A prospect of the most famous parts of the vvorld Viz. Asia, 3 Affrica, 5 Europe, 7 America. 9 With these kingdomes therein contained. Grecia, 11 Roman Empire, 13 Germanie, 15 Bohemia, 17 France, 19 Belgia, 21 Spaine, 23 Italie, 25 Hungarie, 27 Denmarke, 29 Poland, 31 Persia, 33 Turkish Empire, 35 Kingdome of China, 37 Tartaria, 39 Sommer Ilands, 41 Civill Warres, in England, Wales, and Ireland. You shall find placed in the beginning of the second booke marked with these [3 asterisks in triangle formation] and (5) together with all the provinces, counties, and shires, contained in that large theator of Great Brittaines empire. / Performed by John Speed.

The Description of the Kingdome of PERSIA.

THis Empire was one of the first, and most potent in the Easterne world: and though since in severall ages, she hath felt the variety of fortunes, to which all Kingdomes are subject, and beene forced to deliver up her glo∣ry to the succeeding Monarchies of the Macedonians, Parthians, Turkes, and Saracens; yet now at last is she re∣covered to her owne height and greatnesse, and the name of Persia reacheth farther then ever, if we take in (as most Geo∣graphers doe) the Regions of Media, Assyria, and the rest; which were heretofore the seats of severall illustrious King∣domes.

(2) Surely the first which inhabited any part of this com∣passe, were the Medes, a people of great antiquitie, who reach both their originall and name from Madai the sonne of Iapheth: for it was not long after the Flood, that they were subdued by Ninus King of the Assyrians: one and t'other, Media I meane and Assyria, though then they had apart their peculiar govern∣ments, yet both were but a parcell of this Countrey, which is now knowne by the name of Persia.

(3) To Ninus and his successors they continued faithfull for many years, till the effeminate weakenesse of Sardanapalus gave opportunitie to the ambition of Belochus governour of Babylon, and Arbaces of Media to divide his Empire betwixt them, which they did in the yeare of the world three thousand one hundred fortie sixe: and then beganne the Monarchie of the Medes, which spred it selfe through the greatest part of Asia; and (for above two hundred yeares) gathered strength, till the time of Astiages, who dreamed himselfe out of his Empire, as Iustine relates the storie.

(4) Persia proprie dicta, from whence this whole Countrey at last tooke name, was at this time but an obscure Kingdome in respect of what now it is, & tributary to the Medes. Her Prince was Cambyses, the father of the great Cyrus, by Mandanes daugh∣ter to Astiages: when she was great, and expected the time of her deliverance, her father touched with a perplexed dreame, that she made so much water as would drowne all Asia, inter∣preted it, that her issue should be the overthrow of his state; and therefore delivered the child which was born to her, into Har∣pagus his charge to be destroyed; and he to the Kings Heards∣man, who (unawares to both) preserved the guiltlesse infant, so that at last he tooke revenge upon his cruell Grand-father, and laid a foundation for the Persian Monarchie.

(5) In this attempt his anger wrought him no farther then his enemy: for he left the government of Media still to Cyaxa∣res the sonne of Astiages, and afterward married his daughter, joyned with him in his conquests, and till his death gave him the preheminence of title. They were both ingaged in the ta∣king of Babylon, slaughter of Baltazar, and destruction of the Chaldeans: the Scripture gives this victory to Darius Medius, who as most hold, was no other then Cyaxares; and he onely named as the principall of the two while he yet lived, though Cyrus had his part in the action, after his uncles death enjoyed it as his owne, and made perfect the Monarchie of the Persians in the yeare of the world 3046.

(6) About thirty seven yeares after the succession was broke, for want of lawfull heires to Cambyses their second King: and therefore their Princes consulted to salute him, whose Horse first neighed at a set meeting upon the Court green, before the Sun∣rising. Darius Histaspes was one, and by the subtiltie of his horse∣keeper carried the Crowne: for the night before, in the same ground, he had coupled a mare with the horse that his Master should ride, which when the lustfull steed missed the next morn∣ing, being full of spirit, no sooner had he set footing upon the place, but with much eagernesse he snuffed and neighed after his mare, and gave the quue to the other Princes to proclaime Darius King of the Persians. This was he whom the Scripture calls Ahasuerus: he was Hesters husband.

(7) Thus is the Empire now setled, and intayled by descent after him to that famous Xerxes, who made war upon Greece, with an incredible Army, joyned Asia to Europe with a bridge, and dammed up Hellespont with his Navie; yet was at last van∣quished by foure thousand at Thermopylae, and after by Themisto∣cles forced to make his flight in a small ••oat toward his owne Countrey, contemned of his subjects, and within a few yeares slaine in his Palace by Artabanus. His immediate successour was Artaxerxes Longimanus, who sent the Prophet Esdras to reedifie the Temple, and so on to Darius the last Persian of that course, who was oft vanquished by Alexander the great, and left the Monarchie of the world to the Macedonians: After the death of their victorious Captaine, it was divided among many of the most potent Princes of Greece.

(8) But when the Persians saw the force of their enemy thus severed, they began to conceive a hope of recovering their liber∣tie; and so they did indeed under the conduct and command of the Parthian Arsaces, but found thēselves little bettered in their condition, as being now become new slaves to a more harsh ty∣rant: and therefore in the year two hundred twenty eight after the Incarnation, they made a second attempt to quit themselves from the Parthians: they tooke their time, when their masters were sore afflicted with a strong enemy from Rome, which had broke their forces to their hands; so that by the admirable pro∣wesse of another Artaxerxes, they made good their Conquest upon the Parthian, and adventured so farre with the Romanes themselves, that their name began to grow terrible and the Em∣perour Constantine forced to fortifie his Provinces, which lay to∣ward the East, and this might be some cause too, why he remo∣ved his seat to Constantinopolis.

(9) After this it fell into the hands of the Saracenicall Caliphs, in the year sixe hundred thirty foure, and to the Turks in the yeare one hundred thirty, next to the Tartars, and so againe to the Parthians, by the help of Gempsas, who redeemed both his owne, and this from the Tartarian; and briefly after many turns, it became the possession of Ismaell Sophie of Persia, whose race continues it to this day.

(10) The bounds of this Empire on the North are the Ca∣spian Sea, and the River Oxus; on the South the Sinus Persicus, and the Mare Indicum heretofore called Rubrum: on the West the Turkish confines, as far as the River Tigris, and the lake Gio∣cho: on the East the River Indus, and the Kingdome of Cambaia a spatious land it is, and contains from East to West 38. degrees, and about 20. from the North to South.

(11) This varietie of distance in respect of the Heavens, must needs cause as much difference in the qualities of her se∣verall Regions: In some places there is that fertility, which makes her equall to any part of Asia: in others againe she is so barren, unfruitfull, and unprofitable, that the land is left waste, as being not able to nourish an Inhabitant. Oramaritima (saith Quadus) aestuosa est ac ventosa, & fructuum inops, praeterquam palmarum, mediterranea regio Campestris est & omnium ferax, pecorumque optima nutrix, fluminibus et lacubus plena. Maxime autem suppeditat Araxes plurimas commoditates. It abounds much with metals, and stones of great price.

(12) The ancient Persians were warlike and ambitious of rule: for not content with their own, which they freely possest in Asia, they attempted the neerest parts of Africa, and Europe, which cost them the first fall from their Monarchy. Nec enim petituri Macedones Perside•••• videbantur, ni priores Persae Graeciā provocassent, saith Vadianus. Their customes were most of them superstitious, but they held nothing almost in so great reverence as water: it might not lawfully be soyled, so much as with a foule hand; but to pisse, or cast rubbish, or a dead carkasse into their Rivers, was a kind of Sacriledge. They had many wives and more Concubines: for they were exceeding desirous of in∣crease,

[illustration] map of Persia

THE ••••••••DOME OF PERSIA with the cheif Citties and Habites described. by Iohn Speede

[illustration]

and great rewards were appointed by their King him∣selfe, for him that could most augment the number of his sub∣jects in one yeare. They seldome entred into any consultation of state, till they had well armed themselves with drinke; for then they thought they should be most free to speake what they most thought. To spit, or laugh before their Prince, was a crime wel∣nigh unpardonable: some say that they bury not their dead, but cast them forth to be devoured by wild beasts, and thought him most happy, which was soonest torne to mammock: the rest their friends bewailed, as such who had lived impurely: and were therefore by this signed eclared worthy of h••ll onely, with∣out any redemption.

(13) Their Philosophers were called Magi, and studied principally the art of foretelling things to come; from whence we have our terme of Magicke: and usurpe the word onely in the worse sense, whereas (questionlesse) it was no other with them, then the Greeks Philosophy, Philosophi, or Sapientes with the Latines: for it is by most thought that such were those good Magi, which came from the East to worship Christ: and Saint Chrysostome directly names Persia to be that East from whence they were led by the starre.

(14) They have now put off most of their antique barba∣barisme, and are become good politicians, excellent warriours, great schollers, especially in Astrologie, Physick, and Poetrie. Those which apply themselves to Mechanick trades, are not in∣feriour to any almost in our quarter: they deale most in making of silkes, which they send into all the Eastern Countries in great abundance. They are mild and courteous to strangers, yet jealous of their wives, which for the most part are very faire and richly attired; notwithstanding their affection to them usque ad insanam Zelotypiam: yet are they much addicted to that beastly sinne of the Turks, and have their stewes on purpose, whither they resort without controule, or shame. Their Language is ele∣gant, and in use in most of those Easterne Countries. The Chri∣stian Religion was once planted here both by Saint Thomas, and Saint Andrew; yet are they now fallen to Mahumetisme, and differ but as schismaticks from the Turks, which occasioneth much hatred and perpetuall warre betwixt them.

(15) The Regions which belong to the Empire of Persia, are (1) Persia. (2) Media. (3) Assyria. (4) Susiana. (5) Me∣sopotamia. (6) Parthia. (7) Hyrcania. (8) Bactriana. (9) Para∣pomissus. (10) Aria. (11) Drangiana. (12) Gedrosia. (13) Carmania and (14) Ormus.

(16) Persis had her name from Perseus, which came hither out of Greece; and this gives it to the whole Empire: It is now called Farsi or Farsistan, and was heretofore Panchaia. It lyeth betwixt Media on the North, and the Sinus Persicus on her South: on her West Susiana, and East Carmania. Her Metropo∣lis is Sitas, once Persepolis, and is built toward the midland neere the River Araxes: it was surprised by Alexander, and many thousand talents of gold sent into Greece, with other rich spoiles and trophies of victories, which the Persians had before gotten from most parts of the then known world. Vpon the Sea-coasts stands Cyrus, a City which was built by their first absolute Mo∣narch, and called by the Inhabitants Grechata: It was the Bi∣shop-seate of the learned Theodoret, who lived here about the yeare 450. and in this Region is Laodicea, built by Antiochus, and Passagarda, where Cyrus had his sepulchre.

(17) (2) Media now Servania, on the North of Persis, and South of the Caspian Sea, hath Armenia major and Assyria on her West, and on her East Parthia & Hyrcania. It was before Cyrus, the seate of the Empire, and mother to a warlike potent Nation. Their Kings had many wives, seldome fewer then se∣ven: and their women thought it a great calamitie to have lesse then five husbands. In this stands the territory of Tauris, which was called by our ancients Erbathana, and doth stand some eight dayes journey from the Hyrcanian Sea: it is rich and populous, and was the seate of the Sophies, till it was removed to Casbin, which lyeth somewhat more South. Betwixt both stands the City Turcoman: and else-where in this Province are many o∣thers dispersed of good note, especially Suliania, Symmachia, Nassinun, Ardovill, Marant and Saucazan, &c.

(18) (3) Assyria now Arzeram on the West of Media, South of Armenia, North of Susiana, and East of Mesopotamia: it was the seat of Ninus his Kingdome, lost by Sardanapalus, and here stands the most famous City Ninive, neere the River Ti∣gris, larger then Babylon, containing ful threescore miles in com∣passe: for the communitie which the Babylonians had with them in course of governmēt, they were ofttimes promiscuously used by Historians: both had this custome to sell their virgins, which were faire and most desired, and tender the price into the com∣mon treasury. The homelier sort were placed in marriage with that money, to those which would accept of them for gaine at least, if not for beauty. They were much addicted to Astrologie, and were questionlesse led to it by the opportunitie of their situation, which gives them a more perfect view of the heavens, and severall course of the Planets, then any other part of the world besides.

(19) (4) Susiana now Cucestan seemes to have her name from Cus, upon the South of Assyria, West of Persis, East of Ba∣bylonia, and North of the Persike bay. It is severed by Pliny from Elemais the great by the River Euleus, of whose waters onely the Persian Kings were wont to drinke, as being more sweet and pure, then any other in this Countrey.

(20) (5) Mesopotamia now Diarbecha, heretofore Aram or Charam, lies betwixt the two Rivers Euphrates and Tigris, and hath Armenia major on her North, and on her South Ara∣bia deserta: it is of large extent, and hath much variety of Com∣modities in her severall quarters, but hath suffered great calami∣ties by reason of her continuall wars with the Turk. Her chiefe Cities are Charan or Haran, where Abraham settled himselfe, when he was called forth of Chaldaea: and where that gurges avaritiae the Roman Mar••u•• Crassus lost his life. Not far distant is the Citie Nisibis, which was once called Antiochia, and Myg∣donia: to these Maginus addes Merdin and Mosus.

(21) (6) Parthia now Arach on the East of Media, on the South of Hyrcania, North of Carmania, and West of Aria. The Inhabitants were valiant, and had their course of soveraigntie in the Easterne Monarchy. Her chiefe Cities are Cassan and Hispaham, which the Persian hath in so great account, that he calls it halfe the world.

(22) (7) Hyrcania now Strava, on the North of Parthia, and East of Media, and South of the Mare Caspium: it is plaine, fertile, and rich. Her Metropolis Hyrcania: the rest of note are Bestan, Mesandran. (8) Bactriana now Charassan, on the South is divided from Aria by the mountaine Parapomissus: her chiefe Citie Bactra, the birth-place of that great Physician Avicenna, and Zoroaster Magus: This Region belongs not intire to the So∣phie of Persia. (9) Parapomissus now Sublestan and Candehar on the East of Aria a mountainous Countrey, and the Inhabitant as rude and ragged: yet her chief Citie Candatura is a great market and well frequented both from India and Cathaia. (10) Aria now Eri on the East of Parthia: the Inhabitants of this Region rebelled against Alexander, but were forced by his Armies, to fly for shelter, into a cave upon the top of a rock; yet thither he pursued them, and dammed up the caves mouth with Timber, which he set on fire, and stifled most; the rest were taken to the Victors mercy: the treason of Philotus against Alexander was here discovered. (11) Drangiana now Sigestan: In this Coun∣try the Hill Taurus is called Caucasus, where the Poets seigne, that Prometheus was perpetually gnawn by a Vulture for steal¦ing fire from Heaven: her chiefe Cities are Sim and Cabul, built by Alexander, at the foot of Caucasus: and therefore called A∣lexandria Archosiae. (12) Gedrosia now Circan, neere the Mare Indicum, a barren Countrey, scarce worth a farther description: and so (13) Carmania.

(23) (14) Vpon the confines of the Persian Empire stands a potent Kingdome, which comprehends part of the coast of Persia, some Ilands of the Persike bay; and a good portion of A∣rabia Faelix neere to those Seas. The chiefe seat is the Citie and Iland Ormutz, a place of great merchandise, but of it selfe af∣fordeth little provision for victualls: so that they are forced to have it brought in from other parts of the Empire, though at an extreame deare rate. It abounds with a precious Pearl called the Vnion: Their King is now tributary to Portugall, as once it was to the Persian Emperour.