Africa being an accurate description of the regions of Ægypt, Barbary, Lybia, and Billedulgerid, the land of Negroes, Guinee, Æthiopia and the Abyssines : with all the adjacent islands, either in the Mediterranean, Atlantick, Southern or Oriental Sea, belonging thereunto : with the several denominations fo their coasts, harbors, creeks, rivers, lakes, cities, towns, castles, and villages, their customs, modes and manners, languages, religions and inexhaustible treasure : with their governments and policy, variety of trade and barter : and also of their wonderful plants, beasts, birds and serpents : collected and translated from most authentick authors and augmented with later observations : illustrated with notes and adorn'd with peculiar maps and proper sculptures / by John Ogilby, Esq. ...

THE TERRITORY OF ZEB.

THe Territory of Zeb, formerly call'd The Countrey of Zebe, * 1.1 lying by the Mountain Auran, according to Procopius, runs through the midst of Numidian Wilds.

Its Eastern Borders are Biledulgerid, * 1.2 opposite against the Kingdom of Tunis and Tripoli; on the West, Messile; on the North, the Foot of the Mountain Bugie; on the South, a Desart, where a Way runs along from Tekort to Guar∣gala.

Here are five eminent Towns, viz. Zeb, Peskare, Nefta, Teolacha, and Deusca, * 1.3 be∣sides many Villages. The City Zeb, from whom the Countrey hath its Name, is in four and thirty Degrees Longitude, and in thirty Degrees and ten Mi∣nutes Latitude: it is accounted very antient, being, according to Africanus, erected by the Romans, and also destroy'd by them; but after in process of time it rose to its former splendour, and now also well Peopled.

Nefta, or Neota, is a City, or rather a Countrey, * 1.4 containing three great Ci∣ties, especially where a Fort was built by the Romans. * 1.5

All these three, as Gramay affirms, was destroy'd in the Year Fifteen hundred and fifteen; but since they have returned leisurely to their former Lustre.

Teolacha is the antientest, surrounded with sleight Walls, * 1.6 by which glides a River of warm Water.

Deusen, another old City, built by the Romans on the Borders of Bugie, * 1.7 and the Desart of Numidia. Not far from this last City many Antique Tombs and Monuments present themselves; in which several Antique Coyns and Medals; Engraven with Emblems, and on the Reverse Characterized with various Hieroglyphicks, are found.

¶ THis Soyl is dry and sandy, the Air fiery hot, * 1.8 wanting the two special Ingredients, Water and Corn; most of their Ground being unfit for Tillage: but their store of Dates supplies all.

Peskare is much pestered with Scorpions in the Summer, whose least bite is immediate death: therefore in Summer the Citizens desert their Houses, and dwell in the Countrey, not returning till October.

¶ THe Inhabitants of this place, * 1.9 though poor, are Civil, but those of Nefta are Rough and Surly; but those of Teolacha are a proud and high-minded People, looking down on all Strangers, as too mean for their Conversations; but the Densans are Stout and Warlike. Borgia feeds many Artificers, but more Husbandmen.

¶ ONe part of this Territory stands under the Jurisdiction of the Arabians; * 1.10 another under the Kings of Kouko and Labez; the third the Turk lays his claim to. But Paskare, Anno Fifteen hundred sixty two, was rent from the King of Tunis by the practises of one Tachea a Marabout; who making himself Master, they could never be reduced to the former Government.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Territory of Zeb.
• * 1.2

  Borders.
• * 1.3

  Lee Afrie, 6. Decl.
• * 1.4

  Nefta.
• * 1.5

  Leo, p. 6.
• * 1.6

  Teolacha.
• * 1.7

  Deusen.
• * 1.8

  The Constitution of the Countrey.
• * 1.9

  The Condition of the Inhabitants.
• * 1.10

  Their Government.