The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

[ A] [ B] ❧A DISCOVRSE OF THE ESTATE OF THE SOPHI OF PERSIA

The Contents.

1. THe beginning of the Sophi of Persia, and of the planting and progresse of Maho∣mets [ C] law. 2. Scituation, limits, and confines of the realme of Persia. 3. Descrip∣tion of the prouinces contained in this State: and first of Media, diuided into the Higher, and Atropatia; and of their chiefe townes. 4. Of Assyria. 5. Susi∣••••••, and the bounds. 6. Mesopotamia. 7. Panchaia, her bounds, and the royall towne of Siras. 8. P••rthia, and the principall townes. 9. Hircania, the limits, and scituation of the chiefe towne of Hyrean. 10 Margiana, and the limits. 11. Bactria, the bounds, and chiefe towne Bactra. 12. Paropamisse, and the limits. 13. Arta, and the principall riuers. 14. Of the prouince of ••ra••giana, and the bounds. 15. Gedrosia. 16. Carmania, diuided into two, whereof the one is ••••lled Desart: their b••gnesse, and chiefe townes. 17. A more moderne relation of the chiefest 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and which haue continued longest vnder the dominion of Persia. 18. Of the prouince now [ D] called Parc. 19. Of Hierak. 20. Of Kachon. 21. Aderbaion. 22. Gueylon. 23. Korason. 24. Ker∣••••••, 25. Maurenahar. 26. Vzbek. 27. A description of the fertilitie of one part of the pro∣••••••es of this realme, and the barrennesse and drought of the other part. 28. Aboundance in this countrie of Bitumen, and Naphte, Amomum, called by some Ethiopia Pepper, Cotton, Dates, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Figges, Trees distilling Honie, Wine, bunches of Grapes two cubits long, pretious stones, E••••r••lds, Iacinths, Chrisolites, Saphyrs blacke and yellow, Spiknard, Myrrhe, wild beasts, as Ty∣gre••, Panthers, and Leopards. 29. The custome and manner of liuing of the ancient Persians, and f••st of the dwelling of their kings in mountaines, and what tribute they did raise of their people▪ 30. Of the celebration of their marriages; pluralit••e of wiues allowed: of the exercise and breeding of their youth, and the manner of their armes and apparell. 31. Ceremonies at their [ E] ••••seq••ies; of their sacrifices, and the Deities which they did worship. 32. Of the valour of the an∣c••••••t Parthians, and the simplicitie of their manners and apparell: their armes and kind of figh∣ting: their ordinarie meat, and barbarous custome touching the burying of the dead, first to ex∣pose the bodies to dogges and birds, and then to burie the boanes. 33. Of the effeminat disposition of the Medians; their alliances made with effusion of bloud: their bread made of the meale of Al∣monds: and their drinke composed of roots. 34. Apparell of the auncient Assyrians, and their custome to carrie a Ring and a Scepter. 35. The law and custome of Assyria, to expose the fai∣••e•••• virgins to sale, and to marrie the foulest with the money. 36. Another custome to set sicke persons in publique places, to receive councell and helpe from such as had beene troubled with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 infirmities. 37. Of the annoynting of their dead bodies with honie, and of their funerals, like [ F] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those of Aegypt. 38. Carnall coniunction of the Assyrian Ladies with strangers, in honour of the goddesse Venus. 39. Of the Mages, Assyrians, called Chaldeans, in like honour to the G••••••osophistes, and Priests of Aegypt: what their doctrine was touching the Diuinitie; morall, and naturall things. 40. Custome of the Carmaniens to go to the warre, and to fight vpon Asses; and not to marrie, vntill they haue made a feast with some head of their enemies slaine in battaile.

41. People of sixtie yeares old in Margiana, knocked on the head by the custome of the countrie, [ A] and their bodies eaten by their kinsfolkes. 42. Ciuilitie, and courteous d••sposition of the mo∣derne Persians, giuen to sciences, to traffique and to mechanique arts; courting Ladies, and sumptuous in their apparell, vsing at this present the Arabian tongue. 43. Their riches consi∣sting in cloth of gold and silke, and also, in the traffique of pearles and pretious stones. 44. What the reuenues of this Persian Prince be. 45. What his forces, foot, and Persian discipline, and what number of horse he may draw to field. 46. What mightie enemies he confines with. 47. The gouernement of the realme of Persia, differing from that of the Turkes. 48. Of the foure princi∣pall sects of Mahomets religion, and which of the foure is followed by the Persians at this day. 49. Of the Iewes, and Christian Melchites, Nestorians, and Armenians, dwelling in Persia. [ B] 50. An abridgement of the Chronicle of the kings of Persia, according to the Historiographer Mirkond.

THe Sophies empire is at this day numbred among the mightiest monar∣chies of all the East; and although it were for a time supprest by the Sarrazins, and also by the Tartarians, who brought it verie low, and first vnder Chingis, then by Tamerlan, or Tamberlan; yet it hath reco∣uered her auncient glorie almost in ourage, by the valour of Ismael. So∣phie, of whose beginning it shall be fit to discourse in this place, for that it doth much import to the knowledge of the Estate of the realme of Persia.

[ I] You must therefore vnderstand, that Mahomet (the Authour of that cursed sect, which [ C] raignes at this day in so many places) hauing purchased great reputation among the Arabians, by his new doctrine, tooke to his second wife Aisse, daughter to one called Bu∣bac, or Abubacer, a man of great authoritie, and exceeding rich; and through the fauour of this Bubac, and of Omar, and Ottomar, his kinsmen, he gathered together a great num∣ber of Arabians, and vnder colour of religion conquered many of the neighbour coun∣tries. In the meane time, he gaue in marriage to Ally, his cousin, his daughter Fatima, borne of his last wife, and dying, being sixtie three yeares old, he left him his Estate, and the superioritie of all his sect, with the name of Calise. But Bubac being discontented, that Mahomet (who had made himselfe great by his fauour) had preferred Ally before him, [ D] who was yet but a yong man; he expelled him out of this Estate, being assisted by Omar, and Ottomar, who desired rather to haue this than the other for Calise, for that he was of their bloud, his age also giuing them hope of a speedie succession, as it happened. Bu∣bac had these two for his successours one after another; whereof Omar was slaine by a slaue, and Ottomar in a sedition; so as the charge of Calise returned to Ally, but he did not enioy it quietly, for that many, vnder colour that he had giuen consent to the death of Ottomar his maister, made war against him, and in the end slew him in the town of Cusa, which stands neere to the riuer of Euphrates beneath Bagder, and therefore it is called Massadall, that is to say, the house of Ally, for that he was interred there. After his death, they of Cusa declared Ocen, the sonne of Fatina, Calise, who was also deposed, and poy∣soned [ E] by Mauia, who made himselfe absolute Calife, and had for successour Iasil his son. Ocen left twelue sonnes, one of which was called Mahomet Mahadin, whom the Maho∣metans hold is not yet dead; so as they expect him, saying, that he shall come to conuert all the world: and for this cause, at Massadal, where (in their opinions) this conuersion should begin, there is alwaies a horse readie, which they bring vnto the Mosque with great solemnitie. By reason of the controuersies which Ally had with Bubac, Omar, Otto∣mar, and Mauia, there hath beene since great contentions, for that the Persians hold, that Ally was, by the testament of Mahomet, declared true Calife; and the Arabians fauour the three first. Matters being thus irresolute, about the yere 1369, the Mahometans, or Moores, finding themselues without a Calife (for these ended, in the yeare 1255, with [ F] Mustacen Mumbila, who was slaine by Allacu king of the Tartarians) there did rise in Persia one called Sophie, who said, that he was issued from the bloud of Ally, by his ne∣phew Muse Cercin, who was one of the twelue sonnes of Ocen, in memorie of whom he changed the fashion of his turban, adding twelue points vnto it, and brought his sect in∣to

[ A] credit and reputation. He had for successor Guinne his sonne, and to him succeeded his sonne Aidar who married the daughter of Assembec a mightie prince in Assyria, and Persia, but newly established: but his sonne called Iacob Bec caused him to be slaine, fearing the credit and authoritie of Aidar; then he gaue the two sonnes of Aidar, the one called Ismaell, the other Solyman, to Amanzar his captaine, commaunding him to imprison them at Zalque or Zaligue, a strong castle seated in the mountaines; but Aman∣zar detesting the crueltie of his maister caused them to be bred vp in his own house with his children, and falling daungerously sicke, fearing least some disaster should come vnto them, he gaue them two hundred crowns and horses, aduising them to go vnto their mo∣ther. [ B] Ismaell the eldest being come vnto her house resolued presently to reueng his fa∣thers death, and after some enterprises happily executed, he tooke vpon him the title of Protector of the deeds of Ally or Haly, from whom he descended: hauing made his Turban higher, he sent Embassadours to all the princes of the East, exhorting them to receiue his badge with his sect: by this meanes, and by the good successe of his enter∣prises he made himselfe fearefull to all the East: he slew Ocen, who termed himselfe king of Persia, with ten of his brethren, so as not any one remained but Morabec, who went to craue aid from Selim the first of that name, Emperour of the Turkes. He van∣quished in battaile neere vnto the lake of Van or Vay, Sabacan king of the Tartarians of Zacatay, and meaning to pursue the victorie, and to passe the riuer of Abbian with his [ C] armie, he was diuerted by an Astrologian, to whom he gaue great credit, who told him that he saw good successe for his passage, but no such disposition for his returne. He left vnto his successor a powerfull Estate, which containes many great countries; all which did acknowledge him for soueraigne, although they were not immediatly vnder his crowne, as the realmes of Macram, Patani, Guadel, and Ormus which is now tributarie to the Portugals. The Georgians did also obey him, or at the least made war vnder him: but as this day the Sophi••s Empire hath not such large extended bounds, but is limited after this manner.

It lies betwixt the Turkes Empire, the Tartarians of Zatacay, the realme of Cam∣baya, [ II] the Caspian Sea, or that of Bachu, and the Persian Gulfe. So as vpon the East it is diuided from the Indies, and the realme of Cambaya by the desarts and moun∣taines; [ D] and confines vpon the North partly with the Tartarians neere vnto the riuer of Oxus or Abiam, and partly with the riuer of Bachu: vpon the West with the Turkes, neere vnto the riuer of Tygris, and the lake of Gioco: and on the South it hath for bounds the Persian Gulfe. This continent of countrie is very great, and compre∣hends about eight and thirtie degrees from East to West, for the most Easterlie Meri∣dian is in the one hundred and twentieth degree, and the most Westerly passeth by the foure score and second degree of the Equator. It doth also containe about twentie de∣grees from South to North, that is to say, from the three and twentieth degree vnto the three and fortieth.

[ E] The realme of Persia containes the prouinces of Media, Assyria, Sufu, Mesopotamia, [ III] Persia, Parthia, Hircania, Margiana, Bactria, Paropamissa, Aria, Drangiana, Gedrofia, and Carmania: and although the Turke hath woon some of them, yet the Sophi hath at this day recouered the greatest part.

Media is at this day called Seruan, and confines vpon the East with Hircania, and Parthia: vpon the West, with high Armenia, and Assyria: towards the South with the particular prouince of Persia: and to the North, with the Caspian sea. This countrie was in former times the most powerfull of all Asia, and was diuided into high Media and Atropatia.

High Media containes at this day the countrie which is about the citie of Tau¦is, [ F] which some beleeue to be Ecbatane, at the least Ortelius and Minador are of this opi∣nion: whereas Paulus Iouius holds that this should be Terua, and Niger Tigranoama, but falsely, according to the opinion of learned Migin. This towne is scituated at the foot of the mountaine of Oronte, and some eight daies iourney from the sea of

Bacu: it is in circuit about sixteene miles, but not compassed about with any walls. [ A] There were in it about two hundred thousand inhabitants before that Amurath tooke it in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred eightie and fiue: but since it is much d••c••yed as some hold. This in former times was the royall seat of the Sophies, before that Ta∣mas transported it to the towne of Tasbin, which is the last aboad of these kings, and lies more Southerlie than Tauris. There is also in high Media, the towne of Turcoman betwixt Tauris and Casbin, and the townes of Saru, Sultania, and Nassiuan, which according to the opinion of some is the auncient Nasuana, or Artaxata. There is also the towne of Ardouille, in the which haue raigned Guinet, Sederdin, and some other authors of the Sophies Sect. They doe also make some account of Marant at the end [ B] of Media, and Sancazin, a place neere vnto Tauris famous for the warre which hath beene betwixt Amurath Emperor of the Turkes, and the Sophi of Persia. And although that the Turkes haue held a part of this countrie somewhat long, yet may we well attri∣bute it at this day to the king of Persia, for that he hath in a manner recouered all of late yeres from the Turke.

Atropatia is the most Northerly part of Media, neere to the sea of Bacu, and it is diuided from Armenia by the riuer of Canac: the chiefe towne is Sumaquie, and it is seated betwixt Derbent and Eree. There is also the townes of Sechi, which is vp∣on the frontires of Gurgestan; Iauat, on the confines of high Media; and Eres, the which in former times was famous by reason of the great store of silke which comes from [ C] thence.

[ IIII] Assyria (which Niger calls Adrise, Girana Azemie, Pinet Mosul, Mercator Sath, and Castaldus Arzerum, and some also giue it the name of Cussestan) lies betwixt high Armenia vpon the North, Mesopotamia on the West, Susiana vpon the South, there be∣ing mountaines betwixt them, and the countrie of Media vpon the East. It was in old time in reputation by reason of the Empire that was setled there, and of the citie of Ni∣niue seated neere vnto the riuer of Tygris, the which was greater than Babilon. In for∣mer times it contained the prouinces of Arapad••it, Adiaben, & of Sittacen, which some at this day call Botan, Sarca, and Rabia.

[ V] Susiana, or the prouince of Suses, which Niger calls Chus, and Mercator Cusistan, [ D] hath for bounds vpon the North, Assyria: vpon the West, Babilon neere to the riuer of Tigris: on the East, a part of Persia: and to the South; the Persian gulfe. It hath taken this name of Susiana, of the famous citie of Suses, which Niger doth now call Chus, and some others Sustre: it is built vpon the riuer of Enele, which is now called Tirtir, and hath fifteene miles in circuit, being of a long forme.

[ VI] Mesopotamia, called in the Scripture Aram, or Charam, and at this day Diarbech, ac∣cording to Mercator; but it is onely a part of Azemia, whereof Assyria makes the rest, as Belon affirmes: it is scituated betwixt the two famous riuers of Euphrates, and Tygris, and hath for bounds towards the North, High Armenia, neere to Mount Taurus; to∣wards the West, Syria, joyning to the riuer of Euphrates; vpon the East, Assyria, diui∣ded [ E] by Tygris; and vpon the South, Arabia the Desart. The chiefe townes are Orfe, which hath seuen miles in circuit, and is famous by the death of Crassus: Caramit, that is to say in the Turkish language, a Blacke towne, the which in old time was called Amida, and is in the countrie which they call Alech, and the chiefe of all Mesopotamia, the which was taken by Selim Emperour of the Turkes: Merdin, the seat of the Patriarch of the Cal∣deans: and Mosus, the seat of the Patriarch of the Nestorians, whose authoritie extends to Cataya, and the Indies.

[ VII] The particular prouince of Persia, was in old time called Panchaia, of the name of king Panch••e, afterwards the Grecians gaue it the name of Cephene, and then it tooke that of Persia, by reason of Persius who was transported out of Greece into Asia: but now it is [ F] called Frasi, or Frasistan according to Mercator, yet some hold it to be Azemia, & Cedren laies it in the countrie of Chorasan. It hath for bounds on the North, Media; to the West, Susiana; to the East, Caramania; & on the South, the Persian gulfe, which takes his name

[ A] of this prouince, and runs along it for the space of six hundred thousand paces. The chiefe towne is Siras, which in old time was called Persepolis, as some affirme, or Cyto∣polis, according vnto others, and it was the aboad of the wife Kings of the East. At this day it is one of the beautifullest townes of the East, hauing twentie miles in circuit, com∣prehending the suburbs; it is seated vpon the riuer of Bindimir, and contains sixtie thou∣sand houses.

Parthia, called at this day by Niger, Charassen, taking his name from the towne of [ VIII] Charas, but (according to Mercator) it is called Arach, or (by Alphonso Hadrian) Iex. It hath for confines vpon the East, the prouince of Aria; to the South, Carmania the [ B] Desart; vpon the West, the Medians; and to the North, Hircania. The chiefe townes are Castan, which is verie rich, Sembran, Teracan, Amadan, Imammadulasar, Malam, Massiat, Sasuar, Coran, Culbat, Cut, Ciem, Turbat, Tursis, and others. But the chiefe citie is Hispaham, which some say was the ancient Hecatompylis, & it is so great and so beau∣tifull, as the Persians terme it halfe a World.

Hircania, is called by some Barbarians, as Niger affirmes, Girgiam, or Corcam, but he [ IX] saith, that it is called Mesandre towards the towns of Stranue, and Errit. Minado writes, that all Hircania is called Mesandre, but Erythreus cals it Hyrach. Maria Angiolesse giues it the name of Straue; and Mercator, of Diargument. The limits are vpon the West, Me∣dia; vpon the East, Margiana; to the South, Parthia, Mount Coron being in the mid∣dest; [ C] and the Sea of Bachu vpon the North. The chiefe towne of this prouince is called Hircan, the which is verie strong by scituation: the Scithians call it Charizat, as Pinet af∣firmes: the other townes are Bestan, Mesandran, and some others.

Margiana is called Tremigan by Pinet, and Niger holds that it is a part of Tartaria of [ X] Zacatay: but Castaldus, and some others, call it Ieselbas: It hath for bounds vpon the East, Bactria; to the West, Hircania; to the North, the riuer of Oxus; and vpon the South, a part of Aria. The chiefe citie of Margiana, is Antioch, to the which some at this day giue the name of Ind••oy. In this countrie they place the ma••shes of Oxiane, which they now call the lake of Barbacamber, or of Maru.

Bactria carries at this day the name of Batter, according to Ramusius: but Castaldus and [ XI] others call it Charassan; and Niger will haue it a part of Tartaria of Zacaray. It hath for [ D] bounds vpon the East and North, Sogdia, neere to the riuer of Oxus; and vpon the West, Margiania, joyning to the mountaines; and towards the South, the prouince of Aria, the mountaine of Paropamisse being in the middest. In old time there were good∣ly townes in this countrie, whereof some were built, and others ruined by Alexander. But the royall towne was Bactria, which tooke the name from a riuer which is at this day cal∣led Bochara, as Niger writes, and is yet the chiefe of the countrie, in which Auicenna the physition, and Zoroastes, were borne. Some others say, that Istigias is the chiefe towne of this prouince, the which is not all vnder the Sophies commaund.

The countrie of Paropamisse, so called for that it is fashoned like an Island, being wa∣tred [ XII] [ E] in a manner round about with riuers, is called Dache by Niger; but Minadoc giues it the name of Candahar; and others, of Sablestan. It hath for bounds towards the North, a part of Bactria, neere to the mountaine of Paropamisse; to the East, Aria; to the South, Aracosia; and towards the West, the Indies. Candahar is the chie••e towne of this countrie.

Aria (to the which Niger giues the same name, and others, that of Eri) is called by [ XIII] Castaldus, Corsan; and by Mercator, Se••nere, lies betwixt Margiana, and ••actria, vpon the North; on the West it hath Parthia, and Carmania the Desart; vpon the South, Drangiana; and to the East, the countrie of Paropamisse. There are in this countrie three principall riuers, Aria, Tonelet, and Arapen. There is also the marish of A••en, [ F] called at this day the lake of Burg••an. The chiefe towne is Eri, the which hath in circuit 13000 paces.

The Prouince of Drangiana is now called Sigestan, according to Mercator, and many [ XIIII] others; but Niger saith, that Aracosia, with Drangiana, is called Sigestan: Some say, that they call this the realme of Cabul, the which is vpon the frontier of the Sophies king∣dome

towards the West, and that it hath a particular king, which is a Mahometan. The [ A] bounds are vpon the North and West, Aria, vnder the mountaine of Bagoe; towards the South, a part of Gedrosia; and to the East, Aracosia. This prouince is diuided by the riuer of Drangie, which the new makers of maps call Ilment: this countrie is so inclosed with mountaines, as the riuer doth scarce find any passage.

[ XV] Gedrosia carries at this day the name of Charman, as Niger affirmes, and Circan, ac∣cording to Castaldus: Mercator calls it Gest; and Giraua, and Molet, giue it the name of Guzarate: but it is most certaine, that Guzarate is the realme of Camboye. It hath for limits towards the North, Drangiana, and Aracosia; vpon the West, Carmania; and to∣wards the East, a part of the Indies, or the realme of Camboye; and vpon the South, the [ B] Indian Sea.

[ XVI] Carmania, at this Charman, is diuided into two, according vnto Ptolome; one part is called Desart; and the other is comprehended vnder the sole name of Carmania; and it is termed by some others the High countrie: Some doe at this day call it Dulcinde, or Carmania the Desart, in which there are no townes, but onely some few scattered villa∣ges. The limits are vpon the North, Parthia; to the West, a part of the prouince of Persia; towards the South, the other Carmania; and towards the East, Aria.

The other Carmania lies betwixt Gedrosia the Desart, a part of Persia, and the Indi∣an Sea, and is called High or Great, to distinguish it from the Desart. All this prouince extends it selfe neere vnto the Sea two hundred leagues; but there is not any good port, [ C] nor safe comming for ships, by reason of the rockes and sands. The chiefe citie of the countrie is Chirman. Some at this day diuide Carmania into two parts, whereof the one is called Dulcinde, which lies most Eastward, vpon the frontiers of Camboye, and con∣taines the realmes of Macran, Eracan, Guadel, and Patan, which were in old time tribu∣taries to the kings of Persia, and all this countrie is ill inhabited. The other part of Carmania lies more Westerly, the which hath more commodious Ports, and many townes.

Thus I haue succinctly set downe what I could find among Authors, and the relations of some that haue trauelled those countries: but it seemes that Teixiere (of whom we shal hereafter speake more particularly) hath distinguished it better, calling euerie thing by [ D] his proper name, whereby they may more plainely obserue the places where the most famous actions haue past, the which shall be seene in the Summarie of the Historie fol∣lowing this small relation: for as he was verie curious to obserue any thing that was rare where he past, so did he studie to haue a perfect knowledge of the affaires and scituati∣on of this realme, hauing a dessigne one day to write an Abridgement of the Historie, as he hath done. He therefore entitles this pettie discourse which he hath written vpon this subiect:

¶ A briefe relation of the chiefe Prouinces, and which haue continued [ E] longest vnder the Pesians commaund.

[ XVII] PErsia (saith he) which they that are borne in the countrie call Parc or Agem, where∣upon the inhabitants are commonly called Pary or Agemy, being one of the grea∣test monarchies, and the most famous and best peopled in the world, cannot be dis∣couered, nor haue any certaine bounds giuen vnto it, for the varietie that is found in that kings dominions, the realmes and prouinces whereof haue bin sometime verie great, and sometimes of a small extention, whereof I will briefely set downe those which haue lon∣gest continued vnder that gouernment, and which haue changed least, and of the princi∣pall [ F] people in like manner, to serue as a light to that which hath beene written, leauing the scituation to the professors of Cosmographie.

[ XVIII] Parc. This prouince is none of the greatest of the realme, hauing the great and noble towne of Seyraz for the chiefe: it abounds in Corne, Flesh, and Fruits,

[ A] hauing great store of rose water and cordouan skins, of which things they make great trafficke with all the realmes subiect vnto Persia: they doe also make certaine stuffes of the silke that growes thereabouts. That which next vnto it, is of most reputation, is the towne of Lar or Lara, as the Portugals call it, of which the Laris haue take their name, it is a kind of coyne made of very fine siluer, the which is well knowne and very currant throughout all the Estate. This is the head of a realm, whereas they make the best bowes for shooting that are in all Persia. In this towne in the moneth of September in the yere 1593, there was so great an earthquake, as besides one thousand and two hundred houses that were ouerthrowne, the greatest part of the walls were ruined, with many cesterns, [ B] (for they haue no other water in those parts but that which comes from the raine) and it slew three thousand persons. There is also in this prouince of P••rc, Tarom, Iaharom, Kazron, and Lastam, which beares the Ingo (which is the Assase••ida) S••ahabanon, the inhabitants whereof are all bald: Nereij, whose lands abound in ve••nes of yron, and fine azure: they do make exceeding good armes there, and other curious things. Paçah, and Daraguerd famous by reason of their fruits both greene and drie, whereof they haue aboundance, and of rose water. Besides these there are also diuers others which are of lesse esteeme.

Hienak, it is another prouince of Persia, great and important, the which hath for [ XIX] her metropolitan, Lusphaon, a citie well peopled, which was somtimes the seat of the [ C] kings of Persia. There is great trafficke, being well f••r••ished of all things necessarie. The places and townes of most note in this prouince are, Yazd, the which is famous, not for the greatnesse, but for that it is very pleasant and delightfull, and for the rich Persian tapistrie that is made there, being the best in the world. There is also store of silke, and ex∣cellent rose-water.

Kachon is famous for the great aboundance of silkes of all sorts which they haue [ XX] there. The soile is very fertile in all kinds of fruits, among which they make great ac∣count of the quinces of Kachon, as very excellent. There is also Kom, Saoah, Kazuin a famous citie, being at this present the court of the kings of Persia since the last losse of Tabris, Amedon, Nuhaoand, Iargazin, Damaoand, Taharon, Rey Charear, whereas [ D] they gather great store of Manna, but none of the purest; and many other places of lesse reputation.

Aderbajon, or Azarbajon As for this prouince it is very great, the chiefe citie where∣of [ XXI] is that famous Tabr••s the court of the kings of Persia, before it fell into the Turkes power: they find in it aboundance of many rare things, being moreouer very well furni∣shed with all things necessarie. It hath great trafficke with Russia, Polonia, Muscouia, Circassia, Gurgestam, and with all the prouinces of Persia▪ ••t yeelds siluer in some pla∣ces, store of alume, and madder or woad, which the inhabitants call Calang••s There is also in this prouince, Seyrnan, Nakthoan, Hordobat, Ardauel or Hardeuil, H••lkhan, and many others.

[ E] Gueylon or Guylan. This other prouince is vnder the power of the Persian, and is of [ XXII] a great extension, containing many large and rich countries: it doth coast along the Cas∣pian sea, which hath taken her name of this prouince; for the Persians call it Duriah Gueyluny, that is to say, the sea of Gueylon: it is diuided to fiue gouernments, the chiefe cities whereof are Rach, Laion, Gaechkar, Langar, Kanou, Kudam; and as for Gueylon they do commonly call it Eudsafe••, that is to say, white India, by reason that the land is pleasant and fertile: it confines with Musco••i••, which the Persians call Moseuu.

These townes following are vpon the shoare, and neere vnto the Caspian sea.

Mazandaron, Strabat, Bos••am, Sabzabah, Nichabur (whence the Turkes are come) and others, all which in old time were the heads of realmes and prouinces, but now [ F] they are reduced vnder the priuat gouernments of Persia: all which cities are very well peopled.

Karason. The Portugals doe commonly call it Corasou, it is another prouince sub∣iect [ XXIII] to the realme of Persia, in the which there is much people and many townes of great reputation: the first is Meched, a great and populous towne, in the which the kings of

Persia, and since Sehaeh Ismaell Sophi, haue been buried. There is also the towne of Thun, [ A] which abounds with fine silke: Tabas which is very well peopled: Kahera fertile in sa∣fron: Hrey whereas they gather good store of excellent Manna, the walls of which town are bathed with the fresh riuer of Habra: Maruuo, Herat, and others in great number. They draw out of this prouince great store of Persian tapistrie, of assafedita, and other things, and it abounds in all things necessarie for the life of man: it was alwaies subiect to the kings of Persia, but part of it is now vnder the commaund of the Vsbeques, who seeing the Persians busie in war against the Turkes, entered the countrie, and seased vpon many places in this prouince.

[ XXIIII] Kermon. This prouince lies betwixt Persia and Karason, the chiefe whereof is called [ B] by the same name: it is populous, but not very auncient: it yeelds store of rosewater, Per∣sian tapistries, and tutia, which is good against wormes.

There are also many other prouinces in Persia.

Sagistam, Tubarstam, Kable••tam, Nim, Ruz, Sphahar, Sistam, Curdestum, Lore∣stam, and many others which are not so famous, the which to auoid tediousnesse are not here mentioned.

The whole countrie of Persia, or at the least the greatest part is very well furnished with wheat, flesh, and fruits both greene and drie, as well such as we haue in Europe, as others, the which are sold good cheape: the people are white and faire, and of a gentle disposition, and their garments are in a manner like to the Turkes. They follow the sect [ C] of Morth Aly, which differs in some articles from that of Mahomet. They fight for the most part on horsebacke with a lance and target, bowes and arrowes, a sword or cime∣ter, shirts of meale, and battaile axes. They are strong in warre, and endure much. The Persians are all giuen to the reading of bookes, whereof they make great account. They applie themselues much to poesie, wherein there haue beene very excellent men, who haue left good workes. They are of an amorous complexion, and haue the know∣ledge of all speculatiue arts and sciences, and the professors thereof handle them with much curiositie and subtiltie: their common law containes no more volumes but that of the sect whereof they make profession, committing the administration of justice to men of reputation. The men are very jealous, and the women not very chast. To con∣clude, [ D] Persia is one of the nearest monarchies of the world, and is not to be esteemed among the least.

There comes commonly from all the parts of Persia to Harmus or Ormus, great Ca∣rauans to trafficke with the Portugals, and with many Christians, Gentiles, and Moores which remaine there, to whom they vent their commodities, that is to say, gold, siluer, silkes both raw and wrought, sattin stript with gold, Persian tapistries, horses, woad, alume, rhubarbe, rosewater, & diuers other merchandise; and in exchange they take gar∣ments and fine caps, cloues, sinamon, agnus castus, cardamome, ginger, mace, nutmegs, sugar, tinne, sandall, brasell wood, pourcelaine of China, muske, amber, the wood of alloes, fine stones, seed pearle, indico, (a colour which they vse in steed of woad) azure, [ E] and many other things. The Persians haue not any nauigation but that of the Caspian sea, and some which go vnto the Indies make their voiage by Ormus in Portugal ships, or in others with their permission.

All the inhabitants of Persia are Moores Chyays, who make the better part, or Pa∣gans Gaoryazdie, which worship the fire, who although they be many in number, yet are they few in regard of the rest. There are some Iewes which liue in their libertie throughout all the prouinces of Persia, of which there are eight or ten families. There are also good numbers of Christians, Armenians, and Nestorians.

[ XXV] Maurenahar. So they call the countrie which is beyond the riuer of Gerum which diuides it from Karason, in which are Korrazin, and Gazuetien, then followes Turque∣stam, [ F] Vsbek, Tatur, Ketao, Kotan, and others almost without number, the which are both rich and warlike.

[ XXVI] Vsbek: this is a verie great prouince, and hath been alwaies subiect to Persia, but now it is not onely seperated, but also makes warre against it, and hath v••••••ped some of

[ A] the lands that were subiect vnto it. This prouince is verie great, and containes many people, and cities of reputation. The Metropolitan is Balk, there is also Samarkand, the countrie of Teymurlangh, Damarkand, Bokara, the countrie of Boaly or Aui∣cenne, Kachghar, Achkhar, from whence comes the good Rhubarbe, and many other things.

The inhabitants are warlike, they fight on horsebacke, with bows and arrowes, a lance, sword, target, and shirt of male, alwayes flying; yet they haue much increased their com∣maund in our daies, amongst others, they haue conquered the realme of Kandar, the king whereof, some fiftie yeares since, seeking to fortifie himselfe, made himselfe vassall to the [ B] great Mogor, who although he be verie powerfull, yet could he not restore him to his realme. The Vsbekes haue no king that comes to the crowne by inheritance, but when∣as their commander dies, they chuse another. These people are well limmed, and strong, and they speake in the nose like vnto the Chinois, whom they resemble much in their actions and pronunciation. This is all that Teixiere reports, which serues as an introdu∣ction to his Historie, speaking of all these people, and the names being changed, and agreeing not with the auncient, the Reader may be much troubled in reading this dis∣course, especially whenas the affaires of Persia were in their greatest confusion.

¶ The Qualitie.

[ C] IN this long tract of countrie they find great difference touching the qualitie of the [ XXVII] soyle, for that in some places it is exceeding fertile, as neere vnto the Persian gulfe, by reason of the many riuers that doe water it, and in like manner towards the Caspian sea, as well for the commoditie of riuers, as also for that the aire is more temperat, and the winds coole. The rest is subiect to drought, and vnfurnished with waters, and there are many desarts, and rough mountaines. Moreouer, there is not any common riuer, nei∣ther are they verie nauigable, yet the countrie abounds in mettals and stones. But we must examine all the parts of this empire, and consider the qualitie of euerie prouince.

As for the countrie of Media, it is for the most part hillie, and cold, especially towards [ D] the North, by reason whereof there grows little corne, and they haue scarce any thing but fruit trees, and wild beasts; for corne growes but slowly, and they feed no tame cat∣tell: but that part which lies towards the South, abounds in wheat, wine, and tame beasts. High Media enioyes a good aire neere to Tauris, although the winds blow hard, and it be somewhat cold. The soyle about this towne is fertile in all things. As for Atropatia, it is verie fertile, by reason of the riuers of Araxe, and of Cire, which water it: and in old time there was great store of silkes.

Assyria is a plaine countrie, abounding in riuers, and exceeding fertile. As for Susi∣ana, towards the Persian gulfe, it is verie Moorish: it is exceeding hot, by reason of cer∣taine high mountaines which lie vpon the North part, and keepe away those winds. It [ XXVIII] [ E] yeelds store of wheat, and aboundance of barley, yet there are some places full of Bitu∣men, whereas plants grow difficultly, and the waters fauour of Bitumen, and ingender a paine in the bowels; by reason whereof the men liue little. There is also store of Naphte, which they digge neere to the towne of Suse. In this countrie they haue many dange∣rous serpents, the which doe much harme to men.

Mesopotamia is wonderfull fertile in some parts, and fit for the breeding of cattel; but in some others it is subiect to such heat, as many beasts cannot endure it by reason of the extremitie. There are few fountaines in these places, and the inhabitants are so subtile and malitious as they hide them. It is ba•• trauelling in winter in this countrie, by rea∣son of the myre, out of which a man can hardly draw his feet. There are also in this pro∣uince [ F] great desarts, and many places of great circuit, whereas they find nothing but sand, without any fruit: yet the gather Amomum there, which is a sweet smelling drug. There is also store of Naphte, or liquid Bitumen. The soyle about the towne of Cara∣mic is blacke, and exceeding fertile: and that of the towne of Merdin, doth abound in cotton.

As for the prouince of Persia, it is of diuers qualities; for that the most Northerly [ A] part, is hillie and cold, and not fit for fruits. They find Emeralds, but they are not verie cleere. The middle part of this countrie is plaine, and furnished with many riuers and lakes, and yeelds aboundance of all things. But that part which lies neere to the South, and bends towards the Persian gulfe, is hot, windie, and moorish, and beares no fruit, but Dates of Palme trees.

In regard of Parthia, it is full of woods, and enuironed with verie high mountaines, and although it be subiect to great heat, yet it beares all things, especially great trees, but it hath no Oliues. It is watred by a great number of streames.

Hircania is plaine and fertile; for it yeelds aboundance of wheat, wine, figges, and [ B] fruits, and it doth beare trees, from which doth distill honie, and they make much silke, That part which lies towards the North, is full of great forest, where there are many great Oakes, Pines, and Firre trees; and there is great store of wild beasts, as Tygres, Panthers, and Leopards: but that part which lies neere to the Sea of Bachu, is alwaies full of grasse and flowers, by reason of the humiditie of the fresh water which comes out of the rockes.

Margiana is for the most part desart, and full of sand, except that part which is watred by the riuers of Marge, and Aria, for there it is exceeding fertile. The desart part is now called the Desart of Bigul: but that which is manured, was sometime called the Margien field, being in circuit one hundred and ninetie thousand paces. Antiochus Sother (as Ni∣ger [ C] affirmes) did enuiron it with a wall: but they draw many stockes of vines from this place, the which are so great, as sometimes two men cannot fadome them. These stocks do sometimes carrie bunches of grapes two cubits long, and the nature of the soyle, and the aire of this place is such, as there are no vines to be seene in any other place, and that which is more admirable, this countries is of all sides enuironed with mountaines, and in a manner all sand.

Bactria is of diuers natures, for that some part is manured, and another part desart. That part which is manured, lies neere to the riuer of Oxe, and brings forth wheat, and such like things. There is reasonable good pasture, and many waters, and it beares in a manner all kind of trees, except Oliues. As for the desart part, there is nothing to be [ D] seene but sand, and trauellers passe, as in a Sea, gouerning themselues by the Starres, for that most commonly there is no tract, by reason of the motion of the sand, especially when a Westerly wind blowes, the which doth so stir vp the sand, as trauellers are some∣times couered therewith, and die. Moreouer, this countrie yeelds mettals, and some pretious stones, as Emeralds, Iacynthes, and Chry••olites, and it is watred by many riuers, all which falls into Oxis.

The prouince of Aria is subiect to great heat, and enuironed with desarts, forrests, and mountaines: yet there are some Champian fields which beare fruits, neere vnto the mountaines, which defend them from the heat of the Sunne. In these fields (besides other fruits) there growes good wine, which will last ninetie yeares. They gather also a [ E] drugge like vnto Myrrhe, and they find blacke Saphirs, and some inclining to yellow.

Gedrosia is for the most part desart, and full of sand. It hath great want of water, not∣withstanding that it hath raine in Sommer, and it is subiect to the heat of the Sunne, by reason whereof it is barren, yet it yeelds Nard and Myrrhe.

Caramania, the Desart, is also barren, and subiect to great heat, and as for the higher, the maritime parts are desart, and without trees, onely they find some Palme trees, and bushes: but the middest of the countrie is reasonable good, and beares much fruit, and good wine.

¶ The Manners of the Auncients. [ F]

[ XXIX] THe Persian kings caused their palaces to be built vpon mountaines, whereas they kept their treasure, and the money which they leuied of their subiects for taxes and tributes, as a testimonie of their sparing, and good husbandrie. They did exact their cu∣st••mes,

[ A] tributs, and ••olles diue••sly, taking siluer for the trafficke that was made by sea, but for that which past by land they contented themselues with those things whereof the countrie did yeeld aboundance, as wooll, drugs, and such like, yea and cattell. How great soeuer the king were among the Persians, yet du••st he not put any man to death if he had committed but one simple crime, and no Persian migh vse any seueritie against his hou∣should seruant. Euery man married many wiues to haue issue, and yet it was lawfull for them to haue a great number of concubines. So the kings propounded a price, or re∣compence [ XXX] to them that could get most children in one yere, the which being borne were neuer represented vnto their fathers vntill they were fiue yeares old; for the law of that [ B] countrie would that they should be bred vp delicatly during that time in the companie of women: the reason whereof was, that if during that time any child should die, the fa∣••her hauing neuer seene it should not be so much grieued. They did celebrat their marri∣••ges in the Spring about the Equinoctiall. The first night the husband did not eat any ••hing at supper but an apple, or some little of the marrow of a cammell, and then went ••nd laie by his wife.

The youth of Persia from the fift yeare of their age vnto foure and twentieth did ••earne to ride, vaut, and cast a dart and shoot, but aboue all things, to speake truely. For ••he young men had for their maisters and gouernors the wisest, and most vertuous, so∣••er, and continent men that might be chosen, who taught them, and read vnto them hi∣stories, [ C] and honest moralls, the praises of the gods, and songs which contained the deeds of famous and valiant men, sometime singing them, and sometimes reciting them as a lesson. Children gathered together to heare this by the sound of a little bell, in a place appointed to that end, and there they required an account of that which the children had heard: they made them very nimble in running, chusing some infant of a great house for their captaine, and the field wherein they did run must containe at the least thir∣tie stades, whereof euery one is one hundred twentie and fiue paces. And to harden them against heat and cold, they did practise them to swim ouer torrents, and violent streames, labouring continually without intermission, and being carefull to keepe their garments very cleane, and their armes without rust. Their daintiest fruits were the grages of Tere∣binthe, [ D] which is the tree that carrieth rosen, and acorns, and wild apples, and their ordi∣narie meat, hauing run, sweat, and laboured in their long exercise, was very hard bread, and of a bad tast, garden cressis, with a graine of salt flesh, either boiled or roasted, and cleere water for their drinke.

Whenas they went a hunting, they followed their prey on horsebacke with darts, and well steeled iauelins, and many arrowes, and they vsed to cast stones with slings. Their ordinarie exercise before noone was to plant and graft trees, to pull vp roots, and to bu∣sie themselues in their gardens, and to manure their grounds, or to forge, temper, and trim their armes; and others busied themselues to weaue cloth, or to make nets for hun∣ting and fishing. Their children are richly decked, and bred vp so delicatly during their in∣fancie, [ E] as it was not lawfull to carrie them forth a hunting.

They had a certaine stone called Pyrope of great estimation among them, the which they would not suffer to touch a dead bodie for anything, so much they did esteeme it, and they did not carrie fire vnto funeralls, to the end it should not seeme they did sleight∣ly regard him, whom they had in so great reuerence. From the age of twentie vnto fiftie they followed armes not knowing what it was to plead, or to trade in merchandise. They vsed little bucklers made like a Lozenge, & besides a bow and quiuer, they carried a ••word and a dagger going to war, & a pointed bonnet; they had vpon their breast a corslet made of scales very strongly. The princes did weare breeches and a ierkin with sleeues com∣ming to their knees and lined with white, and on the out side it was painted, or died of [ F] diuers colours. In Sommer they went attired in purple, and in Winter diuersly, accor∣ding to their owne fancies. The people did weare a double habit, which came vnto the middest of their thighes, and vpon their heads a great wreath of linnen cloth, almost like vnto their turbans at this day. Their beds and cups to drinke in were inricht with gold. They consulted of their affaires fasting; but they neuer resolued before the had drunke

freely, thinking that matters were better debated whenas the stomach and braine were [ A] a little heat with wine, and that fasting made them faint, and without force.

They that were of acquaintance, and equall in fortune, age, and greatnesse, embraced when they met, and kissed one anothers mouth. They that were somewhat inferiour vn∣to them, they kissed them vpon the cheeke: but such as were of base condition passing before any man of account, they made him a great reuerence. They buried the bodies of [ XXXI] the deceased being annointed with wax, except them of their Mages, whom they left without buriall to be deuoured of dogs. They had a beastly and villanous custome from all antiquitie, for the sonnes to haue the companie and to lie with their owne mothers. They held it a great offence to spit before their kings, and they said that the Grecians [ B] were detestable, for that they maintained the gods were come from men. They held it a base thing to be indebted, but aboue all things to speake an vntruth. They did allow fathers which fell into want, to ease and releeue themselues by prostituting and abando∣ning their daughters.

They did hold that the heauen was Iupiter, and they did worship the Sunne, which was called Mithra according vnto some, aboue any other Deitie: they did also worship the Moone, Venus, Fire, Earth, Water, and Wine: but they vsed no Statue nor Altar, neither had they any temple, but did sacrifice vpon some hill or high place, to the end that euery man might see it, and that the thing might be neerer to heauen. They brought the beast that was sacrificed to the Altar, hauing a crowne, but with many curles, which being cut in peeces (the priest doing that office) euery man carried his part vnto his house, reseruing [ C] nothing for their gods; for that their opinion was, that the gods required only the soule of the thing sacrificed: yet some among them were accustomed to burne the bowells, according to the manner of the Grecians and other nations in their sacrifices.

Whenas they did sacrifice to the fire, it was of drie wood taking away the barke, and casting vpon it fat that is neerest to the bone, and then pouring oyle thereon. They did neuer blow the fire with their mouthes, but with a fan; and if any one did presume to blow, or to cast any dead carcase or beastly thing into it, they did put him to death with∣out remission.

There was not any one among them that did wash himselfe in a riuer, nor pisse in it, or [ D] cast any dead thing into it; yea it was forbidden to spit into a riuer. Finally they did ho∣nour water after this manner: whenas they came neere vnto any lake, riuer, or fountaine, they made a pit in which they did cut the throat of the beast that was to be sacrificed, ha∣uing a care that the bloud should not run to the neere water, which would haue polluted all that ceremonie; and the flesh of the beast thus slain, was laid by the priest vpon myrrhe and baies, and burnt with small piles of wood, vsing certaine imprecations and cursings, during the which they did mingle milke, honie, and oyle, with their sacrifice. These cur∣sings were not against the water or fire, but rather against the earth, and they continued them a good space, holding in the meane time a bundle of small rods of myrrhe. He that disobeyed the king, his head and armes beeing cut off, was left in the fields and depriued [ E] of buriall.

As for the Parthians who haue beene held to be very valiant before that wealth made [ XXXII] them proud, they went very grossely attired, and had a habit particular to their nation: but being growne powerfull, their garments were rich and full of gold and precious stones, or exceeding white, wherein they did imitat the superfluitie of the Medians.

As for martiall discipline, their souldiers and men at armes were no men of a free con∣dition, but chosen from among their slaues, and therfore it was not lawfull for any one to make free a bondman, so as the number increased daily, and their forces became greater. They kept them carefully, and bred them vp like to their owne children, teaching them to shoot, and to manage horses, to the end they might serue in war; so as the king mar∣ching [ F] to war was alwaies powerfull in horses readie for all euents. Whenas the king of Persia tooke armes against Marc Anthonie, among fiftie thousand horse which he had in his armie, there were not aboue eight hundred of free condition, all the rest being slaues. They knew not how to fight hand to hand, nor in a ioined battaile, and much lesse how

[ A] to force a towne by assault. Their manner of fighting was to run their horses at randon, or in flying, and sometimes dissembling their flight, to the end they might fall vpon their enemies if they were in disorder: they vsed no trumpets like vnto our Cauallerie, but drums, as our footmen doe,

In old time, this people did so little esteeme gold and siluer, as they did not vse it, but for the ornament of their armes. As for their priuat kind of liuing, they were verie sub∣iect to their pleasures; wherefore pluralitie of wiues was allowed among them, but they were so jealous of their reputations, as onely death did purge the fault of adulterie. And to the end they might not fall into such inconueniences, the husbands neuer suffered [ B] their wiues (I will not say to come to feasts, among men) but in their presence. Some haue written that the Parthians which could haue no issue, brought their wiues to such as they held to be their good friends, to the end they might haue children by their meanes.

They liued onely of beasts which they tooke by hunting, and they did traffique, and parle together on horsebacke. The difference of estates and conditions among the Par∣thians in old time was remarkable in this, that gentlemen and free merchants went vp and downe the countrie on horsebacke, and slaues on foot like vnto Lackeis. The dead were not much honoured among them; for that their bodies were left vpon the ground to feed dogges and birds, and whenas they had eaten all the flesh, they buried their bones [ C] carefully.

They were deuout, and giuen to the seruice of their gods, but proud, seditious, cunning, deceitfull, and wilfull; holding that crueltie and violence was a vertue in men, and mildnesse and courtesie in women: wherefore they were neuer at rest, but either they made warre among themselues, or did infest their neighbours. They were verie se∣cret in their affaires, and of few words, and if they did obey their kings and magistrats, it was rather for feare of punishment than for any inclination they had thereunto.

The Medians haue alwaies beene held to be soft and effeminat, but they were good [ XXXIII] horsemen, and expert in shooting, and they did beare great honour vnto their princes. They did weare a Tyare or round Bonnet like a Turban, and robes with sleeues. The [ D] kings of this nation had a priuiledge to haue many wiues, but in the end euerie man vsurped the like libertie; there was onely this difference, that the king might marrie as many as he pleased, whereas others might haue but seuen: And the women also hold it a great shame if any one of them were contented with one husband, and they thought that it caused barrennesse, if at the least euerie woman had not aboue foure for her re∣creation.

This people made alliances in imitation of the Greekes, & they did sometimes wound themselues in their armes and shoulders, from whence came aboundance of bloud, for a testimonie and assurance of the faith which they had sworne. And for that vpon the most Northerly part of this countrie it is barren, they dried Almonds whereof they made [ E] meale and bread for their nourishment, adding Apples thereunto, the which they did knead, making lampes thereof for their vse. Their drinke was made of certaine roots, and they did eat the flesh of wild beasts, little esteeming those that were tame.

The Assyrians in old time did weare two robes, whereof the one was long, comming [ X] downe to their heeles, and another short vpon it; both which were of linnen cloth, and vpon them they had a robe that was exceeding white, wearing shoes like vnto the The∣bans. They let their haire grow, and did weare high pointed caps like vnto the myters of the auncient Persians, and they neuer went out of their houses, but they were perfumed with muske. Euerie one of them had a ring whcih serued him for a seale, and he carried a Scepter in his hand, vpon the which was drawne a flower, or some fruit, or such like; for [ F] it was held an vnseemely thing among them to come forth in publique, without a Scep∣ter, and some figure to adorne it.

As for the laws which the people vsed, one was, that virgins which were apt to be ma∣ried [ XX] should be brought euerie yeare to the Market-place, and set publiquely to sale to them that would marrie them, and first of all they brought forth the fairest, to see who

would giue most. But such as were not so commendable for their beautie as they might [ A] inuite men to giue money for them, or those that were so foule, as no man would receiue them, although they might haue them for nothing, were married with the mony which had beene giuen for the faire. Herodotus holds, that the ancient Venetians which liued vpon the coast of Illitia vsed the like custome.

[ XXXVI] It was also ordained, that whenas any one fell sicke, he should demand councell of him that had beene troubled with the like infirmitie, and should endeuour to follow the or∣der which the other had obserued for the recouerie of his health: and this was practised in the beginning, when they had no knowledge of physitians. Some others write, that they carried their sicke persons to the Market-place, and that the law commanded that all [ B] they that had beene sicke of the like disease, should come vnto the patient to tell him by what meanes they had recouered their health.

[ XXXVII] The bodies of their dead were annointed with honie, and their obsequies and funerals were performed after the same manner as among the Aegyptians. The men of Assyria be∣ing in bed with their wiues, they durst not touch one another before they had washed themselues with cleane water.

[ XXXVIII] The auncient custome of some ladies of Assyria, was to haue the carnall knowledge of some stranger, in honour of the goddesse Venus: and whenas they would doe it, they went to the Temples of this goddesse in a great troupe, with crownes vpon their heads, & richly apparelled, to present themselues, and to seeme more pleasing vnto men. Euerie stranger that would enioy any one, beheld her that liked him best, then he layed vpon [ C] her knees what summe of money he thought good; and she was bound to follow him a little from the Temple, whereas they had carnal knowledge one of another, and the price of this impudicitie and vncleannesse was imployed for the seruice of the Temple. There were among the Assyrians certain houses and families that liued only of fish, which they dried in the Sun, and beat in a morter, and of this meale being kept they made cakes, which they vsed as bread.

[ XXXIX] There were in Assyria, Mages or wisemen, surnamed Chaldeans, who were in estima∣tion like vnto the Priests and Diuines of Aegypt, hauing the charge of sacred things, of Temples, and sacrifices, spending their whole liues in the studie and contemplation of [ D] Phylosophie, and practising the knowledge of the stars, to vnderstand by the course thereof the euents of things below, seeking to profit all men, and to free them from dangers and discommodities, and giuing in a maner a certaine reason for any thing.

These wise men (Chaldeans) went not out of their owne countrie to studie these scien∣ces, like vnto the Grecians; but euerie man learned them from his parents, holding them from them as by succession, and the children were instructed in their houses, to the end that by this ordinarie care they might profit the better. Their knowledge was not groun∣d••d vpon doubts & opinions like vnto that of the Grecians, but they did persist constant∣ly in those things which they had once learned, whereas the others had diuers opinions touching the principles and causes of euerie thing. The Chaldeans held it for truth and [ E] certaine, that the world had not beene created; and they did maintaine, that it was with∣out beginning, and should neuer end: that the disposition of the Vniuerse was gouerned by the diuine prouidence: that coelestial bodies did not moue of themselues, nor yet by hazard and accident; but that there was some diuine vertue which did moue them, and caused their influence. They did attribute great force to planets, & namely to that which the Astrologians call Saturne; and they hold that the Sun was the most pleasing planet, giuing it more power than the rest: yet in their diuinations, they depended more vpon the aspects of Mars, Venus, Mercurie, and Iupiter, for that those (as hauing a course which is propper vnto them) gaue knowledge of future things, as if they had beene messen∣gers and interpreters of the will of the gods. These Chaldeans did also foretell what [ F] should happen by the blowing of the winds, the force of raine, the heat of Sommer, the apparition of comets, ecclipse of Sun and Moone, and by earthquakes, and such like. Moreouer, they did imagine that there were other stars subiect vnto the first, saying that some went wandring, and had their course by our H••misphere, and the others went to

[ A] visit the rest of the Globe vnderneath vs.

They did faine twelue principall gods, to either of which they gaue a place in the Zo∣diake, and assigned him a moneth. Out of the Zodiake they did number foure and twen∣tie starres, whereof there were tw••lue that looked towards the North, and the other twelue to the South: they beleeued that those which appeared were for the seruice of the liuing, and the others were for the seruice of the dead, and did giue them light vnder the earth. They made a ridiculous computation of yeares, numbering three and fortie thousand yeres from their most auncient remembrance vnto the comming of Alexander into B••bylon: yet some excuse them, saying that they were lunarie yeares.

[ B] The inhabitants of Caramania in old time did vse asses in war, for that they wanted [ LX] horses, and they did sacrifice an asse to Mars. No man did marrie a wife among them vntill he had cut off the head of some enemie, the which was brought vnto the king, who caused it to be set vp in his pallace, mincing the tongue, the which he mingled with bread and tasted thereof, and then gaue it to him that brought it, and to his familiars to eat. He that bad brought most heads was more esteemed than the rest.

As for them of Margiana, Strabo writes that in his time when as any one came to the [ LXI] age of seuentie yeares, they did put him to death for a finall offence, and his neerest kins∣folks did afterwards eat his bodie. As for old women they smothered them, and then bu∣ried them. If any one died before seuentie yeres, he was not eaten but buried.

[ C] ¶ The Manners at this day.

THe Persians at this day to speake in generall are the mildest & most courteous people [ LXII] in the world, and it is most certaine that they are more liberall than any other. Their manners are not barbarous like vnto those of the Turkes, Indians, and Scythians their neighbours; but they are wonderfull courteous: they are giuen to obserue an excellent policie in their countrie, and they contemne not learning. There are many among them which are very skilfull in physicke and Astrologie, and others which affect poesie, where∣in they profit so well, as their inuentions, and manner of speaking is not onely commen∣dable, but also to be admired: whereof a Persian Poeme comming to Rome to the hands [ D] of a French Cardinall, very judcious in all things, causing it to be expounded, giues suf∣ficient testimonie.

They are also giuen to trafficke, and to mechanicke arts, and make great store of silkes. The brethren, sisters, and other kinsfolkes entertaine a strict loue betwixt them, and they make great account of nobilitie: wherein they are contrarie to the Turkes, who contemne it, and esteeme none but those that are commend••ble for their actions. There are among them many famous men, which are come from auncient races, and haue continued rich for a long time: and finally, they are much to be preferred before the Turkes, both in regard of their nobilitie, ciuilitie, and quicknesse of wit. Moreo∣uer [ E] they are exceeding courteous to strangers, and giue them good reception, entrea∣ting them as well as possibly they can, according to the manner of their countrie; but they are very subiect to ielousie: by reason whereof the women may not shew them∣selues to strangers; yet in all other things they giue them all the cont••ntments they de∣sire, and doe in a manner worship them, contrarie to the Turkes, who hold their wiues to be as slaues vnto them. The women of this countrie are exceeding faire, and they are so well set forth (to giue more grace to this beautie) as there can nothing seeme more pleasing.

The Persians yeeld as much to their passions as any people in the world, and plunge themselues in all sorts of pleasures, cherishing the sport of loue aboue all things. Their [ F] apparell is stately, and most commonly perfumed, and they weare pretious stones. They are subiect to this villanie, that although they marrie many wiues, yet they loue young boies, and pursue them as eagerly or rather more than women: wherein they imitate the Turkes, and moreouer they haue detestable places appointed for those pleasures, whereas they keepe young boies to that end. Their language is very pleasing, and is pra∣ctised

in many courts of the Eastern princes. In former times they had priuat chara∣cters, [ A] the which are scarce found at this day but vpon auncient mountaines: but since the time that they receiued the cursed sect of Mahomet, they haue also vsed the Arabian tongue.

They are called Ayames, or Azamies, by reason of Assyria which carries the name of Az••mia, as some thinke. They haue also the name of Persians by reason of the prouince of Presia, which is the chiefe of the realme; and Cheselbas, for that they weare a red cap; and they are by many called Sophiens, being vnder the dominion of the Sophi.

¶ The Riches. [ B]

[ XLIII] THey make such aboundance of silkes in Persia, as the inhabitants of the countrie haue not onely sufficient for themselues, but they also sell much to other nations which lie far from Persia, for they carrie it into all the countries of the East, yea into Syria. They do in like manner make great sale and trafficke of pearle, and pretious stones. That which makes the countrie of Persia rich is the commoditie of the sea, by meanes whereof they come from many parts to fetch what they desire. But to come to particulars, in the pro∣uince of Persia they find emeralds, which merchants buy at an easie rate, for that they are not very cleere. This prouince doth also impart of her silkes to many others, like to Hyr∣cania, [ C] or the countrie of Diargument.

Bactria yeelds mettalls and some pretious stones, as emeralds, jacinths, and chrysolits, whereof the inhabitants make great profit. In the prouince of Aria they gather a certain drug like vnto myrrhe, which the persians sell to strangers at a good rate, with their black and yellow saphirs. The towne of Chirmain in Carmania is famous by reason of the great store of cloth of gold and siluer which the inhabitants make and vent.

[ XLIIII] Let vs now come to the reuenues which this king may haue, hauing seene wherein the riches of this people consists. Certainly, it is not yet well knowne to what summe the re∣uenues of this prince may amount, for that they who haue been there, expresly to search out the meanes of this Monarch, do not all concurre in one opinion: for some giue him [ D] three millions of gold in rent, and others fiue millions. Notwithstanding there are two things which may easily shew that this prince must of force be very rich: the one is that Tammas Sophi of Persia, who raigned of late yeres, ordained that they should leuie no custome of any thing that entred into his dominions, or went forth; and this custome did amount to 90000 tomans, that is to say (for that a toman makes 20 French crowns) a mil∣lion 800000 crownes: the which vndoubtedly he had not done if his reuenues had not bin otherwise great, which inuited him to ease strangers, and his subiects which dealt in trafficke after this maner: the other reason is, that all the Estates of Persia are diuided by the Persians into seuen prouinces, or to speake more properly, generalities, whereof that of Isp••an yeelds seuen hundred thousand crownes, and that of Syras as much; and yet [ E] they are not the richest, for that the prouinces of Corassan and Diargument exceed them much, whereof the one abounds in mettalls and Turkish stones, and the other in silkes.

But if any one demands whence he draws his reuenues, seeing he hath dispossest him∣selfe of the customes which might rise by the importation and exportation of merchan∣dise: I wil answere him that he draws it from the lands of his dominions, from the tenths of fruits, from the profit of mines, and from shops, for that whosoeuer will set vp a shop or storehouse of any thing, is bound to pay a certaine summe yearely vnto the king. He receiues also much of particular presents, and of the gifts of communalties, and confis∣cations, and such like, bring him in great summes of money, besides the tribute of prin∣ces [ F] subiect to his crowne, as that of Lar, and some others.

[ A] ¶ The Forces.

THe forces of this kingdome consist more in valour than in number of men. There [ XLV] are three sorts of souldiers, the one is of such as the king entertains continually neere him: the other is of Timariots, for that there are a great number of horsemen who in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of pay haue lands assigned vnto them for their entertainement, after the manner of the Turkes: the third kind is of strangers, which they draw into the countrie for pay, ei∣ther from Gurgistan or Tartaria. But speaking of the two first who are properly of the realme, and belong ••••to the king, both the one and the other fight on horsebacke, for that whenas armes are in the hands of the nobilitie, there are most commonly few that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on foot: and hence it growes also that the Persians are without Sea forces: so as ••••••withstanding that they haue the Sea of Bachu on the one side, and the Persian 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the other side, yet haue they neuer imployed any armies by Sea in either of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

••nd although the sea of Bachu be eight hundred miles long, and six hundred broad, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they haue no shipping there, neither are there seene any ships in those parts but Por••••••S, who coasting along the Persian gulfe, make themselues maisters thereof, by means [ C] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fleets which they keepe commonly in the island of Ormus.

And although the countrie abounds in mettals and in excellent tempers, especially 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••rouince of Corasan, yet they haue no great vse of artillerie, and they are lesse pra-•••••••• in fortifications, or to batter, besiege, keepe, and defend a towne; for that all these ••••••gs are proper to footmen, whereas it belongs to horsemen to fight in plaine field, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Persians without doubt are able to worke great effects.

••oreouer, the Persian discipline hath another important defect, which is the want of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and this diuision proceeds from two causes: the one is the greatnesse of princes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is commonly accompanied with pride and wilfulnesse: the other is the difficultie ••••••duct and of voyages, and this defect growes by the want of waters and nauigable [ D] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the riuers of Persia are such as they are not portable, or if they be, it is so little 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are of small seruice. All these riuers run either to the Persian gulfe, or to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sea, leauing the heart of the countrie without water, so as they are of little vse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the forces of Persia, and to draw them together, for that the middle part of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remaines drie, and hath not any riuer that is common in a manner to the whole 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as the riuer of Loire to France, Po to Lombardie, Vistula to Poland, and Sheld ••••••ders. Moreouer, there are many mountaines and desarts which crosse and di∣••••••e countrie: by reason whereof this countrie is verie like vnto Spaine, where 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are no riuers of great traffique, but vpon the extremities, and where there are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ountaines, and much countrie desart, by reason of the drought. Yet nature [ E] ••••ing to helpe their traffique for the commoditie of mans life, hath furnished Persia 〈◊〉〈◊〉 places whereas they want nauigable riuers, with camels which are verie fit for 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for that they beare more than a horse, and endure their labour longer: for a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will beare a burthen of a thousand weight, and continue his journey fortie dayes 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or more; for that he is to passe through drie countries, such as Lybia, Arabia, ••••sia, he doth commonly drinke but once in fiue dayes, and at need he will conti∣••••••en, yea and ten daies without drinke: and as for meat, being freed from his bur∣•••••••• satisfied if he eat a little grasse, or the bowes of trees; so as there is no beast ••••••••res more toyle nor is oflesse charge: by reason whereof he is fit for the drie ••••••••ries of Asia and Africke, whereas the men want both water and victualls; so as ca∣•••• [ F] ••••••ing no great need for themselues, may carrie great store for their maisters. There ••••••ee sorts: the one are small, and serue onely to carrie men: those of meaner stature 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two bunches, and they are good to carrie burthens: the greatest are those which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thousand weight.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the number of horsemen which the king of Persia may bring to field, it hath

beene seene in the wars which haue past betwixt Ismael and Selim the first of that name, [ A] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also betwixt the same Ismael and Solyman, and betwixt Codobande and Amarath the third, for that none of these kings did draw together aboue 30000 horse against the Turk, but they were armed in such sort, as they did neuer feare the incounter of a farre greater [] armie. The richer sort arme themselues like to our men at armes: and the others (who make two third parts) content themselues with head peeces, shirts of maile, and targets, and they sometimes vse bows, sometimes lances.

[ XLVI] The Sophi confines vpon the East, with the Mogores; towards the North, with the Tartarians, and Zagatay; vpon the West, he hath the Turkes countrie which doth fron∣tier him for a long space; and vpon the South, he hath the realme of Ormus, sometimes [ B] tributarie to the Sophies, and at this present belonging to the king of Spaine.

He hath not much to doe with the Mogores, for that as France and Spaine cannot of∣fend one another by reason of the strait passages, and the scituation of the frontiers which are tough and troublesome, which make the conduct of victualls, and entertaine∣ment of armies difficult: euen so, betwixt the confines of the Indies and Cambaya, held by the Mogores, and the Persians, there are mountaines and desarts, which will not suf∣fer those princes to inuade one another, at the least with any great armies; especially for that their horsmen (wherein their chiefest forces consist) cannot march through such nar∣row straits, and vneasie passages, yet they fight vpon the frontiers of Cabul and Sable∣stan, whereof some princes of the Mogores haue made themselues maisters. [ C]

The Sophi confines not immediatly with the great Cham, for that there is betwixt them two, first certaine princes, then a great desart, and it seemes that the riuer of Oxe, or Abian, hath beene alwaies ordained to serue as bound vnto his Empire. This riuer rising in the countrie of Sablestan, vnder the mountaine of Dalanguer, after a long course (du∣ring the which it increaseth much by reason of many riuers which fall into it) in the end it dischargeth it selfe into the Sea of Bachu, & diuides the Sophi from Zagatai vpon the North part. The Sophi neuer durst passe this riuer, and Saba king of Zagatai hauing past it, was defeated by Is••ael in a great battaile. Cyrus king of Persia caused a bridge to be made vpon this riuer, by the which he past a great armie to go against Tomyris Queene of Scythia, who cut him in peeces with his people. [ D]

The Sophi confines with the great Turke vpon all the Westerne part of his empire, that is to say, from the sea of Bachu to the gulfe of Saure, which is for the space almost of fifteene degrees: and in truth he hath no such dangerous enemie, nor that keepes him more in awe; for that as often as the Turke hath entred his countrie, he hath alwaies lost something, vnlesse were of late yeares, that the Sophi hath chased the Turkes, and woon some famous victories. The reason why the Sophi hath had these losses, was his manner of making warre; for that relying vpon the number and valour of his horsemen, and in his artillerie and munition of warre, he made no account of forts, but ruined them he tooke, and did little esteeme those which he kept, thinking that he that imployes his forces i•• defence of places cannot be strong in field. But since, being forced by necessitie, [ E] they haue fortified much, and haue made good forts vpon passages that were fit to that purpose, and they haue built cittadels in townes of importance, furnishing them with ord∣inance, souldiers, and all other things necessarie.

As for the Portugals of Ormus, he hath no quarrell with them, for that he hath no sea forces, without the which he cannot recouer this realme: and also the Portugals haue no meane•• to ••ake conquest ••••rre within the land. And the Sophi Tammas being once per∣suaded to the enterprise of the realme of Ormus, he demaunded what did grow in this Island; if there were come, grapes, fruits, or such like▪ and hearing that the soyle of this countrie was barren, and that all these things wanted, but that the traffique of merchan∣dise which made this realme rich, might bring him great commodities; he mocked at it, [ F] saying, That he had giuen his people ninetie thousand Tomans of the like nature, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yearely into his cofers.

[ A] ¶ The Gouernment.

WE must confesse that the Persians are gouerned more politickely than all the [ XLVII] other Mahometans whereof we haue knowledge, and that the royall power and ••••••••••gatiue is better ordered among them than in any other realme of their sect. For it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knowne that in a manner all the other kings root out the nobilitie, and serue them∣•••••••••••• with slaues, yea they put their brethren to death, or pull out their eyes. But the no∣•••••••••••••• is much esteemed among the Persians. The kings entreat their brethren gratious∣••y, and haue commonly vnder them, princes who are rich and powerfull: the which is not obserued among the Turkes, who can by no means endure the nobilitie in any place, and do not suffer any one to remaine prince or lord of any countrie; but contrariwise as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as they are the stronger, they remoue their naturall maisters, and supplie their pla∣•••••• with men of base condition, who shall be no lords but only gouernors that may be ••••••oued at pleasure. To conclude, it is most certaine that this realme is ordered with such ••••licie, as their gouernment doth not yeeld to any of our Monarchies of Europe, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 say, which haue beene there, and which haue obserued their manner of liuing: but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 miserie hath alwaies beene such, that no man hath related in particular the manner of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gouernment; so as this defect will be the cause that we cannot discourse but in gene∣••••••nd [] not specifie any thing in particular.

¶ The Religion.

AFter the death of Mahomet the author of that cursed sect, which at this day hath so [ XLVIII] great a course in the world, Alli, Abubequer, Ormar, and Odman his kinsmen, did euery 〈◊〉〈◊〉 write for himselfe; for that there was not any one of them but did pretend himselfe ••••••rue successor. This contention was the spring of four principal sects: Ally was author ••hat which they call Imemia, and was followed by the Persians, Indians, by many ••••ians, and by the Gelbins of Africke. As for the other sects, I haue referred it to the [ D] ••••••on of the Turkes religion, where I haue resolued to speake amplie, and at large. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue more reason than the rest, and haue purchast reputation touching their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a manner in our age, as we haue formerly said, by the valour of Ismael Sophi, who ••••ing himselfe to be of the race of Ally, brought his sect into credit, and denounced 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against his neighbours that would not accept thereof. He did weare a red Turban 〈◊〉〈◊〉 twelue points, in remembrance of the twelue sonnes of Ocen the sonne of Ally, ••••••maunding that all they that followed it should weare the like. Many nations follo∣•••••• him and his sect, especially all they that dwell betwixt the riuers of Euphrates, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the Caspian sea, & the Persian gulfe; so as since, all these people haue setled them∣•••••••••••• in this opinion.

[] ••here are also in the Sophies Empire some Iewes, whose predecessors remained in [ XLIX] 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whenas Esdras and Nehemias led backe the rest into the Holie land, and those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 staied in this countrie, as Origen saieth, made choise of a head of the house of Da∣••••, and called him the chiefe of the banished: then they built a towne vpon the bankes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••phrates, and named it Neardea, which is as much to say, as a floud of sciences. ••••••re are in Corasan a prouince of Persia, Melchites, who retaine all the errors which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in old time condemned by the Grecians at the Councell of Florence, and these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Patriarch of Antioche.

Moreouer there are Nestorians brought into Persia, as Paulus Diaconus affirmes, by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••lice of Cosroe king of Persia, who thinking to do a despight to the Emperor Hera∣••••••, for that he had beene defeated by him, ruined all the Christian Churchs that were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••is dominions, and hauing chased away the Catholickes, he planted Nestorians, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now mixt among the Assyrians, Mesopotamians, Medians, and Parthians.

There are also many Christians Armenians, who haue past into Persia for feare of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forces & crueltie; and these haue two Patriarches, whereof the one who is ac∣knowledge

knowledged as superiour in high Armenia, remaines in the monasterie of Ecmeazin [ A] neere vnto the towne of Eruan in Persia: the other who is obeied in base Armen ia liues in the towne of Sis in Caramania. But we forbeare to speake of their beliefe till the dis∣course of the religions which are found in the great Turkes countrie. This is all that can be said of the Persians religions, who are such mortall enemies to the Turks, as although they both acknowledge Mahomet for the first anthor of their sects, yet they hate these Barbarians no lesse than we doe: and it is thought that if Christian princes had made more account of the Embassage which the Sophi sent into Europe of late yeares, than they did, there had beene some hope that this prince by little and little might haue beene drawne to the Christian faith. [ B]