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. CYRENE.

CYRENE is bounded on the East with Marmarica, on the West with Africa Propria, or the Realm of Tunis, and some part of the Mediterranean, and the Creater Syrtis; on the North with the Mediterranean wholly; on the South with Libya Inferior, or the Desarts of Libya.

It took this name from Cyrene the chief City of it, from whence sometimes also called Cyrenaica; by Plinie and some other Roman Writers it is called Pentapolis, from five chief Cities which were in it, viz 1 Cyrene, 2 Ptolemais, 3 Arsinoe 4 Darnis, 5 Berenice; by Ammianus for the same reason Libya Pentapolis, the name of Libya extending over many of these Roman Provinces. And finally, at the present, it passeth with that last described by the name of Barca, or Barca Marmarica: the whole extent whereof in length from the Greater Syrtis unto Egypt, is no lesse then 13000 miles, but the breadth not above 200.

The Country in the South parts desolate and barren, stored with few Towns, and not many Vil∣lages; the People living up and down in scattered houses and at such a distance, as if it were in so many Islands. Destitute not of Springs and Rivers only, but of Rain-water too, the Clouds not very often dropping: if any fell, it was dried up presently by the ••ands. But within fifteen miles of the Sea▪ indifferently fruitful, and well inhabited.

The People in old times were said to have been utterly ignorant of buying and selling, of fraud and stealing, not knowing or not caring for the use of money; con••ent with little, not superfluous in their clothes or buildings, their houses for the most part (except only in their greater Cities) made of Osier∣twigs. Much altered in the first part of their character, since the coming of the Arabians hither; now a Theevish nation, given wholly to Robbery and spoile. So lazie, that they will not manure or till their Land, but provide themselves with Corn from Sicily, laying their Children to pawn for it, till by their Thieving they can raise a sufficient summe to discharge the debt.

One onely River I find in it, but of fame enough to serve for many; By Ptolomie called Luthon, by Plinie Lethon, by the Poets Lethe. Swallowed by the Earth not far from its first original, it riseth up again about Berenice fained therefore by the Poets to come from Hell, and to create for∣getfulnesse in all them that drink of it; it being the condition of the dead to remember nothing. Thence the occasion of the fancie. Some Lakes I find also in it, whereof one occasioned by this River, not far from the Sea; another more within the land (where indeed more necessary) neer Paliurus. With Mountains better stored, (though not much better for them) the principal whereof, 1. Those called Herculis Arenae, the Sands of Hercules, thwarting the Country East and West; 2. Bucolicus, on the South of those; and 3 Volpos, a long ridge of hils; bordering upon Africa Propria.

Cities of most note in it, 1. Apollonia, in the East parts, neer the Promontorie called Zephyrium, in the confines of Libya or Marmarica. 2. Cyrene, in the West of that; once of such power, that it c••ntended with Carthage for some preheminencies: Then the chief Lady of this tract, which it gave this name to. The birth place of Eratosthenes the Mathematician, Callimachus the Poet, and of that Simon of Cyrene▪ whom the Jewes compelled to carry our Saviours Crosse. 3. Ptolemais, betwixt Cyrene and Arsinee, built or repaired by Ptolomie Philadelphus; the Episcopal City of Synesius, a learned and religious Bishop of the Primitive times, as appears by his Epistles extant. 4. Arsinoe, on the East side of the River Lathon, so called in honour of Arsinoe, the sister of Philadelphus, and wife of Magas once King of this Country. 5 Berenice, on the Western bank of the said River; so called from Berenice the mother, or (another of the same name) the daughter of Magas: the furthest Town of all this Country, bordering on the Promontory called Boreum, and the greater Syrtis. This last a Quick sand very dangerous to Mariners, in compasse 635 miles, and by them carefully avoided. 6. Paliurus, more within the land, but on the borders of Liby•• or Marmarica, South to Apollonia. 7 Aptungis, now Lungifari, by Ptolomie called Aptuchi Fanum. 8. Herculis Turris, the Tower of Hercules, near the greater Syrtis; erected in the honour of Hercules, his killing of the Dragon▪ and

robbing the Orchards of the Hesperides of their golden Apples. Those Hesperides said to be Aegle, Arethusa, and Hesperethusa, the three daughters of Atlas: their Orchard placed by Ptolomie betwixt this Tower and Paliurus; by Pomponius, in the Atlantick Islands; by Virgil, in Mauritania Tingi∣••ania; by Plinie, both in Mauritania and this Cyrene; and possibly in all alike. 9 Zemythus. 10 A∣cabis, in the midlands; all worn out of memory. 11 Fessan, of greatest name now, though scarce worth the naming.

The old Inhabitants of this Country, were the Asbetae on the East, the Barcitae near the Greater-Syrtis, the Macatutae and Laganici, near the Mountains of Hercules; all probably descended from Naphtuhim the son of Mizraim, of whom there still remain some footsteps in Aptuchi Fanum, the ••ane or Temple of Aptuchus. This Aptuchus by some mistakingly called Autuchus, and by the Gre∣cians said to be the son of Cyrene, and the brother of Aristaeus: who being sent out to seek their for∣tunes, Aristaeus fell into the Isle named Ceos; and Aptuchus or Autuchus into Libya, both by them first planted. Neptune, the Deity of this Country, by the Egyptians called Neptitim, seems to come from Naphtuhim; most highly worshipped by this people, because he first taught them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Art of training Horses to the Coach or Chariot; in which the Cyreneans after grew so expert, that they could drive their Chariots in a round or circle, and alwayes keep their Chariot-wheels in the self-same tract. Of no great power, till Battus a noble Spartan landing in this Country, had built the City of Cyrene; and founded it in so good a course of life and discipline, that in short time it came to have dominion over the most part of this Country, and to contend with Car∣thage about their territories. Warred on by Apryes King of Egypt, they sued unto the Greeks ••or aid, and by their assistance overcame him. Long after which, falling at odds among themselves, they craved aid of Ptolomie the first of that race, by whom they were finally subdued. Left by him at his death to Magus, a son of his last wife by a former husband, whom he had married to Arsinoe one of his daugh∣ters; it came again to the Crown of Egypt, by the marriage of Berenice the daughter and heire of Magus, with the son of Ptolomie Philadelphus. Aliened from which Crown again, for the preser∣ment of some of the younger Princes, and in the end given by one of the Ptolomies, the last king here∣of, to the People of Rome. Reduced into the form of a Province by Augustus Caesar, by whom uni∣ted in one Government with the Isle of Crete; but made a Province of it self by the following Emperours: never since separated from the fortune and affairs of Egypt, to which now we hasten.

That the Kingdom and Nation of Egypt was of great Antiquity, is not a matter to be doubted; the question in this point, betwixt them and the Scythian, being not easily decided. Whether it were so antient, as the Egyptians say, may perhaps be controverted. By them it was affirmed, that they had the memorie and storie of 13000 years, and a succession of 330 Kings in the time of Amasis the second, who was Cotemporary with Cyrus. Which number of years, if understood of Solarie years, measured by the course of the Sun, must not be allowed of, because it maketh them many thousand years older then the Creation: but if of Lunarie, which is most agreeable unto the Accompt of the Egyptians, who reckoned their years by moneths, it will amount unto no more then to 1000 or 1100 years, and so fall answerably to the times following after the Flood. But for their Kings, 330 in their reckonings, and those of 24 or 25 several Dynasti••s, the matter is not so soon made up: For either those Kings, must not be all Kings, or Supreme Lords of Egypt, as the Pharaohs were, but their several Regents or Vicegerents, armed with Regal power; those Dynasties not the successions of so many Regal families, but of their Substitutes and Lieutenants, many of which might live successively under one Supreme: or else we must needs look on Egypt, as distracted in those times into several kingdoms, amongst the Princes of those Dynasties before remembred: or finally, we must look for some of those Kings and Princes before the Flood. By either of these wayes, the business may be well agreed: For if that most of them were but the names of several Regents, (as probable enough it is) there might be many such in the reign of one King; according to the Kings fancie, the merit of particular persons, or the necessities of State: Changes of great Officers, especially if grown too great, are not new nor strange. If they were all Kings or Supreme Rulers, (as is also probable) we find not any thing of moment to perswade the contrary, but that many of them lived and reigned in their several parts (as in other Countries in those times) till the greater had devoured the less. Or if they were the names of such Soveraign Princes as had the sole command of Egypt before the Flood, (as some think they were) they might amount in all to so great a number, and so many Dynasties; the iniquity of those times, the ambition of great persons, and consequently the short lives of the Kings being duely pondered. That Egypt and most part of the world was peopled before the Flood, hath been already proved in our Generall Preface: If peopled, then no question under some form of Government, the names of which Governours (call them Kings, or Rulers, or what else we please) might be preserved in Egypt on pillars of brass or stone, or otherwise transmitted by tradition unto Cham the Father of Mizraim, by whom this Country was first planted after the Confusion of Babel. But that old stock of Kings and People being destroyed in the general Deluge, the Children of Mizraim succeeded next in their desolate dwellings: yet so, that the posterity of Chus and L••habim, two others of the sons of Cham, had their shares therein. From the first of which descended the Inhabitants of those parts of Egypt, which lay along the shores of the Red-Sea, or Golf of Arabia: in which respect not only one of the Nomi or Divisions bordering on the Isthmus, had the name of Arabia; but the people dwelling on those shores, were called Arabes, divided into the Arabes Azarei, and Arabes Adei. And from the other came that mixture of Nations, called Liby-Aegyptii▪ or Libyans and Egyptians intermixt together,

inhabiting in Maraeotica and the Western parts. But though these People were derived from seve∣ral Ancestors, they made one Nation in the totall: Subject to Mizraim as their chief, and after his decease, unto his Successors in the Kingdom of Egypt. Concerning whom we may observe, that in Cham our greatest Antiquaries finde the name of Iupiter Hammon; Mizraim they guess to be Osiris the great God of Egypt. To him succeeded Typhon not by right of blood, but by usurpation. Who dispossed by Lehabim, the brother of Mizraim (whom the Greeks call Hercules Egyptius) the King∣dom was restored to Orus the son of Osiris. During the time of these few Princes hapned all those things which are recorded in the Scriptures concerning Egypt: from the first going down of Abra∣ham in the time of Osiris, to the advancement of Ioseph in the Reign of Orus: in which there passed the 15. 16. & 17. Dynasties of Regal Vice Royes; Lieutenants only, as I take it▪ to those mighty Princes. The Kings themselves called generally by the name of Pharaoh, though they had all their proper and peculiar names: as afterwards their Successors here had the name of Ptolomy, and the Ro∣man Emperours, that of Caesar. Not troubling our selves therefore with their many Dynasties, we will lay down the Succession of their Kings, as well as we can; the disagreement of Historians and Chronologers, touching this Succession, being irreconcileable.

The Pharaohs or Kings of Egypt, of Egyptian Race.

• A. M.
• 1. Mizraim, the son of Cham, by the Gricians called Osiris, in whose time Abraham went into Egypt.
• 2 Typhon, an Usurper.
• 3 Orus, the son of Osiris, restored un∣to the Kingdom by his Uncle Le∣habim: the Advancer of Ioseph.
• 2207. 4 Amasis Themosis, or Amos, in whose time Iacob went down into E∣gypt. 25.
• 2233. 5 Chebron. 12.
• 2245. 6 Amenophis, or Amenophthis, 21.
• 2266. 7 Amarsis, the sister of Amenoph∣this, 22.
• 2288. 8 Mephres.
• 2300. 9 Mespharmuthesis. 25.
• 2325. 10 Thamosis, or Thuthmosis, 10.
• 2335. 11 Amenophthis II. supposed to be Memnon, and the Vocal Statue, 31.
• 2366. 12 Orus II. the Busiris of the Greci∣ans, a bloody Tyrant, who com∣manded the male-children of Is∣rael to be slain, 37.
• 2403. 13 Acencheres, by some called Ther∣mutis, the daughter of Amenoph∣this the second, and afterwards the wife of Orus, who preserved Moses, 12.
• 2416. 14 Rathosis the son of Orus, 6.
• 2422. 15 Acencherus, 12.
• 2449. 16 Cenchres, by some called Arenasis, Bocchoris by others; drowned in the Red-Sea with his horse and cha∣riots, 16.
• 2453. 17 Acherres, 8.
• 2462. 18 Cherres, 10.
• 1472. 19 Armais by the Grecians called Da∣naus, whose 50. daughters being married to the 50. sons of his bro∣ther Egyptos, murdered their hus∣bands: for which cause Danaus being forced out of Egypt, passed into Greece, where attaining to the Kingdom of Argos, he gave un∣to the Grecians the name of Danai.
• 1575. 20 Rameses, surnamed Egyptus, the brother of Danaus.
• 1550. 21 Amenophthis, III.
• 2590. 22 Sethos, or Sesothis 55.
• 2645. 23 Rhapsaces or Ranses, 66.
• 2711. 24 Amenophthis, IV. 40.
• 2751. 25 Rameses, II. 26.
• 2777. 26 Thuoris 7. After whose death suc∣ceeded a Race of twelve Kings, called the Diospolitani, who held the Kingdom for the space of 177 yeares; their names we find not but that one of the latest of them, whose daughter Solomon married, was called Vaphra; and perhaps Ogdoos who removed the Royal Seat from Thebes to Mem∣phis, might be another, and the eighth, as his name importeth.
• 2961. 39 Smendes, the Sisac of the Scri∣ptures, who made War upon Re∣hoboam the son of Solomon; con∣ceived to be the Sesostris of Hero∣dotus and others of the ancient Writers. Of whom it is reported, that being a king of great wealth and puissance, he had brought un∣der subjection all his neighbouring Princes: whom he compelled in turns to draw his Chariot. It hap∣ned that one of these unfortunate Princes, cast his eye many times on the Coach wheels: and being by Sesostris demanded the cause of his so doing, he replyed, that the fal∣ling of that spoke lowest, which but just before was in the height of the wheel, put him in minde of the instability of Fortune. The King deeply weighing the parable, would never after be so drawn in his Chariot. He also was the first that encountred the Scythians in battel; having already in conceit conquered them, before he led his Army against them. The Scythians

• much marvelled that a King of so great Revenues would wage War against a Nation so poor; with whom the fight would be doubtful, the Victory unprofitable; but to be vanquished a perpetual infamy and disgrace. For their parts they resolved to meet him, as an Enemy, whose overthrow would enrich them. When the Armies came to joyn, the Egyptians were discomfi∣ted, and pursued even to their own doors by the Enemy. But the Scy∣thians could not enter the Coun∣trey, because of the ••ens, with whose passage they were unac∣quainted; and so they returned.
• 2987. 40 Pseusenes, conceived to be the Cheops of Herodotus. founder of the vast Pyramis before descri∣bed, 41.
• 3028. 41 Nepher-Cherres. 4.
• 3032. 42 Amnoiphtis, V.
• 3041. 43 Opsochon, the Asychis of Herodotus.
• 3047. 44 Psamuchos, 9.
• 3056. 45 Psusennes, II. 14.
• 3070. 46 Sesonchis, 21.
• 3091. 47 Vsorthon, 15.
• 3106. 48 Takellotis, 13.
• 3119. 49 Patubastis, 40.
• 3159. 50 Osorchon, the second Hercules Aegyptius, as some will have it, 8.
• 3167. 51 Psamnis, 15.
• 3185. 52 Bochoris, called So, 2 King. 17. 4. taken and burnt by Sabacon the King of Ethiopia. 44.
• 3229. 53 Sabacon King of Ethiopia, 8.
• 3238. 54 Sevachus son of Sabacon. 14.
• 3252. 55 Tarachon, falsly supposed to be the Therah of the Scriptures. 18.
• 3270. 56 Stephinates, 7.
• 3277. 57 Niclupses, 6.
• 3288. 58 Psamniticus, who first made the Grecians acquainted with Egypt, 54.
• 3335. 59 Necho, who slew Josiah at the bat∣tel of Megiddo, 25.
• 3360. 60 Psamnis II. 6.
• 3366. 61 Aprios, called Hophra, Ier. 44.sub∣dued by Nebuchadnezzar, and deposed by Amasis. 25.
• 3391. 62 Amasis II. 44.
• 3435. 63 Psamnites, or Psamniticus II. a King of six moneths only; van∣quished by Cambyses, the second Monarch of Persia, who united Egypt to that Empire, under which it continued till the time of Darius the sixth King of the Medes and Persians, in the II. year of whose reign it revolted from him, and became a kingdom of it self, as in former times.
• 3555. 64 Amyrtaeus, the first King after the Revolt, 6.
• 3561. 65 Nepherites, 6.
• 3567. 66 Achoris, 12.
• 3579. 67 Psamnites III, 1.
• 3580. 68 Nepherites II. a King of two moneths only.
• 69 Nectanebos, 18.
• 3598. 70 Teos, 2.
• 3600. 71 Nectanebos II. the last King of the natural Egyptian race, that ever governed Egypt, by the name or a King. For in the 18 of the reign of this King, Egypt waa again re∣covered by the valour of Ochus the eighth Emperor of Persia. And when Alexander had overthrown Darius. he came & without blows won this fertile kingdom; which yielded him, during his life, the yearly value of 6000 talents. After his death, this kingdom fell to the share of Ptolomeus the son of La∣gus, from whom all the subsequent Kings of Egypt were called Pto∣lomies,

The Ptolomean Kings of Egypt.

• A. M.
• 3641. 1 Ptolomie, one of Alexanders Ca∣ptains, reputed the son of Lagus, but supposed to be the son of Phi∣lip of Macedon, and half-brother to Alexander. 40.
• 3681. 2 Ptol. Philadelphus, who filled the Library of Alexandria with 700000 Volumes, and caused the 72 Inter∣preters to translate the Bible.
• 3717. 3 Ptol Euergetes, the son of Phila∣delphus, vanquished Seleucus Cal∣linicus, and probably had subdued that kingdome, if not called back by domestick dissentions. 26.
• 3743 4 Ptol. Philopater, a cruel, voluptu∣ous, and incestuous Prince; cruelly slew Cleomenes the last king of Sparta, who had sled to his father for relief in the time of his exile. 17
• 3760. 5 Ptol. Epiphanes, at the age of five years succeeded his father; pro∣tected by the Romans against An∣tiochus the Great of Syria, who had an aim upon his kingdom. 28.
• 3784. 6 Ptol. Philometor, the son of Epi∣phanes, by Cleopatra the daughter of the great Antiochus; protected in his nonage by the Romans also: caused himself to be crowned king of Syria, but again relinquished it. 35.
• 3829. 7 Ptol. Euergetes II. for his desorm∣ity called Physcon, the brother of Ptol. Philometor: A wicked Prince, and one that spent the greatest part of his reign in a cause∣less war against Cleopatra his wife and sister. 29.
• 38••8. 8 Ptol. Lathurus, reigned 16 years with Cleopatra his mother, by whom dispossed of his estate for

• the space of ten years; after her death was sole Lord of Egypt. His brother Alexander being taken by the Queen-mother as her Asso∣ciate in the time of his deprivation, and passing in the Accompt of the Kings of Egypt.
• 3892 9 Ptol. Auletes, the son of Lathu∣rus, sirnamed also Dionysius, whose Brother being setled by him in the Isle of Cyprus, was most unjustly suipped by the power of the Ro∣mans, and he himself outed of Egypt by his own subjects, but re∣stored by the a••d & love of Pompey.
• 3922. 10 Ptol. Dionysius called also Junior, or the younger, together with Cleopatra his wife and sister, suc∣ceeded Auletes in the throne, which they held together by the space of three years. In the last of which, Pompey was barbarously slain on the shores of Egypt, by the com∣mand of Achilles the young Kings Governour; and the young King himself unfortunately slain in the Alexandrian Tumult against Julius Caesar.
• 3925. 11 Cleopatra, the wife and sister of Dionysius, restored to the Crown of Egypt by the bounty of Caesar, of whom exceedingly beloved for her wit and beauty. After which she governed Egypt 19 years in her own sole right, with great pomp and splendor: when being im∣barqued in the bed and fortunes of Marc. Antonie, she killed her self not long after his fatal o∣verthrow at the battel of A••••∣um, that she might not be ••ed in triumph through Rome.

These Ptolomean Princes of Egypt, were for the most part in wars with the Kings of Syria, in which they were by turns victorious, and vanquished; neither Prince having cause to boast of his bargain. After the death of Cleopatra, whose life and love with Marcus Antunius I will not now relate; this Country fell to the share of the Roman Emperours, and was by them highly prized, and warily looked into. The Governour hereof was but a Gentleman of Rome; no Senator being permitted to come into it; it being a maxim of State, not to suffer men of great houses to come into that Country, whose revolt may endanger the whole Empire. Of this nature was Egypt. For be∣sides the natural situation of the place very defensible; and besides the abundance of money, with which it was stored; this Country alone furnished the City of Rome with Corn, for four moneths yearly. Whence Vespasian being chosen Emperor by the Syrian Legions, and hearing of the defeat of his concurrent Vitellius, hastened hither; to this end only, that detaining the ordinary provision of victuals, he might by famine compell the City of Rome to stand at his devotion: Vt urbem quoque externe opis indigam ••ame urgeret•• as the Historian hath observed. When made a Province of that Empire, it was counted as the Emperors sole Peculiar: afterwards made (as well it might) an entire Diocese of it self, subordinate to the Praefectus Praetorio Orientis. In the division of the Empire allotted to the Constantinopolitans, whose Government being thought to be insupportable by this wanton People, they called in the Saracens, by whom the Greek Garrisons were cast out, and the Country made subject to Haumar the third of the Caliphs. Afterwards, weary of them also, they would have a Caliph of their own revolting totally from the Caliph of Bagdat. So that from this time forwards we shall meet with two Caliphs at a time, the one residing at Caire in Egypt, to whom the Saracens or Moors of Spain and Africk did submit themselves; the other at Bagdat, who Lorded it over all the rest, at least as to the ••upr••me title and some chief Prerogatives, though the main power was cantonned and disposed of among their Sultans.

The Caliphs of Egypt.

• A. Ch. A. H.
• 870 247. 1 Achmades, or Achmat. 10.
• 88•• 257. 2 Tolen. 3.
• 883. 260. 3 Hamaria. 29.
• 903. 280. 4 Abarun, slain by Mucta∣phi, the Caliph of Babylon.
• 940. 317. 5 Achid Muhamid, the son of Tangi. 3.
• 943. 320. 6 Abigud, the son of Achid. 27.
• 970. 347. 7 Meaz Ledin, Illahi, of the race of Phatime and Hali. 5.
• 975. 352. 8 Aziz, the son of Meaz. 21.
• 996. 373. 9 Elhachain. 23.
• 1019. 396. 10 Etaber Leazizdin Illah••. 16.
• 1035. 412. 11 Musteratzer Billahi. 60.
• 1096. 472. 12 Musteale. 5.
• 1100. 477. 13 Elamir Bahacan Illahi. 35
• 1135. 512. 14 Elhapit Ladin Illahi.
• 15 Etzahar.
• 16 Elphaiz.
• 17 Etzar Ledin Illahi, the the son of Elphaiz the last Caliph, or King of Egypt, of the race of Phatime: the Turks succeeding after his death in this opulent kingdome. Concerning which we are to know, that Elphaiz the father of Etzar, being over-power'd by Almericus King of Hierusalem craved aid of Norradine the Turkish Sultan of Damascus, which he received under the conduct of Sarracon, or Shirachoch, a right valiant and stout Commander; who taking his advantages, not only cleared the Country of Almericus, but got the whole kingdom to himself; dashing out the brains of Elphaiz with his horsemans-mace. And though Etzar his son assumed for a while the title of Caliph; yet the destruction of himself, and the whole Phatimean family, rooted out by Sarracon, soon put an end to that claim, and left the king∣dom in the peaceable possession of the Turkish Sultans.

The fourth Dynastie, or the Race of the Turkish Kings or Caliphs of Egypt.

• 1163. 1 Asereddin, sirnamed Shirachoch, called Sarracon by the Christian writers; the first of the Turks which reigned in Egypt; of the Noble family of Alub.
• 1186. 2 Zeli-heddin, called Saladine by the Christian writers, the son (or as some say, the nephew) of Sarracon or Shirachoch; confirmed in his estate by the Caliph of Bagdet, under whose jurisdiction he redu∣ced the Egyptian Schismaticks; He obtained also the kingdom of Damascus, conquered Mesopota∣mia, Palestine, and in the year 1190 regained the City of Hierusalem. A Prince who wanted nothing to commend him to succeeding A∣ges, nor to glorifie him in the kingdom of Heaven, but the sa∣ving knowledge of CHRIST JESUS.
• 1199. 3 Elaziz, the second son of Saladine, succeeded in the Realm of Egypt, which he exchanged afterwards with his brother Eladel for the kingdom of Damascus.
• 4 Eladel, or El-Aphtzel, by the Christian writers called Meledine, succeeded upon this exchange, in the kingdom of Egypt: and over∣came the Christians, without the losse of a man, at the siege of Caire, by letting loose the Sluces of Ni∣lus, which drowned their Army, and forced them to covenant with him at his own pleasure.
• 1210. 5 Elchamul.
• 1237. 6 Melech Essalach, by the Christian writers called Melechsala, the son of Elchamul, who overcame Lewis the 9. of France; and going with that King towards Damiata, was slain by the souldiers of his guard, called Mamalucks.
• 1242. 7 Elmutan, the son of Melech Es∣salach, succeeded for a time in his Fathers throne; But the Mama∣lucks being resolved to obtain the kingdom for themselves, inforced him to flie to a Tower of Wood, which they set on fire; & the poor Prince, half burned, leaping into a River (which ran close by it) was there drowned: & the Mamalucks setled in the kingdom, An. 1245.

These Mamalucks were the ofspring of a People on the banks of the Euxine Sea, vulgarly called the Circassians: whom Melechsala either bought of their Parents, or (at the second hand; of the Tartars, then newly Masters of those Countries, to supply the want of valour in the idle and effeminate People of Egypt: and out of them selected a choise Band of men for the guard of his person. Knowing their strength, and finding their opportunity, they treacherously slew Melechsala their Lord and Master; appointing one Azeddin Ibek, a Turco-man by nation, and therefore by most Christian writers called Turquimeneius, (one of their own number) a man of great spirit and valour, to succeed in the Throne. Unwilling to re-give the Supreme Authority into the hands of the Egyptians; and not permitting their own sons to enjoy the name and privilege of Mamalucks, they bought yearly certain numbers of Circassian slaves, whom they committed to the keeping of the Egyptians, by them to be instructed in the Egyptian language, and the Law of Mahomet. Being thus fitted for im∣ployment, they were taught the Discipline of War, and by degrees advanced unto the highest Offices of power and trust; as now the Janizaries are in the Turkish Empire: in choice and ordering of whom, as the Ottoman Turks were Precedented by those of Egypt; so it is possible enough that the Janizaries may make as great a Change in the Turkish Empire, as the Mamalucks did in the Egy∣ptian. So unsafe a thing it is for a Prince to commit the sole guard of his person, or the defence of his Dominions, to the hands of such, whom not the sense of natural duty, but the hopes of profit or preferment may make useful to him. For thus we find, that Constantius a King of the Britains was murdered by his Guard of Picts: most of the Roman Emperours, by the hands of those whom they intrusted either with the guard of their persons, or the command of their Armies: And I think no man can be ignorant how many times the Princes and Estates of Italy have been brought into the ex∣tremest dangers, by trusting too much to the honesty of mercena••ie Souldiers and Commanders. Take we for instance the proceedings of Giacopo Picinino, who with his Followers first took Pay of Ferdinand the first of Naples; left him, to fight for his vowed Enemy Iohn Duke of Calabria the son of Renè Duke of Anjou; whom also he forsook in his greatest need. The like we find of Francisco Sforza, first entertained by the Duke of Millain, from whom he revolted to the Florentines, from

them to the Venetians; and being again received into the Pay of the State of Millain, made use of their own Army to subdue that City. Nor can I speak better of the Switzers or their dealing in this kind with the French Kings, the Sforza's Dukes of Millain; and with whom not (to say the truth) that ever trusted or employed them.

Now as it is unsafe for a Prince to commit the custody of his person, or the defence of his Estates to the faith of Forreiners; so is it dangerous to him to call in such aids, and to commit his fortunes either wholly or principally unto their fidelity. A moderate supply of men, money, or munition, from a confederate King, is, I confesse, in most cases convenient, in some necessary: as well to save their Natives from the sword; as to trie a friend, and interest an Allie in the same cause. But to invite so great a number of Succours, as from Helpers may become Masters, and oppresse the people whom they came to defend; is that Rock on which many Realms have suffered shipwrack, and which a good Pilot of the State should with all care avoid. For as in the sickness of the body natural, it is hurtful to a mans health and life, to take more physick then it may (after the effect thereof be wrought) either di∣gest, or put out again: so in the body politick, it is a perilous matter to receive more succours, then what (after they have done the deed they were sent for) we may either with conveniencie reward and settle with us, or at liberty expell. Of all Surfeits, this of Forraign supplies is most uncurable: and Ne quid nimis, if in nothing else true, is in this case, oracle. There is no Kingdom (I am verily per∣swaded) under the Sun, which hath not been by this means conquered; no Common-wealth, which hath not been by this means ruined. To relate all examples, were infinite and tedious; to inferre some, pleasing to the Reader; and to illustrate the point, not unnecessary. To begin with former times: Philip of Macedon, called into Greece to assist the Thebans against the Phocians, brought all that Country, in a manner, under his command. The Romans, by aiding the Sicilians against the Carthaginians, possessed themselves of that flourishing Island; by assisting the Hedui against the Sequani, mastered France; by succouring Androgeus against Cassibelan, seised on Britain; by siding with the Aetolians against Perseus, united to their Empire all the Kingdom of Macedon; and by the same course what not? In after-ages, the Britains called in the Saxons, and were by them th••st out of all; the Irish called in the English, by whom they were in process of time totally subdued; and the Indians called in the Mogul-Tartars, who now Lord it over them. These forrein supplies are invited or let into a Country, commonly in four cases. First, when some one man upon discontent or desire of revenge, openeth them a way to a Country: upon which motives, Narses invited the Lombards into Italy; and Count Julian brought the Moors into Spain: the one to be revenged on the Empresse Sophia, who had despitefully reviled him; the other to revenge himself on King Rodo∣rick, who had ravished his daughter. Secondly, when a weaker Faction makes way for them, to main∣tain their cause against a stronger: On which ground the Duke of Burgundy being oppressed by the faction of Orleans, made way for Henry the fifth to passe into France; and the Leaguers drew the Spaniards in, to hold up their declining cause against Henry the 4th. Thirdly, when an ambitious Prince makes use of a forrein power, to usurp upon the rights of another man: And for that cause Ludowick Sforze perswaded Charles the 8. to undertake the Conquest of the Realm of Naples, that by the countenance of his Arms he might appropriate to himself the Dukedom of Millain. Fourthly, when a King overburthened by a forrein or domestick force, which he is not able to resist, requires the help of a forrein friend: in which case, Plus à medico quam a morbo mali, the Physick proves many times worse then the Disease: for thus the Kings of Naples of the house of Aragon, being in danger of the French, drew in the Aids of Ferdinand the Catholique, the Cousin-German once removed of the King then being: And the Caliphs of Egypt, not able to withstand the forces of Almericus, craved aid of the Turks; by which meane both those kingdoms were made a prey to their forrein friends, and by avoiding Scylla fled into Charybdis. Nay many times it so happeneth, that these forrein succours joyn in design with those against whom they were called, and divide the conquered State between them: And so we find that the Burgundians being called by Stilico into Gaul, to prevent the breaking in of the Franks or French, joyned with them in a common league against the Romans, whom they dis∣possessed at last of all that Country. Onely amongst so many examples to this purpose, we find the Low-Country-men to have prospered by these forrein aids; who by the assistance of the English, ransomed themselves from that yoke of bondage which was intended to be put upon them by the King of Spain. This I acknowledge to be true, and look upon it as a great Argument of the integrity and honesty of the English Nation; although it be as true withall, that the English never had such an Army there, as to be able to subdue them. But give me such another instance, I will quit the cause: for the same Low-Country-men found it otherwise with the Duke of Anjou, Brother to Henry the 3. of France, whom they created Duke of Brabant, and their Governour-Generall; permitting him to bring in as many of the French, as either his authority or their own monies were able to raise: who was no sooner setled in that command, but he made it his chief business to seize upon their strongest Holds, and to be a more absolute Prince amongst them, then ever the Spaniards or Burgundians had been before. So that I think I may conclude, that these forrein Succours are the last to be tryed, and the least to be trusted, of any remedies in State. But it's now more then time to return to the Mama∣lucks; and in them to

The third Dynastie of the Egyptian Kings, or the Race of the Mamalucks.

• A. Ch.
• 1255. 1 Turquimeneius, who being pro∣moted to the kingdom, released King Lewis, whom Melechsala his predecessor had taken prisoner; but performed not half of the con∣ditions agreed upon.
• 2 Clothes (by some called Elmu∣tahaz) taking advantage of the miseries of the Turks then distres∣sed by the Tartars, seised on the greatest part of Syria and Pale∣stine.
• 1260. 3 Bandocader perfected the begun∣conquests of Clothes, and took from the Christians the strong City of Antioch, carrying on his Armies as far as Armenia, where he did much spoil.
• 4 Melechsait, or Melechsares, re∣stored the power of the Mama∣lucks in Syria and Palestine; where it had been much impaired by Edward the son of Henry the 3. of England, and Henry Duke of Mecklenburgh, &c.
• 1289. 5 Elpis, or Alphix, recovered from the dissenting Christians, the strong Cities of Tripolis, Berytus, Tyre, and Sidon; all which he razed to the ground, that they might not be any more serviceable to the af∣fairs of the Christians.
• 1291. 6 Araphus, or Eustrephus, by birth a German, released Henry Duke of Mecklebourg, after he had been prisoner 26 years. He rooted the Christians out of Syria, took Pto∣lomais the last Town they there held, and so razed it, that he made it fit to be ploughed.
• 7 Melechnesar, when he was Lieu∣tenant to Arapbus, was discom∣fited by Cassanes, a great Prince of the Tartars, with the loss of 40000 Egyptians: but Cassanes being de∣parted, he recovered again all Sy∣ria, and destroyed Hierusalem; for which service he was afterward made Sultan of Egypt.
• 8 Melechadel, whom I suppose to be that Sultan that governed Egypt, when Tamberlane with unresist∣able violence conquered it; but of this I am not certain; neither can I meet with any constant and continued series (which I dare re∣lie on) of his successors in this king∣dom, till I come to
• 9 Melechella, or Melechnaser, who in the year 1423. subdued the Isle of Cyprus, and made the Kings thereof to be from thenceforth Tributaries to the Mamaluck Sul∣tans.
• 1465. 10 Cathbeyus, who much reformed the State of Egypt, and was a pro∣fessed enemy of Bajazet 2. the 8^th King of the Ottomans.
• 1498. 11 Mahomet the son of Cathbeyus, deposed by the Mamalucks, for fear the kingdom might by him be made hereditary; it being against their usual custome, that the son should succeed his father in the name and privileges of a Mama∣luck.
• 1499. 12 Campson Chiarsesius, succeeded on the deposing of Mahomet.
• 13 Zanballat, who dethroned Camp∣son, and not long after was depo∣sed by
• 1500. 14 Tonombeius; outed of his Estate by the joynt-consent of the Ma∣malucks, so to make way for Cam∣pson Gaurus.
• 1501. 15 Campson II. sirnamed Gaurus, reformed the disordered and fa∣ctious estate both of Court and Country, and for the space of 16 years governed very prosperously: But siding at the last with Hysmael the Persian Sophie against Selimus the first of that name, the 3. Em∣peror and ninth King of the Otto∣man family, he drew his Kingdom into a war, in which his Armies were overthrown, and himselfe slain in battel.
• 1517. 16 Tonombeius II. succeeded Camp∣son Gaurus both in his Kingdom and misfortunes: vanquished in his first year by the said Selimus the first, An. 1517. Who having conquered this rich Kingdom, was used to say, That he had gotten a Farm to feed his Gomoglans, or young Souldiers. So Egypt became a Province of the Turkish Empire, as it still continueth.

What the Revenues of it were in the time of the Pharaohs, I am not able to affirm. Great they must be, beyond the proportion of belief, or else they could never have been Ma∣sters of sufficient Treasure to finish those vast Structures which they un∣dertook. Twelve thousand and five hundred Talents they amounted An∣nually unto in the time of the Ptolo∣mies, which of our money makes the summe of Two Millions and 347750

pounds. Which summe, Augustus Caesar (appropriating this Province to himself) is said to have doubled: But whether he had it all in Money, or part hereof in Money, and the rest in Corn, I de∣termine not. Certain it is, that there was yearly shipped hence for Rome, in the time of that Empe∣rour, Two hundred thousand Measures of Wheat, every Measure weighing Twenty pound weight; which cometh to Seven Millions and an hundred forty thousand of our English Bushels: Sold by him, or distributed gratis amongst the Poor, as he saw occasion. So that there might be very well some a∣batement in Money, considering that the Corn amounted to so great a summe. Nor were they much lesse, if ought at all, when the Mamalucks ruled in this Country. For Campson Gaurus, at his coming to the Throne, gave no lesse then Ten millions of Ducats, at one clap, amongst his Souldiers. But the Turks at this day, partly through their Tyrannical government, and partly through the discontinuance of the usual Traffick through the Red-Sea, receive no more then Three Millions; one of which is hoorded in his own Coffers; the second is appropriated unto his Vicegerent Bashaw, for support of his charge; the third is distributed among his Garrison-souldiers, and such of them as by land guard his own Million to Constantinople; for by sea he dareth not venture it, for fear of the Florentine, who with a few ships Lordeth it in the Mediterranean.