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THis Province containeth the Cities of Sousa, Hamameth, or Mahomet∣ta, Heraclia, and Monaster.
Sousa, or rather Susa, stands about five and twenty miles on the East of Tunis, formerly a great City, but now inconsiderable, though the chief City of this little Dominion; by some taken for the Adrumetum of Pto∣lomy, and by Marmol and others, for the City Siagoll, which is the more proba∣ble. It was built by the Romans near the Mildland-Sea, on a high Rock before the Cape of Bon, or Point of Mercury, that shoots out towards the Island of Sici∣ly. It may be divided into an upper and a lower City, and hath Walls of hewen Stone, neat Houses, and many Mosques; but one excelling all the rest. This is the place against which Prince Philibert of Savoy, in the Year Fifteen hundred and nineteen, had a Design to get from the Turks; but they getting some intelligence thereof, prevented him with a great Slaughter of his Peo∣ple, among which many Knights of Malta, and forc'd him to a dishonorable Retreat. In the Haven thereof the Pyrate Ships of Tunis generally lye, as be∣ing convenient for them.
Hammameth, or rather Mahometa, a Modern City, built by the Turks near the Mediterranean, by some taken for Ptolomy's Makadama, as if raised out of its Ruines.
Heraclia is a small City upon a Hill, built by the Romans, and destroy'd by the Arabians.
Monaster, or Monester, once a Roman Colony, but since got the Name from a Cloyster of Augustine Monks, built close by, but now included within the Walls, which are high and strong, as the Houses are neat and commodious.
Neighbouring hereunto are the Islands Cumiliers, as also Querquene and Game∣lere, distant two miles from the main Land. Sanutus thinks, that in former Ages these were all that one Island which Ptolomy call'd Cercine, being so near to the main Land, that they could go from the one to the other over a Bridge. But Pliny contradicts this, averring Cercine to be thirteen miles in length, and three in breadth.
¶ THe Soyl of Susa is properly fit for nothing but Barley; yet they have Figs, Olives, Pears and Pomegranates: besides abundance of excel∣lent Grass, wherein they feed great Herds of Cattel.
¶ THe Inhabitants of Susa are active and industrious, behaving them∣selves towards strangers with great humanity, and inclining to Merchandising: but such as love to be within the smoke of their own Chim∣neys are either Weavers, Potters, or Herdsmen. Those of Hamameth are Fisher∣men, Carriers, Cole-burners, Whitsters, living poorly upon Barley Bread, and Barley Meal mingled with Oyl; and as meanly Habited. But the Sussans are in a better condition, driving a great Trade both into the Levant and Turky.