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 Aegean sea is a part of the Mediterranean sea, which seperats [ XXVII] Greece and Europe on Asia side. Moderne writers cal it the Archi∣pelagus, and the Turkes, the White sea. The Islands of this sea are commonly by the auncients diuided into the Cyclades, and Spora∣res. They call the Cyclades those that lie neere one to another in forme of a circle, and these are they we see about Delos, being to the number of fiftie, as Isydorus reports; although some other wri∣ters [ F] allow but of twelue. The Sporades are those Islands so dispersed in the Aegean sea towards Candie, and the coast of Asia, lying here and there without any order. Now, as in the discourse of the firme land, we began first with Thrace, we will likewise make our en∣trie into the discription of these Islands by those that lie iust opposite against this pro∣uince.

The Isle of Taxus or Thasse, which Ptolome calls Thalassia, being aunciently called Ae∣ria, [ A] and Aethria, according to Eusebius, & Plinie, is neere to Thrace, between the mouth of the riuer Nessus, and mount Athos: it is some fortie miles in compasse as Niger writes, or fiftie as some others affirme. There is a towne which carries likewise the name of Tax∣us, seated in a plaine neere to the great gulfe towards the North, and the port thereof is some two miles from the firme land of Macedonia: on the South part, it hath two townes built on the hanging of a hill; for this part of the countrie is very mountai∣nous.

The Island of Samothracia is about ten miles from the firme land of Thrace, Plinie saies, it was called heretofore Dardania, but now they name it Samandrachi. There are [ B] a number of ports in this Island, where, on the North side, lies a towne seated vpon an high mountaine.

The Island of Imbre, now Embre, as Sophian will haue it, runs out in length North and South, being more long than broad: the circuit thereof is about thirtie miles. It lies almost in the middest betweene the Thracian Chersonese, and the Island of Samo∣thracia, being equally ten miles distant from the one and the other. There is also a towne built at the foot of the mountaines.

The Isle of Lemnos anciently called Ophiusa, by reason of the multitude of serpents were found there, that killed almost all the inhabitants, as some affirme, was afterwards called by the name of Diospolis, by reason of two townes that were in it; but now it is [ C] vulgarly knowne by the name of Stalimena. It is not so large as long, lying East and West, containing in all aboue a hundred miles. There were in former times within this Isle two principall townes, one called Lemnos, and another Myrina: the last of which is now of no great fame, though it be not yet wholly ruined; and the reason hereof is, because it is nothing so well peopled as heretofore it was. It is seated vpon a hill which hangs ouer into the sea, and hath a place whether the shade of mount Athos reacheth, in the Solstice, although it be aboue eightie and seuen miles from the one place to the other, yea and the sunne not ••eere going downe: the other towne is Hephestia, called now Cochina, quite ruined. For the rest, although the Island be of no great compasse, yet hath it seuentie fiue bourroghs or villages. Plinie saies, that there was a Labyrinth in [ D] this Island like to those of Aegypt and Candie, but Belon affirmes, that there remaines no signe nor testimonie of any such thing.

But the Island of Euboa, now termed Negrepont, exceeds all the other within this sea in greatnesse, and is as it were the Queene of the Archipelagus. It is seperated from the Atticke coast only by a little strait, and it almost equalleth all the coast of Attica, and Beotia, in length. It is some twentie miles broad, and the whole circuit thereof is three hundred sixtie and fiue miles: heretofore men called it Macra, & Macris, Abantia, Chal∣cis, Chalcodontis, and Assopis, as Plinie reports: we do now commonly call it Wegre∣pont, and the Turkes, Egribos, as Melius thinkes. The auncients were of opinion, that this Island was sometimes ioined to the firme land of Greece, and that it was cut off by an [ E] earthquake: the which we may the rather beleeue as well for the proximitie therof, as al∣so for that it is yet much subiect to be shaken with those earthquakes. The principall town was Chalcis, which is now called Negrepont, of the Islands name. It is seated on a plaine, on that side where the sea is restrained within a narrow strait, being ioined by a bridge, to the maine. This towne was taken by Mahomet the second, in the yeare 1451, with a great slaughter of the Christians, and now the Turkes inhabite it pell mell with them. There is also the towne of Carysta, in former times called Chironia, and Egea. Here you may see the promontorie of Caphara, famous for the many Grecian ship∣wracks named Fygera by Niger, and Chimi by Sophian.

Melos riseth high into the sea, right against Cape Malia, a foreland of Peloponnesus. It [ F] was heretofore named also Mimallides Siphne, Acyton, & Zephiria, being the roundest land of any other within the Mediterranean sea, and hath about twentie French leagues in circuit. There is a towne built at the foot of a mountaine, before which, you may see goodlie faire field which stretcheth out to the sea side.

[ A] Neere to Melos, lies another little Island called heretofore Poligea, and at this instant Fauconiera, being now wholly desart, as the most part of the rest adioyning thereunto are: and towards the East, lyes Cynusa, or Elchinusa, which the modernes terme Poly∣no, hauing in it a towne of the same name.

After this, we may discouer that which sometimes was called Phelocandra, being at this instant also named Policandra. Neere to this Island lies that of Lagusa, now Chre∣stienna, and that of Sychin, sometimes Oenos, and now Sicandra; all of them being neere of equall greatnesse, hauing towards the South, the Island Therasia, at this present Thera; that of Saturnia, otherwhiles called Callista, that is to say, verie faire, renowned for the [ B] birth of the Poet Callimachus.

Neere to Therasia, towards the East, you shall discerne Anaphe, which the modernes call Numphio, in the verie middest of the sea, hauing a towne seated in a rocke, and at the foot thereof a riuer which watereth all the plaine.

Neere to the same, riseth the little Island of Iues, now Palma, where diuers affirme, that the Poet Homer was heretofore interred. This Island hath a faire port, but it is ill in∣habited by reason of the pyrats that land there continually.

The Island of Zia, heretofore Cea, is distant from the promontorie Suria, or cape of Corquonnes, about ten leagues, being some thirteene in circuit. It is hollow on the North side, and shaped in forme of a new Moone. It was also named Ceos, of a certaine [ C] gyant, the sonne of Tytan, which first there inhabited. The port of this Island lies on the West part, and in former times it was also called Hydrusa.

Not farre from this Island, you may behold that of ••irmenia, which the Auncients called Scytia, and Oenos, being not much lesse than Zia; and then Zephena, which was called Seripha, hauing a towne of the same name towards the South, and a large field which extends it selfe to the Sea side. It is some thirtie French leagues in circuit.

Beneath the Island of Zerphena, that of Siphanolies, called in former times Sipha, or Syphan, Acis, and Meropia, verie faire, and delightsome to behold. It is ten French leagues in compasse, and hath a reasonable faire towne built in the East part; and on the West side, you may see the gulfe called Schinost; and on the South, the Port, where sometimes stood the chiefe towne of all the Island.

All the aboue mentioned islands, are for the most part of the number of the Cyclades, which lie about the Island of Delos. But amongst them towards the East, you may also behold the Island of Paros, which retaines still the auncient name: It was in other times called Demetriades, Zacynta, as also Zanta, Hyria, Heliessa, Cabarnis, and Minoc. It is fiftie miles in circuit, which make about twentie leagues; stretching out in length from the West to the East, and in the middest thereof you may see a faire and large playne, with many goodly buildings, and an auncient Temple which stands yet whole and en∣••i••e. You may also see there Mount Campiese, which is verie high, at the foot whereof lies a towne, built with stones of a wonderfull bignesse. This mountaine was called in former times Marphesia. The towne of Paro lies on the West part, although the old towne was seated on the Sea side, along the bankes of the riuer Asopis. The port there∣•••• is towards the North, neere to a castle called Cephalo, and the ports name is Bon. The rest vpon the North coast, is enuironed all with mountaines. This Island came in∣•••• the Venetians hands in the dayes of Henrie the Emperour, brother to Baldouin earle of Flanders: but when Mahomet tooke in Negropout, he seised likewise on this Island.

The Island of Nixia, heretofore Naxos, is twentie good French leagues in compasse, and ha•••• duke not long since, as also Candie had vnder the Venetian gouernement; but ••elym, Soly••ans father, tooke it from the Venetians. The towne which commaunds all ••he rest of the countrie, and whereof the Island takes the name of Nixia, is seated towards the South, vpon an high mountaine, it was in former times called the Isle of Venus, Dia, and Dionisia, as also little Sicile, and Calipolis.

Towards the East of Nixia, there lies the Island of Amurge, sometimes Brutora, being twentie leagues about, and hath three ports, whereof the one is named S. Anne, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Calors, and the third Catapla.

Bending towards the coast of Asia the lesse, neere to Amurgospolis, or Brutora, you [ A] s••all discouer the island of Claros, at this present called Calamo, which is some ten leagues in compasse, and hath in it many high mountaines. You may there see the ru∣ines of an auncient citie, lying on the East side. A long this island runs a gulfe which hath the name of Calamo, and a towne of the same name. Somewhat aboue Claros, you may perceiue the Island of Lero, now Lerte, being about eighteene miles in circuit. And there is also a c••••le on the side of the Leuant; and on the South, the port of Lepida, where stood sometimes the chiefe and principall towne of the Island, at the foot of a mount••••••••.

Verie neere to these Islands stands Pathmos, now called Palmosa, whether S. Iohn the [ B] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was confined by the Emperour Domitian. And although both these Islands, and many other adjacent to the same, be of Asia side, yet I cannot but comprehend them with the Greeke, both because they spake the Greeke language, and obeyed her Em∣perours, as also being more commodi••us for me to describe them now, lying so neere hand, than if I should make an exact discouerie of them, amongst the rest that belong to Europe; and notwithstanding any paine I should take, little benefit or ease would re∣dound thereby to the Reader.

This Island is not aboue seuen or eight French leagues in compasse, and is numbred among the Islands Sporades, as well by the auncients, as by our moderne writers. The Isle of Coos, now called Lango, is one of the last of all bending towards the East, along [ C] the coast of Asia. It extendeth from the North to the South, and containes in length about eighteene leagues. It was in former times first named Merops: the Turkes vsual∣ly call it Stancou. Towards the Leuant you may see the principall towne called Aran∣gea, which hath a lake in the middest of it, that dries vp in Sommer. There are diuers stately buildings in it all of marble. Moreouer, without the citie you may see the walls of a palace that did belong to that famous physitian Hippocrates, who was borne in this Island, as also Apelles, that excellent painter. Furthermore, you may there behold the towne of Coa, which the Turke calls by the name of Stancou, as also, they doe the whole Island, which is not farre distant from the lesser Asia, being right ouer against that of Cypres. [ D]

About Lango you may see many little Islands of no great fame, as Hiali, Nisari, Chiraua, Lesindra, Piscopia, Lira, Carchi, Limone, Lenita, and Zinara, of all which we will passe ouer the description, as being no waies fruitfull or profitable.

The Island of Samos retaines still the auncient name, and is more famous than great, stretching out from the East vnto the West, and hauing twentie leagues in the circuit thereof. After that the Carians abandoned it, they called it Dryusa, Antemusa, Melam∣phylis, Cyparissa, and Stephana, which is as much to say, as crowned. There was here∣tofore in it a verie good towne, the ruines of which doe yet appeare along the Sea side, there being a Port, and an Arcenall, which are verie large and capalbe, with a verie high causey. [ E]

Mycone, one of the Cyclades, towards the West, called now Mycolè, is some eight leagues in circuit. It hath a Port, with a Peere or Wharfe, and an Arcenall, being well inhabited, and hauing for confines towards the Leuant, the Port and Bourough of S. Anne; towards the South, S. Stephens; and betweene the East and the North, the port of Panderma.

Hard by lyes the Isle of Giara, now called Stopodia, which is not verie great, being enuironed with rockes. The Romans sent all those thither into exile that were condem∣ned as worthie of death, as also the other desart Islands among the Cyclades, serue to the fame end and purpose.

Delos is the most renowned among all the Cyclades, by reason of the oracle of Apol∣••o. At this day it is called Dile. It was sometimes named Ortygia, by reason of the many O••ailes that are there more than in other places. Men called it also in former times A••••etia, Lagia, Cerhe, Mydia, Cynetha, and Pyropila, as also, Cinthia, because of a mountaine that is there. This Island was diuided by meanes of a little chanell into two

[ A] parts, in the one of which you may see the great temple of Apollo, whereof some ruines and peeces do yet remaine.

Neer to Dela appeares the Island of Rhena, sometime Celadusa, and Arthemita, at this day it is called Dele, as well as the Isle Delos.

Andro is also one of the Cyclades, being at the least twentie French leagues in com∣passe: it was in auncient times named, as My••seles the Lesbian saies, Ca••ron, Antandra, Laffia, Nouagria, and Epaga. The towne lies towards the East, and the fort is built vpon a rocke, and to enter into the same, you must passe ouer a draw bridge.

The Isle of Chios is opposite to the Ionian Chersonesus, now called Smirna, there [ B] running betwixt them but one channell of water, some two leagues & a halfe in breadth, being hemmed in and enuironed round about with bankes and shelfes: it lies betweene the Isles of Mytelen and Samos, and was first called Ethalia: the circuit thereof is about thirtie leagues: it extends in length from the North to the South, being diuided into two parts, one named Apanomerea, which signifies the part aboue or on high, and Ca∣tomerea, which is to say, the lower quarter. It was taken by Solyman in the yere 1566.

Opposite to the countrie of Phrygia, which the Turkes now call Sarcum, you may see the faire Island of Lesbos, at this day Mytelen, so called of the name of the principall towne thereof, which heretofore was named Mytelene. It was in former times also tear∣med Antissa, then Pelasgia, and afterwards Macarea, of the name of one of Iupiters [ C] sonnes, surnamed Cyrnaces: it also had the names of Emertha, Ethalasia, and Egyra, as Plinie testifies. The circuit thereof is about fortie of our leagues.

As for those places which belong to the Turke in Sclauonia, they doe first vpon the firme land reckon Castlenouo or Newcastle, seated on a low hill, neere to the bay Rizo∣nica, called now the gulfe of Cataro. The Turkes not long since tooke it from the Spa∣niards.

The towne of Scodra, which we commonly call Scuttari, was heretofore vnder the Venetian dominion, but now it is subiect to the Turkes. It is some eighteene miles di∣stant from the sea, built vpon a steepe rocke, there lying vnderneath it in the East side a lake one hundred and thirtie miles about, and mountaines enuiron it all round except [ D] on the North side.

The Turke also possesseth there the little and dispeopled townes of Budua, Antiua∣ra, and Dulcigno, which Ptolome calls Vlcinium, and some others Olchinium, the which were taken out of the Venetians hands by Selym the second, Emperor of the Turkes.

¶ The Nature and Qualitie of the countrie.

AS for the Isle of Taffa, it abounds in white marble, whereof the Romans made great account: and on the mountaines there also grows a maruelous companie of pines, and firre trees: and by the minerall foame that lies on the tops of many small hills, we [ E] may perceiue that heretofore it had many good mines, the which may easily be con∣••••ectured because they yeelded euery yeare to Philip king of Macedon foure score ta∣••••uts.

The Island of Samothracia is plentifull in honie and deere: and that of Lemnos is more fertile than euer it was, bearing flax, hempe, corne, all sorts of roots or hearbage, wine in aboundance: there is also great quantitie of flesh, of wooll, and of many other things: but it wants wood, especially towards the East part, which is more drie: but that part which lies towards the West and the South, more moist and flourishing.

The moist and humyd places, lying betweene the hill, bring forth figs, nuts, almonds, and some oliues. There is neuer a riuer in this Island, but the inhabitants vse much fish∣••ing at the sea side, where they find great store of fish, but especially the oysters, which are called Gaideropedes, that is to say, asses feet, being far different from ours. There ••re also springs of hot water, the which notwithstanding are nothing so hot as many ••••hers are.

Men find in this Island, and no where else, the earth which we tearme sigillata, or sea∣led

which is very good and medicinable, principally against the plague, and all fluxes. [ A] They make little lumpes and masses thereof, which are sealed and markt with Turkish characters. They vse great ceremonie in digging it vp, for they come on the sixt day of August onely to open the pit where it is, and all the rest of the yeare it is not so much as lawfull to looke into it; as also the inhabitants are forbidden to transport it any where else vpon paine of death. Princes Embassadors bring of it away with them many times when they come from Constantinople, and they thinke they offer a good present, when they giue any quantitie of it to men of high condition and calling.

For Negropont, the sea is very swift within that strait, and as some say, there is ebbe and flo••ld foure, but as others affirme, six times euery day; so as ships oftentimes that come [ B] vndersaile with a good stiffe gale of wind, make little way. Whenas Aristotle could not discouer the cause and reason thereof, he died of griefe.

This Island in other respect, abounds with corne, herbage, or roots, wine, and oyle, and there you may also see great store of trees, especially, such as are good and fit to build ships withall. Men say that the sheepe of this Island haue no galls, but I know not whe∣ther it be a fiction or true.

Neere to the towne of Carista great quarriers of marble are found, as also the amiant stone, whereof thred may be may be made as of flax: they make a cloth hereof, which whitens, being cast into the fire, when it is foule.

In the Island of Melo, they find many springs of sulpherous waters, good for mens re∣couerie [ C] and health. The soile of this Island is so fat and fertile, as heretofore they haue fowed seeds and graine in it, which within fortie daies grew to their full heigth; at the end of which they reaped them. It abounds also in oliue trees, and beares good vines. There are some veines of siluer, and the best sulphure that can be found. There was here in former times excellent marble of diuers colours, whereof Lucullus first brought of them to Rome. Men report of a certaine place within this Island, that when you come to dig it, the earth presently encreaseth, and the hollow places fill of themselues, without the helpe of any mans hand.

The Isle of Policandra is barren and stonie, being hard to till: and that of Sparta, or Serfena, brings forth frogs that neuer croake nor crie, and if you carrie them any where [ D] else, as Plinie saies, they make anoise as well as others.

In the Island of Sifano, the calamite is found; but no man can tell where the mines of gold and siluer are, for which it was in old time so renowned, seeing there is now no mark nor signe of any such matter.

As for Paros, there hath beene found much white marble that was called Lychnitis, because in the beginning they cut lamps out of it. Solinus saies, that there growes in Pa∣ros a kind of stone which he calls Sardis, the which was more excellent than marble, and yet it could not be put in the number of pretious stones. But Plinie (whose ape Solinus is) makes no mention of the sardis stone in the Isle of Paros. They say, that if a man cast any white thing into the sea, on that side where the Arcenall stands, it becomes present∣ly [ E] blacke. The aire of this Island is so good and cleere, that the inhabitants thereof liue long and are very old, hauing little feeling of the infirmities and discommodities that ac∣companie old age.

The Isle of Nixia or Naxus, hath yet great store of vines in it, as well as it had in times past. They find there a stone which the Greekes call ophitis, and we call it serpen∣tine or craupadina, or toad stone, which growes not in quarries, but within the bowells of the earth. There is also great numbers of waspes, or rather of hornets, whose sting is mortall, as well as that of the Scorpion, if it be not cured speedily. You haue there also many good veines of gold: but whether the inhabitants are not in dustrious enough to dig it, or that the Turke expresly prohibits it, no reckoning is made of them no more than in diuers other parts of Greece.

In the Isle of Lero, or Lerta, there is great aboundance of marble, and the countrie is maruelous fertile. Men gather Aloes there, which our druggists so much esteeme, for the good it brings to men. That of Coos or Longo, abounds in fruits, and nourisheth a

[ A] number of liuing creatures. They also gather verie good grapes, which makes excellent wine, the best sort of which was aunciently called Hippocoon, because the soyle where∣on it grew was named Hippon. There are also faire Cypres trees, Oakes, and Tcrebyn∣thes, and (as Pline saith) there are likewise many silke wormes bred. It hath a lake towards the West part, which is verie preiudiciall to the countrie, because the vapours and exha∣lations thereof are so infectious as they cannot possibly be endured: so that the Island is wholly desart on that part, and these vapours are more offensiue in Sommer than in any other season of the yeare.

The Island of Samos beares no vines, though the neighbour countries about it are ve∣rie [ B] full of them, but (as Strabo reports) all other things are there in aboundance, yet some say that wheat prospers not verie well, but Oliues to their hearts desire. They report, there were once so many rats in the Isle of Nicola, as they draue away all the inhabitants.

In the Isle of Chio they find great store of Orange trees, the juyce of which fruits they presse into hogsheads and pipes, and conuey them to Constantinople, and other places, to mingle with their meats, & to make the same vse of them, as they doe here of verjuyce. The trees that bring forth masticke are along the sea side, verie little and low, but the leafe thereof is like to box or le••tiske. They cut them thirteene times in a yeare neere to the stocke, to make the masticke distill, which issues forth like teares. They doe also cut many other trees, which yeeld the turpentine, and they say it is found in no other place [ C] but there, and in the Indies, where the two kinds aboue mentioned doe grow: you shall also see certaine fruits growing vpon verie high trees, like beanes in their huskes, called in Italian Caroubis, and in Greeke Ondorina, as also, other trees called Visques, that bring forth Glue, whose fruit is like to great capers. The Isle of Chio is also verie much estee∣med for the good maluesie it brings forth, the which notwithstanding is not so good as that of Candie. They brought in old time from Chio to Rome, frailes of Raisins, euen as now they carrie them out of Prouence to Paris, and all France ouer.

The Isle of Lesbos, or of Mytelin, is of great fame, and the fruits that grow there are good in tast. The aire likewise is good and heathfull. There are verie many mountaines, out of which heretofore they digged marble, which was not altogether so faire as that of [ D] Paros, as also the Agate stone, which is of great esteeme and value.

The wine of this Island is held for the best that growes in all Greece at this day; It fee∣deth also a number of good horse which are little, but strong, well set, and propor∣tioned.

They make much cheese there, and haue corne in great aboundance. They make two sorts of drugges which the Turkes vse in their pottage and brothes: the one is called in the Turkish tongue Thrachana; and the other, Bouhort, which the Romans called aun∣••ently Crimnon, and Maza.

There is in the Isle of Samothracia great store of honie, and aboundance of fallow Deere. Concerning those places within Sclauonia, the discourse of Ragouse, and of [ E] that which the Venetians possesse in this territorie, may verie well serue for the explana∣tion of their nature and qualitie.

¶ Their auncient Manners.

IN the Island of Zia, or Cea, when old folkes were wearie of liuing, they willingly poy∣soned themselues, that so they might not be subiect to the debilities and infirmities of ••ld decrepit age; and moreouer, the magistrats also permitted euery one to procure their owne deaths. This custome was specially obserued in the towne of Iulier; for there was [ F] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expresse law set downe in these words: That they which could not liue well, should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the least die dishonestly: and they that exceeded the age of three score yeares, ••ould die with poyson, that there might be the better store of victualls and prouisions 〈◊〉〈◊〉 others. Elianus testifies as much, affirming, That they which were broken with age vsed to make a solemne sacrifice, during the which being crowned with flowers, they drunk the

juyce of h••mblocke, as finding themselues now at these yeares vnable any waies to profit [ A] their countrie. The Poets hold, that this Island was sometimes inhabited by the Corin∣th•••••• nymphes, and that therefore it was consecrated to them.

The Island of Zerphena worshipped Apollo for their tut••larie god, who was there ador∣ned with great reuerence.

Those of the Isle of Siph••a, or Siphano, were heretofore so mightie, as they dared to contest with the Lacedemonians about the soueraigntie of all Greece, whereby we may easily conceiue that they were a couragious people, and full of great resolution.

The inhabitants of Paros were sometimes accused of disloyaltie, and to be no men of their words, because M••ltiades, Generall of the Athenians armie, hauing subdued them, [ B] and they, hauing faithfully promised to be their subiects, they obserued not their pro∣mise; and therefore it was said as in a common prouerbe: To doe as they of Paros did; which was: to falsifie their faith.

Those of Nixia, or Naxus, were not verie wittie. Many ladies in former times retired into this Island, where (in memorie of the wrong done to Ariadne, and detesting mens disloyaltie) they liued in perpetuall chastitie.

There was heretofore in the Isle of Cos a Temple dedicated to Aesculapius, because Hippocrates affirmed himselfe to haue descended of his race. And people resorted thither, as they did to other Temples, to this imagined god, to receiue cure of their infirmities.

The Samiens carried a particular reuerence to the goddesse Iuno, whom they worship∣ped [ C] with many sorts of feasts and sacrifices. They made her statue, wherein she was re∣presented as a maid that was to be married, because they held opinion that Iuno was born in this Island, where she was brought vp during her virginitie, being afterwards married to Iupiter. They also dedicated vnto her a wood, wherein they nourished peacocks brought from beyond the seas. In this Island they made in times past the fairest earthen vessels that could be seene.

The Athenians did so honour and reuerence the Isle of Delos (besides the Persians) as they remoued all the tombes and carcases of dead men, which they sent to the Isle of Rhene neere vnto it; which should serue but as a Churchyard to Delos, being dedicated to this effect by Polycrates tyran of Samos; whenas he had the full power and commaund [ D] of the Sea: and after this dedication made by the Athenians, they ordained a solemne feast euerie fiue yeares, to which all those of the linage of the Ionians assembled, where they exercised running, wrastling, and musicke, and the free cities did there solemnize publique daunces to the honour of Apollo. It was not lawfull to keepe any dogge in this Island.

The Chians haue beene heretofore verie powerfull by sea, being infranchised, and ha∣uing established as honourable a communaltie and republique as any of their other rich neighbours. But at last they were inforced to come vnder the Athenians gouernment, afterwards they were subiect to the Macedonians, then to the Romans, and last of all once more to the Grecians, which ruled in Constantinople. There were many worthie [ E] personages borne in the Isle of Mytelen. And it seemes that this was a nurserie as well of phylosophers, as of those that followed more pleasing studies, and which required not such strayned spirits. Theophrastus came out of this place, and Pittacus, one of the Sages of Greece, and in like manner the Poet Alceus, as also Sappho the Poetesse, whose verses are yet found to be so delightsome. It was also the countrie of the Orator Diophan∣tes, and of Theophanes the Historiographer, and further, of Arion the great Poet and Harpe-player, as also of Te••pander that excellent Poet and Musitian.

The Lesbians did in former times adore the god Ba••chus, because as Pausanias writes, the fishermen of Methymna, hauing drawne out of the Sea an head made of the wood of the Oliue tree, and finding that it presaged some extraordinarie and potentiall effects, though the forme was verie strange, and farre differing from that of the Grecian gods, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ent to demaund of the Pythian oracle, what god, or else what Heros was repre∣sent•••• by this head? and the answer was, That they should honour Bacchus, surnamed 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

[ A] The Island of Samothrace was in auncient times very famous, by reason of the cere∣monies of the gods which were there obserued: for there was a schoole where men were instructed in all the rites and formes of those sacrifices, to be offered to euery particular god.

¶ The Manners of the present time.

THough in all these Islands men liue for the most part after the Greekish manner, yet it will not be altogether impertinent to declare some particularities of their maners and customes which inhabit their at this day.

[ B] First you must conceiue that there are a great many of theeues and pirats, which lie continually about these Islands; in so much, as the inhabitants are inforced to stand vpon their guard, after this maner: There is not an hill top in all the Islands, where there stands not a watch or sentinell all the day long, to the end they may descrie whether any pirats be vpon the sea or no, for they can easily judge far off, whether they be pirats, or other ships. Now they haue no sooner discouered any vessell of this qualitie; but they giue fire to the beacon, and in the day time when the fire will not shew far, they haue matter and stuffe about them which raiseth a mightie smoak: and if there be many ships in com∣panie, they giue notice thereof in diuers places, and then all the neighbour ports are aduertised of the approach of this common plague, and seeke to defend themselues.

[ C] In the night, the fire is easie to be seene, and therefore at that time they vse beacons, for they make as many fires as they discouer ships, and passengers which passe that way, hold the sea cleere whenas they see no signall made vpon the mountaine tops, and so on the contrarie they tearme it troubled, whenas they doe perceiue any of these tokens.

The Isle of Patmos, or Palmosa, is inhabited by Greeke Christians, liuing in all liber∣tie, by paying onely a tribute to the Turke, and hauing ordinarily amongst them Turkish magistrats. The soile is tilled by the Christians, and there are a great number of Caloyers amongst them.

The Islanders of Cos maintaine a foolish superstition; for they affirme that a serpent [] was here seene of immeasurable greatnesse, which they ••old for a fairie, affirming that it was Hyppocrates daughter, who is yet aliue, as she who was in former ages a wonderfull inchauntresse.

The Turkes dwell onely in the towne of Stancou, not hauing one christian amongst them, no more than in any other place within this Island, except it be in two villages, which are within the Champian countrie, where some Greeke Christians are suffered to inhabite.

In the Island of Lesbos, there be Turkes which dwell in the towne of Mytelin, or else some others professing the Mahometan religion; but the Grecians liue in the countrie to plant and labour in the vines.

[] In the Isle of Stalimena or Lemnos, all the Greeks applie themselues to bodilie labour, and liue there out of all feare of being oppressed or wronged, being freed from this in∣conuenience by the souldiers that guard the forts. There are also many Caloyers, as in all the other Islands within the Mediterranean sea.

As for the Island of Chio, the Turkes will not permit any Christian to lodge within the towne, which is of the same name. Although the Bishop of the Franckes did not for∣beare to go and celebrate Masse in his diocesse within the towne, where there is also a certaine place that harboureth poore Christians and passengers three daies, and three nights, without costing them a•••• thing.

Neere vnto the towne ditch one may see diuers of their sepulchers, with great stones and inscriptions vpon them.

About fifteene miles from the towne there are certain great farme houses, where fiftie ••or threescore peasants lodge, who at some times of the yere do nothing but feed partrid∣••es, and they haue the art to take them three daies after they are hatcht.

They are so well beaten and acquainted with their houses, as they suffer them all day

long to range ouer the fields; and then to bring them in againe in the euening, euery one [ A] goes with a graine of wheat in his mouth, and lies downe on the earth; then the Par∣tridge being desirous to pecke at this graine, euery one comes into the peculiar owners hands; and thus euery one hath his owne againe, which makes them very common and cheape in this Island.