Cosmographie in four bookes : containing the chorographie and historie of the whole vvorld, and all the principall kingdomes, provinces, seas and isles thereof / by Peter Heylyn.

The ISLANDS of the PONTICK and PROPON. TICK SEAS.

Before we come to the descriptions of these Ilands, we must first look upon the Seas in which they lie: beginning with the PONTICK first, because the Greatest, and that which doth communicate and convey its waters unto all the rest. A Sea made up Originally of the confluence of those mighty Rivers, (the greatest in those parts of the World) which do fall into it: that is to say, the Danow, Borysthenes, and Tanais falling out of Europe, besides many other fair and large Rivers (though of lesser note) to the number of at least an hundred, which pay Tribute to it: the whole compasse of it be∣ing 2700 miles; in form, by some resembled to a Scythian Box when it is bended. A Sea not so salt as many others, and therefore much annoyed with ice in winter; seldome remitted in the spring on the Northern shores: the Traffick of it wholly in a manner engrossed by the Turkes, who is master of all the Sea-coast of it, save what belongs to the Polonian and Crim-Tartar. At first called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 from the inhospitablenesse of the neighbouring people; which being brought to some conformity, caused the Sea to be called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. By Florus it is called Mare Sinistrum, because in the way from Rome to Asia Minor it lay upon the left hand, as the Mediterranean did upon the right. It is commonly called at this time Mare Maggiore, for its greatnesse; and the Black Sea, because of the great mists thence arising. Others not unprobably affirme, that it is called the Black Sea, from the dangerous and black∣shipwraks here happening. For it is a very dangerous shore full of Rocks and Sands: and for this cause there is on the top of an high tower, a lanthorn, in which there is a great pan full of pitch, rozen, tallow, and the like, in dark nights continually burning, to give warning to Mariners how near they approach unto the shore. This Sea being the biggest of all those parts, gave occasion to

them which knew no bigger,* 1.1 to call all seas by the name of Pontus, as Ovid, Omnia pontus erant, deerant quoque littora ponto; and in another place of the same Poet,—nil nisi pontus & aer; a better reason doubtlesse of the name, then that of the Etymologists: Pontus, quia ponte caret. Of this Sea the chief Iles are Thimius, and Erithinnus, little famous. From hence the Sea bending Southward, is brought into narrow bounds, not being fully a mile broad; and called Thracius Bosphorus: Thracius, for its fate nigh Thrace; and Bosphorus, for that Oxen have swomme over it, and hath no Iland worth naming.

This Strait having continued 26 miles in length, openeth it self into the Propontis, 30 miles in compasse; confined with Thrace on the one side, and with Bythinia on the other: so as they which saile in the midle, may descry the land on all parts. Now called Mare di Marmora, from the Iland Marmora, which formerly called Proconnesus, hath for its abundance of Marble purchased this new name. The soile apt for Vines, and not destitute of Corn, yeilding also good pasturage for Goats, wherof here is plenty, with an incredible number of Partriges amongst the Rocks: the Country of Aristaeus, a famous Poet, who flourished in the times of Croesus. Antiently it had in it two Cities of the same name with the Iland, called the Old and New Proconensus, the former first uilt by the Milestans, an Asian people; the latter by the natives of this Iland. But both these being long since decayed; it hath now onely a small Village towards the North, with an Haven to it; inhabited by Greeks, as is all the rest of the Iland: such Christian Slaves as are in great numbers em∣ployed here by the Turkes in digging Marble for their Mosques, and other buildings, being onely sojourners, not house-keepers, and therefore not accompted amongst the Inhabitants. Here is also in this Propontick Sea, the Isle of Cyzieus; but being it is on Asia side, we shall there speak of it.

The Sea having gathered her waters into a lesser Channell, is called Hellespont, from Helle, daughter to Athamas, King of Thebes, who was here drowned. Over this famous strait did Xerxes, according to Hercdotus, make a bridge of boats to passe into Greece: which when a suddain tempest had shrewdly battered, he caused the Sea to be beaten with 300 stripes; and cast a pair of Fetters into it, to make it know to whom it was subject. Xerxes in this expedition wasted over an Army consisting of two millions, and 164710 fighting men, in no lesse than 2208 bottomes of all sorts. When all the Persians soothed the King in the unconquerableness of his forces; Artabanus told him, that he feared no enemies but the Sea and the Earth; the one yeelding no safe harbour for such a Navie; the other, not yeel∣ding sufficient substance for so multitudinous and Army. His return over this Hellespont was as dejected, as his passage magnificent; his Fleet being so broken by the valour of the Greeks, and the fury of the sea: that for his more speedy flight, he was compelled to make use of a poor sisher-boat. Nei∣ther yet was his passage secure; For the boat being overburdened, had sunk all, if the Persians by easting away themselves, had not saved the life of their King. The losse of which noble spirits so vexed him, that having given the Steersman a golden Coronet, for preserving his own life: he com∣manded him to execution, as a Co-author of the death of his servants. It is now called the Castles, or the sea of the two Castles; which two Castles stand one on Europe, the other on Asia side; in the Townes of Sestos, and Abydos. These Castles are exceeding well built, and abundantly furnished with munition. They search and examine all Ships that passe that way: they receive the Grand Seigni∣eurs customes, and are in effect the principal strength of Constantinople. At these Castles, all Ships must stay three dayes; to the end, that if any Slave be run away from his master, or theeves have stolen any thing, they may be in that place pursued and apprehended. So that these Castles are as it were the out-works of Constantinople to defend it from all invasions, and from any forces which may come unto it by Sea, out of the Mediterranean. And for the safety thereof, from such as may finde passage into the Euxine, there are situate at the very entrance of the Thracian Bosphorus two strong Castles also: the one above Constantinople on Europe side, anciently called Damalis, and now the Black tower, strongly fortified, and compassed with a wall twenty two foot thick, which with the opposite Castle on the Asian Shore, doe command that entrance. No Europaean Isle of note in either Strait. And therefore on unto

Notes

• * 1.1

  Propontis.