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.

5. COELE-SYRIA.

COELE-SYRIA is bounden on the East with part of Palmyrene, and Arabia Deserta; on the West, with Palestine; on the North, with Palmyrene, and some part of Syria Propria, from which divided by the Interposition of Mount Libanus; on the South, with Ituraea, and Arabia Deserta also.

It was called by the Greeks Coele-Syria, i.e. Syria Cava, because partly situate in the hollow vallies interjected betwixt Libanus and Anti-Libanus: and sometimes also Syro-Phoenacia, from the inter∣mixture of those people; as the Phoenicians which went with Dido into Africk, were called Libe-Phoem∣ces. By the Romans, when made a distinct Province of their Empire, it had the name of Phoenice Libam, or Phanicia Libanensis, to difference it from the other Phoenicia, which they called Maritima: but before all this by the Hebrews named Aram-Damasek, Syria-Damascena in the Latine, from Damaescus the chief City of it: unless perhaps we should rather say, that Aram-Damasek conteined only that which lay between the Mountaines of Labanus and Anti-Libanus; the rest being added by the Romans, out of the neighbouring parts of Palestine, and Arabia-Deserta, as perhaps it was.

Chief Rivers hereof are, 1. Abanak, and 2. Pharphar, the Rivers of Damascus, as the Scripture calleth them, 2 Kings chap. 5. The one of which is thought to be the River Adonis, spoken of already; the other that which Ptolomy calleth Chrysorrhoas, or the golden flood; which rising in the Hills of this Countrey, passeth by Damascus; and so together with the other into the Mediterranean Sea Chief Mountaines of it, 1. Alsadamus, by the Phoenicians called Syrion, by the Amorites, Samir; a Ridge of Hills which begin∣ning at the East point of Anti-Libanus, bend directly Southwards, shutting up on that side the land of Isra∣el, whereof more in Palestine, 2. Hippus, a ledge of Mountains in the South parts of this Province, where it bordereth on Arabia Deserta.

Towns of most consideration in it, 1. Heliopolis, so called from an Image of the Sun there worshipped in time of Paganism; now Ballebec, or (as some say) Balbec. 2. Chalcis, more East-ward towards Damascut, which gave the title of a King to Prolomy Mennaeus, and his sonne Lysanias, the Kingdome then extending over the City of Abila, and the whole Province of Iturea in Palestine. But that Family being either expired, or grown out of favour, and Abila with Ituret otherwise disposed of, the title of the King of Chalcis with the Town and territory, was given to Herod brother of Agrippa the first, King of Jeurie. Erroneously supposed by some learned men to be that Chalcis, from which the Countrey called Chalcidice takes denomination: that Chalcis being placed by Ptolomy a degree and an half more East than Damascus, and two degrees more towards the North; whereas this Chalcis lieth on the West of that City, in the shades of Libanus, and in the very same degree of Northern Latitude. 3. Abila, seated at the foot of Libanus, betwixt Heliopolis and Chalcis, from whence the Countrey round about is called Abi∣lene: given to Lysanias, the sonne of the former Lysanias King of Chalcis, with the title of Tetrach. Mentioned Luk 3. 1. with those other Princes which shared Palestine amongst them: not that he was the sonne of Herod, as antiently Beda and Euthymius, and of late-times some very industrious men have been of opinion; but partly because the Cities of Chalcis and Abila of right belonged to those of the Tribe of Naphthalim (though never conquered or possessed by them) and so to be a part of Palestine; and partly because the Teirarchy of Abtlene, when Saint Luke wrote that Gospel, was possessed together with the rest by King Agrippa. Restored (as it seemeth) to the former Family, after his decease; for known it was by the name of Abil-Lysaniae in the time of Prolomy. 4 Adida, memorable for the victory which Aretas King of Arabia obtained neer unto it, against Alexander King of Jewrie: the Kingdome of Syria then lying open as a prey to the next Invaders. 5. Hippus, or Hippons, as Plinie calleth it, not far from the Mountain of that name. 6. Capitolias, now called Suente. 7. Gadara. 8. Scythopolis. 9. Gerasa, and 10. Philadelphia, reckoned by Ptolomy as Cities of Coele-Syria, but of right belonging unto Palestine, where we mean to take more notice of them. 11. Damascus, situate in a large plain environed with hills, and watered with the River Chrysorrboas, which with a great noise descendeth from the Mountains, and so abundantly serveth the City, that not only most of the houses have their Fountains of it, but their Orchards and gardens have some Rivulets conveyed into them. The Countrey round about abundantly enriched with plenty of most excellent wines (the vines hereof bearing grapes all the year long) and great store of wheat, as their Orchards with variety of most delicate fruits: our Damascens, (or Pru∣na Damaseena as the Latines call them) coming first from hence; as also do our Damask Roses but infi∣nite short of their naturall sweetness, by the transplantation. A place so surfeiting of delights, so girt a∣bout with odoriferous and curious gardens, that the vile Impostor Mahomet would never be perswaded to come into it: for fear (as himself was used to say) lest being ravished with the ineffable pleasures of it, he

should forget the business he was sent about, and make there his Paradice. But Muhavias, one of his Successors, having no such scruple, removed the Regal Seat unto it, where it continued (for the most part) till the building of Bagdat by Bugiafer the twentieth Caliph, about an hundred years after this Remo∣vall.

The chief buildings of it of late times, till destroyed by the Tartars, were a strong Castle, in the opi∣nion of those times held to be impregnable; and not without great difficulty forced by Tamerlane, whom nothing was able to withstand: and as Majesticall a Church, gamished with fourty suumptucus porch∣es, and no fewer then 9000 Lanterns of gold and Silver; which with 30000 people in it (who fled thither for Sanctuary) was by the said Tamerline most cruelly and unmercifully burnt and pulled down unto the ground. Repaired by the Mamalucks of Aegypt, when Lords of Syria, it hath since flourished in Trade, the people being industrious, and celebrated for most excellent Artizans: the branching of Satins, and fine Linnen which we call by the name of Damasks, being amongst many others, one of their inven∣tions. Renowned in the Old Testament for the Kings hereof, and the birth of Eliezer, Abrahams Steward (so honourably antient was this City); and in the New, for the Conversion of Saint Paul, who first preached the Gospell in this place, and here so narrowly escaped the snares of his enemies, that he was fain to be let down out of the house in which he was, by the help of Basket. 12. Eden, at the foot of Mount Libanus, now a Town of the Maronites, and antiently of such esteem, that the whole Countrey of Damascus was called Beth-Eden, Amos 1. 5.

But antient and honourable though this City was, we find nothing of the story of it, till the time of David, the Kings thereof untill those daies, being conceived to have been Homagers and Tributaries to the Kings of Zobah. The first exploit ascribed unto them in the Holy Scripture, is their coming to the aid of Adad-ezer, upon his first dereat by David: in which action having lost 22000 men, they were so broken, that they did not only suffer David to put Garrisons in the best Cities of Damascus. but patient∣ly became his Servants, and brought presents to him, 2 Sam. 8. 5, 6. The name of this unfortunate Prince not made known in Scripture, is by Josephus affirmed out of Nicolas Damasceus, to have been Adad (a name much cherished and assumed by the Kings his Suceessours): who keeping constant to the party of Adad-ezer in his following wars; was at last slain with him in that great discomsiture which David gave them, mentioned in the 2 of Sam. chap. 10. v. 18. In which Text the Scripture telleth us nothing of the death of those Kings, that being supplyed to us by Josephus out of their Records. Who also addeth, that Rezin one of the Chief Commanders of Adad-ezer, taking this advantage, not only usurped his Masters Kingdome, but made himself Master of the Kingdome of Damascus also. From this time forward the Seat-Royall of the Kings of Syria. Nor is this the tradition of Josephus only, but founded plainly on the Scriptures; of which see 1 Kings 11. v. 23, 24. the Scriptures after this, taking no notice of any other Kings of Syria (by the name of Kings of Syria) but of those that reigned in Damascus; who in short time had swallowed up the petit Kingdomes of Gessur, Ish-tok, Rehob, besides that of Sobah before-mentioned.

The Kings of Syria or Damascus.

• 1. Adad, the Friend and Confederate of Adad-ezer King of Sobah; in whose quarrel he was vanquished and slain by David.
• 2. Rezin, of whom the Scripture saith in the 2 of Chron. that when David slew them of Sobah, he fled from Adad-ezer his Lord, and gathered men unto him, and certain Captains over a Band, and went to Damascus and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.
• 3. Adad II. an Idumoean, supposed to be of the family of Adad-ezer, but rather as I think of Adad, for fear of David fled to Aegypt, where he maried Taphnes, the Queens Sister: and hearing that both David and Joab were dead, returned again into his Countrey, and as some write, expelled Rezin out of Damascus, and reigned there as King.
• 4. Hezion, Successour unto Adad.
• 5. Tabrimon, the Sonne of Hezion, as is said 1 Kings 15. 18.
• 6. Ben-hadad the Sonne of Tabrimon, hired by Asa King of Judah, to aid him in his wars against Baasha of Israel.
• 7. Ben-hadad II. Sonne of the former, twice invaded Israel in the reign of Achab, but both times notably repulsed; the first time by a sally of 700 men at the siege of Sama∣ria, the next at Aphec, where with the like number in effect he was taken prisoner, and his Army routed.
• 8. Hazael, Captain of the host to Ben-hadad, annointed King of Syria by the Prophet Elisha, whom God appointed so to do, that by his hands he might avenge himself on Ben-ha-dad, whom Hazael slew, but he proved as ill a neighbour to the Kings of Israel, as those before him. He attempted upon Judah also in the time of Joas, but bribed with the Treasures of the Temple, he withdrew his forces.
• 9. Ben-hadad III. Sonne of Hazael, discomfited in three set Battels by Joas King of Israel.
• 10. Ben-hadad IV. Sonne of Ben-hadad the third.
• 11. Ben-hadad V. Sonne of Ben-hadad the fourth.
• 12. Ben-hadad VI. Sonne of Ben-hadad the fifth, in the time of one of which three Kings, but which one we find not for a certain, Jeroboam the Sonne of Joas King of Israe!, subdued

• both Chamath, and Damascus: of which see 2 Kings 14. v. 18.
• 13. R••zin II. Sonne of Ben-hadad the sixt, and the last King of Damascus, who joining with P••k••h King of Israel, against Ahaz of Judah, enforced him to call unto his aid ••••glal P••alasar, King of Assyria, by whom Rezin was taken, and beheaded, and the City of Damascus won: the Kingdome of Syria by that means united to the Assyrian Em∣pire.

After this time the Syrians continued subject to the Babylonian and Assyrian Monarchs; and in the o∣verthrow of that Empire by the Medes and Persians, became a part of their estate: remaining so till the first battel betwixt Alexander and Darius fought near Issus in Cilicia. The victory wherein falling to the Macedonia, gave him without more trouble than the seige of Tyre, the possesion of Syria and Phoen••••••. He dying not long after his conquest of Persia, this Countrey lay as it were at stake betwixt Prolomy King of Egypt, and Antigonus the chief Lord of Asia: but the possession of it, together with the rest of the Per∣sian. Empire in both Asias, fell in conclusion to the share of Scleucus, for his many great and signal victo∣ries surnamed Nicanor; a man strangely preferred. For being at the first, Governour of Cha••dea onely, he was fotced to leave Babylon, and forsake his Province for fear of Antigonus, then dreadful to all the Macedonian Captaines; and to flie into Egypt, where he became Ptolomies Admiral. After which Ptolomie sighting a pitched field with Demetrius, son to Antigonus, took Seleucus with him; and ha∣ving won the battel, gave him aid and license to recover his former government. Seleucus wel-beloved of the people, soon made himself Master, not of Chaldea onely, but of all the Persian Provinces beyond Euphrates: and not long after (being seconded by his good friend Ptolomy, Cassander, and Ly••••ma∣chus) he encountred Antigonus at Ipsus in Ionia, where Antigonus himself was slain, and his whole ar∣my routed. This victory made Seleucus Lord of all Asia, from whence passing over into Europe, he vanquished and flew Lysimachus: seven moneths after which victory he was slain by Ptolomy Ceraunus, whose patron and protector he had formerly been; being yet the last survivor of all Alexanders Princes, and the onely possessour of all the dominions which his master had, by the way of conquest, Egypt excepted. His Successours, although they were Lords of all Asia, yet since in Syria they kept their residence, to the end that they might the better furnish themselves with Souldiers out of Greece, upon all occasions, as was said before; they were commonly called the Kings of Syria. But long they held not in that greatness of estate and power which Seleucus left them: though being a full-bodied Tree, and of several Limbs, it endured the lopping off of many branches, and many a sad blow at the very root of it, before it fell For in the time of Seleucus Callinicus, the fourth of this house, A••saces a noble Parthian recovered from it all the Provin∣ces of the Persian Empire, lying on that side of Euphrates, and erected the so much celebrated Parthian Kingdome, whereof more in Persia. And in the reign of Antiochus Magnus, so called for his victories in Egypt, Judea, and Babylonia, the Romans extorted from it all the Asian Provinces, on this side Mount Taurus; not wanting many provocations to incite them to it: for he not only had made warre against Pto∣lomy Philopater King of Egypt, whom the Romans had taken into their protection; but stirred up the Ci∣ties and States of Greece against them; invaded Lysimachia, and some other parts of Europe in defiance of them; and had received Annibal the Carthagimar, and Thoas the Aetolian, their most mortal enemies, into his dominions, governing his Counsels by the influences which they had upon him. Nor may we think but that ambition and avarice, to adde to their same and Empire by the overthrow of so great a Prince, did perswade much with them. So that the point being brought to a ready issue, they pleaded it on both sides in the battel of Magnesia, a City of Lydia, to which Antiochus brought an Army of 300000. foot, and as many armed Chariots, besides store of Elephants, if the Roman writers be not o∣ver-lavish in their reports. But rejecting the advise of Annibal, and committing his affaires wholly to Evil Counsellers, he was vanquished by no more than four Legions of enemies, and for his peace, compelle to quit all his Asian Provinces, on that side of Taurus, and to pay 15000. Talents in ready mony for the charge of the warre. The rest of his estates they were content he should enjoy for a longer time, Et libentius quod tam facile cessisset, (as Florus handsomly puts it on him) because he had so easily relinquished that. Afterwards in the civil broyles among themselves, about the succession of the Kingdome, Alexander, King of the Jews, took from them many of their best Towns in Palestine, as Joppa, Gaza, Anthedon, Azotus, Rhinocorura, almost all Samaria, and Gaulonitis, with Sythopolis, Gadara, and many other strong Towns in Coele-Syria. Finally, when they had consumed almost all the Royal race, and changed their Kings no less than ten times in 40. years, (a sure sign of a falling and expiring Kingdome) they were fain to cast themselves upon Tigranes King of Armenia, a puissant and successeful Prince, till ingaged in the quarrel of Mithridates against the Romans: by whom stripped of all his Estates on this side Eu∣phrates, he was fain to content himself with his own Armenia, leaving Syria to the absolute disposal of Pompey, who presently reduced it to the form of a Province. This said, we have not much more to do with the house of Seleucus, but to lay down their names, and times of their several governments, till we draw towards the last end of

The Macedonian Kings of Syria.

• A. M.
• 3654. 1. Seleucus, Nicanor, the first King of this house. 31.
• 3685. 2. Antiochus, surnamed Soter, or the Saviour; memorable for nothing so much, as marying with Stratonice his Fathers wife, in his Fathers life-time.
• 3704. 3. Antiochus II. by his flattering Courtiers surnamed Theos, or the God: but being poisoned by his wife he proved a mortall.
• ...

• 3719. 4. Seleucus II. surnamed by the like flattery Callinicus, or fair Conquerour; because shame∣fully beaten by the Parthians.
• 3739 5. Seleucus III. called for the like reason Ceraunus, or the Thunderer; the eldest sonne of Callinicus.
• 3742. 6. Antiochus III. surnamed Magnus, the younger sonne of Callinicus, a Prince that imbra∣ced many great actions, and was fortunate in his successes beyond Euphrates: he plagued the Jews, but lost all Asia Minor unto the Romans.
• 3778. 7. Seleucus IV. called Philopator, the sonne of Antiochus, who first began to cast his eye up∣on the riches of the Tempse at Hierusalem.
• 3790. 8. Antiochus IV. surnamed Epiphanes, or the Illustrious, but more truly Epimanes, or the mad, the great scourge of the Jews; brother of Seleucus Philopator. With whom be∣ginneth the story of the first Book of the Maccabees.
• 3802. 9. Antiochus V. called by the name of Eupator, the sonne of Epiphanes; who by Lysias his Captain tyrannized over the poor Iudeans, for the litle time that he reigned; as did also
• 3804. 10. Demetrius, surnamed Soter, sonne of Seleucus Philopator, by the hands of Nicanor: ha∣ving possessed himself of the diademe by the death of Eupator, slain in his favour by the Soul∣diers who revolted from him. He was afterwards deposed for a time by Alexander Bala, pretending himself to be the Sonne of Eupator, supported herein by the Antiochians.
• 3814. 11. Alexander Bala, discomfited in his first battell by Demetrius, whom he slew and van∣quished in the second; maryed Cleopatra Daughter of Ptolomy Philometor, by whose aid he was victorious. But a quarrel breaking out between them, Ptolomy invaded Syria, and caused himself to be crowned King of it: Alexander being slain by some of his Soul∣diers.
• 3819. 12. Demetrius II. surnamed Nicator, Sonne of Demetrius the first, recovered his Fathers Kingdome, a friend of the Maccabees, but so cruell to his own people, that he was driven out of his Kingdome by Tryphon Generall of his Armies.
• 3821. 13. Antiochus VI. surnamed Entheus, the Sonne of Alexander and Cleopatra, advanced unto the Throne by Tryphon, and after slain by him to make way for himself unto the Throne.
• 3824. 14. Tryphon, called also Diodorus, having driven out Demetrius, and slain Antiochus, made himself King.
• 3827. 15. Antiochus VII. surnamed Sedetes, brother of Demetrius, having overcome and slain Try∣phon, succeeded him in the estate; for a while victorious against the Parthians, but after∣wards overcome and slain by them. After whose death Demetrius Nicator (having lived in Parthia since the loss of his Kingdome) was restored again unto the Throne; which having held about 4 years, he was again dispossessed and slain by
• 3843. 16. Alexander II. surnamed Zebenna, an Aegyptian of mean birth, set up by Ptolomy Euer∣getes, and pretending himself to be the adopted Sonne of Antiochus; afterwards vanquish∣ed and slain by
• 3845. 17. Antiochus VIII. from the croockednesse of his nose surnamed Gryphus, Sonne of Deme∣trius, aided herein by the Aegyptian, with whom reconciled: having reigned about eight years in peace, embroiled himself in warre with his half-brother Antiochus surnamed Cyzi∣cenus; which with variable successes on both sides, continued till the time of his death, having reigned 29 years in all.
• 3874. 18. Seleucus V. Sonne of Antiochus Gryphus, in the beginning of his reign overcame and flew his Uncle Cyzicenus; but being vanquished by Antiochus surnamed Eusebes or Pius, one of the Sonnes of Cyzicenus, he fled into Cilicta, and was there burnt in his palace.
• 19. Antiochus IX. surnamed Eusebes, having first vanquished Seleucus, and afterwards Antio∣chus, another of the Sonnes of Gryphus, was crowned King of Syria; but slain not long af∣ter in the Persian wars.
• 20. Philip, and Demetrius III. surnamed Eucoerus, younger Sonnes of Gryphus, jointly Kings of Syria, but reigning in their severall parts. Of which Demetrius intending to disseize his brother, was himself vanquished, and forced to fly into Parthia; leaving the whole King∣dome unto Philip. During which warres amongst themselves, Syria was invad∣ed, and in part conquered, by Aret as King of the Arabians, and Alexander King of the Jews.
• 3884. 21. Tigranes King of Armenia, during these dissentions was by the Syrians chosen King, that by his power they might be freed from the Jews and Arabians: the most puissant Prince that had reigned in Syria since the time of Antiochus the Great, as being King of Syria by election, of Armenia by succession, of Media by conquest. But ingaging himself with Mithridates (whose daughter he had maryed) against the Romans, was vanquished by Lucullus: who with the loss of five Romans onely, and the wounds of an hundred, is reported to have slain of his Enemies above a 100000 men. Finally, being again broken and vanquished by Lucullus, he yielded himself to Pompey (who being appointed Lucullus successour, deprived him of the honour of ending that warre;) and retaining to himself Armenia only, he left all Syria to the Romans; having reigned eighteen years. And though An∣tiochus Comagenus, the Sonne of Eusebes, petitioned Pompey for a restitution to the Throne of his An∣••estours; yet it would not be granted: Pompey replying that he would not trust the Countrey into such

• weak hands as were not able to defend it against the Arabians, Parthians, and the like Invaders; and so reduced it presently to the form of a Province. The government of this Countrey under these new Lords, was accompted to be one of the greatest honours of the Empire: the Prefect hereof having al∣most regall jurisdiction over all the regions on this side Euphrates; with a super-intendency over Egypt. Niger the concurrent of Severus, was Praefect here: and on the strength hereof presumed on that competi∣tion. So also was Cassius Syrus, who being a Native of this Countrey, and well-beloved by reason of his moderate and plausible demeanour, had almost tumbled M. Antonius out of his Throne. On this occasion it was enacted by the Senate, that no man hereafter should have any militer or legale command in the Province where he was born: Left perhaps supported by the naturall propension of the people, to one of their own Nation; and heartned by the powerableness of his Friends, he might appropri∣ate that to himself which was common to the Senate and people of Rome. But this was when it was en∣tire, and passed but for one Province only, Phoenicia being also taken into the accompt, which made the Antiochians so proud and insolent, that Adrian, in his time intended to subduct Phoenicia from it, ne∣tot civitatum Metropolis Antiochia diceretur, (faith Gallcanus) that Antioch might not be the chief of so many Cities. But what he lived not to accomplish, was performed by Constantine. By whom Pho∣nicia was not only taken off, but Syria itself divided into four distinct Provinces, as was shewed before; each of them having its Metropolis or Mother City: but all subordinate to the command of the Comes or Praefect of the East, as he to the command of the Praefectus Praetorio Orientis; the greatest Officer of the Empire, of whom we have often spoke already.

For the defence hereof aswell against all Forrein invasions, as the insurrections of the Natives, (a wa∣vering and inconstant People) the Romans kept here in continuall pay four Legions, with their Aids, and other Additaments. For so many Mutianus had here in the time of Galba; and by the strength and repu∣tation of those Forces, was able to transfer the Empire upon Vespasian. And though the Constantinopoli∣tan Emperours to whose share it fell in the division of the Empire, rather increased than diminished any part of this strength: yet when the fat all time was come, and that Empire was in the Declination, the Sara∣cens, under the conduct of Haumar their third Caliph, an. 636. possessed themselves of it, Heraclius then reigning in Constantinople. And it continued in their power, till Trangrolipix the Turk having con∣quered Persia, and the Provinces on that side of Euphrates, passed over the River into Syria, and made himself Master of a great part of that also. A quarrell falling out betwixt him and his neerest Kins-men, and thereby a great stop made in their further progress, was thus composed, by the mediation of the Calivh of Babylon in the time of Axan his Successour. To Cutlu Muses was assigned a convenient Army, to be by him employed against the Christians, with Regal power over the Provinces by him gained, without re∣lation or subordination to the Persian Sultans: of whose successes and affairs hath been spoke elsewhere. To Melech, and Ducat, two others of his discontented Kins-men, but all of the same Selzuccian fa∣mily, he gave the fair Cities of Aleppo and Damascus, and those parts of Syria, with whatsoever they could conquer from the Caliph of Aegypt, who then held all Phoenicia, and the Sea-coasts of Palestine, to be held in see and vassalage of the Crown of Persia. To these two brethren then we are to refer the beginning of the Turkish Kingdome in Syria: who with their Successors, by reason that here they held their residence, caused themselves to be called

The Turkish Kings of Damascus.

• 1075. 1. Melech and Ducat, the first Turkish Kings of Damascus by the gift of Axan the second Sul∣tan of the Turks in Persia, added to their dominions all the rest of Syria, together with Cili∣cia and some neighbouring Provinces in the Lesser Asia.
• 2.—Sultan of Damascus, at such time as the Christians of the West won the Holy Land: against whom he notably defended the City and Territories of Damascus; and in a set Battel discomfited and flew Roger the Norman, Prince of Antioch.
• 1146. 3. Noradine (the Sonne of Sanguin) Generall of the Armies, and Sonne-in-Law to the former King, succeeded him in the estate. A noble Prince, memorable amongst other things for a gal∣lant answer made to his Commanders, when they perswaded him to take the advantage on the death of Baldwin the third, and to invade Hierusalem whilst the Christians were busie in so∣lemnizing his Funerals. Not so, faith he, Compassion and regard is to be had of the just sorrow of those Christians, who have lost such a King, as could not be equalled in the world.
• 1175. 4. Melechsala, Sonne of Noradine, contemned by reason of his youth, by his Nobles and Souldiery, who made choice of Saladine for their King, by whom dispossessed first, and after vanquished.
• 1176. 5. Saladine the Turkish Sultan of Egypt, having vanquished the Persians, or Parthians, com∣ing under the conduct of Cacobed, Uncle to Melechsia, to restore that Prince to his Estate, remained King of Damascus: and by the puistance of his Armies recovered from the Christi∣ans all Syria, and the Holy Land, with the City of Hierusalem.
• 1199. 6. Eladel, or El-Aphzal the eldest Sonne of Saladine, suceeded in the Realm of Damascus, which he exchanged for that of Egypt with his Brother Elaziz.
• 7. Elaziz, the second Sonne of Saladine succeeded upon this Exchange in the Realm of Da∣mascus, murdered not long after by his Uncle Saphradine.
• 8. Saphradine the Brother of Saladine, having barbariously murdered eight of the Sonnes of Sa∣ladine, (the youngest called Saphradine escaping onely, who was after Sultan of Aleppo) pos∣sessed

• himself of the Kingdome of Damascus, left at his death to Corradine his Sonne or Ne∣phew.
• 9. Corradine, Sonne or Nephew to the Tyrant Saphradine, was by him at his death left Sultan of Damascus, to which all Syria and Palestine were then made Provincials. But the treacheries and murders of Saphradine crying loud for vengeance, Haulon the Tartar in the year 1262. having taken the King of Damascus Prisoner (but whether Corradine or some other I am not a∣ble to say) brought him before the walls of the City, threatning to kill him in the sight of his people, if they did not deliver it unto him. Which the Citizens refusing to do, the wretched King was torn in peeces, and the City taken by assault: the Kingdome by the Conquerors conferred upon Agab the Sonne of Haalon. And so ended the Selzuccian family of the Kings of Damascus in the person of Corra∣dine, or the Sonne of Corradine, most miserably murdered by the Tartars; as it had done in Egypt 17 years before in the person of Melechsela and Elmutam the Sonne of Meledine, as villainously dispos∣ed and murdered by the Mamalucks. So slippery is the foundation of those Kingdomes which are laid in blood.

Nor did this Kingdome hold long in the hands of the Tartars, recovered from them in short time by the Mamalucise then Kings of Egypt; from them once more regained by the furious Tamerlane, who in the year 1400. besieged Damascius with an Army of 1200000. men (if the number be not mistaken, and one Cypher added more than should): in pursuite whereof he filled up the ditches with his Prisoners, put all the people, to the sword, and with great art raised three Towers as a trophey of his victory, built with the heads of those whom he had so slaughtered. A man so strangely made up of vice and vertues, that it is hard to say which had the predominancie. But the violence of this tempest being overblown, the Mamalucks from whom he had also conquered the Kingdome of Egypt, recovered Syria by degrees, and repaired Da∣mascus: continuing in their power till the year 1516 when Selimus the first discomsited (am••s••n Gau∣rus the Aegyptian Sultan in the fields of Aleppo. Upon the newes whereof the Citizens of Damascus, fearing the spoil of their rich City then of very great trading, set open their Gates unto the Victors; as did all the other Cities and Towns of Syria by their Example. By means whereof, without any more blows, the Turks became Lords of all this Country; as the next year of Egypt also by the vanquishment and death of Tonombeius who succeeded Campson: so rooting out the name and government of the Mamalucks, and adding those rich Kindomes to the Turkish Empire.

And so much for Syria