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 Estate of the Turke in Europe.

A DISCOVRSE [ A] [ B] OF THE TVRKES ESTATES.

The Contents. [ C]

1. THe extention of the Turkes empire described, and the countries that it compre∣••ends in the three parts of the world, Europe, Asia, and Africke. 2. A 〈…〉〈…〉 kingdomes and prouinces of Europe, subiect to the 〈…〉〈…〉 empire: and first, of Thrace, or Romania: why it was so called; the 〈…〉〈…〉 thereof, vnder what degree of the Poles eleuation it stands; with the 〈…〉〈…〉 cities in the same. 3. A typographie and ample relation of the foundation, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the name, seat, magnificence, and speciall singularities of the citie of Constantinople. [ D] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fertilitie of Thrace, in corne and wine; the hills and mountaines in the same, where siluer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are found: the seuerall ri••ers, and amongst others, that of Hebre, which hath gold graynes, 〈…〉〈…〉 the s••••d and grauell thereof; with the Bosphor••••, which runnes into thirtie seuerall ports; how the course thereof bends, and where it disgorgeth it selfe. 5. The rude and barbarous names of the auncient Tartarians, who were reformed and made ciuile by Zamolxis, the Law-gi∣••er, whom they honoured as a god, and to whom they were woont to sacrifice men liuing. 6. Their custome of shooting arrowes against the thunder, and mourning at the birth of their children; the sacrifising of their best esteemed and loued wiues, vpon the tombes of their husbands: Their 〈…〉〈…〉 lusts, with the exposing of their daughters to him that offered most; and 〈…〉〈…〉 of theft. 7. Of such deities as they adored: of the election of their kings: of [ E] the obseq••ies and funerall rites of the great Princes and Lords of the countrie, and with what manner of armes they vsed to fight in the ••arres. 8. Their moderne manners, and cu∣stomes of life in their eating ••nd drinking▪ in their habits, and mariages: their arrogancie, 〈…〉〈…〉 and auarice▪ their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hatred against the Christians, together with 〈…〉〈…〉 9. What ceremonies they vse vpon those festiuall dates, 〈…〉〈…〉. 10. Of the manners, conuersation, and vsu∣•••••• 〈…〉〈…〉 amongst the Turks. 11. A description of the 〈…〉〈…〉 of heigt••, and longitude thereof: and first, of ••acedonia, the scituation and limits of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ the six seuerall prouinces it comprehends; the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mountaines of Olympus, and Ossa, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inhabited, and consecrated to the auncient [ F] 〈…〉〈…〉 or Greeke Monkes▪ of the order of ••. ••as••••e; the foure principall gulfes, the most re∣•••••• 〈…〉〈…〉 the most famous townes wit••••n the same. 12. Of Aepyrus, with the bounds, 〈…〉〈…〉 townes thereof. 13. Of Achaya, diuided into nine regions or prouinces, with 〈…〉〈…〉 the same. 14. Of Peloponnesus, or Moreea, the scituation, limits, and

••••ength of the the same; the principall riuers, prouinces, or regions; the townes, and most renowned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ountains thereof. 15. Of the quality of the ayre, the fertilitie, and sterilitie of Greece, and first of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Macedonia, which aboundeth in mynes of gold, siluer, and of the Asphalt stone: Thessalie, in horse: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Mount Oly••pus in box and bay trees: Athos, in fruit trees, vines, and oliues: and the valley 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Tempe in mynes of salt. 16. The sterilitie of the countries of Aepyrus, and Attica. 17. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fertilitie of Peloponnesus, the roughnesse & of the soile of Arcadie, where a wine was made which 〈…〉〈…〉 women to be fruitfull, and men mad; and where the Ife grows, a tree whose verie fruit and 〈…〉〈…〉 are venimous, causing men to die which make any vse of the same. 18. Of the naturall 〈…〉〈…〉 of the auncient inhabitants of Greece, and first of the Macedonian warriours, who were 〈…〉〈…〉 addicted to sciences, and verie sumptuous in their feasts and banquets: the Thessalians 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••itfull, great gluttons, whoremongers, and verie warlike: but they of the valley of Tempe were 〈…〉〈…〉 religious, louing sacrifices and publique feasts, and so successiuely in order of the inclination 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manners of each particular people. 19. Of the wonderfull oracle of Dodon, with the wood or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••rest adiacent thereunto: the antiquitie of the people, called Dorians and Pelagians: the Cloli∣••••••••s valour: and the Phocians rusticitie and barbarisme. 20. Of the Athenians subtiltie of wit, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the people of Attica; their deities, solemne feasts, mysteries, and sacrifices. 21. Of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and noble courage of the Lacedemoniaus, their ceremonies in marriages, with other no∣ble customes. 22. Of the barbarisme which raignes at this day amongst the moderne Greekes; ••heir language, which approacheth neerer to the auncient Greeke, than either to the Italian o•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉; their manner of eating and drinking together, with their vsuall habits, and other 〈…〉〈…〉 23. What the auncient policie and gouernement of Athens was; their beginning; the three ••rders or Estates whereof their Commonweale consisted; and the lawes which Solon the Law-••i••er 〈…〉〈…〉 brought in amongst them. 24. Of the first institution of Tribes in Athens; of the election 〈…〉〈…〉 magistrats which was made of three sorts: of the Senat of the Arcopagites, and of the rigour ••heir sentences and iudgements: of the Nomothetes, and the difference betwixt them and the ••omophilactes: of the iurisdiction of the fiue hundred in ciuile causes and trialls: of the 〈…〉〈…〉 Iliaca, and Iliacis: of the Logists, Demarkes, Creostes, Sitofilaces, with other magistracies and ••••nities in verie great number, established ouer sundrie parts of that Commonweale. 25. Of the ••••cient policie of Sparta, and how it was gouerned by Lycurgus lawes: of their marriages; the ••••inging forth of their children, and their austere and barbarous custome in instructing and 〈…〉〈…〉 them vp to theft: of the manner of courting and making loue to the Lacedemonian maid•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 virgins: the instruction and breeding vp of young men: of the virile age, and of their 〈…〉〈…〉 exercises: what kind of money they vsed: of the militarie order and discipline of this ••••••monwealth: of their Infanterie and cauallerie; of their seuerall armes, and how they vsed to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and to incampe: of the authoritie of the king in their armies, and elsewhere: Finally, the 〈…〉〈…〉 of their publique feasts, and what proportion and allowance was made to the king in 〈…〉〈…〉 ••olem•••• and publique feasts. 26. What religion the Greekes of this present age doe professe. 〈…〉〈…〉 all the Islands within the Archipelagus which are subiect to the Turke, and what 〈…〉〈…〉 possesseth in Sclauonia: their scituation, circuit, and chiefe townes: the fertilitie of these 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and what other singularities there are: their manners, fashions, and customes of life, as ••••ncient as moderne. 28. Of the Isle of Cyprus, diuided into foure parts, with the scituation; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 limits thereof: the naturall disposition and manners, with the policie and religion of 〈…〉〈…〉. 29. Of the Isle of Rhodes, the circuit, and scituation; as also, of that famous 〈…〉〈…〉 able Colossus of brasse, which was sometimes erected in the towne of Rhodes, being 〈…〉〈…〉 in heigth. 30. A description of the countries of Bossina, Bulgaria, Seruia, and 〈…〉〈…〉 ••hat the Turke holds in Hungarie: the names of the principall cities and townes, and 〈…〉〈…〉 and priuat fashions the inhabitants of these countries doe vse. 31. Of the 〈…〉〈…〉, Tunes, and Tre••••esen, lying in Africke. 32. Of Aegypt, and the Trogloditick 〈…〉〈…〉 thereunto: Further, an ample relation of the countries which the Turke enioyes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and in the conclusion, a discourse of the Turkes in generall, describing their maners, 〈…〉〈…〉 go••er••ement: with a List or Catalogue of all the Emperours of Constantinople, both 〈…〉〈…〉▪ since the diuision and seperation grew of the Easterne, from the Westerne or 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈…〉〈…〉, which was conferred vpon Charlemagne of France.

THis mightie 〈…〉〈…〉 who is become such a terrour to all Christen∣dome, [ A] 〈…〉〈…〉 so many yeares and ages, and that hath 〈…〉〈…〉 ambition and crueltie vpon vs, euen till this 〈…〉〈…〉 Persian war hath made him at a stand, 〈…〉〈…〉 of his own subiects, which find him worke 〈…〉〈…〉 enough, yeelds but too plentifull a subiect of a 〈…〉〈…〉 to all Christian States vpon whom he confines, see∣ing 〈…〉〈…〉 meanes of raysing a mightie and powerfull armie, by leuy∣ing 〈…〉〈…〉 & prouinces which he holds in subiection, that they who 〈…〉〈…〉 and no waies apprehensiue of such innundations of men, might 〈…〉〈…〉 [ B] be destitute of all judgement, and well worthie to suffer that scourge 〈…〉〈…〉 due time they neither doubted nor feared, and against which they 〈…〉〈…〉 with sufficient remedies and defence. And to the end that 〈…〉〈…〉 perceiue what countries he holds vnder his subiection and 〈…〉〈…〉 and mightie he is of all sides, he hauing all his empire in a manner 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and joyned together, I will first make a description thereof in the best manner 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then, after a speciall nomination of all those parts which are subiect to him, I will 〈…〉〈…〉 more particular relation and description of the kingdomes & prouinces, 〈…〉〈…〉 consider each, and obserue each thing by it selfe. [ I] 〈…〉〈…〉 empire in Europe extends all along the coasts of the Venetian gulfe, from [ C] 〈…〉〈…〉 frontiers, hemming in, in a certaine fort, all the Archipelagus, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Marmorean Sea, and a good part of Pontus Euxinus, or the great Sea, euen to the citie of Thedosia, now called Caffa, seated in Tauricus Chersonesus, otherwise 〈…〉〈…〉 Gazaria or else Prucuply, according to Postels opinion. Now 〈…〉〈…〉 more inward within the bosome of the European continent, 〈…〉〈…〉 to Constantinople; all this ground and territorie 〈…〉〈…〉 best part of high Hungarie, Thrace, otherwise called Romeli, or 〈…〉〈…〉 of Greece, that is, Macedonia, Epyrus or Albania, Acharia, 〈…〉〈…〉 called Morea, with all the Islands of the Aegean sea, now named the 〈…〉〈…〉 excepted some certaine fortifications and places subiect to the 〈…〉〈…〉 [ D] part of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or Sclauonia: and besides all this, the kingdomes of 〈…〉〈…〉, and Bulgaria. The Turkish territorie in Europe is limited on the 〈…〉〈…〉 Euxine, or the great Sea, and with the Aegean Sea; 〈…〉〈…〉 sea, and also with the Mediterranean Sea; on 〈…〉〈…〉 Sea, and on the North, with a part of Hongarie, 〈…〉〈…〉 Europe may come to 10000, and about 〈…〉〈…〉 the superficies of this ground, 〈…〉〈…〉 will amount to about three hundred 〈…〉〈…〉 miles.

〈…〉〈…〉 the towne of Velez de Gomera, euen to the [ E] 〈…〉〈…〉 the king of Spaines subiection, and in 〈…〉〈…〉 countrie lie the kingdomes of Algier, of Tunes, and Tripoli in 〈…〉〈…〉 that is, from Alexandria to the towne of Siene, now called Asna, with 〈…〉〈…〉 the towne of Sues, in the Arabian gulfe, euen to the 〈…〉〈…〉 commands in Africke, riseth to 1750 〈…〉〈…〉 way, comes to 356160 miles.

〈…〉〈…〉 in many parts, being full of defart places, 〈…〉〈…〉 that are not subiect to the Turke, we may 〈…〉〈…〉 the superficies of countrie, the moity 〈…〉〈…〉 way square. [ F]

〈…〉〈…〉 in the first table of this part of the 〈…〉〈…〉 they call Turquie, and that part which 〈…〉〈…〉 Asia, at this day 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the name of Narolia; Phrygia, called 〈…〉〈…〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉; Lycia, named vulgarly Briquia; Paphlagonia,

••alacia, Pamphilis, Cappadocia, Armenia the lesse, called Anudula, and Cilicia named ••••••ramania, all which countries are at this day comprehended in that part, which beares 〈◊〉〈◊〉 generall name of Natolia, whose proper countries and prouinces haue all changed ••••eir name but especially, the cities and towns. The circuit of this Peninsula of Asia the ••••••esse, or of Natolia, reckoning it from Alexandretta to Trebesonda, called by Ptolome Trapezus, come to two thousand and foure hundred miles, or thereabout.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 The Turke also holds a good part of that which Ptolome refers to the third table of Asia, 〈…〉〈…〉 and Tartarians possessing and retaining the rest; and this part is Armenia 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great, which the Turkes vsually call Turcomania.

••urthermore, he commands ouer that part which Ptolome describes in his fourth table 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that is to say, the Isle of Cyprus, Syria (now called Soria) Palestina; Indea, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the Maritime parts of Soria; which being considered, from Firamide to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 riseth to about 430 miles: Arabia the stonie, called at this day Baraab Mesopotamia 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Diarbech, Arabia the desart, and Babylonia or Bagdet, which was the habitation the auncient Chaldees.

He enioies also a part of that which Ptolome refers to the fift table of Asia, which is ••••nia, called by the proper inhabitants Asmia. In leauing therefore Trebisonda, his do∣••nion stretcheth towards the North, euen to that strait which the auncients called Bos∣••••orus Cimmerius, and the Italians tearme it Bocca di S. Giouanni, or the sea of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which ioines with the Chersonesus, called Gazaria, on the North side, that is, euen 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which it may be, is the same that Ptolome calls Hermanassa, and these parts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in shore or coastage, about 450 miles: then parting from Sues, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ptolome expresseth, by the name of Clismi Presidium, and enuyroning Arabia Feelix, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 happie, to the fall and discharge of the riuer of Tygris, or Tigil, into the sea, it con∣••••••es all along the sea shore, three thousand seuen hundred and fiftie miles in length.

And so ioining all these Maritime parts which the Turke holds in Asia, we find that it ••••••es to 7030 miles or thereabout in length, & the superfices of all that countrie, which ••••••raignes ouer in Asia amounts to 710640 miles euery way square.

But because in all this tract of countrie, a good part of it is desart and disinhabited, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they liue not in subiection to the Turke, as in Arabia Foelix they do not; for this rea∣••••n I say, substracting for this maine quantitie, but a fourth part, which is of 177660 miles ••••••are, there will remaine 532980 miles euery way square.

••ll the Turkes possessions in Asia are bordered on the East with the Persian gulfe, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sea of Elcalif by the riuer of Tygris, called Tigil, & by a part of the coast of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sea, which otherwise is now called the sea of Baccu: on the West, with the gulfe of ••••••bia, or the red sea, with the Archipelagus, or strait of Constantinople, & the Euxine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the North, with the Euxine sea, and a part of the Marrish Meotis, otherwise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sea of Zabaques, and with a part of Sarmalia Asiaticke: on the South, with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••outh, or Indian Ocean, with the Mediterranean and Euxine seas.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 as if we put all that together which the Turke commaunds on the sea coast within 〈◊〉〈◊〉 named three parts, we shall find that it all amounteth to eleuen thousand two ••••••ed and foure score miles, and the superfices of all his dominions in the aboue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 three parts, comes to a million two hundred three thousand two hundred and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 miles euery way square.

¶ Of Thrace or Romania.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 the head citie of the Romish Empire lies in Thrace, which men at this day call 〈◊〉〈◊〉 only Romeli, or Romania; I thought good to begin with this part: wherefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Romania is a prouince neere to Pontus Euxinus, so called by reason the 〈…〉〈…〉 therof, which is Constantinople, was sometimes called new Rome. This 〈…〉〈…〉 in like maner called Aria, Perse, Odrysa, Emonia, Bistonia, Crestonia, and 〈…〉〈…〉 as also in Hebrew, Thyras, according to Iosephus his testimonie. The inhabitants of 〈…〉〈…〉, were sometimes Strimonians, Bardes, Dolonges, Brigians, and Sythines.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 bordered on the East, with the Euxine sea, which the Turkes call Maurotolassa,

〈…〉〈…〉 of Constantinople the Marmorean sea, and with Hellisp ont, or [ A] 〈…〉〈…〉 on the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 limited with mount 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which the 〈…〉〈…〉 of the 〈…〉〈…〉 Conteg••azze, the Turkes 〈…〉〈…〉 the West, by Misia, and a part of Macedonia: 〈…〉〈…〉 begins at the riuer of Strimon, called now 〈…〉〈…〉, or 〈…〉〈…〉, and according to some others, Rhendiue, or 〈…〉〈…〉 and with the coast, & shore 〈…〉〈…〉 In length, and the breadth thereof, which is from 〈…〉〈…〉 of Constantinople; is about seuen daies iourney.

〈…〉〈…〉 degree of the poles eleuation, and [ B] 〈…〉〈…〉 the longest day in the yeare is but fifteene houres and a quarter 〈…〉〈…〉 fortie seuen to thirtie six degrees.

〈…〉〈…〉 places within this prouince are Abdera, which some 〈…〉〈…〉 countrie, being now named 〈…〉〈…〉 Sophian, and Astrizza, as many others affirme. Nicopolis, seated on 〈…〉〈…〉 the side of a Hill, whose ruines are as admirable 〈…〉〈…〉 whatsoeuer. There is also to be seen a very good 〈…〉〈…〉 whole & entire, euen to this day, and might also 〈…〉〈…〉, if the Turkes did not dayly take vp the stones of the degrees 〈…〉〈…〉; and it is of a spherical forme. There are also many other [ C] 〈…〉〈…〉, as foure very high & great pillars, which remain of the church 〈…〉〈…〉 and moreouer diuers statues of marble. The towne at this 〈…〉〈…〉 well peopled.

〈…〉〈…〉 which the Turkes call Endrem, is a greater towne than either 〈…〉〈…〉 but it is not walled about, and the buildings thereof are 〈…〉〈…〉 the chiefe place & prerogatiue, next to Constantinople, 〈…〉〈…〉 it hauing beene here to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the proper seat and residence of 〈…〉〈…〉 was of Am••rath the first, in the yeare 1363.

〈…〉〈…〉 is euen at this day indifferently well peopled. 〈…〉〈…〉 of Propontides, is a port capable enough of small vessells, and it [ D] 〈…〉〈…〉 Perinthe now called Heraclea, as it was also in former times) is 〈…〉〈…〉 the bay of Malliac, or gulfe of Zithon, it hath a goodly port, able to harbour 〈…〉〈…〉 There was in former times an Amphitheatre of marble which 〈…〉〈…〉 the shore of Pontus, now called Sisopolis.

[ III] 〈…〉〈…〉 particularly obserue Constantinople, being the capitall 〈…〉〈…〉 was first built by Pausa•••••• king of Sparta, in the yere of the 〈…〉〈…〉 the incarnation of our Lord, fiue hundred and seuentie yeares, 〈…〉〈…〉, or new Rome.

This 〈…〉〈…〉 vnto Constantines time, vnder whom it came to be called 〈…〉〈…〉 This was first the seat of the Roman Emperours, when they [ E] 〈…〉〈…〉 Rome: then of the Emperours of Greece, after the 〈…〉〈…〉 and finally, after the last taking thereof, which fell out vnder Mahomet 〈…〉〈…〉 of the Turkes, in the yere 1453, it was made choice of for the royall 〈…〉〈…〉 of the Ottomans.

〈…〉〈…〉 is now very rich, wonderfully well peopled, and as it were the 〈…〉〈…〉 and commerce of the Turkish Empire. The circuit of this 〈…〉〈…〉 as many affirme; yea there are some which 〈…〉〈…〉 compasse. It is supposed there are 700000 〈…〉〈…〉 within the same. The Turks call this citie Stambul, or Stambolda: on 〈…〉〈…〉 by the great sea: on the South, by the Archipelagus, and a [ F] 〈…〉〈…〉 it hath on the East side, Asia, from which it is separated on 〈…〉〈…〉 of two miles in bredth, which goes from one sea to the other, 〈…〉〈…〉, that any ship how great soeuer, 〈…〉〈…〉 the shore: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in length about six miles.

The seat of the whole citie is so faire and pleasant & in so commodious and fit a place, it seemes to haue beene naturally made to commaund, and to be the peculiar resi∣••••nce of some great prince. It is built vpon the hanging of a little hill, almost in a tri∣••••gular forme 〈…〉〈…〉 side thereof running along the port euen to the Seraglio; the se∣••ond lies outright from this place to the castle, where prisoners are kept: being called the Seuen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and these two sides are enuironed with the Sea, the Seraglio making 〈…〉〈…〉 The third side lies towards the firme land, compassed about with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wall, and certaine towers, as also with a ditch without, which is of no great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or moment. All this citie yeelds wonderfull contentment to the view, both by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this bountifull sight, as also for that there are seuen little hills, vpon each of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, you may discorne a goodly Mosque, or Turkish Temple, whereof we will speake 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hereafter.

••he most magnificent place in all Constantinople, is the Seraglio, being the court or ••••••tation of the great Turke, seated on that head or point of the citie which lies 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Sea, being seperated as it were from all the rest, and contayning some miles in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 compasse or circuit thereof. On the Sea side, you may see many little turrets and ••••leries supported vpon pillers of marble, where the grand Seignior sometimes does 〈◊〉〈◊〉 create himselfe.

When you are entred within the first court of the Seraglio; on the left hand you may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 certaine structure, like to a Turkish Mosquee, which in auncient time was some 〈…〉〈…〉; but at this day the great Turke makes vse thereof for a kind of arcenall, reser∣••••••g and keeping therein great store of armes for the defence of his house and Court. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 somewhat aboue that, there is a little Tower, wherein are hewen out fiftie or sixtie ••••••dows, where the great Turkes commaundements are giuen out; and on the right 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof, you may see the Court kitchens.

When you go out of this Court, you enter into another made like a cloyster, with a ••••••rie round about it, supported vpon pillras of marble, being couered with lead, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (on the left hand) you shall see a fountaine, where the great Turke many times ••••••seth some of the greatest mens heads of his Court to be cut off.

••rom thence you go into the Diuant, which is a little chamber, and beyond that, is the ••••mber of the treasurie.

And so you haue heard of all the particular places of note of the grear Turkes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which haue come to our knowledge. Departing from hence, you may see a faire 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which is neere at hand; this was in old time the Church of S. Sophia, built by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Emperour: but in his time it was farre greater, with an Abbey adioyning 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto, which extended farre into that verie place where now the Seraglio stands; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Turkes comming to be maisters of the citie, did ruine it, leauing nothing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same but the Quire, which they reserued to make a Mosquee. There are also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 many high and great collumnes, or pillars, whereof eight be of porphirie, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of serpentine, and foure of white marble: and aboue the same, a verie beautifull ••••••lerie, paued with transparent marble, with many other little pillars of marble and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

••ongst the rest, there is one stone of marble, vpon which the Turkes belieue and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that our Ladie did wash our Sauiours linnen, and therefore they giue it great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and honour, for that they hold Iesus Christ to haue beene a verie great Prophet. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Church is embellisht with goodly old Mosaick worke, made in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 your comming forth, you shall see many Cubees, which are places made all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Chappels, or couered like Domoes, or Cathedrall Churches, all of 〈…〉〈…〉 the great Turkes sonnes are interred.

〈…〉〈…〉 and chiefe Mosquees, are those which are erected vpon the Seuen hills, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 say that of S. Sophia, whereof we haue formerly made mention; that of Alliba∣••••••other of Sultan Baiazet, one of Sultan Solyman, that of Sultan Mahomet, that of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Selymus, and another of Selymus the son of Solyman: but the fairest and most stately

〈…〉〈…〉 a Mosquee, is that of Sultan Solyman. [ A]

〈…〉〈…〉 hath foure great gates, each of them adorned with a goodly faire 〈…〉〈…〉 on marble, and at the foure corners thereof there are also foureverie high 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but somewhat narrow 〈…〉〈…〉, a gallerie, which runs round about, and within 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made white, with 〈…〉〈…〉 of marble.

Before the 〈…〉〈…〉 of the Mosquee, there is a great court paued with marble, compast 〈…〉〈…〉 and some collumnes of the same stuffe and matter, and in the middest 〈…〉〈…〉 faire fountaine, couered with lead, as also, the gallerie and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

〈…〉〈…〉 Mosquee of Sultan Mahomet, there is a great place like vnto an Hospi∣tall 〈…〉〈…〉 [ B] stranges of any nation may enter freely, and lodge without any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where he shall haue honie, rice, bread, and water for three dayes together, and 〈…〉〈…〉 to rest in. Some say there are aboue one thousand passengers of 〈…〉〈…〉 entertained daily there.

〈…〉〈…〉 S. Sophia, you may discerne the lodging of Lasuadar, from whence you 〈…〉〈…〉 ground, and by water, the which is fresh and sweet, euen into the 〈…〉〈…〉.

And not farre from this place, you may behold an auncient Hippodrome, called by 〈…〉〈…〉, contayning about fiue hundred paces in length, and an hundred in 〈…〉〈…〉 the middest whereof stands a Pyramide, gra••en all ouer with Hieroglificall [ C] 〈◊〉〈◊〉, not altogether so high as that in Stada del Popolo at Rome. This was the place 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in old time they did run their horses, in forme like a theatre.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 little beyond this, there stands three serpents of copper, higher than two men, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fast together. The Turkes say, that in former times, when three serpents 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them of the citie, the people at last humbled themselues in prayers to heauen, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 means being deliuered from these deuouring monsters, they left these formes cast 〈…〉〈…〉 a memorie thereof.

〈…〉〈…〉 in the same place, a very faire columne of rustick worke, the stones where∣of are all joyned together without lime, or morter, and hauing within the same a payre of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 In this place the Turkish caualliers exercise themselues on Frydaies, and on other [ D] festiuall daies called Beelan.

Hard by this Hyppodrome you may see the Bisistam, which is like the pallace of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in this place, men fell all precious stones, rich gold-smith-workes, and all sorts of beautifull and stately ornaments, as cloth of silke, and also slaues, men, women, maydes, and boyes.

In another street not farre off, there is a great pillar of Porphitie to be seene, crosse bar∣red 〈…〉〈…〉 parts, with circled hoopes of yron; and on another side thereof, there is ano∣ther pillar, called 〈◊〉〈◊〉, verie high, being all of marble, grauen and cut with the Ima∣ges of many〈…〉〈…〉s, like to that of S. Peter and S. Paule, which is at Rome. Within the 〈…〉〈…〉 a staire case, which mounts vp to the top, but they are all broken, so as were [ E] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not for some linkes and bands of yron, which sustaine the same, and hold it together, it would be in great daunger of falling to the ground.

From thence, men vsually go to see a verie faire open place, greater than that of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being peculiar for the Ianissaries, built round about with lodgings and 〈…〉〈…〉 souldiers.

〈…〉〈…〉 come to an old Palace of Constantines, which hath no great beautie in it, the best thing to be noted is, that it is seated in a verie good aire.

There are also within the citie two Christian Churches, one consecrated to S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the other to our Ladie, surnamed of Constantinople, which is verie little, but standing whole and entire: And thus I haue related vnto you the most remarkable things [ F] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the citie; so as now we must bend our discourse to the suburbes, and after that, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neere adiacent places, that we may see and obserue what is most beautifull, or 〈…〉〈…〉.

〈…〉〈…〉 shall see, at the end of the c••tie, on the other side of the Port, neere to the

[ A] fresh waters, the Mosquee of Aioug Sultan, wherein the great Turke, when he comes to the Empire, goes to receiue his sword. And in another part, you may discerne the quir∣ries, with a certaine garden, which belongs to the great Turke. A little before, close by the entrie of the port, is the Arcenall, where there lies about the number of a hundred and fiftie gallies on shore disarmed, and some sixtie riding at anchor, all readie furnished, vppon any sodaine occasion: and somewhat beyond this, there is a place called Topana, where you may see a great number of dismounted canons, whereof some are turned and leuelled against the port.

I may not by any meanes omit to speake of a little Island of rocke which is at the end of the channell, two miles within the blacke sea, being all desart, but yet very worthie of obseruation, for a goodly columne of white marble erected on the top thereof, by Pompey the Great, after his discomfiting of Mithridates.

As you returne againe towards Constantinople, there is to be seene vpon the channel of the same sea, two towers, the one of this side, the other of the other side, which guard 〈◊〉〈◊〉 keepe this mouth or entrie. And in this place they vse to imprison the knights of ••alta, and other Christians of qualitie, and calling, which are taken in the wars. It is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thence to the citie, some eighteene miles, and on both sides of the channell, you ••ay see a great many houses of pleasure, and sundrie faire gardens: then right ouer the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, on Asia side, is Galata, called at this day Pera, lying betweene the Arcenall, and the place Topana, inhabited for the most part by free Christians, and Greekes; and both the one and the other haue many churches, of which the fairest, and wherin our faith is prea∣ched, is that of S. Francis; the others are called S. Maries, S. Iohns, S. Anthonie, S. Bene∣••ict, S. Peter, and S. Anne, all of them vsing the Romane worship, and ceremonies. About ••his place there are many houses, and villages, as Casanbacha, Besictar, and the residences 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Embassadors, both of France, England, and Venice.

Somewhat further off, on the same side you may see a great village named Scutary, ••hich did belong to the Sultana, mother to Mahomet, who caused a very sumptuous ••osquee to be built there, together with a great and goodly house, where all passengers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 what religion soeuer may be lodged, and entertained for three daies: the Turkes call ••is place Caruaserat. And this is as much as I am able to deliuer of the neighbour and ••••iacent parts to Constantinople.

Neere to this prouince, lies that Chersonesus surnamed of Thrace, but commonly S. ••••ges armes, where the towne of Gallipoli stands, foure daies iourney from Constan∣••••ople. This was the first place of Europe that Amurath the first tooke, in the yere 1363. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath no walls, and the port thereof is not capable of any great shipping; and yet there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bay or gulfe, which may harbour manie. This towne is inhabited by Greekes, Iewes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Turkes, and is a great passage from Europe into Asia.

All that strait of sea, from Gallipoli, where Propontides ends, to the Archipelagus, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Hellespont; where is the strait or chanell of the castles, being a quarter of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bredth: here it is, where these two auncient castles of Sestos and Abydos stand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 owned by the loue of Leander and Hero) called commonly the Dardanells, and by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Turkes Bogozasser. Sestos is in this Chersonese, seated vpon the hanging of a hill, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a trefle. Abydos is in Natolia.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 for Propontides, it is the sea that is enclosed betweene the two straits, I meane that 〈…〉〈…〉 or Constantinople, and that of Gallipolis, but at this day, it is called (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 told you) the Marmorean sea.

¶ The Qualitie, and nature of the soile.

THe countrie is for the most part cold, and full of people: you may discouer in the [ IIII] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 same, many goodly large plaines, where they reape great store of corne, and all sorts 〈…〉〈…〉, and beyond this, bending towards the sea side, there growes good wine. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••mselfe commends this prouince for fertilitie, and seemes highly to esteeme the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 therein, for the substance, and weight of the same; as also the wines, for their good∣nesse

and strength. But within the countrie, and far from the sea side, Thrace is more [ A] cold, and therefore the lesse able to produce either corne or wine: it generally wants wood, and the large plaines therof are in some places separated, and cut off by little hills. They do here prepare, and accommodate alume in the village of Chapsylar, which in former times was a hamlet called Cypsele.

The mountaines of this prouince, are those of Hemur, and Rhodope, which is very rough, and alwaies couered with snow; Orbele, and Pangee, which haue at this day mines of siluer, as heretofore they had; and then Messape, not far from the sea side, which is admirable for the roughnesse of the rockes.

The riuers hereof are Heber, called at this day Marisa, according to Mercator, or Vali∣sa, [ B] as Nicolas de Nicolai would haue it: Nesse, called now Carason, according to Belon: Melas, now Gensui, and Strymon, which is the bound and limit of Macedonia.

The riuer of Heber, as report goes, hath gold intermingled with the sand or grauell thereof, and it is so slow of course, as a man can hardly discerne which way the streame runs: the water thereof is troubled, and thicke, but sweet; and in Sommer it is so cold, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man would thinke it to be dissolued yce: but then in Winter, there descends such a fall of waters from the neere mountaines, as it growes more swift and violent, ouerflow∣ing a great large meadow which in precedent ages was called Dorisca, where men erect no buildings, onely in Sommer they feed a number of horses: and there are also certaine orchards, or gardens which bring forth great store of Sommer fruits. [ C]

The riuer of Heber receiues into her streame the riuer Theara, which is the best water of all this countrie against any kind of disease or infirmitie, and especially against scabs both of men and horse. It hath thirtie and eight fountaines or bathes, part hot, part cold, which flow out of one and the selfe same rocke. Darius taking great delight in the plea∣sant tast of this cleere water, erected a pillar neere vnto it, with an inscription thereon in Greeke letters, in prayse and commendation of the same.

The riuer of Nesse, or Charason, descending from mount Hemur, is very flow of streame, and somewhat lesse than the Strymon, or Stromon, and yet it casts vp much gra∣uell and sand. We may here in like manner obserue the lake of Biston or Bouron, which is maritime, and affords much good fish. [ D]

The Thracian Bosphorus comprehends thirtie good ports, part in Asia, and part in Eu∣rope, but more on Europe side, than on Asia. It changeth the streame and course, being exceeding swift, in seuen places of speciall note, where beating vpon some capes, and forelandes, the sea comes to be wonderfully enraged, and rough; so as they passe with great difficultie in diuers straits towards the black sea, but by a violent haling of the boats along the shoreside, or else changing their course from one place to another.

In the daies of Copronymus the Emperour, all the Bosphorus, and a part of the great sea, was so frosen, as the yce was fiue and twentie cubits thicke, & a great quantitie of snow falling thereupon, the yce also was encreast twentie cubits high aboue the face and su∣perfices of the sea; so as men might trauell, & go most securely on the same, and beasts; [ E] yea wagons and carts heauilie laden, passed thereon out of Europe into Asia, and from Constantinople to the mouth and entrie of the riuer of Danubius, as if it had beene on drie land.

Afterwards, in Februarie, when the yce came to dissolue and melt, breaking out into many great flakes and peeces, which seemed like little Islands, ful of many creatures, some dead, and some aliue: the flakes of yce with the wind and streame, were driuen forcibly on Constantinople side, where they ouerthrew many buildings of great moment and importance, that were built to the sea side ward.

There is no part of the Mediteranean sea more aboundant in all sort of fish, than the Bosphorus. In the beginning of Winter, there depart infinit scholes of them from thence [ F] towards Propontides, and in the spring time they returne to the blacke sea: the water is colder there in Winter than elsewhere, as also for that it is but low and shallow, the tem∣pests do agitat, and tosse vp the waues thereof beyond measure: and this is the reason, why the fish, shunning cold as much as they can, and the furie of the winds, change their

[ A] haunt, and in the Winter, retire into the Marmorean Sea; but then in the Spring ••ime againe they returne into the Bosphorus, because of the waters of this Sea, which is not so ••alt altogether as that of the other, by reason of the many fresh riuers, which disgorge and fall into the same: so as I cannot credibly informe you what quantitie of fish is taken in the strait of the Bosphorus, especially at Constantinople, where women themselues, when they haue nothing else to do, fis•• out of their house windows: but aboue all other sorts, they take there great store of young Tonnies, which the Greekes call Pelomides.

¶ The auncient manners and customes of the Thracians.

[ B] THe inhabitants of Thrace were esteemed heretofore to be verie harsh and rude in [ V] their manners, and they were many in number, as Herodotus said; if they had been go∣uerned by one prince alone, and being vnited, and of accord within themselues, it had beene impossible to vanquish them, for they were the strongest men of all the world: but whithall he adds, that they were but weake, by reason of their great diuisions and fa∣••••ions. And although they could not agree and loue together, yet they had all the same manners and customes of life, except the Thracians, and those which dwelt aboue the Grestones.

The Getes were persuaded that they did neuer die, but in departing out of this [ C] world, they went to find out their god Zamolxis.

This Zamolxis was one of Pythagoras schollers, who being returned into his countrie, and perceiuing that the Thracians liued barbarously, and in a manner after a brutish fa∣shion, he gaue them lawes, teaching those of the countrie the vse of them; afterwards al∣so he printed in them this firme persuasion, that if they strictly obserued them, when they left this world they should go to a place where they were to enioy all manner of pleasure and contentment.

When he had obtained some reputation of diuinitie amongst the Thracians, he estran∣ged himselfe, and left them quite, no man knowing whether he went, but thus he left ••hem, with a verie ardent desire to see him againe.

[ D] They ordinarily sent out one or another (on whomsoeuer the lot fell) to find him out, in a vessell with fiue oares on a side, to the end they might acquaint him with their ne∣cessities in the place where they should find him.

They enioyned some certaine man amongst them to hold three darts fixed firme on the ground, with the points vpward, and then they commaunded others to take this man with his feet and hands bound, and to hoyse him on high, to the end he might fall vpon the darts, and to be pearced through: of which, if he died at the same instant, they suppo∣sed their god to be propitious and fauourable to them; but if he still continued aliue, they would accuse this messenger to be but a wicked and impious man. If he were thus accused and blamed, they would presently send another, informing him by this messen∣ger [ E] of their peculiar supplications and desires.

When it either thundered or lightned, the Thracians would shoot their arrowes ••••ainst heauen, and threaten God, seeing they belieued in no other god but their owne Zamolxis.

The Thracians practised the same customes: but at the birth or death of any one of their countriemen, they vsed a particular ceremonie by themselues. When the infant was borne, all the parents sitting round about the same, lamented bitterly his comming into the world, ripping vp all the miseries and afflictions whereunto he should be expo∣sed, and thus deploring his condition as absolutely miserable and vnhappie. But if to be ••y one amongst them did die, they would burie him with all joy and alacritie, highly re∣••oycing [ F] that by this meanes he was freed and quit from the disasters and crosses of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Many of those that inhabited beyond the Crestones, had many wiues, and when any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them died, their wiues would grow to a wonderfull debate and strife, seeing each 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them would be verie forward to affirme that she of all the rest was best beloued of her

husband: a solemne assemblie was made, and euerie ones reasons duely heard, then she [ A] that was adiudged decreliest beloued was layed on her husbands tombe, where her nee∣rest kinsman cut off her head, and presently she was buried with her husband, and then all the rest esteemed themselues verie vnhappie and accursed, weeping, and lamenting for the judgement deliuered in fauour of the other, because they tooke themselues in this consideration to be greatly dishonoured.

The other Thracians accustomed to sell their children, following the auncient maner and fashion of the countrie, and the fathers, mothers, or neerest kinsmen, neuer kept in or restrayned their daughters or kinswomen, but suffered them to entertaine louing em∣bracements with any one they had best liking to. [ B]

But then they had alwayes a verie speciall care of their wiues chastitie, whom they bought at a deare and high rate. They had certaine markes and impressions on their foreheads, and they which had none were esteemed but base and common stuffe.

They were sold to the frankest chapman, and he that did rise to the highest price: and the fairest were first exposed to sale, and did carrie home the price whereat they were set and taxed it but the soule were faine to buy those men with whom they would marrie. The men and women made good cheere together, neere to a fire side, casting the graines and seeds of certaine hearbes vpon the imbers; and so being intoxicated with the scent and some thereof, they tooke it for a solemne reioycing to appeare as it were drunke, ha∣uing their sences by this meanes dulled and stupified. [ C]

They reputed it for an honourable course of life to be idle and doe nothing, but to liue of pilleries and thefts; as on the contrarie they that sowed and tilled the earth were con∣temned, and reputed for villaines and base in the most abiect degree.

[ VII] They commonly worshipped Mars, Bacchus, Diana, and Mercurie, swearing alwayes by the last, from whom they supposed themselues to be lineally descended.

All the Thracians houses were verie low built: their prouisions and victualls were al∣wayes at one point; and as for vines, they neither vsed nor planted them.

When they were called to any election of a king, nobilitie swayed not therein aboue the rest of the vulgar people, but whosoeuer had most voyces on his side, was preferred to the dignitie before all others. The people alwayes made choice of such an one whose [ D] manners and life was vntainted, and his clemencie verie well approued and knowne, and also besides this, he must be well stricken in yeares. These circumstances were required in him that had no children, for if he had any, he was neuer chosen, how commendable or praise worthie soeuer he were in his actions, and if he begot any after his election, he was presently depriued of his dignitie, so much the Thracians hated an hereditarie suc∣cession in their realme.

Although the king were verie just and vpright, yet would they not suffer him to doe all things freely without controll: so that a magistracie of fortie were appointed him the which were as his assistants, to the end he might not be sole Iudge in criminall cau∣ses. And when he was found culpable in any thing, they condemned him presently to [ E] death, yet they shewed this respect and honour towards him, that no man layed vpon him any violent hands; but all sustenance being prohibited him by a publique proclama∣tion and consent, he was in the end constrayned to die of hunger.

They solemnised the obsequies of their great Lords and Princes after this manner: The corps was carried into a publique and open place, where for the space of three daies, killing diuers sorts of beasts for a sacrifice, they made exceeding great cheere; after∣wards hauing lamented some time ouer the dead corps, they either buried or burned it, burying the ashes in the earth, and erecting a tombe vpon the same, where they deuised many kinds of combats, amongst which the most common and ordinarie was the Duell, betwixt man and man. [ F]

The armes which they vsed when Darius made his expedition and enterprise (as Hero∣d•••••••• affirmes) were these: They wore morrions on their heads made of foxes skins, and certaine shirts, vpon which they wore cassockes or gabberdines of diuers fashions, and vpon their leggs they did weare buskins of kidds skins, and besides this, they vsed darts,

[ A] shields, and little poinards.

They were very expert archers, whereof they affirmed themselues to be the inuentors. They spake the same language that the Scithians did. Plinie writes that all Thrace was sometimes diuided into fiftie hundreds, or quarters. And this is all I am able to deliuer of the auncient customes and manners of the people of Thrace: now let vs see and exa∣mine how they liue in this our presentage.

¶ The Manners and Fashions of this present time.

THe moderne inhabitants of this countrie, weare their haire very thicke on the tops of [ VIII] [ B] their heads, they are wonderfull strong, rude, furious, and full of crueltie. They loue to drinke as soundly as any nation of the world; so as you shall neuer but see some or other continually drunke: and were it not for the expresse prohibition that Mahomet made for the Turkes drinking of wine, out of doubt, many other dissolutions would be put in practise within this prouince. But because Thrace is inhabited by diuers sorts of people, especially, Constantinople, as by Turkes, Iewes, and Christians; so as in this re∣spect, we cannot generally discourse of them all three, because they haue different man∣ners and customes, which distinguish them one from another, I will vndertake euery one of these three apart, that so we may best judge and consider what is in them most remark∣able, and worthie of obseruation.

[ C] The Turkes are not grown so ciuile as many other nations in Europe, and their ha∣bits (I know not how) retain such an vnseemely apparance, that one cannot behold them without a kind of disdaine and contempt. For the linings come not to the vttermost skirts of their garments, and whatsoeuer they weare is so ill fashioned and cut out, as it seemes there needs no great artificiall taylor for the cutting and making them vp, but only some simple fellow that can barely sow, how badly soeuer.

There is none of them that eats sitting on a bench, chaire, or stoole, but they all take their repasts sitting crosse legd on the ground, as tailors do ordinarily here within their shops, when they worke many together vpon a shop boord. Their table cloth and table is ••or the most part of an oxe hide, or of a stags not curried, but hauing still the haire vpon [ D] 〈◊〉〈◊〉, made an cut in a round forme, and being two foot and a halfe broad, with buckles and ••••ngs of yron, which serue to shut it, with certaine thongs of leather euen as you doe a ••urse, which likewise they may as easily extend and spred, or transport from on place to ••nother easily. They vse no napkins to wipe their mouthes or hands withall.

In what place soeuer they sit downe, whither in their houses, or in their moschees, they ••••••red certaine tapistrie couerlets, or mats of reeds; and there are some places which they ••••ancher with board, as being otherwise either too low, or too foule. They neuer vse any ••••lls, neither permit they those Christians that dwell in their countries to vse any.

Both men and women weare their garments long and large, and open before, to the end ••hat in stooping, they may the better couer themselues, and hide the parts of shame from [ E] men, in doing their busines. When they ease their bodies, they haue a speciall care to turne their backes towards the South, because it is the part they looke towards in making their prayers, and they would take it hainously, if any one should see them doing this of∣fice: so much afraid, and craefull they are (as before I haue told you) of this part which men do naturally desire to hide.

The Turkes eat of gelt deere more than of any other meat, and that is the reason why so many good Turkish skins come ouer into our parts. They feed also vpon mutton, and spend great numbers of kid and lamb, but little beefe, and these meats are rather roasted than prepared in any other maner. Finally, they put all the flesh pell mell together into a ••reat platter, or rather if I may so say, into a great boule, not hauing many seuerall plat∣ters as we vse to set each meat on the table by it selfe. But they neuer eat any swines flesh, ••nd their sauces of greatest appetite are made of garlicke and onyons, wherein euen their ••oblemen and princes take great content. Their ordinarie bread is very browne, and the mason is, for that they put many seeds into it; so as it cannot be so well sifted and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as it should be.

But to come to other of their manners and kinds of life, there is not a nation in the [ A] world more arrogant, nor that more aspires to get the vpper hand in all things than the Tu••ke, who scornes and dispiseth all others. And this insolencie growes in them from the many victories that these barbarians haue obtained in all parts, and by reason of the wonderfull largenesse, and extent of their princes dominions. They are exceedingly giuen to whoredome, & al kind of vncleannesse, yea euen to Sodomie it selfe, which they vse publikely, and in the very gallies, where it is as common with them, as eating or dink∣ing.

They are as treacherous and disloyal as may be, and make no scruple of breaking their promises; so as this their infidelitie hath beene the ruine of many Christians, which tru∣sting [ B] to their words, haue often times yeelded themselues into their hands, who after∣wards were miserably massacred, or led into captiuitie. You must not suppose that the Turkes make any great respect or account of Embassadours, or that the lawes of nations is of any high esteeme amongst them, as it is amongst the Christians: for if the grand Turke growes in any forti••alous of an Embassadour, he presently puts him to death vp∣on any small pretext or colour, yea, and the principall men of the court, if they owe a grudge, or be discontented with any Christian Embassadour, they will not faile to lay snares to intrap him, and to braue him with insupportable affronts.

This nation is not naturally inclined to learning, but only to armes, in which their obe∣dience and assurance of Mahomets paradice, and their opinion of destinie, are of more [ C] force than their courage and valor. And yet as for learning, they haue amongst them some bookes, and certaine doctors, but not for any humane sciences, or Philosophie, but only for the explanation and instruction of Mahomets doctrine, vpon which subiect infinit vo∣lumes haue beene compiled full of disputations and controuersies. They do by nature so mortally hate and detest Christians, as they can no sooner name them, but they will terme them dogs, as I saw with mine owne eyes, being one day with a Chious, which belonged to the vice-roy of Argier, with whom I was very familiar; for though he pro∣fessed great loue and kindnesse to me, and gaue me as much respect, as the little humani∣tie and courtesie of this nation can afford: yet when any occasion was offered but to discourse of Christians, he could not abstaine from calling them dogs vpon any speech, [ D] discouering by his words a kind of rankor and hatred against them.

They are so couetous, as they make profit and gaine of all things, and the reason why they heape vp money with such greedinesse and care, is, because the great Turke giues no land nor possessions to the Turkes, but for tearme of life; so as they which meane to leaue any thing to their children, make all the readie money they possibly can, to the end they may haue sufficient to maintaine their estates without abating their shew and con∣dition: although commonly when fathers haue done good seruice, and that the children shew some generositie and courage, they are suffered to enioy that which their fathers formerly held, expecting that with time and yeares they may likewise attaine to their fathers place and charge. I must needs also tell you thus much, that the Turkes would ne∣uer [ E] haue endured the Christians to dwell amongst them, or in their countries, whether they were religious or other, but that the hope of profit and gaine, which they dayly and yearely exact from them by tributes, inuites them thereunto, and questionlesse the ho∣lie Sepulcher it selfe, which yet stands whole within the citie of Ierusalem, would long since haue beene ruined and beaten downe, but that the Turkes perceiue how the Chri∣stians, drawn as it wereby the reuerend respect of this sacred and venerable place, would come flocking thither in pilgrimages, and so bring in vnspeakeable summes of mony. For they shew manifestly what was the reason which made them suffer and tollerat this, for you neuer see people more greedie of spoile, or that more vniustly and vnreasonably, do ransome such deuout, but miserable Christians, as religiously affect this voiage, or be de∣sirous [ F] to view and behold that place where our Redeemet was crucified, and put to death.

The Turkish women are modest in their garments, and they are commonly so well fit∣ted and made, as a man cannot behold any thing more modest and comely. The attire of

[ A] their heads is sharpe and pointed; and on the top there hangs downe a vayle so artificial∣ly lastened, that though one part of it hangs downe, yet if they meane to go abroad or come into the companie of men, they can suddainely couer their whole face, except the eyes; and besides this, they weare ouer their garments a fine white linnen cloth, coue∣ring all the rest of their bodies in such sort as men can hardly know their owne wiues from others, when they are in companie of many other women: Furthermore, they neuer come into the place where men are assembled together; and it is so rare a thing, and con∣trary to the common custome, to see a man publiquely speake to a woman, as if you con∣tinue a whole yeare in their companies, in all this time you shall not almost see it once: [ B] for if you should see a man publiquely discoursing with a woman, or walking with her into the fields, it would seeme to be verie strange and extraordinarie.

Married men neuer sport nor dallie at all with their wiues before others, as also they seldome vse to talke or conferre with them, for that the man doth euer retaine the same seueritie and grauitie towards his wife, who likewise failes not to beare her selfe verie re∣spectiuely and humbly on his behalfe.

Their great Lords and Princes which cannot be daily resident with their wiues, leaue them vnder the charge and keeping of certaine Eunuches, who are so vigilant & watch∣full ouer them, as it is impossible any other should entertaine them or enioy their compa∣nie besides their husbands, or come to those effects which might disgrace and dishonour [ C] them: for if they had a will, as many times they haue without question, yet can they by no meanes effect or compasse the same. And yet slaues, of whom they may dispose at their pleasure, and are not commonly suspected like other men, surmount many times this difficultie, and sooner make their maisters cuckolds than any other. But then if they ••hould chaunce to be taken tardie, or accused of making loue to their maistresses, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 punisht with such cruell and fearefull torments, as it is able to strike an horrour into ••••ose that doe but onely imagine and thinke of it.

But to the end I may speake somewhat of that which the Turkes ordinarily practise in [ IX] Constantinople, you must conceiue that on the festiuall dayes, which they call Beelan, ••heir gentlemen come ordinarily into the Hippodrome mounted on horsebacke, euerie [] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holding a staffe in his hand like vnto a lance, zagaia, or dart, and so diuiding them∣••••lues into diuers troupes, they throw these darts one against another. In some other ••••aces, the caualliers galloping round about an highstake or pole, shoot with their bows ••gainst a turned bowle, which is set on the top of this pole or stake.

In that place where the Ianissaries lodgings are, these kind of souldiers commonly vse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 exercise the bow, the harquebuse, and other such like armes.

In all Constantinople they neuer vse any wagons or carts, for they employ the Arme∣••ns as porters, to carrie whatsoeuer is necessarie or behoosfull, and these be Christians 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beliefe not much differing from that of the Gre••kes.

You shall sometimes see Turkes that be drunke, go through the streets of Constanti∣nople [] with such insolencie and arrogancie, as you can see no bad custome comparable to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in any part of Europe that is Christian. During the rage and working of their wine, ••hey chance to meet with any Christian in the citie, they presently fall vpon him, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him a thousand outrages, and which is worse, I see there is no meanes to haue ju∣•••••• and to be reuenged of these iniuries; for that in this case he should be seuerely pu∣••ished; so partiall are the Turkes to their countriemen being guiltie, and so cruell to see ••••rang••rs punished, though innocent and harmelesse: not obseruing, that by allowing ••his law of libertie vnto themselues, they by the same meanes frustrat the lawes of com∣••on equitie and justice. This one good qualitie the Turkes haue, that they are excee∣••••ng charitable, and great almes giuers: but it is without any discretion or judgement, ••••eing they will giue money as well for the entertainement of beasts, as of men.

As for the Christians which liue amongst the Turkes, they are in a manner confor∣••••ble [ X] to their fashions and manners, except those that liue in a strange and forrain coun∣•••• where euerie one liues after his particular maner and fashion; but for the most part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them vse to go apparelled after the Turkish manner, except they distinguish them∣selues

by some attire on the head, a little differing from that of the Turkes; I meane this [ A] by those that are not of their countries, or that come out of those prouinces, where these ••••••ires are in vse.

The women of Persia go so handsomely or rather sumptuously attired, as in the chastest minds they excite some amorous cogitations, by reason of the glances they will many times reflect vpon men for the kindling and enflaming of their hearts: and these Frankes doe freely entertaine all amorous allurements, and seeme to liue in the world for no other end but to please the wanton, who find matter of contentment enough in conuer∣sing with them, because their entertainements are free, and much more familiar than that of the Turkish women. [ B]

The Iewes are onely greedy and attentiue of gaine, applying themselues principally to merchandise, which they practise with that vsurie and deceit, as they appeare to haue absolutely set their consciences to sale, retayning no other studie nor care, but how to be∣come rich, an to liue at their ease. Some there are amongst them that follow the pra∣ctise of physicke, in which they attaine to that skill and judgement, as both princes and great Lords, together with other of the meaner sort of Turkes, doe willingly employ such persons.

¶ Their Riches, Forces, Gouernement, and Religion.

FOr that we haue vndertaken in the end to discourse at large of all these things; we [ C] will referre the courteous Reader thither, who shall there see all things related at large in their proper place: and therefore I doe purposely omit here this discourse, that I may the speedilyer come to the other prouinces.

¶ Greece.

[ XI] THis name Greece, is taken in diuers sences amongst Authors: for truely and pro∣perly they tearme that prouince Greece, which Ptolome calls Attica, in which the fa∣mous citie of Athens stood: then, in the second place, extending this nomination fur∣ther, they comprehend vnder the same, foure prouinces, which be, Macedonia, Epyrus, [ D] A••haia, and Peloponnesus, with other countries conteyned within these foure; then af∣ter that, the Islands of the Ionick and Aegean seas, and thus in common sence at this day we vnderstand the nomination of Greece. Finally, we may so extend the signification of this word, as it may comprehend Thrace, a great part of the lesser Asia, or Natolia, be∣sides the aboue mentioned prouinces, which the Greekes in former times possessed, and whither they anciently vsed to send their colonies: and then moreouer, that part of Italie which in old times was called great Greece, and now beares the name of high Calabria.

But to take it as ordinarie men vnderstand the same, it is watered by three seas that beat vpon her coasts; on the West, by the Ionick; by the Libick on the South; and by the Aegean on the Leuant; as for the Septentrionall part thereof, it is limited by the [ E] mountaines, which seperat Macedonia from Thrace, high Misia, and Dalmatia.

This Greece, vnderstood in the sence formerly mentioned (comprising therein also th•• I••le of Candie, whereof we spake in our discourse of the Venetian State) is enclosed within the paralell of 34 degrees high, which is the tenth where the longest day consists but of foureteene houres and a quarter, and the paralell of 43 degrees of latitude or ele∣uarion, which is the foureteenth, where the longest day hath but fifteene houres and a quarter: so as in all this tract, the artificiall day hath no greater diuersitie and difference than of an houre.

As for the longitude, it is contained within the Meridian degree, and that of 55, or at least wants but little thereof. The Venetians hold seueral peeces of territorie in the same, [ F] but they are of so little importance, as they scarce deserue to be mentioned: so as we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ascribe it all to the Turke, euen as we vse to allot all the prouinces which are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in their proper places, to the Emperour of Marrocus, notwithstanding that the Portugals haue in their power the places of most moment, and greatest consequence,

[ A] they remaining more secure in them, than those that maintaine the other for the seig∣neurie of Venice. But that we may enter into all particularities, let vs consider Greece ex∣actly according to the seuerall parts thereof, making of the same an ample and sufficient description.

Macedonia, according to Plinie, was aunciently called Emathia, and Peonia, and then Emonia, as Titus Liuius affirmes: but Gerbell and Niger hold at this day, that it is called Albania; and yet Magins opinion is, that the same part of Macedonia which lies vpon the Ionicke sea, is onely so called. The Orientall part thereof, betweene the Strymonian bay, now called the gulfe of Contesa, and the bay of Thermaca, now the gulfe of Sal••∣nica, [] is called Iamboli: and as for that part in the heart or middest it is also modernely knowne by the name of Macedonia.

This countrie lies betwixt two great seas, that is to say, betweene the Aegean sea, or Archipelagus, where it makes two points or capes on the East part, and the Ionike sea; ••n the West, between the riuers of Drilon, now Drino, or Lodrina, and Cylidnus, which ••ome falsly tearme Salnich; on the North, Macedonia is bounded by Dalmatia, high Misia, and a part of Thrace, seperated by the riuers of Drylon, and Strimon; andon the South part, by Epyrus, properly called Albania, & Achaia Gerbele sets downe six prouin∣ces in Macedonia, on that part, where it ioines vpon Greece, that is Emathia, Pieria, Pe∣lagia, Estiota, Thessalia & Phitiotia among which, Thessalia, now called Comenolitari, in [ C] Castaldus opinion, is the best. There lie in it the mountaines of Olympus, now called La∣••ha, as Castaldus writes, which is exceeding high, seeing according to Plinie, it is more than ten stadia to the top thereof, and so taking eight stadia for a mile, it is more than a mile vpright in heigth, and therefore the countrie inhabitants call the top thereof hea∣••••n, because no winds blow there, nor are of force. There is also Pelon, now Petras as ••••me will haue it. This mountaine is so high, as Dicearcus (as Plinie doth witnesse) hauing ••••••ueied the heigth thereof, found, that it was a thousand two hundred and fiftie paces ••••gh. The mountaine of Ossa, which Sophian calls Colonno, and Pinet, Ollira, is also in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 countrie, as also that of Pinde, now called Mezzono, at the foot of which, the riuer ••••nea hath his source.

[ D] You may here also behold mount Nymphea; but of all others, Athos is the most re∣nowned and famous, which at this day is called the Holie mountain, or according to the ••••eekes which inhabit the same, Agios oros, importing the selfe same signification. It is ••••forme of a Chersonesus, there being a strait of one thousand and fiue hundred paces 〈◊〉〈◊〉; adioining to the plaine or valley: the circuit thereof, is seuentie and fiue miles, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in length, it containes three daies iourney of ground, being not aboue halfe a daies ••••nty broad. They who trauell by sea, ken the top thereof aboue thirtie miles off. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is that mountaine, which a certaine Architect would haue cut into humane shape and figure, in the daies of Alexander the Great, who notwithstanding gaue no great care to this his glorious and famous desseigne. This mountaine was heretofore consecrated [ E] ••o the Caloyers, the which were a kind of Greeke Monkes of the order of S. Basill, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had certaine priuiledges and exemptions graunted, which they also hold at this day, ••••that is, That no Greeke nor Turke may inhabit there, if he be not a Greeke Caloyer. ••••••••••ers parts of this mountaine, there remaine yet about six thousand Caloyers, where ••hey had some foure and twentie great and ancient monasteries enclosed with good and ••trongwalls: but two aboue all the rest are most famous and renowned, that of Vnto∣••edi, and that of Agias laura.

Macedonia hath foure principall gulfes on the coast of the Aegean sea, which are the ••••lfe of Contessa, the Syngitica, otherwise surnamed the gulfe of the holie mount, the ••••roniaca, now called the gulfe of Aiomama, and that of Thessalonica, or Salonica, be∣••••es [] the Pelagian bay, which is now called the gulfe of Armenia.

The most renowed riuers of Macedonia (besides that of Strimon or Stromon, vp∣•••• ••he frontires of Thrace (are that of Axius, which some call Bardara, others Vardari, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is the fairest streame of all the rest, being a pleasant and sweet water, which flow∣•••••• from mount Scandia, after a long course, falleth into the gulfe of Salonica, and the

auncients were woont to affirme, That the sheepe which drunke of this water became [ A] blacke: there is also Erigonus, now called Vistritze according to Sophian, and Deuo∣dus according to Mercutor. This riuer issuing from the hills of Illiria, or Sclauonia, and run∣ning along by Peonia, and close by the townes of Heraclea, and Edese, vents it selfe into the Vardari.

Alya••mon, now Pelecas, as Sophian writes; and Platamon, by Mercators opinion, springs from the mountains Canaluies in Peonia, and seperates Macedonia from Thrace: The banks therof are much broken and ruinous; some suppose that he that would haue white sheepe, must cause them to drinke of this water.

The riuer of Penea, called now Salenpira, and Lycostoma by Sophians relation, Pezin [ B] according to Theuets opinion, and Azababa as Mercator writes, and some other writers, being enlarged by foure riuers running into the same, voideth it selfe within the gulfe of Thessalonica.

There is also to be seene in Thessalie, that same famous place of pleasure and delight, which auncient writers called Tempe, which is fiue thousand paces long, and almost fiue hundred broad, being seated betweene the two mountaines, Ossa, and Oylmpus, and it is watered in the middest and center thereof, by the beautiful riuer of Penea, or Azababa.

There is furthermore the Chersonesus of Patalena, to the extremitie whereof you may see the Promontorie Canestrea, now knowne by the name of Capo Canistro, and this place was in former times seperated from the rest of Macedonia by a wall. [ C]

The most famous townes of Macedonia were aunciently Thessalonia, Pellis, Stragi∣ra, Appollonia, Dirrachium, and Aulon, all which are inhabited at this present. In Augu∣stus daies, Thessalonica flourished aboue all the rest, and was the head citie of all Mace∣donia, comprehending a great number of inhabitants, and being seated in a very good place, betweene the riuers of Chabris and Euchedorus. At this present it is called Saloni∣ca, this towne is great and famous, and moreouer, so rich and traffickeable, that it may wel be compared to Naples in Italie: but that which is more remarkeable than all the rest, there are many merchants which haue all kind of Indian commodities and merchandise. It was for a while in the Venetians hands, but at last, Amurath the son of Mahomet tooke it from this commonweale. Not far from thence, you may see the village of Syderocapsis, [ D] as Belon saies, which shewes like a great towne. It was heretofore called Christl••es.

Pella, now knowne by the name of Ieniza, as Sophian writes, and Zuchria according to Niger, very famous for the breeding and bringing vp of Philip, and Alexander the Great, his sonne, the which hath heretofore beene very famous. Stagira, a towne where that great Philosoper Aristotle was borne, it is scituated neere to mount Athos, vpon the shore of the gulfe Contesa, where many ruines thereof may yet be descerned. It is now called Stelar, as Niger affirmes, but Libanoua according to Sophian, as also Macra by Nicetas report. Appollonia was sometimes a very famous towne, vpon the riuer Eu∣chedorus. Here it was where Caesar Augustus learned Greeke: Niger calls it Ceres, and some others Piergo. [ E]

Dy••rachium, which is likewise called Epidaumia, and which men commonly tearme at this day Durazzo, is a towne scituated on the coast of the Ionicke sea. It is but weakely inhabited by reason of the euill aire which ariseth out of the marishes that lie round about it. Baiazet tooke this towne also from the venetians, in the yeare 1749. It is distant from Brindezi, in former times called Brundusium, a towne of Puglia, within the king∣dome of Naples: about on hundred miles. The towne of Aulon, which hath also a port, lyes vpon the Ionicke sea, being now called by the name of Valona: there is a strong ca∣stle, but the rest of the towne is vnwalled. This towne is about sixtie miles by sea distant from the firme land of Italie, that is from the townes of Hydronte or Otranto.

Belon also accounts the towne of Cauale to be in Macedonia, the which he vnproper∣ly [ F] supposeth to haue bin sometimes called Bucephale. He saies it is very well peopled at this day (wheras heretofore it was naked of inhabitants) by reason of the commoditie of a fountaine head, whose chanell Abrahin Basha caused to be repaired enuironing the towne at the same time with new walls, and building an hospitall called Charbacara

[ A] to entertaine and relieue all sorts of trauellers. Croy also is reckoned to be within this prouince, lying indeed within the same continent, not farre from the riuer of Lysan, which Sophian takes for the auncient Antigonia; but it is thought he is much deceiued, because Antigonia lay in the countrie of Epytus, vpon the riuer of Celidaa, so as this seemes more probably to be ••pycaria, as we may coniecture by the scituation which Ptolome ascribes to it. This towne was straitly besieged by the Turkes, as well before Scanderbeg, or George Castriot, as after his reuolt, but at last it came vnder their subiection, hauing endured a thousand miseries.

Epyrus is a part of Albania, and the rest is comprehended in that part of Macedonia [ B] which lies towards the Ionick Sea. Castaldus is of opinion, that Epyrus is now the coun∣trie of Ianne; but the meere scituation thereof giues euident testimonie that the pro∣uince of Ianne, so called of the towne of Ianne, lyes beyond Mount Pyndus in Thessalie. Ritcher, and Aeneas Syluius, or rather Pope Pyus the second, call it Epyrus La••tis: but this countrie is but a part of Epyrus. This prouince is bordered on the East by the riuer of Achelois, otherwise tearmed Aspri, according to Sophian, Cathochi, according to Ni∣gers opinion, and Aracheus by Castaldus and Mercators consent; and also conformable to the supposition of many others, Aspropotamo: on the South, the Adriatick Sea: and on the West, the Ionick, euen to the riuer of Celidnus, or Pepylychnus, which Castaldus erroniously names Salnich; for that Salnich is rather that riuer of Lous, mentioned by [ C] Ptolome: for Celidnus is a little riuer, neere to the Port of Raguzi, betwixt Valona, and the Acroceraunian hills, called now Chimare: and vpon the North, this prouince buts vpon Macedonia

It extends towards the Mediterranean Sea some two hundred and twentie thousand paces, betweene the riuers of Celidnus, and Achelois. This prouince was heretofore diuided into Chaonia, which was properly called Epyrus, which bends towards the West, and Acarnania, which now is called the Duchie, or despotate or little Greece, and this part lies out towards the East as farre as the riuer of Achelois.

Gerbele (besides the aboue mentioned prouinces) makes mention of Thesprotia, Amphilochia, and Ambracia; and Ptolome, Cassiopea, Dolopia, and Almenia, all which [ D] lie betweene Chaonia, and Acarnania: Mercator diuides Epyrus into old and new, cal∣ling that old Epyrus which was so stiled by the Latines, and taking that part of Macedo∣nia for the new which now is high Albania.

The ports within this land, are Panormo, Onchesmus, Cassiope, commonly called Cassiopo, and Buthiro, where the towne of Butrinte stands: but the gulfe of Larte in former times called the bay of Ambracia is better than all the rest.

The towne of Ambracia was in former ages the capitall towne of the countrie, and where the kings of Epyrus held their royall residence: it is now called Larte, assuming this name from a riuer so called that runs neere hand. Nicopolis was likewise hereto∣fore a verie good towne, and well peopled: it hath now the name of Preuese. Augustus [] the Emperour built the same in remembrance of the nauall victorie which he obtayned against Marcus Antonius. Gerbele also accounts Actium one of Augustus colonies a∣mongst the townes of Acarnania: but the later maps decipher it by the name of Capo Figalo.

Achaia, which Ptolome calls Hellade, is now in the newer maps called Liuadia. It is [ XIII] bounded on the North by Thessalie, neere to the riuer of Sperchia, by the bay of Ma∣luc, and Mount Octa: on the West, by the riuer Achelois: and on the East, ••inding a little towards the North, by the Aegean sea, and Myrtos, euen to the promontorie Su∣ria, now called Cape de Colonni, because there remaine some ruines of the columnes or pillars of Neptunes Temple: then, on the South, it frontiers vpon Peloponnesus, or Morea, the which is annexed vnto it by an Isthmus or strait fiue miles broad about the middest thereof. In Authors, I find mention to be made of these nine regions, Doridis, Helladis, Etolia, the countries of the Locrentians, and Opuntians, Phocides, Beotia, At∣tica, and Megaris.

Dorides lies neere to Mount Parnassus, where the Do••ick tongue was spoken, which

was esteemed verie elegant and fluent aboue all the rest: Gerbele sayes that Helladis is [ A] enuironed with the other prouinces, that is, by Phiotidis on the North: on the S••uth by Phocidis: on the East by Attica, and Beotia: and on the West by Dorides.

Aetolia hath his proper scite betweene Mount Callidromus, and the Ionick sea. There were sometimes many faire townes within this countrie, the principall of which was Ca∣lydon, which at this day lyes ruined like all the rest.

The Locrians, and Opuntians countrie, had Amphissa for their chiefe citie, which is also specified in the newer maps by the same name, though Niger sayes that it is called Lam••ino. Naupactum is also held to be in this prouince, which others place in Aetolia, there where the Port of Lepanto is. The Turke tooke this towne violently from the Ve∣netians, [ B] at the same time when Durazzo in Macedonia, and Modona, heretofore Motho∣na, and Coron, were reduced vnder his subiection.

The countrie of Phocidis is neere to Mount Parnassus: the principall towne thereof was Delphos, by reason of Appollos Oracle, which inuited multitudes of people to go thither for to vnderstand what should befall them in their attempts and enterprises: and this was also the reason why so many persons sent continually thither such inestimable presents.

Thebes was the principall towne of Beotia, which lay betweene the riuers of Ismena and Asope, and now the ruines thereof is called Stibes or Thiua.

Attica runs along the Sea side, towards which it beareth out with two capes or pro∣montories, [ C] the one of which is named Sunia or Cape de Colonni, & the other Cynosu∣ra. The towne of Athens was sometimes the head and chiefe of this prouince, at this day they tearme it Setines, it being but a borrough, where stands a castle that was in for∣mer times the Temple of Minerua.

The country of Megaris, which takes the name from he towne Megara, lyes close vp∣on the strait. The most famous mountaines of Achaia, were Parnassus, Citheron, Heli∣con, and Hymetta. Parnassus is all enuironed with forrests, and hath two tops. Cithe∣ron is an high mountaine, rough, and inaccessible neere to the mountaines of Megara, and Attica.

The riuers of greatest fame in this countrie are Ismena, which Strabo cals Cnope, and [ D] then Asopia, and Euena.

There are likewise many bayes and gulfes, of which the most worthie of note lie on the South part towards Morea, I meane the bay Naupactum, or gulfe of Lepanto, and the Corinthian bay. Then, towards the Aegean sea, there is the Pelasgick bay, now the gulfe of Armira, and Maliac bay, now called the gulfe of Ziton.

[ XIIII] The Peloponnesus was heretofore called Egialis, Apia, Argios, and Pelasgir, but com∣monly at this day men call it Morea: it is seated betweene the Aegean and Ionick seas, being joyned to Achaia but onely by the Isthmus, which notwithstanding is so firme and solid, that it could neuer yet be diuided, nor cut away: for many curious princes, as king Demetrius, Iulius Caesar, Caligula, Nero, and some other, had a great desire to seperat it [ E] from all the rest of Greece, that so it might haue beene a shorter nauigation out of the Adriatick to the Aegean Sea, & lesse daungerous, and so Peloponnesus would haue bin stronger and more secure: and therefore there hath beene in other times a wall erected vpon the Isthmus, from one end to the other of this neck of land, that thus Morea might be the more strong.

This wall was called Hexamites, being about fiue miles in length. Amurath the Tur∣kish Emperour ouerthrew it, and sacked in a manner all this Island: but in the yeare of our Redemption 1453 it was reedified by the Venetian Seigneurie, who sent expresly 30000 men thither, to labour in this worke, notwithstanding it was once more vtterly rui∣ned by the Turkes. This Isthmus is called Corinthiaca, by reason the towne of Corin∣thus [ F] was there built: It is questionlesse the worthiest necke of land in all Europe.

Finally, Morea hath on the East, the Candian sea; on the West, the Io••ian or Adri∣atick; on the North, the Corinthian bay, which Strabo tearmes the Chrissian and Alcy∣onian seas; and Solphiem the gulfe of Patras, and also the Saronick bay, called the gulfe

[ A] of Engia by Castaldus, and it is betweene these gulfes that this strait or Isthmus naturally runs out: and vpon the South part, Peloponnesus, lyes vpon the Mediterranea sea.

The length thereof from the Isthmus to Modon, is a hundred seuentie and fiue miles, and the circuit thereof, about six hundred. It is very capable by reason of the forme and proportion thereof, being almost round, for informe it resembles much a palme lease.

The Arcadians, Cynurians, Dryopes, Lemnians, and Corinthians, haue inhabited this countrie.

This Peninsula is in a maner the rampire and bulwarke of all Greece, being also at this day the best peopled part thereof. It was in auncient times very famous through the [ B] towne of Myc••nas, and the commonweales and principalities of the Argiues, Lacede∣monians, Sicyonians, Elians, Arcadians, Pelians, and Mestenians: but now the whole countrie is subiect to the Turke, as likewise the rest of Greece, although it hath many times beene valiantly maintained and defended by some despotes or princes of Greece, and al∣so by the Venetian seigneurie.

The principall riuers in this countrie, are Asope, now A••bon, according to Theuet, Eneia, now Igliac, Alphea, now Rophea, or Orpheau, as Sophian, Niger, and Carbon af∣firme: if we may relie on the iudgement of Italian nauigators, aboue an hundred and fortie small streames make their fall into this riuer.

Panisa, which Niger calls Stromio, and Castaldus and Mercator Pirnaza; Eurotus, now [ C] Balisopotame, according to Sophian, Mercator, and some other mens opinions; and Iris as Niger affirmes and Inachus, that men now call Planizze.

The countrie of Corinth lies all along the Isthmus, and Corinthus was the head citie thereof, which was eleuen miles in circuit: this towne was then very strong, by reason of a castle which was built vpon the Ionian, and Aegean seas.

The countrie of Argia is next to that of Corinthia, on the East part where the Cre∣tan seas water the skirts of that prouince. Ortelius saies, that at this present men call it Ro∣mania.

The riuer of Inaca, or of Planizze runs along thereby, and so disgorgeth into the Ar∣golicke bay, or gulfe of Naples, so called by reason of a coast towne called Napoli, or [ D] Naples of Romania, and heretofore Nauplianaualis.

The towne of Argos was in ages past the most renowned seat within this prouince; it is so called also at this present time, being ••eated in a healthfull and pleasant scituation, which is watered with the riuer of Planizze.

The towne of Epidauris stood likewise here, and it was the same which was so famous throughout the world for Aesculapius temple, where so many sicke persons receiued pre¦sent helpe and cure.

The countrie of Laconia which regards the South, is the goodliest prouince of all the rest, and extends towards the Promontories of Malia, & Tenazie, now called Capo Ma∣lio, and Capo Matapan, and it containes many spacious baies or gulfes, the longest of [ E] which is that called the Laconicke, but at this day the gulfe of Colchina.

The riuer of Eurotas, now called Vasilopotamo, passeth through the middest of this prouince, and so falls into the Laconicke bay.

Lacedemon was sometimes the chiefe and capitall citie of this prouince: it was also called Sparta, and at this present Misithra. There is moreouer another towne of Epidau∣ris in the Argolicke bay, besides that which lies in the Varonicke. It is also at this time very well inhabited and peopled, and is called Maluasia.

The Messenians countrie is enclosed betweene the M••ssenian bay, now the gulfe of Coron, and the Ionicke sea. It stretcheth out in length towards the South, and the Lybi∣an sea. The principall towne thereof was Messenes, which Castaldus calls Martagia, and [ F] some others Mocenigo, and Nisin.

In this countrie stand the famous townes o•• Methon, now Modon, the residence of a Turkish Saniack, and Coron, both which town••s were taken by the Turkes, from the Ve∣netians: then you may see Pyla, now Nauarino; Cyparissi, now Arcadie, which giues the same name to the gulfe also that runs hard by, being called the gulfe of Arcadie. Out of

this prouince there beares a very difficult and daungerous cape called heretofore Cory∣phasis, [ A] and now cape Zunhio.

Elides lookes towards the West, and lies in the middest betweene Messenia, Achaia, and Arcadia.

The best townes in it, are Elis, which some vnfitly affirme to haue the name at this day of Beluedere: Olimpia, now Lareganico, and Pisa, which many would haue to be one and the same thing with Olimpia.

The Promontorie Chelonites belongs also to this prouince. It is called at this day Ca∣po Tornese, by reason of a towne of that name, which is hard by.

There is another countrie of Peloponnesus, which properly is called Achaia, to distin∣guish [ B] it from that which is within the Grecian continent, being otherwise called Hellas. On the borders of the North, it is seated betweene the mountaine of Stimphalia, and the bay of Corinthus. The principall towne herein, was once Egyra, which stood on the hanging of a stonie and craggie hill: but now it is ruined, and called Xilocastro.

You may here likewise discerne the towne of Egia, called Vostizie or Bostisan by the modernes, but wholly razed by the Turkes.

You may likewise in this prouince see the towne of Patras; and as for Dyma, it is now defaced, and called Chiarenza, communicating her name to the next cape, which hereto∣fore was called the Promontorie of Araxis.

Here likewise is to be seene the Promontorie of Rhia, and right ouer against it, that of [ C] Antirrhia, which are two forelands of Greece that hemme in the bay of Corinth. This place is now called the strait of the castles of Lepanto, and the two capes are called the castles of Lepanto, vulgarly the Dardanells.

The little countrie of Sycionia lies betweene that which is properly called Achaia, and the riuer of Asope. The chiefe towne thereof was Sycion, now Basilika, as Sophian writes; but Mercator in his tables sets downe Vasilicon, with a distinction from Sycion, in that he seuerally names and points them out.

Arcadia, heretofore called Pelasgia, stands in the middest of Peloponnesus. The moun∣taines of greatest name, were Cyllenus, Pholoa, Lycea, Menalis, and Par••henia. The principall citie of this countrie was Megalopolis, now called Leontari, if we may beleeue [ D] Sophian; and Londario, if we shall giue credit to some others.

¶ The Qualitie and Propertie of the soile.

[ XV] AFter we haue described this countrie as exactly as we can; so it may not be distastfull or tedious to the reader, we will now obserue the nature and qualitie of all this prouince, which formerly we mentioned and described vnto you.

In times past, this prouince exceeded all others of Europe for temperature and good∣nesse of aire, and the soile thereof is very delightsome and pleasant, producing all sorts of fruits, and nourishing many heards of cattell: fish did abound and ••warme in the seas and [ E] riuers thereof, and all plentie and wealth did as it were abound in this place, in that one might so easily arriue, & make approch therunto, by reason of the aboundance of gulfes, ports, Isles, demy Isles, as also so many nauigable riuers. But looke into the moderne and present estate of all these prouinces, to the end we may see whether it be aunswera∣ble to that of former ages.

Macedonia is fertile in euery part or place, and enuironed with great mountaines; that part which aunsweres to the Ionian sea, is champian, but couered all ouer with thicke forrests.

All that part which is called Albania, is great, but fertile and pleasant. Moreouer it hath mines of gold and siluer, and according to Aristotles testimonie, in old time they did find a [ F] kind of gold there, altogether vnknowne.

The Asphalt stone is also found in diuers mines and veines of the earth, neere to the townes of Apollonia, and Aulon, or Valonna.

Thessalie, or Comenolitari, is the best countrie in Macedonia, for it is a very faire and

[ A] great plaine compassed about with mountaines of great name, and fruitfull, and very pleasant and delightsome, whereas they breed horses which are much esteemed.

Mount Olympus beares a mightie quantitie of box and bay trees, and the common opinion is, that there are no wolu••s in all this mountaine.

Mount Ossa, Collono, or Ollira, is continually couered with snow, and there are great forrests, but especially there are such numbers of Pine trees, that there verie bows, when it blows stiffe make a noyce like to thunder. Mount Pyndus is also ordinarily subiect to be couered with snow.

As for Mount Athos, the top thereof is perpetually white, and the snow neuer melts [ B] nor dissolues. There is aboundance of grasse, many plants, and an infinit number of fruit trees. You shall see there also, great store of vines and Oliue trees, and diuers other fruit trees which are continually greene, as Bayes, wild Oliues, and Myrtle trees.

But the valley of Tempe is alwaies exceeding delightsome: the Chersonese of Patale∣na was in times past so fertile, that seuen townes were maintained in it, but now it is all ouer growne with woods, and yeelds but few things. Neere to Valona they digge great store of mynerall salt, and the soyle yeelds as good wine as in any other part of Europe.

As for Epyrus, at this day it is much vnpeopled, and the soyle is but barren, and full of [ C] forrests in many places: and yet in comming towards the Sea side it is reasonably fruitful. Many great foure footed beasts are bred there, especially oxen, dogges, and likewise sheepe: but there are no asses bred there. The Acroceraunian hills are much subiect to lightning, and it is greatly feared by such that trauell along that coast by sea, for when so euer they discerne little small clouds to arrise in the skie, in an instant great stormes and tempests follow.

To speake of Attica, the soyle thereof is now but drie and barren: but whenas the countrie was inhabited and gouerned by the originall peop••e of the same, this naturall defect was repaired by the industrie and diligence of the countrie people, who wrought out of their soyle much good necessarie prouisions for humane life: the aire is wonder∣full [ D] sweet and temperat, being there as good dwelling as in any other place a man can make choyce of.

The countrie of Persia is of a verie moist and moorish soyle, but fat and fertile: for it stands in the middest of mountaines, from which many lakes, riuers, and fens take their springs, and the aire is maruelous thicke and grosse.

The prouince of Dorides hath a reasonable good aire, and the soyle would bring forth many things if it were but carefully manured: but now the Turkes are maisters thereof, all goes to hauocke, and the greatest part of the land lies wast.

As for the region of Megara, the ground is rough and stonie. Mount Parnassus is co∣uered all ouer with forrests, and the tops thereof with snow. Mount Cytheron beares [ E] box trees in aboundance. But the mountaine of Hymetta is one of the best soyles, a man can behold with his eye, being apt to bring forth all kind of fruits. There is com∣monly great store of flowers, and a wonderfull number of bees that come to sucke of them, working out of them a kind of excellent honie, which is so much commended by Alexander Aphrodisius.

Peloponnesus aboundeth in all things necessarie for mans life, and may also serue for for delicacie and contentment: for there are many goodly plaines, and hangings of hills, which beare all sorts of fruits: and therefore it is at this day the best peopled part of all Greece.

The countrie of Licaonia is simply the most beautifull of all the other quarters of Mo∣rea: there are many arrable fields, which are fertile, yet hard to be manured, because the [ F] soyle thereof lyes betwixt mountaines, and so men meet with a certaine roughnesse, by reason of the many hills which enuiron it. Plinie affirmes, that the earth shakes verie often in this prouince, which is a manifest testimonie that here are many concauities and hollow parts.

The promontorie of Mallea is so daungerous, and the adjacent sea so wonderfully en∣raged [ A] and tost with winds, as they which trauell by Sea fetch a wheeling course a∣bour, for if they should doe otherwise, they might oftentimes be in great daunger.

As for the countrie of Arcadia, it is more rough and barren than any other part of Morea: it is likewise verie cold, and subiect to great fogges. Plinie sayes, that in this countrie they made a certaine kind of wine which made women fruitfull, and men starke mad; and the fruit and graine of the yew tree which were gathered in this countrie were so venimous, as whosoeuer did but sleepe vnder the shade of this tree, or did eat of that mortiferous fruit, he forthwith died.

¶ 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.

¶ The Manners of the present times.

[ XXII] THe Grecians that now liue, are reduced and brought vnder a most miserable serui∣tude, except a few which are yet subiect to the Venetian Seigneurie: for the Turke holds at this day the greatest part of Greece, as well on the sea as on the firme land; and those places that embrace the Venetian gouernement are but Islands, as Corsu, Cepha∣lonia, Zacyntha, Candie, and some others of no great consideration.

They which are subiect to the Venetians, liue more peaceably for their religion and [ C] conscience (as Belon sayes) than the rest that obey the Turke: and if we doe but duely obserue them both, we shall find that they which liue vnder the Venetians, lead a life af∣ter the manner of their lords and maisters, as also, they that are engaged vnder the Turkish power and tyrannie, liue like their maisters and gouernours, imitating them in their manners and fashions. But I must needs speake thus much, that barbarisme doth so raigne both in the one and the other, that a man cannot meet with a schole-man of their townes, and none amongst them take any care for the bringing vp of their children, nor to giue them the knowledge or vnderstanding of learning.

They also vse one kind of language, drawne from the auncient Greeke, corrupted, but some of them speake more eloquently and regularly than the rest: and yet their [ D] common words draw neerer to the auncient Greeke language, than the Italian does to Latine.

The inhabitants of those townes which are subiect to the Venetians, speake Italian as perfectly as Greeke: and so the like may be supposed of those that liue vnder the Turkes gouernement: for they that are resident in good townes, speake indifferently Greeke or Turkish: but those that lead their liues in hamlets and villages, retaine onely the know∣ledge and vnderstanding of the Greeke tongue. They also still reserue the proper names of things, except it be in those places where other nations haue often intruded and crept in, and this is more to be obserued in coast townes than in any other seated further with∣in the countrie: for they haue practised so long with the Turkish and Italian tongues, as [ E] they haue mixed with their language many words of both these nations which doe free∣quent and conuerse with them. The Turkes likewise borrow many words of the Greekes to expresse those things which they found in Greece, and that before they neuer knew nor heard of.

And although the Greekes doe not euer vse the selfe same word in all prouinces to expresse one and the selfe same thing, yet doe they all draw neere to the auncient words, but principally in those things which haue their peculiar and proper nomi∣nations.

The nobler and richer sort are apparelled after their manner whom they acknow∣ledge for superiours: but the common people both vnder the Venetian and Turkish go∣uernements, [ F] whether they inhabit in the Islands or on the firme land, retaine none of their auncient manners and fashions. All they which now dwell there, weare their haire verie long, cutting the tuft vpon their foreheads, and on the forepart of their heads. They weare double hats, and verie thicke. All of them possesse for the most part but few

[ A] moueables, euen as the Turkes, nor lye vpon featherbeds, but vpon mattresses filled with flocks. They mingle not their wine with water, they drinke carouses to the emptie cup. But their women are neuer present, nor assist at their excesse, neither do they feast with them: and generally they had rather eat fish, than flesh.

The Macedonians, especially those that liue in Albania, which we haue placed in Ma∣cedonia, are rude, and like to the Scythians: they are very valiant, but principally in foot encounters. There are no men in the world more delighted in boothaling than they. These Albanois have a particular language by themselues, different both from the Tur∣kish and Sclauonian.

[ B] As for Epyrus, which is a part of Albania, the inhabitants in Sommer go forth of their countrie in troupes, by reason of the barrennesse, and go into Macedonia, Romania, and Natolia, labouring, and taking paines for the Turkes, being hired to reape corne, and to winnow and clense the same. These returne home againe after Autumne, there to liue du∣ring the Winter and the Spring time, with their wiues and children. They haue also a se∣uerall language from the Greekes, of which notwithstanding they are not altogether ignorant.

From this prouince it is, that the Aydones, Vscocques, Martelosses, and Morlaques come, which are men as swift of foot as may be, vntamed, and apt to vndergo any toile or paines, and as valiant and resolute as can be, who bend their minds to nothing else, but [ C] how to rob and steale in the mountaines of Albania, and throughout all the kingdome of Bosnia, and in Dalmatia, where they also imploy themselues, to scoure vp and downe the riuers in little squises.

¶ The auncient gouernment of Athens.

BEcause we meane to refer the full discourse of the riches, forces, and gouernment of [ XXIII] Greece to the generall consideration of the Turkes slate and greatnesse, which we haue reserued for a shutting vp and conclusion: and for that many who know how wise∣ly the Athenian policie was planted and laid, may be desirous of this relation, as well as [ D] of the Lacedemonians, I haue thought good to relate the policie and gouernment both of the one, and other, that so nothing may be wanting in this worke, that iustly may be esteemed and held essentiall and necessarie.

The citie of Athens was heretofore highly reputed of, and gouerned by very sage and prudent men, who framed her commonweale. The foundation and beginning of this ci∣tie, is attributed to Minerua: intimating hereby, how it was prudence and wisedome that first built it. Theseus was her restorer, but Solon was the man that conferred greatest good vpon her, seeing he enacted such lawes amongst the Athenians, that other nations disdained not to follow the same lawes; yea, and when the Romans laid the foundation of their Estate, they sent Embassadours to make sute for Solons lawes, aduowing them by [ E] this action, for the most excellent institutions in the whole world: and behold the order of this commonweale.

The Athenians, who tooke it for a great honour to be tearmed originaries of this countrie, and not descended from any other nation, nor comming from any other place, were distinguished by three speciall names: the first were called Eupatrides, that is to say, Nobles, being the same in Athens, that the Patricians were in Rome: the second, were the Geomores, that is to say, Rusticke, so called, for that in auncient times, they ob∣tained a part of the Atticke territorie, to manure and till the same: the third were all sorts of Artizans, that practised within the citie all mechanicall trades and mysteries: but this word Dimiourge, signifying an artizan, had likewise the same sence and meaning [ F] which our word Tollgatherer hath.

They which excelled the rest in honour and in yeares, were called Demogerontes, as it were Senators, that receiued from the people soueraigne authoritie and respect. The first name of Indigina was not giuen to the soile, in steed of the people, nor yet to the ci∣tie, but onely to those whose predecessors by a common and generall consent had lead

their liues in Athens, & could giue apparant testimonie, that they deriued their originall [ A] from no other place. These names and titles they retained, vntill other fact••o••s and se∣ditions did arise, by meanes whereof diuisions grew betweene the comm•••• veale, and the people which continued vntill the time that Draco ordained Magistrates, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 caused the Athenians to establish an Oligarchie, that is to say, a forme of gouernment consisting of few. Their names were Pedians, Diacrians, Parales, and Etimorians. The first sort, with their riches and wealth, as being the mightier, fauoured the Oligarchie. The Diacrians affected popular gouernment, being much grieued that the more powerfull sort should hold the greatest places and commaunds in the commonweale. The Parales backing sometimes one, and then another partie, tooke euer that side they thought fittest for [ B] them, hindring thereby both there owne, and also other mens libertie. But in the meane time, all iniuries tell vpon the miserable Etimorians, who were men but of smal meanes; for they were constrained euery yeare, to giue the sixth part of their goods to the migh∣tier sort. And by this meanes it came to passe, that the miserable citisens being stripped of all power and assistance, were enforced to yeeld, and to be subiect to the will and dis∣position of the rich.

But that we may the better vnderstand the people of Athens, and what vigilancie and care the magistrats vsed, to retaine it in dutie and obedience, I thinke it fit and conuenient to relate here that which Polybius mentioneth in his sixth booke.

The people of Athens saith he were like to a Pylot of some abandond and driuen ship: [ C] for euen as the Pylot commands his ships or companie, and they readily obey him, when they are reunited after some disorder, by reason of some furious tempest, or for feare of assailing enemies: but when his marriners are in securitie, they then grow to contemne their head; and each particular man followes his owne priuat opinion; so as one sort wil beare forward, and the other will enforce the maister of the ship to put in with a port; so as I say▪ such debates may seeme very strange, and to see some strike saile, and others striue to go on in their course, by reason of the oares or helme which are in their hands, whereby many times they run into eminent perills: euen so falls it out with the people of Athens; for when their commonweale had surmounted many great daungers, both by the peoples vertue, and by the noble merits of many renowned captaines, and magi∣strats, [ D] at list it came to finall and vtter ruine, through occasions of no great weight or im∣portance, splitting a sunder vpon those rockes which were no waies to be feared. Here you see what Polybius saies

But to come to the mutinies of this seditious sort: these men were of such opposite humours, and contrarie wills, as they could deuise no other meanes, but to seeke after a monarchie, or to constitut a head that might suppresse or keepe vnder so many discordant and iarring spirites. By generall consent therefore of all, especially of the inferior people, Solon was called to the gouernment, both for his integritie, and honestie, as also, in that he neuer had yeelded his consent to any of those proceedings which were attempted in preiudice of the people. [ E]

Now though ingeniously he refused this dignitie, yet would he not faile to succour and relieue the commonweale, being now in decaying and in a desperat estate; and ther∣fore by his singular wisdome and counsell, he laboured to reforme and reestablish it. And first of all, he thought it expedient to restore and set vp those who had beene ouerwhel∣med by the power and authoritie of the great men; so as to this end he enacted a law, by which he disannulled and made void all those obligations, and bonds which the poore had signed and past to the rich, euen to the submitting of their bodies to slauish seruitude: and he decreed, that no man should vsurpe vpon other mens liberties, for any other inte∣rests or respects how due and iust soeuer. They to whom he communicated this law, be∣fore the promulgation thereof, were tearmed Creocopides, which is to say, cutters off of [ F] othermens debts, the which they did to gratifie those whom they knew to be desirous of such a law. There are some which affirme, that the men of mean condition, and poore qualitie, cleared their debts by another meanes, and therfore the value of all coine was raised; so as what before was worth seuentie drachmas, was then raised to the rate of an

[ A] hundred mines, and debts were payed at the value of the auncient rate.

But both these things are no wayes supportable the one without the other, for such cutting off of debts would haue been as burdensome to creditors, as pleasing to the poo∣rer sort: so as it would haue beene no meanes to extinguish the fire of those factions, but rather an occasion to encrease it: for the augmentation and addition of these mynes could not serue the poores turne for payment of their debts: but we must needs suppose that Solon performed both these points at the same time; my meaning is, he augmented and added to the rich, what by course of law they could neuer otherwise haue recoue∣red of the poore. And for that all Lawgiuers ought to begin with themselues for a pat∣terne [ B] and example, he franckly remitted six talents of gold of his owne debt, which in French coyne amounted to about fortie or fortie fiue thousand crownes.

When matters hung vpon the point of alteration and change, the law ordained could not please, for the rich stood out that they were hardly entreated, and the poore were put to labour and till the Attick soyle; yet notwithstanding in time, and by reason of the ge∣nerall peace and accord that did grow from such a law, it was so approued and applauded by euerie one, as they gaue it the title of Sisachtia, and layed it vp amongst holie and sa∣cred things.

When the affaires were thus by little and little accommodated, he resolued like a good physitian to preuent a second relapse into the former disorders and miseries, and therefore he made an estimate of all the peoples goods, that so euerie one (according to his abilitie [ C] and meanes, being otherwise of good life and conuersation) might enioy honours and dignities in the Commonwealth, making herein no difference betweene the gentlemen and the common people, he hauing a speciall care, notwithstanding that such nobles as were then possessed of any magistracie, should not without their owne liking be constrai∣ned to surrender their places.

And so by this meanes he vnited those of eminent condition, with the others of poo∣rer and baser qualitie, & so much the rather, for that before none of the common people were permitted to execute any charge in the Commonwealth.

Then he diuided the people into foure parts, by the inuention of this tribute which they were to pay, and their names were Pentacosiomidymnes, Hippians, Zeftites, and [ D] Thites.

The valour of the first men in dignitie was rated at fiue hundred muys, euerie muys is about fiue quarters. This was the first and chiefest rate; and these were the principallest men in all Athens next to the Senators: the Pentacosiomidymnes charge was, when need required, to doe that which was necessarie for the Commonwealth.

These were followed by those whom they rated at three hundred muys, and they were called Hippians, because they were able to keepe horses, and in time of warre they were bound to allow as much as would maintaine a man and a horse in seruice for a whole yeare. The Zestites came next, who were valued at fiue hundred medimnes, that is to [ E] say, halfe mynes, euerie myne is valued at two of our bushells.

Aristotle makes mention of them in the institutions of Solon, whereof he speakes in his Politickes. Then the Thites, they were goldsmiths, dyers, and other such mechanicall trades, and these payed but one crowne to the Commonwealth, which was called Thi∣tick. The later sort could neuer attaine to any magistracie, while (through the pouertie of their state) they continued in this meane degree.

Solon hauing ordained matters in this sort, he made the Commonwealth whole and found againe, which before was but in doubtfull and declining estate: and to the end that these lawes might be ratified with the greater approofe and authoritie, they being imposed both vpon the nobles and the people, he drew a liking from the first, promising [ F] them the continuance of tables and records, and from the other, by feeding them with hopes of a diuision of the Attick territorie.

And when they felt the true benefit and commoditie, they were so pleased therewith, as they consecrated this law to immortalitie.

Now you haue heard how peace and accord was setled among the people, I hold it [ XXIIII]

fit to looke a little into the first beginning of Tribes. All nations and cities (as Titus ••∣uius sayes) were accustomed to draw their extractions from some famous men, or el••e from those whom fond antiquitie hath put in the number of gods, and therefore many of them pretend, Iupiter, Mars, Mercurie, Pallas, Vulcan, and other such like monstrous de••∣ties to be their founders and protectors.

The Athenians were of the number of those which did content themselues with one onely nobilitie of stocke, that is to say, with the protection of Pallas, but further they imposed many names and titles on diuers parts of their people, whom they called Tribes: and these nominations were deriued from the Eponomes, or Heroes, whose memoriall yet continued amongst men, for they had their seuerall statues erected, not so much for [ B] their owne vertue and merits, as to the end others might imitate them, and striue also to become more worthie and excellent.

There were at the first, foure Tribes: one was called Cecropides, of old Cecrops: ano∣ther Autochton, that is to say, indigenarie, or originall: the third Actee: and the fourth Paralia. Cranaus making further search of these names, he constitutes foure differences. One of these Tribes he names Cranaides of himselfe: another Attida: the third Dia∣crites: and the fourth Mezogena. Attida, of the name of the countrie; Diacrites, of a high place in Athens; and Mezogena of the part in the middest.

The mother of Ericthonius, to couer her adulterie, made shew that he was Iupiters sonne, and this sonne sayning to giue thankes to his father, remouing all the auncient [ C] names, he imposed foure vpon the Athenians, drawne from those of the gods, so as one Tribe he called Diade, of Iupiters name; another Athenaides, from that of Minerua; the third Ephestiades, from Vulcan; and the fourth Possidonia, from Neptune, then subdiui∣ding each of these into three parts, the number did arise to twelue.

These parts thus diuided, did continue till Alemeons time, which was about six hun∣dred and sixtie yeares: Then he, from an aunswer of Apollos Oracle, nominated ten Tribes, in consideration of the princes of great reputation that raigned before him.

Their names and seuerall titles were, Cecropia, Erecta, Egea, Pandionia, Acaman∣tes, Leontes, Eneides, Hippotoontes, Antioches, and Eantes, to which they add Antigo∣nia, and Demetria, to make vp the number twelue, and each of these was subdiuided into [ D] three other parts: so that all together, they came to be in number six and thirtie. In the prosecution of this our discourse, you shall plainely discerne of what importance this or∣dination and establishment was. Now therefore that you know the people, and haue justly numbred their seuerall ranckes and distributions, it is time we should come to dis∣course of their magistrats.

Their magistrats therefore were chosen three manner of waies, that is, either by lot, by voyce of the people, and by election for wealth and dignities sake. All magistrats elected for trialls and judgements, were chosen by lot; and the Senat thus elected, was tearmed the Councell of fiue hundred men: the peoples voyce tooke place in the choice of Captaines, Camp-maisters, and Generalls of armies. [ E]

They who were chosen for nobilitie, dignitie, and riches, were called Chorages, and assisted at publique pompes and sacrifices, wherein they spent bountifully, and these were of the number of Ten. We see therefore that the Commonwealth was knit and vnited together by these three bands: for the Iudges defended the citie, by equitie and right, against the insolencies and iniuries of citisens, neighbours, and strangers: the soul∣diers maintayned and augmented the extent of their dominion and territorie: and reli∣gion held mens soules in puritie and integritie. I will therefore treat of these seuerall dignities in order, beginning first with the Areopagites.

The Senat of Areopagites, for their strict and seuere justice, was verie famous, and of great note amongst all those of whom Histories haue made mention. And as it was of [ F] great esteeme and honour, so was the number of them not small, though vncertaine, and this vncertaintie proceeded from the nine Thesmothetes, of whom we will speake in their proper place: for when the time of their magistracie was expired, which continued for a yeare, and that they had yeelded vp an account of their imployments to the Lo∣gistes;

[ A] some were receiued amongst the Areopagites. They were to come before the Lo∣gists, whose magistracie was ordained for the common good, they deliuered their names to some publicke officer, who was to make a solemne crie in these words: Who so euer can accuse such a one of any corruption or iniustice, let him come, for now the tearme of his magistracie is expired. Vpon this general crie, al accusers that could any waies inform against him, were admitted: and the seuere censures of the Logists was the cause that few were found cleerely innocent and irreprehensible, to augment the number of this order: for who so euer was accused of auarice, or any such offence, he was neuer recei∣ued into this societie. And for that there might be no partialitie nor fauour in these Syn∣dications, [ B] men were examined and tried before the Senat and the people. The Thesmo∣thetans therefore tooke away many euery yeare; they left the number doubtfull and vn∣certaine. This institution was inuented by Solon, with the seueritie of the Efetans, who were to the number of one and fiftie, before Solons gouernment, and determined of ca∣pitall and criminall offences; this being an imployment which was discharged by the kings person before they were established: wherefore by these mens authoritie and repu∣tation, Solon established a Senat of soueraigne dignitie in the commonweale, for they did not onely judge and sentence matters criminall, but they did also determine of other things of far greater moment & importance. The magistrat of the Areopagites, was called by the Grecians, Adiadoxon, that is to say, perpetuall, and full of care. And though they imposed publicke punishments vpon all criminall offendors, yet the proper subiect and [ C] vse of their tribunalls was to trie poisonings, murthers, woundings, fires, ambushes, or treasons plotted against the commonweale, with many other such like.

Their iudgements were denounced in this manner: When the accused stood before them after the first interrogatories, accompanied with coniectures, testimonies, and preg∣nant proofes, they presently pronounced sentence without vsing any long delaies, to cut off all preuention. It was not lawful for the Areopagites to be moued with any compassi∣on. In their rigor & seueritie they resembled the Efetes, for that they punished the crime according to the proportion and qualitie of the offence.

Orators also were generally prohibited to persuade or moue the Iudges to compassi∣on. When the offendor was imprisoned, (as put the case it were for a murther commit∣ted) [ D] the parents, familiars, and friends of the dead man, were called vpon by a publicke cryer, with whose consent and agreement, the punishment was inflicted, and the sentence was euer conformable to the damage and preiudice receiued.

But as the Areopagites were very carefull and circumspect in denouncing these judge∣ments, so it fell out but seldome, that they had charge to performe the same: for they fate onely three daies in a moneth, and neuer assembled but in very needful cases, and about trialls of great importance. Lucian saies, that the Areopagites were woont to judge in the night, and with great silence, to the end they might not be ouerreacht by their subti∣litie, which spake in the presence of many, as also that other mens plees and tryalls might [ E] not be interrupted while they did attend and harken. And questionlesse they practised this silence not without speciall reason because they were the more attentiue to heare the of∣fendor, neither did they discouer the secrets of judgements, and they alwaies set downe their sentences in writing, that so they might neuer swarue from their aduice and coun∣sell who were most learned and expert, or had more yeres, or else peraduenture that they might readily make answere to any obiection or calumniation made.

Valerius the Great, auerres how this Senat had the charge to know whatsoeuer any par∣ticular Athenian did, and how he liued: and furthermore they prouided that men might take honest courses, and dayly carried in mind, that they should yeeld an account of their liuing, and conuersation. The same Senat likewise decreed, that good citisens might be [ F] adorned with a crowne, preferring this custome, because they knew that honour and re∣ward were the only spurs and instigations to vertue.

Let vs now come to the Nomothetes, which title comprehends many sorts of digni∣ties, the which I will expresse before I proceed any further. I find in Suydas that there were three Nomothetes or Law giuers in Athens▪ Draco was one, Solon another, and Aes∣chyles

the third, not the Poet, but another borne in Athens. [ A]

Besides this, the Athenians by the word Nomothete, vnderstood a conuocation or as∣semblie of a thousand citisens, who had power and authoritie to see the lawes obserued, to peruse and renew, to change and accommodate them, euen as they judged it most fit and necessarie.

These had authoritie to deliuer vnto the people whether any lawes propounded did like them or no; and all motions or propositions were of no force, except the magistracie of the Nomothetes did signe and subscribe to the same.

These also were assistant at the tryalls and judgements of cases of importance, and if the plaintife or defendant obeyed not their sentence, they condemned him to three [ B] drachmes fine in presence of the Arcon. This is the opinion of Pollux: but Buda relates it more at large, and after what manner these lawes were vsually propounded. Marke his words:

Demosthenes reports that Solon, among other things, ordained that when any law should be propounded to the people, it should first be recited by the Law-giuer, then set vp in writing in some eminent place within the citie much frequented by the people; and when the Secretarie of State had giuen it to read to the assemblie, to the end if any circum∣stance were amisse it might be reformed, and that last of all it had beene shewed to the Nomothetes to be confirmed and approued by them, that then it should become a rati∣fied law.

The Nomothetes were different from the Nomophilactes or gardians of the laws; for [ C] the Nomothetes approbations were but vaine and fruitlesse, except they were religiously obserued and kept, & judgements giuen according to the purport and meaning of them: but this was the particular charge and prerogatiue of the Nomophylactes. Cicero des∣cribes their office and function in his third booke of lawes, in these words:

The most di∣ligent among the Grecians who created the Nomophylactes did not onely obserue the words and letters, but also the actions of men, reducing them vnder a law.

The Nomophilactes were in the second ranke of dignitie, the chiefe of which order did weare a bonnet or cap of linnen cloth, and although the Areopagites were somtimes carefull to see the lawes obserued, yet this no waies abridged the authoritie of the No∣mophilactes, [ D] seeing there is no impediment, but that an office may sometimes ouersee and looke into matters which do not properly belong to the place, when speciall times and occasions require.

After these, there were the fiue hundred who tooke knowledge of ciuile causes, and of such criminall actions as fell out amongst men. These were many times the Areopagites lieutenants, and the great number of them was the cause that in their societie, no impietie or corruption could take place. And because so great a multitude assembled together in one place, could hardly execute that which was fit and conuenient, they were distributed into ten parts, according to the number of the Tribes, and euerie fiftie had speciall daies allotted them to judge and giue sentence, and there were fiue and thirtie daies, on which [ E] they discharged their due office and function. Now this number of daies ten times mul∣tiplied, conformable to the Athenian computation, comes to accomplish the Lunarie yeare, consisting of three hundred and fiftie daies: but our yeare of the Sunne hath more than theirs by fifteene daies and a quarter; and by reason of the superfluous number of these fiftie, they elected ten, whom they called presidents, out of which seuen were drawn by lot euery weeke, and euery day one of the Presidents sate vpon matters that required expedition and dispatch, and in the euening the keys of the forts were brought to him that had beene President the day before.

But we shall haue occasion to speake more of this hereafter. When the terme of these fiue hundred grew to be expired, the assemblie or conuocation of these was these called [ F] Prithania, and then as many suppose they lookt to the prouisions of corne, to recouer money due to the publicke treasurie, to prouide that none might commence suits or acti∣ons out of order, and such like matters.

The Pritani paid the Iudges with such summes of money as were collected vpon the

[ A] consignations of those that pleaded, and others that had performed any good seruice to the Commonwealth. They were so named, by reason of the place where they gaue sen∣tence, where such as had well deserued of the Commonwealth were maintained and kept. This order commonly had an eye to the Edicts, decrees, and lawes, censuring such lawes as were interpreted contrarie to their true sence and meaning. And questi∣onlesse the people, without this preuention, might easily haue many times reuolted, see∣ing they many times approue and seeke after those things which are hurtfull and preiudi∣ciall to themselues, if the wisdome and councell of others did not preuent these inconue∣niences. These men had the charge of warre and peace, of truces, of embassies, and edicts.

[ B] Vnder these ordinances they were woont to subscribe in this forme: Policles the prince: the sixt of Iulie, the Iudges of the Commonwealth being of the tribe of Pandion, Demost∣benes Peatronian made the decree; and he that was there named, was Arcon, of whose office we will further treat in its proper place, and the tribe named was of the fiftie men, who being drawne out of those fiue hundred, gouerned the Commonweale.

For that the number of ciuile causes encreased daily more and more, and the fiftie were not sufficient to heare them, they tooke fortie foure arbitrators to assist them, part by lot, and part by election. But they were all to be aboue threescore yeares old, and men repu∣ted of honest life and conuersation: They were alwaies in such places where the plea∣ders might find out a conuenient number at an instant, and these carried themselues after [ C] this manner: the plaintife and defendant made choyce of such out of this number as they liked best, couenanting, that if they began to contest before them, they should before their departure finish and end the suit, and he that did not obey their sentence, was punished. They that were elected by lot, were not admitted to any examination of the cause, but on∣ly reported it to the Senat, that so they might determine and judge thereof. The Greekes, instead of ballots or lots of gold and siluer, vsed white and blacke beanes.

The Zitietes, that is to say, Inquisitors, differed verie little from the Dietetes, whose office (according to Pollux) was to enquire after those causes and controuersies, whose nature and qualitie did not euidently appeare, and so to deliuer the sincere truth to the Senat. As for the elected arbitrators, if any of them committed a fault vnworthie of his [ D] ranke and place, either he was seuerely punisht, or ignominiously expelled out of the societie of others.

All judgements and trialls of sacred matters were heard before them, as before holie men. Pollux writes also, that they could not sit vpon any cause which exceeded the va∣lue of ten Drachmaes.

Furthermore they had certaine captaines of gallies, called Trierarques, whose number Authors doe not set downe, for that as necessitie required, the number was diminisht or augmented: onely thus much is knowne, that there were twelue deputed to this charge, who in times of peace were gouernours of the place where the ships lay moord. In time of warre, they obeyed their Generalls and Captaines. The Trierarques had also charge [ E] to repaire and trim vp the gallies at their proper costs and charges, for the vse of the com∣monweale.

This magistracie was not imposed, but the charge thereof was committed to a certaine number of citisens: but this office by little and little declining, Demosthenes reduced it to a better state, who made a law concerning them that should be elected to this charge, as in many places we may perceiue, but more particularly in his oration against Aeschi∣nes: Behold you Athenians (saith he) what benefit and commoditie I haue brought vn∣to you, in gouerning the Commonwealth? for seeing the want of all things which con∣cerned prouisions for the sea, & the citisens exempted from contributions, hauing paied little money, as also, they that tooke vpon them the charge were but of weake estates, [ F] and that by this meanes the strength and force of your Commonwealth impayred, I made a law, whereby citisens were enioyned to pay, according to the generall sesse∣ment, that which by law they ought, and the poore I haue defended from the wrong and oppression which they suffered thereby; but a little after, he speakes of this matter much more perspicuously.

By the first constitution of lawes, they vsed to defray all together the charge of a gal∣lie, [ A] when the rich layed downe but little, and the poore citisens were surcharged with ouerheauie taxations and payments. But by my law it was ordained, that euerie mans estate should be estimated, and that he which before did furnish but the tenth part of the charge of a gallie, should now defray the charge of two in all: and therefore they would not before this be called Trierarques, but contributors.

We read in Pollux, that there were eleuen men tearmed Nomophylacts, and Epar∣ques, that is to say, Presidents. The ten men, saith he, were chosen out of euerie Tribe, and the Chauncellor made vp the full number. These mens charge was to conuict theeues, and to judge and punish those that remained in prisons, as well as other male∣factors, [ B] who denying the fact before them, were sent before other Iudges, and if before the last they contest themselues guiltie of the crime, the former Iudges imposed the pu∣nishment vpon them. These eleuen men were like to those in France which are called Prouosts-Marshalls. The place where they fate in judgement was called Nomophi∣lachion, and it had one gate called Xeronion, through which malefactors were conducted to their executions. Suidas obserues, that these Nomophylactes were different from the former, because they forced the Iudges to liue according to the lawes, and these onely constrained the meaner people.

As for the ten men, which were Presidents, though they should be ranckt among the fiue hundred men, out of whom they were chosen, yet because I haue followed the grea∣ter [ C] number in magistracies, and these were an order verie remarkable and note worthie, I thinke good to make of them a particular and speciall relation.

They therefore vsed to draw fiftie men, out of the fiue hundred that were in the ten Tribes, and out of the fiftie, ten, which gouerned the Commonwealth. But some one may peraduenture demand of me how they could elect and chuse one, whom his owne vertue made illustrious and worthie. To the which I answer, that this might easily be: euen as we see it happens among the Venetians, who first constitute electors by lot, which nominate the parties competitors, and then their names being put into a vessel or vrine, the lots are drawne according to voyces. I told you before, that after they had cho∣sen fiftie of this societie, ten out of these were elected by lot, with dead voyces, I meane [ D] with a pluralitie of beanes. And thus we see that in these elections, there was a kind of commixtion in lot, yet no wayes hereby cutting off the recompence of vertue, but judge∣ing sincerely according to the true rule thereof. Of these ten which were chosen, there were but seuen that could obtaine the office of presidencie: and so the lots fell amongst these ten men, that the three which remained were no waies offended with this election. And because that he which was the chiefe magistrat amongst them, was called a Presi∣dent, all of them had a share in the honour of this dignitie, and there was a speciall care had, that none should be chosen to this place twice in one yeare, during which presiden∣cie, he had alwaies about him the keyes of the castle, those of the publique treasurie, and the broad seale of the Commonwealth; and whensoeuer the Pritanes summoned the Se∣nat, [ E] they chose within the nine Tribes nine presidents, but out of that which was called Pritanensis, whereof the other president was head, they did not vse to chuse any other. After this, out of these nine, a successour was chosen, to whom the gouernement of the Commonwealth was committed. In his audience, he had the charge that no testimonie should be omitted, whereby the Iudge might be better informed and instructed.

Harpocration saith this of the Epithetes, speaking of the sentence denounced by Isea a∣gainst Espagores: There are (saith he) two Epithetes in Athens, one chosen by lot by the Pritani, and the other by the Proedres, whose office Aristotle declares.

Hiperides obserues, that euerie man which had the hearing and comprimitting of any affaire, was called an Epithete. The Proedra was as it were the chiefe and head of the po∣licie [ F] and gouernement. Their office and dignitie was verie great, as in this discourse of Demostenes we may perceiue.

The eleuenth day of the first moneth, after that the publique crier had giuen notice that they should assemble to giue vp their voyces, for approbation of the lawes: first those

[ A] which belonged to the Senat, then of the others touching the people, and thirdly, of such as were brought in by the nine men.

That the first part of those who were to giue vp their voices, must be chosen out of their number, who as it seemes were to ratifie and confirme such lawes as they ena∣cted touching the Councell, and the Senat: and the second of those, they thought fit to contradict and oppose.

The second lotterie of voices shal be prescribed; and if it so fall out that any lawes are to be abrogated, which before were preferred, the Pritani (whose authoritie then comes in) shall sit the last day of the election with the Senat for this purpose, as also the Proedre [ B] shall judge and determine of the same point. Then they commaund out of what place the money shall be leuied, which must be giuen to the Nomothetes, that they may the better gouerne and rule the commonweale. That the Nomothetes must be of their num∣ber that sware in Eliea. After the Eliea, if the Pritani haue not constituted such a Senat as the laws prescribe, & if the Proedri do not gouerne iustly, each of them to be condem∣ned in a 1000 drachmas, which must be consecrated to the treasurie of Pallas, and each of the Proedres giues foure hundred to the same goddesse, and they deliuer their accu∣sation into the office of the Tesmothetes. That examination be made, whether during their magistracie they owe any thing to the publicke coffers: if they be conuicted of any such crime, let the Tesmothetes imprison them, & refusing to do it, let them be subiect to [ C] the note of infamie, & expelled out of the companie of the Areopagites, as contemners of the gouernment of lawes. Before the Senat assembled to speake, he that would pro∣pound any laws should digest them in writing, in the office of Eponimes, to the end that according to the number, the people may haue a time prescribed from the Nomothetes to examine them. And whosoeuer requires the introduction of a new law, shall not on∣ly prefer it once, but euery day in the office of the Eponimes, vntil the Senat makes their solemne session and assemblie. Let the Eponime chuse out of all the number of the Athe∣nians, fiue men that may haue the charge to defend and protect the lawes.

We haue spoken sufficiently of the lawes: now we must expresse the forme of their oaths, collected out of the same author; it was therefore performed in this manner.

[ D] Neither tyrants, nor affectors of principalitie shall euer be assisted by my fauor or sup∣port in the commonweale, & I will neuer take part with him that shall corrupt the people of Athens, or that shall ordaine or wish the contaric. I will neuer permit that new tables be made, or a partition of other mens actiue debts, neither of the Atticke territorie. I wil neuer repeale any banished man. I will permit him to be expelled the citie, that shall not obserue the lawes and ordinances of the Athenian Senat and people, and I wil not to my power permit any wrong or iniurie to be done to any man. I will neuer confirme any magistrate, to the end that he who hath not yeelded a strict account of his magistracie past, may haue another, either out of men in generall, or out of those which are chosen by the Proedres with beanes: and I will not permit any to discharge one and the selfe [ E] same magistracie twice in a yeare, neither two magistrates for one office, within the same tearme. I will not receiue any bribe or recompence. After I haue heard the accuser and defender, I will condemne him that in conscience I thinke worthie, without affection or exception of persons. I sweare by Iupiter, by Neptune, and by Ceres, let them destroy me, to∣gether with my familie and children, if I do not obserue the articles aboue mentioned. Thus you haue heard Demosthenes words.

Hauing spoken sufficiently of the ten men, and their office; it is now fit time to re∣late their assemblies and conuocations, for giuing vp of voices and suffrages.

Ilaque, or Iliasis was their highest Tribunall▪ before whom publicke causes were heard by a thousand or fifteene hundred citisens of greatest note and marke in the citie. There [ F] were fiue hundred in one place, one thousand vpon two benches, and fifteene hundred on three. Iliasestai signifies the same, as to admister justice in this place, and Iliasis im∣ports, to assemble or congregate to judgements. Lysias vseth these two words in one and the selfe same signification.

The ballottes which they vsed for giuing vp of their voices, were of two sorts, one was

whole and entire, the other pierced and hollow, and with these they vsed to absolue or [ A] condemne, to affirme or contradict. They had a vessell, by which they conueyed the voi∣ces or suffrages into two vrnes, one of which was of wood, and the other of copper. The Interpretor of Demosthenes oration for Timocrates is very different, for he saies, that insteed of stones they vsed blacke and white beanes, to the end they might the better be distinguished; as also that one of the stones was whole, and the other hollow; where Chiamastetai signifies to chuse a magistrate with beanes: and therefore we read that Py∣thagoras aduised men to refraine from beans, not so much because they are windie, but to intimate that he who would liue peaceably, free from ambition, and no waies subiect to the crosses of fortune, must not encumber himselfe with any magistracie, nor affect digni∣ties, [ B] which were distributed and conferred by the meanes of beanes.

There were also ten Apodects that is to say, one for each Tribe: these were much like to those whom we do now call Collectors of taxes and subsidies. The charge and fun∣ction of the Apodectes was, when he receiued letters from the commonweale (as the elected in France do, when they would exact or raise a summe vpon a prouince for some important affaires of the king) they compelled all those people that were thus indebted vnto the commonweale to pay according vnto their meanes. The Antigreffier, or Con∣troller, was present at the receipt of the mony, & vpon the receipt, euery particular mans rate was recorded, and the distributions of other accompts were referred to the Logists.

If after the account made, there remained any thing to pay, the officers paid it out of [ C] their owne purses. But if any matter fell out (as many times there did) which was to be tried and pleaded, this contestation was before the nine men, and they promised to pay whatsoeuer should be adiudged, putting in sufficient pledge or caution.

The Apodectes differed onely in this point from these, in that they might only receiue, but not constraine them. After these, the Treasurers were established: the captaines of war: those that had the ouersight of publicke huntings, then the receiuers of presents, and others, whose charge was to looke to many necessarie workes.

After these were the Logists or maisters of the accounts, to the number of ten, drawne out of the Tribes. All those that approched neere to the accomplishment of their ma∣gistracie, were bound within the thirtie daies preceding this expiration, to giue vp an [ D] account of whatsoeuer matters had past through their hands. Aristotle writes, that these differed from the Eutines, who had another kind of accounts.

The Eutines sate with the nine princes, and tooke notice of all that was taken from the publicke, when any one came to the end of his magistracie.

There was two Logists (saies Pollux) in Athens, one that managed the affaires of the Senat, and another that discharged necessarie negotiations out of the Senat, these were chosen by the Senat, to the end that they might view the accounts of all the manage∣ments of the commonweale.

This office of Logists is plainely to be obserued in the oration of Aeschines against De∣mosthenes and Ctesiphon. First the law commaunds, saith he, that the Senat of the Areopa∣gites [ E] be enrolled by the Logists, being no waies exempt from yeelding vp vnto them a just account of all their proceedings, and there this oration affirmes that the Logists were maisters, and superuisors of this venerable Senat; and after these, that the fiue hundred likewise yeelded an account of their magistracie: for the commonweale was so diffident of such as had not yeelded a due account of their seuerall imploiments, as those people were by no meanes permitted to go out of the towne nor to haue any power ouer their owne goods, they could not consecrate any thing to the gods, nor enfranchise slaues, but all their goods and whole estate was engaged to the commonweale. Some may here say, that it stands with no reason, that he which hath neither disbursed, nor exacted any thing for the commonweale, should giue an account. But I aunswere, that no man, what∣soeuer [ F] his offices haue bin, must be exempted from giuing an account of his charge to the citie & commonweale. Then a little after he adds: You ought, O Demosthenes, to haue diuulged it by the voice of the publicke crier, according to the custome of the countrie, if any man would haue accused him. Thus you see what Aeschines saies.

[ A] Questionlesse if there were the like law amongst vs, theft should be preuented in col∣lectors and others, especially if we did but entertaine the complaints of such as could ac∣cuse and conuict them. There were also Controllers or Antigraphes, which registred these accounts and examinations.

Aeschines sayes, that these Antigraphes were first chosen by suffrages or voyces, and they vpon all commissions of the Pritani, were to declare vnto the people the reuenues of the Commonwealth.

Suidus saith, that there was one Antigraphe belonging to the Senat, another constitu∣ted for publique administrations. Furthermore (according to the same Author) there [ B] were three Secretaries, which recorded and kept the acts of the Senat.

The Greekes say, that there was one in euerie tribe, which is verie probable, because it is almost impossible that so weightie a burden of the Commonwealth, growing at first from popular sedition, should be supported by three Secretaries, seeing there were so many Iudges, and that they were distributed into so many seuerall orders.

Aeschynes makes a further addition, and saies, that the Secretaries kept their names en∣rolled in bookes, who had not yeelded an account to the Commonwealth of their pub∣lique imployments.

The Athenians had also Demarkes or Tribunes of the people, but not absolutely such, and of that nature, as you shall perceiue in considering their offices and duties.

[ C] Many write that there were ten heads or principalls of the Tribunes. Pollux saith, that they succeeded in stead in the Naicraires, and that there was in euerie tribe twelue parts, euerie one of which was named a Nacraire, ouer which a Demarke commanded.

The Nacraires were bound to furnish the Commonwealth in time of warre, with two horses and a ship. There were therefore six score Nacraires, as many Demarkes, as many ships, and two hundred and fortie horse raised by this meanes in time of warre, besides those that were entertained out of the publique coffers: first they tooke care of all things belonging to naual preparation▪ and therefore they were verie burdensome to the poore, for that each of them paid according to the ground, houses, or merchandise that they pos∣sessed, or to the mysterie and trade they exercised; and if they payed not, they might be [ D] ingaged to the value of the summe that was due.

To the end that the Demarkes might more easily recouer money of the people with lesse oppression, they set downe in writing, what ground euerie man held in the prouin∣ces, and Attick territorie, barren or fruitfull, and so exacted these payments according to their meanes, and the mysteries which they professed.

When the Demarkes had receiued this money, their second office was to enroll the names of all such young men as were fit for their yeares to gouerne their owne Estates, and enheritances, which did redound to the great benefit of the Commonwealth: for the younger sort, and such as wanted experience, were not permitted to enioy and dis∣pose of their estates, while they were in yeares apt to wast and consume the same. More∣ouer, [ E] when any question grew about any of their mariages, they had recourse to the booke wherein euerie mans name was enrolled, and the day of his birth, and so by this meanes they were resolued of that doubt.

The third benefit which accrewed from this, was the election of apt and able men for the warres, the which custome being imitated by the Turkes, is an occasion that they abound in souldiers, as lustie and sufficient men as may be.

There were furthermore ten Ephtines or Creostes for to recouer debts, and to streigh∣ten and make vp accounts. These being elected by the nine principal men, in their coun∣tries most vrgent necessities, augmented subsidies and taxes, and exacted whatsoeuer was due or imposed. To them the money was payd in, after accounts past with the Logistes. [ F] They examined the accounts of inferiour magistrats, and tooke notice of that which the magistrat had receiued, besides the pension ordained by the publique Chamber. They further heard the causes of all embassies ended.

There fate ordinarily with them a Secretarie, or Notarie, that enformed them of eue∣rie mans name, that so they might be charged according to their meanes. And when

any processe came before them which concerned publique treasure, they carried the de∣fe••••••••ts [ A] before the higher Iudges, as also those that had wherewith to make satisfacti∣on; whereof Isocrates makes mention towards the end of his Trapezitica. This register kept an inuentorie of all the corne which euerie one was to contribute and furnish, that so it might be stored vp in the publique garnier. They which vnladed or housed this corne, were tearmed Sytiometres, they which kept it, Sitophylaces, and the place where it was thus reserued, was called the Barophylacium: They whose charge and office it was to see it carried and distributed ouer all the towne, were called Sytones, or chiefe Purueyours. To which purpose let me tell you, that the Romans had so great a care of that which concerned prouision and victualls, as at the publique charge they conueyed [ B] many riuers and chanells from seuerall parts into Nylus, by which, great quantities of corne might first be brought to Alexandria, and so finally to Rome, and they cut out ri∣uers and chanells with inestimable charge, with an expresse law enacted, condemning all such to death that should breake downe the bankes of Nylus, which were the bounds of these chanels. But let vs now reture to the Syrons, who differed little from the Se∣cretaries called Logographes, or writers of account, for they were constituted in stead of the Epygraphes.

[ XXV] Because we haue made mention of such men as were set downe in writing within the journall registers, we will now discourse of that point somewhat more at large. Before they were capable of enioying their estates and inheritances, they trauailed vp and down [ C] the neighbour prouinces, labouring to learne the practice of armes, and then from the eighteenth, to the twentieth yeare of their age, they were called Periopoles, that is to say, wandrers or trauellers about. They were also tearmed Episcopes (which is the name of our Bishops) that is to say, inquisitors or visitors of countries; not because any such charge was imposed vpon them, but for that in time of need they found themselues by this meanes well instructed in all the seuerall places and passages of those countries. Af∣ter these two yeares expired, for a recompence as it were of their trauaile, they purchased the title of Lysiarchoes, for that now their inheritances were committed to them: and being thus enabled to gouerne and dispose of them, they tooke this forme of oath: I will neuer be ashamed to beare armes, I will neuer abandon the captaine vnder whose [ D] charge I am, I will fight for my countrie either alone or accompanied with other, I will go against any countrie whatsoeuer it shall be vpon this occasion, I will consent to the equitie of perpetuall judgements, If any man obey not the lawes, but seekes to abolish them, I will to my power, hinder and preuent him, I will euer reuerence and obey the wisemen of my countrie.

Besides these, there were also six men tearmed Lysiarches: these men whensoeuer the great Councels were assembled, had authoritie to chuse out thirtie coadjutors, who mar∣ked all them with a red threed which were slacke to giue eare to the laws, or to come vnto the Senat, procuring in such sort as they were condignely punished.

The Tribunal of the Eliees, was supplied with the Tesmothetes, & the king comman∣ded [ E] ouer all. He was fiftie foot remote from the seat of the Iudges, to the end that the officers that were present might not permit any one to passe before he had taken his oath.

There were nine principal men that could be elected by none but by this office, who af∣ter an oath taken that they were borne of an Athenian father and mother, and that their predecessours were inhabitants of the citie of Athens; they were afterwards demanded of the Iudges whether they were indignearies of that place, or whether they tooke their beginning from some other people; then, whether Iupiter Tutelaris was their god, and Apollo their founder. They were examined of their life past, and whether they had beene beneficiall to their parents, or no, whether they had euer borne armes for their countrie [ F] and the Altars, or no, and whether they had euer merited the honours conferred vpon them: if they had truely performed all these points that were receiued, otherwise not.

The Areopagites propounded to them all these interrogatories: hauing taken this first oath, they added: how they would perpetually obey the lawes, that they would neuer

[ A] demand a statue of gold how important seruice soeuer they had performed to the Com∣monwealth, that they would affect no priuat gaine nor briberie in judgements. And when they had sworne to all this, they were conducted and led before the Senat into the Acropoli, which was a fortresse of the Athenians, where they renewed the same oath and promises.

When they were within the sort, though they were all called Arcontes, yet six of them specially were entitled Tesmothetes: and as for the others, one was called Arcon Epo∣nime, the other King, and the third Polemarch, or maister of the warre.

The Eponime gouerned the Bacchanalls, and the feasts of Apollo, and of Diana. He [ B] decided controuersies occurring betwixt man and wife, and others also growing be∣tweene parents and kinsfolkes: he condemned the wrongers of other men to some pe∣naltie, and all such as arrogantly had iniured others. They tooke care of orphanes, to whom they assigned honest men for their gardians and tutors, who were accustonmed to do justice in controuersies betweene lawfull and adopted heires. These were called in Greeke, Chiron Epitropi, that is to say, Protectors of widdowes, or else Orfanon Epi∣tropi, tutors to orphanes. They were carefull of the preseruation and safetie of those widdowes, whom their husbands dying left with child. They tooke care of posthu∣mior or after births, prouiding that widdowes might be exempted from all publicke charges.

As for the king, his first charge was to see that Bacchus and Ceres sacrifices might be [ C] duely performed, according to ancient customes, with those that had the office & charge of publicke games. In all their publicke sports and solemnities, the Athenians had coad∣iutors, which did not onely precide and gouerne in these feasts and sports, but further they disbursed much out of their owne priuat purses, according to their meanes, onely to haue the name and honour of commaunders and heads in these magnificences and so∣lemnities: and these likewise propounded all rewards and recompences, partly of their owne, and partly from publicke allowance. Next to the sacrifices, the king determined all strifes and dissentions that grew amongst the Genetes, who were such as participated of the same familie and generation: because the people of Athens being distributed in∣to certaine parts, which were named Fyles, that is to say, Tribes, which being also subde∣uided [ D] into three other parts, created the Triptes, who were also called Friars, euery one of which likewise being diuided into thirtie parts, by reason their oathes, produced the nintieth part of the Athenians, whose fathers were called Genetes, who had the admini∣stration of sacred rites and ceremonies committed vnto them. Harpocration reports also, That Iseus pleading in his oration for Appollodorus inheritance, calls them Genetes, of whom I now made mention. Besides this, they brought in criminall inditements, where∣in the Areopagites decyded of life and death, being the first that gaue iudgement con∣formable to the qualitie of the crime.

Furthermore they determined of controuersies touching sencelesse things, as of the [ E] annoying of high waies, the ruine of houses, and other such like offences.

The third prince was the Polimarke, who did preside ouer the sacred rites and ceremo∣nies of Diana, and Mars Aenialian, for that they belieued these two deities had a peculiar intendancie and disposition of war. They had also the charge of all duells that were per∣formed within the lists for their countries honour.

There was in auncient times an excellent custome in Athens, That all they which died fighting for their countrie, being recorded in a iournal, were many times made mention of with publik ioy; so as their names were specified, and their braue deeds of armes, with a thousand praises, and then the young men made a conflict called Epytaphicall, or of the sepulcher, wherein they animated and encouraged one another to prefer the honour [ F] and good of the commonweale before their owne liues.

Besides all this, the Polimarkes place was to looke to the verses, and sonnets which were distributed to the young men, that they might sing them in publick games. Further∣more, he conuented those before the Areopagires, who had forsaken and abandoned their rankes in the warres, or fled away in the middest of daungers, requiring that they

might be condemned: and to conclude, he had to do in the conduct of militarie affaires. [ A]

Many write that he kept euery night the keyes of the citie gates, and had the charge of the said gates, as the Maiors and chiefest haue in the townes of France: and because the Polimarke was superintendant ouer martiall affaires, I desire now to speake some∣what of captaines.

The Polimarkes were followed by two Hipparks, or colonells of the cauallerie, to whom, as Aristotle sayes, not onely the horsemen obeyed, but all the whole armie besides, and these punished offendors, and all such as contemned their commaunders and leaders.

They were also to looke that none fled from their rankes or files, or the captaine whom [ B] he had once made choice of, without lawful cause or licence giuen, vpon paine of death: that none offered violence or outrage to the people, with other such like matters, as soul∣diers ordinarily are forbidden and prohibited. These ranged the Centurions, Disiniers, or corporalls of ten, and the common souldiers. There were besides in Athens ten phi∣larkes or captaines of Tribes.

The Testmothetes vsed to chuse the colonells of horse, as also their office was to pro∣cure that the Iudges might obserue written decrees, & judge conformable to the laws: they might assemble the Senat at their pleasure: they were to denounce to the people whatsoeuer the Senat had resolued vpon: they did set a penaltie vpon those magistrates heads which published lawes, whereunto no generall consent was giuen: as also it was [ C] their office and charge to punish false testimonies, to condemne those that accused vn∣iustly, and to giue due place vnto each seuerall Iudge according to their rankes and orders.

At the Councells of the Tribunall, where the king, (of whom we haue spoken) the councellours, and the kings friends sate, when they were about to giue sentence vpon a triall criminall, if they could not find out the author of any offence, they brake off the inditement, and cast it into the water for a marke of punishment.

In more solemne judgements the Paredres did assist, all which were to be men of singular good life, and spotlesse reputation; and therefore before they could sit downe with the rest, they were to giue an account of all their actions past, the first time before [ D] the fiue hundred Pritanes, the second, before the Areopagites, and then in the hearing of all such as would accuse them of any crime.

The reason of this seuere inquisition was, because matters of great daunger and won∣derful importance, went through their hands, wherein sincere integritie and honestie was repuired. They ouersaw all the Secretaries, and those that registred what the Iudges de∣creed, to the end nothing might be changed.

Furthermore they had certaine captaines of colonies, which called out and sent forth those that were chosen to people and inhabite places, either in the auncient Athenian territorie, or in others by them lately conquered: and these distributed the lands and possessions of the countries or cities, according as euery mans lot fell out. [ E]

There were also ten men named Tamies, who were gardians of the publicke treasure, and that in the Senators absence tooke out of the common treasure what was behoof∣full and necessarie for publicke vse, especially to maintaine the nauie in good state, and all things belonging to sea seruice, whereupon, we haue many times seene, that not onely the preseruation of Athens, but of all Greece hath many times solely depended.

But they had a more particular care and respect to two vessells of wonderfull great∣nesse, the one of which was called Paralia, and the other Ammon; although some au∣thors add vnto the Paralia the Salaminia also.

Besides all these aboue mentioned, when they came before the Senat for publicke sup∣plications and suits, they vsed to weare an image of Pallas in gold, the ensignes of victo∣ries [ F] obtained in former times by their captaines, and other ornaments of sacred things: this is alleadged out of Harpocrations opinion.

The Tamies haue reduced to my memorie the Ellinotamies, whose office was to keepe and imploy the money raised on that part of Greece which was vnder the Athenians ju∣risdiction

[ A] and power, to the end those might beare themselues a like in sacred seruices, as these did in the Tribes. P••ll••x saith also, that they were accustomed to demaund and gather together the money and reuenues of the Islands. Greeke authors giue a reason of this title after this so••t: After the king of Persia had beene vanquished at sea by the Athenians, this victorious people being carefull to maintaine and preserue their authori∣tie, commaunded that all other parts of Greece should pay them tribute to defray the charges of the nauall war, by meanes whereof their common enemie had beene discom∣fited, because the greatest part of the charge was by them formerly defraied, and there∣fore they named those deputed to raise and bring in these summes, Ellinotamies, that is [ B] to say, Gardians of all Greece.

Vnto these we may well add the Hellanodices, who had the commaund and ouer∣sight of all sacred things within the countries subiect to the Athenians, euen as the others had of preseruing and keeping the publique treasure. Wherefore they receiued all such money as was allotted for sacred vses, committing them afterwards to the Cho∣rages, for the expence and disbursements of sacrifices, the which they were woont to do at sacrifices and solemne games of the citie, they exacting these contributions at those times of the inhabitants and citisens of Athens.

The Ginaiconomes did decree first of the ornaments of gentlewomen, and then of all other women, that so no woman might weare any thing vnbeseeming her rancke, but euerie one to be apparrelled and adorned conformable to her estate and meanes. These [ C] men constituted a pecuniarie mulct or penaltie against those that did otherwise, and the sentence was presently put in execution.

There was also a certaine law enacted, for going and passing along in the streets, by one of Philips sonnes: This law decreed, that if any woman shewed her selfe verie im∣modest in her gate, she should be condemned in a thousand drachmacs fine. Pollux writes, that these officers were to the number of twentie.

The Ginaicon omes were also accustomed to be ouerseers at feasts and banquets, and to take notice of the number of the inuited. I doe in this point hold with Atheneus, who sayes that the Ginaiconomes, with the Areopagites, obserued what numbers of men came from each house, as well at nuptialls as at sacrifices, because they did first eat ex∣cessiuely, [ D] and then would be drunke. But this Authour does no wayes agree with Pla∣to, touching the number of the guests inuited; seeing he affirmes, that there were but ten persons allowed at nuptialls, that is to say, fiue men, and as many women; but he writes a matter acted and done: and this is a thing imagined, like to the rest of his Common∣weale.

Those which Authors tearme the Oinottes, that is to say, ouerseers of the wine, are by Plato in his Commonwealth called Mnamones: because (as I suppose) that amidst their carrouses, they put them in mind of the lawes: for as the Ginaiconomes hindered wo∣men from exceeding the bounds of modestie in their habits and ornaments, and lookt [ E] to the number of the inuited, and to the manner of their diet; so these officers did im∣pose lawes touching the abuse of wine, so as if any one were justly condemned for ex∣orbitant drinking, he was learnt with his cost not to drinke any more so in time to come.

But these Oinottes were not men of any great reputation: there were also three which they tearmed Oftalmes, because by their aduertisments they opened the eyes of their vn∣derstandings, who by profound drinking had distempered themselues. The Symposi∣arkes differed from these men in nothing but in name onely.

There were also ten men which had the ca••e and charge of the palace, setting a price on things, that men might buy, not at the will and pleasure of the seller, but at an equall [ F] and reasonable price; and to the end also that men should not buy any thing of no worth and goodnesse, in stead of a good and merchantable commoditie. They also had a care that no citisen hoorded vp more corne or wine than was requisit for their owne vse, and his families prouision: and furthermore, they procured that all the corne which came into the citie, aboue the necessarie and conuenient proportion for daily maintenance,

should be laid vp in publique places, to the behoofe of the Commonwealth: and there [ A] they sold it at a reasonable rate, yea though the want of prouisions were maruailous great.

The Episcopes, or Bishops, were those that tooke care of the affaires and proceedings of prouinces. They being ordained as arbitrators in all the prouinces, enquiring after all matters, whereupon any processe or suit might be commenced, after publique offences, and the jurisdictions and immunities of places: if any would contest before them, they pronounced sentence, the which they must as duely obey, as if it had been decreed by the principall magistrat.

The Lawyers affirme, that the Episcopes, or Bishops, were established ouer all things [ B] that were exposed to publique sale. And from the diligence and industrie which they vsed, to preserue and keepe all things, the Christians gaue the name and title of Bishop to the head of euerie diocesse.

¶ The auncient gouernement of the Lacedemonians.

[ XXV] THe citie of Sparta, otherwise called Lacedemon, was renowned and famous for the glorious actions of many valiant and great captaines, in these dayes whenas Greece flourished; and so much the rather, for that Lycurgus, ruling and gouerning it by his laws, was a principall cause that it continued many ages in authoritie and force: but when she [ C] began to contemne and despise them, she presently saw her owne ruine and downefall. And for that I find the establishment of this Law-giuer to be worthie of obseruation, yea admirable and without paralell, I held my selfe bound to relate vnto the Reader, first how, and then after what manner this Commonwealth was gouerned.

Lycurgus followed not herein the opinion of others, but being rather of a contrarie opinion and aduise to many, he was a meanes that his countrie surmounted and excelled all others in worldly happinesse. As for multiplication of children and progenie, there be some which nourish and feed these maides with a little, but daintie and delicat meats, which they thinke fit, to haue issue: They either absolutely forbid them wine, or make them drinke it much tempered and qualified. But can we euer hope for any great fruit [ D] from women brought vp in this manner? Lycurgus thought it sufficient for women slaues onely to make habilliments, and all sorts of needle workes: and therefore obser∣uing how important a matter it was to haue children of a woman of free and liberal con∣dition, he principally ordained that women should exercise their bodies after the same manner as men did. After this, he instituted races, and combats, to be run and sought, both betwixt man and man, and woman and woman, because his opinion was, that the children of such parents would be verie lustie and strong.

Whenas men and women were married together, the husband was enioyned (as I ob∣serued in passing through the manners of the Greekes) to view, and depart from his wife in such sort that no man might see him: wherein Lycurgus had verie good reason, for that [ E] he saw that by this meanes men enioyed the pleasures of the marriage bed with more pleasure and delight, and also it kept them from growing sicke and feeble, though other∣wise they were lustie and strong, by thus abating the edge of their first heat and cou∣rage, and not loosing the raynes therto, but at such time whenas they were both euen greedie of this contentment.

Furthermore he ordained, that euerie one might not be permitted to marrie at his owne pleasure and will, and no man was to assume this state and condition, before he had attained to a mature and full age, because he supposed that this course would be of great auaile and furtherance for fruitfull and bodily vigour. And if it so fell out, that any old man match with a young woman (for that the people of those times were woont to re∣serue [ F] and keepe their wiues verie strictly) it was ordained, that the old man should make choyce of some lustie young youth, whose bodie and naturall courage was able to afford better satisfaction, and bringing him home to his house, should commit his wife into his hands, that so she might bring forth children. And if no bodie could be found that had

[ A] any liking or affection to his wife, and he stil desired to haue free children, he likewise or∣dained another law, which imported, that if he saw another woman that was more fruit∣full, by her husbands permission, he might haue children by her.

Many such like matters as these, are contained in Lycurgus lawes, for they allowed men to keepe two wiues, and that the fathers might seeke out other brethren to the children borne of them, who were to haue equall part in the house or familie, but not in the meanes and enheritance: by these institutions, for the begetting of children, diffe∣ring from any law or custome of the other Grecians, euery one may easily perceiue how it made the Lacedemonians more excellent in stature and force than the rest of the [ B] Grecians.

Now, hauing discoursed of the birth of infants, I will speake of the manner of their bringing vp, as well amongst the Lacedemonians, as the other Grecians: for they which inhabited in other parts of Greece, and especially, such as desired to educate and instruct their children noblely, as soone as they were capable of instructions, they were first com∣mitted to their learned slaues, and then presently after, they sent them to maisters, to learne the sciences, musicke, and trickes that belonged to wrestling. They made their chil∣drens feet tender with shooes, they prouided them of diuers habits, and fed them accor∣ding to the digestion and appetite of their stomachs. But in steed of these slauish Pe∣dants, to whom euery one in particular committed his children to be gouerned & taught, [ C] Lycurgus would haue them to be brought vp vnder the eye and conduct of one of those, out of whose societie and companie the greatest magistrates were elected, and because he instructed children, they tearmed him Piadonome. This man had authoritie to as∣semble their children, and to chastise such as he found doing of any thing knauishly or lewdly.

Out of the number of these (growen to riper yeares) he elected some to carrie rodds, when there was need, and to whip the other children: and hereupon it came to passe that the children were ashamed of these corrections, easily obeying whatsoeuer they were enioined and commaunded.

In steed of wearing neatherstockes, he ordained that they should go beare legged, for [ D] he foresaw, that by this practise they might more easily mount vp or descend, and be swif∣ter in their courses, without shooes or stockings, if they exercised their feet, than going couered in any other manner. And by reason of the great diuersitie of garments which was formerly brought in, he enacted they should accustome throughout the whole yere to weare but one manner of habit, he judging that by this meanes they would be the more hardned to resist heat and cold.

Furthermore, he commaunded that men should be dietted in such sort, as they might not be crammed with more meat than they could well digest, enuring them to suffer ma∣ny discommodities, because he knew those who were hardened and enabled to this kind of life, would be much more able to support, in time of need, long labour and toile with∣out [ E] eating or drinking, and that moreouer they should haue lesse need of refreshings, and should feed hartily vpon any meat that were offered them: he further perceiued well, that to preserue health, and augment the beautie of the stature, it was better to vse such meats, as kept the bodie drie and nimble, than others that made it fat and fleshie. But to the end they might not be too much pressed with hunger, he would not that those which endured any necessitie, should acquire the things they had need of with sloth and idle∣nesse, but he permitted them to steale, and get them by theft if they were in feare to die for famine; the which he did suffer, to the end that he that had no other meanes to come by it might purchase and get it by some kind of industrie. Without doubt it is a eleere and euident case, that who minds to filch or steale any thing, he must at least watch [ F] all night, and in the day time spare no cunning or subtiltie, if he meane to compasse that which he desires.

We may therefore euidently perceiue that he who would haue children more actiue and nimble, touching things necessarie for mans life, than coragious, he must bring them vp after this manner.

But some will say, why did he then decree to the contrarie, that he who was taken in [ A] their should be soundly beaten, if he held robberie and theft for so commendable a thing: to which I aunswere, that this was the same reason for which in other things that men teach and instruct, they yet punish him that doth them not in such manner and forme as he ought: and therefore he would haue those seuerely punished that were surprised in their thefts, because they gaue testimonie in this that they wanted wit and industrie to steale

His will also was, that they who were thus beaten should robbe in a craggie and rough place, some great number of cheeses, infer••rig by this, that he which had suffered hardnes and discommoditie for a little time, is accustomed to reioice long, when he hath any [ B] good fortune.

We see also that in this, a man that is slow and delicate is no waies apt to vse labour and diligence when need requires, but on the contrarie he falls into many inconueni∣encies.

If it happened that the Paidonome departed, to the end the children might not in this time be destitute of a maister, he appointed the citisen that was present to commaund the children what so euer he thought good, and to punish them if they failed in any thing: by this meanes he procured, that children carried themselues with more respect, and liued with more feare and modestie; for both men and children feare no bodie more than their maisters. And to the end, that when no bodie was neere hand, there might be [ C] some one to looke to the children, he ordained that he which was held more graue and staied in all things than the rest, should gouerne them, and so by this means they were ne∣uer without a maister.

It is now fit time that I should speake somewhat of the loue of maidens, because this point also comes within the compasse of discipline and instruction. The other Grecians, as namely the Beotians, accustomed their youthes and maides generally to liue and con∣uerse together: but there were some others which would not suffer young men in loue to talke and confer with maidens: Lycurgus was of a contrarie opinion; for if any young man were surprised with the loue of a maid, hauing vnderstood the excellencie of his spirit and mind, he permitted them to come together, and reputed it for a very honestact [ D] and discipline.

But if it were found that he was onely sensually in loue with the maides person, he ordained that he should abstaine from this maid as strictly as the father refraines from the sonne, and one brother from another, in that which concernes Venus pleasures and delights.

We haue sufficiently discoursed of the nurture and discipline of children, and euery one may easily discerne by himselfe with what discipline of the Grecians, their children became more obedient and honest, and finally, wherein it was that men shewed them∣selues more continent in necessarie things. For after that others which had attained vnto the yeares of Adolescencie, had left the scholes of their youth and childhood, pre∣sently [ E] many of them had no maisters nor gouernours, but did liue in all freedome and libertie.

But Lycurgus conceiuing that young men were naturally of a loftie and proud spirit, ioined with strange licentiousnesse, and a violent inclination to all sorts of pleasures, he then enioined them to great labours and trauells, deuising how he might alwaies keepe them occupied and emploied: whereunto he also added, that if any one refused to doe that he was enioined, he should neuer attaine to any honourable place, and he ordained that not only publicke persons appointed to these gouernments, but also parents should looke to their children, to the end that liuing without any feare within the citie, they did not become vagabonds and insolents abroad. [ F]

Furthermore being desirous to plant in them a certaine naturall modestie, he com∣maunded that as they walked in the streets, they should hold their hands vnder their cloakes, not discoursing nor gaping round about, but casting their eies downeward. And certainely we see that the nature of man is more harsh and rough in that which concerns

[ A] modestie, than that of women. And therefore in walking vp and downe, you could no more heare their tongues than if they had been made of a stone, nor euer see them turne their eyes of any side, no more than if they had beene of brasse.

When they were at any banquet, they held it sufficient to answer to demaunds. His desire also was, that an especiall care should be had touching the institution and gouern∣ment of young men, for he thought, if they became such men as they ought to be, there would vndoubtedly redound a maruailous benefit to the Commonwealth.

He therefore perceiuing that all they which were naturally exercised in proofes and trialls were heard with great attention, and the sport of wrestling beheld with much con∣tentment: he thought good by this meanes to excite and encourage young men to the [ B] loue of vertue, supposing that by this meanes they might attaine to a great height of per∣fection and goodnesse. I will therefore acquaint you in what manner he enflamed them to the loue of these trialls.

The Ephores chose out three of the most flourishing young men, called Hippagrites, to assemble the whole cauallerie. Each of these made choyce of an hundred men, decla∣claring for what respect he preferred some to honour, and refused others. They that found themselues dishonoured, came to the combat, being opposed against the others that were preferred before them, and the one would narrowly looke to the other, whe∣ther he did any thing that was base or dishonest.

Hereupon grew a debate verie profitable for the Commonwealth, where they shewed [ C] what an honest man was to do, both parties endeuouring as farre as was possible to shew themselues truely stout, and valiant: and so when the Commonwealths occasions re∣quired, they presently assisted and defended her with emulation one of another who should be most forward. They were also constrained to haue a speciall care of their health, for whensoeuer they met, they wrestled and fought at handie cuffes, so as they were eager and desirous to excell one another in all things.

While they fought after this manner, euerie one that was present, or had any autho∣ritie, might part them: and if there were any man which would not obey the, Paidono∣mi cited them to a triall and judgement before the Ephores, by whom they were seuere∣ly punished, as they who had formerly ordained that no man should suffer himselfe to be [ D] transported with choller, whereby he might refuse to obey the lawes.

When they were come to more mature age, and risen to great magistracies, some Greekes, no waies regarding their bodily force, charged them with some warlike strata∣gem and enterprise. But Lycurgus made a law to this effect, that is was a commendable thing for men of those yeares to vse hunting, if it were not at such times when any pub∣lique administrations were hindered thereby, to the end they might also be able to sup∣port the trauailes of warre as well as young men.

Lycurgus conceiuing that the Lacedemonians made feasts in their priuat houses, as the other Greekes did, and considering how much these customes tended vnto vice, he drew [ E] them to eat in publique, thinking that by this meanes they could not farre exceed that they were permitted to doe.

Idle men doe oftentimes many things vnfitly and ill, and the rich doe sometimes re∣semble herein those that are idle: hereupon it grew, that while they fate at the table, it neuer was wholly voyd, nor yet sumptuously furnished; for remouing all such superflu∣ous drinkes as offended the bodie and spirit, he permitted euerie one to drinke onely when he was a thirst, knowing that it was a verie healthfull and pleasing thing to drinke after this manner: for when they were thus assembled altogether, who durst be so har∣die as to wast or consume his meanes, or distemper his bodie, by immoderat eating and drinking.

[ F] In other townes, men of equall condition vse to meet and frequent; and hereupon it falls out that they then haue little shame or respect of themselues: but in Sparta, Lycur∣gus mixed the courage and force of youth with the experience and discipline of the aun∣cient. And it is a thing that concernes the countries good to permit men to speake freely of that which they haue honourably or vertuously performed in the citie: and therefore

you should neuer see any villanies committed, nor drunkennesse, nor any dishonest act: [ A] To conclude, you should neuer heare so much as an immodest or reproachfull speech: for eating thus publiquely, there also grew this further good, that when they returned home to their houses, they were enioyned to walke, and take singular care that they were not ouerthrowne or gone with wine, as those that knew well that they could not conti∣nue in the place where they had supped: and that they must make vse of the night, as well as of the day; for he that was yet vnder another mans protection and tutorship, might not so much as be seene in the night.

This worthie personage likewise considering, how they that labour and trauaile after their repasts, come to be well complexioned and of a good colour, being lustie & strong, [ B] whereas others that liue in idlenesse, grew diseased and vnfound; he prouided likewise for this inconuenience: and therefore ordained, that he who was the eldest in a troupe, should looke to others that they eat not excessiuely. And thus I thinke you can hardly find any that went beyond the Lacedemonians in health and bodily force, because they liued in a perpetuall exercise of all their members.

Besides all these lawes aboue mentioned, (whereas in other townes, and cities, euerie one was maister of his owne children, slaues, or coyne) Lycurgus (desirous to procure that citisens, without offending one another, might enioy a reciprocall good amongst themselues) did ordaine, That euerie one might commaund his owne, and another mans children, in all matters reasonable. And if any child that was beaten by another, complai∣ned [ C] to his father, he was blamed if he beat him not againe also; and they were persua∣ded that none would commaund children any thing that was vicious or bad. He de∣creed also the same thing touching slaues, as well those that were a mans owne, as others, if they were vrged to make vse of them in any thing.

His will was likewise, that hounds should be kennelled and kept together. They called therefore such as were vnweeldie and vnfit for hunting, and if any man were vnwilling, he would readily send out his dogges. The like seruice and vse they made of horses: for if any man could not go on foot, or had no chariot, or were constrained to go any whe∣ther speedily, he tooke freely the first horse he found, and when he had done, he as thanke∣fully restored him againe. In all places, where they that came from hunting had need of [ D] refreshings or victualls, he ordained, That those who had supped should leaue meat rea∣die dressed, and they which had need of refreshment should feed thereon, who after they had fully replenished themselues, left all the rest for some other vses. And thus the poo∣rer sort communicating with them, they participated of those things that were there whensoeuer they had occasion or need.

In other cities, euerie one is attentiue according to the proportion of his abilitie, to ga∣ther together and lay vp money, and therefore one applies himselfe to tillage, another to merchandise, another to nauigation, and some liue by arts and trades. But Lycurgus for∣bad all free men to touch any thing which tended to the heaping vp of money, and onely enacted, that they should employ themselues in those things that wrought and procured [ E] citisens libertie: for what need was there to heape vp wealth and riches in a place where all things necessarie were equally distributed.

By this institution also he procured, that none desired money to take pleasure or de∣light therein. But which is more, they needed not so much as to thinke of gaine and profit for the braue apparelling of themselues, seeing they vsed no garments of any glori∣ous shew. They needed not to gather money to maintaine expences in companie, for that he supposed men might better serue their friends turnes with bodily trauaile than with charge and expence, as he which saw that the one proceeded from wit and industrie, and the other from riches and wealth. Notwithstanding in all these proceedings he would haue no man inrich himselfe by another mans hurt and preiudice. He also coy∣ned [ F] a kind of money of ten mynas, which being once brought into the house, could not be hidden, neither from maisters or seruants, for in seeking to keepe much secret, it required a large place, and a wagon to beare it: for there was often curious search made after gold and siluer, and when they found any layed vp, the possessour thereof

[ A] was punished. Do you thinke there was any one to be found in a whole citie that would labour to heape vp gold or siluer, where such an acquisition was more hurtfull and pre∣iudiciall to the owner, than the vse thereof was pleasing.

By this we may plainely see that the Lacedemonians were obedient to the magistrats and laws: and I thinke Lycurgus did neuer attempt to frame his commonweale so exactly without hauing first accorded all the gentlemen that were in Sparta, I make this conie∣cture, for that in other cities the mightier sort would not haue men thinke that they feare the magistrats; but in Sparta the princes themselues, aboue others, obserued and yeelded to the magistrats, esteeming it a great glorie to be humble & obsequious, and supposing [ B] that others herein would follow their example, the which questionlesse came to passe.

But it is likely and probable that he constituted the authoritie and power of the Epho∣res, knowing how singular a benefit obedience was in the commonweale, during the times both of war and peace; for he thought that with the greater men the magistracie was discharged and executed, the more the citisens would be affraid to disobey.

The Ephores therefore might punish whom they would, as also, the terme of their of∣fice expired, depriue such of their places as executed any magistracie, put them in prison, conuent them before the judgement seat, yea & draw them in hazard of their liues, if they were culpable. But they who had so high authoritie, permitted not such as were setled in any office to domineere at their pleasures, but rather as those that did ouersee the Gym∣nicke combats, they forth with punished them that did any thing contrarie to the lawes.

[ C] Aboue all others, I find that inuention singular which Lycurgus practised, to make citi∣sens obedient to laws: For he neuer published any lawes to the people til he had bin with the princes at Delphos, to know of the Oracle whether the citie of Sparta should not con∣tinue prosperous in obseruing those lawes which he had constituted: when the Oracle answered that they would be very profitable for the Lacedemonians, he published them, judging that men would take it for a impious and wicked thing not to be subiect to those lawes which were confirmed by the Oracle of Apollo.

Lycurgus was also admirable in one thing, which was, that he enioined the Lacedemo∣nians to prefer an honorable death before an ignominious life: he therefore by these sta∣tutes and ordinances so wrought, that good men liued happily, & the wicked miserably; [ D] for in other townes, when any one growes vitious and corrupt, he onely hath the name and fame so to be; but yet both good and bad conuerse and practise together in one and the selfe same place: but in Sparta, euery one was ashamed to be in a vitious mans com∣panie, or to contend with him in wrestling. And oftentimes also when they met together to play with the ball, a vitious man was seperated from the rest, nor entertained by one side nor other: and in all daunces he had euer the inferiour place, and in the open streets, euery one shamed them as much as was possible, as also in publicke assemblies; and euen amongst the youngest men of all he gaue place to euery bodie. But he made himselfe al∣so admirable whenas he would haue men incline themselues to vertue, euen vnto the ex∣treamest [ E] old age. For hauing limited and confined mens liues by the judgement and cen∣sure of this age, he ordained that old men should be bound to haue a care of honestie, and bountie: and he ordained that the combat of life and death should remaine in the old mens hands and arbitrament, he would haue old age much more reuerenced and esteemed than the force or vigor of youth. And questionlesse this age ought to be dayly exercised in this combate aboue all other humane respects, for although the encounters of wrestling be excellent, yet these are but bodily practises, whereas the combate of old age giues manifest testimonie of a good spirit & courage. Now as the spirit and mind is more excellent than the bodie, so the actions of the spirit far passe those of the bodie why may we not then highly commend this law of Lycurgus, who perceiuing that they who [ F] applyed themselues but coldly to vertue, could neuer purchase their countrie any great honour, his will was, that at Sparta they should practise all vertues in publicke.

Lycurgus also would haue him no lesse punished, who manifestly shewed that he affe∣cted not to be exceeding good: for he thought that they which stole any thing, did only wrong them from whom they had taken it; but he held opinion, that commonweales

were betraied by idle persons, and loiterers. And therefore it seemes he had speciall rea∣son [ A] to decree grieuous punishments for all such sorts of men.

Vnto this he further added a necessarie ornament of ciuile life: for he would that all those which had not failed in their dueties, should haue equall parts in the honours of the commonweale, taking no exception either to bodily debilitie, or want of meanes. But if any one shewed himselfe sluggish and carelesse in his office, he would not haue him so much as reckoned in the number of citisens.

As for martial affaires, the Ephores were to giue aduice of the time when they should send out their armies, as well to the horse, as to others heauily armed, and first to the foot men, then to mysteries and tradsmen. He likewise ordained that all engines necessarie for [ B] the wars should be conueid thither, either in chariots or otherwise, and thus they easily had watsoeuer was wanting.

First he appointed the souldiers to weare a vermillion cassocke, and a copper shield; be∣cause he knew this habiliment was properly fit for the wars; and no waies resembling womans ornaments, because it was sooner made cleane, and hardlier fouled than theirs: he permitted those also that were past their younger yeres, to weare long lockes of haire, iudging that by this meanes, they would appeare to be greater and more fortunat.

When all things were thus ordained, he distributed his foot and horse into six tribes: euery one of these citie tribes had a tribune, foure ensigne bearers, eight commanders of fiftie, and sixteene heads of squadrons: but for that many are of oppinion, that the Lace∣demonians [ C] militarie order was but confused and disorderly, I desire to let them vnder∣stand, that they beleeue otherwise than they ought; for that in the Lacedemonian disci∣pline, we see that the chiefetaines were constituted, and euery ranke was fitted with all ne∣cessarie preparations. And this institution is easie to conceiue; so as whosoeuer can but distinguish one man from another, can neuer be deceiued: for some had charge to con∣duct, & others commanded to follow. The time of aduancing forward with the troupe, was knowne by a watch word from the colonell of the regiment. The squadrons marcht somtimes close together, & otherwhiles more at large; so as there was nothing difficult to learne. And though it came to passe that sometimes they were in disarray, yet can one hardly vnderstand in what maner they encounter the enemie, except he be wel very seene [ D] in Lycurgus discipline.

The Lacedemonians also found those things to be easie in fight, which other people thought difficult; for when they aduanced forward in file, the squadrons followed close in the reare, & if the enemies maine battaile came onward in the same order, they comman∣ded the head of the squadron to place himselfe in front on the left hand, in forme of a shield, standing firme in this equypage while the enemies battallion were at a stand: but if the enemies in the meane time charged them in the reare, all the rankes turned head, that so the lustiest and strongest men might be readie to confront the enemie.

When the prince marched in the left wing, they did not thinke he had the lesse honora∣ble place, for when any went to enuiron them, they had this aduantage, that they should [ E] not find the flanks naked, but wel armed: and when it seemed necessarie that the generall of the armie should haue the right wing, making the point of the battaile, they ranged their men in such a maner, that the general marched on the right wing, & the latter ranks on the left. And when the battaile was to be charged by the enemies right wing, their only care was to turne all their ensignes in forme of a galley, with a prow against the ene∣mie: but if the enemie assailed them on the left flanke, they would not endure it, but re∣pelled them valiantly; and so the last squadron was ranged in forme of a shield.

As for their manner of encamping, Lycurgus judging the points or corners of a square campe altogether fruitlesse, he would haue the Lacedemonians to campe in a round forme, vnlesse they were not secure, by reason of some mountains. He appointed a corps [ F] de gard both by day and night, & for such as attempted to flie out of the camp by night, he appointed that they should be noted by the scirites, whose office was to see that none forsooke their ranks, as also they tooke care of strangers that came & went vp and down. And wheras they euer marched with long weapons or darts, you must conceiue they did

[ A] this because they allowed no armes to their slaues: neither must you wonder though they stood no great distance one from another, nor from their armes, but eu••n as farre as they might be no hinderance one to another, for this they did for their defence and safe∣tie. But now it is time to speake of the authoritie and honour which Lycurgus gaue to the king in the armie.

First, the citie maintained the king estate, and those of his traine. He had for his guard such companions as did eat together, and with them the tribunes of the souldiers, to the end that being euer present, if need required, they might the better counsell and direct. These companions aboue mentioned, were three men of one and the same ranke. These [ B] two officers together were so carefull of all things necessarie, as they attended nothing else but matters belonging to the warres.

When the king meant to march forth with an armie, he first sacrificed within the ci∣tie to Iupiter the conductor▪ and to the other Deities: and if he sacrificed any thing there, the Priest (who was called Pyrphorus, by reason of the fire he carried about him, which was taken from the Altar) marched before, euen to the borders and confines of the coun∣trie, where the king sacrificed againe to Iupiter, and to Minerua. The sacrifice being made to these two before named, they passed along the frontiers, and the perpetu∣all fire taken from these sacrifices, marched before, and oblations of all kinds came after; to sacrifice when need required. The like they did also at breake of day, seeking first to [ C] purchase the loue of God. They assisted about the sacrifice, who had the charge and commaund of the armie.

There were present also two Ephores, which did nothing except the king called them; but rather obseruing what others did, they punished those that were in any fault. The sacrifices being once finished, the king called a Councell, commaunding what should be done.

Whenas the king led his armie forth, if there appeared no enemie to oppose himselfe, none marched before him but the Scirites, and such horsemen as they had sent before to discouer. But if they thought to come to battaile, the king chusing out the squadron of the first tribe, conducted it, wheeling about with it, while he was in the middest of the [ D] two tribes, and betweene two tribunes or Camp-maisters.

Whenas they killed a goat in sight of the enemie, the laws ordained that all the trum∣pets should sound, and that no Lacedemonian should be without a crowne: and the same law enioyned them to keepe their armes neet and cleane. But Lycurgus willed that the king should appoint the time when they should encampe, and the place where the armie should lodge.

The authoritie of sending Embassadours to treat of alliances, or to make a warre, did also belong vnto the king, whom they also repaired vnto when any matter of weight was to be consulted of: and when any difference grew, the king referred it to the Iudges and arbitrators of debates: if it were a money matter, to the treasurers; and if for any boot or [ E] spoyle, to those that were the sale-maisters.

Lycurgus also assigned to the king, the gifts that were giuen towards publique oblati∣ons and sacrifices; and after this, he constituted certain lands and freeholds for his main∣tenance, in such a proportion as he might not want any thing conuenient or necessarie, nor through superaboundance grow haughtie and insolent. And to the end that the kings might eat in publique, he appointed certaine solemne feasts, and at supper he ho∣noured them with a double portion, not that they should eat twice as much as the rest, but to the end they might giue and bestow that which was superfluous, vpon whomsoe∣uer they thought good. Furthermore, he allotted them two associats, whom they might make choyce of at their pleasure, and these were called Pities.

[ F] He also gaue them a pigge at euerie farrow of a sow, to the end that if they needed the counsell and direction of the gods in any affaire, they might haue oblations and sa∣crifices at pleasure. Furthermore, he caused a poole to be made neere vnto their Pa∣lace, knowing how necessarie it was for many considerations. All Magistrats rose from their seats to honour the king, except the Ephores. The king and the Ephores tooke

an oath euerie moneth one before another, the Ephores in the behalfe of the citie, and the [ A] king for himselfe. The tenor of the kings oath was, That he should gouerne the citie conformable to the lawes; and that of the citie, was to maintain and support by all means possible the royall estate and dignitie. As for the honours which were done to the kings of Lacedemon when they died, I will onely say thus much, Lycurgus lawes did ordaine, that they should be honoured not as men, but as demy-gods.

¶ The Religion.

[ XXVI] FOr that in the discourse of the manners and customes of the Grecians, I made a suffici∣ent [ B] relation of their auncient religion, when they were wholly addicted to Idolatrie, now we will onely speake of the religion they now hold and maintaine. The Greekes haue long time since withdrawne themselues from the Roman Church, and erected Pa∣triarchs, whom they acknowledge for their heads and spirituall gouernours. Finally, there are foure Patriarchs of the Greeke Churches, one of Constantinople, another of Alexandria, one of Hierusalem, and another of Antioch, of whom we will speake pecu∣liarly in their proper places: but they which liue within the proper countrie and terri∣torie of Greece, acknowledge no other head but the Patriarch of Constantinople. Con∣cerning their creation, we will referre it ouer to the particular discourse of the Musco∣nites, which differ from them but in verie few things. [ C]

There are also many Caloyers, that is, Priests, or Greeke Monks, which are dispersed all ouer Greece, where, paying tribute, euerie one is allowed the free vse and exercise of his religion, but not without a thousand indignities done them by the Barbarians, who do∣minere and commaund with insupportable tyrannie and crueltie.

But to speake something hereof in particular, Mount Athos was heretofore ordained for the residence of the Caloyers of S.Basils order, who had a priuiledge (as Belon writes) which they hold and keepe euen to this day, which was, that none might dwell or abide there, except he were a Greeke Caloyer. There are about six thousand Caloyers which dwell in diuers parts of this mountaine, where they haue amongst them about foure and twentie Ancients, and verie great Monasteries inclosed with strong walls, to resist an [ D] enemie or theeues, with whom notwithstanding they are not often troubled or wronged. Amongst the rest, there are two principall monasteries, one called Vntopedi, and ano∣ther Agias Laura: in which many reliques are to be seene, which they come and visit from all parts, as also, Temples stately built, and richly adorned. Finally, the Greekes make the same esteeme of this mountaine, as we doe of Rome: where the Greekish cere∣monies are religiously obserued, and these Caloyers haue purchased more reputation of sanctitie, than any other throughout all Greece: yea the Turkes themselues hold them in so much esteeme, as they bestow great charities and almes deeds vpon them. There is not any one amongst them that liues without doing some thing or other, or exercising some mechannicall art and trade: for in the morning they go all out of their monaste∣ries, carrying with them their tooles & implements, with the which they labor to main∣taine [ E] the whole familie: Some worke in the vines, others lop trees, and another is a ship∣wright, so that in briefe, euerie one is of some profession or other. They weare habits of small value, and are apparelled after the manner of Hermits. They weare no shirts either of hempe or flax, but some made of wooll, which they spin and sow themselues. They are not any wayes giuen to the studie of learning, yea there are many amongst them which can neither write nor read. If any by chance passe ouer this mountaine vpon any occasi∣on or businesse whatsouer, the Caloyers furnish him with victuall, taking not any mo∣ney for it at all.

[ A] ¶ THE ISLES OF THE ARCHI∣PELAGVS [ B] WHICH BELONG TO THE TVRKE, AND WHAT HE POSSESSETH IN SCLAVONIA.

The Contents.

[ C] IN this present discourse the author making a description of the Islands of the Archi∣pelagus that are subiect to the Turke, he first declares their names, as well auncient as moderne; their scituation and circuit, with their ports and townes. In the second place, he obserues all rare and exquisit particularities to be seene in euery countrie, beginning with the Island of Taxus or Tasse, abounding in white marble, pine, and firre trees, and in auncient times, in mines which yeelded vnto Philip king of Macedon euery yeare foure score talents: Samothrace, in honie, and deere: Lemnos, in flax, hempe, corne, pulses, wines, flesh, wooll, figs, nuts, almonds, oliues, and oysters called Gaideropedes, springs of hot water, terra sigillata, which is so medecinable against the plague, and all defluxions: Negrepont, ••ery fa∣mous for the strait and narrow sea it stands vpon, the which ebbes fiue or six times a day, aboun∣ding in sheepe without gall, in oyles, wines, and quarries of marble, as also in the Amiant stone, which is made flax, whereof they make linnen cloth, the which is made white in the fi••e. Melos, [ D] a famous Island for springs of sulpherous waters; for oliues, veines of siluer, and quarries of marble, and for a certaine place where the earth can neuer be voided, but being digged and re∣moued, it presently fills againe without any helpe of mans hand. There be also certaine frogges which neuer will engender in the Island of Polyandra: then is there the Calamite in Sifano, the white marble, lychnite, and sardix stones in Paros: the ophite, or load stone, and waspes whose sting is mortall, in Naxus: marble, and aloes in the Island of Lero: the wine Hippoc••on, Cypres, and Terebinth, in Coos: oranges, malmesie, & masticke in Chio: the agate stone, & excellent wine, in Lesbos: honie and deere in Samothracia. In the third place followes a description of the nature and manners both of the auncient and moderne inhabitants of these Islands, the lawes and cu∣stomes [ E] of each countrie: the deities that they adore, their sacrifices and surerstitions, and what religion these countries professe at this present day.

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.

❧ THE ISLAND OF [ B] CYPRVS.

The Contents.

THis discourse declares who were the first inhabitants of this Island, and the princes that commaunded ouer it, before it was taken by Selym, and reduced vnder the Tur∣kish subiection. The scituation, circuit, bredth, length, in what climat, and vnder [ C] what paralell it lyes: what capes and promontories it hath: and how it was hereto¦fore diuided into foure parts, and now into twelue prouinces. The principall towns, bouroughs, villages, and mountaines in the same. Of the soile, abounding in all kind of fruits, but especially in cytrons, oranges, lymons, blacke grapes, called Zibiles, dates, sugar taken out of canes, faffron, coryander seed, masticke trees, turpentine, coloquintida, rhubarb, scammonie, mines of gold, chri∣socolle, c••lcant, allume, yron, brasse, pretious stones, emeraulds, diamonds, chrystall, white corrall, and red, and the amiant stone, whereof linnen cloth is made that will not burne in the fire, but whitens therein, cotton, wooll, and salt. What were the ancient lawes, and customes of this coun∣trie, where whoredome was openly permitted, and luxurie reputed commendable: where they worshipped Venus, who was the goddesse, patronesse, and protectrix of this Island. What nations [ D] now inhabit this Island. What forme of policie and gouernment was there maintained during the Venetian dominion, and what that is by which the Turkes command and gouerne, to whom at this present they are subiect.

THis Island which was in auncient times first inhabited, as men judge, by Iaphet, Noahes sonne, comming afterwards vnder the dominion of Greekish tyrants, when the Assyrian monarchie was extingui∣shed fel at last into the Romans hands, and by their means, it obeied the Ptolomees who were kings of Aegypt, and then it returned againe vnder the Roman power. After that, the Emperors of Con∣stantinople [ E] possessed it for the space of eight hundred yeares. Then it liued vnder the gouernment of the kings, of the familie of Lusignan of France. After this it came vnder the Venetian subiection, in the yeare 1473, continuing in their hands vnto the yere 1570, whenas Selym the Turkish Emperor tooke it by force.

This Island was called in former times Crypta, or Crypton, as Volaterranus writes, that is to say, subterranean, because it lies so low, that a man would thinke the waues of the sea did hide and couer it. It was also named Cerastis, for the great number of mountaines therein, whose points or tops are sharpe like hornes: i•• had also the names of Cethoine, then of Amathusia, according to Strabo, as likewise of Paphia, Salaminia, Macaria, or fortunate, of Achamantis, Asperia, Collinia, and Erosa. [ F]

It is seated as Ptolome relates, in the middest of the Issicke bay, commonly called the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Lajazza, being neere to the Aegyptian sea, and lying between the coasts of Ci∣licia, and Syria. On the South part, it buts vpon the Aegyptian sea, and that of Syria: on the Leuant, it is beaten vpon by the same Syrian sea, and the Issicke bay: vpon the

[ A] West it joynes to the Sea of Pamphylia; and towards the North, it confines with that of Cilicia.

That part which lookes towards the East, lies from Syria or Suria, about one hundred miles, which passage may be well gone in one night. That part which bends towards the South, is about three or foure dayes sayling from Alexandria; and as much from the Island of Rhodes vpon the West. It lyes sixtie miles from Cilicia, or Carama∣nia.

The length of this Island is from West to East, and sometimes it makes straits of land, which cut off the bredth. It lyes in the beginning of the fourth climat, vnder the tenth [ B] paralell, according to moderne writers, and the longest day in Sommer is of foureteene houres and a halfe, or thereabouts. It comprehends three coelestiall degrees in the lon∣gitude. It hath in circuit (as Strabo writes) three thousand foure hundred and twentie Stades, which (according to our computation) make foure hundred twentie seuen miles. Plinie saith, that it is three hundred seuentie fiue miles about. Others affirme, that sayling about it by Sea, it hath fiue hundred miles, and that the length is two hun∣dred miles, and the greatest bredth fiftie or sixtie. But there are some which giue it fiue hundred and fiftie miles in circuit, two hundred and twentie in length, and one hundred and thirtie in bredth.

Elbe hath many promontories or capes, as vpon the West, the promontorie Acha∣mas, [ C] now called the cape of S. Pifane, or Epifane: The promontorie Drepan, at this day Trapan, or Melechia: and that of Zephira, now called Punta: Malota or Melonta, or the cape of Chelidonia: vpon the South side is to be seene the promontorie Phoeurie, cal∣led Cap Blanc: That of Curia, now called Capodellegatte: That of Dades, called at this day Cap de Chiti: That of Throne, now named Cape de Pila: vpon the East, lyes the promontorie Pedase, called at this day Capo de Griego, or Cape Grec: and vpon the ••op of the Island, that of Clides, called now Cape S. Andrew: vpon the North, lies the promontorie Crommyon, now tearmed Cape of Cormachiti, or Cornachiette. To conclude, betwixt the Cape of Cormachiti, and that of S. Epifania, lies the Sea of Pam∣phylia, now named the gulfe of Settalia, which in former times was verie dangerous for [] the space of three hundred miles.

Ptolome teacheth vs, that this Island was diuided in former times into foure parts, that is to say; into the Easterne part, which they gaue to Salaminia; into the Westerne part, which Paphia comprehended; into the Southerne part, which was Amathusia; ••nd into the Northerne part, which was Lapathia. But at this day it is diuided into twelue parts, which they commonly call countries, and those be Nicotia, Famagosta, Paphia, Audime, Limisse, Massota, Salina, Messaria, or Sauori, Crusoc, Pentalia, Cerina, and Carpasla.

Diodorus, Plinie, and Mela affirme, That it contained nine goodly kingdomes, and fif∣teene good townes, whereof some haue beene ruined by great earthquakes. The chiefe townes were Paphos, in the region of Paphia: it carries at this day the title of a towne, ••nd is commonly called by the name of Bapho, as Niger writes: old Paphos, which was in the same prouince: Cythera, which gaue name to the whole Island, and is no mo••e at this day; but in the place thereof is the towne of Conuclia, which is one of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in that Island. There was also Curias, whereas now the towne of Piscobia stands, which is also accounted one of the chiefest. There was also Amathus, which is now rui∣ned. Moreouer, the towne of Ceraunia, now called by the name of Cerines, built by Cyrus ••hen he had subdued the nine kings of the Island. This towne (as Authours af∣••irme) stands in the North part of the Island. But Nicosia (which was sometimes cal∣led Lettre, then Leuocote, and the aboad of kings) is seated in the plaine of Massara. Thirtie six miles from Nicosia, stands Famagosta, sometimes called Salamis, then tear∣••••ed Constantienna, a famous towne. Some affirme, that Famagosta was in former ••••••mes called Tamasse, and others hold that it was one of the foure townes which had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 common name of Arsinoè.

Besides these townes, they did number about eight hundred and fiftie villages or open [ A] bouroughs, yet putting in this number some ruined townes, which they commonly call Ca••aux, the which containes about one hundred and sixtie thousand inhabitants. Ma∣ny of these places may well be compared to good townes, as well for their bignesse, as for the number of the people. The best are Lapitho, Siguri, S. Iohn de Carpasse, Lesca∣ra, S. Constantin, Lim••ati, Silicu, Pellendria, Chillani, Collosse, Piscopia, Salines, Couuelia, Crimè, Arzos, Omodos, Crusoc, Solie, Marfou, and Lesque. All the Casaux, or Bouroughs, were diuided into three parts, whereof the moitie did belong vnto the kings treasurie, and the rest partly to the Clergie, and partly to the Nobilitie.

There are many mountaines in this Island, but that of Olympus is the greatest: the [ B] Grecians call it Throhodos, and it hath eighteene leagues in circuit. There are to be seene many Monasteries of Greeke Caloyers or Monkes, of the order of S. Basile.

¶ The Qualitie.

ALl this Island in former times was so full of wood, as they could not manure it; and although the inhabitants had consumed a great part of this wood in refining and melting of metalls, and making of ships; yet could they not easily lay the land bare, the wood grew so fast. In the end they ordained, that whosoeuer would cut vp any trees, might lawfully doe it; and that euerie man should enioy, as his owne inheritance, the [ C] fields which he had clensed. Strabo saith, That the Island of Cypres in his time did not yeeld to any other, for that it bare aboundance of wine and oyle, and had wheat suffici∣ent to feed the inhabitants. But at this day it is exceeding fertile, and abounds in all things necessarie for the life of man: for, besides the great store of wheat, and other graine and fruits of the earth which it beares, it yeelds excellent wine, the which they may keepe eightie yeares, and in this time, of blacke it becomes white; they are of a good and pleasing tast.

They bring from Cypres that goodly great blacke grape or Raysin, which they com∣monly call Zibile; and they are accustomed to gather in this Island all kinds of fruit which grow in other places, especially, Lymons, Citrons, and Oranges, which excell all [ D] others in tast. It beares no Chesnuts, Seruices, nor Cherries: but there growes great store of Dates, and Sugar, the which they draw out of Canes; Safron, Coriander, and Masticke. And besides ordinarie hearbes, there are Aegyptian beanes, or Colocasies, and other hearbes which are verie pleasant in tast. There is honie which is excellent and white, and Sugar which is blacke, the which they doe commonly call Melazo. This Island doth also yeeld many physicall things, as Turpentine, Coloquintida, Rhubard, Scammonye, and such like; as also, an hearbe of the ashes whereof they make Sope. There is also diuers mynes of gold, Borax, Alume, Yron, Vitrial, and Laten; but it hath more Brasse than any other thing. It doth also yeeld some precious stones, as the Emerald, Dyamond, Chrystall, white and red Corall, and the Amyant stone, whereof [ E] they make cloth which burnes not, being cast into the fire, but purifies and becomes white. The inhabitants doe also draw great profit from their cotton and wooll, where∣of they haue great store, and of their Goats haire, with which they make Chamlets. They draw store of salt from a Lake which lies not farre from the Sea, the which is twelue miles in circuit, and into it there runs a little riuer which falls from Mount Olym∣pus. They which remaine in this Island, are much troubled with the heat, for that it is scituated in the fiue and thirtieth degree, or thereabouts (as I take it) of the Norther∣ly altitude, by reason whereof, the Sun is not farre from them, when it enters into the tropicke of Cancer: yet the Northerne wind blowes strongly in the Bourough of Ce∣rines, and doth moderat this discommoditie by the coolenesse which it doth cause in the [ F] extremitie of the heat, and the aire vpon the mountaines is verie subtile. The ayre in this Island is most commonly vnwholesome and vnpleasing by reason of the Pooles which casts forth verie bad vapours. There are no riuers, but onely torrents or violent

[ A] streames, which growing drie, leaue the inhabitants in great distresse for water, which it may be is the greatest discommoditie may happen to them of Cypres. They report that before the time of great Constantine, this Island was abandoned by the inhabitants for the space of six and thirtie yeares, during the which, there was neuer any raine seene. There is but one port fit for the approach of ships, neere to Famagosta. It is true that in former times there were many, but they are now filled vp, by reason of the raging of the sea.

¶ The Manners of the Auncient.

[ B] THis Island in former times was in great reputation, for although that poets haue fai∣ned that Venus was borne of the skumme of the sea; yet the common oppinion was that she had her beginning in this Island of Cypres: and they beleeue that this goodly goddesse of loue was sometimes ladie of this countrie; and that to couer her wanton∣nesse and incontinencie, she ordained that the women might play the whores without any feare. Hence also grew the custome, that the maidens of Cypres, before they mar∣ried, came vpon certaine daies to the sea shore, to present themselues to the first stranger that would vse them for money; and with this kind of gaine they gathered together a certaine summe to pay their dowries, and to satisfie the goddesse Venus for the rauishing of their honours. Moreouer the Cypriots had learned the cruell customes of the Barba∣rians [ C] of Asia; for that Teucer hauing taught them to sacrifice men, and to shed humane blood in worshipping the deuill vnder the name of Iupiter, they continued it vntill that the Emperour Adrian abolished that custome.

The kings of this Island did sometimes weare attires on their heads like to a Bishops Miter, and they had long robes like vnto the kings of Persia, and as we see the Turkes weare at this day: as for the rest, they liued after the Grecian manner. The inhabitants in old time were so rich and powerfull, as they haue sent colonies into diuers places, and haue long commaunded ouer all the Mediterranean sea, and haue built many townes in Spaine.

¶ The Manners at this day.

[ D] THe inhabitants of this Island are ciuile, and liue gloriously and daintily. They affect strangers, and entreat them with much courtesie. They are valiant, and borne to the war, exceeding strong and very actiue; but much subiect to melanchollie.

They that remaine in this Island are of diuers nations, yet there are far more Grecians than other. The greatest part of these inhabitans came into this Island in the time of Con∣stantine the Great, from Aegypt, India, Syria, Cilicia, Cappadocia, Pamphylia, Thrace, and from many parts of Greece, after that the Island had beene abandoned for want of water. But in regard of the gentlemen of Cypres, they are for the most part come out of France: for after the losse of the Holie Land, there were many Frenchmen which reti∣red [ E] themselues into this Island with the king Guy of Lusignan, about the yeare 1193. But since that the Venetians became maisters, not onely the noblemen of Venice which remained in Cypres, were acknowledged for gentlemen of this Island: but also all the citisens of any townes belonging to the Seigneurie of Venice, became gentlemen Cy∣priots, hauing continued fiue yeres in the towne of Nicosia.

In this Island, as in all others, they are of mixt manners, for that some liue after the Ve∣netian fashion, hauing not forgotten their auncient manners: others which are Turkes liue after the Turkish fashion, and by little and little they all begin to frame themselues to their fashions which commaund ouer them.

[ F] ¶ The Gouernment.

ALl the Cypriots which remaine without the towns, are diuided into fiue diuers con∣ditions, that is to say, into Parices, Leissteres, Perpiaires, Albanois, and white Vene∣tians. The condition of the Parisians was the most miserable, for that they were entrea∣ted

like slaues: for in old time they paid a certaine summe vnto their maisters yerely, and [ A] did endure other troublesome charges; for they ought two daies journey weekely vnto their lords, and they gaue them the third part of all the fruits of the earth. These lords had all power ouer them; so as they might imprison them, banish them, beat, and tor∣ment them; yea they might doe any thing but kill them: for the king onely had that au∣thoritie: but it was lawful for them to sell them, and to exchange them; and the Parices might also redeeme themselues for sixtie crownes, or thereabouts: yet their lands remai∣ned Parices, that is to say, bound to their lords with the same condition. They that were infranchised after this manner, were called Leissteres, that is to say, free, and their chil∣dren were of the same condition that their fathers, except those that had beene begot∣ten [ B] before their infranchisement, for they were held for Parices. The Leissteres paid the fift or sixt part which they had gathered. Finally, they were forbidden to ioine in mar∣riage with the Parices, for that the children which were borne of such marriages were held for Parices.

The Perpiaires are some among the Parices which obtained libertie in the times of the kings of Cypres, with all their children and successors, vpon condition to pay yearely fif∣teene perpirs, which are certaine peeces of money of Constantinople: but their lands re∣mained subiect as before.

The Albanois are certaine people receiuing pay, being in former times brought into this Island to guard it, and these begot children in Cypres, who receiued pay as well as they that bare armes, vntill that the Island was taken by the Turkes. [ C]

The white Venetians are certaine inhabitants of the Island which were free, both they and their children, paying onely vnto the king, or to the commonweale of Venice a cer∣taine summe of money. This Island came to be subiect to the Venetians, in the yeare of Grace 1473, and remained in this estate vnto the yeare 1570, when it was taken by Soly∣man Emperor of the Turkes. Touching the Turkes gouernment, we will treat thereof in the generall discourse of his Empire.

¶ The Religion.

IN former time there were fourteene Bishoprickes in this Island, which were all Gre∣cians: [ D] but they were reduced to foure by Pope Innocent the third, in fauour of Queene Aliz. He left the Archbishopricke of Nicosia double, the one Greeke, and the other Latine: the Bishopricke of Famagosta was also double: the Bishopricke of Paphee was also double, and in like manner that of Lymissa. The Latine Bishopricks haue their bour∣roughes and their tithes: but the Greeke Bishops did exact yearely a certaine summe of the Priests and Deacons which were subiect vnto him, after the manner of Greeke Pre∣lats of other prouinces. The Greeke Archbishops and Bishops did acknowledge the La∣tine Bishops for their superiours, yea in such sort as after that the Grecians had beene chosen Bishops by the kings Councell; they were confirmed by the Latine Bishops and [ E] when there was any suit before the Bishops, they did appeale from the Greeke vnto the Latins.

The Greeke Bishops did not remaine in the abouementioned townes, but Pope Alex∣ander the fourth assigned them other seats, as we may read in Somma Alexandrina, for the Greeke Archbishop of Nicosia had his seat in the auncient towne of Solia, and was called Bishop of Solia, and head of the Grecians of Nicosia: the Bishop of Paphee re∣mained in the towne of Arzos: he of Lymisse had Amathonte for his aboad; but for that this towne was not inhabited, he liued in Lescare: Finally, the Bishop of Famagosta made his residence at Carpasse; yet in time they are returned to the aforesaid townes, on∣ly the Bishop of Lymisse continues still at Lescare. We may not omit that the Latine [ F] Archbishop of Nicosia, who was called Archbishop of Cypres, did not acknowledge any Patriarch, but depended immediatly of the Pope; by reason whereof, they called him Primat of the realme, and borne Legat of the Holie See. But you must vnderstand that after this, vnder Pope Pius the fourth, the Signiours of Venice became Patrons of

[ A] this Archbishopricke, and were woont·to chuse foure men, one of which was named Archbishop by the Pope.

Besides the Greeke and Latine Churches, there are other sects in this Island, as Arme∣nians, Coftes, Maronites, Indians, Nestoriens, Georgiens, and Iacobites, which were all expelled by Saladine, after the taking of Hierusalem, and either of these sects hath his Bi∣shop.

The Turkes suffer euerie man to liue with libertie of conscience, as in other countries where they rule, for that they demaund nothing but the soueraigntie, and the payment of the tribute which they exact yearely.

[ B] [ C] ❧ THE ISLAND OF RHODES.

The Contents.

RHodes is an Island, called in old time by diuers names, and famous for the great Co∣losse of brasse. What the scituation is, and how many miles it containes. The fa∣mous citie of Rhodes fortified with three walls, thirteene towers, and fiue castles: [ D] giuen in former times by the Emperour of Constantinople to the knights of S. Iohn, and now held by the Turkes. Verie subiect to the ouerflowing of waters. Abounding in pastures, Orange, Citron, and Oliue trees. The auncient valour and power of these Islanders tried by the Grecians and Romans. Their lawes touching publique workes and charges. Giuen to the studie of sciences, liberall arts, Nigromancie, and Sorcerie. Sacrificing men to Saturne. The inhabitants of this Island at this present, being Turkes, Iewes, and Christians Grecians, eue∣rie man liuing according to his lawes.

[ E] THis Island was in old time called Ophinse, Asteria, Ethrea, Trina∣chia, Corimbia, Poeesse, Atabyria, then Macharia, and Colosse, by reason of the great Colosse that was to be seene there, and was numbred among the seuen wonders of the world. It was all of brasse, and the thumbe of the hand was so bigge, as no man was able to embrace it with both his armes. The Aegyptians did beat it in peeces.

This Island lies twentie miles from the maine land of Asia, and containes about one hundred and fortie, or (as some write) one hundred thirtie fiue miles. At this day there is a good towne which is called Rhodes, of the name of the Island. It stands towards the Sunne rising, and is partly scituated vpon the side of a hill, and part vpon the Sea shore. There are three walls, thirteene high towers, fiue castles, and some other forts which [ F] make it in a manner impregnable. This towne in former times was verie famous, and much more than vnder the knights of S. Iohn of Hierusalem, or at this day vnder the Turkes: for after that the Christians were dispossessed of the Holie land, the whole island was giuen by the Emperour of Constantinople, to the knights of S. Iohn of Hieru∣salem, in the yeare of our Redemption 1308. But in the yeare of our Lord God 1522,

Solyman, emperor of the Turkes, made himselfe maister thereof, hauing taken the towne [ A] by composition, which was, That the knights should depart the Island with their liber∣ties, and that the inhabitants of the countrie should continue there still if they would. All the houses of the knights of the Rhodes are carefully preserued to this day by the Turke, with the armes, paintings, grauings, and inscriptions.

¶ The Qualitie.

NEere vnto the towne of Rhodes there is a plaine, lying vpon the North side (for the other is hillie) the which is stonie and narrow; but it is of a reasonable length: and [ B] there are many vallies and little hills neere vnto the towne, with store of vines and fruit trees, which grow there by art and industrie of men, for that the place doth not naturally beare any.

This Island hath beene much subiect to the ouerflowing of waters: but they haue la∣boured to draine out the waters, and to drie vp the Moores; so as the countrie hath beene made fertile, and no more subiect to such inundations, where with it hath been afflicted, especially three times: the last happened whenas king Antigones had vanquished Eu∣menes, at which time the whole Island was couered with water, and the inhabitants drow∣ned. This happened not by any swelling of the Sea, but by continuall stormes of raigne, which beginning with haile at the entrance of the Spring, were so violent, as bearing downe many houses, and killing many persons, the towne was in a manner ruined in those [ C] stormes. But to speake something of the bountie of this Island in generall, it obounds in pastures, and brings forth great store of Oliue trees, Citrons, and Oliues, and other trees which are continually greene.

¶ The manners of the Auncients.

THe victories which the Romans haue gotten by meanes of the nauall armies of the Rhodians, and the couragious defence of the same Islanders against the Romans, before that they were made subiect to their commaund, may sufficiently shew how vali∣ant these people were, and bred to armes. The Rhodians did also fight furiously against [ D] Cassius: but long before, they imployed their forces diuersly, sometimes for the Lacede∣monians against the Athenians, and sometimes for the later against the first, as they could practise their loues: for it was a free people, whose succours they did sue for, as they doe at this day vnto the Suisses. According to an auncient law the rich were bound to beare the charges of the poorer sort.

There were men also appointed for publique workes, who did furnish victuals to them that laboured, and had a care that no necessaries should be wanting, especially in matters which concerned the Sea. Moreouer, there were some secrets in their Arcenall, which was not lawfull for any man to see, and if any one did presume to cast his eye thereon, or [ E] to enter, he was presently condemned to die. The towne of Rhodes was much com∣mended for the sciences and liberall arts which did flourish there, so as the Romans them∣selues sent their children thither to studie. The Rhodians language was not so sweet as that of the countrie of Attica, and did more resemble the rudenesse of their neighbour speech, than the much babling of them of Attica.

The inhabitants of this Island, although they were verie ciuile, yet they did sacrifice (as Eusebius writes) a man euerie yeare vnto Saturne. They were in the beginning great sorcerers, and so daungerous, as within the infusion of certaine water charmed, they spoyled the seed of the earth, and did kill their cattell. They were great fencers, subtile Artizans, quicke witted, and full of excellent inuentions. [ F]

[ A] ¶ The Manners of this age.

THe towne is inhabited by Turkes which liue after the manner of their nation, and of the Iewes which are come out of Spaine. But as for Christians, they may not liue there in the night, for that the Turke suspects them, and feares some sedition or treason. In the day time it is lawfull for them to continue in the towne as long as they please, and no man takes exception. They that liue in villages are for the most part Christians, Greekes, which trimme their vines and gardens, and manure their grounds. These liue for [ B] the most part like vnto other Grecians.

❧ BOSSINA, BVLGARIA, SER∣VIA, RASCIA, AND THAT WHICH THE TVRKE HOLDS IN HVNGARIE.

[ C] BOssina, or Bosne is a countrie of Illiria, called Cardania by Orosus, and by others high Misia. It takes the name of the riuer Bosne, which falls into [ XXX] that of Saue. This countrie is diuided into two parts, whereof the one is called the realme of Bosne, and the other the duchie. It is scituated betwixt the riuer of Danou and Sclauonia. The realme of Bosne did containe the Low Coun∣tries, and the chiefe place was Couadze, or Iaieze, the which was scituated vpon the top of a hill betwixt two riuers, with an impregnable Castle. The Turke made himselfe maister of this realme in the yeare 1464, and did cause the king of Bosne called Stephen, who was also Despot of Rascia and Seruia to be flead.

The duchie of Bosne contained the High Countrie ioining to Ragousa, and the duke was called duke of S. Saba, or of Herzegouina, or of the Blacke mountaine. This du∣chie fell also into the hands of the Turkes the same yeare 1464; so as all Bossina at this day is but one gouernment. The aboad of the B••glierbei is at Bagnialuca. There are also [ D] the townes of Poschegue, Clisso, Herzogouina, Lika, Sazeschne, Isuuornike, Bisrem, and Alatschiachissar.

Seruia, which many men take for the auncient countrie of the Triballes, and High Misia, lies betwixt the realme of Bosne and Bulgaria. The chiefe towne of Sernia was Senderouia, which some call Spenderobe, others Simandria, or Semendria, the Turkes Semunder, and the Hungarians Zendrem. This place stands neere to Belgrada vpon the bankes of Danou, or Danubius. It was taken by Amurath Emperour of the Turkes in the yeare 1438. There is also Prisdens, whereas the Emperour Iustinian was borne. The other townes of note in this countrie are Vidina, called by the Turkes Kyratouu, [ E] seated neere to Mount Argentarius, then Nouograde, which is vpon the frontires of Ser∣uia, and which some do vnfitly call the New Hill, or the Blacke Hill.

Bulgaria, as if we should say, Volgaria, is so called of certaine people which parting from the riuer of Volga, about the yeare 666, seised vpon this countrie, which some hold was in old time Base Misia. It lies betwixt Seruia, Romania, and the riuer of Danou. The chiefe towne is Sophia, which Niger takes to be the towne of Ptolomees Tibisque. It stands in a very commodious scituation, and it is great and well peopled, but nothing strong. There is also Nicopolis, which the Turkes call Nigebolis.

Rascia lies betwixt the riuer of Termes and Danou. The chiefe towne are Zarnouia, Crusoueccia, Couin, Nouebarda, Seuerin, Calambes, Columbesta, and Bodon. This [ F] countrie had sometimes a particular Despot, who was dispossessed by Amurath.

The Turke doth also hold in Bessarabia, which they hold to be one of the prouinces of Moldauia, the townes of Kilem and Bermen, or Moncastre, whereas •• Sangiac re∣mains, who is subiect to the Beglierbey of Greece. These towns were taken by the Turke with the countrie, in the yeare 1485.

As for Hongarie, the Turke holds Buda the royall towne, the which was taken by [ A] the Turkes in the yeare 1541, and soone after the townes of Strigonia, Albaregale, and Quinque Eglises. Belgrada also, or Alba Greka, was taken by them in the yere 1521. And to conclude, for that wee will treat more particularly elsewhere of the realme of Hon∣garie, king Mathias who was put in possession of the realme of Hongarie, holds no∣thing but that which lies towards the riuer of Danou, vpon the frontires of Polonia and Cassouia.

¶ The Qualitie.

THe realme of Bosne is full of rough mountaines which yeeld little. All the aduan∣tage [ B] it hath, is, that it makes the countrie the more strong. There are also mines of siluer, whereof they haue great aboundance. And they draw out of this countrie the best faulcons that can be seene.

Bulgaria, is for the most part full of mountaines, and extends sometimes towards the riuer of Danou, and sometimes towards Romania: the middle part of the countrie is more stonie and rough than the rest. And although that the lower parts haue some plaines and vallies, yet the greatest part is full of thickewoods, or else these plaines are de∣sart: here Ladslaus king of Poland consumed his armie.

Seruia and Rascia are of the same qualitie: but Seruia exceeds the rest in that it hath mines of gold, and is like to that of Bossina, in regard of those of siluer. As for the coun∣trie [ C] which the Turke holds in Hongarie, we will speake of the qualitie thereof, whenas we shall make particular mention of that realme.

¶ The Manners.

THe manners of these people are for the most part like vnto those of the Sclauonians, which we haue alreadie described. They haue little tast of the neighbourhood of the Polonians. These nations are in a manner all giuen to wine, very rude and grosse. There is no great trust in their words, for that they breake their faith vpon any light occasion. [ D] They are borne to endure all kind of toile and labour, and are not easily tired with any thing: but there is nothing more troublesome than their conuersation. They are ful of courage but not of valour, for that their resolution growes rather from brutishnesse, than from any thing that may giue a man the title of valiant.