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.

CHAP. IX. Great ALEXANDERS Life, Acts, Peregrinations and Con∣quests briefly related.

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KIng Alexander, as they report, deriued his Pedigree by the Father from Hercules, by the mother from Aeacus; from the one descended his Father Philip,* 1.1 and from the other his Mother Olympia. Shee the first night of her Nuptials dreamed that she saw Lightning enter into her Wombe, and thence a great flame presently kindled. Philip also not long after seemed in his sleepe to seale his wiues belly, the Seale engrauen with a Lion. By these Aristander the Diuiner foretold that shee was with childe, because a Seale vseth not to be set on emptie things: also that shee should bring forth a child, who should haue the nature and spirit of a Lion. But when a while after Phi∣lip in the night saw through a cranie of the doore a Dragon lying by her, it abated his loue to [ 50] her, fearing Magicall Charmes, or the familiaritie of some Deitie. Notwithstanding Olympias counselled Alexander that he would assume a minde worthy of his father. Others say, that shee said Alexander would make her (by challenging to bee Iupiters sonne) hatefull to Iuno.* 1.2 On the Ides of August she was deliuered of Alexander, who although he were of a goodly feature, yet he bowed his necke somewhat to the left side, and a certaine whitenesse mixed with red beauti∣fied his face. Also such an odour issued both out of his mouth, and members,* 1.3 that his inner clothes did breath forth a wonderfull fragrant sauour. Which as it perhaps proceeded out of the tempe∣rature of his hot bodie, so surely he was by his naturall hotnesse giuen to Wine and anger. While he was young, he refrained himselfe from pleasures more then beseemed one of his yeeres,* 1.4 ma∣nifesting his couragious minde, who when his equals in yeeres asked, if he would willingly con∣tend [ 60] in the Olympian Games? willingly, saith he, if I were to contend with Kings. He greatly ex∣celled in swiftnesse of foot. Hee alwayes meditated vpon some great and extraordinary thing, that he might purchase fame. Therefore the Persian Ambassadors not a little maruelled at the cou∣rage of the youngman: seeing he questioned no triuiall, or childish thing of them, but the situa∣tion

of Countries and dangers of passages, and power of the King of Persia. He did seeme to bee angry at his Fathers victories; What said he, will my Father leaue for me to doe, if hee atchieue all noble exploits?

* 1.5About those times, Philip bought Bucephalus for thirtie three Talents a very fierce Horse; sto∣mackfull, vnmanaged, and abiding no Rider. Now when hee would suffer none to backe him, Alexander was angry with them, who could not through feare or ignorance tame the Horse, and offered himselfe to breake him. To whom his Father, if thou dost not, for thy boasting, what punishment wilt thou haue? then he answered, I will pay for the Horse. Philip smiling set the price: He seeing him mooued with his shadow, turned his head to the Sunne; then letting goe his Cloke, laying hold with his hands vpon his mane, mounted him, still blowing and tram∣pling [ 10] the sands vnder his feet. Letting goe the reines, and crying out aloud, hee spurred him and made him runne. Then holding in the reines hee easily turned him. While the people shou∣ted,* 1.6 his Father weeping for ioy, kissed him when he alighted, saying my Sonne, Macedonia cannot containe thee, thou must seeke a Kingdome competent. Afterward Philip noting the dis∣position of Alexander, that hee would rather bee induced to vertue by gentlenesse then rough dealing committed him to Aristotle to be instructed in the precepts of Philosophie. Wherein and in Physicke he so profited, that sometimes he helped his sicke friends. He learned Homers I∣liads of Aristotle: calling it the Souldiers Knap-sacke, laying it with his Dagger alwayes vn∣der his Pillow.

When he was seuenteene yeeres old, his Father warring against the By••antines, hee swayed the Scepter of Macedon.* 1.7 And when the Megarians rebelled, he discomfited them in battle, and [ 20] expelling the Barbarians, called their Citie Alexandropolis. Hee first also broke through against the sacred band of the Thebans. Wherefore the Macedonians called him King; and Philip Emperour.

Not long after Philip being slaine, Alexander beeing twentie yeeres old beganne to reigne, the Barbarians reuolting, many supposed that they were to bee appeased with clemencie and mild∣nesse. Then Alexander, we must not (saith he) maintayne our Dominions with gentlenesse, but force and magnanimitie, lest if we seeme to abate of our loftie courage, we be scorned of others: And gathering his troupes together, he repressed the mutinie of the Barbarians, chased away the King of the Triballi, ouerthrew the Thebans, sacked the Citie; and leuelled it to the ground. He [ 30] sold thirtie thousand of the Citizens: sixe thousand that remained kild themselues. In the meane while,* 1.8 the Graecians hearing that the Persians would shortly inuade them, elected Alexander to be their Leader. Who assoone as hee came to Isthmos, where their Generall Parliament was as∣sembled, went to Diogenes, whom hee found sitting in the Sunne. Then courteously saluting him, he demanded if he wanted any thing? But he answered only this, stand aside out of the Sunne. Alexander admiring the constancie of the man, departing said, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.* 1.9 Thence he went to Delphos, to consult with the Oracle about his expedi∣tion. It was an vnluckie day wherein it was not lawfull to giue Oracles. Alexander notwith∣standing, going in haste to the Temple, began almost by force to draw along the Priest of the O∣racle with him. My Sonne, said the Priest, thou art vnconquerable. Hee beeing ioyfull at these [ 40] words said, I haue no need of any other Oracle. And returning to the Campe, where abode the Army of thirtie thousand foot-men, and fiue thousand horsemen, hee did not goe aboard the ship before he had distributed all his Chattels, Lands, and Lordships amongst his friends. He to Per∣dicas asking, what will you leaue for your selfe? answered, only Hope.

Hauing sailed ouer the Hellespont, he went to Ilium. And then visited Achilles Sepulchre, and adorned his Statue with Garland••.* 1.10 Saying, O thou most happie, who hadst so faithfull a compa∣nion, liuing; and dead, so great a Poet to renowme thee.

In the meane while, the Chiefetaines of Darius, the King of Persia hastening to passe ouer Granicum with a great power, Alex. met them at the banks of the same Riuer: and getting the higher ground, as soone as he had marshalled his bands, ioyned battle with the Barbarians. The [ 50] fight waxing hot on both sides, Rhesaces & Spithridates, Darius his Captains, one with a Speare, the other with a Battle-axe, with a ful careere encountred Alexander, who was easie to be known by reason of his Target, and the Plume on his Helmet, beeing a great bush of white feathers. A∣uoyding nimbly the one, he strooke Rhesaces with his Speare and with his Sword made at the other, who without delay, tooke away his Helmet, with his Battle-axe to his haire, but while he lifted vp his hand for another blow, he was strooke through with a Lance by Clytus. Alexan∣der hauing vanquished the Commanders,* 1.11 put the rest to flight. In which flight twentie thousand of the Barbarians (two thousand Horsemen) were slaine. But Alexander lacked not aboue thir∣tie foure Souldiers.

Hauing gotten this victorie, he tooke the strong Citie Sardis, with other Townes, Miletus [ 60] and Halicarnassus. Hauing determined to try the vpshot with King Darius, if he would ioyne bat∣tle with him, he tooke Phaenicia and C••licia. From thence marching to Pamphilia, he subdued the Pisidans and Phrygians. After taking Gordium, where had beene of old King Mida•• his Pallace, he ouercame the Paphlagonians, and Cappadocians. But King Darius relying on the number of his

forces (for he had an Army of sixe hundred thousand) remooued his Campe from Susis. His Di∣uiners had flattered him in the Interpretation of a Dreame of the shining of Alexanders Armie, and Alexander ministring to him, who entring into Belu•• his Temple, was taken out of his sight. He thought basely of him also for staying so long in C••licia. There was Alexander detained in great danger of his life, hauing washed himselfe in a cold Riuer, and fallen into a sudden sicknesse. When other Physicans gaue him ouer, Philip an Acarnanian promised to recouer him in a short space: and although there came a Letter from Parmenio, warning him to take heed of Philips Treason, who was corrupted by King Darius, yet he dranke vp the potion boldly, and with all deliuered the Letter to Philip. He read it very heauily, but bad Alexander to be of good cheere. [ 10] In the meane time, while the potion entred into his bowels, the King lay almost dead. But such was the efficacie of the medicine, that he presently recouered his former health.

Darius approching, Alexander getting the higher ground, ordered his battle, and after a great slaughter put the Barbarians to flight: ten thousand were slaine, and many more taken.* 1.12 Alex∣ander himselfe was wounded. Alexander got the Tent, Money, rich St••ffe, Chariot, and Bow of Darius, all adorned with Gold. Moreouer, Darius his Mother, Wife, and two Daughters Vir∣gins were taken with the rest. To whom hee said, compassionating their fortune, seeing them weeping and lamenting, that Darius was aliue, and that they should haue no hurt. And indeed (herein was Alexander King of himselfe) they suffered no hardship or dishonor,* 1.13 but liued vnseene of any, as it were in sacred Cloysters, or Virginall Closets. Alexander did so refraine from them and all others, that he vsed to say in ieast, that the Persian Damsels were eye-sores. He was also [ 20] very temperate in his diet, for betweene euery cup, hee accustomed to spend a long time in dis∣course.

Hauing diuided the spoyles, hi•• next Exploit was the dominion of the Sea, and ouercomming Cyprus, he subdued all Phaenicia, except Tyre, which hee besieged seuen monethes with Mounts,* 1.14 Engines, and two hundred Gallies, and at length after diuers skirmishes tooke it by assault. But when he had added Gaza and Egypt to his Conquests, he resolued to visit the Temple of Iupiter Ammon. A very difficult Iourney and dreadfull, by reason of the want of water,* 1.15 and store of sands: yet his good fortune preuayled, showres making the sands firmer, and Crowes guiding him, he came thither without any harme; Whereas Cambyses his Armie had beene buried in the sands. Entring the Temple he saluted the chiefe of them, who answered, All haile,* 1.16 O Sonne of [ 30] Iupiter, which he receiued so ioyfully, that euer after hee carried himselfe more haughtily. In E∣gypt hee founded Alexandria a Greeke Colonie.

After this the Ambassadours of the King of Persia came to him with Letters,* 1.17 proffering ten thousand Talents, and all Mesopotamia, and his Daughter in marriage, and Darius himselfe to become his friend and associate, if he would cease from Warre▪ such conditions, that if I were A∣lexander, said Parmenio, I would accept them: so would I said Alexander, if I were Parmenio. He had them tell Darius, that he should receiue all courtesie of the Graecians, if he would come to them,* 1.18 if he would not, let him know that we, wil he, ••ill he, wil come to him speedily. Then going out of Egypt into Phaenicia, he took all the Country between Euphrates, and the second time remoued [ 40] his Campe against Darius. And now the Armies came in sight each of other, wherein Darius had a Million of men. The battle was fought not at Arb••la, but at Gausanela. The Bactrian Horsemen running vpon the Macedonians prouoked Alex. to fight, who encouraged his men and praying to Iupiter that he would giue him aide and victory, an Eagle is reported to haue been shewed him by Aristander his Diuiner flying aboue him ouer his head, and thence directing her flight against the Persians, which filled the Macedonians with hopes and cheerefull courage. Forcible was the im∣pression, and Alexander pierced into the midst of the enemies Campe, where beholding Darius well guarded in the midst of his troupes, he gaue a terrible assault and routed them,* 1.19 many beeing slaine. Darius was of a tall stature, comely face, Kingly countenance, and sate aloft in a Cha∣riot couered with Gold, which Darius leauing, leaped vpon a barren mare, seeking to saue his life by flight. The dignitie of this victory altogether ouerthrew the Persian Empire,* 1.20 and made Alexander King of Asia. Then he tooke Babylon and Susis, the royall Citie where he found for∣tie [ 50] thousand Talents of siluer, with royall houshold-stuffe, and of Hermionike Purple kept one hundred and ninety yeeres still fresh to the value of fiue thousand Talents.

Now did Alexander aduance into Persia, whither Darius had fled. There he found asmuch sil∣uer as before in Susis, and asmuch royall furniture and goods as laded ten thousand yokes of Mules, and fiue thousand Camels. Hee tarried foure moneths in his wintering Lodgings. And, as the report is, when he feasted vnder the golden roofe of the Kings Hall, he said, That he had obtai∣ned the fruit of his labours, seeing he so magnificently banqueted in the Palace of proud Xerxes.* 1.21 Thais an Athenian, a beautifull Strumpet, being present; enticed the King with her flatteries, [ 60] and said, I were the happiest woman of Greece, if I might in this our mirth fire Xerxes Pallace, who sometime burnt my Athens. The King smiling, the Harlot fired the House. The King bewitched with wine and her allurements, the rest furthering the flame, suffered such a goodly building to be consumed to a••hes. Alexander was naturally munificent, and kept a kinde of stately magni∣ficence in giuing: which he did illustrate with infinite testimonies of his bountie, lesse esteeming

those that refused then these that craued. About this time Darius had now the third time gathe∣red an Army. Alexa••der in eleuen dayes passed with great Iournies 3200. furlongs, conducting his Armie through rough places, that wanted water, so that the whole Armie well neere lan∣guished with thirst: a certaine common Souldier brought a Helmet full of water to Alexander; who looking vpon all of them panting for heate and thirst, gaue it him againe vntouched: thin∣king it vnfitting that he alone should cherish himselfe, and the others faint; whose continencie the Souldiers admiring, resolued to vndergoe any trouble, as long as they followed such a Leader. Then after a few dayes, the Armie of King Darius beeing gathered together, did flee assoone as they came in sight of the Macedonians. The Persians being thus discomfited, the Macedonians pursuing them, found King Darius in his Chariot stricken through with many wounds, and al∣most [ 10] dead, speaking some few things. But when Alexander came thither by chance, hee tooke very bitterly his ignoble death,* 1.22 and casting his coate vpon his carkasse, and adding the Royall En∣signes, he gaue charge to carrie it honourably to his Mother. Bessus the Murtherer, Alexander caused to be tied to two trees brought by force together, which rent him in sunder.

* 1.23Darius being ouerthrowne, he brought into his subiection Hyrcania, and all the Cities adioy∣ning to the Caspian Sea. After going into Parthia, hee attired himselfe in a habit, being a meane betweene a Persian and a Mede, that he might accustome the Macedonians the more willingly to adore him.

Passing ouer the Riuer Orexartes, which he thought to be Tanais, hee warred on the Scythians, and chased them one hundred furlongs.* 1.24 Thither Clitarchus, Polycritus, Onesicritus, Antigenes and Hister say, the Amazon came to him; which Chares, Isangelus, Ptolemaeus, A••ticlides, Phi∣lon,* 1.25 [ 20] Philippus, Hecataeus, Philippus Chalcidensis, and Duris the Samian, say was a deuised Fable: and this appeareth to be true by Alexander himselfe, who writing to Antipater an exact Relati∣on of all things, mentions the Scythian Kings offer of his Daughter in marriage, but hath no∣thing at all of the Amazon. It is said that Lysimachus, when hee heard One••icritus reading that Relation, smiled and said, Where was I th••n?

At length beholding the beautie and noble demeanour of Roxanes, Darius his Daughter, hee married her, that so he might perpetually tie the Barbarians to him; whom hee did also so reue∣rence, that he did not but solemnely enter in to her. But when hee proceeded to bring the rest of Asia to his obedience, he caused Philotas Parmenio his sonne a man of eminent place to be slaine. Also a little while after being drunke, he strucke Clitus through with a Lance, a man of a noble [ 30] courage, which had freed him from Sp••thridates Battle-axe: yet he presently repented, and snat∣ching the Lance out of Clitus his wound,* 1.26 would haue turned it into himselfe; but was restrained by the standers by, and had died with griefe, but that Aristander the Diuiner, and the Philoso∣phers Callisthenes and Anaxarchus perswaded him to patience. Callisthenes was as ill repaid as Clitus, which before we haue mentioned.

After this, Alexander sets forth towards India, and there perceiuing his Army by reason of the greatnesse of pillage to bee slow and dull, hee burned vp the baggage of the Macedonian Campe. After which he became an inexorable and seuere punisher of faults, and a terrour to his owne. He killed Menander, one of his greatest Familiars for neglecting his charge: And slue Orsodates ha∣uing [ 40] rebelled with his owne hands. He carried Babylonians (or Chaldaeans) with him, whom hee vsed in superstitious expiations.

Neere the Riuer Oxus, Proxenus found a Fountayne of Oyle and fat liquor, resembling Oyle in colour and taste, whereas that Region knoweth not Oliues. This Alexander tooke as a diuine Miracle in his fauour. The Diuiners tooke it for a token of a difficult but glorious Warre. Hee tooke two strong Rockes in his way, which seemed impregnable. When the Macedonians refu∣sed to passe thorow the Riuer to lay siege to Nysa, he tooke his shield and was readie to swimme ouer himselfe. But their Embassage for peace staid him. To Taxiles an Indian King, hee gaue a thousand Talents of siluer.

After that he warred vpon Porus King of a great part of India (some thinke Rahanni to be his Successour, and those parts which the Reisboots now hold in the parts, which whiles they please, [ 50] acknowledge the Mogoll, to haue been subiect to him.) Hydaspes ranne betwixt both their Tents, and Porus by his Elephants (futnished also with twentie thousand foot, and two thousand horse) hindered the passage of Alexander, who therefore raised continuall alarmes, noyses and tumults in his Tents, and got ouer the Riuer with great difficultie, tooke the Indian Charets, and foure hun∣dred of their Horsemen. In eight houres fight Porus lost the field and himselfe. Hee was foure Cubits and a handbreadth high, and rode vpon an Elephant, which fought valiantly for his Ri∣der: and finding himselfe spent, kneeled downe gently to preuent his fall. Alexander asked his Captiue Porus what he would haue done if he had taken him: and Porus answerd that he would haue done that which should haue beseemed the Maiestie of either of them: because this sauou∣red of no barbarousnesse, he restored him to his Kingdome, adding a Region of a free State there [ 60] subdued, in which were fifteene Nations and 5000. Cities, besides Villages. In this battle with Porus,* 1.27 or soone after it Bucephalus died, being thirtie yeeres old: for whose death Alexander did so grieue, that he built a Citie vpon Hydaspes, calling it by his name, as another also to his

Dogge Perit••s. The Souldiers now being wearie of the trouble of daily warre, when they vn∣derstood that he determined to goe to the inmost parts of India, refused to passe ouer Ganges. For they heard that Ganges was thirty two furlongs broad and a hundred fathome deepe, and the bankes couered with troupes of Horsemen, Elephants and Footmen; viz. 80000. Horsemen, 200000. Footmen, 8000. Charets, and 6000. Elephants trained to the warres, by the Ga••da∣ritan and Persian Kings. Wherefore Alexander seeing his desires could not obtaine their wished end, kept himselfe very sorrowfull in his Tent, and threatned that they should receiue no recom∣pense for that they had done, vnlesse they would passe ouer Ganges: at length ouer-come by the entreaties and teares of his Souldiers, he desisted from his intended Iourney. But longing to see the Ocean, gathering ships together he came thither by the Riuers. Where taking many Cities [ 10] he was almost slaine by the Malli, valiant men of India. For when hee had lept into the Citie from the wall (which he first ascended) he was oppressed with such a multitude of the Barba∣rians, that vnlesse the Macedonians had speedily succoured him being grieuously wounded with an Arrow and a blow with a Club vpon the necke, here he had in his rashnesse finished his dayes. But being freed from the perill of death, he ouerthrew Cities and many places, seuen monethes being so spent. At last hee came to the Ocean with his Armie. Then contemplating the shoares, and finishing his holies, he intreated the Gods that no man euer after should goe beyond his bounds: he also bad Nearchus tarrie about India, with a Nauy. He went on foot to Ori••us. But he was so distressed with the barrennesse of the Countrey, heate and diseases, that of a 120000. Footmen, and 15000. Horsemen, scarcely the fourth part liued. After sixtie dayes hee came to [ 20] Gedrosia, where being honourably entertained by the Kings and Officers which had prepared a∣gainst his comming, hee forgot all his passed troubles: so that he spent his time day and night

[illustration]

HONDIVS his Map of Alexanders Expedition.

in drinking, banqueting, singing and daliance with women. After this Nearchus returning, pre∣sently he sailed downe Euphrates: and passing ouer Arabia and Lybia, purposed to goe to Her∣cules Pillars by the Mediterranean Sea. But because his armie was very impatient, being consu∣med by the tediousnesse of the way, hauing sent backe Nearchus to defend the Sea 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he re∣turned into Persia. And bestowing his money among all his women (for that was the Kings custome, as often as they entered Persia) he celebrated the Nuptials of his companions at Susis. He also maried Statyra the other daughter of Darius. Making then a costly banquet to his com∣panions, he had 9000. Guests, and gaue euery one of them a golden cup. He opened the Sepul∣chre of Cyrus, whose Epitaph was this, Whosoeuer thou art, and whence soeuer thou commest (for I know thou wilt come) I am Cyrus which wa•• the Empire to the Persians. Enuie me not this little earth, [ 10] which couers my body. Calanus also here burned himselfe, hauing taken familiar leaue of all, and told the King he would shortly see him againe at Babylon. He also paid the debts of his souldiers, which came to 10000. talents, lacking onely 130. He found 30000. Persian youths which hee had giuen order to be trained and instructed of manly growth and comely presence, which gaue plausible testimonies of their admirable actiuity. This caused emulation to the Macedonians, which murmuring, he chose his guard of the Persians. Whereupon the Macedonians being grieued went to him, intreating him not to reiect them as vnprofitable; for they did confesse that they had beene ingratefull, and desired pardon. At length Alexander pittying their teares and habit, sent them away abundantly rewarded with gifts. He entertained others according to their dig∣nity. But when he went toward Ecbatana of Media, he gaue him selfe to plaies and spectacles, and about that time a feuer tooke away Ephestion, whose losse hee tooke so to heart that nothing [ 20] could please him. Therefore to appease his griefe, he went to warre as to a manhunting: And so raced out all the Nation of the Cossaei, as it were offering them in sacrifice to Ephestio his ghost. Those things being finished, he was admonished by some of the Chaldeans, that hee should not come to Babylon. But he went notwithstanding, where he was againe troubled with many Di∣uiners, and not onely suspected all his seruants but all his gods and deities. At length to recreate himselfe he went a little into a bathe, where he began exceedingly to sweate: And being carried to bed, after a few daies the Feuer increasing, hee gaue directions to his Princes concerning the Empire, and died. But before his body was buried, it lay a great while in hot places. And seeing it remained sound and vncorrupted, by this all suspition of poison was taken away. We will end this Relation of Alexander with Nearchus his Voyage by him set forth. [ 30]

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,* 1.28 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.* 1.29 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,* 1.30 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,* 1.31 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.* 1.32 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.* 1.33

[ 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 * 1.34 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.* 1.35 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,* 1.36 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,* 1.37 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,* 1.38 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,* 1.39

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,* 1.40 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.* 1.41

* 1.42After 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;* 1.43 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,* 1.44 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,* 1.45 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,* 1.46 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.* 1.47 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.* 1.48 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

  Alexanders Pe∣digree.
• * 1.2

  His birth.
• * 1.3

  His fragrancie.
• * 1.4

  His youthfull magnanimitie▪
• * 1.5

  Bucephalus.
• * 1.6

  His arts.
• * 1.7

  His first mar∣tiall acts.
• * 1.8

  Isthmus neere Corinth.
• * 1.9

  Diogenes. Delphos.
• * 1.10

  His expedition against the Persians.
• * 1.11

  Clitus saueth his life. His victorie.
• * 1.12

  Second battle. Alexanders v••∣ctory.
• * 1.13

  His tempe∣rance.
• * 1.14

  Cyprus. Tyrus.
• * 1.15

  Ammons oracle
• * 1.16

  Alexandria builded.
• * 1.17

  Embassage f••om Darius.
• * 1.18

  The third bat∣tell with the Persians, and second with Darius.
• * 1.19

  Alexanders victorie.
• * 1.20

  Babylon taken. Susae.
• * 1.21

  Perfepolis bur∣den
• * 1.22

  Dar••us slain by treason of his owne.
• * 1.23

  Hyrcania sub∣dued.
• * 1.24

  Scythian ex∣pedition.
• * 1.25

  Amazonian tale
• * 1.26

  Philotas and Clitus slaine.
• * 1.27

  Bucepha••i••.
• * 1.28

  Hydaspes, per∣haps that which now is called ••hat.
• * 1.29

  Riuer Stura.
• * 1.30

  Ile Crocala. Ile Halitenea. Ile Bubarta.
• * 1.31

  Ile Doma. Sara••ga. Sacalasis. Morontoboris.
• * 1.32

  End of India. The Oritae.
• * 1.33

  All their sai∣ling is with Oares and by shoare.
• * 1.34

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

  Ships a rari••y.
• * 1.35

  The Gadrosi▪
• * 1.36

  The Ichthyo∣phagi.
• * 1.37

  Madners of the Ichthyophagi▪
• * 1.38

  Fish-f••d beasts
• * 1.39

  Whales▪
• * 1.40

  How differs this from a Greenland Whale-voiage?
• * 1.41

  The Carmani.
• * 1.42

  Persian gulfe: he cals it also the red Sea.
• * 1.43

  Armozia, now Ormus.
• * 1.44

  A King worthy of good Sea-seruice.
• * 1.45

  Legend of E∣rythrus drawne from Edom in the Arabicke Gulfe to this Persian, such is the effect of Legends and supersticious-traditions.
• * 1.46

  Beginning of the Persians.
• * 1.47

  Beginning of the Susians.
• * 1.48

  Euphrates and Babylonians.