Memorabilia mundi, or, Choice memoirs of the history and description of the world by G.H.

PERSIA.

FOr want of lawful Heirs to Camby∣ses their second King, their Prin∣ces consulted to salute him; whose Horse first neighed at a set meeting up∣on the Court Green before the Sun-risin. Darius Histaspes was one, and by the subtilty of his Horse-keeper car∣ryed the Crown; for the night before in the same ground, he had coupled a Mare with the Horse his Master should ride, which when the lustful▪ Steed mis∣sed, the next Morning being full of spi∣rit, no sooner had he set footing upon the place, but with much eagerness he snuffed and neighed after his Mare, and gave the quue to the other Princes to Proclaim Darius King of the Pesiians. This was he whom the Scriptures call Ahasuerus, he was Hesters Husband.

The ancient Persians Customs were most of them Superstitious, but they

held nothing almost in so great reve∣rence as Water: It might not lawfully be soiled, so much as with a foul hand; but to piss, or cast rubbish, or a dead Carkase into their Rivers, was a kind of Sacriledge. They had many Wives, and more Concubines; for they were exceeding desirous of increase, and great Rewards were appointed by their King himself, for him that could most aug∣ment the number of his Subjects in one year. They seldom entred into any Consultation of State, till they had well armed themselves with drink; for then they thought they should be most free to speak what they most thought. To spit or laugh before their Prince, was a Crime well-nigh unpardonable: Some say that they bury not their dead, but cast them forth to be devoured by wilde Beasts, and thought him most happy which was soonest torn to mammocks: the rest their friends bewailed, as such who had lived impurely, and were therefore by this sign declared wor∣thy

of Hell only, without any Redemp∣tion.

In Assyria, now Arzeram stands the most famous City Ninive, near the River Tigris, containing full three score Miles in compass; they had a Custom to sell their Virgins, which were fair and most desired, and tender the price into the common Treasury. The homelier sort were placed in Marriage with that Mo∣ney, to those which would accept of them for gain at least, if not for Beau∣ty.