth three and thirty docks or stations for so many Gallies: The second is at Gallipolis, and containeth twenty, both under the charge of the high Admirall and his servitors. The third is at Suez upon the Red-Sea, containing

five and twenty stations: and the fourth last, at Balsara in the Persian gulfe, consisting of fifteene Gallies, and these two last under the charges of the Beglerbegs of Balsara and Cairo.

In the time of Sel••mus we reckoned one million, and three hundred thirty three thousand Christian soules to live with∣in his Dominions, not accounting those that enjoyed free∣dome of conscience by privilege, nor those that then were subject to the Aegyptian Sultan, whom the said Selimus vanquished.

The Iewes likewise live dispersed over his whole Domini∣ons, in such infinite numbers, that scarce no Towne nor Vil∣lage, but is very populously replenished with their fa∣milies, speaking divers languages, and using the trade of Merchandize in royall and rich fashion.

A people scattered over the face of the earth, hated by all men amongst whom they live, yet of incredible patience; as subjecting themselves to times, and to whatsoever may advance their profit: worldly wise, and thriving whereso∣ever they set footing. Men of indifferent statures, and best complexions. Those that live in Christendome are the re∣likes only of the tribes of Iuda and Benjamin; the other ten (some say) are lost: Others, that they be in India, or driven by Salmanasser into the extreme parts of the North.

Their owne Country, after the expulsion of the Aegyp∣tian Sultans by Selimus, at this day is adjoyned unto the Crowne of the Ottoman Empire: being governed by di∣vers Sanziacks, all under the Bassa of Damasco. It is now in∣habited by Moores and Arabians: Those possessing the vallies; these the mountaines. Of Turkes there be some few: of Greekes many; with other Christians of all sects and Nations; especially of such as impute an adherent holinesse to the place. Those Iewes that live here, are not proprietors of any land therein, but live as strangers and aliens, and pay their duties to their Lords.

The Arabians are said to be descended from Ismael, dwel∣ling in tents, and removing their aboads, according to oppor∣tunity

of prey, or benefit of pasturage; not worth the conque∣ring, nor can they be conquered, retiring to places inaccessi∣ble for Armies. A Nation from the beginning unmixed with others, boasting of their Nobility, and this day hating all mechanicall Sciences. They hang about the skirts of the inhabited Countries, and having robbed, retire with won∣derfull celerity. They are of meane stature, raw-boned, tawny, having feminine voices, of a swift and noislesse pace being behinde you, and upon you before you bee aware. Their Religion (if any) Mahumetisme, their Language ex∣tending as farre as their Religion. Yet if any one of them un∣dertake that conduct, he will performe it faithfully, not any of the Nation offering to molest you. Then will they lead you by unknowne waies, farther in foure dayes than a man can travell by Caravan in fourteene.

Notes

• Situation.
• Now Caesaria P••ilippi.
• Now Gibelin.
• Iordan.
• Asphaltites.
• Forces.
• Galilie.
• Nazareth.
• Samaria.
• Iudea.
• Ierusalem.
• Mount Calva∣rie.
• Valley of Icho∣saphat.
• Bethlem.
• Gaza.
• Jdumea.
• Phoenicia.
• Sydon.
• Acon.
• Beritus.