The preachers trauels Wherein is set downe a true iournall to the confines of the East Indies, through the great countreyes of Syria, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Media, Hircania and Parthia. With the authors returne by the way of Persia, Susiana, Assiria, Chaldæa, and Arabia. Containing a full suruew of the knigdom [sic] of Persia: and in what termes the Persian stands with the Great Turke at this day: also a true relation of Sir Anthonie Sherleys entertainment there: and the estate that his brother, M. Robert Sherley liued in after his departure for Christendome. With the description of a port in the Persian gulf, commodious for our East Indian merchants; and a briefe rehearsall of some grosse absudities [sic] in the Turkish Alcoran. Penned by I.C. sometimes student in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford.

The description of AR∣MENIA.

ARmenia was founded by Armenius (one of the companions of Iason, who wonne the golden Fleece at Colchos:) for after Iason was dead, Armenius hauing gathered to∣gether a great multitude of people, and wandering vp and downe the Countrey, in the end hee founded the Towne of Armenia, neere vnto the mountaines out of which the Riuer Tygris springeth; constituting many good and wholsome lawes, whereby from time to time, the Countrey of Armenia was gouerned by Kings of their owne Nation, vntill such time as the house of the Ottamans subdued the same.

It is now called Turcomania, and was the first seate of the Turkes, after their first comming out of Scythia, who left their naturall seates in that cold and bare Countrey, to seeke themselues others in more pleasant and temperate Countries more Southerly, stirred vp no doubt by the hand•• of the Almighty, who being the Authour of all Kingdomes vpon earth, as well of those which hee hath ap∣pointed as scourges wherewith to punish the world, as o∣thers more blessed. This people thus stirred vp, and by the Caspian ports passing through the Georgian Countrey, then called Iberia, neere vnto the Caspian Sea; first ceased vpon this part of Armenia, and that with so strong an hand, that

it is by their posterity yet holden at this day, and of them called Turcomania; of all other, the most true progeny of the Turkes. These Turcomanes of a long time vnder their diuers leaders, in the manner of their liuing, most resem∣bling their ancestours, did roame vp and downe with their families and heads of cattell, after the manner of the Scy∣thian Nomades, their Countrey men, without certaine places of aboade; yet at great vnity amongst themselues, as not hauing much to loose, or wherefore to striue. This people did not only notably defend this Countrey thus by them at the first possessed, but still incroched farther and farther, and gayning by other mens harmes, became at length dreadfull vnto their neighbours, and of some fame also farther off. Whereunto the effeminate cowardise of those delicate people of Asia, with whom they had to doe, gaue no lesse furtherance then their owne valour; being neuerthelesse an hardy rough people, though not much skilfull, or trained vp in the feates of warre. But to leaue these Turcomanes for a while, wee will returne where we left.

This Countrey of Armenia hath for it vtmost bounds northward, Colchos, Iberia, and Albania; all which are now called by the Tartars Comania. Colchos was that famous Prouince, so much spoken of by the Poets, for the fable of Medea and Iason, and the golden Fleece: the inhabitants now are called Mengrellians, a Nation most barbarous and sauage, selling their Sonnes and Daughters to the Turkes for litle or nothing. Iberia is now called Georgia, and Al∣bania, Zuiria: Westward it confronts vpon Euphrates and Armenia the lesse: Southward on Mesopotamia, with that which the Curdies inhabit: and Eastward on the Riuer A∣raxis, which watereth the South part of Armenia, and al∣most diuideth from Georgia.

A d••scription of the people of Armenia, as they are at this day.

AT our first entrance into this Countrey, we trauelled through a goodly, large, and spacious plaine, com∣passed about with a row of high mountaines, where were many Villages, wholly inhabited by Armenians; a people very industrious in all kinde of labour: their women very skilfull and actiue in shooting, and managing any sort of weapon, like the fierce Amazones in antique time; and the women at this day, which inhabit the mountaine Xatach in Persia. Their families are very great; for, both Sonnes, Nephewes, and Nieces doe dwell vnder one roofe, hauing all their substance in common: and when the father dyeth, the eldest Sonne doth gouerne the rest, all submit∣ting themselues vnder his regiment. But when the eldest Sonne dyeth, th•• gouernment doth not passe to his sonnes, but to the eldest brother. And if it chance to fall out, that all the brethren doe die, then the gouernment doth belong to the eldest Sonne of the eldest brother, and so from one to another. In their dyet and cloathing, they are all fedde and cladde alike, liuing in all peace and tranquility, groun∣ded on true loue and honest simplicity.

To discourse how populous this nation is at this day, is needlesse, since they inhabit both in Armenia the greater, and Armenia the lesse; as also in Cilicia, Bithinia, Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia. Besides the principall Cities of the Turkish Empire be much appopulated with them, as Brusia, Angori, Trabisonda, Alexandria, Grand-Caire, Constantinople, Cassa, Aleppo, Orpha, Cara-••mit, Van, and Iulpha. Some of this nation affirmed vnto vs, that the chiefest cause of their great liberty in the Ottoman King∣dome is, for that certaine of their Kings bare great affe∣ction and loue vnto Mahomet their lewde Prophet, in re∣gard whereof Mahomet did recommend them as his kind friends to his successours, who euer since haue permitted

the poore Armenians to liue amongst them. But the true reason is, for that they are very laborious in transporting merchandise from one City to another, by which meanes through the customes which are paid in euery City, the coffers of the Grand Signior are wonderfully inriched. Vn∣to which doth well agree that scoffing taunt which Abbas now King of Persia did throw vpon an Armenian, who being desirous to forsake his Christian faith, and to em∣brace the wicked and filthy superstition of the Persians, vp∣pon hope of reward and preferment, the King did not on∣ly rebuke his tepedity and coldnesse in his religion, but sent him away with this skornefull reproofe: That an Armeni∣an now was good for nought, saue as a Camel to transport merchandise from one city to another: implying that how∣s••euer in antique times they had beene warlike and cou∣ragious, yet now they were become Buffelloes and Pul∣trones, altogether vnfit for martiall affaires.

This people haue two Patriarkes, to whom they giue the name of Vniuersall: the one keepeth his seate in the City of Sis in Caramania, not farre from Tharsus: the o∣ther in the Monastery of Ecmeazin, neere vnto the City Eruan in this Countrey. Vnder these two Patriarkes are eighteene Monasteries full fraight with Friers of their reli∣gion; and foure and twenty B••shopricks. The maintenance allowed in times past vnto each of these two Patriarks was a Maidin on an house; each Patriarke hauing vnder him twenty thousand housholds: but now that large beneuo∣lence the great Turke hath ceased into his owne hands, as if the tythe of the Church were fitter for his vnsatiable desire; then for those poore, miserable, and despised Church-men: and therefore now they are constrained to liue on the almes of the people, going continually in visi∣tation from one City to another, carrying their wiues and whole family with them.

The people of this nation haue retained amongst them the Christian faith, as it is thought from the time of ••he

Apostles: but at this day it is spotted with many absurdi∣ties. They hold with the Church of Rome in the vse of the Crosse, affirming it to be meritorious if they make the same with two fingers, as the Papists vse; but idle and vaine if with one finger as the Iacobites. They adorne their Chur∣ches in euery place with the signe of the Crosse, but for o∣ther Images they haue none, being professed enemies a∣gainst the vse of them. In keeping ancient reliques they are very superstitious, and much deuoted to the ••lessed Virgin Mary, to whom they direct their prayers. They imitate the Dioscorians in eating whit-meats on Saturday, which to doe on Wednesday and Friday were a deadly sin: neuerthelesse they will not refraine from the eating of flesh on euery Friday, betweene the feast of the Passeouer and the Ascention. They abstaine fiue Sabboths in the yeare from eating flesh, in remembrance of that time, in which the Gentiles did sacrifice their children vnto Idols. They celebrate the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary on the sixt of Aprill, the Natiuity of our blessed Sauiour on the sixt of Ianuary, the Purification the fourth of February, and the Transfiguration the fourteenth of August. The mi∣nistration of their Liturgie or seruice, is performed in their natiue language, that all may vnderstand: but in their ser∣uice of the Masse for the dead, they are most idolatrous, v∣sing at the solemnizing thereof, to sacrifice a Lambe, which they first lead round about the Church, and after they haue killed it and rosted it, they spread it on a faire white linnen cloath, the Priest giuing to each of the Congregation a part and portion thereof. For which cause they are called by some Sabbatists, and Iulianists, as too much addicted to the ceremonies of the Iewes, and deuoted to the errours of Iulian. I haue heard some Papists boast and bragge much, that both Armenians, Iacobites, and Greoians, are vnited to the Chu••ch of Rome, but I could neuer heare either Ar∣menian or Grecian ••uouch any such matter. They are (vn∣lesse some few families) so farre from yeelding obedience

vnto the Sea of Rome, that they assume all antiquity vnto themselues, as hauing retained the Christian faith from the time of the Apostles. Many Iesuites and Priests haue been sent from Rome to bring this oppressed nation vnder her gouernment, but they haue little preuailed; for neither will they yeeld obedience, nor be brought by any perswa∣sion to forsake their ancient and inueterate errours, to be∣come more erroneous with her.

Hauing well refreshed our s••lues amongst these villages, we proceeded in our ordinary trauell, but ere we had pas∣sed two miles, certaine troupes of Curdies incountred our Carauan, with a purpose and intent to haue robbed the same, but finding themselues too weake to contend with so great company, they departed vntill the next day follow∣ing, when againe they met with vs in a very narrow pas∣sage betweene two mountaines, where they made a stay of our whole Carauan, exacting a Shaughee on euery person, which to purchase our peace wee willingly paied; and so arriued that euening at Bithlis an ancient City, but a City of much cruelty and oppression, where little iustice and right is to be found to releeue distressed passengers.

The description of Bithlis.

THis City standeth in a pleasant valley, by which run∣neth a little Riuer, falling out of the mountaines An∣ti-Taurus, it was once a Towne in the confines of the Per∣sian Kingdome, bordering vpon Mesopotamia, and had a Castle kept with a garrison of Persian Souldiers, before such time as Solyman the Magnificent did conquer these Countries, which was in the yeare 1535. In which yeare there was a memorable battell fought betweene the two great Bassaes of Caire and Syria, conducted by Vlemas the Persian Traitor; and Delymenthes a right Nobleman of Persia. The two Bassaes and Vlemas were commanded by Solyman (in his returne from the spoile of Tauris) to

follow him with eighteene thousand good Souldiers in the rereward of his army, to receiue and represse the sud∣d••n assaul••s of the Persians, if neede should require. But Delymenthes with fiue thousand Persian Souldiers pursued the Turkes, and ouertooke them in the aforesaid valley; and being furthered in this venterous designement, both by the darkenesse of the night, and the abundance of raine which fell at the same instant, as if it had beene wished for, on a sudden go•• within the Turkes campe: where the Per∣sian Souldiers, as Wolues amongst Sheepe, did such speedy execution amongst the sleepy Turkes, that the two great Bassaes and Vlemas had much adoe to get to horse, and saue themselues by flight. And such was the fury of the Persians, and the greatnesse of the sudden feare increased by the darkenesse of the night, that the Turkes not know∣ing which way to turne themselues, or what to doe, were slaine by thousands, some sleeping, some halfe waking, some making themselues ready to fight, and to flie, few of all that great army escaped the sword of the Persians. There was three great Sanzaecks slaine, one taken, and the other sled, eight hundred Iamzaries seeing themselues for••aken of their Captaine••, laid downe their Harquebusiers, and other weapons, and yeelded themselues vpon Delymenthes his word. It might then well haue beene said of the Turks, which the Poet spea••eth of the night, wherein Troy was ••ack••:

Quis cladem illius noctis qui funere fando Explicet?—

The slaughter of that night was such, as that it is of the Turkes vntill this day accounted amongst their greatest losses; and the victory so welcome to the Persians, that in memoriall thereof they still keepe that day (which was the thirteenth of October) as one of their solemne holi∣dayes.

In Bithlis wee staied two dayes; and at our departure paied vnto the Gouernour of the said City a Doll••r on a

summe of goods, and so set forwards towards the great City Van, three dayes iourney farther. In which trauell we had a very wearisome and painefull iourney, ouer high mountaines and craggy rocks, the way being exceeding narrow, that a beast could hardly passe with his burden, without much heauing and tumultuous shouldering. The which narrow passages the Turks told vs, was by the com∣mandement of Amurat the third, the great Turke, cut through by the maine industry of laborers, for his army to passe, like that incredible worke, which Hanibal with vineger wrought vpon the Alpes. In this place our tra∣uell was very dangerous, by reason of a brackish lake or little Sea, called the lake Arctamar, which was vnder the Rocke, ouer which wee passed, and wee inforced to ride shoaling on the side of the said Rocke, that had not our Mules beene sure of footing, both the•• and we had perish∣ed with an insupportable downefall i•• ••hat Sea. Two miles from this shore in the aforesaid lake are two Ilands called the Ecmenicke Ilands, inhabited only by Armenians, and some Georgians, which two Ilands doe bring forth and yeeld such store of cattell and plenty of rice, wheate, and batly, that as the Island of Scycilia was called in time•• past Horreum. P. Romani, so these Ilands are at this day the gatners and store houses for all the Countrey round abou••.

Being arriued at Van, our Carauan rested in the sub••••bs of the said City, not daring to presume to enter the City, by reason that the Bassae was gone to fetch in a rebell, that was risen vp in those parts; in whose absence the City, vn∣der the sub-Bassae, was no better gouerned then it should be. On the West side of this City lyeth a pleasant and de∣lightfull plaine, wherein the Ianizaries twise a weeke doe exercise themselues after their manner in the seats of warre. On the North side runneth the lake Arctamar, called in antique time the Moore or Marish, Martiana, or Mar∣giana, or Mantiana. Strabo affirmeth that it is match∣able in greatnesse with the lake M••otidis, in the Kingdome

of Sermatia, so much spoken of by the Poets. Out of this lake is caught yearly an innumerable quantity of fish like our Herring, which being dryed in the Sunne, they dis∣perse and sell them ouer all the Countrey thereabout.

The description of Van.

THis City is double walled with hard quarry stone, and is the strongest Towne in all these parts, being fortifi∣ed with great store of brasse Ordonance, and a strong Ca∣stle mounted on an high Rocke, to command and defend the City. It was once vnder the gouernement of the Per∣sian, but Solyman the Magnificent in the yeare 1549. with a puissant army did besiege the same, which after ten daies siege was yeelded vnto him by the Persian Gouernour, vp∣pon condition, that the Persian Souldiers there in garrison, might with life and liberty depart with their weapons, as Souldiers: which was by Solyman granted, and so the City was surrendred vp into his handes from the Persian King, who neuersince could get the same into his possessions. It is gouerned now by a Bassae, who hath vnder him twelue thousand Timariots.

At this City wee stayed fiue daies, paying a Dollor on a summe of goods, and passed from thence to a Turkish Vil∣lage called Gnusher, the houses standing in two seuerall places, the one row fit for the Winter, and the other for the Sommer season: Here wee beganne the ascent of the high mountaines of Arraret, and about noone-tide we be∣held Bruz; the very crest of the Periardi mountaines, now called Cheilder Monte, the hils of Periardo. These moun∣tains so called, are very famous by the rising of many nota∣ble great riuers, which doe so fructiferate the country ther∣abouts, that the barbarous people call it Leprus, which is to say fruitfull, viz. First, the Riuer Araxis, which run∣ning out of a certaine Marish, with many armes doth won∣derfully inrich that champaine and drie Countrey.

This Riuer springeth out of the hill Taurus in this part, where Periardo is situate, on the side of the hill Abo, and so runneth by East euen to the confines of Seruan, and win∣deth it selfe towards the West, and by North, where it is ioyned with the Riuer Cirus, and then passeth to Artaxata now called Nassiuan, a City of the Armenians, right a∣gainst Reiuan another City, and so watereth Armenia, and coursing along the plaine of Araxis, dischargeth it selfe in∣to the Caspian Sea, on the one side by South leauing Ar∣menia, and on the other side by North leauing the Coun∣trey Seruania; whose chiefe City is Eris. This Riuer is deep and large; but yet at this present, it containeth not those maruels, that Herodotus reporteth of it; as also it is very hard to vnderstand, that which Q. Curtius writeth touch∣ing the course thereof; and that which Natales Comes hath left written of it in his History.

The Riuer Cirus likewise springeth out of Taurus, and so descending into the champaines and plaines of Georgia, charging it selfe, and being greatly increased with other Riuers, it is ioyned with Araxis, and so maketh his issue also into the Caspian Sea. This Riuer the inhabitants of the Countrey at this day call by the name of Ser, in their owne language, but the Turkes call it Chiur.

Out of these mountaines also springeth the Riuer Ca∣nac, which maketh (as it were almost) an Iland, a little on this side the City Eres, and afterwards vnite it selfe in the Channell with Araxis, and so runneth into the Caspian Sea.

Two other mountaines are of great note in this place; the one is Anti-Taurus, now called Mons Niger, the blacke mountaine, which runneth vp into Media; and the other Gordaeus, the tops of which mountai••es are couered continually with white and hoary snowes. The mountaine Gordaeus is inuironed with many other petty mountaines called the Gordaean mountaines; on the tops whereof (as we passed) we found many ruines and huge foundations, of

which no••re son can be rendred, but that which Iosephus giues, saying: that they which escaped the flood were so astonished and amazed, that they durst not descend into the plaines and low countries, but kept on the tops of those mountaines and there builded. And some obserue that this Countrey was first peopled after the flood, for being high land it first appeared. The Tradition of the Hebrewes is, now in this place after the flood, the men accompanying with their wiues, euery woman brought forth at once a male and a female, and so did their children; for God and Nature neuer failed to the necessity, which belonged to the wealth and increase of the vniuersall world, no more then in this old age of the world, in the time of the infinite mul∣titude, and increase of people, wherein God doth miracu∣lously keepe them (as the Sea from ouerflowing the land) that they doe not so abound as that one cannot liue by an∣other.

The Turkes call the mountaine Gordaeus Augri-daugh, the Armenians Messis-Saur: it is so high, that it ouer-tops all the mountaines thereabout. There issueth out of the foote of this hill a thousand little springs, whereof some doe feede the Riuer Tygris, and some other Riuers, and it hath about it three hundred villages inhabited by Arme∣nians and Georgians; as also an ancient Monastery dedica∣ted to S^t. Gregory, very large and spacious, able to receiue Shaugh Tamas the great King of Persia, and most of his army, who for the austere and strict life that he saw in those religious men, made him to spare it, and to change his determination, hauing a full purpose before to haue de∣stroyed it. About this Monastery groweth great plenty of graine, the graine being twise as bigge as ours, as also Roses and Rheubarb, which because they haue not the skill to dry it, that simple is of no esteeme or value.

The Arke of Noah rested on the toppe of the Gordaean Mountaines.

ON the top of this Mountaine did the Arke of Noah rest, as both Iewes, Turks, and Armenians affirmed. Berosus who registred the affaires and acts of the Chaldae∣ans, setteth downe diuers things both concerning Noah and the resting of the Arke in this place. Concerning Noah he writeth, that (the flood ceasing) Noah with his family descending out of the Arke from Mount Gordaeus▪ (called by Manasseus Damascenus, Baris, and by other A∣raxis) into the plaine adioyning full of dead karcasses, which they call M••ry Adam, that is, of dead men, wrote in a stone (for a monument) what was done. The inhabi∣tants to this day, especially the Armenians, doe call this place where Noah descended, Aprobaterion, that is, des∣cent, or Egressorium Noe, The going out of Noah. Hee furder setteth downe how that the eldest of all, father Noah did in the same place first teach his children Theologie and holy Writs, and afterwards humane wisdome, committing to writing many secrets of naturall things, which the Ar∣menians and Scythians, did commit only to the Priests, to whom only it was lawfull, both to reade, to teach, and to looke into those writings, rites, and ceremonies left by Noah.

And as for the resting of the Arke, he setteth downe di∣uers occurrences of the flood on this manner. Some (saith he) affirme that a certaine part of the Arke is yet in Arme∣nia, neere to the mountaine of the Gordaeans, and that some men haue brought from thence, some part of the pitch wherewith it was calked, which the people of that place were wont to vse as a soueraigne preseruatiue against in∣chantments. So Hierome the Aegyptian (who wrote the Antiquities of the Phoenitians) doe make mention of the same matter; and also Nanesius with diuers others. Ni∣cholas Damascene speaketh thus: aboue the region of the

Minaeans, there is a great mountaine in Armenia called Baris, in which mountaine it is reported that diuers peo∣ple retired themselues for safety during the time of the deluge, and there escaped; and that a certaine man (mea∣ning Noah) arriued in an Arke on the highest toppe of the said mountaine, and that certaine plankes and timbers of the bottome of that Vessell was kept there a long while after. To verifie which, some Friers of S^t. Gregories Mo∣nastery told vs, that euen at this day some part of the Arke is yet to bee seene on the toppe of this mountaine, if ••ny could ascend thither; but the way (as they say) is kept by Angels, so that whosoeuer shall presume to goe vp (as once a Brother of that Monastery did) shall be brought downe in the night season, from the place which hee had gained by his trauaile in the day time before. But to leaue this fable to the first inuentor, it sufficeth vs that here amongst these mountaines the Arke rested, since the Scriptures tell vs, that none were saued, but Noah and his Wife, with his three Sonnes, and their three Wiues, euen eight persons in the whole, in the Arke; and that the said Arke after the waters had preuailed vpon the earth an hundred and fifty dayes rested in the seauenth Moneth, in the seauenteenth day of the Mo∣neth vpon the Mountaines of Arraret, which is expoun∣ded by all Writers to be in Armenia.

From the foote of this mountaine, w••e spent a dayes iourney farther towards Chiulfall, which day wee trauel∣led through very many narrow lanes in those mountaines, and very deepe vallies, wherein the Riuer Araxis with most outragious turnings and windings, and his many rushing downefals amongst the Rocks, doth euen be∣dease a mans eares, and with his most violent roaming in and out, doth drowne and ouerwhelme, whosoeuer by miserable chance falleth downe head-long from the toppe of those narrow passages, which are vpon the mountaines. And vpon the crests of the said mountaines,

on the side of the said narrow passages, there growe most hideous Woods and antique Forrests, full of Bee∣ches: Trees like Poplers carrying mast fit for Hogges, and Pine-trees; where the horrour of darkenesse, and silence which is oftentimes interrupted, only by the whistling winds, or by the cry of some wild beasts, doe make the poore passengers most terribly afraide.

The description of Chiulfal.

AT length our Carauan ferried ouer the foresaid Ri∣uer, and so we arriued at Chiulfal, a towne situate in the frontiers between the Armenians and the Atropatians, and yet within Armenia, inhabited by Christians, partly Armenians, partly Georgians: a people rather giuen to the traffique of Silkes, and other sorts of wares, whereby it waxeth rich and full of money, then instructed in weapons and matters of warre. This towne consisteth of two thou∣sand houses and ten thousand soules, being built at the foot of a great rocky mountaine in so barren a soile, that they are constrained to fetch most of their prouision, only wine excepted, from the City Nassiuan, halfe a dayes iourney off, which some thinke to be Artaxata, in the confines of Media and Armenia. The buildings of Chiulfal are very faire, all of hard quarry stone: and the inhabitants very courteous and affable, great drinkers of wine, but no brau∣lers in that drunken humour, and when they are most in drinke, they powre out their prayers, especially to the Virgin Mary, as the absolute commander of her Sonne IESVS CHRIST, and to other Saints as Intercessors. It is subiect and tributary to the Scepter of Persia, and contrariwise both by nature and affection great enemies to the Turke. This Towne was much indangered in the warres betwixt Amurat the great Turke, and Ma∣homet Codibanda the Persian King, ready to bee swal∣lowed vp of both. One while the Bassae of Reiuan,

on the great Turkes behalfe, made an inrode vpon them with a thousand and fiue hundred Harquebusiers, whom they were faine to pacifie with a very bountifull present, excusing themselues, that if they had beene backward in bringing vnto him their voluntary tributes, it was done for feare, least they should haue fallen into the displeasure of Mahomet Codibanda their King: who no doubt if he•• should haue vnderstood any such matter, would haue been ready to destroy their Countrey, and depriue them of their liberty and liues. The Bassae was no sooner departed with this answere and their present; but forth with Aliculi-cham was sent by the Persian King with three thousand Soul∣diers, and with this direction, that if the country were sub∣dued by the Turks, he should fight against it: and if it had voluntarily yeelded it selfe vnto them, hee should not only recouer it, but also burne it, and bring away all the chiefe men of the Countrey for prisoners and slaues. To auoide which danger, these poore Chiulfalini were glad to present the Persian Prince with greater and more liberal gifts, then they did their enemy Bassae. Thus these miserable people in the midst of armes and squadrons of the enemy, were con∣strained, what with presents, and what with lies, notably to preserue their liberties, and their liues in safety.

Within a dayes iourney and halfe of this Towne is the Chalderan plaines; memorable for the battell fought there, on the seuenth day of August in the yeare 1514. betweene the two great Emperours Ismael King of Persia, and Sely∣mus the first. Emperor of the Turkes. In which battell Se∣lymus lost aboue thirty thousand men, amongst whom was Cassan-Bassae his great Lieutenant in Europe, seauen San∣zacks, with the two Malcozzian brethren, who labouring the one to rescue the other, were both together staine. Be∣sides his common foot-men, of whom he made least recko∣ning, he lost most part of his Illirian, Macedonian, Seruian, E••irot, Thessalonian, and Thracian horse-men, the vndoub∣ted flower and strength of his army, which were in that

mortall battell almost all slaine and grieuously wounded. And certainly had it not beene for the Turkes great Artil∣lery, Ismael with his thirty thousand horse-men, had ouer∣throwne Selymus with his three hundred thousand Turks. But Selymus reseruing all his great Ordonance, at his last refuge, caused it to bee discharged: by violence whereof such slaughter was made, as well of his owne men, as of his enemies, mingled together, what for dust, what for smoke, and thundering of the Artillery, hauing on both sides al∣most lost the vse of sight and hearing; and ••••eir horses be∣ing so terrified with the thundering report of the great Or∣donance, that they were not now to be managed, the bat∣tell was broken off, and the victory yet doubtfull. In the end Hismael had the worst, and was put to flight by reason that the Persian horses had neuer beene vsed to the noise and thundering of the artillery, which they could not abide to heare. The Turkish stories to expresse the terrour of this day, number it amongst their dismall daies, terming it the only day of doome. The manner of this battel is painted in the Counsell chamber at Venice, and is reported that Selymus the great Turke caused it so to bee done, and sent it to the Senate there. At Chiulfal we staied eight dayes, and pas∣sed againe the Riuer Araxis, leauing the noble Kingdome of Armenia, ••alled now Turcomania, because of the Tur∣comanes a people that came out of Scythia (as before wee noted) who liue as sheepheards in their tents, but the na∣tiue people giue themselues to husbandry, and other ma∣nuall sciences, as working of Carpets and fine Chamlets. Wee were no sooner ouer but wee entred into Media; which by some is deuided into Media Atropatia, and Me∣dia the Great.

Notes

• The originall of the Arme∣nians.
• The Turkes first came out of Scythia, and feated them∣selues in Ar∣menia.
• The Armeni∣ans are a po∣pulous nation.
• The Armeni••••s gouerned by two Patriarks.
• The religion of ••he Armeni∣ans is spotted with many ab∣surdities.
• The great bat∣tell fought be∣tweene two great Bassaes & Delymenthes a valiant Noble∣man of Persi••••
• The Ecmenick Ilands.
• The ••ake A∣ctamar call•••• in ancient ti•••• Martiana.
• Solyman after ten dayes siege tooke the City Van.
• The Riuer A∣raxis springeth out of the hill Taurus.
• The Riuer Cirus.
• The Riuer Canac.
• The mounta•••• Anti-Taurus.
• The mountai•• Gordaeus.
• Ioseph. Ant••qui∣tat. lib. 1. cap. 5.
• Fruitfull pro∣pagation a••ter the flood.
• Rheubarb.
• Berosu••.
• Manasseus Da∣masce••.
• Noah wrote bookes.
• Hierome the Ae∣gyptian.
• Nicholas Da∣mascene.
• The Riuer Araxis.
• The Chiulfal∣lines great drinkers of wine, but no quarrellers in drinke.
• Chiulfal much indangered in the last warre betweene th•• Turke and th•• Persian.
• The mortall battell sought betweene Se∣lymus the first, Emperour of the Turks, and ••ismael the So∣fie of Persia.