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.

3. ZAGATHAY.

ZAGATHAY is bounded on the East, with the Mountain Imaus, by which it is parted from Cathay; on the North, with the main Scythick or Frozen Ocean; on the West, with Tarta∣ria Deserta, from which separated by the River Soane, and the Lake of Kitay; and on the South, with the Caspian Sea, and the River Oxus, by which divided from the Empire of Persia. So called from Zigathay, a brother of one of the Great Chams, on whom it was conferred for his better main∣tenance; the Scythia intra montem Imaum, of the antient writers.

The Countrey spreading out so far, on all sides; as before appeareth, comprehendeth all those Pro∣vinces and tracts of ground, which angiently were called 1. the Countrey of the Sacae, 2. Sogdiana, 3. Zagathay, specially so called, 4. Turchestan; included antiently in the name of Scythia intra montem Imaum; and 5. the Terra incognita which Ptolomy makes to be the Northern boundarie of that part of Scythia. By taking a survey of all which particulars, we shall find the temper of the whole.

1. SACAE, or the Countrey of the Sacans, is bounded on the East, with the mountain Imaus; on the West, with Sogdiana; on the North, with Zagathay, properly and specially so called; on the South, with the River Oxus, by which parted from Bactria. So called from the Sacae, the Inhabitants of it; but the reason of their name I find not.

The Countrey antiently either barren, or ill manured; full of vast Forests, wide Desarts, and the like unhabitable places. Few or no Cities in it, and not many villages (civitates autem non habent, as my Author hath it) the people living for the most part in Caves, or otherwise wandring up and down with their droves of cattel. Called for that reason Nomades by some antient writers. The name not proper to these onely, but common to all those who followed the like roving life, as the Sarmatians, wild Arabians, Saracens, and the Inhabitants of Libya and Numidia in Africk. Onely one fortified place they had, which from the materials of it had the name of Turris Lapidea, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the Greek) or the Castle of Stones; Part hereof being peopled for the most part by Camels, or travellable onely with those Creatures, had the name of Camelorum Regio.

Divided it was antiently into many Tribes, the Caratoe, and Comari, neer the River Jaxartes; the Mas∣sagetae, and Comedoe, neer the hills called Ascatanas; the Bylcae and Grynaei, more within the Country. All joined in one by the name of Sacae; and by that name made a very fortunate Progress into Armoniae (to which they had an easie passage by the Northern banks of the Caspian Sea) and therein gave name unto the Province called Sacasena. But proceeding into Cappadocia, and there slain by the Persians in the middest of their Feastings, they left there also some resemblance of their name, in an annuall festivall cal∣led Sarea, celebrated by the Persians in memoriall of their good success in the warre against them. Such as stayd here, being overcome by Cyrus the first Persian Monarch, did so good service to that Prince, that Amorges the King of these Sacoe, is said to have rescued him from the hands of the Scythians, by whom otherwise he had been slain, or taken Prisoner. In the declining of that Kingdome, they were subdued by Alexander at the end of his Scythian, and Sogdian warres; who hereabouts, by Cobortanes a noble Per∣sian, was presented with a Bevy of beautifull Ladies, one of the which was that Barsine whom he made his wise, and had by her that Hercules, whom Polysperchon and his faction proclamed King of Macedon. Not memorable in the following times for any thing which they did or suffered; as they have been made by the opinion or mistake of others. Who building Castles in the Air, will needs derive the Saxons (our famous Ancestors) from this Originall: as if they were called Saxons, quasi Sac-sonnes, or the sonnes of Sacae. A fancy in my poor conceit, of no ground at all. For either the number of these Sacae, when they left these parts, must be great, or little. I little, how can we conceive it possible they should force their way thorough those valiant Nations of both Sarmatias; who to the last maintained their liberties and estate against the Romans. If great enough to force their passage (for stout and provident Nations use not to give passage to great Armies, but they pay dear for it) how can we think it possible they should be shut up in a corner of Germany, betwixt the River Albis and the Cimbrick Chersonees. The Saxons then, whatsoever they were, were no sonnes of the Sacae; and what in likelihood they were hath been elsewhere shewn.

2. SOGDIANA hath on the East, the Sacoe; on the North and West, Zagathay specially so called; on the South, the River Oxus, parting it from Margiana. So called from a cha in of Mountains named Montes Sogdii, being the chief of all this Countrey, though of themselves a spurre or branch of the Mountain Caucasus.

The Countrey indifferently fruitfull, and very rich in pasturage, because very well watered. For besides Oxus and Jaxartes, which are common unto them and others; they have many Rivers of their own. The principal of which, 1. Dymus, and 2. Araxates, both navigable and capable of very good ships; both also running down the hills with a headlong course, and passing thorough the champain Countrey, empty themselves at last in the lake called Oxiana; as is affirmed by Ammianus, but as Ptolo∣my faith, into Jaxartes.

Places of most consideration it, 1. Drepsa, the Metropolis or mother-City of this people. By Pli∣ny called Panda, by Solinus Darapsa; situate on the River Oxus. 2. Oxiana, on the same River, and from thence denominated. 3. Maruca, on the same River also. 4. Alexandria, called for di∣stinctions sake, Alexandria Oxianoe; which name declareth both the founder and the situation. 5. A∣lexandria, for the same cause of distinction, named Alexandria ultima: either because the last City which he built in these parts, or because it lay furthest off on the borders of the Scythians; against whose in∣vasions or irruptions it was said to be built. 6. Tribarra, one of the chief hereof in the time of Am∣mianus Marcellinus. 7. Cyroschata, more memorable, and not less antient, than any of those named before, by Qu. Curtius called Cyropolis, built by Cyrus, to fortifie his borders against the Scythians. It held out against the great Macedonian, a long time: and he himself comming nigher to the wells, than discretion would permit an ordinary Generall, had such a blow on the neck with a stone, that he fell to the ground, his eyes swimming in his head, and his whole Army giving him for slain. But reviving he took the Town by a mine, and levell'd it with the ground, in revenge of so great a danger.

The antient Inhabitants hereof were the Oxydracoe, and Candari, dwelling at the foot of the Sogdian mountains; the Oxiani, and Cherasmii, neer the banks of Oxus; the Jasii, and Tachori, neer the River Jaxartes; the Drepsiani in the East parts bordering on the Sacoe; whose chief City was Drepsa: descen∣ded from their severall roots, but all called Sogdians. Conquered by Alexander, not without danger to his own person, as before was said, at the sollicitation of Spitamenes a noble Persian, it rebelled a∣gain. Who being suppressed, and the Countrey in some measure quieted, Arimazes, a native of the Province, renewed the war. Who followed with 30000 men, encamped upon the top of an hill, in a place of such notable advantage, that Alexander, neither by force nor fair words, could get him out of it. He therefore dealt with 300 of his youngest and most active men, on the promise of great reward, to climb the hill, and without any noise to shew themselves at the back of the Enemy. Which having performed with the loss of 30 of their company, Alexander sent one Cophes to Arimazes, to let him know that the whole Army of Macedon was at his back: who terrified with what he saw, more with what he feared, gave up the place, and was scourged and crucified for his labour. So necessary in the Art of warre-fare is a peece of wit. After this time, it ran the same alterations and change of fortunes, as the Persians did; till they were conquered by the Tartars, unto whom still subject.

3. ZAGATHAY specially so called, is bounded on the East, with Cathay; on the West, with Turchestan, and part of the Caspian Sea; on the North, with the Countrey of the Samoyeds, the Terra In∣cognita of the Antients; on the South, with the Sacae, and Sogdiana. Antiently part of Scythia intra montem Imaum, and took this new name from Zagathay, the first Prince hereof since the time of the Tartars.

The Countrey reasonably fruitfull, but not so rich in the naturall temper of the soyl, as the industrious∣ness of the people, more civill farre than any other of the Tartars; studious of good letters, lovers of Arts as well ingenious as Mechanick; well skilled in manufactures, and very seldome without the con∣fluence of forein Merchants. Populous, and well-stored with towns and villages; both for their own more handsome dwelling, and the entertainment of others.

Chief Rivers of it, 1. Jaxartes, now called Chesel, the principal of all this Countrey: great of it self, but made much greater by the waters of 2. Daix, another River of good note, rising out of the moun∣tain called Norosus, and falling with many others into Jaxartes; mixt with whose streams they are dis∣channelled in the Caspian Sea. 3. Jartus, and 4. Polytimetas, falling into Oxus. Others there are whose names I find not in my Authors, descending from the mountains of this Northern Region, which are great and many. As viz. 1. Norosus, spoken of before. 2. Aspisii, on the North of that. 3. Toporus, more unto the North. 4. The mountains called Sychi, more Northward still. 5. Those called Anaroei, besides 6. Imaus, of most name, but common unto Cathay as well as to Zagathay.

Cities of most observation in it, 1. Aspabota, the only Town ascribed by Ptolomy to this Countrey, and by him honoured with the title of Civitas. 2. Zabaspia, of less antiquity, but of greater estimati∣on at the present time. Situate on the mouth of the River Oxus (now called Abias) on the brink of the Caspian, and much frequented by the Merchants of forein Countreys, chiefly from India, and Ca∣thay. 3. Marachanda, antient, and of fame, but placed by Ptolomy, (why I know not) amongst the Cities of Bact••ia: differing herein from the common and received opinion of other Authors, by whom this City is affi••med to be on the North side of Oxus, and consequently not within that Province. Made good by Spitamenes, (who having delivered the Traitor Bessus into the hands of Alexander, revolted from him) against the Macedonian Army; by which besieged under the command Menedemus. But Menedemus being slain, with some of his Souldiers, Spitamenes escaped hence to Bactria, where he was slain by his own wife, and his head presented to the Conqueror. Here was it also that Alexander, being then Master of the Town, in a drunken fit slew his dear friend Clyt••us, who at the battel of Granicus had saved his life, by receiving a blow which was aimed at him. It was afterwards called Samarch and, the seat-Royall of Tamerlane, by whom enriched with all the spoils and treasures he got in the wars; there being brought hither from Damascus only (and by that one instance we may guess at the rest) 8000 Cae∣mel•• laden with the choicest moveables. Still the chief Residence of the Chams of Zagathay, but farr short of that magnificence which once it held. 4. Bichend, of no Antiquity, nor of such great name as the Regall Samarchand, but at this time of greater wealth; situate somewhat in the midland, but popu∣lous, and a well-traded Town. 5. Azara, memorable for being made the Rendez••••us of that migh∣ty Army which Tamerlane raised against the Turks, consisting in the totall of 1200000 fighting men when it was at the biggest. 6. Maranis, from which place the said Tamerlane, having received his aids from China, began his march.

These Tartars, called Zagathayans, by the name of their Countrey, are of a different government from that of the Great Cham of Cathay, though subject to him at the first: and have so been ever since the time of Zaicham or Bathu, the third great Cham; who gave it unto Zagathay, a younger sonne, whence it had the name. To Zagathay succeeded Og, by some called Zain-Cham, (the Father of Tamer∣lane) a peaceable and quiet Prince, who rather studied to preserve than enlarge his Empire. But Tamer∣lane being of a fiercer and more warlike nature, made the first proof of his valour and good fortune against the Moscovite (for spoyling a City which had put it self under his protection) whom he overthrew with the slaughter of 25000 foot, and 15000 of his horse. Moved with this notable exploit, and the hopes of greater, Gino Cham, the great Emperor of the Tartars gave him to wife his onely daughter, and there∣withall declared him his heir apparent. Incouraged and inabled with this advancement he first brake down the wall of China, encountred with the King thereof, overcame him in battel, and imposed on him the summe of 300000 Crowns of yearly tribute. Having left things quiet at his back, and taking with him a great part of the forces of Chin••, he advanced forwards against B••••azet, the fourth King of the Turks; of the greatness of whose growing Empire he began to be jealous. Passing along the left-hand shores of the Caspian Sea, and so through Albania, and the rest of the Provinces which lay in his way (which he took and conquered as he went) he came at last into Asia Minor, where neer the City of Sebastia, he en∣countred with Bajazet, vanquished him; slew 200000 of his men, and carried him away captive in an iron Cage. Restoring those Princes dispossessed by Bajazet unto their estates, and taking to himself all the Turkish Provinces in Anatolia; he bestowed a ••••rivate visit on Constantinople, which seen, he marched to∣wards Syria, subdued both that Province and the Kingdome of Egypt, then possessed by the Ma••alucks; visited Hierusalem, and did honour to the holy Sepulchre; returned by Babylon, and won it, and with it the whole Countries of Babylonia and Assyria. And taking Persia in his way, impatronized himself of that Kingdome also; and such parts of India, as either lay neer Persia, or his own dominions: now made the Soveraign Lord of all the Regions and Kingdomes in both Asias, excepting the chief India; for which the rich Kingdome of Egypt may be put in balance. Come home at last to Samarchand, he there died in peace. A Prince of strong body, but lovely lineaments, his eyes bearing in them such raies of maje∣stie, that ordinary men could scarce endure to look upon them. His hair long, contrary to the custome of the Mahometans, (for the most part shaved on their heads) for which he pretended a descent from Samp∣son. Perfect in the Arabian learning, and a lover of all learned men, a hater of Idols, and Polytheism, and a great friend to the Christians. More fortunate in the conquering of so many Kingdomes, than in ••ay∣ing any sure foundation to maintain his conquests. For by holding his seat Royal in Samarchand, Camb••∣ln, and other the chief Cities of Cathay, he gave the remote Provinces the opportunity of returning to

their former Governours: and by parcelling his estates amongst his Children, and kindred, this mighty flood which had so quickly overflown both Asias, returned in very little time within its own proper and originall banks. Even Zagathay it self, divided from the Empire of Cathay, had its King apart (hardly acknowledging the great Cham for the Lord in chief) the most considerable of whom was that Saba, who in the new beginnings and unsetledness of the Sophian Empire, invaded Per∣sia: but instead of recovering that Kingdome into the power of the Tartars, he lost some Provinces of his own. Hyrcania, Margiana, and some part of Bactria, being since subdued by Abas the late Sultan. Nothing since memorable, that I meet with in the affairs of this part of the Empire of Tartary.

4. IVRCHESTAN is bounden on the East, with Zagathay specially so called; on the West, with the River So••ne, parting it from Deserta; on the North, with those desarts which Ptolomy blindeth under the name of 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and on the South, with the Caspian Sea. So called from the Turks, some of which people when they left their first Seats neer the Fennes of Moeotis, setled in this Country, and here still continue.

The Countrey as desert and ill planted, as the rest of Tartary, not so much out of any defect in the soyl it self, as in the humour of the people: who though originally Turks, do yet compose themselves unto the lives of the Scythian or Tartarian Nomades, neglecting tillage, and abiding in no place longer than that place affords them pasturage for their Cattell: huge herds of which they keep as their greatest treasure, but more to cloth their backs with the skinns, than to fill their Bellies with the flesh.

Amongst the Rivers of most note we may reckon, 1. Rhymnus, mentioned by Ptolomy, which by the position of it in the 91 degree of longitude, seems to be of this Tract. It riseth out of the mountains called Montes Rhymnici, giving name to the River, or taking name from it. 2. Ardock, not known by that name amongst the Antients, and whether known at all or not, I am not able to say. Shaping its course towards the North, and weary of so cold a clime, and such barbarous people, after a long and swift course of a thousand miles, it hideth it self under the ground for five hundred more: but breaking out again, and finding little or no hope of a better fortune, loseth it self for ever in the great Lake of Kitay.

To look for Towns amongst a people which delight not in settled houses, were a labour lost: yet some I find ascribed unto them. The principall, but of no great note, 1. Calba, and 2. Occrra; Then there is 3. Cr••stina, situate on or neer the Lake of Kitay, never without the company of Russian and Tarta∣rian Merchants: the Russians sailing to it by the River Ob; and the Zagathaian Tartars travelling to it by land. By these two nations more peopled, to maintain their traffick, than by the Turcomans themselves, in whose land it standeth.

These Turcon••ans are of the posterity of some of those Turca, who wanting room, or otherwise oppress'd with want, forsook their antient dwelling neer the Fennes of Moeotis, and the coasts of the Euxine Sea, to seek new dwellings, Anno 844. That their whole body settled here, and from hence made their con∣quest quest of Persia, as some very industrious men are of opinion, I by no means grant. For when the Sultan of Persia, having by the means of Tangrolipix and those Mercinary Turks whom he invited to his aid, ob∣tained the victory; and thought it fit for his affairs to detain them longer in his service: it is said he shut up the passages of the River Araxes, to hinder them from returning to their habitations. The shutting up of which River, and fortifying against them all the passages and bridges of it, had not served his tum, if the Turks had come from this place: for then he must have manned against them the River Oxus, and such as lay betwixt them and him in the common rode. Nor is it probable, that the Turcomans dwelling in this Province, on the East side of the River Volga, would undertake the fording of that dangerous and vi∣olent Water, and force themselves a way thorow Albania, and Armenia, with no greater numbers than 3000 men, which was the whole strength that they carryed with them. So that it is not to be doubted but that they came first into Persia out of Turcomania, and not out of Turchestan: and probable enough, that when they first left their own abode, and came unto the Northwest shores of the Caspian Sea, they might there divide themselves; Some of which leaving that Sea on the left hand, and passing thorow the Sar∣matian or Albanian Streights, made their way into Armenia, and those parts of Iberia, which from them are now called Turcomiania. The residue keeping that Sea on the right hand, and crossing the Volga, where they found the passage most easie for them, settled themselves in these parts of Scythia which they found less peopled, now from them named Turchestan. Some of which hearing of the good success of their Countrey-men in the Conquest of Persia, might afterwards join with them to assure that purchase. Governed since their first comming hither by the Chiefs of their severall Clans, whom they honour with the title of Chams; but all of them tributaries, and vassals to the Cham of Zagathay.

5. That part of the Kingdome of Zagathay, which anciently passed under the name of TERRA INCOGNITA, and was accompted the Northern limit of Scythia intra Imaum, hath on the South, Turchestan, and part of Zagathay, strictly and specially so called; extending Northwards to the Scythick or Frozon Ocean; and bounded on the West, with the River Ob.

The Inhabitants of this Northern Tract are now called by the name of Samoyeds; neither the people nor the Countrey known to the antient Romans: and indeed neither of them worth the knowing. The men black haired, naturally be••trdless, and not to be discemed from women, but that the women wear a long lock down to their eares. Clad from the head to the feet in Deer-skins, or Seil-skins, with the hairy side outwards; (nothing more wise in that than the other Tartars). Their kind of life more rude than theirs, if more rude may be, ranging from place to place to place without any propriety of house or dwelling; the leader of each company their Priest•• whom they call their Popa who at every one of their Removes is to offer sa∣crifice. Idolaters they are all, and most of then Witches, especially such as live most towards the East, and furthest off from the Moscovite, who many times destroy their Idols, and rob them of the skins of Bevers, black Foxes, and Sables, wherewith those Idols are set forth to the publick veiw,

but bestow on them greater heats in a good Fire; into which they commonly use to cast them.

These Zagathaian Provinces, with those of Margiana, and Bactria, before described, made that part of Scythia, which antiently was called Scythia intra montem Imaum: though in the time of Ptolo∣my, when Margiana, Bactria, Saca, and Sogdiana, were reckoned of as Provinces of the Kingdom of Persia; this Scythia was restrained within narrower bounds, and comprehended onely Turchestan and the Speciall Zagathay. Inhabited besides the several Nations dwelling in the four Persian Provinces, by many fierce and savage Tribes, as the Alan••, Alanoesi, Saubeni, and Massaei, towards Terra in∣coguita; the Tectosages, and Asiota, neer the Mountain Imaus; the Jaxartae on the banks of the River so called; and the Mologeni, not farr off; the Zarata, and Sasones, neer the Mountains Alan••; the Galactophagi, or milk-eaters, more towards the East; the Taporaeai, and the Sychi, by the hills so na∣med; and many others not material to be here remembred. All now united under the general name of Tar∣tars, by whom first subdued.

And now we are at last come to Scythia, truely so named; Sarmatia Europaea and Asiatica being called so onely by way of participation and resemblance; because the inhabitants thereof had so much in them of the manners and conditions of these natural Scythians. Here therefore we intend to speak some∣thing of them, their name, Antiquity, disposition, customes, and the most memorable actions relating to them, as far as we can go by the light of story.

First, for the name, the Gracian Fablers have derived it from one Scythes the sonne of Hercules, be∣gotten by him on a Monster, half woman, halfe Viper. The Gramarians, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifying to be fierce and angry; whence it is said of the Jewish Puritans, who fasted to be seen of men 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that they looked with a sowr, severe, and a dissigured Countenance. Goropius Becanus doth derive it ra∣ther from the Dutch word Schutten, signifying to shoot: agreeable enough to the custome and exercise of the Scythians, who are observed by Herodotus, Pliny, Lucian, and other of the antient Writers, to be very good Archers. But that the word Schutten signifieth the same in the antient Scythick; or that the High-Dutch was originally the tongue of the Scythians, will not so easily appear.

Letting that pass therefore as a matter not to be defined, let us look on the Antiquity of these Scythian Nations: and we shall find it to be great, if not greatest of all. Scytharum gens semper an∣tiquissima, That the Scythcans were of all others, the most antient people, was receiv∣ed for an Oracle, in the elder ages of the world: and so resolved by way of verdict, when the great controversie touching the Antiquity of those Nations was to be determited betwixt the Aegyptian and the Scythian, who contended for it. And this hath passed with such a generall approbation, that it is, now to be disputed. In which regard I am so far of the judgement of Becanus in that particular as to conceive that the Countreys lying on the North of Mount Caucasus (on which the Ark is thought most pro∣bably to have rested) were peopled by the sonnes of Noah before they travelled towards the West, or set themselves on building the Tower of Babel. We had else no doubt heard somewhat amongst our Anti∣quaries, of the settling of some of those Adventurers in these Northern Regions, when giving off that en∣terprise, and falling upon new plantations, they either went themselves, or sent forth their Colonies, into all places of the world. But of any such plantations, ne gry quidem, not one word say they. Nor can it probably be supposed that Z••roaster the King of Bactria could have raised 400000 fighting men out of that one Province (though some of the adjoining Provinces were took into the reckoning) in those early daies, in which he did encounter Ninus the great Assyrian; had the Bactrians, and the rest of these Scy∣thian nations been but a Castl••ng as it were of some second swarm, and not coavall with the first. But be∣sides these presumptions we have other proofs: viz. an old and constant tradition on this side the Moun∣tains, that the great Vineyard of Margiana was of Noahs planting; and 2. the affirmation of Porcius Ca∣to, (though one of the writers of Frier Annius) in Scythia Sagarenatum mortale genus, that mankind was repaired in these parts of Scythia, so called from Sabatius Sagar, an Armenian King, whose Domi∣nions did extend thus far. So that I look upon it as a matter of strong presumption, if not demonstrably concludent, that these People were of the first plantation which was made after the flood; before the rest of the world was peopled by the Confusion of Languages: Scytharum gens semper antiquissima, could not else hold good.

As for their dispositions, and naturall inclinations, they are said by Trogus, or his Epitomator Justine, to be Gens & laboribus & bellis aspera,

A Nation patient of labours, and fierce in warr; of bodily strength immense and vast; yet so much masters of their affections, that they made no further use of their greatest victories, than the augmentation of their fame. Theft they esteemed the greatest crime, and that they punished so severely, that their Flocks and Herds might and did safely wander from one place to another, without fear of stealing. In them they placed their greatest wealth, feeding themselves with the milk thereof, and making their rayment of the skinns. Silver and gold they contemned as much as it was coveted by others•• there being no desire of riches, where there was no use. Mcum, and Tu∣um, those common Barretours, and authors of debate amongst other men, were not known amongst them: and therefore did not care for tillage, or made any inclosures, nor troubled themselves with the care of building. But putting their wives and children upon wains, or wagons, covered with hides a∣gainst the weather, they removed from one place to another, no longer staying upon one, than they found grass and herbage to sustain their Cattel. So just in all their actions, that they needed not the restraint of lawes; and had attained to such an eminent degree of humane perfection, as not to cover. In a word, that moderation which the Greeks endeavoured to attain unto by the help of learning and Phi∣losophy, was to these so natural: that the ignorance of vice did as much contribute to their welfare, as

the knowledge of vertue.

Such are the antient Scythians affirmed to be. And being such, it was a won∣der that the great Monarchs of the world who had wealth at will, should make warre upon them, amongst whom there was nothing to invite an Army, or reward a Conq uerour. Yet either on desire of glory, or to add unto the former multitudes over whom he reigned, they were first invaded by Cyrus the great Persian Monarch, who quarrelling with Tomyris Queen of the Massagetes, a warlike Nation, inhabiting on both sides of the River Oxus, discomfited her Army, and slew her sonne Spargapises, who commanded it. In revenge whereof, the Queen having in a second battail obtained the victory, and took Cyrus prisoner, is said to have cut off his head, and cast it into a boul of blood, with this scornful taunt, Satia te san∣guine quem sitiisti, now drink thy fill of blood which thou hast so thirsted. But others tell us otherwise of the success of this fight. By whom it is reported that the horse of Cyrus being disordered on the sight of some Elephants which came from India to her aid, and himself dangerously wounded, the Scythians had won the victory, but for the comming in of Amorges King of the Sacons, (who of a conquered E∣nemy was become his Confederate) by whom he was rescued, and b the 20000 fresh men which he brought with him, obtained the honour of the day; though long he lived not to enjoy it, dying not long after of the wounds he had received. With Alexander they are said to begin the war, as loth to be behind∣hand with him; arming themselves upon the building of Alexandria ultima, so neer their borders, which they conceived rather intended for a curb to hold them down, than for a btidle to keep them in. But be∣ing repulsed, and wife enough to suffer what they could not hinder, they sued for peace, and had it granted; Alexander being called away by the revolt of the Bactrians, a matter of more conseqnence than these Scythian brables. With Alexanders, Successours they had nothing to do, nor with the Persian Kings of the Parthian race: the Parthians being their Allies, and of Scythian breed. And for the Romans, it is well observed by the Historian, Romanorum arma andivere magis quaem sensere, that they had heard much of their valour, but never felt it: Remaining undisturbed in their honest poverty, till the Tartars an obscure and beggerly people brake out of their Prison, and carryed the whole World before them.

As for their Kings, I find some of their names laid down, but without any note of time in which their reigns might be supposed to begin or end. Nor can I think that the Kings occurring in that Catalogue, did either reign in the same place, or over the same Nations, or that they succeeded one another. Howsoever we will take their names as they come before us in this list of

The Kings of Scythia.

• 1. Scythes.
• 2. Napis.
• 3. Phitra.
• 4. Sagillus.
• 5. Targitana.
• 6. Plinus.
• 7. Scholypethus.
• 8. Panaxagora.
• 9. Tanais.
• 10. Indathyrsus.
• 11. S••Ulius.
• 12. Spargapisis.
• 13. Tomyris.
• 14. Aripethes.
• 15. Seiles.
• 16. Octimasdes.
• 17. Lanthinus, the last of all those Scythian Kings who are conceived to have the government of these warlike Nations. But for my part I dare not say that ever any one King did command the whole people generally; each Tribe or Nation having their particular Kings, as in other places not reduced into form and or∣der. And therefore for those Kings, if such Kings there were (as for some of them I durst venture to swear the contrary) they must be such as in their severall Countries were of greatest same, most taken notice of in the world, or imployed in the conduct of their joynt and united forces; and so conceived to be the Kings of the whole Scythian Nation; as Cassibeline, King of the Trinobantes, and perhaps not that, is by some writers said to be the King of the Britains, because he had the conduct of their forces against Julius Caesar.