Purchas his pilgrimes. part 1 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

The Voyage of NEARCHVS and his Fleet set forth by ALEXANDER the Great, from the Riuer Indus to the bottome of the Persian Gulfe.

IN this History of Voyages I thinke it not a misse to giue some accounts briefly of the Fleete which Alexander set forth from Indus to the Persian Gulfe, commanded by Nearchus, gathe∣red out of the eighth Booke of Arrianus, who had taken it out of Nearchus his owne discourse [ 40] thereof. I had the whole Relation at large by me translated, as those also of Arrianus his sai∣ling about both the Erythraean and Euxine Seas; but Time hath so altered the Names, ports and peoples, that I dare not giue you them at large. This briefly was thus:

Alexander prouided his ships in Hydaspes (a Riuer which runneth into Indus) and manned them with Phenicians,* 1.1 Cypriots, Aegyptians, men best skilled in Marine affaires. He chose also for Cap∣tains the Greek Ilanders of Ionia and Hellespont, & diuers others; amongst the rest Nearchus which writ this Nauigation, of Cretan ancestry, an Amphipolitan by habitation, whom he made Generall of the Fleet. After things set in order, he sacrificed to the Gods of his Country and to such others as the Diuiners prescribed, to Neptune, Oceanus, the Sea Nymphes, and to the Riuer Hydaspes, [ 50] and to Acesines, which floweth thereinto. He instituted also musicall and gymnicall Games (prizes for maisteries) also, distributing the remainders of the sacrifices to the Armie. A hundred and 20000. souldiers followed Alexander, who himselfe went with the ships downe Hydaspes. He had 800. ships, some long, some of burthen. Being afraid to aduenture so long a Sea Voyage, as from Indus to the Persian Gulfe, lest his glorious lustre of victory and Fortune hitherto atten∣ding him might so be drowned; the Monson seruing (the Etesia then ceasing which there blew in Summer) he committed the Fleet to Nearchus, which put forth to Sea on the twentieth day of Bo••dromion, in the eleuenth yeere of King Alexanders reigne.

Nearchus sacrificed also before his departure, to Iupiter the Sauiour, and likewise instituted Games; on that day of his departure he came to a great Riuer called Stura, about 100 furlongs, [ 60] and staied there two daies.* 1.2 On the third day hee came to another Riuer called Caumana thirty furlongs further, where the water began to be salt, and the tide ascended. Thence he sa••led twen∣ty furlongs to Coreatis within the Riuer. Mouing thence they saw the white frothy surge at the mouth of the Riuer, and in a ditch or channell made of fiue furlongs, he anchored his fleet

when the tyde came 150. furlongs, thence he came to the Ile Crocala, neere to the which are the Indian Arrhabes. Thence he remoued, hauing mount Irus on the right hand,* 1.3 and the Ile Halite∣nea on the left, to a Port which he called Alexanders Port, before which is Bubarta a small Iland. There he staid foure and twenty daies, and gathered Sea Mice and Oysters wonderfull great. The winde ceasing, he went sixtie furlongs neere the Ile Doma, where they were forced to goe twen∣ty furlongs within land for fresh water: Hauing passed 300. furlongs the next day,* 1.4 they came to the Region Saranga, and fetched water eight furlongs within land. Departing thence hee came to Sacalasis, and passing two rockes so neere that the ships edged on them as they passed by, after 300. furlongs he anchored in Morontoboris, a round, deepe and safe harbour with a narrow en∣trance, called the Womens Port. The next day he left an Iland to Sea ward of him and yet so [ 10] neere the shoare that the Sea seemed a Gut or narrow ditch. That day he sailed sixtie furlongs. On that shoare was a wood and shadie Iland. The next day he sailed thorow a narrow channell, the ebbe hauing left a great part dry, and hauing passed 120. furlongs he came to the mouth of the Ri∣uer Arabius, where is a great and safe harbour. They fetched water sixtie furlongs vp the Riuer in a Lake. At the harbour is an Iland full of Oisters and all sorts of fish.* 1.5 This Riuer confineth India; the next Regions are possessed by the Oritae; their first anchoring on the Orite-shoare was Pagali, hauing sailed 200. furlongs neere a craggie rocke. The next day 300. furlongs to Bacana: and because the shoare was rockie, hee was forced to anchor farre from land. In this way three ships were lost in a storme, but the persons were saued being neere the shoare.* 1.6

[ 20] He sa••led thence two hundred furlongs to Comala: and there went on shoare, and set vp tents to refresh his people wearied with their * 1.7 long Nauigation, and desiring to haue some rest. Here Leonnatus, to whom Alexander had giuen Commission for the Oritae, ouerthrew them in a great battell and slew 6000. The weather beaten ships being repaired, and ten daies prouisions being taken in, and those sailers which were weary of the Sea, being left with Leonnatus, some of his company supplying their roomes: the Fleete proceeded 500. furlongs, and anchored at the Riuer Thomeros. The Inhabitants dwelt in small cottages, and wondered at the Nauie as a strange No∣ueltie: they came to the shoare with lances of six cubits sharpned and burned at the ends, easily chased by those which were sent on shoare against them, which also tooke some, which had hard and sharpe nailes wherewith they killed fish, and cut softer wood (for they had no vse of Iron) [ 30] the harder they c••t with stones: their garments were beasts or fishes skins. Here Nearchus staid fiue dayes, and repaired his Nauie. Proceeding three hundred furlongs he came to Malanae, the vtmost border of the Oritae, who for the most part dwell vp within the land and vse Indian attire and armes, but differ in language and customes. Nearchus had sailed now 1000. furlongs from I••∣dus mouth to Arrhabius, and 1600. by the Oritae. Now also their shadowes fell Southward, and at noone they had no shadow. The Starres also differed in their height and appearance. After the Oritae are the Gedrosi, amongst whom Alexander found more difficulty then in all the rest of India.* 1.8 Nearchus hauing sailed 600. furlongs came to Bagisara, a conuenient harbour: the Towne Pasira is sixtie furlongs vp from the Sea. Next day he passed by a high ouerhanging Rocke, which run∣neth farre into the Sea: and digging Wels had store of water, but brackish: sailing other six hun∣dred [ 40] furlongs hee came to Calime where Cor••ina lieth one hundred furlongs into the Sea, an Iland whose Inhabitants sent Nearchus sheepe, whose flesh tasted like Sea-fowles, they being fed with fishes, there being no grasse there. Next day they sailed two hundred furlongs to Carbis, the towne Cysa was thirty furlongs from Sea. Here were small Fisher-boates, but the Fishermen at sight of the Fleete ran away. He passed next a high and craggy Cape, reaching one hundred and fifty furlongs into the Sea, vnto Mosarna a safe harbour. There he tooke Hydracces a Gedrosian Pilot for Carmania. The way from hence to the Persian gulfe is not so euill as the former.

Hauing sailed 750. furlongs, he came to the Balomon shoare, and after 400. furlongs to Barna, a towne where were Gardens of Myrtle and diuers flowers, culture of trees, and more ciuilitie of the••men. 400. furlongs further he came to Dendrobosa, where they fish in small Boats, not rowing [ 50] like the Greekes, but like diggers beating the waters on both sides. After 800. furlongs he came to Cyiza a desert shore,* 1.9 and fiue hundred furlongs from thence to the borders of the Ichthyophagi or Fish-eaters. They inuaded the Towne to get Corne which now failed them; but found little, except meale of rosted fishes, of which they make Bread. Thence he went to Bagia a rocke sa∣cred to the Sunne, thence to Talmena a good port, 1000. furlongs from Bagia. Thence to Cana∣sis a desert Citie 400. furlongs thence, 750. furlongs to Mount Canate: thence 800. furlongs to Taij; thence to Dagasira 300. furlongs,* 1.10 thence 1300. furlongs to the vtmost confines of the Ichthy∣ophagi, in great want of prouision: Here was a Cape running farre into the Sea. The coast of the Ichthyophagi is about 10000. furlongs, where all feede on fish, yet are there few fishermen, bu•• the Ebbe leaues the fish on shoare, some haue nets which reach two furlongs, made of Palme-tree [ 60] leaues. The softer fish they eate raw: the greater and harder they roast in the Sunne, and then beate them into powder and make a kinde of bread thereof, some sprinkle the powder with wheate meale. Their Beasts haue no other foode, for there is no grasse. There is store of Crabs,* 1.11 Oysters, and shel-fish; Salt also and Oyle produced by the soile it selfe: some sowe a little Corne. Their houses are made of Whales bones. The Whales casting much water into the aire,* 1.12

the people wondred what it was, and hearing that they were fishes, the Oares fell out of their hands with feare: But after being hartned, the ships went neere together, and with great shouts and noise of Oares and sound of Trumpets feared the Whales,* 1.13 and made them sinke into the deepe. The prodigious tales of the Ile Nosala sacred to the Sunne, on which, if any went a∣shoare he should neuer be seene after, Nearchus proued false by his owne experiment: as also ano∣ther tale went thereof that a Nymph there dwelt, which lay with men that came thither, and af∣ter turned them into fishes.* 1.14

* 1.15After he was come to Carmania, he anchored before a Cape where the Persian gulfe goeth inward & then sailed no longer to the West, but betwixt the West and North, for most Northerly. Being come to Padichorus he sailed thence 800. furl. to the rock Maceta, of a daies sailing, whence Cinamon [ 10] and Spices are carried to the Assyrians. After 700. furl. he came to Neapotanum and 100. furl. further to the Riuer Anenus;* 1.16 the Region is called Armozia, cultiuated and fertile▪ except of Oliues. Here they went ashoare desirous to rest from their labour, and there found a Graecian which told them that Alexanders Campe was not farre off, fiue daies iourney from the Sea. Here Nearchus repaired his Nauie, and meane while sent to the King, & after went himselfe, he and his by their changed weatherbeaten countenances and growne haire, being not knowne by those whom Alexander had sent to him. Some had made Alexander beleeue his Fleet was lost, which finding otherwise, hee wept for ioy,* 1.17 swearing by the Grecian Iupiter, and by the Lybian Ammon, that he more ioyed in those tidings then in the Empire of all Asia. After this hee instituted Musicall and Gymnicke Games, and pompe to Iupiter Seruator, to Hercules, to Apollo the chaser away of euill, and to Nep∣tuns, [ 20] with the other Sea-Gods. Especially Nearchus was eminent and glorious, the whole army casting flowers and garlands on him.

Alexander after this would haue sent another to bring the Fleet to Susae, which Nearchus en∣uying to any other, intreated that the whole glory might be entire to himselfe, and was sent backe. After sacrifice to Iupiter the sauior, Nearchus exhibited a Gymnicke game (for trying of masteries, which we call prizes) and set saile. He passed by a small Iland called Organa, and ano∣ther lesse called Oaracta, 300. furlongs from the place whence he set forth, where were many Vines, Palmes, and Fruits. Here they said was the Sepulcher of Erythrus, or King Red, which gaue name to this red Sea. The Iland was 800. furlongs long, of which hauing sailed two hun∣dred,* 1.18 he saw another Iland forty furlongs long sacred to Neptune, and reported to be inaccessible. At their departing three ships stucke fast by reason of the Tide, which at the next floud were a∣floate [ 30] againe. After forty furlongs sailing hee anchored in another Iland 300. furlongs from the Continent; thence to the Ile Pylora, in which is D••don a towne which hath nothing but fish and water. After 300. furlongs sailing, he came to a Cape running farre into the Sea, thence 300. fur∣longs to the Ile Cataa sacred to Mercury and Venus, whither dedicated Goates and Sheepe are yeerely sent which there grew wilde. Hitherto the Carmani extend about 3700. furlongs by the shoare. These liue like the Persians their neighbours. Thence Nearchus sailed to the Ile Caican∣dros, forty furlongs, and thence to an inhabited Iland where Pearles are found, fifty f. Thence to Mount Ochus,* 1.19 and thence to Aposta••e, 450. f. and after 400. f. to a Bay celebrated with many Villages; thence 600. f. to the mouth of the Riuer Oreon: thence 800. f. to Riuer Sitacus. All this [ 40] course was on the Persian shoare, she luie for the most part and fennv. Thither Alexander had sent prouision of Corne, and they staied one and twenty daies to refresh themselues, and repaire their Nauie. Sailing thence 750. f. he came to Hieratis by the Riuer Heratemis, the next day to the Riuer Padargus, where is a fertile place called Mesambria a peninsula: 200. furlongs to Ta••••nus to the great Riuer, aboue whose entrance 200. furlongs are the Persian Kings Palaces. In this way he saw a Whale dead fifty cubits long, with Oisters growing on the skin, Dolphins also bigger then those in our Seas. He proceeded 200. furlongs to the Riuer Rhogonis fifty furlongs to the Ri∣uer Brizana: thence to Arosis the bigest Riuer in all his course, the end of the Persian borders, that shoare containing 4400. furlongs.* 1.20 There begin the Susians, and within land the Vzians, as the Mardi to the Persians, and the Cossaei to the M••des.

Hauing sailed on the Susian shoare 500. furlongs, he came to Cataderbis, a fishie Lake, neere [ 50] which is the Ile Margastana: then he passed sholds which scarsely admitted ships single, discer∣ned by stakes or poles purposely fixed there, the mirie ground taking a man vp to the waste. In such way we sailed 500. furlongs.* 1.21 Thereafter in a night and day he sailed 900. f. to the mouth of Euphrates, neere Diridotis a Village of the Babylonians, a Mart for the Spices of Arabia. From thence to Babylon, Nearchus saith, are 3300. f. Nearchus hearing that Alexander was going to Susae, sailed backe toward P••sitigris, that sailing vp the streame he might meete him, hauing the Susians on the left hand, and the Lake into which Tigris runneth 600. f. from the Riuer it selfe, at Aginis a towne of the Susians. Hauing sailed 150. f. he staid till the returne of his Messengers from the King. At last both armies were ioined with incredible ioy, and Alexander exhibited diuers kinds [ 60] of game with sacrifices, & much honour was done to Nearchus; Alexander also crowned him and Leonnatus with a crown of gold. Alexander sent others on the right hand to discouer all the coasts of Arabia. And thus Europe must acknowledge Alexander the chiefe Easterne discouerer, as the Roman armes first opened to vs the West. We will adde a little out of Ecclesiasticall writers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hydaspes, per∣haps that which now is called ••hat.
• * 1.2

  Riuer Stura.
• * 1.3

  Ile Crocala. Ile Halitenea. Ile Bubarta.
• * 1.4

  Ile Doma. Sara••ga. Sacalasis. Morontoboris.
• * 1.5

  End of India. The Oritae.
• * 1.6

  All their sai∣ling is with Oares and by shoare.
• * 1.7

  Was not this age thinke you like to ••aile to Peru or Hispa∣niola▪

  Ships a rari••y.
• * 1.8

  The Gadrosi▪
• * 1.9

  The Ichthyo∣phagi.
• * 1.10

  Madners of the Ichthyophagi▪
• * 1.11

  Fish-f••d beasts
• * 1.12

  Whales▪
• * 1.13

  How differs this from a Greenland Whale-voiage?
• * 1.14

  The Carmani.
• * 1.15

  Persian gulfe: he cals it also the red Sea.
• * 1.16

  Armozia, now Ormus.
• * 1.17

  A King worthy of good Sea-seruice.
• * 1.18

  Legend of E∣rythrus drawne from Edom in the Arabicke Gulfe to this Persian, such is the effect of Legends and supersticious-traditions.
• * 1.19

  Beginning of the Persians.
• * 1.20

  Beginning of the Susians.
• * 1.21

  Euphrates and Babylonians.