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.

¶ The auncient manners. [ B]

[ XVIII] SEing we haue first begun with Macedonia in this our description of Greece, we must likewise in the first place consider the auncient manners and customes of her inhabi∣tants.

The Macedonians were alwaies great warriours, euen as we may easily coniecture by the great conquests they made vnder Philip, but much more vnder Alexander the great his sonne. If this realme therefore did produce many valiant and warlicke men, learning and good letters, were also amongst them in no lesse esteeme; which we may euidently conceiue by those epithites which the learned (especially the Poets) ascribe to the Mu∣ses: [ C] for we shall find that the most famous and renowned places where they haue consti∣tuted the habitation and aboad of the Muses, are in Macedonia: for they were named Pimpleides of the fountaine Pimplea: and Libetrides, of the towne of Libetre, scitua∣ted vpon Mount Olympus. Moreouer, Aristotle alone, who was borne in the towne of Stagira in Macedonia, may be a sufficient warrant for what we auerre, seeing there ne∣••er liued any man more accomplished in all sciences and knowledge.

The Macedonians were ••oont to be verie sumptuous in their feasts and banquets, as we may plainely see in Atheneus, when he makes mention of Carans nuptialls, who was the first king of Macedonia, wherein euerie stranger at his departure receiued a peece of siluer plate in free gift: and this was a verie extraordinarie matter in those dayes, when [ D] any slender bountie was held for a rare magnificence.

As for the Thessalians, whom some place in this kingdome, auncient writers haue generally obserued that they were euer verie deceitfull, and neuer obserued their oaths or promises. Furthermore, they were noted for the most dissolute people in all Greece, not onely in their habits, but in feasts, and their onely desire to liue licentiously, and without hauing any neighbours that might tax or reprehend them; the cause that they were so enclined to receiue the Persians into their countrie, whom they followed and imitated in all their delights and effeminacies: and therefore I say, they laboured by all meanes to bring them into Greece.

They were likewise accused for wonderfull gourmandise and gluttonie, and held for [ E] men that would neuer be filled nor satisfied: then for whoredome, and they were estee∣med to be so transported with this vice, as their excesse in this behalfe hath beene vniuer∣sally blamed and reprehended with all possible bitternesse by those that haue written of their manners. And yet all these vices and corruptions did not hinder them from be∣ing valiant men, and such as they gaue the Grecians to feele that their debaucht and dis∣solute liues made them not so cowardly nor effeminat as they supposed: neither that their great bellie cheare made them incapable and vnfit to manage armes, yea and to beat and vanquish those which thought themselues more hardie and braue than the rest.

This the Peloponnesians made good triall of, when they fought against them in fa∣••our of the Athenians: but it was accompanied with this ill qualitie and disposition, [ F] that being not able to shake off their naturall inconsta••cie, they basely betrayed their friends, and suffered the Athenians to be defeated by those of Lacedemon, not without the note of infamie to the Thessalian cauallerie, who were renowned aboue all the other horsemen of Greece.

[ A] They that dwelt in the Elisian valley of Tempe, residing namely along the bankes of the riuer Penea, made often assemblies, offered vp sacrifices to the gods, and banqueted to∣gether all in a troupe and companie, when they had accomplished, and finisht their foo∣lish and ridiculous deuotions: and because there was also some one or other, offering to to the gods, and sacrificing in this place: they who had occasion to trauaile along by this riuer, smelt continually passing good odours in going through this valley; and this was the reason why men so honoured this place, esteeming it to be peculiarly consecrated to the gods.

In the towne of Dyon, as Polibius relates, there were very faire scholes, and colledges, [ B] which may plainely informe vs, that they were studious of good letters. The Idoll they most honoured in this town, was the image of Adonis, and this giues infallible testimonie how much these citisens esteemed amourous dalliances.

At Tricalis men worshipped Aesculapius, and there is to be seene a maruelous state∣ly temple, erected to his honour and name, and within the temple an infinit number of tables, wherein were the names and portraits of such as had beene deliuered from diuers infirmities, by this wicked fiend: God permitting the deuill to worke some kind of myra∣cles within his owne kingdome, and amongst those who were planted in a blind and su∣perstitious beliefe of his power and vertue.

As for Epyrus, men think that the Chaonians came in former times out of Thrace, and [ C] they were accounted the most barbarous people of all the rest. It is also said that the pro∣uince of Chaonia was so called, because the inhabitants had ordinarily their mouthes gaping, and halfe open.

The Acarnanians wore continually long haire or lockes, and would neuer in any wise poll or cut them. They were reputed good runners, and good driuers of charriots, vpon which they then vsed to fight, and wherein they went to the Olympian games, as we may see in Pausanias, who sets forth an Acarnanian winning the prise, whose name was Polycles, and this not onely in the games of Olympus, but also at the Pythian, Isth∣mi••n, and Nemean runnings. These people also were much commended for throwing out of a sling. And the Acarnanians were reputed discreet and wise, as these who had layd a good politicall foundation; so as some affirme that Aristotle made one hundred [ D] and fiftie bookes, only vpon the subiect and argument of this peoples lawes and gouern∣ment; but these bookes were all lost, together with their state and policie.

There was also at Epyrus the oracle of Dodon to be seen, to which they came from all [ XIX] parts. Herodotus writes vpon this point, that the priests of Dodon affirmed how in old time there came two blacke pigeons out of Aegypt, whereof one flew towards Africke, and the other made towards Epyrus, and how this last spake in a humane voice, and said, That they must consecrat an oracle in that place, and the same would declare vnto them the will of the gods, euen as afterwards it did. Moreouer he adds that they were women, and that the Dodoneans by them receiued aunswere from their gods. The wood of Do∣don [ E] gaue occasion as report goes, that men in the beginning liued with akornes; because the Pelagians residing in this place, and vsing neither art, nor industrie to sow corne, or make bread: they made vse of the fruits on trees; and for that in this place they had more akorns than any other fruit, from them they drew their sustenance and nourishment.

They of Ambracia had a Lyonesse for their goddesse, whom they worshipped, for that when Periander the Corinthian did tyrannize in old time ouer this citie: he was slaine by a woman that he entertained, whose name was Lyonna; and so by her meanes the Am∣bracians were deliuered from that tyrants furie and crueltie. They were also very curious and excellent artisans, as Plinie tells vs in his naturall historie, when he reports that Fului∣•••• Flaccus a Romane generall, hauing taken Ambracia, carried away with him the por∣traitures [ F] of the nine Muses, which there he found admirably well done by the hand of Zeuxis, a rare and excellent painter of that age.

But now let vs come to Achaia. Next the Pelasgians, the Dorians are esteemed the most auncient people of all Greece; so as Plinie is so bold to tearme all the rest which carries the name Greece, barbarous, except the Ionians, Dorians, and the inhabitants of Aeto∣lia▪

For the Ionians and Dorians were the people which eternized their names more than [ A] all the other Grecians, and that conducted collonies into strang countries, as hauing once subdued a part of Asia, and giuen sufficient proofe and triall of themselues in Sicilia.

The Dorians sentsome of their citisens to Chalcedonia, a towne vpon the mouth or entrie of the great sea, or Pontus Euxinus: they were euer adicted to the wars, vali∣ant, and hardie, aboue all the rest of the Greekes: they had crests on the top of their bur∣guenets and morrions, where they ware horse tailes hanging downe, the which they accommodated in such sort, as they might appeare more terrible, and strike the greater amasements into their enemies in all encounters and conflicts. [ B]

• To speake of the Opuntine Locrians, following Pausanias intimations, the first inha∣bitants of their countrie being ignorant of the vse of garments, they defended themselues against the cold with the raw hides and skinnes of such beasts as they had killed, euen as at this day also the people nearest to the North do, and the hairie side they turned towards their skin, that so they might haue more heat and comfort.

These Locrians adored Minerua Zosteria, aboue all other deities, by reason of the belts and baudricks which they did weare, like to Minerua, fastning them at their shoulders like a scarfe, and hanging their swords therat, euen as we may yet see in all the statues of soul∣diers and captaines, as well Greekes and Barbarians, as Romanes. The same people were in auncient times highly recommended for their valour, being very well armed, as Pausa∣nias [ C] saies, he reporting that in the time of the Persian wars, the Locrians were heauily ar∣med, and ware strong armes. He further adds, that Homer saith, that this people was in the war vndertaken against the Troians, with their bows and slings.

The Actolians were also reputed for very valiant men; so as Pausanias saies, that when the Gaules passed into Greece, vnder the conduct of Brennus, the Actolians were the first that made head against them: and so he commends them for the most valorous amongst all the Greekes at that time, he testifying that they had the most flourishing and lustie youth of all Greece. They vsed slings in the wars, and did better seruice with them, than with bowes or arrowes, as Eustathius likewise affirmes vpon Homer. Whenas they went to the warre, their tight foot was coueted with some sandale or buskin, and the left [ D] was naked.

Touching the Photentians, though writers place mount Helicon in their countrie, where they say the Muses had their residence, as if this prouince had beene the proper habitation of men of learning and knowledge, yet Strabo, following Ephorus opinion, af∣firmes, that they were a rusticall and grosse people, vtterly abhorring all learning and li∣berall sciences; which was the reason, that how valiant soeuer they were, yet could they neuer preserue and maintaine that greatnesse and power which their generall Epaminon∣dus had gotten them; so as war was their only practice and exercise.

But to the end we may further obserue what their naturall furie and heat was, the same is related of them, which we also read of the inhabitants of the Isles Baleares, that [ E] when they left their countrie, to nauigate by sea, they went out all naked, carrying three slings about their necks, another tyed to their flanks, and the third in their hand, and that they were expert in throwing of stones after this manner. They were held for a blockish and rude people, and dull witted. If any one among the Beotians were indebted, and sa∣tisfied not the same within a reasonable time, he was brought into the open market place, where being caused to sit downe, he was hidden and couered with a dorser, euery bodie laughing and flouting at him, & this serued for a kind of penance and special note of infa∣mie to them that were handled after this manner. But touching that which we haue spo∣ken of their little vnderstanding and wit, it cannot yet be denied, but there haue beene men amongst them of very pregnant wits, seeing that Amrpion one of the most aunci∣ent [ F] Loricke Poets, came from thence, and then that great diuine or Southsaier Amphi∣araus, and besides these, the famous, and admirable Poet Pyndarus.

[ XX] Those of the countrie of Attica, were men of good vnderstanding in marine matters, and in merchandise. In this countrie also it was, where men of learning and liberall arts

[ A] were woont to swarme, all which comming out of Athens, were afterwards dispersed ouer all Greece, and other places. And this was the reason why some did write, that Mi∣nerua planted and produced the Oliue tree, giuing her name vnto the towne of Athens, because the sweetnesse and aboundance of the fruit of this tree holds a liuely similitude with the flowing streames of eloquence, and the sweetnesse of learning and sciences. They were the first inuentors of cloth, and the vse of wool, they also taught the Greekes the commoditie of corne and wine, and so informed them how to till the earth, and cast seed thereinto: whereas before they vsed nothing but wild fruits. Cecrops king of Athens was the first in those parts that instituted the coniunction of man and woman in lawfull [ B] marriage: and therefore antiquitie gaue him two faces.

Within the Temple of Minerua in Athens, there were certaine vailed virgins which were consecrated to the obseruation and worship of this goddesse, & which maintained a perpetuall fire neere to her statue, which they firmely beleeued was sent from heauen. This statue was in figure like a faire and goodly woman, wearing a roabe which reached downe to her heeles, and vpon her head a kind of Burguenet, and vpon the top of the crest was seene the monster Sphinx engrauen, and many griffons all ouer the Burgue∣net: Then, vpon her brest, shee ware Medusaes head, a lance in her hand, and at her feet her buckler, and a dragon which stood hard by her lance, as also some hold opi∣nion, that she had an Owle vpon the crest of her head peece, because this bird was speci∣ally [ C] consecrated to her. And therefore when as Demosthenes was sent into exile, he sayd, That Pallas tooke great pleasure in three deformed and vnseemely creatures, in a dragon, in an owle, and in a multitude.

The Athenians are also held to be inuentors of oyle, for that there were no oliue trees to be found in all Greece, but onely at Athens. It cannot be denied but that the Athe∣nians were sometimes verie valiant, seeing many important warres, vndertaken both by sea and land, giue an ample and sufficient testimonie thereof.

In the townes of Athens and Eleusis they did particularly worship Ceres, who had a∣mongst them her solemne feast called the Thesmophories. During this solemnitie (as Plutarch reports) the women abstained from all meat, and lay prostrat on the earth in [ D] imitation of the Aegyptian sacrifices, and as we may read in Ouid, they continued nine dayes without the companie of any men. Elianus doth witnesse, that during this feast the women layed a certain hear be called Hanea in their beds, both for that it draue away serpents, as also, that it qualified and ass••aged the ardent flames of loue, freeing them from being tormented with that violent passion.

As for the mysteries of Eleusis, different from the Thesmophories, the publication of them was generally prohibited vpon paine of death: and therefore, when Alcibiades was accused for discouering them, he was constrayned voluntarily to betake himselfe to exile, for if he could haue been found in Athens, question lesse he had beene verie seuere∣ly punished. And therefore he was excommunicated (if it be lawfull to vse that phrase) [ E] by the decree and ordinance of all the sacrificing Priests, which was an occasion of his re∣uolt against the Athenians, and of his raysing a warre against them. Now as the sacrifi∣••es were tearmed mysticall, so the Ministers and Priests employed herein were nomina∣ted Mystes. There were two sorts of mysteries, that is, the Great and the Lesser: the great or high mysteries were sodainely priuiledged, and no stranger was admitted into them, according to the institution of Eumolpes: so as Hercules once desiring to be admitted to the same, he could not obtaine this suit before he was made a free denizen of that coun∣trie, being adopted by an Athenian gentleman of that prouince called Pilea. These sa∣crifices were so full of superstitious abhominations, that the deuill no doubt perceiuing if they came to be publisht, they would soone be abolisht, he cunningly by visions ex∣presly [ F] for bad all those that could write, in no wise to reueale or discouer them. Pausa∣nias confesseth, that the goddesse admonished him in a dreame not to prophane her my∣steries in publishing or making them knowne to all the world.

But that we may the better vnderstand what can be further said touching this point, it

will not be much impertinent to examine this matter a little farther. Heare therefore [ A] what Clement Alexandrinus speakes of these matters in his oration to the Gentiles: The infants of the earth, Baube, Disaulis, and Triptolemus, as also, Eumolpes, and Eubuleeus, dwelt in Eleusis: Triptolemus was a neatheard, and Eumolpes a shepheard, from whom came the Eumolpides, whose office was to proclaime and summon the feasts of Ceres: Baube once lodging the goddesse in her house, presented to her of a kind of composed drinke, the which she would not accept of, for that shee was griued and full of teares for the losse of her daughters: Baube taking this refusall in great disdaine, and ve∣rily beleeuing that this woman required no great obseruance or respect, for that she was but in verie meane shew and accoutraments, she shamelesly discouered her priuie parts, [ B] and shewed them to Ceres: she taking pleasure in this sight, tooke the cup and put it into her flasket; so as all the ceremonie and solemnitie of this feast consisted onely in the re∣presentation of this foolerie; seeing the words of deuotion in these miseries, were no∣thing else, but I haue feasted, I haue drunke some of the broth, I haue got some of the basket, and haue put it into my flasket.

And to the end we may more particularly specifie all these fooleries, they vsed to bring two baskets, in one of which there were flowers, and in the other eares of corne, (the one signifying the Spring time, and the other Sommer and Haruest) besides this, they brought thither the figure or representation of a womans priuitie, by reason that this foolish Baube had shewed her forepart to Ceres. [ C]

And euen as this woman vsed all the diligence possible in the pursuit and search of her daughter, so doe they at this feast light an infinit number of lampes and torches, laying vpon a chariot all such things as these Pannyerbearers worshipped: and in these panni∣ers thus layed vpon the chariot, there was nothing but spindles and distaffes, wooll rea∣die carded, little cakes, an handfull of salt, the figure of a dragon dedicated to Bacchus, pomegranets, and the heart of Iuie, and also Poppie. These high mysteries of Eleusina were celebrated in the Moneth of Iune, and the lesser solemnitie in the Moneth of No∣uember.

The Opuntynes worshipped Hercules, in whose honour they euerie yeare celebrated a solemne feast, wherein they sacrificed to him a Goat, a Ram, and six Bulls. They also [ D] vsed another kind of sacrifice not so bloudie, whereof Plutarch makes mention after this manner: What is he that the Opuntynes call Crithologus? this word signifies one that heapes vp barley; for that the Grecians in their auncient sacrifices made vse of this graine, and each of the citisens offered vp of the first eares of barley: and hereupon it came that the Priest, whose office and function it was to take away these first fruits, was called Chrithologus. The Opuntynes had two sacrificers, one whose office was to sacri∣fice to the gods; and another to Demons and vncleane spirits. And therefore to this purpose I may boldly assume, that the first Grecians, yea and some amongst the Romans, detested the effusion of bloud in their sacrifices: so as the Opuntynes originally were contented with this simplicitie, barley loaues, or cakes made of the same grayne, with a [ E] little salt. They of Megara sacrificing to Terea, vsed in stead of barley little stones, as if their god had beene of no vnderstanding, being contented and satisfied with euery small trifle: but the women Priests of Eleusina, which serued before Propilea, durst not offer to their Idoll any other barley cakes, but such as came out of the territorie of Eleusis. Neere to the citie of Calydon is to be seene the Temple of Apollo Lathrea, and within the towne, that of Diana, to whom they sacrificed after this manner: first they layed together about the Altar, whereon they meant to sacrifice, greene wood, euerie peece of which was six∣teene cubits long, and vpon the harth of the Altar, they layed a great deale of drie wood cut verie small. When the day of the solemnitie drew neere, there were certaine steps made of soft earth, to mount vp vnto to the Altar, then vpon the day and houre they [ F] went in a magnificent and stately procession, where the she Priest, who must be a virgin, marched after the rest, set in a chariot drawne by two stagges. The next day after the feast, the generall sacrifice was made, in which they layed vpon the Altar all kind

[ A] of soule good to eat, and euery kind of offerings or oblations, then wild boares, does, stags, and goats: some also laid on wolues, and little boares; others greater, and more va∣liant beasts: as also they then offered of their domestical fruits, when the fire was put too, they burned all these beasts to ashes, whereupon some flying away, they were to be brought backe againe for the consummation and accomplishment of the sacrifice.

At Lepanto, or Naupactum, in former times they worshipped Neptune, and likewise Diana, as also Venus, in grots, and subterranean vauts.

There was also a temple dedicated to Aesculapius.

The Orchomenians which liued in Phocides, were great warriors, and very strong in [ B] horse; so as the Thebanes, were for a great time their tributaries, vntill Hercules was the means to free them from this seruitude. They had also a temple deuoted to the Graces.

The Lebadians aboue all other, were euer more famous for their superstition, than for any other speciall respect; so as these Greeks were of that humour, as they supposed the best means to make them immortal, was to inuent some strange adoration & ceremonie.

There was the den of Trophonia, into which none might descend before they were de∣tained for a time in a lodging that stood at the entrie of the den, (& this lodge was dedi∣cated to Genia, or good Fortune) and while the party remained there, he must liue chastly, washing him in hot bathes, & he must sacrifice to Trophonia and her children; besides this to Iupiter, surnamed the king, to Apollo, to Saturne, and to Ceres, whom they call Europa, and [ C] who, as they said, was nourse to Trophonia. The priest was to be present at the sacrificing of euery beast, that so he might peruse & obserue his entraills, and make knowne to the partie descending, whether Trophonia were fauourable or no.

The same night that any one was to enter into the caue, he was to sacrifice a ram in the ditch, calling on the name of Agamedes, and whatsoeuer good fortune the precedent sa∣crifices prefaged, if the entrailes of this ram were not correspondent to the same, nothing at all was obtained: but if they were alike, then they might descend with all securitie.

The partie that was to descend was first conducted to the riuer Hercynna, where the priests annoynted him with oyle, and two boyes about thirteene yeres old, the sonnes of some Lebadian citisens, whom they termed Mercures, washed him in the water of that [ D] riuer. After this he was not sodainly conueyed the Oracle, but to the spring of this ri∣uer, where he must drinke of the water of Lethe, or obliuion, as they said, to the end he might not remember any thing he had before thought on. Then he tasted of another water which was called the water of memorie, that he might remember whatsoeuer he should see within the grot or caue of this Oracle. Afterwards he beheld the statue, which no other might lawfully see but he that descended into the vaut, where he made his pray∣ers before the Idoll, which when he had worshipped, he then went towards the Oracle, clad in a linnen roab girt to him with little bonds, and wearing such pantofles on his feet as he put on in the same place. He that descended carried certaine honie cakes, and when he had staid there but a while he felt himselfe transported, as it were by the violence of [ E] some swift streame, which caried him away, & ouertaked him with the swelling waues.

They came out at the same place where they entred, and with their feet first. Then the priests receiued him, and set him on a seat called the seat of memorie, not far from the en∣trie, where they enquired of him, what he had heard or seene with in the grot.

When this was done, they recommended him to their charge and care who were to looke to him vntil he were come to himselfe. These conducted him to the lodge of Genia, or good Fortune, being yet so distracted & weake of sence, as he neither knew himselfe, nor the persons that attended him, & they which entred after this maner into the vaut, left behind them a table, where all that which they had heard or seene, was to be grauen, that there might remaine some remembrance thereof to all posteritie.

[ F] The Cheroneans (aboue any other god) worshipped a royall Scepter, saying that Vul∣can had forged it for Iupiter, & that he hauing giuen it to Mercurie, he presented the same to Pelops, after which it came to Atreus, then to Thyestes, and last of all to Agamemnon. It is true, that they erected no temple to the same, but he onely that was chosen priest (the same yeare, for the honour and ceremonie of this ridiculous god) kept this Scepter in

his house, and offered dayly sacrifices vnto it, preparing a table whereon they set all kind [ A] of flesh and meat, as if it had beene at a feast or solemnitie.

At Cheronea also (a towne very famous for the death of Plutarch) they made certaine odours of flowers incorporated together, as of roses, lillies, and orice; and this compo∣sition did ease many dolors: as also by the meanes of an ointment made of roses, they preserued their wooden statues from worme eating.

Moreouer, the Cheroneans had this custome, that wen they sacrificed to Leucothea a marine goddesse, and nurse to Bacchus, the Sexton stood at the gate of the temple with a whip in his hand, crying out with a lowd voice that not any man, or woman slaue that was an Etolian, should presume to enter into those holie places, while the sacrifices were [ B] celebrating.

At Platea, was ordained for a perpetuall memorie of the famous victorie obtained against the Persians, the feast of deliuerance, and the image of Iupiter Elutherius, or li∣berator, was erected in the place where the battaile was fought, where the Grecians assembled euery yere, and practised all martiall exercises, in honour of their Preseruor, and a high prize was assigned to such as were victors in their courses.

They first worshipped at Orope, that Thebane Amphiaraus, who was swallowed into the earth aliue, and after the Oropians had defied him, all the Grecians yeelded diuine ho∣nours to this god, to whom they dedicated a temple, with triumphant sports and com∣bats, that were commonly called the Amphiaraes. [ C]

They of Megara adored the idoll of Iupiter, where they placed the houres, and the de∣stinies, as also they built a temple to the Night, which they honored as a goddesse. They worshipped likewise Iupiter the Dustie, whose oratorie had no roofe, no more than that at Rome had, which was dedicated to the god Termes.

Touching Morea, it is well knowne to the world how valiant the citisens of Corinth were, and how deerely they loued, and resolutely defended their libertie. They worship∣ped the goddesse Venus, and Isis was there also adored in a wood where sacrifices were offered to him. They yeelded in like manner diuine honours to the Cyclopes, to whom the Corinthians erected a temple, and built an altar, vpon which they sacrificed. More∣ouer, they had a subterranean caue or vaut, dedicated to Palemon, where they constantly [ D] belieued that he lay hid. In this place they tooke their othes in all doubtfull and ambigu∣ous points, and who so euer was periured, (saith Pausanias) whether he were Corinthian or stranger, he could not auoid a condigne punishment for his periurie. But to returne to Venus, who, as I told you, was there honored, they might commit whoredome in her tem∣ple without feare of any punishment; and the custome of those times was such, as a thou∣sand light strumpets were there maintained, which exposed themselues to all those that desired to haue the vse of their bodies.

The Corinthians, although they were reputed for good warriours, yet were they so addicted to sensualities & pleasures, as their effeminacie was the occasion of a law publi∣shed at Lacedemon, importing that no stranger should be entertained into that gouern∣ment, [ E] or communicate with the Spar••ans, for that by tha accesse and familiar acquain∣tance of strangers, Corinth was fallen into that corruption of manners.

The Trizenians had a wood, and a temple consecrated to Hyppolitus, where men sacri∣ficed to him. There was not any maid among them readie to marrie, which was not bound by the Trizenians lawes to go and offer vp tresses of her haire in this temple before her marriage: and Lucian goes a little further, saying, that those youths which were come to mans age, offered the first cuttings of their beards.

The Lacedemonians were exceeding couragious & valiant, as it did plainly appeare by [ XXI] the long respect and authoritie, which they held ouer all Greece. Neither were they giuen to any thing which might breed effeminacie or basenesse, as we will giue you to [ F] vnderstand in a particular discourse of their policie and gouernement. They held certaine feasts tearmed Gymnopedies, or of naked children, which were the most solemne of all, where young men daunced all naked in the honor of Apollo. They worshipped the desti∣nies, to whom they erected a temple in the most apparant place of their citie. There was in

[ A] Sparta, a place called Ephaebus, where young men did offer to Mars a little dogge, they supposing that this oblation was verie pleasing to him, and this sacrifice they euer per∣formed in the night. While these young men did attend their sacrifice, they caused wild boares to fight together, which they had made tame for that purpose, & then they fought in the place of publique exercises: it oftentimes fell out that he whose boare had ouer∣come the others, proued likewise victorious ouer the rest of his companions.

The place where these young men fought, was compassed round about with water, like an Island, whereunto they went by two bridges, vpon the one of which stood the ef∣figies of Hercules, and on the other part, that of Lycurgus. They came thither in se∣uerall [ B] bands and troupes, whereof the one charged, and the other maintained the assault. In these conflicts they fought both with hand and foot, not sparing so much as the face, but employing their nailes, yea and their verie teeth in these encounters.

They had a statue of Mars, which had setters on his legges, to the end (said they) that he should not run away from their citie, and fauour and protect their enemies. They were not much addicted to learning, and though they had amongst them a Temple of the Muses, this was onely because they loued musicke, vsing to march to their encoun∣ters by sound of Flutes. They married rather for issue, and that they might haue citisens to follow and professe armes, than for any care they had of religious chastitie, and women were so respected and honoured amongst them, that their husbands would call them by [ C] the names of Ladie and Maistresse. Their virgins were exercised in running, fence, the practice of the yron bowle, in darting, and to the exercise of zagayes, and darting of lances, that thus growing to forget the ordinarie delicacie and tendernesse of their f••me∣nine natures, they might be the more strong, able, and apt to suffer and endure the paines and throbs of child-bed.

They practised themselues in these exercises all naked, like young boyes, dancing and singing in certaine solemnities before young men of their owne age: and yet for all t••ey were thus naked and vncouered, yet could they not obserue any lasciuious or wanton gestures in them. From hence grew that same actiue••esse and dexteritie of the Lacede∣monian dames, who were better enured and acquainted with all labour and trauell than [ D] any other women in Greece.

Their daughters being readie to marrie, they were rauished by those that should espouse them, and on the nuptiall day, the espoused being conducted into the chamber of her spouse, they had their haire shauen off, then when the bridegroome came, they tooke off his girdle, and so he onely was permitted to continue with her all night.

Such old men as found themselues vnable to get children, might assigne ouer their wiues to some vertuous and good young man to haue line and issue, and although she grew with child by anothers act, yet these children were fathered vpon the husband, and they suffered herein no reproach or dishonour. They vsed to mocke at other nations, who did couple, sometimes with money, otherwhiles by other meanes, their bitches and [ E] mates to good males of their owne kind to haue young ones, and yet their wiues must be mewed vp safely at home: as for them, were they strong or weake, they would not be de∣stitute of issue.

The women washed not their children with water, but wine performed this office, for that water dislolues and debilitats the members. They neuer swadled their infants, nor kept them in cradles or clouts, but enured them to darkenesse and solitude: and this was the reason why many strangers sought to haue nurses from Sparta, to nurse and bring vp their children.

The whole people were diuided into three seuerall ranckes and orders: each order had their particular motto or saying: for in solemne feasts, the most ancient said singing, [ F] Heretofore wee were both strong and young: then they that were in perfect yeares, and full of strength followed, saying, Wee are both fresh and young, readie to trie our force: then last of all the children came, and sayd, Wee one day shall be lustie and strong like you. Plutarch makes mention, that euen in his time the Lacedemonians sung certaine songs vpon their flutes, when they marched onward to any battaile or encounter.

Now concerning this vse of Flutes in fights, they were not brought in for the exciting [ A] or further encouragement of the combatants, but onely that by the meanes of this sweet harmonie, they might march with equall paces, and so present themselues before the enemie without any disorder and confusion. They loued breuitie of speech excee∣dingly, so as the prouerbe of the Laconick or concise phrase is yet remembred a∣mongst vs.

If I should here set downe whatsoeuer might be spoken of the auncient manners and fashions of the Greekes, I should but annoy and discontent the Reader in seeking to sa∣tisfie him: so as I thinke it fittest to omit the rest, seeing I haue expressed the principall points, and let vs now descend to their manners and customes which at this day haue [ B] their habitation and naturall seat in Greece.